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AZ legislators favor nuke waste storage site
The Arizona Legislature is going on record as saying it wants the federal government to consider establishing a site in Arizona to store spent nuclear fuel.
Despite Brewer’s demand for a budget, lawmakers passing – and holding – other bills
The Legislature is sitting on at least a dozen measures it has already approved instead of sending them to the governor, a decision that follows Gov. Jan Brewer’s threat of a blanket veto of all bills that land on her desk before a budget is adopted.
Bill that would deny money to Planned Parenthood ready for governor
The Republican-led Senate today gave final approval to a bill that prohibits public money from going to Planned Parenthood. Although the bill, HB2800, passed on an 18-8 vote and is now ready to be sent to the governor, lawmakers have no plans of sending the measure to the Ninth Floor right away.
Auto glass bill dead, but battle looms next session
A session-long effort to rein in a leading auto glass company appears to be dead, but lawmakers, lobbyists and industry leaders are already looking ahead to next year.
Democrat-turned-independent Nicholas Fontana to replace Patterson
Nicholas Fontana, a Tucson criminal defense attorney who will replace former Rep. Daniel Patterson in the Arizona House of Representatives, said he switched his life-long Democratic affiliation to independent, just so he would qualify for the seat.
Arizona takes national stage with hearings on immigration law
Arizona will be in the national spotlight this week as SB1070 takes two of the nation’s most prominent stages.
Proposed curb on punitive damage suits — economic development tool or bad for consumers?
Big business and consumer-rights advocates are squaring off over a bill that would significantly limit the ability of people to sue a manufacturer whose products might pose risks to the public. The legislation would shield manufacturers from punitive damage claims — the most aggressive legal recourse allowed against manufacturers — unless very specific negligence can be demonstrated.
Religious Rights: Bills target broad range of perceived attacks on beliefs
Already steeped in the battle over abortion and contraception in health plans, social conservatives have also ramped up their efforts to advance religious expression in the public square, taking advantage of the dominance of policymakers at the state Capitol with similar impulses.
Republican budget talks moving again
Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leaders resumed talks on the budget Thursday, three days after the governor told them to stop sending her bills until they get the state’s spending plan completed.
The meeting seemed to reaffirm the two sides’ commitment to negotiate the state budget within the Republican Party. The meeting came as some GOP lawmakers considered the possibility of join[...]
Republicans mulling Dem alliance after veto threat
After weeks of budget talks with no agreement in sight, Gov. Jan Brewer gave legislative leaders an ultimatum, telling them she would veto bills until work on the state’s spending plan is complete.
But rather than force a quicker budget resolution, it could result in more heartburn between the two sides. In fact, there were indications some Republicans might be taking a look at abando[...]
Film tax credit gets OK from Senate
A proposal to create a new tax credit for film productions split Republicans but managed to garner just enough support to pass today in the Senate. The debate over measure, which still needs the House’s approval, illuminates a deep divide that is plaguing the majority party over how best to set the conditions for a robust economy.
Ninth Floor: Pierce, Tobin backtracked on negotiations
Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to not sign any new bills until she gets a budget came only after Senate President Steve Pierce and House Speaker Andy Tobin backtracked on agreements they made with the governor on a handful of spending items, according to a Brewer spokesman.
