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Follow the money
Lobbying reports show how much was spent, who spent it, but not necessarily who was being courted
The Arizona Capitol Times obtained the electronic quarterly lobbying reports for the first quarter of 2013 under the state’s public records laws, analyzed the expenditures across hundreds of transactions and interviewed many of those involved in the spending.
A lobbying tradition: lunches on the lawn
During the first three months of 2013, lawmakers worked 44 days, during which there were 35 lunches on the Capitol lawn for everyone in the halls of the House and Senate or for members of certain caucuses.
Freshman ranks high among most lobbied
Even though Republican Rep. Ethan Orr of Tucson was listed as benefiting from only $566 spent by lobbyists, he ranked No. 3 among the most lobbied lawmakers during the first quarter.
Special events dominated lobbying expenditures during the first quarter
Giving lawmakers free tickets to sporting events is legal if it falls into the “special event” category of lobbying, where the entire Legislature, an entire committee or an entire caucus is invited.
Laguna Beach weekend tops lobbying expenditures
In early March, Sens. Nancy Barto and Steve Yarbrough stayed for three days in Laguna Beach, Calif., courtesy of conservative activist and lobbyist Cathi Herrod.
Brewer ends quest for pro-life language in Medicaid plan
After weeks of discussions on possible pro-life language for her Medicaid expansion plan, Gov. Jan Brewer is through trying to find a way to bar abortion providers from participating in AHCCCS.
Bipartisan Senate passes budget, AHCCCS expansion
A debate that lasted nearly 12 hours ended late Thursday night, when the Arizona state Senate approved a budget proposal that includes a plan to expand Medicaid coverage as desired by Gov. Jan Brewer.
Six Republican senators joined forces with Senate Democrats to wrest control of the chamber from Sen. President Andy Biggs and provided momentum to Brewer’s proposal by giving prelimina[...]
Senate gives preliminary approval to Medicaid expansion
A block of five Republican senators joined forces with Senate Democrats on May 16 to wrest control of the chamber from Sen. President Andy Biggs and provide momentum to Gov. Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid in Arizona.
McComish becomes key player in Medicaid expansion drama
Senators are prepped for a lengthy floor debate on the GOP-led budget plan and a wildly anticipated fight to add Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal to the mix against the objection of most Senate Republicans.
Ten budget bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, many by 6-3 party line votes, and the Rules Committee on Wednesday afternoon. That paves the way for lawmaker[...]
Brewer: Senate budget means end is near
Gov. Jan Brewer said the budget introduced today by Senate President Andy Biggs is fairly close to her own and that she has few problems with the proposal, except for one major exception – it doesn’t include the expansion of Arizona’s Medicaid program.
House speaker proposes ballot measure on Medicaid expansion
Unable or unwilling to take on Medicaid expansion at the Capitol, House speaker Andy Tobin wants to ask voters in the state whether they want to expand Medicaid coverage. He is working on a resolution to send the question to the ballot in a special election this year.
Biggs’ budget plan does not include Brewer’s Medicaid expansion
Senate President Andy Biggs stepped forward Tuesday with a budget proposal similar to the one offered by Gov. Jan Brewer in January, but it defiantly does not include her Medicaid expansion plan.
