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In his first year as speaker of the House, J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, managed to get all 35 of his chamber’s Republicans to agree to support the state budget, though two from his caucus still balked at Gov. Doug Ducey’s university bonding proposal.

Only 24 Arizona legislators managed to both attend work on all of the days they were expected during the 122-day session, and push a button each time there was a vote. Two of those perfect record-holders were Speaker of the House J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, and Senate President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler.

Republicans who pushed for Senate Bill 1152 intending to spark a lawsuit over consolidated elections will likely get their wish.

In his first year at the helm of the Senate, President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, took to heart his experience as the majority leader to lead a united Republican Caucus — at least, most of the time.

Activists are attempting to repeal a trio of laws approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor this year. But pulling off a referendum, known colloquially as a “citizens’ veto,” isn’t easy.

Of the 1,079 bills lawmakers introduced in the 2017 legislative session, 353 were passed and sent to Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk. Ducey signed 97 percent of those bills into law, vetoing 11—the lowest number of vetoes since 2004, when Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, was governor.

Arizona Capitol Times House reporter Hank Stephenson has won the Arizona Press Club’s prestigious 2016 Sledgehammer Award.

Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, signaled he’ll run for governor against Doug Ducey, though he refused to comment on his political future until a campaign announcement next week.

The Arizona Democratic Party found a powerful recruitment tool this year in Republican President Donald Trump, who continues to generate controversies.

The Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission approved the results of its comprehensive audit of Democratic Rep. Jesus Rubalcava, who stands accused of a series of campaign finance violations that could result in his eviction from office.