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Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
Tobin pushes institute to educate new lawmakers
Former Arizona House Speaker-turned-Corporation Commissioner Andy Tobin is spearheading a new “Legislative Affairs Institute” through Arizona State University aimed at getting new lawmakers up to speed quicker.
Will Humble: In the thick of Arizona’s battle over marijuana
Will Humble, the former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, is perhaps best known as the guy who got Arizona’s medical marijuana program off the ground.
Frustrated by 2014 loss, Dems hope to regain southern Arizona seat
Two years ago, Republican Chris Ackerley blindsided Democrats when he won a seat in the state House from a Democratic stronghold in the heart of solidly blue southern Arizona. Ackerley faces his biggest challenge yet.
Bitter battle breaks out between 2 Republicans in District 28
After a mailer and robocall urged voters to support only one of the two Republicans running for the state House in central Phoenix’s Legislative District 28, accusations are flying from the two GOP nominees for the district’s seats.
White Cane Day at Capitol challenges assumptions about blind
Tapping white canes and carrying signs reading “white cane = competent traveler,” more than 100 blind people and their advocates stormed the Capitol on October 19 to protest assumptions about, and state practices regarding, the blind.
Democrats confident they can finally win a House seat in LD18
The three-way race for LD18’s two House seats will feature the same players as 2014’s election: Democrat Mitzi Epstein is attempting to unseat one of the two Republican representatives, Bob Robson and Jill Norgaard.
Dalessandro issues belated apology for calling GOP leadership Nazis
Arizona Democratic Sen. Andrea Dalessandro recently told her Facebook followers that she had something to “CONFESS.” At an interview with the Arizona Daily Star editorial board in September, Dalessandro called GOP leadership at the Capitol “Nazis.” At an interview with the Arizona Daily Star editorial board in September, Dalessandro called GOP leadership at the Capitol “Nazis.”
Lawrence attempting to file complaint against Phoenix over ID cards
Republican Rep. Jay Lawrence of Scottsdale told readers of the blog that he had filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office under a new state law that allows lawmakers to request that the attorney general investigate a city any lawmaker believes may have broken state law or violated the state Constitution.
Babeu’s baggage: Past weighs heavy in campaign for 1st Congressional District
Some local Republicans are all but declaring Paul Babeu dead in the water, saying his campaign is sinking under the weight of his own baggage.
From intern to speaker: J.D. Mesnard rises to the top at the House of Representatives
When Javan “J.D.” Mesnard first showed up at the Capitol in 2002, he was a messy-haired 21-year-old music composition major who had quit his job as a pizza delivery driver.
Operator of iconic Capitol cafeteria to retire next month
After 24 years of running cafeterias in government buildings, including eight years at the helm of the Capitol’s No. 1 eatery, Val Luttenberger is hanging up her apron.
Mesnard likely to become new House speaker
Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, appears to have locked up the votes to become the next speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives.
