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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Organized labor faces another offensive at state Capitol
The Capitol is bracing for what looks like another labor union battle after legislation was introduced to prohibit automatic paycheck deductions for union dues.
The issue is not new.
Q&A with Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor
Long before Gov. Jan Brewer decided to fight for a full expansion of the state’s Medicaid program, then-incoming Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor was furiously trying to find a way to salvage a plan — any plan — to pay for the coverage of a sizable segment of the state’s uninsured population.
Q&A with Senate President Andy Biggs
A fiscal hawk, Senate President Andy Biggs has been consistently wary of plans to expand the state’s Medicaid population.
Republican leaders want conservative approach to budget
After receiving a briefing on the governor’s $8.9 billion budget proposal, Republican leaders said they want a final spending plan that hews to the conservative approach they have adopted during the past few years.
Arizona Supreme Court: Bennett didn’t err in describing Prop 204
Secretary of State Ken Bennett complied with the law in drafting the ballot description for Proposition 204, the unsuccessful initiative that would have permanently increased the sales tax by a penny, the Arizona Supreme Court said on Jan. 17.
Arizona jobless rate inches up
Arizona’s economy might be recovering, but the job market didn’t quite keep pace — or at least not last month.
Republicans unlikely to negotiate budget with Democrats
While Democrats gained seats following last year’s elections, Republicans are still likely to craft the state budget on their own rather than directly negotiate with the minority.
Supreme Court rejects funding mechanism for Land Department
The Arizona Supreme Court today rejected lawmakers’ decision in 2009 to divert a portion of revenues from the state trust lands to pay for the operations of the State Land Department.
Lopez introduces own anti-gun violence legislation
Another Democratic leader will unveil a package of legislation tomorrow in response to the mass shootings that have rocked the country in the past few years, including the Tucson rampage that seriously wounded then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others.
Lawmakers cautiously eye economic gift of higher revenues
The past year gave Arizona legislators the best Christmas gift they could hope for — a much improved economy and stronger revenue collections.
Wild West moments of 2012
While the mood at the state Capitol this past year might be best described as riotous, 2012 — the Chinese Year of the Dragon — was marked with fewer gaffes, catfights and over-the-top name calling among Arizona’s political elite.
Ugenti’s bill would bar future League employees, others from joining ASRS
Following her public feud with an association representing Arizona municipalities this year, a Republican from Scottsdale wants to bar the association’s new employees from joining the state’s retirement system.
