Political quagmire in Quartzite; mayor facing recall
A political feud in the tiny western Arizona town of Quartzsite that captured national headlines has been years in the making, with accusations flying between the mayor and town council and the second recall election of the year on the horizon.
New law may miss mark on speeding up police misconduct cases
A new law that goes into effect later this month is aimed at speeding up police misconduct investigations, but cases that involve criminal acts will continue to be prolonged, allowing accused officers to collect paychecks while awaiting the outcome of their cases in court.
Pro and con groups consider possible role in Pearce recall set for Nov. 8
With the special election for the recall of Senate President Russell Pearce set for Nov. 8, both the backers and opponents of the recall effort must decide what to do with their organizational structures.
What we’re not IRC-ing: Map-drawing panel spends half its time meeting behind closed doors
Prior to voting to award a lucrative contract to a mapping consultant on June 29, the Independent Redistricting Commission had spent as much time in closed door executive meetings as it had before the public.
And public records held by the commission itself, as well as statements made by commissioners, indicate the IRC may have violated Arizona’s open meeting laws designed to maintain[...]
Corp. Comm approves slightly altered trash-incinerator waiver
The Arizona Corporation Commission today approved a waiver for a western Arizona utility to receive renewable energy credits for energy generated by a Phoenix-area waste-to-energy plant.
Tucson shooting survivor blasts Gosar for response to staffer’s violent messages
A survivor of the Jan. 8 Tucson shooting rampage has blasted U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar for his tame response to a staffer who posted violent messages on Twitter. In a... […]
Legislative committee weighs sweeping changes to school financing system
A legislative committee on Wednesday debated changing the way student success is measured in Arizona schools, which would also change the structure of education funding.
IRC Facebook page becomes point of confusion
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission found itself in a Facebook fracas for several days this week, as an account bearing the commission's name, but run by a local blogger, turned into a forum for opinions, and ginned up accusations from some that the IRC was using it for political purposes.
Brewer calls for special election while Pearce says he’s staying to fight
Pearce officially becomes the first sitting Arizona legislator to face a recall after the group that spearheaded the drive submitted more than enough signatures to Secretary of State for the special election to take place. Last week, Secretary of State Ken Bennett certified the recall and passed it on to Brewer, who is tasked by state law with formally calling the election.
Bathroom pot find leads Pierce to propose corp comm drug test, K-9 office search
After marijuana was discovered in a bathroom in a restricted area of the Arizona Corporation Commission offices, Chairman Gary Pierce today asked his fellow commissioners to consent to drug tests and a search of their offices by a drug-sniffing dog.
U.S. Health Department lays out flexible timetable for state insurance exchanges
Arizona lawmakers who are hesitant about creating a state-run health insurance exchange, a key provision of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, will have some extra time to debate the issue.
Klein responds to handgun handling criticism
No stranger to controversy, freshman Sen. Lori Klein might have waded into another one after she pointed a loaded gun at the chest of a reporter who was profiling her as a part of a series on gun culture in Arizona.