Recent Articles from Jim Small
Current IRC map became more competitive over time
Arizona Democrats have said they want a legislative map that will be used for the next decade to significantly increase the number of competitive districts in order to give more voters an actual choice when they go to ballot boxes every other November.
Challenging race ahead for Jeff Flake?
It’s Christmas in August. I couldn’t be more excited that wealthy Mesa investor and businessman Wil Cardon announced last week that he was going to challenge Jeff Flake for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Campaign says Lewis has more than enough ballot signatures
A spokesman for the man that many expect will provide Senate President Russell Pearce with the stiffest competition in November’s recall election said the campaign has already collected signatures from enough voters to get Jerry Lewis’ name on the ballot.
Ray Rottas, former lawmaker and state treasurer, dies at 83
Ray Rottas generally flew below the political radar, both when he served as a state senator and the state treasurer during the 1970s and 80s, but those close to him say his impact on Arizona public policy remains to this day, and his death last month leaves a void in Arizona politics.
Attorney General Tom Horne announces redistricting commission investigation
Attorney General Tom Horne has announced his office has opened an investigation into the Independent Redistricting Commission in response to an investigation by Arizona Capitol Times and its sister publication, Yellow Sheet Report, that uncovered possible violations of the state’s open meeting and procurement laws.
Bathroom pot find leads Pierce to propose corp comm drug test, K-9 office search
After marijuana was discovered in a bathroom in a restricted area of the Arizona Corporation Commission offices, Chairman Gary Pierce today asked his fellow commissioners to consent to drug tests and a search of their offices by a drug-sniffing dog.
Pearce, Tobin enter AHCCCS funding fight
Lawmakers made a difficult decision when they cut more than $200 million from the state’s health care system for the poor, but doing so wasn’t unconstitutional, Senate President Russell Pearce and House Speaker Andy Tobin argued yesterday in a brief opposing a lawsuit that aims to block the cuts.
Harper uses Twitter to call Gallardo ‘a cancer’
A Republican state representative with a history of making controversial statements today called for the state Senate to exercise a constitutional provision and remove a Democratic legislator he deemed “a cancer.”
Employer sanctions stands up to high court scrutiny
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld an Arizona law that allows the state to suspend or revoke the business licenses of companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, paving the way for other states to establish similar systems.
Sen. Kyl refuses to give back Fiesta Bowl cash
The Fiesta Bowl shouldn’t expect to be receiving a check from U.S. Senator Jon Kyl any time soon, as he has rejected a request from the beleaguered bowl to return political contributions made by its employees.
Jim Small: Arizonans could expect even more budget cuts
Arizona News Service Editor Jim Small talks about the additional budget cuts that Arizonans could end up seeing in the near future.
Group plans major overhaul of presidential election process
A group of frustrated voters from across the political spectrum is hoping to reform the way the nation elects its president, and Arizona will be on the front lines in that fight next year. The only question remaining is whether the state’s conservative lawmakers are willing to abandon the current constitutionally established election method that is as old as the nation.