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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
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.
Sens. Gould, Nelson spar over advancing new tax credits for film industry
Tension among Republicans in the Senate this morning nearly boiled over during a caucus meeting regarding legislation to create new tax credits for the film industry. Some oppose the proposal, and at least one Republican tried to keep the bill from advancing to the floor by invoking an informal rule to block the bill’s progress.
Lawmakers narrow down contraception bill
As promised, supporters this afternoon narrowed down a proposal to allow some employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers if they have a religious objection to birth control. Six legislators from the House and the Senate met in a conference committee to dramatically scale down the measure so it would only apply to “religiously affiliated employers.”
After Pearce, Gallardo also invited to testify on SB1070 in Congress
Sen. Steve Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat and a fierce critic of SB1070, has been invited to testify during a Congressional subcommittee hearing about state-level enforcement of immigration laws. SB1070 architect Russell Pearce, whom Gallardo often clashed with when Pearce served in the Legislature, is also scheduled to testify at the hearing.
Bill seeks to stop Planned Parenthood funding
The Republican-controlled Senate today gave preliminary approval to a bill targeting Planned Parenthood’s funding.
The measure, HB2800, still needs the chamber’s full vote, which is likely to take place next week.
Senate OKs bill to allow employers to deny contraception coverage; but deal in works
Persuaded by a promise to substantially narrow the legislation, the Senate today passed a measure to allow employers with religious objections to not pay for their workers’ contraception coverage.
Klein explores run for House in LD1
Sen. Lori Klein, a Republican from Anthem, is exploring a run in a new, mostly north-central Arizona district that she has been drawn into.
Allen to leave Senate and run for county supervisor
Sen. Sylvia Allen, a Republican from Snowflake, is leaving the Legislature to run for a seat on the Navajo County board of supervisors.
Worsley: Pearce, like Grijalva, wrong to call on boycott of AZ businesses
Mesa businessman Bob Worsley has fired the first shot in the primary race against former Senate President Russell Pearce, calling him out for spearheading a boycott campaign against the advertisers of an alternative newspaper.
