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Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
Lawmakers navigate maze of legal questions with proposed election law repeal
Faced with the threat of voters turning out in droves to rebuke them, Republican lawmakers who drafted and approved the election reform law HB2305 are preparing to repeal the controversial measure before the voters have a chance to repeal it themselves in the November election.
House committee to consider repeal of election reform law
A House panel is scheduled on Thursday to consider a pre-emptive repeal of last year’s election law changes, HB2305, before it goes up for a referendum vote this November.
Tobin faces challenge of uniting House Republican caucus
House Speaker Andy Tobin is entering his final year in the House, and it will be a busy year. Tobin must bring together the two factions of the Republican Caucus and maintain control of the House, while simultaneously hitting the campaign trail for Arizona’s massive 1st Congressional District.
Campbell hopes Democrats can play key role in budget, legislative process
House Democratic Leader Chad Campbell of Phoenix is entering his eighth and final year as a lawmaker, coming off of a huge win last year when Democrats were able to pass a budget including some of their key priorities with the help from a few Republicans and Gov. Jan Brewer. Campbell is hoping it won’t be a one-time deal and the minority party can become a real part of the budget and legislative[...]
Election year means some intra-party battles at the Capitol
As lawmakers start the new year, one topic will hang over their heads and color the legislative session more than any other. It’s not Medicaid or Child Protective Services or... […]
After suffering stroke, Rep. Goodale is back, will run for reelection in 2014
Republican Rep. Doris Goodale of Kingman is already back at work after suffering a serious stroke three months ago, and is drafting legislation for the upcoming legislative session.
Lots of talk, but no legislative action after Yarnell fire
After a historic blaze in Yarnell killed 19 firefighters and caused millions of dollars in property damage, House Speaker Andy Tobin, who represents the area, had to do something. That something, however, was never exactly clear.
AZ Dems under fire for Obamacare votes
When the federal government shut down due to a congressional impasse over repealing or delaying the Affordable Care Act, Arizona’s three targeted Democrats in Congress took vastly different approaches to their votes on the health care law.
First CD1 debate a contentious affair
The first debate of the Republican primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in Show Low set the stage for what will be another contentious fight within the Republican Party.
Federal, state laws at odds on lobbyist political contributions
To curtail the inappropriate influence of money in politics, Arizona law prohibits lobbyists from contributing to lawmakers’ campaign committees while the Legislature is in session.
Medical marijuana businesses worry about legalization legislation
Phoenix Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego’s proposed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona has some in the medical marijuana industry worried about losing their businesses.
Kwasman offers to forgo lobbyist contributions
Republican Rep. Adam Kwasman, who is campaigning against House Speaker Andy Tobin in the Republican primary election in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, is willing to forgo contributions from lobbyists during the legislative session if Tobin will do the same, said Kwasman’s campaign manager, Chris DeRose.
