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School unification committee gets broad support
When a slate of school district unification and consolidation ballot measures went down in flames in 2008, the movement appeared dead. But with Arizona reeling from deficit, advocates of unification are hoping that cost-conscious lawmakers will look at the proposal in a new light.
Time out for Antenori’s ‘not-a-TIF’ bill
Sen. Frank Antenori is going to bat for a proposal that could help cities retain spring training baseball and spur economic development, but to get it through the Legislature he must overcome the skepticism of a powerful committee chairman, the ghosts of a much-maligned project in Tucson and the state’s historic hostility toward tax increment financing.
Brewer committed to small K-12 cuts
Some Republican lawmakers are predicting that they’ll have a budget on Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk by the time the 2011 session hits the 60-day mark, but first, someone will have to budge on K-12 spending and rollovers.
Health care groups unveil AHCCCS funding plan
Several health care industry groups that hope to stop the state from kicking a quarter of a million people out of the state's public health care system unveiled the outline of their proposal to fund the state's Medicaid program.
Senate draws line in rejecting ‘nullification’ bill
If the Arizona Senate was a car, its fuel source would be defiance of the federal government.
Thomas’ case straddles old, new Bar discipline systems
No doubt to his dismay, former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is shining a high-beam light on Arizona’s new system of disciplining attorneys.
The system, which took effect Jan. 1, eliminated steps from the process and added more laymen to the decision-making, and is so new that Thomas is only the second lawyer to be strapped with a complaint.
A hardy-hard job: Left with little legislative power, Democrats use humor to express discontent
Sen. Steve Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat, gestures during an impassioned speech on the Senate floor. Gallardo and some of his Senate Democratic colleagues occasionally use humor to lampoon bills they dislike, but have no power to stop.
Senate’s gun bill in the House, but a long way from the floor
The vote on the firearms omnibus bill was contentious in the Senate, but some of the measure’s backers are saying it will face a tougher fight in the House — if only because it could possibly be thwarted on the very first step.
Bundgaard brouhaha: Embattled senator clings to leadership role
The fallout from a domestic violence incident on the side of a Phoenix freeway last month has escalated into a mess that is imperiling the legislative career of one of Arizona’s most powerful politicians.
Jobs bill not the end of economic incentives in 2011
The ink is barely dry on Arizona Competitiveness Package, but business groups and Republican lawmakers have at least one more batch of economic incentives they hope to push through the Legislature this session.
Senate gives preliminary OK to watered down guns-on-campus bill
Gun rights advocates are inching closer to accomplishing their long-coveted goal of allowing guns on school campuses.
House approves money aimed at stopping smugglers
The House has approved a measure that will give $5 million to Pinal County to fight drug smugglers, despite opposition from Democrats who said the money would be better spent paying for a transplant program that was cut last year.
