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Teacher’s union seeks court intervention in policy changes
Arizona’s largest teachers’ union has asked the state Supreme Court to overturn laws that affect the pay and retention of public school teachers. In a 32-page petition for special action,... […]
Tracking the special session
Click here for up-to-the-minute updates on the Legislature's fourth special session. Our reporters will be at the Capitol all day (or all week, if it comes to that), tracking the progress of the four pieces of legislation in the House and Senate.
Will legislative PACs be used to corral votes?
A pair of political committees created by top legislative Republicans will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend in next year's elections, which is causing some to wonder if it's appropriate for them to wield that kind of power.
Verschoor breaks silence, explains why he skipped out
Sen. Thayer Verschoor broke his silence Nov. 20, saying he skipped the third day of the Legislature’s special session because he was still trying to negotiate a deal on the package of legislation with the House and the governor.
Martin says Goddard is throwing ‘legal temper tantrum’
The Attorney General's Office may not be providing many legal services to the Treasurer's Office anymore, and state Treasurer Dean Martin had some sharp words for Attorney General Terry Goddard over the dispute. "He said he's not our attorney anymore," Martin said. "It's like a legal temper tantrum."
The Pulse: Maybe rules were meant to be broken
Looks like Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate are ignoring their own rules again. Gov. Jan Brewer recently made a rare visit to a Republican caucus meeting, prompting the GOP to kick out spectators and seal the doors - an apparent violation of Senate rules.
Lawmakers consider seeking exemption from stimulus requirements
Standing between lawmakers and millions of dollars in budget cuts to education are three letters - M-O-E. Since Arizona started drawing federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, some lawmakers have decried the maintenance-of-effort, or MOE, requirements for portions of the money.
Former veterans agency chief indicted for fraud, conflict, misuse of funds
The Arizona Attorney General's Office announced on Nov. 19 that a former director of the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services has been indicted on eight felony charges, including counts of conflict of interest, fraud and misuse of public money.
Budget bill fails in Senate; Verschoor AWOL
The Senate has hit a major snag and has failed to pass the main budget measure that is part of a package that partially fixes a $2-billion deficit, and it has adjourned until Nov. 23. The bill went down by a vote of 14-13. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray voted "no" so he could bring the vote up for reconsideration later. All the Democrats voted "no" on the bill. So did Sen. Ron Gould, a[...]
State borrows $700M; first external loan since Great Depression
The State Loan Commission has approved a $700 million line of credit from Bank of America, marking the first external borrowing the state has done since the Great Depression. State Treasurer Dean Martin said his office will finalize the agreement with Bank of America next week and will begin issuing treasurer's warrants by the end of November.
House panel approves budget-fix bills
A House panel followed the Senate's lead, quickly approving a series of budget bills aimed at chipping away at the state's massive deficit. The bills include $300 million in cuts to social programs and state aid for education.
Foreclosure law on track for repeal – again
It's back to square one for the Arizona Bankers Association. A tenuous deal to alter Arizona laws that govern home foreclosures was struck down by lawmakers on Nov. 18 after objections were raised by the homebuilding industry. The agreement had been struck by the Bankers Association and the Arizona Association of Realtors.
