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Batting averages: Senate president chalks up highest percentage of bills signed into law
It’s good to be president. Senate President Andy Biggs of Gilbert was the most successful lawmaker of the year – at least in terms of his legislative batting average.
With 2015 session title, Sen. Ableser again tops list for most missed votes
Democratic Sen. Ed Ableser of Tempe retook his crown for missing the most votes of any lawmaker this year, after losing the title last year to former Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo. Ableser voted on only 73 percent of the bills that came before the Senate this year.
Not really so bad: Lawmakers say their approach to school funding is misunderstood
Lawmakers made broad claims about education spending this year, from Gov. Doug Ducey’s administration promoting a “classrooms first” theme on social media to frequent boasts of spending more on education than at any time in Arizona’s history.
Solar industry largely prevails at Legislature, but remains wary
The solar leasing industry successfully lessened the blow of a bill that added disclosures to leases homeowners sign when they get solar panels, but advocates for solar say the industry is often on the defensive.
Business wins big with Ducey, 2015 legislative session
Members of Arizona’s business community count Gov. Doug Ducey as one of their own, and the governor did not disappoint them in his first few months in office.
End of session tradition: #StartYourOwnRumor
It all began in 2011, when then-House Speaker Kirk Adams used social media as a platform to fire back at the media, his critics and legislative observers about rumors that his impending congressional campaign was interfering with his duties as a legislative leader.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: Governor Doug Ducey
Doug Ducey couldn’t have asked for much more in his first term as governor. Aside from a contentious bill to create a state inspector general, Arizona’s new governor achieved everything he sought. He worked out a budget deal with the Legislature in record time. He signed the American Civics Act he campaigned on.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: House Speaker David Gowan
After only a few months on the job, Arizona House Speaker David Gowan is still getting his footing. Gowan, a Republican from Sierra Vista, sat down with the Arizona Capitol Times to discuss the trials, tribulations and successes of his first year leading the House.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: House Minority Leader Eric Meyer
Now in his final term as a representative, House Democratic Leader Eric Meyer discussed his first session leading House Democrats. The Paradise Valley Democrat also looked back on how things have changed for Democrats in his time at the Capitol, and looked ahead to the future of his caucus, as well as his own plans for the future.
2015 Session Wrap Q&A: Senate President Andy Biggs
The stars aligned for Senate President Andy Biggs in 2015. The numbers don’t show it, but the makeup of the Senate proved more conservative. A new governor worked well with Republican leadership in the Senate. Meanwhile, Biggs was once again a force behind the budget and took the lead to end the session in record time.
Veteran Senate secretary retires to the hills of Kentucky
Few people can claim they know the legislative process as intimately as Charmion Billington, the longtime secretary of the Arizona Senate.
Don’t tread on us: Cities complain the state is usurping their authority
The 2015 legislative session was rough for Arizona towns, cities and counties. Proposals sought to limit local control even as state lawmakers continually railed against federal overreach, city and county officials observed.
