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Recent Articles from Christian Palmer
Connecticut ruling looms over AZ Clean Elections
Opponents of Arizona's system of publicly funded campaigns were further encouraged by a federal judge's Aug. 27 decision to eliminate Connecticut's campaign finance reform method in entirety. The ruling by District of Connecticut Judge Stefan Underhill blasted the state's Citizens' Election Program, a voluntary program enacted in 2005 to provide legislative and statewide candidates with public [...]
Wercinski announces candidacy for Secretary of State
Former Arizona Real Estate Commissioner Sam Wercinski has announced he will run for Secretary of State. Wercinski, a former Air Force officer, issued a press release and a call for contributions on Aug. 28 after concluding a six week campaign organizing effort.
Tax appeals skyrocket as home values plummet
After learning in February that 99 percent of all Maricopa County homeowners could expect to see the value of their homes decrease from the previous year, Gregory Sarena was stunned to learn the county assessor concluded his Cave Creek residence had gone up 20 percent within one year.
Schools, others fear new trust-land law
A freshly passed budget bill granting the Arizona State Land Department the ability to raise money independently to pay for the costs of state trust land management could face a legal challenge based on federal law that is almost 100 years old.
Health care debate brings thousands to downtown Phoenix
Tom Jenney stood near the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 17 with a small square patch of Astroturf hanging around his neck. He wore the unusual accessory in an effort to lampoon U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has derided high-profile protests of federal health care reform as orchestrated events void of grassroots authenticity.
UpClose with Rep. Jack Brown
St. Johns resident and perennial lawmaker Jack Brown turned 80 this year, making him the oldest legislator in the state. Brown was a freshman lawmaker in 1963, the year the Beatles released their first album and "Dr. No" kicked off decades of James Bond movies.
Judge needs more time in Quelland case
The appeal of an order to remove Rep. Doug Quelland from office has moved more slowly than anticipated, and an administrative law judge has scheduled additional hearings in late September. Judge Robert Shedden originally set aside two days to hear Quelland's appeal of a May decision by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission that called for fining the lawmaker $45,000 and removing him from offi[...]
Supreme Court explains ruling on spat between governor and Legislature
The Arizona Supreme Court on Aug. 13 delivered a detailed explanation of a decision it reached in June regarding an acrimonious state budget dispute between Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican lawmakers.
House Dems seek probe of private-school scholarships
Following media reports that highlighted problems with the state’s school-tuition organizations, Democrats in the Arizona House have called for state and federal authorities to investigate potential abuses of the school-choice option.
Splitting budget bill jeopardizes support in House
While splitting the tax referendums may help the budget agreement gain enough support to climb out of the Senate, the maneuver might alienate enough House members to kill the fledgling deal.
Day 2 of Quelland Hearing: Davis grilled
Earlier this year, Citizens Clean Elections Commission sided with a Phoenix consultant Larry Davis in a bitter dispute that threatens the political career of District 10 Rep. Doug Quelland.
Far from over: Next steps in Quelland saga
A struggle that began weeks after the November elections moved into the courtroom on Aug. 6 when Rep. Doug Quelland petitioned an administrative law judge to undo a state agency’s order that could force him from office. Quelland has appealed to the Office of Administrative Hearings in hopes of keeping his seat as a District 10 representative.
