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Political firestorm looms as lawmakers advance strict anti-labor measures
In what is shaping up as one of the biggest political fights this year, conservative lawmakers are pushing a slew of measures that would fundamentally weaken public-sector unions in Arizona.
Taken together, the anti-union bills that were approved this week by a legislative committee are more restrictive than what was enacted in Wisconsin, where political turmoil erupted after its govern[...]
Pearce eyes Senate comeback
Recalled former Sen. Russell Pearce is eyeing a return to the Capitol and recently filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office that would set the stage for 2012 campaign.
Governor says union bills must take back seat to personnel plan
The Ninth Floor is warning lawmakers not to pass a slew of anti-union bills until Gov. Jan Brewer’s personnel reform plan is on her desk and ready for her signature.
Lawmakers warned of political ‘firestorm’ as they approve anti-union measures
A group of conservative lawmakers backed by an influential policy think tank are picking a fight with public unions -- and the unions are fighting back.
Schweikert supporting Salmon in congressional race
Congressman David Schweikert has endorsed his former colleague Matt Salmon in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake.
Biggs, father of demoted ex-cop, seeks to allow disciplined officers day in court
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, whose son was stripped of his duties as a Gilbert police officer for shooting an unarmed man in the groin while off-duty in 2009, is sponsoring a bill to give disciplined cops a chance to take their cases to court.
Two anti-illegal immigration measures are back
Undeterred by major setbacks last year, a freshman legislator is once again pushing immigration bills that could lead to another showdown over how best to confront the issue.
Sen. Steve Smith, a Maricopa Republican, is proposing laws that would require school districts to count the number of students who are in the country illegally and to require hospitals to report patients who canno[...]
Heinz plans congressional run to fill Giffords’ seat
Tucson state Rep. Matt Heinz is the first Democrat to formally enter the special election race to replace U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who resigned Jan. 25 to focus on her recovery from an assassination attempt more than a year ago.
If you can’t beat them… Lawmakers shopping around for friendlier districts
If you can’t beat them, pack up and move to a new district.
That’s the lesson that a handful of legislators are taking with them as they prepare to run in the new districts drawn by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
Tobin defends secretive map drawing
While legislative Republicans have repeatedly castigated the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission for sometimes operating outside of the public’s view, House Speaker Andy Tobin’s counterproposal was written out of anyone’s view.
Special election on redistricting would cost $8M
If Republicans go along with House Speaker Andy Tobin’s plan to force a special election that would seek to change the state’s legislative and congressional maps, it will cost Arizona more than $8 million.
Big shake up at hospital association as 3 hospital groups withdraw membership
Three big hospital groups in the state have severed their membership from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
Abrazo Health Care, Banner Health and Dignity Health, which runs St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, today informed the association that they are withdrawing.
