“There’s a large herd of sacred cows that roam the Capitol corridors, and if you butcher any one of them, a bill dies.” — Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, on potential challenges facing an effort to pass a flat tax in Arizona.

“Until further information can be developed to prove or disprove the allegations, this investigation will be listed be inactive.” — A Peoria Police Department report, explaining why authorities decided not to recommend any charges against Sen. Rick Murphy, R-Peoria, in an alleged sexual abuse case.

“The state, I don’t believe, could afford that kind of accelerated cost on assessments.” — Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman, referring to the per-student cost increase of the state’s new Common Core education assessment test.

“Deregulation would place Arizona ‘at the mercy of forces that show no mercy’.” — SRP general manager and CEO Mark Bonsall, citing former California Gov. Gray Davis’ comments following his state’s unsuccessful foray into electricity deregulation.

“There’s an old expression: Hard cases shouldn’t make bad law.” — Defense attorney Larry Debus, cautioning against changing Arizona’s so- called “stand-your-ground’’ law.

“I think it would be good to re-look at it and maybe narrow the duty a little more. I think people shouldn’t have the duty to turn around and run away and retreat because often times the process of doing that is riskier than if you stood your ground.” — Defense attorney Mel McDonald, on the burden of proof in Arizona “stand-your-ground’’ law.