Carter’s Medicaid hearing moved to Appropriations

The Legislature’s first public hearing on Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan is moving from the friendly confines of Rep. Heather Carter’s House Health Committee to more hostile territory.

Teen drivers face cellphone ban under Senate bill

Arizona lawmakers are going after teenage drivers who use wireless devices. A Senate committee advanced a bill Wednesday seeking to prohibit teenagers from using cellphones and other wireless devices while they have their learner's permit and during the first six months of their license.

Court ruling upholds DUI test for marijuana

Motorists in Arizona can continue to be prosecuted for driving under the influence of marijuana even if the only proof is a blood test that shows a chemical compound that doesn't cause impairment but can remain in the blood for a month, a state appellate court has ruled.

Brewer blames Pierce, Senate for special session plans crumbling

A planned special session to modify an initiative to create a “top-two” primary election system in Arizona won’t happen after some senators pulled their support because they didn’t think Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal went far enough.

Tobin calls for IRC audit as legal bills top $1M

As the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission continues to rack up legal bills, House Speaker Andy Tobin is seeking a full audit of the commission’s finances.

County attorney wants lobbying laws overhauled after Fiesta Bowl scandal

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who is wrapping up an eight-month investigation into the Fiesta Bowl scandal, will ask lawmakers to overhaul the state’s lobbying laws, saying financial reporting requirements are confusing and out of touch with what he believes the public demands of its elected officials.

“If it’s too much of a burden for an elected official to keep the pub[...]

Judge upholds state Medicaid cuts

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge upheld a partial enrollment freeze for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, rejecting a liberal advocacy group’s claims that the cuts violated a voter mandate.

Political winds shifted against photo radar

The lesson learned from Arizona’s brief flirtation with photo radar is that it’s better to be popular than effective. The statewide photo-enforcement program will end July 15. Shortly after taking office in January, Gov. Jan Brewer said of the program: “I hate it.”

Brewer, Obama have ‘cordial’ meeting

President Obama hosted Gov. Jan Brewer at the White House June 3 for what Brewer termed a "very cordial discussion" on Arizona's new anti-illegal immigration law, in which Obama promised to send top White House officials to the state in advance of a new influx of border troops.

RELATED: Pearce pushed, prodded and pandered to pass his ‘legacy bill’

Sen. Russell Pearce was the driving force behind the immigration reform package that has once again put Arizona in the national spotlight. But he wouldn't have been able to get it passed without the help of several people who either supported S1070 or moved out of its way.