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Recent Articles from Jim Small
Ken Bennett brings ‘birther’ debate to Arizona, says Obama may not be on ballot
Though the state doesn’t have a law requiring presidential candidates prove their citizenship, Arizona’s top elections official says he may not put President Barack Obama’s name on the Arizona ballot if Hawaii officials don’t confirm that the president was born in that state.
Fontana sworn in as Legislature prepares to end session
Nicholas Fontana was sworn in today as the newest member of the House of Representatives, just in time to do the one thing the Constitution requires of the Legislature: approve a budget.
Pearce allies: Cut him $250K check for recall costs
Former Senate President Russell Pearce is facing a wealthy opponent in this year’s elections, but his campaign could receive a six-figure windfall from the state treasury if some Republican lawmakers have their way.
Brewer places moratorium on bills until budget done
Talks on the budget may be on the verge of breaking down, as Gov. Jan Brewer today told Republican legislative leaders that she will not sign any more bills until the budget is done.
Republican lawmakers and Brewer have been at loggerheads over a budget deal all session. The governor called for increased spending in education and some social programs, but Republicans have said she wan[...]
Dems say Patterson restrictions don’t go far enough
An embattled Tucson lawmaker facing expulsion will have no greater access to the House of Representatives than the reporters covering the sordid saga of Rep. Daniel Patterson.
But the leading Democrat in the House says that’s not good enough.
Dem leader: Fear among lawmakers could lead to Patterson expulsion Tuesday
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell says he may seek for the expulsion of Rep. Daniel Patterson as soon as Tuesday because some members of his caucus believe their lives are in danger as long as Patterson remains an elected official.
Embattled Patterson leaves Dems; files as independent
An embattled Tucson lawmaker this morning formally left the Democratic Party and became the Legislature’s only independent.
Crandall decides not to seek reelection; endorses Worsley
To prevent his family from becoming the target of attacks, Sen. Rich Crandall says he decided not to seek re-election if it meant running against former Senate President Russell Pearce.
Instead, Crandall is backing SkyMall founder Bob Worsley, who announced March 19 that he is seeking the Republican nomination in the Senate race in the new Legislative District 25.
House speaker proposes first lawsuit against redistricting map
House Speaker Andy Tobin is planning to ask lawmakers to sue the state’s redistricting commission over the constitutionality of the legislative map the panel crafted.
Corp. Comm. attorney: Measure to restrict renewable standards is power grab
Legislation aimed at barring the Arizona Corporation Commission from adopting renewable energy standards that are more stringent than what is currently in place is an unconstitutional power grab by lawmakers, the Commission’s lead attorney says.
Brewer’s cornerstone bill delayed in House
The cornerstone bill in Gov. Jan Brewer’s 2012 agenda was supposed to be debated on the House floor today, but it was left off today’s House floor calendar, pushing off debate of the sweeping personnel reform legislation until later in the week.
Ethics Committee to meet on Patterson complaint
The House Ethics Committee will meet March 13 to consider an ethics complaint against Tucson Democrat Daniel Patterson after an ex-girlfriend claimed he physically assaulted her.
