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ALEC’s influence looms large at Capitol
The American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative organization whose corporate largesse and influence over policy have become a flashpoint for liberal criticism, has a deep reach into the Arizona Legislature.
When the group kicked off its 2011 summer conference in New Orleans on Aug. 3, 29 of Arizona’s 61 Republican lawmakers were in attendance.
Group plans major overhaul of presidential election process
A group of frustrated voters from across the political spectrum is hoping to reform the way the nation elects its president, and Arizona will be on the front lines in that fight next year. The only question remaining is whether the state’s conservative lawmakers are willing to abandon the current constitutionally established election method that is as old as the nation.
Interstate compacts — A new tactic for challenging federal authority
Once employed for such mundane issues as inmate transfers, natural resource management and state boundary definitions, interstate compacts have suddenly become the latest tool for legislators looking to buck the federal government on a slew of controversial topics.
Brewer, Pearce poised for power struggle as session nears
Two incongruent personalities. Two divergent political agendas. The stage is set for a showdown, and if that happens, Capitol insiders expect the 2011 legislative session to be an epic power struggle.
You heard wrong: Pearce says ‘no deal’ on immigration
In an interview with Channel 12's Brahm Resnik that will air on the station's "Sunday Square Off" program, Pearce says he didn't secure the votes needed to become president by agreeing to a moratorium on immigration legislation.
Pearce’s ‘anchor baby’ proposal weighing down his run for Senate President
Russell Pearce might have hurt his chances for Senate president when he held a press conference Oct. 19 expressing his desire to pursue legislation aimed at challenging the longstanding Constitutional interpretation that children who are born in the U.S. are American citizens, regardless of their parents’ legal status.
State debt: Arizona’s money pit
The state has borrowed more than $2 billion during the past four fiscal years, boosting its total debt load to $9.7 billion. At least one-third of the state’s debt must be repaid using money from the same account that lawmakers draw upon to pay for public education, Medicaid programs and other basic government services.
