Panel to look into cost of federal health care law

A Republican state senator who last year created an ad hoc legislative committee that blasted scientific findings that global warming is man-made is at it again this year and has called together another committee to discuss the federal health care law.

Loophole candidates

Eleven write-in candidates won the Green Party nomination in August, including a handful of “street people” who exploited a little-known loophole that allowed them to win the primary with only one vote. Now, some of those candidates, whom Democrats allege were recruited by Republicans, threaten to take votes from Democrats in key races.

Judge allows Green Party candidates to stay on ballot

A federal judge ruled that a slate of alleged "sham" Green Party write-in candidates can stay on the ballot.

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Will Pearce be the next Senate president?

The large infusion of House members into the Senate next year and the results of the primary election have set the stage for a showdown over one of the most powerful positions at the state Capitol: the Senate presidency.

First Things First users caught in political, economic hailstorm

The Legislature's decision to go after First Things First and its $325 million was inevitable, given the magnitude of the state's financial woes. But the agency also made political missteps that made it a target. Now the agency that is dedicated to providing health care services to children is fighting for its existence. In November, voters will be asked whether to continue the programs or dissol[...]

Romley, Montgomery trade shots over secret tape, election complaint

Complaints, threats and secret recordings have become the latest weapons of choice in the battle to become Maricopa County attorney.

Rick Romley’s GOP opponent in the Aug. 24 primary, Bill Montgomery, is dealing with criticism about a secretly recorded conversation in which he questions whether Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s mental abilities are declining and that Montgomery se[...]

Brewer calls Aug. 9 special session on secret ballot issue

Gov. Jan Brewer has called for a special session following the state Supreme Court's ruling that a legislative referral must be removed from the ballot because it violates the single-subject rule in the state Constitution.

Open season: Arpaio plans massive sweep, tent city expansion

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he’s planning to bolster his image as the “poster-boy” of immigration enforcement by showcasing his strict policies with a crime suppression sweep on July 29, the day Arizona’s new immigration law is scheduled to take effect.

Mills snubs Brewer, trades barbs with campaign

Buz Mills didn't end his gubernatorial campaign quietly, lashing out at Gov. Jan Brewer instead of giving her the support she saw from state Treasurer Dean Martin when he bowed out of the race several days earlier.

Additional Medicaid funding stalls in Congress putting AZ in a bind

Hope is fading that Congress will approve hundreds of millions of dollars that Arizona is counting on to operate its Medicaid program, and state lawmakers don’t know whether they’ll have to scrounge for cash, beg for help or drastically downsize the state-run health care system.

Allen’s Escape

Sen. Carolyn Allen, a Republican from Scottsdale, will retire from the Arizona Legislature after this year. Her rise and fall within the GOP illustrates either the Legislature’s shift to the right on the political spectrum — or Allen’s gradual move to the center during her 16-year career in the Legislature.

Big money flowing for many privately funded candidates

Traditionally funded candidates may not all have the financial wherewithal of businessman Buz Mills, but the latest reports showed they’re in a position to far outspend their Clean Elections foes, thanks in large part to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to block matching funds this election cycle.