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Democratic leader won’t rule out voting for GOP budget
In all probability, Republican legislative leadership and the governor will need Democratic votes in the Senate to pass a referral to increase the state sales tax. If bipartisan talks take place, the job of negotiating the terms will fall on Jorge Luis Garcia, the Democratic minority leader from Tucson.
Democrats won’t float budget bills without GOP assurances
Democratic state lawmakers are hoping 2010 is a better year than 2009.
Waring decides to run for Congress
Sen. Jim Waring, a Republican from Phoenix, is running for U.S. congressman John Shadegg’s seat. Shadegg said on Jan. 14 that he will retire at the end of his term.... […]
Crump aims to overturn resign-to-run
The deadline for Arizona's resign-to-run law has passed for this election cycle, but the bad taste lingers on for at least one lawmaker.
Governor explains her cost-saving proposals
Things were bad when Gov. Jan Brewer took office in January 2009, and they've gotten worse since then. The plan Brewer pitched as a remedy to Arizona's crippling budget problems met fierce resistance, and 10 months later it still has not been enacted. But as Brewer begins her second year as governor, she said she still believes in her plan
Lobbyists lower expectations, mainly look to protect clients
So far this year, some lobbyists haven't even bothered to ask lawmakers to introduce a bill on their behalf. Others have big goals, despite the widespread perception that lawmakers will be focused almost entirely on the budget deficit.
AZ lawmaker affected by devastation in Haiti
Rep. Ray Barnes, a Republican from Phoenix, has an adopted daughter from Haiti, which has seen an unimaginable devastation after it was struck by an earthquake on Jan. 12.
Lujan launches AG campaign via video
House Minority Leader David Lujan officially announced his candidacy for Arizona attorney general on Jan. 14.
Lawmaker wants to keep payday loans
A state lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow payday lenders to continue operating indefinitely in Arizona.
Price of new caucus room: $46k
Republicans held their first caucus meeting in a newly-renovated room on the first floor of the Senate building on Jan. 12.
Media coverage at Capitol gets more difficult
A room that for the past 30 years has hummed with the staccato typing on keyboards as reporters scurried to meet deadlines has been refurbished and hollowed out to accommodate rows of chairs and a large conference table. And the room is no longer a media headquarters; instead it be used by Senate Republicans to hold caucus meetings.
Burns removes two from Senate Approps
Senate President Bob Burns has reduced the size of the Senate Appropriations Committee to 9 from 11 members, removing Sen. John Huppenthal and Sen. Albert Hale. Huppenthal, a Chandler Republican, was appointed temporarily to the committee last year to replace Sen. Pamela Gorman. He requested to be removed for the 2010 session.
