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Recent Articles from Christian Palmer
Lobbyist, lawmaker to resume Clean Elections clash
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission has renewed a $6,500-per-month contract with lobbyist Mike Williams, setting up another battle over the fate of the public campaign-funding system. Todd Lang, director of the Clean Elections Commission, said hiring a lobbyist was necessary to protect a system he credits with increasing political participation of the public and encouraging people to run fo[...]
UPDATE: Judge upholds Clean Elections’ decision to unseat Quelland
An administrative law judge has rejected Rep. Doug Quelland’s appeal of a decision by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to force the lawmaker from office.
Ruling on Quelland case expected Nov. 10
An administrative law judge is expected to issue a ruling by Nov. 10 on a May decision by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to order the ouster of District 10 Rep. Doug Quelland.
GOP-passed election laws targeted by Democrats
Two electoral changes implemented by Republicans this year have attracted opposition and litigation from Democrats who argued the laws violate the state Constitution to advance partisan agendas. In July, Gov. Jan Brewer signed S1123 into law. The legislation, proposed by Tucson Sen. Jonathan Paton, banned local governments from including partisan affiliations for candidates on the ballot.
AZ high court: Public records include electronic data
The Arizona Supreme Court on Oct. 29 unanimously agreed that Arizona public records request statutes apply to electronic data-entry records and are not limited to government documents subject to copy and inspection under state law.
AZ Supreme Court declines case challenging tuition tax credits
UPDATED AT 6:27 P.M., OCT. 30 A state law allowing businesses to reduce their tax liabilities by contributing money to organizations that distribute private school tuition payments will remain on... […]
Goddard asked to challenge Land Dept. funding law
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard was asked on Oct. 27 to challenge a recent law change that allows the Arizona State Land Department to use portions of proceeds from the sales of state trust land to cover its own management duties.
Operation Los Tusa dismantles marijuana syndicate
The Arizona Attorney General's Office announced Oct. 26 that it has indicted 21 people in connection with a marijuana-smuggling operation based in Pinal County. Attorney General Terry Goddard, along with Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, sent out a media release noting that Operation Los Tusa has dismantled a syndicate responsible for smuggling thousa[...]
Bankers file suit to challenge repeal of foreclosure law
A coalition of bankers has asked the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn the repeal of legislation enacted to benefit banks harmed by a wave of foreclosures. On Oct. 21, the Arizona Bankers Association has filed a petition for special action with the state's highest court in hopes of negating a provision included in state budget legislation that successfully repealed a foreclosure law signed into[...]
DEQ says emissions testing might be delayed by further cuts
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has informed Gov. Jan Brewer that implementing a 15-percent reduction to the department will leave it in a poor position to protect the health of state residents and the environment.
Farmers, ranchers fear budget cuts to Agriculture Dept.
As Arizona continues to grapple with declining government revenue, the state's farming and ranching communities are warning that the Arizona Department of Agriculture has stretched its dollars to the limit. And the situation could grow worse, as Gov. Jan Brewer in September ordered state agencies to draft plans that predict the immediate effects on departments if their budgets are cut another 1[...]
GOP-led panel hears testimony on STO program
Members of a Republican-led committee met for the first time on Oct. 14 to examine possible weaknesses of a state law designed to make private schools more accessible to children... […]
