Sign In
Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Pierce isn’t so keen about buying back state buildings
While he likes parts of the governor’s spending plan, Senate President Steve Pierce isn’t completely convinced that the state can afford to buy back the buildings it mortgaged during the fiscal crisis two years ago.
SB1070 repeal bill reopens deep political divisions
Though it has practically no chance of passing, a bill to repeal SB1070 exposed deep political divisions at the state Capitol about how to confront illegal immigration, a complex and often emotional issue.
Those divisions were again on display on the Senate lawn, when dueling protesters hailed and criticized the immigration law — all within an earshot of each other.
Burges sworn in as newest senator
Won over by her legislative experience, Maricopa County’s supervisors today picked Rep. Judy Burges to replace former Sen. Scott Bundgaard.
Burges, who has been a lawmaker since 2005, became the Senate’s newest member later in the afternoon, when she took her oath of office and was promptly escorted to her new seat.
No relief for hospitals in Brewer’s budget
With an uptick in state revenues, Gov. Jan Brewer is proposing to alleviate some of the pain the state’s Medicaid providers have been experiencing.
The governor wants to give a 3 percent rate increase to state health care providers, including physicians, behavioral health professionals and nursing facilities.
But one group that is among the worst hit by years of incessant b[...]
Maricopa supervisors to pick Bundgaard’s replacement today
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will meet this morning to pick a replacement for Sen. Scott Bundgaard, who resigned earlier this month in the midst of an ethics hearing into a domestic violence incident he had with a girlfriend last year.
Influential tax policy group seeks limit in growth of property values
An influential tax policy group will seek to put a measure on the ballot to limit growth in property values.
The Arizona Tax Research Association wants taxable property values to grow by no more than 5 percent each year.
Teen-driver cell phone ban moves forward in Senate
A panel of lawmakers today unanimously approved legislation to prohibit teenagers from using mobile phones while driving. The prohibition applies to minors who have been granted an instruction permit or a limited driver license.
Lawmakers cast wary eyes on rosy surplus projections
While they’re uncomfortable with Gov. Jan Brewer’s higher revenue forecast in two years, Republican lawmakers aren’t rejecting her spending plan outright.
In fact, many are agreeable to some of the expenditures Brewer is seeking.
Q&A with Senate President Steve Pierce
Senate President Steve Pierce has a reputation for being a straight-shooter, and in this interview, it shows.
He’ll tell you what he knows, and if he doesn’t know something, well, he’ll say he doesn’t know it.
Q&A with Senate Minority Leader David Schapira
A year ago, first-term Sen. David Schapira surprisingly cinched the position of Democratic leader.
Now in his second year as minority leader, Schapira is considering another challenge — running for Congress. In this interview, Schapira reiterated he won’t resign from the Legislature should he join that race and assured his constituents he can ably multitask.
Bundgaard’s party-mates pick 3 to replace him
Republican leaders have picked three prospects to replace former Republican state Sen. Scott Bundgaard of Peoria.
Scramble over rising revenues begins – save it or spend it
After four years of painful slashing, a steady uptick in state revenues could lead to a budget showdown the public hasn’t seen since the heydays of Arizona’s economy — what to do with “surplus” money.
