4 pro-gun bills get initial nod in Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to four major pro-gun bills that Republicans said are necessary to protect 2nd Amendment rights. The bills have had wide Republican support but Democratic opposition as they made their way through both chambers.
A massacre narrowly averted: Lawmaker can’t stop talking about life-changing weekend at Nevada ranch
Republican Rep. David Livingston of Peoria frustrated his fellow representatives on Tuesday when, during voting on a half-dozen bills, he stood to “explain his vote” but actually described his experiences over the weekend at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada.
AG’s Office says Colorado City patrols will continue after budget line-item veto
The Attorney General’s Office said it will continue funding patrols by Mohave County deputies of the polygamous enclave of Colorado City, despite Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to line-item veto a $500,000 appropriation for those patrols.
Millions remain unspent in school choice program
Parents with empowerment scholarship accounts have amassed roughly $2.5 million of unspent public money over three years, causing public school officials to question the program’s accountability.
Brewer signs bill allowing surprise abortion clinic inspections
Gov. Jan Brewer put her signature today on a bill that allows for the unannounced inspections of abortion clinics, guaranteeing a lawsuit to challenge the law.
Arizona lawmakers fail to list free trips
Several Arizona lawmakers failed to disclose free trips made last year as required by state law, spotlighting the difficulty in enforcing guidelines on the issue.
Arizona Legislature has busy wrap-up week planned
Arizona lawmakers have an extremely busy week ahead as they attempt to finish up the 2014 legislative session.
Coming soon to Valley streets: quadricycles
Legislation given preliminary House approval on April 10 would require state licensing of what are called “motorized quadricycles." They would have to be built by a licensed manufacturer and operated by someone qualified to drive a limo.
Busy day: Brewer okays electricity sales tax bill
Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law her top economic development priority of the year, a bill exempting manufacturers from paying sales taxes on the electricity and natural gas they consume.
Unfinished business: Despite budget compromise CPS fight continues
Gov. Jan Brewer made Child Protective Services the centerpiece of her legislative agenda this year, but after four months of debate, lawmakers sent her a budget that leaves much of the work and funding necessary to create a new child protection agency unfinished.
Sen. Hobbs breaks leg in House-Senate game
An Arizona state senator who planned to run in the Boston marathon later this month has broken her leg in the annual House-Senate softball game.
God, faith & politics: Lawmakers approve abortion clinic inspections
Citing God and their religious faith, state senators voted along partisan lines today to allow state health inspectors to walk into abortion clinics unannounced. The bill, already approved by the House, now goes to Gov. Jan Brewer.