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Senators defeat attempt to nullify Common Core education standards
Arizona senators defeated a sweeping amendment Monday aimed at preventing the state from participating in the Common Core and placing responsibility for approving educational standards in the hands of lawmakers.
Legislature considers a new infusion of money into the IRC
Arizona lawmakers are introducing another supplemental appropriation for the Independent Redistricting Commission, providing an infusion of new funding to the maligned agency as it tries to pay its bills for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, voted today to allow the late introduction of a bill to provide $635,226 to th[...]
Gaming director may challenge Horne in GOP primary
Mark Brnovich, the director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, may challenge Attorney General Tom Horne in the Republican primary next year. Brnovich, a former assistant U.S. attorney and assistant attorney general, said supporters have been urging him to run for the office.
Recall bill soundly defeated in Senate
A bill to overhaul the recall election process in Arizona to protect Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other elected officials was defeated today in the state Senate. HB2282 failed by a 10-18 vote. It would have created a primary and general election process in the event an elected official is recalled, as opposed to the current non-partisan, winner-take-all election.
Hotly debated firearms bill goes to the governor
A bill headed to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk would close a loophole used by some Arizona cities to destroy firearms turned over to police and other state agencies. The Arizona Senate approved HB2455, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Barton, R-Payson, by an 18-12 vote Tuesday afternoon, giving its final approval to a measure that also requires agencies to sell all unclaimed firearms in their possession.
State appeals court ruling on education funding
The Attorney General’s Office is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that said lawmakers violated the will of voters three years ago when they failed to increase education funding to match inflation. The state filed the appeal and argued that the Arizona Court of Appeals erred in its Jan. 15 decision in which it found that the 1998 Voter Protection Act allows vote[...]
Brief video shows confrontation between state senator, Yuma teacher
A cell-phone video shows state Sen. Don Shooter leaving a classroom at a Yuma charter school after he allegedly burst in to confront a teacher. Danielle Munoz, a teacher at the EOC Charter High School in Yuma, took the short video clip of Shooter, R-Yuma, on March 22.
Lawmakers pass bill to raise campaign contribution limits
A bill that would raise the caps on Arizona’s campaign contributions is ready for the governor’s signature after the state Senate approved the measure in a 17-13 vote Tuesday afternoon.
Dueling polls reach different results on Medicaid expansion support
Two recent polls on Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan reached substantially differing results, with one showing overwhelming public support and the other reflecting more evenly split public opinion with Republicans opposed.
Battle against proposed Glendale casino intensifies
The fight to stop a tribe from building a casino and resort on land in Glendale took another turn Tuesday when Arizona’s GOP congressmen and a Democratic congresswoman joined forces in introducing a bill to stop the project.
Brewer to emphasize mental health aspect of Medicaid plan
Gov. Jan Brewer plans to refocus the Medicaid expansion debate on mental health. In a press conference scheduled for Thursday at the Capitol, Brewer will join mental health professionals, advocates and patients to emphasize the impact that the governor’s Medicaid expansion plan will have on people with serious mental illness.
Telemedicine services cut back in Cochise and 96 other U.S. counties
Medicare will no longer cover telemedicine in Cochise County and 96 other U.S. counties because they are now considered urban areas, instead of rural ones. Because of the realignment of standard metropolitan statistical areas, about 1 million Medicare beneficiaries located in rural areas across the country will be affected, many who have been receiving healthcare with the help of telemedicine.
