Clean Elections Commission will continue contribution limits suit
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission voted to continue its fight against new campaign contribution limits in lower court after the Arizona Supreme Court rejected the case. The commission on Thursday voted 3-2 to re-file the lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court and seek an injunction against HB2593. Without a court order blocking the law from going into effect, the dramatically higher co[...]
Elections law supporters start second committee to defend it
The referendum effort against the state’s controversial new election law is now facing a two-pronged opposition, as a second political action committee filed paperwork this week to fight the referendum.
Costs soar for new Common Core achievement test
The cost per student for the new test to measure progress under Common Core is nearly 50 per cent more than the AIMS test, causing sticker shock among some lawmakers and advocates for the learning standards.
No witnesses, no evidence
Senator blasts CPS after police decide not to pursue charges against him, CPS still investigating
Peoria police found no evidence to support allegations that state Sen. Rick Murphy sexually abused two children living in his home and did not recommend any charges against the senator, according to a police report released July 24. But officials with Child Protective Services are s[...]
Former legislative aide Mills found guilty in wire fraud case
A federal jury found former legislative aide John Mills guilty of nine counts of wire fraud late Tuesday in connection with siphoning off $128,000 from former Speaker Jim Weiers’ 2008 campaign fund for personal use.
GOP attorney in IRC case says Voting Rights Act ruling should be retroactive
A GOP attorney who is challenging Arizona’s legislative maps said a federal judge should retroactively apply the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that scrapped the preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act, even though Arizona was still subject to the law when the maps were implemented.
Newcomers join familiar faces in seeking to fill vacant legislative seats
Arizona Sen. Jack Jackson Jr. submitted his letter of resignation on July 12, and Sen. Rich Crandall may do the same as soon as August, leaving officials a matter of weeks to submit lists of nominees to fill two vacant seats in the Senate chamber.
Battle over rooftop solar heats up
Supporters of Arizona’s solar industry blasted Arizona Public Service’s proposals to change the state’s solar energy incentives as an effort to kill the solar industry.
Public interest group claims last-minute HOA bill is unconstitutional
The Legislature violated the state Constitution by combining a comprehensive homeowners association bill with a minor elections bill in the last hours of the 2013 session, a public-interest law firm alleges in a lawsuit filed July 16.
The Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, suing on behalf of two HOA activists, is asking Maricopa County Superior Court to declare SB1454 unconstitu[...]
Backers of elections bill create committee to head off challenge
Supporters of a controversial elections bill formed a campaign committee to combat a referendum drive aimed at putting it on the 2014 ballot.
Protect Our Secret Ballot was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday to defend HB2305. Sen. Michele Reagan, who sponsored several bills that were later included in the omnibus elections, is the group’s chair.
Campbell recall effort dies as organizer says he wasn’t authorized to submit signatures
An organizer of the recall attempt against Democratic Rep. Chad Campbell said the committee collected enough signatures to put the House minority leader on the ballot, but was not “authorized” to submit them before the now-passed deadline.
Bennett asks Horne for clarification on bills in “limbo”
Secretary of State Ken Bennett wants Attorney General Tom Horne to determine whether two laws that were trapped in legal limbo by the Voting Rights Act are now enforceable a following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that lifted the preclearance requirement from Arizona and other states.