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2012 Session Wrap

May 25, 2012

She’s not all bad: Dems find silver lining in some Brewer vetoes

Democrats aren’t exactly viewing Gov. Jan Brewer as the second coming of Janet Napolitano, but they’re taking solace that her vetoes included bills that they viewed as some of the most onerous of the 2012 session.

May 25, 2012

As new Senate president, rancher Pierce deftly stepped through political minefields

Senate President Steve Pierce, a rancher from Prescott, has a habit of walking into difficult situations.

He did it once three years ago, when he became the de facto majority whip, and he did it again last year, when he vied for the position and became Senate president after Russell Pearce was ousted in a special recall election in November.

May 25, 2012

Andy Tobin’s leadership lessons learned the hard way

Andy Tobin was elected speaker of the House just days after Kirk Adams’ resigned to run for Congress at the end of the 2011 legislative session.

While his seven or so months as speaker during the interim could hardly prepare him for the rigors of leading a chamber during a regular session, it’s clear that he learned some lessons for the task ahead. As is often the case, some of thos[...]

May 25, 2012

Hard-pressed: Reporters find increasing number of roadblocks to legislative access during 50th

During the two sessions of the 50th Legislature, members of the press increasingly had to think twice about where they were and were not allowed to go.

May 25, 2012

Russell Pearce gone but not forgotten by legislative allies

A phantom of sorts lurked in the Senate last session.

Divas weren’t held captive in a cellar. Chandeliers weren’t damaged. But ousted Senate President Russell Pearce’s presence was felt in the chamber that he once ran.

May 25, 2012

Arizona votes on seven ballot measures in 2012

The race is on to woo voters for a slate of ballot measures passed by the 50th Legislature on property taxes, government financing, trust land and states’ rights.

Some of the seven propositions on the November 2012 ballot have dry subjects that might be difficult to grasp, making it all the more important for backers to get organized and present a coherent message, said David Berman, [...]

May 25, 2012

A smile for all, House ‘Mother’ Zoe Spinner retires at 82

The state turned 100 this year, but the unofficial “face” of Arizona’s House of Representatives is only turning 82. It’s warm, kind and famously smiling and it belongs atop the tiny frame of Zoe Spinner, a receptionist at the House information desk and recently retired 25-year veteran of the state Capitol.

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