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Senate panel OKs Redistricting Commission funds
An Arizona Senate committee has approved $500,000 in extra funding for the Independent Redistricting Commission that will allow the commission to pay for lawyers defending it from lawsuits.
Senators fast-track money for CPS, IRC
Lawmakers plan to send two bills to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk by the end of the week: an emergency provision to hire new staff for Child Protective Services and $500,000 for the Independent Redistricting Commission for an upcoming trial in federal court.
2014 budget choices could affect Arizona for years to come
Before lawmakers decide what kind of discretionary spending they want added in the fiscal 2014 budget, Rep. John Kavanagh said they have to make a choice about whose revenue projections they’re going to believe.
Organized labor faces another offensive at state Capitol
The Capitol is bracing for what looks like another labor union battle after legislation was introduced to prohibit automatic paycheck deductions for union dues.
The issue is not new.
State prepares for debate on costly Common Core educational standards
Those who support Arizona’s new Common Core standards for math and English education say they help turn students into better thinkers and prepare them for college and the workforce.
Those who question the new standards say they could create added expenses for public schools, including new textbooks, teacher training and the need for new technology. They say the price tag, still undete[...]
Seeking a legacy: Governor presents her 2014 budget
After the years of tough times, things are getting better for Arizona. Now, Gov. Jan Brewer is looking to improve on the recovery she’s so proud of.
Brewer has big plans for education and health care and economic development. And despite the continued economic growth Arizona has seen for the past couple years, the governor wants to do more to stimulate the economy in 2013.
Republican leaders want conservative approach to budget
After receiving a briefing on the governor’s $8.9 billion budget proposal, Republican leaders said they want a final spending plan that hews to the conservative approach they have adopted during the past few years.
Capitol Quotes: Jan. 18, 2013
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances.
Deep split among GOP lawmakers to AHCCCS expansion
When Gov. Jan Brewer announced her proposal to expand Medicaid to the full amount advocated by the federal health care law, Republican leadership in the House and Senate received a fight they didn’t ask for, and one they didn’t know was coming.
Tempe Democrat recycling old bills, hoping Legislature eventually will pay attention
Sen. Ed Ableser came out of the gate sprinting — pre-filing 17 bills before the session began. But after seven years in Legislature’s Democratic minority, previously as a member of the House, he has learned to temper his hopes of actually getting them signed into law.
Who’s hot, who’s not: A year of ups and downs for Arizona politicos
As 2012 comes to a close, some Arizona politicos have reached new heights of prominence and power. Others saw once-promising careers hit the wall.
Jeff Flake and Kyrsten Sinema gained influence and stature in the nation’s capital, while Andy Biggs reached the pinnacle of power in the Arizona Senate.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Russell Pearce and his successor, Sen. S[...]
Top GOP lawmakers say lower Medicaid match dooms AHCCCS expansion
Influential legislators today concluded that the federal government’s decision not to infuse more dollars to states that don’t fully comply with the Affordable Care Act dealt a major blow to any proposal in the upcoming session that would seek to restore health care cuts made during the height of the recession.
