Best quotes – 2012 legislative session
Our reporters catch lawmakers during their happy, upset, frustrated and humorous moments . . .
She’s not all bad: Dems find silver lining in some Brewer vetoes
Democrats aren’t exactly viewing Gov. Jan Brewer as the second coming of Janet Napolitano, but they’re taking solace that her vetoes included bills that they viewed as some of the most onerous of the 2012 session.
Legislature passes job-creating reforms in taxes, regulations, civil justice and education
The two years of the 50th Arizona Legislature will go down in the history books as the years when the Legislature hit reboot on the Arizona economy and turned what was a basket case into a best case.
Legislature says no damage from website hacking
Legislative officials say their public website appears undamaged after a security breach by a hacker group.
Hacker group breaches Arizona Legislature’s website
A hacker group is claiming responsibility for a security breach to the Arizona Legislature's website.
Brewer completes action on Legislature’s bills
Gov. Jan Brewer's signatures on two last bills complete action on hundreds of pieces of legislation approved by state lawmakers during their 2012 regular session.
Brewer signs new business tax cuts into law
Gov. Jan Brewer's signing of a bill passed by the Legislature means businesses and investors in Arizona will be getting new tax breaks.
Time to give our first freedom as much respect as the second
A handful of elected officials in the Arizona Legislature have repeatedly tried to intimidate and silence Goldwater Institute analysts out of giving testimony in support of or in opposition to legislation this year. In one case, an elected official forced a Goldwater Institute attorney, who asked to speak on behalf of the Institute, to refrain from speaking because she was not a registered lobbyis[...]
Klein staying put in LD1; ponders House run
Sen. Lori Klein said she doesn’t plan to move to a new legislative district after all, an idea she once considered to increase her chances of getting re-elected.
Brewer now ‘more favorable’ on contraception bill
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says a contraception coverage bill now on her desk was improved in the time since she voiced reservations about an earlier version as being intrusive.
Mesnard jockeying for majority leader
Add Mesnard to the list of House Republicans who are interested in Court’s majority leader position.
Sine die: Conservative agenda dominates session
Lawmakers wrapped up their work at 8:25 p.m. on May 3 after nearly four months in session, having stashed away money for anticipated rainy days ahead, approved a sweeping measure that allows state workers to be more easily fired and fought on the unending battlefronts of abortion, taxation and border security.
And like the year before, lawmakers with conservative leanings shaped the age[...]