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Raucous crowd debates merits of Common Core standards
Panelists of a Common Core symposium played to a full house in which there were lots of murmured snide remarks and an occasional cat-call between raucous applause Wednesday in the Arizona Senate building, demonstrating how charged the issue of the state’s learning standards is.
Some panel members say Arizona’s income tax system is fine after all
Members of a panel tasked with studying Arizona’s personal income tax system said that while flattening or doing away with the income tax may be a popular talking point, the state’s current system is reasonably fair and may not need a major overhaul.
Manuel ‘Lito’ Peña remembered as ‘godfather of the Senate Dems’
Former lawmaker Manuel “Lito” Peña, who served as an Arizona legislator for 30 years, died on Oct. 12. Peña had been ill for several years, according to Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, and died suddenly Saturday morning. He was 88.
Judicial selection law found unconstitutional
A law passed by the Arizona Legislature this year was so obviously unconstitutional that the Arizona Supreme Court skipped oral arguments in a lawsuit against it and struck down the law.
Carlyle Begay sworn in as state senator, but faces legal challenge
Surrounded by friends and family, as well as a few of his new colleagues at the Arizona Legislature, Carlyle Begay was sworn in Tuesday morning as the newest state senator, but could soon face a legal challenge to his appointment to office.
Dozens march in Phoenix for ‘Justice for Trayvon’
Dozens of people participated in a protest march in Phoenix on Monday, calling for federal civil rights charges to be filed against Florida neighborhood watch activist George Zimmerman.
Rep. Steele: Campbell threatened retaliation over DuVal endorsement
Rep. Victoria Steele said House Minority Leader Chad Campbell threatened to kill her legislation and committee assignments next year in retaliation for her endorsement of Fred DuVal in the 2014 governor’s race.
Whatever happened to… The fate of the session’s most colorful bills
This year marked a recent low in proposed legislation, with only 1,158 bills introduced and 256 signed into law, compared to 1,395 and 362 respectively last year.
There were also fewer “kooky” bills than in past years, and fewer of Arizona’s proposed laws made fewer national headlines this year than in previous sessions.
Laws on judicial appointments, elections, Medicaid likely facing legal challenges
A law enacted to give the governor more choices in appointing judges is expected to join Medicaid expansion and an elections package as 2013 legislation that will wind up in court.
Lawmaker resignations down in 2013, but likely to pick up soon
One marked difference in 2013 was the lack of legislative mid-session resignations, particularly following lawmaker scandals.
In the wake of Medicaid expansion, Republicans hope they can all still get along
Lawmakers typically insist that nothing is personal in politics. After all, it’s just policy.
Senator to leave for State Department appointment
Sen. Jack Jackson, Jr. has accepted a White House appointment to serve as advisor and liaison for the U.S. State Department. He will resign from the Arizona Senate on July 12.
