Who’s got the juice?
Arizona politics had been uprooted and turned upside down in the past year. New governor. New issues. New campaign season. So, who's got the "juice" - the influence - this year?
Matching funds in peril; higher courts might weigh in
A federal judge on Jan. 15 said it won’t be long before she officially determines that matching funds are unconstitutional. Still, the system might remain in place while the state and supporters of publicly funded campaigns contest her decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Brewer’s budget to be aired in committee soon
Republican lawmakers say Gov. Jan Brewer’s budget plan includes many elements that they agree with.
Rabago files for AG run
Assistant Attorney General Vince Rabago filed on Jan. 15 to run for attorney general. Rabago, a prosecutor at the attorney general's Tucson office, filed to run as a traditionally funded candidate. He is the third Democrat to jump into the race.
The Pulse: Call it the Rose Mofford
No, nobody would be discussing it if the governor was a man. And yes, there's plenty of more important issues facing the state. But that hasn't stopped people from talking about Gov. Jan Brewer's hairdo, on display this week during her State of the State address.
Brewer budget: pay cuts, program eliminations, immediate tax hike
Gov. Jan Brewer no longer wants a proposed sales tax referred to the ballot and is instead asking lawmakers to muster a two-thirds majority to pass it outright, while asking voters to approve a raft of budget-balancing measures in a May special election.
Judge’s final order on matching funds critical to gov’s race
Proponents of publicly funded elections will appeal to U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver to allow the distribution of matching funds to publicly funded candidates for legislative and statewide offices in 2010.
Crump aims to overturn resign-to-run
The deadline for Arizona's resign-to-run law has passed for this election cycle, but the bad taste lingers on for at least one lawmaker.
Governor explains her cost-saving proposals
Things were bad when Gov. Jan Brewer took office in January 2009, and they've gotten worse since then. The plan Brewer pitched as a remedy to Arizona's crippling budget problems met fierce resistance, and 10 months later it still has not been enacted. But as Brewer begins her second year as governor, she said she still believes in her plan
Lobbyists lower expectations, mainly look to protect clients
So far this year, some lobbyists haven't even bothered to ask lawmakers to introduce a bill on their behalf. Others have big goals, despite the widespread perception that lawmakers will be focused almost entirely on the budget deficit.
Candidates line up as Shadegg announces retirement
Only minutes after U.S. Rep. John Shadegg announced his retirement on Jan. 14, a handful of state lawmakers began lining up to run for his seat.
Price of new caucus room: $46k
Republicans held their first caucus meeting in a newly-renovated room on the first floor of the Senate building on Jan. 12.