Lawmakers pick fight with feds over public lands
Some Western lawmakers are pushing for a showdown with Washington over federally-controlled land, picking a fight on an issue that they say puts an economic stranglehold on their states.
Union members rally, warn of dire consequences for workers, lawmakers
A coalition of unions rallied at the Capitol to oppose a slate of anti-union legislation, warning that the passage of the bills would carry dire consequences for both workers who would lose their rights and lawmakers who would lose their elections.
Ethics bills creep along after Fiesta Bowl scandal
A criminal investigation into the Fiesta Bowl scandal has started producing guilty pleas, but proposals to tighten gift restrictions and bolster disclosure requirements for officials and lobbyists are nowhere near the goal line at the Legislature.
‘Parent empowerment’ bill has roots in Democratic, Republican circles
The Goldwater Institute looked to a group of community organizers and Democratic operatives for inspiration for its latest school choice idea.
The institute helped draft and is advocating for SB1204, which would allow parents of students attending failing schools to close down the school, convert it to a charter school or remove the principal.
Tort measures having mixed success
Conservative Republicans who dominate the Legislature say the timing is right to overhaul Arizona’s civil justice system, arguing the changes are needed to improve the state’s business climate.
But so far, their success has been mixed.
Unions forego all-out battle with Legislature — for now
Public unions are avoiding a forceful confrontation with conservative lawmakers who are pushing for a slew of anti-union proposals – for now.
Instead of declaring an open war by organizing massive protests at the state Capitol — a tactic adopted by labor unions in Wisconsin who faced a similar threat last year — unions here have had a more tempered response.
Brewer’s personnel plan seeks to ease firing, hiring state workers
Gov. Jan Brewer is seeking to fundamentally alter the way state employees are hired, fired and managed.
In short, the governor wants to make it easier for administrators to hire and fire workers.
In a two-page outline of her “personnel reform” proposal, obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times today, newly hired rank-and-file employees would no longer be considered [...]
Separate reports praise Arizona for its school-choice programs
Arizona earned high marks for its school-choice policies this week in separate reports from two national organizations, which had particular praise for the state’s education savings account program.
Brewer seeks funding increase for tourism office
Gov. Jan Brewer is seeking a big funding boost for the Arizona Office of Tourism so it can step up efforts to market the state.
Federal money for health exchange puts Brewer in bind
The $30 million that Arizona received this week from the Obama administration will help the state develop and design a health insurance exchange website that can seamlessly interact with Medicaid.
But the pot of money, particularly given its size, potentially poses legal and political complications for Gov. Jan Brewer, who is against the federal health care overhaul and led Arizona in sui[...]
‘ResistALEC’ protestors pepper-sprayed, arrested
Police used pepper spray on a crowd of protestors, and arrested six of them, outside a a Scottsdale conference center today that was attended by dozens of lawmakers from around the country.
The roughly 150 demonstrators showed up at the American Legislative Exchange Council summit in Phoenix, to protest what they see as undue corporate influence in government.
Protests planned against conservative lawmakers
Community members and organizations are planning protests Wednesday against groups of conservative lawmakers meeting in Scottsdale. Various organizations ranging from labor to civil rights groups plan to protest against the American Legislative Exchange Council's States and Nation Summit.