Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

Draft versions of the bills lawmakers are expected to consider this week in a special legislative session show about $300 million in spending cuts to education and social services, as well as the restoration of funding for high-tech economic development.

Arizona's 49th Legislature has been tasked with keeping the state financially afloat during the most troubling economic times in state history. But the choices lawmakers made this year in an effort to balance the budget have led to six lawsuits challenging the state's use of fund sweeps to fill in deficits.

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission has renewed a $6,500-per-month contract with lobbyist Mike Williams, setting up another battle over the fate of the public campaign-funding system. Todd Lang, director of the Clean Elections Commission, said hiring a lobbyist was necessary to protect a system he credits with increasing political participation of the public and encouraging people to run for office.

A recent vote by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns to sue the Legislature in an attempt to undo provisions passed in the most recent special session could have broader effects on the lobbying group for local governments.

John Allen Muhammad was executed Nov. 10, but the sniper mastermind will never be held legally accountable for a killing in Tucson that police believe was a precursor to the sniper spree that left 10 people dead in the Washington, D.C., area.

A deal to make ambulance service more efficient in Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction is being challenged in court by a company that lost out in the bidding process.

An administrative law judge has rejected Rep. Doug Quelland’s appeal of a decision by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to force the lawmaker from office.

FREDONIA - A federal judge this week struck down a lawsuit contending the U.S. Forest Service unlawfully approved a plan to reduce forest fuels and plant trees on a northern Arizona forest.

Municipalities are gearing up for a lawsuit challenging restrictions lawmakers put on cities and towns when they approved the fiscal 2010 spending plan.

An administrative law judge is expected to issue a ruling by Nov. 10 on a May decision by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission to order the ouster of District 10 Rep. Doug Quelland.