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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Brewer vetoes electronic billboard law
Saying she doesn’t want to put the state’s astronomy industry in jeopardy, Gov. Jan Brewer today vetoed a bill to legalize electronic billboards along highways.
Contraception bill defeated – but battle far from over
In a startling turn of events, state senators today rejected a proposal to allow employers with religious objections to deny contraception coverage to their workers.
The measure was defeated by a close margin – 13-17. But the battle isn’t over yet.
Senate passes sweeping anti-abortion measure
The Senate today approved a proposal that makes it illegal for doctors to perform an abortion if the fetus is determined to be at least 20 weeks old.
The measure brings pro-life advocates closer to their goal of blunting the impact of Roe v. Wade, the decades-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave women the right to an abortion.
Collective bargaining debate
It may have passionate allies at the state Capitol, but the Goldwater Institute is so far failing to advance the centerpiece of its anti-union agenda: ending public employees' ability to negotiate over salary and benefits.
Budget negotiations moving again; lawmakers to get an update
Lawmakers will get a briefing this afternoon about the progress of budget negotiations with the governor.
This is the first concrete sign of movement on the budget front since talks over the state’s final spending plan began several weeks ago.
Worsley: Decision to scrub immigration criticisms ‘probably backfired’
Mesa Republican Bob Worsley admitted today that he likely made a mistake when he deleted his written criticisms of the state’s illegal immigration laws shortly after announcing he was running for the state Senate. But far from back-peddling, Worsley, who is running against former senator and immigration hawk Russell Pearce, said he believes the state suffers from immigration fatigue and should r[...]
Birth-Controlled: Pro-life activists push for greater restrictions on abortion, contraception
Pro-life advocates are taking advantage of Republicans’ unparalleled dominance at the state Capitol, pushing for their most ambitious agenda yet in their fight to restrict abortion and birth control.
If enacted, the slew of bills would give pro-life advocates their biggest gains in years.
But the controversial measures also mean Republicans are wading deeper into a cultural war tha[...]
Worsley campaign team shaping up
The campaign team of a Mesa businessman who is challenging former Senate President Russell Pearce for a legislative seat is quickly shaping up. Bob Worsley, who recently filed his paper work to run for newly drawn Legislative District 25, has hired the services of veteran consultant Sean Noble’s firm, D.C. London.
Republicans begrudgingly cast enough votes to pass IRC funding
There was no shortage of complaining about giving the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission additional money to pay its legal obligations, but Republican senators ultimately opted to provide the funding. By doing so, lawmakers avoid a potentially drawn-out legal battle, which would have cost both sides more money.
Anti-union bills being parceled out to gain success
Backers of anti-union bills are planning to parcel out the provisions of a measure that is advancing in the Senate, an apparent move to give each idea the best chance of passing. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to prohibit pay to public employees who do union activities, a practice called “release time.”
Pearce vows return to Capitol, will run for Senate
Russell Pearce, the architect of many of Arizona's anti illegal immigration laws, vowed tonight to return to the state Capitol, months after he was ousted in a recall election.
Senate panel to consider Brewer’s personnel reform plan
The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up the governor’s proposal to overhaul the state’s merit system tomorrow. The proposal, which is her top priority for the legislative session, would essentially make it easier to fire state employees.
