Arizona Capitol Times » Top Stories

Tobin calls for IRC audit as legal bills top $1M

Jeremy Duda — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:57:51 +0000

As the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission continues to rack up legal bills, House Speaker Andy Tobin is seeking a full audit of the commission’s finances.

County attorney wants lobbying laws overhauled after Fiesta Bowl scandal

Gary Grado — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:39:56 +0000

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who is wrapping up an eight-month investigation into the Fiesta Bowl scandal, will ask lawmakers to overhaul the state’s lobbying laws, saying financial reporting requirements are confusing and out of touch with what he believes the public demands of its elected officials.

“If it’s too much of a burden for an elected official to keep the public informed … they shouldn’t be in office,” the county’s top prosecutor told the Arizona Capitol Times. “If you don’t want to do this, then go do something else.”

Judge upholds state Medicaid cuts

Jeremy Duda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:14:24 +0000

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge upheld a partial enrollment freeze for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, rejecting a liberal advocacy group’s claims that the cuts violated a voter mandate.

Political winds shifted against photo radar

Jeremy Duda — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:48:30 +0000

The lesson learned from Arizona’s brief flirtation with photo radar is that it’s better to be popular than effective. The statewide photo-enforcement program will end July 15. Shortly after taking office in January, Gov. Jan Brewer said of the program: “I hate it.”

Brewer, Obama have ‘cordial’ meeting

Reid Wilson, Hotline OnCall — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:58:29 +0000

President Obama hosted Gov. Jan Brewer at the White House June 3 for what Brewer termed a "very cordial discussion" on Arizona's new anti-illegal immigration law, in which Obama promised to send top White House officials to the state in advance of a new influx of border troops.

Pearce pushed, prodded and pandered to pass his ‘legacy bill’

Jeremy Duda — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:14:02 +0000

Sen. Russell Pearce was the driving force behind the immigration reform package that has once again put Arizona in the national spotlight. But he wouldn't have been able to get it passed without the help of several people who either supported S1070 or moved out of its way.

GOP advances bills requiring public disclosure on government Web sites

dmc-admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted June 9 to advance two proposals aimed at allowing residents to review exactly how local governments spend their tax dollars. Republicans on the committee, such as Sen. Al Melvin of Tucson and Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa, spoke of sunshine and transparency. Democrats, meanwhile, said the legislation would burden local [...]

Chairmen sift through 100s of bills with only 2 weeks left in fiscal 2009

dmc-admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

As the Senate shifts to cranking out non-budget measures in the final weeks of session, some lawmakers are raising concerns that the rush will lead to defective laws that they would have to correct later. One veteran lawmaker called it an “incredibly dangerous” period, during which legislation not fully understood or vetted could get through. [...]

It’s ‘Christmas tree’ time in June

dmc-admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Dozens of unrelated bills tacked onto budget measure

Brewer says lawmakers’ budget jeopardizes stimulus money

dmc-admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Risks include sweeps, rollovers and proof-of-eligibility requirements