Pearce supporters file suit in hopes of stopping recall
Arguing that the recall petition against Senate President Russell Pearce failed to comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, the Mesa Republican’s allies today asked a judge to invalidate signature sheets in a last-minute bid to block the special election from taking place this November.
Proposal would consolidate municipal and state elections
GOP lawmakers’ annual battle with cities over what’s best for local government may be moving from the Legislature to the ballot box.
What we’re not IRC-ing: Map-drawing panel spends half its time meeting behind closed doors
Prior to voting to award a lucrative contract to a mapping consultant on June 29, the Independent Redistricting Commission had spent as much time in closed door executive meetings as it had before the public.
And public records held by the commission itself, as well as statements made by commissioners, indicate the IRC may have violated Arizona’s open meeting laws designed to maintain[...]
Corp. Comm approves slightly altered trash-incinerator waiver
The Arizona Corporation Commission today approved a waiver for a western Arizona utility to receive renewable energy credits for energy generated by a Phoenix-area waste-to-energy plant.
Corp Comm begins debate over giving garbage burning ‘renewable’ status
The Corporation Commission finally began hearing testimony surrounding a proposed waste incinerator today, after the item was pulled from two previous agendas and was bumped from yesterday’s hearing schedule due to time constraints.
Brewer calls for special election while Pearce says he’s staying to fight
Pearce officially becomes the first sitting Arizona legislator to face a recall after the group that spearheaded the drive submitted more than enough signatures to Secretary of State for the special election to take place. Last week, Secretary of State Ken Bennett certified the recall and passed it on to Brewer, who is tasked by state law with formally calling the election.
Bathroom pot find leads Pierce to propose corp comm drug test, K-9 office search
After marijuana was discovered in a bathroom in a restricted area of the Arizona Corporation Commission offices, Chairman Gary Pierce today asked his fellow commissioners to consent to drug tests and a search of their offices by a drug-sniffing dog.
Klein responds to handgun handling criticism
No stranger to controversy, freshman Sen. Lori Klein might have waded into another one after she pointed a loaded gun at the chest of a reporter who was profiling her as a part of a series on gun culture in Arizona.
Beat ’em or join ’em? Federal health care law forces lawmakers to decide what they dislike less
By offering states the option to run a key piece of the federal health care overhaul, the law is forcing Arizona’s lawmakers into the ultimate conundrum: Do nothing and potentially lose significant control over the state’s health care system or help implement a program they’d rather see in the gutter.
Pearce officially faces recall election
It’s official: Senate President Russell Pearce is the first sitting elected legislator who will face a recall election in Arizona history.
The Secretary of State today confirmed that the group seeking Pearce’s recall has submitted more than enough signatures for the special election to take place.
Playing catch-up: Despite slow start, IRC targets fall map completion
The Independent Redistricting Commission was crafted to give the power to draw political maps to an appointed panel, free from political shackles. But now months behind the pace set by the previous IRC, there is a very real possibility that the job may fall to a panel of federal judges.
Gosar: private industry key to effective forest management
The congressman whose district includes the eastern part of the state that was scorched last month by the largest wildfire in Arizona history told state legislators partnerships between government and private industry are essential to properly manage forests.