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Omnibus immigration bill squeaks through
Although the legality of Arizona’s SB1070 has yet to be decided in court, that hasn’t stopped lawmakers from attempting to pass what backers describe as closing holes in existing laws but what critics call an even more sweeping immigration measure.
Senate panel passes birthright bills
After a rocky start, the birthright legislation finally received committee approval on Feb. 22, overcoming the initial hurdle before the full Senate can debate and vote on the measure that is stirring so much raw emotion and is solidifying Arizona’s reputation as ground zero in the struggle to confront illegal immigration.
Critics: Pearce’s latest immigration bill worse than SB1070
A mere “cleanup” it is not.
That is critics’ response to the late introduction of an immigration bill authored by Senate President Russell Pearce.
Pearce drops “omnibus” immigration bill
Although he calls it a mere “clean-up bill,” Senate President Russell Pearce is pushing legislation to tighten immigration laws by denying illegal immigrants access to public benefits, from operating or titling vehicles to enrolling in community colleges.
Bigger rebates may not ease some homeowners’ pain
The delicate balancing act involved in changing Arizona’s property tax structure will leave some homeowners paying higher property taxes.
As death-penalty cases stack up, Supreme Court searches for help
The Arizona Supreme Court can comfortably death penalty cases at a pace of 10 to 12 per year. Most of their decisions are to uphold the death sentences. But now there are 27 capital cases, a number that has grown from 17 in 2008, and even more cases are reaching the appeal phase.
Pension-reform: Similar destinations, divergent routes
In pursuing pension-reform, Speaker Adams travels a lonely road, and Sen. Yarbrough stops for visits along the way.
Two bills — one still embryonic, one written and ready — represent the common goal of reforming the state’s pension system. They also represent two very different approaches to legislation.
IRC choice of Democrat McNulty leaves rural counties on outside
Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission is four-fifths filled out, and to date, all the members are from Maricopa and Pima counties.
Schools worry about property tax cuts thinning financial safety net
When the property-tax cuts in the jobs bill go into effect, the financial safety net school districts use may get significantly thinner. And the property tax cuts will be especially problematic for districts that already have reached or exceeded their bonding limits.
Intel’s timing allows Brewer to boast
Logic says it is too early to claim that the Arizona Competitiveness Package is already bringing jobs to the state, but that didn’t stop Gov. Jan Brewer from taking advantage of a technology giant’s fortuitous timing.
GOP argument: Lawmakers’ duty is to expand economy, not protect state revenues
While business groups cheer the massive tax cuts passed in the loftily titled Arizona Competitiveness Package — known to most as the jobs bill — some people who rely on that disappearing revenue are wringing their hands over what the future may hold.
Interstate compacts — A new tactic for challenging federal authority
Once employed for such mundane issues as inmate transfers, natural resource management and state boundary definitions, interstate compacts have suddenly become the latest tool for legislators looking to buck the federal government on a slew of controversial topics.
