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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Union dues ban advances, but other bills appear to stall
A proposal to outlaw automatic salary deductions for public union dues – unless workers expressly authorize them annually – survived a vigorous Senate debate on Thursday, and was passed by a vote of 19-11.
The bill, championed by Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, is headed for the House for further action, but other measures that would fundamentally weaken public unions in Arizo[...]
Two anti-union bills up for debate
Two of four proposals targeting public employee unions will be debated in the Senate tomorrow.
If they receive approval, they will be cleared for a formal vote to send them to the House of Representatives, which must also approve them.
Senate advancing measure to nullify federal laws
A handful of senators have revived a proposal to allow Arizona to ignore federal laws, setting up more potential showdowns between the state and the Obama administration.
Middle East terror group cited as reason to put armed volunteer militia on Arizona-Mexico border
A senator who wants to create an armed volunteer force that can stop crimes along the Arizona-Mexico border repeated claims Tuesday that terrorist organizations based in the Middle East have formed alliances with drug cartels to the south.
Senate likely to vote on anti-union measures this week
This week, the Senate is likely to vote on a slew of proposals that would fundamentally weaken public employee unions in Arizona. The proposals have quickly advanced since their introduction about two weeks ago and there are indications they will be brought to the Senate floor for a debate soon.
Immigration measures stuck in committees
Two anti-illegal immigration bills that were among a slew of measures last session that divided the Senate Republican caucus are stuck in committee and the odds of their passage appear dim.
Bill would make it more difficult to recall lawmakers
Vexed by his defeat in a special election last year, allies of former Sen. Russell Pearce are pushing for legislation that would make it more difficult to recall sitting lawmakers.
Under a proposal championed by Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, party-mates who are willing to challenge an officeholder in a recall must do it in a primary election first.
Ban on photo enforcement advances in Senate
A group of lawmakers wants voters to decide whether to completely ban photo enforcement in Arizona.
Cities, towns asking state to ease budget pressures
With state finances on the sunny side, cities and towns hope to convince lawmakers to relieve some of the budget pressures on local governments.
And it appears legislators are listening.
Unions forego all-out battle with Legislature — for now
Public unions are avoiding a forceful confrontation with conservative lawmakers who are pushing for a slew of anti-union proposals – for now.
Instead of declaring an open war by organizing massive protests at the state Capitol — a tactic adopted by labor unions in Wisconsin who faced a similar threat last year — unions here have had a more tempered response.
Goldwater Institute branded as ‘lobbyist’ for anti-union bills
Behind an array of proposals to weaken unions is a small but influential conservative group that is partly responsible for moving Arizona’s needle to the right of the political spectrum.
The Goldwater Institute developed and drafted legislation that is now the focal point of what could be the biggest political fight at the state Capitol this year.
But now the group itself, [...]
Brewer’s personnel plan seeks to ease firing, hiring state workers
Gov. Jan Brewer is seeking to fundamentally alter the way state employees are hired, fired and managed.
In short, the governor wants to make it easier for administrators to hire and fire workers.
In a two-page outline of her “personnel reform” proposal, obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times today, newly hired rank-and-file employees would no longer be considered [...]
