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Except for Medicaid expansion, 2013 session provided solid advancements for small business
Honestly, very little of what happens each legislative session is truly memorable to the great majority of Arizonans. Just ask anyone who’s not a subscriber of the Arizona Capitol Times what distinguishes the 2007 legislative session from others… or the 2010 or 2003 sessions.
Consumer group recommends more effective scrutiny of health insurance rate increases
This month, health insurance rate increases become effective – ranging from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona with a 10.9 percent average annual increase impacting 67,248 individuals, to Aetna Small Group with a 14.1 percent increase impacting 46,916 individuals.
Whatever happened to… The fate of the session’s most colorful bills
This year marked a recent low in proposed legislation, with only 1,158 bills introduced and 256 signed into law, compared to 1,395 and 362 respectively last year.
There were also fewer “kooky” bills than in past years, and fewer of Arizona’s proposed laws made fewer national headlines this year than in previous sessions.
Freshmen stand out on issues ranging from Medicaid to sales tax reform
Doug Cole, a longtime lobbyist and veteran of the Capitol, said freshmen used to simply fall in line with leadership and sit on the back bench to learn during a session or two.
Crandall has worst attendance record in Legislature; 19 lawmakers didn’t miss a day
The award for most missed floor votes and most missed days of the session goes to Republican Sen. Rich Crandall of Mesa, who showed up to vote on only 64 percent of the bills that made it to the Senate floor, and was present for only 61 percent of the days the Senate met.
Laws on judicial appointments, elections, Medicaid likely facing legal challenges
A law enacted to give the governor more choices in appointing judges is expected to join Medicaid expansion and an elections package as 2013 legislation that will wind up in court.
GOP lawmakers’ anger at Brewer may not last
The rage and indignation that many GOP lawmakers directed at Gov. Jan Brewer at the end of the legislative session may be nothing but a bad memory when the Legislature reconvenes next year.
Lawmaker resignations down in 2013, but likely to pick up soon
One marked difference in 2013 was the lack of legislative mid-session resignations, particularly following lawmaker scandals.
Majority leader takes the heat for sponsoring Medicaid amendment
Quiet about his thoughts on Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid proposal for most of the session, Senate Majority Leader John McComish emerged late as a key player in the push for AHCCCS expansion in the Senate.
In the wake of Medicaid expansion, Republicans hope they can all still get along
Lawmakers typically insist that nothing is personal in politics. After all, it’s just policy.
The perils of voting yes to Medicaid expansion
Long before casting their votes for Medicaid expansion and a bipartisan budget proposal, Republican lawmakers who chose to support Gov. Jan Brewer had been issued a warning: Vote yes at your own risk.
Crossing the Andys: The twisting path to Medicaid expansion
The special session on the budget and Medicaid expansion was the product of a five-month battle that took more twists and turns than a rattlesnake on a blistering sidewalk.
