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Lawmaker participation ranks high 3rd year in a row
Once again, voting and attendance records from this year demonstrate that as long as the legislative session is kept close to the 100 days prescribed by legislative rules, lawmakers’ participation remains high.
A rare GOP-Dem budget that almost happened
The most remarkable thing about Republican leaders’ decision to explore a budget compromise with the minority party this year is that it happened at all — much less that the two sides came within a hair’s breadth of striking what would have been a rare bargain.
She’s not all bad: Dems find silver lining in some Brewer vetoes
Democrats aren’t exactly viewing Gov. Jan Brewer as the second coming of Janet Napolitano, but they’re taking solace that her vetoes included bills that they viewed as some of the most onerous of the 2012 session.
As new Senate president, rancher Pierce deftly stepped through political minefields
Senate President Steve Pierce, a rancher from Prescott, has a habit of walking into difficult situations.
He did it once three years ago, when he became the de facto majority whip, and he did it again last year, when he vied for the position and became Senate president after Russell Pearce was ousted in a special recall election in November.
Andy Tobin’s leadership lessons learned the hard way
Andy Tobin was elected speaker of the House just days after Kirk Adams’ resigned to run for Congress at the end of the 2011 legislative session.
While his seven or so months as speaker during the interim could hardly prepare him for the rigors of leading a chamber during a regular session, it’s clear that he learned some lessons for the task ahead. As is often the case, some of thos[...]
Hard-pressed: Reporters find increasing number of roadblocks to legislative access during 50th
During the two sessions of the 50th Legislature, members of the press increasingly had to think twice about where they were and were not allowed to go.
Russell Pearce gone but not forgotten by legislative allies
A phantom of sorts lurked in the Senate last session.
Divas weren’t held captive in a cellar. Chandeliers weren’t damaged. But ousted Senate President Russell Pearce’s presence was felt in the chamber that he once ran.
Arizona votes on seven ballot measures in 2012
The race is on to woo voters for a slate of ballot measures passed by the 50th Legislature on property taxes, government financing, trust land and states’ rights.
Some of the seven propositions on the November 2012 ballot have dry subjects that might be difficult to grasp, making it all the more important for backers to get organized and present a coherent message, said David Berman, [...]
A smile for all, House ‘Mother’ Zoe Spinner retires at 82
The state turned 100 this year, but the unofficial “face” of Arizona’s House of Representatives is only turning 82. It’s warm, kind and famously smiling and it belongs atop the tiny frame of Zoe Spinner, a receptionist at the House information desk and recently retired 25-year veteran of the state Capitol.
Secrecy sought in Arredondo bribery case; court records refer to ‘other’ investigations
The Department of Justice and Rep. Ben Arredondo’s attorneys plan to keep the evidence against the indicted Tempe lawmaker secret to protect ongoing investigations.
The two sides have asked a federal judge to sign off on their agreement to keep evidence from going public.
GOLDWATER-ed down: Think tank’s issues generate big splash, few ripples
The Goldwater Institute, a think tank known for its dogged pursuit of conservative ideals, laid down an ambitious — and combative — agenda at the state Capitol this year.
Arredondo charged in FBI bribery sting
A federal grand jury today charged Rep. Ben Arredondo with bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and false statements for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in game tickets and other perks in exchange for brokering property deals in Tempe.
