Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
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.
Arizona revenues increase, unemployment rate drops
Here’s an early gift from Santa: Collections in Arizona grew by 8 percent last month compared to the year before.
Morrissey drops out of race for GOP Party chairman
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Tom Morrissey on Dec. 18 ended his bid for re-election, explaining that he would need a lengthy recovery time from an impending knee surgery and that would detract from his ability to effectively lead his party.
Lawmakers call Morrissey’s birther comments ‘stupid,’ not helpful to GOP
A decision by Arizona’s top Republican Party official and two other GOP officers to question Barack Obama’s birth certificate during the official casting of the state’s electoral votes Monday was met with harsh criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Lewis leaving Senate, but legacy of civil dialogue and compromise remains
When the year is over, departing Sen. Jerry Lewis, a Republican from Mesa, will have served half a term, a fraction of a senator’s typical length of stay at the state Capitol.
Arpaio backs AZGOP Chairman Morrissey
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says that Tom Morrissey deserves a second term as Arizona Republican Party chairman when party activists meet in January to decide whether to keep Morrissey as their leader or replace him.
Top GOP lawmakers say lower Medicaid match dooms AHCCCS expansion
Influential legislators today concluded that the federal government’s decision not to infuse more dollars to states that don’t fully comply with the Affordable Care Act dealt a major blow to any proposal in the upcoming session that would seek to restore health care cuts made during the height of the recession.
The real health care debate: Medicaid expansion
Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to not pursue a state-operated health care exchange sets the stage for a showdown over how to deal with Arizona’s uninsured population.
Panel recommends tax credit continuation
A panel of representatives and senators yesterday recommended the continuation of a dollar-for-dollar tax credit program for contributions to groups that provide scholarships to students in private and parochial schools.