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Hands off tobacco money – Supreme Court: Legislature can’t sweep First Things First
The Arizona Supreme Court has decided unanimously that state lawmakers overstepped their authority when they swept millions of dollars of interest held in the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health... […]
New law expands religious expression in schools
Sen. Linda Gray often cites "The New England Primer" while delivering speeches on the Senate floor. In a committee hearing June 10, the Glendale Republican read an excerpt: "I believe in God the Father, Almighty Maker of heaven and Earth, and in Jesus his only Son our Lord, which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and bur[...]
Methadone bill signed into law; no mention of methadone
Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill on July 13 that originally aimed specifically to penalize people caught driving while under the influence of methadone. But the legislation was watered down to a point where the final language differs only slightly from existing law. It actually morphed several times, as sometimes happens to measures as they work their way through the Legislature.
Lawmakers could have avoided line-item vetoes
When Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a large portion of the budget approved by lawmakers earlier this month, she sent the Legislature back to square one. Now Republican leaders are working with Democrats instead of the governor to craft a spending plan, and the state still faces a $2.5 billion deficit a month after the fiscal deadline.
Brewer frustrated by budget inaction
Gov. Jan Brewer said she is disappointed in the pace of the Legislature’s special session and urged lawmakers to move swiftly in approving a full budget.
Building a new budget, starting from scratch
House Speaker Kirk Adams on July 20 said lawmakers will try to craft another budget by September, but he would not put a specific timeframe on it because lawmakers are, essentially, starting from scratch.
Fewer lawmakers may be present for special session
Fewer lawmakers are likely to be present for the special session July 20. About a third of senators and representatives planned to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures summit in Philadelphia City this week, according to the Senate and the House.
Other notable bills passed by Brewer
Gov. Jan Brewer has signed 191 bills this session, not counting four budget bills that were signed in special session. Here's a look at some of the more notable bills the governor signed:
Old Pueblo gets new, nonpartisan election law
Beginning in 2010, municipal elections in Tucson will be missing a bit of partisan flair, now that Gov. Jan Brewer has signed legislation that bans the use of party affiliation on ballots in local elections. S1123, authored by Tucson Republican Sen. Jonathan Paton, applies to cities across the state. But in reality the bill affects only Tucson, the sole municipality that identifies candidates f[...]
Bipartisan budget talks resume without Brewer
Negotiations on repairing a $2.5 billion hole in the state's budget continued, but Gov. Jan Brewer remains excluded from the talks as Republican and Democrat lawmakers attempt to forge an agreement. Legislative leaders of both parties met for the second time in as many weeks July 16 to discuss the scope of the state's budgetary woes. And, as was the case in the first meeting a week earlier, Bre[...]
Brewer shows conservative streak, signs 3 abortion bills
Gov. Jan Brewer's decision to sign legislation imposing new restrictions on abortion showed her conservative stripes after months of wrangling with fellow Republicans over elements of her budget proposal. Her actions on the abortion bills also signaled a clear departure from those of her predecessor, Democrat Janet Napolitano, who vetoed similar measures passed during previous legislative sessi[...]
Brewer signs bills allowing guns in bars, restaurants, parking lots
With a Republican as governor, conservatives successfully advanced much of their non-budget agenda this year, successfully pushing for legislation that would allow guns in restaurants and bars, as well as in private parking lots.
