Campus guns bill struggling in Senate
A proposal to allow guns on university and college campuses is stuck in the Senate.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said he’s so far only corralled 13 “yes” votes for the proposal.
Babeu defends sending naked picture to ex-boyfriend
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu today emphatically denied allegations that he or his attorney threatened to deport a jilted ex-lover after their relationship soured, as a Phoenix newspaper reported on Friday, and said he plans to remain sheriff and continue his campaign for higher office.
Over worker objections, Brewer’s ‘personnel reform’ advances
A House committee approved Gov. Jan Brewer’s vaunted personnel plan, giving the bill its first step toward passage, despite the warnings of public sector unions and government workers who spent hours urging lawmakers not to eliminate their civil service protections.
Union dues ban advances, but other bills appear to stall
A proposal to outlaw automatic salary deductions for public union dues – unless workers expressly authorize them annually – survived a vigorous Senate debate on Thursday, and was passed by a vote of 19-11.
The bill, championed by Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, is headed for the House for further action, but other measures that would fundamentally weaken public unions in Arizo[...]
Two anti-union bills up for debate
Two of four proposals targeting public employee unions will be debated in the Senate tomorrow.
If they receive approval, they will be cleared for a formal vote to send them to the House of Representatives, which must also approve them.
Sweeping anti-abortion bills facing hurdles
The pro-life community suffered a setback Wednesday as proposals that would add a host of requirements before an abortion could be performed failed to get committee approval.
A bill to ban most abortions after 20 weeks and another that would define human life as beginning at conception stalled in the Republican-led Legislature.
Middle East terror group cited as reason to put armed volunteer militia on Arizona-Mexico border
A senator who wants to create an armed volunteer force that can stop crimes along the Arizona-Mexico border repeated claims Tuesday that terrorist organizations based in the Middle East have formed alliances with drug cartels to the south.
Immigration measures stuck in committees
Two anti-illegal immigration bills that were among a slew of measures last session that divided the Senate Republican caucus are stuck in committee and the odds of their passage appear dim.
Barber raises more than $100K in opening days of campaign
After just four days, Ron Barber has raised more money and attracted more contributors than some campaigns have gotten in months.
Through the online Democratic fundraising PAC ActBlue, Barber raised about $110,000 from 1,715 contributors through Monday morning, according to his campaign.
Committee to hear Brewer’s state-worker overhaul plan
Gov. Jan Brewer’s long-awaited personnel reform plan, which will overhaul the state’s employment practices and make it easier to fire government employees, will finally get its first hearing in the Legislature on Thursday.
onlinetax.fight
In July, Gov. Jan Brewer celebrated the announcement that Amazon.com was planning to open a new distribution center in the state, calling the move proof that Arizona is open for business.
Now, lawmakers are telling Amazon that since they have distribution centers here, they should be required to collect and pay sales tax to the state.
The mixed message is the latest chapter i[...]
Brewer precedent may spell doom for union bills
Friends and foes of the anti-union bills working their way through the Legislature may want to look at Gov. Jan Brewer’s record with public safety unions before they dub her the Scott Walker of the West.