Gov. Jan Brewer threw a counterpunch at GOP lawmakers following the Monday release of their budget plan, ordering a halt to meetings between the two sides’ budget staffs until the legislative budget plan is changed to address some of her key concerns.
Read More »Brewer orders halt to budget negotiations
House committee approves minimum tuition bill
A state House committee has approved a bill requiring full-time students pay generally $2,000 annually toward their tuition at a state university.
Read More »Lovas to replace Burges in the House 
Phil Lovas, a 43-year-old hotel developer and Peoria Republican, will replace Rep. Judy Burges in the Arizona House of Representatives for Legislative District 4.
Read More »House Dems: Tea party bills diverting attention from jobs, education
“Extremist” bills inspired by the tea party movement are taking the Legislature’s attention away from issues important to Arizonans, such as jobs, fixing schools and making government accountable, House Democratic leaders said Monday.
Read More »Mesa to be in national spotlight as it hosts GOP debate
In 2009, this city had so many foreclosures that President Barack Obama appeared at one of its high schools to speak about the national housing crisis. In 2011, a Mesa district recalled its state senator and anti-immigration leader Russell Pearce in a historic election. A month ago, Gov. Jan Brewer shook her finger at Obama at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Read More »Campus guns bill struggling in Senate 
A proposal to allow guns on university and college campuses is stuck in the Senate.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said he’s so far only corralled 13 “yes” votes for the proposal.
Gray says success during 16-year career stems from respect, a bit of humor 
As Sen. Linda Gray’s final term at the Legislature winds down this year, she fondly recalls the friendships and accomplishments she will take with her. What she isn’t fond of is being forced to go.
“It’s the only ‘profession’ in which when you become good at it, you’re asked to leave,” Gray says.
SRP’s Greene shuns aggressiveness for solid arguments in lobbying Legislature 
When Rep. Russ Jones moved into his office in the Arizona House of Representatives, his predecessor, Rep. Jim Carruthers, told him to beware of the “trains” that he could see, but perhaps would not hear coming.
Read More »Tort measures having mixed success 
Conservative Republicans who dominate the Legislature say the timing is right to overhaul Arizona’s civil justice system, arguing the changes are needed to improve the state’s business climate.
But so far, their success has been mixed.
Potty mouth legislation ignores deeper problems
It's hard to believe the Arizona Legislature is spending its time on a bill to limit indecent speech by teachers. Of course, nearly everyone would agree teachers should not be foul or crass. But nearly no teachers are.
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