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Revisiting the Recall: Supporters say it’s justified any time; opponents say it’s being misused
The right to use recall elections that Arizona fought for so vigorously during its quest for statehood has rarely been used in the past 100 years, but a flurry of recent attempts to oust elected officials from office has some questioning whether the process is being abused.
Votes, attendance still question marks for special session
Baring the same determination she employed in pushing for a temporary sales tax hike, Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session to be held on June 10 to extend aid to jobless Arizonans. But it's unclear whether the votes Brewer needs are there.
Chances of special session on unemployment benefits remain nil to small
The Senate polled its members last week to find out if there’s support for holding a special session to extend unemployment benefits following discussions between legislative leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer, who is pushing for it.
Bumpy road ahead for ‘second jobs bill’
After two hours of discussion among Gov. Jan Brewer and members of the Arizona Commerce Authority on how to boost economic development in Arizona, Rep. Tom Forese delivered a surprisingly candid admonition of the governor.
Specialty license plates run amok
If a cactus and sunset don’t suit a driver, Arizonans can now opt for one of the 49 specialty plates when they register their cars.
But some call the numerous specialty plates, including the ironic Tea Party plate and one for the embattled Phoenix Coyotes, a threat to public safety and private groups using the government to pad their bottom lines.
Medical marijuana proponents prep legal counters
Since the May 24 announcement by Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Tom Horne that they would seek judicial clarification of the conflict between longstanding federal drug laws and Arizona’s new medical marijuana law in federal court, proponents of the new law have been preparing legal recourse designed to put the medical marijuana program back on track.
Group submits 18,000 signatures to recall Pearce
Saying they have defied doomsayers and skeptics, a group filed Tuesday more than 18,000 signatures to recall Senate President Russell Pearce, a conservative lawmaker from Mesa who is nationally known for his anti-illegal immigration legislation.
Supreme Court OKs sanctions law — is SB1070 next?
The nation’s highest court has determined there is room for states to enforce federal immigration laws regarding employment, a ruling that proponents and critics are now parsing for any indication on how the Supreme Court will view SB1070.
Fit to be tied: Republican lawmakers say Prop. 105 is too restrictive
The chorus of lawmakers calling for an overhaul of the Voter Protection Act quieted to a low murmur in 2011, but supporters say the dormant issue will be back on the Legislature’s agenda next year.
Several Republican legislators said they will revive their plans to change Proposition 105, the 1998 ballot measure that strictly limits the Legislature’s ability to tamper with voter-appro[...]
Employer sanctions stands up to high court scrutiny
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld an Arizona law that allows the state to suspend or revoke the business licenses of companies that knowingly hire illegal immigrants, paving the way for other states to establish similar systems.
Proponents say successor to school voucher plan will withstand lawsuits
Teachers unions and advocacy groups that sunk Arizona’s private school voucher system two years ago haven’t made any moves to strike down its successor, even though they say it is blatantly unconstitutional.
But school choice advocates say they followed the instruction of an Arizona Supreme Court justice and the previous program’s critics in crafting the new system, which will all[...]
Lawmakers tout Tobin’s accessibility, diligent work and sometimes-fiery demeanor
Andy Tobin is gregarious, fiery, funny and, above all else, loyal to the core — attributes that all led to his ascension to speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives late last month.
Now, Tobin has been chosen by his caucus as speaker of the House, following the departure of former Speaker Kirk Adams.
