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House passes narrowed-down contraception bill
State representatives today passed a scaled-back bill that would allow religious-based employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers.
The amended bill, HB2625, passed the Arizona House by a vote of 36-21, and will need to go back to the Senate for final approval there. If approved there, it will be delivered to Gov. Jan Brewer for either a signature or a veto.
GOP leaders heeding Brewer’s veto warning
After Gov. Jan Brewer yesterday told GOP legislative leaders that she will veto any bills that land on her desk before a budget is completed, the warning is being heeded in the Senate. “I am not sending any bills to her today,” said Senate President Steve Pierce. “She asked not to. So we’re going to try and help her out and work with her.”
Brewer places moratorium on bills until budget done
Talks on the budget may be on the verge of breaking down, as Gov. Jan Brewer today told Republican legislative leaders that she will not sign any more bills until the budget is done.
Republican lawmakers and Brewer have been at loggerheads over a budget deal all session. The governor called for increased spending in education and some social programs, but Republicans have said she wan[...]
Intense legal fight over proposed Glendale casino moves to 9th Circuit
The fight over whether a Southern Arizona tribe can build a massive casino near Glendale’s entertainment district moved to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday. The city is contesting a trial court’s decision to uphold the Department of Interior’s decision to create reservation land out of 54 acres of unincorporated land near 95th and Northern avenues. The Tohono O’odham tribe w[...]
Cherny dominates CD9 fundraising
Former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny raised more money than his two opponents combined in the hotly contested Democratic primary for Arizona’s 9th Congressional District. Cherny’s $431,000, which he raised in about seven weeks, dwarfed Sen. David Schapira’s $131,000 and left former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in a distant second place in the fundraising race with $258,000.
Quayle tops Schweikert in CD6 fundraising
Ben Quayle topped fellow first-term Congressman David Schweikert in their first campaign finance reports of the year, but the candidates’ overall fundraising is still nearly even when it comes to money that can be spent in the Republican primary for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
State Bar links Arpaio to actions that led to Thomas downfall
The panel that disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas found he conspired with Sheriff Joe Arpaio to commit crimes, a fact that the sheriff will likely have to contend with as federal investigators look into whether he abused his power.
CD8 hopefuls scramble to catch frontrunner Kelly in shortened timeframe
Most of the Republican hopefuls in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District started their campaigns with a lot of ground to make up and little time to do it.
When former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced her resignation in January, Jesse Kelly, the Republican nominee who narrowly lost to her in 2010, came in as the undisputed GOP frontrunner in the special election to replace her[...]
Patterson resigns before expulsion vote
Following the damning news that the House Ethics Committee formally recommended his expulsion, Tucson lawmaker Rep. Daniel Patterson resigned his seat today, before the full House could take a vote on the motion to expel him.
With no fanfare, House Speaker Andy Tobin announced that he accepted Patterson’s resignation.
Thomas disbarred by disciplinary panel
A disciplinary panel disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and his former deputy Lisa Aubuchon today, calling the former prosecutors unscrupulous, hypocritical and self-centered. A third former deputy, Rachel Alexander, was suspended for six months and one day.
Patterson says ethics investigation politically motivated; panel to meet on next step
Rep. Daniel Patterson, the Tucson lawmaker facing ethics charges and possible expulsion from the House of Representatives, today maintained his innocence and said a scathing ethics report against him was politically motivated.
Justice Department approves congressional redistricting plan
The U.S. Department of Justice today announced it has approved Arizona’s proposed congressional redistricting plan, despite a last minute appeal by some Republicans who said minority voting rights could have been strengthened.
