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2014 Session Wrap

Opponents of Arizona's recently passed "religious freedom" bill SB1062 rally in front of the capitol Feb. 24 (Photo by Ryan Cook/RJ Cook Photography)
May 23, 2014

SB1062 drew attention to Arizona and set the tone for the 2014 session

SB1062 forced the Arizona business community to push back against Republicans in the Legislature and take a more active role in opposing legislation many viewed as bad for business and Arizona’s image. And while maintaining the bill was mischaracterized following the outcry over the intent, some Republican leaders were wary to take on other headline-grabbing controversial measures this year.

May 23, 2014

How the 2014 session unfolded

Week of January 6-10 Known as “hell week” around the Capitol, the week before the legislative session was when lawmakers were focused on raising campaign contributions and held at least... […]

In this April 12, 2014, file photo, the Bundy family and their supporters fly the American flag as their cattle is released by the Bureau of Land Management back onto public land outside of Bunkerville, Nev. The federal Bureau of Land Management says six cattle died in the roundup of animals it says rancher Cliven Bundy allowed to graze illegally on public land outside his southern Nevada property.A Texas land dispute has outgoing Gov. Rick Perry and the Republican candidate favored to replace him, Greg Abbott, decrying the same federal agency currently embroiled in an armed standoff in Nevada. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jason Bean, File)
May 23, 2014

Lawmakers say the darndest things

Arizona lawmakers finished one of the fastest sessions in recent memory this April, but still found time for behavior that amazes, amuses and sometimes embarrasses the state’s legislative body.

May 23, 2014

Best quotes of the 2014 session

Our reporters catch lawmakers during their happy, upset, frustrated and humorous moments. Here's a recap of some of the best utterances of the 2014 legislative session.

school choice, education, Education Freedom Report Card, parents, Critical Race Theory, Florida, Ducey, Heritage Foundation, Goldwater Institute, DeSantis, Florida
May 23, 2014

Common Core skills taught to 10-year-olds would benefit everyone in Arizona

As I watched various committee debates on education issues unfold over this last session, the former 5th grade teacher in me couldn’t help but think about how some of those very same communications and collaboration life skills we teach to Arizona 10-year-olds might just benefit everyone.

May 23, 2014

Legislature should forget ideological battles and focus on making Arizona more attractive

Another legislative session is completed. The Republican majority has again failed to work with Democrats for the common good in Arizona. Many of us hoped the bipartisan efforts in 2013 would lead to an increased focus on substantive issues like fixing CPS, restoring the massive cuts to education or passing meaningful ethics reform. Instead, Republicans have concentrated on a strategy of appealing[...]

May 23, 2014

Solid, productive session for small business

The 51st Arizona Legislature’s Second Regular Session was solid and productive for the National Federation of Independent Business with Arizona’s small business owners scoring gains on taxes and regulatory reform while turning back troubling efforts to unlevel the playing field for small business in economic development.

As trend continues, GOP dominates Pinal County
May 23, 2014

Moderate GOP bloc has better sense of current, mainstream popular culture

In a fit of modesty, the GOP-dominated Arizona Legislature stuck to basic business this session, passing a straightforward budget containing a few core funding restorations, and otherwise made few gaffes, despite the efforts of a few headline-seeking members.

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