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Court gives homeless another chance to plead case
Charles Butler showed up for Homeless Court in a white shirt and tie. He wanted to make a good impression on the judge. Other defendants appeared in Polo shirts and, in one case, Bermuda shorts. "I guess I overdressed," Butler, 48, said.
‘Arnold v. Sarn’: Helping or hurting?
The lawsuit that led to the creation of the modern behavioral health care system in Maricopa County has created what many experts say is an artificial set of standards that ignores the real needs of patients. But confusion and disagreement over ways to improve the system have delayed the kind of meaningful reform that almost everyone in the health care community recognizes as necessary.
Mental health care: 30 years of broken promises
Magellan Health Services has adopted a slogan since taking over Maricopa County's behavioral health care system two years ago: "Getting Better All the Time." The reforms promised by the Maryland-based company in the months before taking control of the system were put on hold while the company tried to rebound from the loss of medical records, a critical audit by the court and a series of well-p[...]
Kyl plays key role in Sotomayor hearings
WASHINGTON - As President Obama's first nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court faced senators in open hearings last week, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., emerged as a leading Republican voice in raising questions about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's record.
Oops – county didn’t know direct deposits went to SCA
Maricopa County officials said they were caught off-guard last week when they learned employees of Sheriff Joe Arpaio had provided thousands of dollars to an unregistered political committee by authorizing the county to divert money from their paychecks.
Arizona Republican Party got most of the money after all
The Arizona Republican Party last year returned a six-figure contribution that came from an unregistered political committee, but nearly all of that money ended up back in the party's coffers before November's elections. Four business owners gave the state Republican Party a total of $90,000 last fall, only days after the party was forced to return $105,000 to a group known only as SCA.
Kyl criticizes Obama for stimulus letters to Brewer
Sen. Jon Kyl rebuked the White House for what he views as threats and political attacks after several federal department heads responded to criticism of the stimulus plan by asking Gov. Jan Brewer if she would be willing to give some of the money back.
GOP closes caucus after Harper, Allen exchange words
Senate Republicans closed their caucus from the public July 13 after two members got into a relatively heated discussion over how to deal with the governor and her proposal for a one-cent sales tax increase. After the two-hour closed-door meeting, senators said they talked about organizational matters, one of several subjects that they are permitted to go into executive session to discuss.
Brewer vetoes bills on federal funds, treasurer reports
Gov. Jan Brewer signed a raft of bills Monday but vetoed three, including one that would have given the Legislature authority over federal funds and another that would have required the state treasurer to give an annual report on the fiscal condition of the state.
Arpaio: DHS decision on 287 (g) won’t stop crime sweeps
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he won’t stop enforcing laws against illegal immigration or conducting his crime suppression sweeps because of changes made to the 287 (g) program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Brewer signs 87 more bills, including Allen’s med mal
Gov. Jan Brewer on July 10 put her signature on 87 more bills, the second and third batches of non-budget bills she has signed since the Legislature adjourned sine die.
Dem leader says bipartisan budget talks will be ‘painful’
The overwhelming display of bipartisanship that kicked off the special legislative session when it convened July 6 may be a precursor of how lawmakers will work to patch the $2.5 billion hole in the budget, but to what extent Republicans and Democrats work together likely won't be known until later this month.
