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Pearce offers amendment, then pulls it back
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Nov. 18, Sen. Russell Pearce, a Republican from Mesa who chairs the committee, offered an amendment that would have dictated how Pima and Maricopa counties would have to pay $22 million to the state.
Senate approves bills in debate, final vote expected today
In almost staccato fashion, senators approved a package of bills to reduce state spending by about $300 million on Nov. 18 - first in committee and then on the floor. Senators attempted several amendments, both in committee and during Committee of the Whole.
Brewer out of town for special session
Gov. Jan Brewer is on the road, just as lawmakers are convening for their fourth special session. Brewer left town this morning (Nov. 18) for a scheduled trip to Austin, Texas, where she will attend the 2009 conference of the Republican Governors Association. Spokeswoman Kim Sabow said the governor plans to attend both days of the conference, but will return to Arizona on Nov. 19.
Senate Appropriations panel approves bills
The budget fix to eliminate a portion of the state's $2 billion deficit is moving through Senate committees while the House is on hold until Nov. 19. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved four bills after a relatively short deliberation on Nov. 18. Some of the bills received bipartisan support.
Municipalities file special action for access to SRP watershed records
Two municipalities are challenging the authority of one of the state's largest utilities and are now asking a Maricopa County court to order Salt River Project (SRP) to turn over records under the state's public records law.
Senate Dems want tribal school districts to tap impact aid
Senate Democrats are pushing to give schools on American Indian reservations the ability to access federal impact aid money to make up for state budget cuts to schools. A handful... […]
Special session kicks off, but most work slated for Thursday
Lawmakers officially kicked off the fourth special session of the year - the second devoted to the fiscal 2010 budget - with an uneventful gathering at the state Capitol on Nov. 17. The work on taking a small bite out of the state's $2 billion budget deficit will take place on Nov. 19, when House and Senate budget committees are expected to meet.
Gay rights group files lawsuit against Brewer
Ten state employees have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Jan Brewer in an effort to reverse a state policy that bans state benefits to the domestic partners of state employees.
Schapira to run for Senate; Arredondo to run for House
A longtime Tempe city councilor is switching parties to run for the state House as a Democrat after a veteran legislator announces her retirement. Ben Arredondo, who has served on the Tempe City Council since 1994, will announce his candidacy for the District 17 House seat. The move was prompted by Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill's retirement announcement, which came at a Capitol press conference on Nov. 1[...]
First Senate bill targets officials’ use of public money for ads
The first bill filed in the Legislature for next year's regular session seeks to curb statewide politicians' use of public money for self-promotion. The idea is not new. Similar legislation was filed in the past with no success.
Special session to begin today, Brewer drops by GOP caucus
Legislative leaders have said a special legislative session to address part of the state's $2 billion deficit will begin today (Nov. 17), but Senate Republicans might have to rely on a vote or two from Democrats to pass all of the legislation on tap.
Brewer travel plans may be bad sign for special session
A special session to deal with agency funding and other loose ends from the budget may still happen this week, but according to Gov. Jan Brewer's travel itinerary, she's planning for the likelihood that it won't.
