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GOP sends 3 measures to 2010 ballot
Three proposals to amend the Arizona Constitution will be heading to the 2010 ballot for voter consideration after gaining final approval from Republican lawmakers during a session dominated by the state's financial crisis.
Brewer’s bill signings overshadowed by tax plan?
Considering the internecine warfare that has been the hallmark of Jan Brewer’s tenure as governor, some Republicans may have been tempted to forget why they were so happy when Janet Napolitano left. But one look at the scores of conservative bills Brewer signed may be enough to jog their memories.
10 new laws that got lost in the shuffle
The 2009 legislative session started out slowly in terms of bill advancement, but it ended in a flurry that left even some lawmakers wondering what all they had voted on. When the Legislature adjourned sine die on July 1, lawmakers had sponsored 1,133 bills during the 2009 regular session. A total of 213 made the cut and were passed by the Legislature. And 191 bills were signed into law.
Capitol Quotes – Best of the Session
Jan. 2 “I have decided that I am going to try to adopt the attitude that this is going to be a two-year running sitcom, which could be a comedy... […]
House minority leader gives Legislature an ‘F’
In January, House Minority Leader David Lujan said it would be up to the leaders of the Republican majority caucus to determine what role Democrats would play in the legislative session. They ended up being sidelined and were never included in the process by Republican leaders or GOP Gov. Jan Brewer.
A session to remember – even if you don’t want to
The wear and tear of the 2009 session was visible on the faces of virtually every legislator, lobbyist and staffer at the Capitol, leaving little doubt that this year will be etched into the memories of those who watched it.
UpClose with House Speaker Kirk Adams
Kirk Adams was elected speaker of the House after campaigning on a platform of opening up the budget process to make it more transparent to lawmakers and the public. How well that was achieved has been debated throughout the session at the Capitol, but Adams maintains the Legislature is moving toward that goal.
Burns’ gambit: Inside Senate president’s strategy
Lawmakers and legislative staff members say there are two distinct sides to Bob Burns: The ideological Burns shows up in January, and the pragmatist Burns usually winds down the session.
Garcia says he needed 1 more Dem in Senate
This year, Democrats occasionally helped to pass time-sensitive legislation, including measures that ensured Arizona would get federal stimulus money. But, for the most part, Senate Minority Leader Jorge Luis Garcia and his fellow Democrats watched from the sidelines as Republicans unilaterally crafted budget bills and other legislation.
Lawmakers whiff as fewer bills pass
Lawmakers saw little success in 2009 when it came to getting legislation approved. Much like the mighty Casey of baseball lore, representatives and senators were sent back to the dugout with little to show for their turn at bat.
Brewer reflects on tumultuous first session as guv
From the moment she took office in January, Jan Brewer has faced the greatest budget crisis in state history. And from the moment she proposed her solution – a temporary tax increase – she has faced unyielding resistance from many of her fellow Republicans in the Legislature. Here's what Brewer had to say about it:
All talk, no action on photo enforcement
In the early days of the session, several key House Republicans assembled to announce their intention to take on what they lambasted as a tool of Big Brother and a... […]
