Sign In
Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Republican lawmakers begin fine-tuning budget plan
A budget deal between Gov. Jan Brewer and GOP leaders received quick approval in the Senate Rules committee this afternoon.
But Republican leaders indicated they’re open to tweaking the budget proposal before they vote on it, which could take place as early as Tuesday.
Lawmakers expected to pass budget Tuesday, then tackle Brewer’s personnel agenda
The Republican-led Legislature plans to approve an $8.6 billion spending plan for the state on Tuesday, shortly after Gov. Jan Brewer and GOP leaders sealed a budget agreement last week.
Bills caught in the logjam
Here’s a list of some of the most controversial, substantive or prominent measures that are awaiting a vote, struggling to get support or are simply caught in the moratorium and are ready to be sent to the governor’s desk.
Bills stacking up after Brewer threatens mass vetoes
The 2012 session appears to be in its final days, but some of the biggest pieces of legislation this year — including Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to make it easier to fire state employees — remain stuck at the state Capitol.
The glut of measures yet to be passed — or in some cases held by legislative leaders — is at least partially a result of an embargo on sending bills to the[...]
Contraception bill now ready for governor
The Senate today gave final approval to a scaled-back proposal to allow religiously motivated employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers. The measure, which now only needs the governor’s signature to become law, sailed through after a passionate debate on the floor.
Despite Brewer’s demand for a budget, lawmakers passing – and holding – other bills
The Legislature is sitting on at least a dozen measures it has already approved instead of sending them to the governor, a decision that follows Gov. Jan Brewer’s threat of a blanket veto of all bills that land on her desk before a budget is adopted.
Bill that would deny money to Planned Parenthood ready for governor
The Republican-led Senate today gave final approval to a bill that prohibits public money from going to Planned Parenthood. Although the bill, HB2800, passed on an 18-8 vote and is now ready to be sent to the governor, lawmakers have no plans of sending the measure to the Ninth Floor right away.
State sees robust revenue growth in March
The state posted another robust growth in revenue last month, another sign that the economy is getting healthier. Year-to-date, revenues are 6.7 percent higher, according to a report from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Religious Rights: Bills target broad range of perceived attacks on beliefs
Already steeped in the battle over abortion and contraception in health plans, social conservatives have also ramped up their efforts to advance religious expression in the public square, taking advantage of the dominance of policymakers at the state Capitol with similar impulses.
Republican budget talks moving again
Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leaders resumed talks on the budget Thursday, three days after the governor told them to stop sending her bills until they get the state’s spending plan completed.
The meeting seemed to reaffirm the two sides’ commitment to negotiate the state budget within the Republican Party. The meeting came as some GOP lawmakers considered the possibility of join[...]
Republicans mulling Dem alliance after veto threat
After weeks of budget talks with no agreement in sight, Gov. Jan Brewer gave legislative leaders an ultimatum, telling them she would veto bills until work on the state’s spending plan is complete.
But rather than force a quicker budget resolution, it could result in more heartburn between the two sides. In fact, there were indications some Republicans might be taking a look at abando[...]
Film tax credit gets OK from Senate
A proposal to create a new tax credit for film productions split Republicans but managed to garner just enough support to pass today in the Senate. The debate over measure, which still needs the House’s approval, illuminates a deep divide that is plaguing the majority party over how best to set the conditions for a robust economy.
