Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

Two former politicians are moving to overturn the decision by the Republican-controlled legislature to make it more difficult for voters to propose their own laws.

The proposed state budget strips the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office of $1.6 million in anti-gang and illegal immigration funding, and Republican Sen. John Kavanagh took no issue saying it was because of the Democratic sheriff’s immigration policies.

Republican legislative leaders are using a provision buried in the state budget in their latest attempt to defund Planned Parenthood.

Teachers in Arizona are getting second jobs not because they’re struggling to survive on their low pay, but because they want to enjoy the finer things in life, like boats, according to House Majority Leader John Allen.

House Republican leaders outmaneuvered a bid by Democrats to finally get the legislature to vote whether to approve the federal Equal Rights Amendment.

The Arizona House has a new Republican lawmaker after the Maricopa County Supervisors chose from three nominees to replace Peoria Rep. Phil Lovas.

Two bills to increase workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters who contract cancer in the line of duty have the votes they need to pass a final read in the Senate, yet they have so far been blocked from the floor, supporters said.

Republican Speaker J.D. Mesnard said he called off the "Thank You to the Legislators" luncheon because it was ill-timed and emotions are still running high at the Capitol.

On a 32-24 margin, the state House today gave final approval to legislation banning teens with a learner’s driving permit from texting or making calls from their cell phones while behind the wheel. SB1080 also extends that to the first six months they have their actual Class G license, which is reserved for the newest drivers.

The House voted 35-18 on April 20 to open areas of Mohave County to electronic billboards. But not in and around Lake Havasu City. And nowhere near the Hoover Dam.