Redistricting commission to discuss budget problems

The cash-strapped Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will meet on Friday to discuss its ongoing budget problems.

The meeting – the IRC’s first since January – comes as the commission faces the possibility of running out of money before June 30, the end of the 2012 fiscal year. And uncertainty over the 2013 budget is even greater.

Universities: Guns-on-campus measure would have multimillion-dollar impact

Universities are offering one more reason to oppose a measure to allow guns on campuses — it would cost millions of dollars to implement.

Second anti-union bill gets Senate OK

After being pulled from the debate calendar twice, a proposal that would prohibit public employees from being paid for union work finally received Senate approval today.

Former Rep. Quelland says bill may be trying to influence election

Senators Feb. 27 unanimously advanced legislation to prevent candidates from running for office if they owe at least $1,000 in fines. As approved, the measure prohibits election officers from accepting the nomination of a person who is facing unpaid fines, penalties, late fees or any administrative or civil judgments.

Patterson lashes out against fellow Dems

Rep. Daniel Patterson lashed out against his colleagues today, saying that he was the victim of a “lynch mob mentality” and that some members were going to “look very foolish” when the truth came out.

The Tucson Democrat said that he would not be “bullied” into stepping down or reconsidering his bid for re-election this fall, despite being dogged by accusations of domestic v[...]

Sweeping abortion bill advancing in Senate

Pro-life lawmakers were able to get a sweeping abortion measure through a Senate committee Monday, despite the measure being held in the House nearly two weeks ago.

‘Parent empowerment’ bill barely passes Senate

A bill that would allow parents to shut down a failing school, fire its principal or turn it into a charter school narrowly won passage in the Senate today. The legislation applies to schools that receive a “D” or “F” under the state’s new grading system.

Fight continues against anti-union bills

Unions are stepping up the pressure on lawmakers as they seek the defeat of a slew of bills that would fundamentally weaken public unions in Arizona. 

Ethics bills creep along after Fiesta Bowl scandal

A criminal investigation into the Fiesta Bowl scandal has started producing guilty pleas, but proposals to tighten gift restrictions and bolster disclosure requirements for officials and lobbyists are nowhere near the goal line at the Legislature.

Line in the sand

Republican governor and GOP Legislature are digging in for long budget fight

Bill seeks state backing for business loans

Proponents of a bill that would use state tax credits to encourage lenders to open their wallets for small businesses say they can help struggling entrepreneurs get access to much needed capital without invoking the most dreaded phrase in the debate over government incentives — “picking winners and losers.”

Bill would require all college students to pay $2,000 of their tuition

The House Appropriations committee narrowly passed a bill today that would require all university students to pay at least $2,000 of their tuition.