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Over objections, Senate gives preliminary approval to new Department of Child Safety
The Senate gave preliminary approval to Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to create a new child safety department over objections from some Republican lawmakers who were outraged by the level of new spending being appropriated without the accountability measures they desired.
Session Wrap 2014: UpClose with House Speaker Andy Tobin
For the first time since we began doing them, a leader has refused to sit down for a Session Wrap Q&A interview. Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin's office refused multiple requests to sit down for an interview, and the only explanation given was that he “wanted more control” over what would be printed. As a result, we were unable to ask Tobin about his experiences this year — or get his thou[...]
Session Wrap 2014: UpClose with House Minority Leader Chad Campbell
After eight years at the Capitol, House Democratic leader Chad Campbell is going back to private life. Campbell has seen the state through good times and bad, and in this May 16 interview, he reflected on his time in the House with an air of relief to be leaving, and very little nostalgia.After eight years at the Capitol, House Democratic leader Chad Campbell is going back to private life. C[...]
Session Wrap 2014: UpClose with Senate Minority Leader Anna Tovar
Sen. Anna Tovar led the Senate Democratic caucus in 2014 under uncomfortable circumstances, having helped lead a coup of the old leadership team in October 2013. That vote left some bad blood among members of the minority party in the Senate, and the awkwardness of a failed vote to put back in place some of the old leadership team, led by Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, in April.
Session Wrap 2014: UpClose with Senate President Andy Biggs
A year after being rolled by Gov. Jan Brewer and key members of his own caucus, Senate President Andy Biggs found himself in the yes column, voting for a budget that he helped guide through the Legislature by first introducing it himself.
Child welfare session gets off to a slow start before bills introduced
Arizona lawmakers opened a special session to overhaul the state’s child welfare system with a sputter, beginning the session without having finished preparing the bills needed to create a new Department of Child Safety.
Barto, Lovas lead in percentage of bills signed into law
Republican Sen. Nancy Barto of Phoenix scored the highest legislative batting average of the year, with 65 percent of her 23 bills signed into law.
Ableser attributes low attendance to family responsibilities
Democratic Sen. Ed Ableser of Tempe regained his title of most absentee lawmaker this year, showing up for only 62 percent of Senate floor sessions, though he voted on 70 percent of all the bills put before the chamber.
Evangelical Christian lobby suffers major setback in Brewer’s final year
The leader of lobbying powerhouse Center for Arizona Policy insisted that her group is stronger than ever despite the defeat of its flagship legislation, SB1062, and even though only one of the three bills it drafted was enacted in the recently-concluded session.
Little to vote for: Lawmakers kill most referrals before they get to the ballot
Voters are going to have an unusually short list of ballot propositions in the general election as lawmakers in 2014 referred only one measure to the people.
Brewer: Legislators should trust me on CPS
Gov. Jan Brewer said Monday that lawmakers should believe her plan to fix the state’s child welfare system is right “because I’m behind it.”
Veterans group ends recall drive against Yee
A pro-medical marijuana veterans group said they’ve been “double-crossed” by Sen. Kimberly Yee after the Phoenix Republican claimed she made no promise to support legislation the veterans desired.
