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Some ‘dead’ bills get a 2nd chance, but tactic doesn’t always work
More than a dozen bills have been reconsidered on the floors of the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives after their earlier demise, and while most have passed when given a second thought, a few have stalled or met another death by vote.
Brewer vetoes bill to make gold and silver legal tender
Gov. Jan Brewer on Thursday vetoed SB1439, which would have recognized gold and silver specie as legal tender in Arizona, along with any other specie that a “court of competent jurisdiction” deems to be within the state’s authority to make legal tender.
Judge boots MCAO from Horne campaign finance case
A judge ruled that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office lacks to the authority to pursue campaign finance allegations against Tom Horne and a top aide, giving the attorney general at least a temporary reprieve.
With a legal challenge pending, consolidated elections still isn’t a sure thing
Although cities are concerned about how they will comply with the changes resulting from consolidated elections, all the worry may be for naught, at least for charter cities, if a legal challenge against the law is successful.
Brewer vetoes bill creating music therapy license
Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have created a new state certification for music therapists.
Bills often fail to get past COW
The Committee of the Whole, the last chance to amend measures in either chamber before bills go to the floor for a third read, can represent a tremendous hurdle for lawmakers guiding their legislation through the process.
Corrections officer sues state, claims he was framed for union activities
A lieutenant with the Arizona Department of Corrections alleges in a federal lawsuit three criminal investigators with the agency framed him in retaliation for his union activities.
State to buy Arizona’s first private prison
Arizona’s first private prison is going to become the property of the state. A provision in contracts for the state’s five privately-run prisons allows the state to buy the prison for a nominal price as the contract expires.
Brewer reaching out to lawmakers on Medicaid expansion
As the 2013 legislative session stretches past the 100-day mark and Gov. Jan Brewer struggles for dwindling Republican votes on her top agenda item, the Ninth Floor is redoubling its efforts to attract GOP votes for Medicaid expansion.
Thomas files to run for governor, maintains innocence after disbarment for abuse of power
Disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas maintained his longstanding insistence that he was unfairly targeted for taking on corrupt officials as he jumped into the 2014 governor’s race, attempting to revive his political career.
Money without merit
Bonuses given to state workers who didn’t surrender protections
Raises for rank-and-file state employees came with a choice last year: Become an at-will employee in exchange for a 5-percent pay bump, or keep those protections and receive the same salaries they’d had since 2007.The amount of money the deal directed toward political appointees and top staff, who are among t[...]
Thomas to launch 2014 gubernatorial bid
Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced in an email today that he will file paperwork to launch a 2014 gubernatorial campaign.
