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Judging judges: Legislation shedding more light on judicial complaints advances
This week the Senate passed a ballot measure that would open to the public all documents and proceedings pertaining to complaints filed with the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates judges accused of ethics violations and misconduct.
Pearce points to Constitution for power to oust activists
In banning some immigration activists from setting foot in the Senate building, Senate President Russell Pearce insists he has the backing of the state Constitution, which says each legislative chamber will determine its own rules and procedures.
Unclear verdict on Arizona’s buffer-zone for funeral demonstrations
The U.S. Supreme Court on March 2 struck down a jury verdict against the Reverend Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, but it’s not clear what, if any, effect the ruling will have on an Arizona law aimed at curbing the hated group’s behavior.
State nullification bill is back — barely
Proving once again that no legislation is ever dead until lawmakers have wrapped up the year’s session, supporters of a proposal creating a state mechanism to nullify to a federal law managed to revive it on Thursday.
Police report tells more violent story in Bundgaard’s highway incident
A police report released March 2 concerning the roadside scuffle between Arizona Senate Majority Leader Scott Bundgaard and his then-girlfriend says the woman accused Bundgaard of hitting her twice in the chest, throwing her cell phone out the driver’s side window and threatening to abandon her on the freeway.
Brewer pondering AHCCCS freeze
Gov. Jan Brewer is considering freezing Medicaid enrollment as early as April 1 for childless adults as part of a phase-out preparation for kicking 250,000 people off of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System.
Bill giving sheriffs more control over budget fails in Senate
A bill meant to give county sheriffs more control over their budgets died, at least for the moment, in the Senate on Tuesday after one of its strongest advocates, Senate President Russell Pearce, failed to muster enough votes for passage.
Pearce restricts press conferences inside Senate
Arguing that the move would make it easier to secure the chamber, Senate President Russell Pearce on Tuesday issued a memo saying press conferences that are open to the public will no longer be allowed inside the Arizona Senate building.
IRC choice for chairman: Independent Colleen Mathis
The four partisan members of the Independent Redistricting Commission appointed a politically independent chairwoman on Tuesday, and made public pledges to cooperate with each other through what some believe will turn into anything but a nonpartisan task.
At long-awaited meeting, Sebelius tells Brewer: Put requests in writing
A long-sought meeting between Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius took 15 minutes on Monday and ended with a typical government response: Put it in writing.
Senate approves bill to dump clean elections
The Arizona Senate wants voters to decide whether to bar the use of public money for candidates' campaigns.
Early attacks on judicial merit selection dwindle to a few
A vigorous assault this year on the way Arizona chooses its judges has subsided to a handful of ballot measures and bills that have made their way through the Senate, but this year, the effort has more momentum than in past legislatures.
