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Legislature reconsiders sweep of court automation fund
Legislative budget staffers are re-evaluating a proposed $10 million sweep of a Supreme Court fund after court officials howled that losing the money would cripple courts across Arizona. The legislative budget proposal targets the Supreme Court Automation Fund, which is supplied by fees for defensive-driving classes, time payment fees for people who make payments on their court fines, and surch[...]
Increase in number, severity of CPS cases straining system
An alarming increase in the number and severity of child abuse and neglect cases threatens to wipe out efficiencies Child Protective Services has gained over the last year, Department of Economic Security Director Clarence Carter said today.
Brewer again vetoes bill allowing guns in public buildings
For the second year in a row, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have allowed people to carry guns in government buildings. HB2729 would have required any government entity in Arizona to allow firearms in public buildings, unless the buildings had adequate security measures to ensure that no one could bring a gun inside.
Sens. Gould, Nelson spar over advancing new tax credits for film industry
Tension among Republicans in the Senate this morning nearly boiled over during a caucus meeting regarding legislation to create new tax credits for the film industry. Some oppose the proposal, and at least one Republican tried to keep the bill from advancing to the floor by invoking an informal rule to block the bill’s progress.
Intense legal fight over proposed Glendale casino moves to 9th Circuit
The fight over whether a Southern Arizona tribe can build a massive casino near Glendale’s entertainment district moved to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday. The city is contesting a trial court’s decision to uphold the Department of Interior’s decision to create reservation land out of 54 acres of unincorporated land near 95th and Northern avenues. The Tohono O’odham tribe w[...]
Lawmakers narrow down contraception bill
As promised, supporters this afternoon narrowed down a proposal to allow some employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers if they have a religious objection to birth control. Six legislators from the House and the Senate met in a conference committee to dramatically scale down the measure so it would only apply to “religiously affiliated employers.”
Cherny dominates CD9 fundraising
Former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny raised more money than his two opponents combined in the hotly contested Democratic primary for Arizona’s 9th Congressional District. Cherny’s $431,000, which he raised in about seven weeks, dwarfed Sen. David Schapira’s $131,000 and left former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in a distant second place in the fundraising race with $258,000.
Quayle tops Schweikert in CD6 fundraising
Ben Quayle topped fellow first-term Congressman David Schweikert in their first campaign finance reports of the year, but the candidates’ overall fundraising is still nearly even when it comes to money that can be spent in the Republican primary for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
Constitutionality of recall election changes questioned
Following the historic recall of former Senate President Russell Pearce, the ousted immigration hawk’s legislative allies are striving to change the state’s recall process to make it more difficult to remove elected officials. But the effort to add a primary election to the process has run into some obstacles.
Campaign launched to challenge federal laws, mandates
State nullification — the idea that states can override federal mandates or legislation they feel is unconstitutional — has become popular in recent years, although it has been shot down in the Legislature several times.
Comedian bringing Bill of Rights Monument to Wesley Bolin Plaza
Many Americans would not consider their civil liberties to be a laughing matter, but a monument displaying the Bill of Rights scheduled to be constructed and dedicated in Wesley Bolin Plaza by the end of this year began as a joke in comedian Chris Bliss’ standup act approximately five years ago.
State Bar links Arpaio to actions that led to Thomas downfall
The panel that disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas found he conspired with Sheriff Joe Arpaio to commit crimes, a fact that the sheriff will likely have to contend with as federal investigators look into whether he abused his power.
