ACA awards second grant from deal-closing fund
Silicon Valley Bank will be the second recipient from the Arizona Commerce Authority’s $25 million deal-closing fund, and several more are likely to be announced soon.
State redistricting commission approves congressional, legislative maps
The panel charged with redrawing the state's political lines that will be used for the next decade approved final maps for both congressional and legislative districts today, after meeting for more than 15 hours in two days.
Ethics committee members ordered to court over Bundgaard’s injunction request
A judge has ordered five members of the Senate Ethics Committee to appear in court on Tuesday, presumably to explain why Sen. Scott Bundgaard’s ethics trial should move forward.
Lawyers say Arizona not following execution rules
Lawyers for Arizona death-row inmates say the state is ignoring provisions in its own protocol on conducting injection executions.
A trial begun Monday in federal court examines claims that Arizona's execution practices violate inmates' rights by threatening to subject them to unconstitutional pain and suffering.
Cardon on statewide tour for GOP Senate candidacy
Mesa businessman Wil Cardon is beginning a statewide tour to promote his candidacy in Arizona's 2012 U.S. Senate race.
DEFEATED: Pearce’s ouster viewed as cautionary tale for immigration hawks
Senate President Russell Pearce’s defeat on Nov. 8 was a colossal political victory for critics of his strict-enforcement approach to confronting illegal immigration.
And many immediately saw it as a cautionary tale for politicians here and elsewhere who share his views.
From Pearce to Pierce: Prescott rancher elected new Senate President
Republicans today selected Sen. Steve Pierce as their new leader, a move that quickly filled the vacuum that resulted from the toppling of Senate President Russell Pearce two days ago.
Pearce’s final vote?
With a Lewis victory assured, all eyes are now on the race to replace Pearce as president. Senate Republicans will meet in closed caucus tomorrow at 10 a.m. to vote on a new leader – but that’s about all that there’s consensus on.
Thomas Farish: State Historian
Unlike today, where the state historian is an honorary position created by a governor’s proclamation, in late territorial and early statehood days, this was an official, paid government position.
Monuments to education funding
Reid Buckley, brother of the late political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr., used to ask audiences, “Do you know how high a pile one million bucks would make in thousand dollar bills?” After a pause, he would answer: “Seven inches.” Then he asked, “Now, do you know how high a pile one billion bucks would make in thousand dollar bills?” Again, after a pause: “Well, 28 feet higher [...]
Giffords campaign spending like she’s running
Despite lingering questions over whether she will seek re-election, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ campaign is raising and spending the kind of money that some observers say is a clear indication she’s gearing up to return to Congress.
Bachmann ties border security to terrorism in speech
Embracing a hawkish approach to confronting illegal immigration, presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said today that she wouldn’t have sued Arizona over SB1070 and lauded the state’s efforts to curb illegal border crossings.