House OKs revamped ‘intersection’ definition over safety concerns

The House on Wednesday passed a bill that aims to redefine what constitutes an intersection, despite warnings by police that the change will lead to more traffic fatalities.

The new definition would give would-be red-light runners extra time to get through an intersection without breaking the law.

Supreme Court hints at upholding parts of AZ immigration law

Kagan’s recusal creates possibility of tie vote

The last oral argument of the U.S. Supreme Court’s term was an explosive one, as the justices considered whether SB1070 is preempted by federal law.

Democrat-turned-independent Nicholas Fontana to replace Patterson

Nicholas Fontana, a Tucson criminal defense attorney who will replace former Rep. Daniel Patterson in the Arizona House of Representatives, said he switched his life-long Democratic affiliation to independent, just so he would qualify for the seat.

AZ Supreme Court unanimous in decision to reinstate redistricting chair

The Arizona Supreme Court acted unanimously last fall to reinstate Colleen Mathis to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, finding that Gov. Jan Brewer’s stated reasons for removing her did not rise to the legal standards required.

House passes narrowed-down contraception bill

State representatives today passed a scaled-back bill that would allow religious-based employers to deny contraception coverage to their workers.

The amended bill, HB2625, passed the Arizona House by a vote of 36-21, and will need to go back to the Senate for final approval there. If approved there, it will be delivered to Gov. Jan Brewer for either a signature or a veto.

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 gives initial OK to fall ballot measures

The Arizona Senate has given preliminary approval to a states' rights measure and another possible referendum being considered for placement on the state's November general election.

House OKs bill protecting licensed workers who deny services on religious grounds

Arizona workers would not lose their professional licenses for denying services on religious grounds under a new bill, although supporters acknowledged they knew of no cases where such action had occurred.

Brewer signs bill banning abortions after 20 weeks

Gov. Jan Brewer signed a law prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in most cases, making Arizona one of only a handful of states in the country with such a restriction.

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.

Patterson re-registered as a Democrat before resigning

Last week, Daniel Patterson ditched his Democratic Party affiliation and registered as an independent, decrying partisan politics at the Capitol.

But at some point yesterday, Patterson re-registered as a Democrat, the Pima County Recorders Office confirmed. The Pima County Democratic chairman said Patterson told him he did it before he resigned, a move that thrusts the appointment proc[...]