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Recent Articles from Caitlin Coakley Beckner
Contractors say fund sweeps cost 42,000 highway jobs, want HURF reimbursed
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and at the Legislature, those measures have included sweeping money from state funds and agencies.
But now that the fiscal outlook is less bleak, some opponents would like the state to reimburse those funds.
Salmon picks up Club for Growth endorsement
Matt Salmon has gained the endorsement of a prominent anti-tax group in his bid to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake.
Lawmakers consider buying back state buildings as cash flow improves
Now that Arizona’s fiscal picture is rosier, with projected surpluses instead of staggering deficits, lawmakers are looking at undoing one of the state’s more embarrassing budget gimmicks.
Parks director headed for new job in Santa Barbara County
After two and a half years with Arizona State Parks, Renée Bahl will be leaving the agency in December for a new job in central-southern California’s coastal Santa Barbara County. Bahl came to the parks department when budgets were being slashed and the department was trying to determine which of the parks it was going to be able to keep open. Now, she said, the outlook is far rosier.
Salmon gets lawmaker endorsements
Five lawmakers, including the Senate majority leader, have given Matt Salmon their endorsement in the upcoming congressional race.
Recall threat tactic may prove difficult
Seeing one of Arizona’s most prolific and powerful political figures toppled in a recall election has some Republicans wondering who might be next.
Whereas previously, a recall petition being pulled could be dismissed as a joke, there was now a solid model for running a recall campaign and winning.
Constitutional provision raises question of recall reimbursement for Pearce
Even after the last ballot has been counted, the Legislature may still be getting one more request from outgoing Sen. Russell Pearce: a check for campaign expenses.
A little-known provision in the state Constitution says that an elected official subject to a recall may be reimbursed for “reasonable special election campaign expenses.”
Latest count shows almost 12 point Lewis lead
As more votes are being counted, Sen.-elect Jerry Lewis is widening his lead over former Senate President Russell Pearce.
Dem Party chair yet to make good on recall threats
Despite a vow to do so, the head of the Arizona Democratic Party has not filed recall petitions against four senators who voted to remove the chairwoman of the state’s redistricting committee.
Mesa, Chandler mayors announce support for Salmon
The mayor of the third-largest city in Arizona has thrown his support behind congressional candidate Matt Salmon, a potential game-changing blow in the district’s race.
New $50M statewide education data system faces uphill battle
The state is searching for nearly $50 million to implement an interconnected school data system that officials and lawmakers say is vital to measuring student achievement and teacher performance at all levels throughout the state. And the clock is ticking.
Message to lawmakers – education system is economic engine
Call it a sign of the times. It used to be that education advocates could play up the morality angle — that education needed strong financial support because, well, it was the right thing to do. But now, they are taking a new, pragmatic approach.
