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Voter discontent reflected in Senate panels
The Arizona Senate’s new Republican leaders took their cue from the public and created committees to reflect the general mood of voters — disgruntlement.
Flipping Switches: APS power broker Marty Shultz moves on after 32 years
As the chief lobbyist and agent for Pinnacle West and its Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest utility company, Shultz has played key roles in some of the biggest policy initiatives of the past three decades.
U.S. Supreme Court poised to strike death blow to matching funds
The U.S. Supreme Court appears ready to strike a key provision of Arizona’s Clean Elections Act, leaving the future of state and national public campaign financing programs in limbo.
Arizona police a buzzkill for visiting medical-marijuana users
While the state Department of Health Services scrambles over the next 120 days to draft the rules and regulations for how medical marijuana will be grown, dispensed and used across the state, uncertainty over the right of visiting medical marijuana patients to possess pot in Arizona has created confusion that may have to be sorted out in court.
Seeing green: Would-be medical marijuana moguls scramble for piece of the action
While the state Department of Health Services will be mired in the process of drafting regulations for the industry over the next four months, it’s not stopping businesses from forming and pitching products and services that may never be approved by state regulators. And competition is already getting fierce.
Harper proposes state-sanctioned militia to patrol border
Sen. Jack Harper, a Republican from Surprise, said he plans to introduce legislation next year that would create a government-sanctioned militia that would be allowed to patrol the border to observe illegal activity and report it to enforcement authorities.
Bivens looking for successor to step up
After four years as head of the Arizona Democratic Party, Don Bivens is ready to move on. But he's not stepping aside unless he's comfortable with his successor.
RELATED: UpClose with Don Bivens:[...]
Brewer, Pearce poised for power struggle as session nears
Two incongruent personalities. Two divergent political agendas. The stage is set for a showdown, and if that happens, Capitol insiders expect the 2011 legislative session to be an epic power struggle.
Tax hawks say cuts will have to wait
Businesses that are hoping for immediate tax cuts from the Legislature next session should plan on being disappointed.
Even the most ardent tax cutters in the Legislature say it would be impossible to balance the budget next session while cutting corporate taxes.
RELATED: Senate Republicans plan business tax cuts
State may see early wave of home-grown marijuana operations
The first wave of patients to take advantage of Arizona’s new medical marijuana law may be compelled to apply for home-growing operations because the drug will not be available in licensed dispensaries until late summer, opening the door for thousands of household marijuana gardens.
Letters reveal political battle lines in redistricting process
One letter even led the Commission on Appellate Court Nominees, the body charged with choosing nominees for the Redistricting Commission, to seek a legal opinion on the eligibility of a candidate, law professor Paul Bender.
Pearce appoints himself Rules chair, creates new committees
Incoming Senate President Russell Pearce will concurrently chair the powerful Senate Rules Committee, one of the most sought after chairmanship positions in the chamber. He also named the rest of the committee chairs for the Senate.
