Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Bundgaard’s complaint dismissed
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs on Tuesday summarily dismissed the counter-complaint that Sen. Scott Bundgaard, R-Peoria, filed against three members of the ethics committee. “I have reviewed your complaint,” Biggs wrote in a letter to Bundgaard. “... I find that the allegations do not constitute conduct that is unethical under the rules. Therefore, the complaint is dismissed.”
Bundgaard ethics investigation postponed
The inquiry into whether Sen. Scott Bundgaard breached ethical rules involving his roadside fight with an ex-girlfriend has been put on hold pending the resolution of a separate complaint he filed against three members of the ethics panel.
A New Direction: Cracking down on illegals is losing luster in down economy
With another election season fast approaching, border security remains a priority, but many lawmakers and political insiders say support for local immigration-enforcement measures appears to be waning. The prevailing mood is that lawmakers might not have the appetite to wage emotionally draining battles over illegal immigration at a time when the state faces a more immediate menace — a saggin[...]
Lawsuit filed against Cortes; claims she’s a ‘fraudulent” candidate
An East Valley resident today accused Republican Olivia Cortes of being part of a “cynical ploy” to dilute the vote against Senate President Russell Pearce, who is facing a Nov. 8 recall election. In her complaint filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, Mary Lou Boettcher alleges that Cortes is a Pearce supporter and called her a “fraudulent and diversionary candidate.”
Colleges decry budget cuts, sit atop $320M in cash
Community college officials came in full force to the state Capitol earlier this year to outline the potential ramifications for the proposed steep cuts to their budgets. Yet at the time they made their case, most college districts were sitting atop millions of dollars in cash reserves.
3 ethics members temporarily replaced; Bundgaard trial will go on as planned
The latest twist in the saga involving Sen. Scott Bundgaard compelled three members from the Senate Ethics Committee today to recuse themselves from the panel. But Bundgaard is not getting what he ultimately wants: The trio barred from investigating his February freeway fight with his ex-girlfriend.
Bundgaard re-files complaint to oust 3 ethics members
Sen. Scott Bundgaard, who is facing an ethics investigation, has resubmitted a complaint alleging that three members of the Senate Ethics Committee have already prejudged him and should be barred from hearing his case.
Democrat seeks investigation of Pearce recall candidate
A Mesa Democrat is alleging that one of the candidates in the recall election targeting Senate President Russell Pearce is a sham candidate and is committing election fraud.
Senate restricts media access in Bundgaard hearings
The Senate today placed new restrictions on reporters who plan to cover the ethics inquiry involving Sen. Scott Bundgaard.
Ethics panel splits on party lines, opts for higher burden to punish Bundgaard
The panel of senators investigating whether Sen. Scott Bundgaard breached ethical rules split along partisan lines today, with Republicans adopting a higher standard of proof that could make it more difficult to remove the Peoria Republican from office.
Pearce denies request to boot 3 ethics members in Bundgaard trial
Senate President Russell Pearce today denied a request by a lawyer for Sen. Scott Bundgaard to remove three members of the ethics committee from hearing a complaint involving the Peoria Republican’s February domestic violence incident.
Lewis targets Pearce on immigration in first video
In his first campaign video, Mesa Republican Jerry Lewis sharpened his political position over how his approach to illegal immigration would differ from Senate President Russell Pearce’s.