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Verschoor votes “yes,” Legislature adjourns sine die
A Republican senator who had skipped a vote on four special session bills last week returned to the Capitol Nov. 23 to apologize for his absence and to vote in... […]
Behind the lens: How photo enforcement really works
In 1880, two brothers discovered that an electrical current could be produced by applying pressure to some crystals. Maybe Pierre and Jacques Curie thought their discovery would lead to the light switch. But a modern-day speed trap was probably far from their minds.
Verschoor breaks silence, explains why he skipped out
Sen. Thayer Verschoor broke his silence Nov. 20, saying he skipped the third day of the Legislature’s special session because he was still trying to negotiate a deal on the package of legislation with the House and the governor.
GITA director uses hands-on approach to streamline state’s infrastructure
Chad Kirkpatrick's office, located on the top floor of the Arizona Department of Administration's building, has a near-perfect view of the Copper Dome. He also has a clear view of his goal: to make government more cost- effective, efficient and more responsive to its citizens by using technology to streamline basic operations.
Lawsuit settlement tosses rule on removing wolves for livestock kills
Mexican gray wolves no longer will be subject to the "three strikes and you're out" rule, thanks to a settlement reached between environmental groups and the federal government. The informal rule went by the bureaucratic sounding name of standard operating procedure 13 (SOP 13), which allowed wolves to be removed from the wild for attacking and killing livestock three times within a year.
Martin says Goddard is throwing ‘legal temper tantrum’
The Attorney General's Office may not be providing many legal services to the Treasurer's Office anymore, and state Treasurer Dean Martin had some sharp words for Attorney General Terry Goddard over the dispute. "He said he's not our attorney anymore," Martin said. "It's like a legal temper tantrum."
Lawmakers consider seeking exemption from stimulus requirements
Standing between lawmakers and millions of dollars in budget cuts to education are three letters - M-O-E. Since Arizona started drawing federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, some lawmakers have decried the maintenance-of-effort, or MOE, requirements for portions of the money.
Former veterans agency chief indicted for fraud, conflict, misuse of funds
The Arizona Attorney General's Office announced on Nov. 19 that a former director of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services has been indicted on eight felony charges, including counts of conflict of interest, fraud and misuse of public money.
State borrows $700M; first external loan since Great Depression
The State Loan Commission has approved a $700 million line of credit from Bank of America, marking the first external borrowing the state has done since the Great Depression. State Treasurer Dean Martin said his office will finalize the agreement with Bank of America next week and will begin issuing treasurer's warrants by the end of November.
Pearce offers amendment, then pulls it back
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Nov. 18, Sen. Russell Pearce, a Republican from Mesa who chairs the committee, offered an amendment that would have dictated how Pima and Maricopa counties would have to pay $22 million to the state.
Brewer out of town for special session
Gov. Jan Brewer is on the road, just as lawmakers are convening for their fourth special session. Brewer left town this morning (Nov. 18) for a scheduled trip to Austin, Texas, where she will attend the 2009 conference of the Republican Governors Association. Spokeswoman Kim Sabow said the governor plans to attend both days of the conference, but will return to Arizona on Nov. 19.
Arizona Budget Coalition echoes Democrats’ budget proposals
The Arizona Budget Coalition, representing organizations against a budget solution that relies heavily on spending cuts, proposed alternative means of raising revenue while lawmakers attended Day 2 of the special session.
