Recent Articles from Cristina Silva, Associated Press
Arizona Legislature overhauls unemployment claims
A bill that would make it more difficult for recently unemployed people in Arizona to collect unemployment benefits is likely to land on Republican Gov. Jan Brewer's desk.
McCain lowers expectations for immigration reform
Sen. John McCain worked to lower expectations surrounding his plan for immigration reform and hinted at difficult disagreements in Congress during an emotional town hall meeting in his home state of Arizona on Monday that saw people on both sides of the debate exchange fiery insults.
Federal court hears arguments in Arizona immigrant driver’s license battle
The first major legal battle over President Barack Obama's policy allowing young illegal immigrants to stay in the United States focuses on whether the federal government or state officials have the authority to decide who is legally in the country.
Arizona lawmakers back gold, silver as currency
Arizona lawmakers say the global economy is on the precipice of financial ruin and the U.S. dollar could soon be worth less than the paper used to make it.
AZ Senate panel OKs changes to unemployment claims
A pro-business measure moving forward in the Arizona Legislature would make it harder for recently unemployed people to obtain unemployment insurance benefits.
House GOP, Democrats unite to defend transparency
Nearly a dozen Republicans in the GOP-led Arizona House of Representatives are siding against their party in a fight over government openness.
AZ House delays bill on newspaper public notices
Republicans and Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives are forming a rare alliance aimed at protecting small newspapers and government transparency.
Arizona House passes anti-federal education bill
Dozens of public schools would be able to throw out federal education policy regulating academic standards, teacher evaluation requirements and student tracking systems under a measure approved by the Arizona House on Thursday.
Giffords urges support for background checks
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the scene of the horrific shooting that wounded her and killed six people two years ago, urging senators Wednesday to pass background checks for gun purchases in her first public event at the site since the rampage.
Arizona lawmakers look to regulate legal marijuana
One Arizona lawmaker wants to shut down dispensaries that use unclear labels for its food products. Another bill would allow colleges and universities to conduct medical marijuana research. A third would allow county zoning ordinances to apply to marijuana cultivation.
AZ Senate president: union bills a priority
An effort to limit the ability of unions to collect fees directly from the paychecks of employees is a priority for state and national Republicans, the president of the Arizona Senate said Monday.
Arizona Democrats again seek to repeal SB1070
As national leaders rev up the debate on border security and immigration reform, Arizona Democrats are fighting a losing battle in the Legislature to reopen the discussion on how this border state treats illegal immigrants.