Sign In
Free Newsletter
Getting 16 Senate votes for the budget wasn’t easy
There were a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and drama leading to the Senate’s budget vote on June 4. Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams met with Sen. John Nelson, a Republican from Glendale, in Burns’ office to try to get his buy-in.
State Supreme Court declines to intervene in suit against DES
The Arizona Supreme Court has refused to stop the state from cutting millions of dollars from health care programs that serve developmentally disabled people. On June 1, the high court declined without comment to review a Court of Appeals ruling that erased a preliminary injunction issued by a trial judge.
Judicial commission will narrow field to three applicants for state Supreme Court
Simple math collided with strides for diversity, merit and practicality as members of a state judicial commission began the process of narrowing a field of candidates that will soon be used to appoint Arizona’s next Supreme Court justice.
Brewer names policy advisor for urban outreach, military affairs
Gov. Jan Brewer on June 4 named Qwest Communications executive Victor Daniels as her policy advisor for urban outreach and military affairs.
Burns refers 250 bills to committees, more coming
Senate President Bob Burns changed strategy on June 4 by referring 250 bills to committees in one swoop and saying he plans to refer more in the coming days.
Senate stays until 4 a.m. to pass budget
Senate leaders worked in overdrive to persuade enough Republicans to finally pass a plan that solves a $3-billion deficit in next year's budget.
Senate forms committee to research cap-and-trade legislation
The Senate has created an ad-hoc committee on climate initiatives, a hot-button issue that has taken the backseat to the state's record-breaking budgetary woes.
Commission narrows field of Supreme Court candidates to 8
The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments has taken the initial step of narrowing down a field of candidates to become the next Arizona Supreme Court justice.
Supreme Court to hear challenge of First Things First fund sweep
The Arizona Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge of a legislative fund sweep that targeted money generated by a tobacco tax and intended to pay for children's health care. But in the same stroke on June 1, justices declined to address a dispute of a fund sweep protested by a state labor commission.
Senate to push ahead with budget, setting up battle with Brewer
The Senate plans to bring its budget packet to the floor today without changes to accommodate Gov. Jan Brewer's recently-released budget proposal. Senate President Bob Burns' decision to move forward may set up a showdown between the competing plans of the executive branch and the GOP-led Legislature.
Court of Appeals rules against MCSO’s public records request
A panel of Arizona Court of Appeals judges has ruled unanimously that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is not entitled to review thousands of documents and e-mails sent by senior officials and staff of the Maricopa County Superior Court.
Supreme Court agrees to hear CityNorth case
The Arizona Supreme Court agreed on June 1 to hear a challenge of an appellate court decision that found a $97-million tax rebate given to a real estate developer by the city of Phoenix violated the state's Constitution.
