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Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
Months before the election, lawmakers jockey for leadership roles
Although the 2014 election season is just heating up, a quieter campaign has been continuing for months — the election of legislative leadership.
Light-hearted post-session breakfast stresses Legislature’s accomplishments
The Republican leaders of the House and Senate gave their take on the accomplishments of the 2014 legislative session and the work left to do in the business arena at the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce legislative session wrap breakfast on May 1.
Illegal, but here to stay: Rideshare companies say they won’t leave Arizona
Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft aren’t leaving Arizona, even though their drivers will continue to receive tickets for illegally operating a taxi service after Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have legalized rideshare businesses in the state.
High-profile vetoes: Brewer makes her mark on this year’s legislative session
Hundreds of people rallied around the Capitol in February urging Gov. Jan Brewer to veto a controversial religious liberties bill, and the crowd broke out in elation when the governor announced she had broken out her veto stamp for the first time this year to knock down the bill.
Not seeing eye to eye: Optometrists, ophthalmologists battle over prescriptions
Optometrists want the ability to prescribe steroids, hydrocodone pain killers and other potentially dangerous drugs, but lawmakers say a bill allowing them to do so is circumventing the legislative process and would put the public at risk.
Veto stamp: Brewer comes to endangered wolves’ rescue
Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a pair of bills allowing ranchers and state officials to kill endangered Mexican gray wolves if the wolf is caught in the act of killing livestock or threatening humans.
Legislature close to cracking down on teenage texting
After years of trying and failing to outlaw texting while driving, Arizona lawmakers are on the cusp of approving a bill to that would target the practice for underage teen drivers.
Romney endorses House Speaker Tobin for Congress
Former Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney endorsed House Speaker Andy Tobin in his bid to be the Republican nominee to face U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick in the November election for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
Ballot initiative warning bill revived in House
Your November ballot will contain a new warning that lawmakers cannot nullify voters’ decisions on citizen initiatives if a bill approved by the House becomes law.
Lawmakers build on state’s reputation as a great place to own guns
Guns and Ammo Magazine didn’t name Arizona the best place to live for gun owners for nothing. Republican lawmakers have consistently deregulated gun ownership, making it possible to have more people carrying guns in more places with less training. That all adds up to some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, which the magazine cited when putting out its 2013 analysis of state gun law[...]
Party bike bill goes to governor
Gov. Jan Brewer will have to decide if a three-wheel motorcycle should require a motorcycle license to operate, and whether party-goers can continue to drink and peddle on “party bikes.”
Despite lots of clucking, chicken bill doesn’t come home to roost
Republican Sen. David Farnsworth’s bill to allow a chicken in every backyard captured the imagination of Arizonans and was one of the most talked-about bills of the legislative session.
