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A session to remember – even if you don’t want to
The wear and tear of the 2009 session was visible on the faces of virtually every legislator, lobbyist and staffer at the Capitol, leaving little doubt that this year will be etched into the memories of those who watched it.
UpClose with House Speaker Kirk Adams
Kirk Adams was elected speaker of the House after campaigning on a platform of opening up the budget process to make it more transparent to lawmakers and the public. How well that was achieved has been debated throughout the session at the Capitol, but Adams maintains the Legislature is moving toward that goal.
Scores of sidelined bills coming back in 2010
Lawmakers may not be finished with their work for the year, but many are already looking ahead to 2010, when they can resurrect the plethora of bills that fell victim... […]
Burns’ gambit: Inside Senate president’s strategy
Lawmakers and legislative staff members say there are two distinct sides to Bob Burns: The ideological Burns shows up in January, and the pragmatist Burns usually winds down the session.
Lawmakers whiff as fewer bills pass
Lawmakers saw little success in 2009 when it came to getting legislation approved. Much like the mighty Casey of baseball lore, representatives and senators were sent back to the dugout with little to show for their turn at bat.
The struggle over the role of religion in schools
(Note: This is the second part of a series on a new law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer that will change how Arizona schools address daily conflicts between freedom of religious expression and the U.S. Constitution’s non-establishment clause.)
No budget this week; session will drag into Aug.
The Senate met for a few minutes today (July 31), but only to adjourn the special session until Aug. 4. Even then, though, it’s not clear whether leaders in the Senate will be able to gather enough votes to pass the budget legislation that has tied them up for the past several days.
Repeal of foreclosure bill included in budget
The budget package passed by the House includes the repeal of a bill that was originally intended to help lenders recoup losses from foreclosed homes.
All talk, no action on photo enforcement
In the early days of the session, several key House Republicans assembled to announce their intention to take on what they lambasted as a tool of Big Brother and a... […]
Renewable energy bill may resurface in special session
With the changes being proposed to her renewable energy tax credits bill, Rep. Lucy Mason believes the legislation can now pass muster with Gov. Jan Brewer. But whether the governor... […]
Senate falls one vote short, may try again today
Despite intense lobbying, Republican leaders failed to persuade Sen. Pamela Gorman to vote for a referral for a sales tax increase. Brewer talked with Gorman, the majority whip, for more than an hour at Gorman's Senate office, but the governor was apparently unable to persuade the senator to change her mind.
Tired of waiting, House passes budget
The House of Representatives has given its approval to a budget deal that was hammered out with the governor earlier this week, but it is unknown when the Senate will take up the matter as it isn’t clear if they have the votes needed to pass it.
