Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill into law that allows for new charter school admission preferences benefiting some siblings and grandchildren.

As the 2013 legislative session stretches past the 100-day mark and Gov. Jan Brewer struggles for dwindling Republican votes on her top agenda item, the Ninth Floor is redoubling its efforts to attract GOP votes for Medicaid expansion.

The federal government has told Arizona that it will not be able to continue cuts to its Medicaid program beyond the end of the year if it hopes to receive federal funding for a voter-approved expansion of the program.

The state House sent Gov. Jan Brewer a bill Wednesday that would require scrap metal dealers to register with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and would increase penalties for dealers who knowingly purchase stolen materials.

Sen. Al Melvin, R-SaddleBrooke, has formed an exploratory committee to run for governor.

In a press release posted on the blog Sonoran Alliance, the three-term senator said his motivation for exploring the race sprang from his frustration with a lack of progress at the Capitol and “genuine optimism” for Arizona’s future.

The impasse between Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican legislative leadership over Medicaid expansion, sales tax reform and Common Core educational standards has left many lawmakers reluctant to send her their bills for fear of encountering a veto.

Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill sponsored by an outspoken opponent of her proposal to expand Medicaid that would have allowed people above the age of 45 to volunteer for the state militia.

Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill barring state agencies from adopting new rules if they restrain or burden citizen’s “vested rights.”

Gov. Jan Brewer brought her veto total for the 2013 session to six Wednesday after rejecting a bill to eliminate the age limit for the state militia and another bill to restrict state agencies’ regulatory powers.

The Arizona Senate voted Monday to revive the major provisions of a medical pricing transparency bill that was vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer just last week.