Months after publicly leaving ALEC in 2012, APS quietly rejoined
Seven months after publicly saying it was severing ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council last year, Arizona Public Service quietly renewed its membership with the conservative public policy group.
Goldwater Institute blasts senator’s stand-your-ground letter
The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute responded harshly Friday to the Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin's Aug. 6 letter inquiring into its position on stand-your-ground laws and connections to the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Legislative session featured rare political courage
Historians will determine the just-completed Arizona legislative session as the most significant in memory. An unlikely coalition, which included a hard-nosed, conservative and partisan governor, teamed together to pass Medicaid expansion.
Arizona residents are the winners with Supreme Court voter registration ruling
On June 17, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of every eligible American to register to vote using a national standard that eliminates unnecessary barriers. The decision was authored by one of the court’s strongest state’s rights advocates, Justice Antonin Scalia.
From Austin to New Orleans, lawmakers travel at the expense of lobbyists
Travel and lodging account for 12 percent of the money spent in lobbyist expenditure reports that include a beneficiary name from 2011 to 2012.
New report describes Arizona Legislature as ALEC stronghold, but grip may be slipping
Arizona is a hotbed of activity from the American Legislative Exchange Council, according to a new report that contends the group wines and dines Arizona lawmakers, hoping they will introduce ALEC model legislation to benefit corporate interests.
School-choice group pushes parent trigger law
First it was featured in a controversial summer movie, and now it could come to a school near you. A liberal school-choice group from California is trying to build a coalition of local education groups to pass an Arizona law allowing parents to take over failing schools.
Trans-Pacific trade agreement must protect U.S. intellectual property
As an Arizonan, when you hear about trade agreements, you might not automatically think about jobs in the great Copper State. However, as the most populous landlocked state in the U.S., we should. Trade is a huge driver of our economy, not only as a nation, but also of our state economies.
Proposed curb on punitive damage suits — economic development tool or bad for consumers?
Big business and consumer-rights advocates are squaring off over a bill that would significantly limit the ability of people to sue a manufacturer whose products might pose risks to the public. The legislation would shield manufacturers from punitive damage claims — the most aggressive legal recourse allowed against manufacturers — unless very specific negligence can be demonstrated.
American Traffic Solutions leaving ALEC, joining APS
American Traffic Solutions will be the next Arizona to company to cut its ties the American Legislative Exchange Council.
APS ending ALEC membership; SRP considers doing same
Arizona’s largest energy company will join the growing ranks of corporations that are severing ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, the conservative state lawmakers' organization.
Senate Appropriations passes Brewer personnel plan
Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee made things as unpleasant as they could for proponents of Gov. Jan Brewer’s personnel system overhaul, but the plan came another step closer to fruition after the panel approved HB2571 on a party line vote.