Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Firm can offer one mile of discount border fencing
A very small portion of Arizona’s border fence project might be realized sooner than expected. Sen. Steve Smith, the project’s author, earlier disclosed that he’s in negotiations with a fence manufacturer about possibly donating or selling “several miles” of fencing at a greatly reduced rate to Arizona.
Bundgaard wants Gould off ethics panel
Sen. Scott Bundgaard is lobbying for the removal of the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, a clear attempt to push back as he faces a potential ethics inquiry over a roadside fight with his ex-girlfriend.
Bundgaard’s attorney, James Austin Woods, told Senate President Russell Pearce in a letter Tuesday that the Peoria Republican wouldn’t get a fair hearing if Sen. Ron Gould re[...]
Fall of a rising star: Insiders say Bundgaard’s political future bleak
A few months after his rise to power, the fortunes of Sen. Scott Bundgaard, once considered a potential congressional contender, dramatically plummeted.
A February fight with his then-girlfriend on the shoulder of a Phoenix freeway left Bundgaard not merely physically bruised, but also politically battered.
Smith says portions of privately funded border fence could go up soon
Critics view Arizona’s plans to build a fence on the US-Mexico border as either foolhardy or simply political posturing, but the author of Arizona’s border fence project claims it could go up sooner than expected.
AZ Supreme Court will hear Pearce recall case
The state’s highest court will hear a challenge to the recall election targeting Senate President Russell Pearce.
Mesa: Another Pearce challenger ordered to remove signs
Olivia Cortes, one of the challengers in the recall election targeting Senate President Russell Pearce, has been told by Mesa officials to take down her campaign signs.
The city sent Cortes a letter last week telling the candidate she had until 5 p.m. Monday to remove her campaign signs. The city will begin taking them down today if they're still standing.
Lewis also silent on immigration views
While Senate President Russell Pearce has been largely missing on the illegal immigration front lately, Republican Jerry Lewis, who is challenging the incumbent in a recall election, isn’t eager to talk about the subject either.
Mum on Immigration
In the extraordinary battle to keep his legislative seat, Arizona’s most hawkish proponent of strict enforcement of illegal immigration laws is, incredibly, mostly muted on the subject.
Since a recall election against him was certified last month, Senate President Russell Pearce has passed on the opportunity to weigh in on major developments in the immigration front.
And for a [...]
Gallardo files for ethics investigation into Bundgaard case
Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo today filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Scott Bundgaard, asking for a full-blown investigation into the February fight the Peoria Republican had with his ex-girlfriend alongside a Valley freeway.
Lawyers say Parraz has uphill climb to prove defamation
Lawyers familiar with First Amendment issues and campaign laws said Randy Parraz, one of the organizers of the recall drive targeting Senate President Russell Pearce, would have a tough time proving he was defamed by signs that say he supported the boycott against Arizona and he pines for open borders.
Minority legislators to IRC: Protect minority communities
Minority legislators today sent one loud message to the Independent Redistricting Commission: Keep their communities together in redrawing Arizona’s next legislative boundaries.
Gallardo to file ethics complaint against Bundgaard
Sen. Steve Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat, is preparing an ethics complaint against Republican Sen. Scott Bundgaard, who avoided a criminal trial last week involving his roadside scuffle with his ex-girlfriend.
Gallardo told the Arizona Capitol Times last week he was seriously considering filing the complaint, but said he now anticipates he will have it finished by the end of the[...]