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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Bennett agrees: Brewer can’t seek a third term
The state’s highest election official concluded that Gov. Jan Brewer can’t seek another term, an idea she has floated a few times.
Ballot counting officially ends
Following several close contests and two weeks of counting, Secretary Ken Bennett and other state officials today signed the official canvass and certified last month’s election results.
The move effectively ended the 2012 campaign cycle and heralded the start of the new one.
Dreamers sue Brewer over denial of driver licenses
A coalition of civil rights groups today sued Gov. Jan Brewer over her decision to preclude young illegal immigrants who have been granted relief from deportation from getting an Arizona driver license.
Universities, agencies seek major spending hikes
Now that the economy is recovering, universities and state agencies are seeking budget increases and have asked Gov. Jan Brewer to fight for at least $500 million in new spending.
Biggs leadership style: Conservatism with limits
As recently as last year, Sen. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Mesa and the next leader of the Arizona Senate, pushed for an insurgent idea — the elimination of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program.
New Senate committees have narrower partisan split
Reflecting the new political reality at the Capitol, incoming Republican leaders have created a dozen Senate committees with a narrower partisan split.
Arizona state revenues grow modestly
Total state revenues grew by a modest 2.6 percent in October when compared to the year before, but just as economists have cautioned, the road to full recovery is a long, steep climb.
Leah Landrum Taylor brings passion to job as Senate leader
The incoming Senate minority leader, who is the first African-American woman to lead the Democratic caucus, is a pragmatist who is comfortable reaching across the aisle and is more inclined to resolve issues than pour gasoline on them.
Groups spend big, have little to show for it
Outside groups dug deep into their war chests and poured millions of dollars into state Senate races, splurging in amounts unmatched in Arizona history and inundating voters with attack ads.
Senate announces new committee assignments
Incoming Republican leaders have completed the reorganization of Senate committees following last week’s elections. As expected, the Senate will have fewer committees, but the core panels that serve as gatekeepers of the thousands of ideas lawmakers grapple with each year have been retained.
Senate Republicans reach out to Dems
Incoming Republican leaders in the Senate have made overtures to the Democratic caucus, indicating they’re interested in working with the minority.
Landrum Taylor selected as Senate Democratic leader; Lopez, Tovar also win minority posts
Democrats today selected their next set of Senate leaders, following a largely successful campaign to increase their number in the state Legislature and amid hopes for bipartisan cooperation.
