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Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
Many hurdles make ‘citizen veto’ hard to come by
Activists are attempting to repeal a trio of laws approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor this year. But pulling off a referendum, known colloquially as a “citizens’ veto,” isn’t easy.
Testy session, debates marked by use of ‘impugning’ rule in House
Throughout the 2017 legislative session, the House floor was a hotbed of animosity, as Democratic lawmakers repeatedly tested the boundaries of what they could say about their colleagues, and Republican lawmakers repeatedly tested the limits of how far the chamber’s rules could stretch to limit speech.
Clean Elections audit finds Rep. Rubalcava committed several campaign finance violations
The Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission approved the results of its comprehensive audit of Democratic Rep. Jesus Rubalcava, who stands accused of a series of campaign finance violations that could result in his eviction from office.
Clean Elections Commission to discuss allegations of campaign violations against legislator
The Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission will discuss on Thursday the results of its comprehensive audit of Democratic Rep. Jesus Rubalcava, who is accused of a series of campaign finance violations that could result in his eviction from office.
Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley: She’s not a generic Democrat
During her first campaign for office last year, Democratic Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley spurned her party’s usual talking points to hammer on more overlooked issues like equal rights, public banking and getting money out of politics.
Ethics complaint raises question on Facebook rants
Republican Rep. Mark Finchem filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee demanding Democratic Rep. Mark Cardenas be investigated and possibly punished for writing a Facebook post that criticized Republicans for supporting the budget.
House Speaker: Budget deal is ‘close’
House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said negotiators are close to finalizing a spending plan for Fiscal Year 2018, and while a deal isn’t set yet, there is a 50-50 chance that budget bills will be introduced by the end of the day today.
Rep. Paul Mosley on lawmaker cousins and repealing compulsory education
Freshman Republican Rep. Paul Mosley of Lake Havasu City has a big family. Besides his wife and large crop of children, he says he is related to everyone in the Legislature.
House Republican leader: Teachers get second jobs to buy boats, enjoy finer things in life
Teachers in Arizona are getting second jobs not because they’re struggling to survive on their low pay, but because they want to enjoy the finer things in life, like boats, according to House Majority Leader John Allen.
FLOTUS spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham on state payroll while on Trump’s victory tour and transition team
Stephanie Grisham, a staffer on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, was supposed to resume her full-time job as a spokeswoman at the Arizona House of Representatives less than a week after he won the election. There’s no evidence she did. She still got paid.
Democrat apologizes for online post on punching woman colleague
Democratic Rep. Jesus Rubalcava publicly apologized April 13 for his comments a week before on social media that he wanted to punch a Republican colleague, Sen. Debbie Lesko, “in the throat.”
Going for the throat: Rubalcava laments voucher passage online
Democratic state Rep. Jesus Rubalcava was so upset over the passage of Republican Sen. Debbie Lesko’s legislation to expand Arizona’s school voucher system that he “wanted to punch her in the throat.”
