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Brewer places moratorium on bills until budget done
Talks on the budget may be on the verge of breaking down, as Gov. Jan Brewer today told Republican legislative leaders that she will not sign any more bills until the budget is done.
Republican lawmakers and Brewer have been at loggerheads over a budget deal all session. The governor called for increased spending in education and some social programs, but Republicans have said she wan[...]
Senate OKs bill to allow employers to deny contraception coverage; but deal in works
Persuaded by a promise to substantially narrow the legislation, the Senate today passed a measure to allow employers with religious objections to not pay for their workers’ contraception coverage.
Secretary of State: Independent to replace Patterson
Southern Arizona Democrats’ hopes to have former Rep. Daniel Patterson replaced by one of their own were dashed today when the Secretary of State said the legislative seat will be filled by an independent.
Ethics Committee: Expel Patterson
After two hours of back-and-forth discussion, the House Ethics Committee today voted to recommend Rep. Daniel Patterson’s expulsion from the House of Representatives, and one committee member said to expect a full House vote on the recommendation later this afternoon.
Patterson demands ethics hearing to cross-examine accusers
Rep. Daniel Patterson today demanded that the House Ethics Committee give him an opportunity to testify before its members, cross-examine his accusers and address each incident of impropriety anonymously claimed against him.
Patterson said the ethics charges against him result from a group of lobbyists and lawmakers who sought a reason to have him kicked out of office, and one civil rig[...]
Sponsor promises to narrow contraception bill
A conservative bill that aimed to limit birth control coverage and generated a heated political fight is being revived in the Arizona Legislature.
Dem leader: Fear among lawmakers could lead to Patterson expulsion Tuesday
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell says he may seek for the expulsion of Rep. Daniel Patterson as soon as Tuesday because some members of his caucus believe their lives are in danger as long as Patterson remains an elected official.
Texting while driving ban resurfaces, then fails
The attempt to stop Arizonans from sending LOLs and emoticons while operating a vehicle suffered a serious blow today, leaving a slim chance that the prohibition will become law this year.
Schapira: Leader of evangelical lobby quashed anti-bullying bill
A Democratic leader has accused the head of an influential evangelical Christian advocacy group of orchestrating the demise of his anti-bullying legislation.
Miranda pleads guilty to wire fraud
A former member of the Arizona Legislature accused of defrauding a nonprofit he once ran has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and attempted tax evasion charges.
Former Democratic Rep. Richard Miranda of Tolleson admitted Wednesday to selling a building that belonged to the nonprofit Centro Adelante Campesino without authorization from the group's board for $250,000 and keeping [...]
Scandals rock the Arizona Legislature
As if there just hasn’t been enough scandal at the Arizona Legislature this year, political observers will get a fresh look this week at two salacious stories that will begin to further unfold.
Energy and Irony: HB2789 will cost Arizona dearly
The Arizona Legislature is considering HB2789, which significantly increases government regulation by requiring every rule the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) makes that affects “public service corporations” (a.k.a. utilities) go before... […]
