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Deal with the devil? Democrats question tactic colleague used to get her bills passed
The Arizona Senate is no easy place to be in the minority. Few bills sponsored by Democrats are ever heard in committees, let alone the Senate floor, so it’s rare for a Democratic senator to have a bill approved by the bulk of the chamber. It’s even rarer for a Democratic measure also to be approved by the House and reach the governor’s desk.
Sen. Murphy’s trip to Montana leaves 21 Brewer appointments unconfirmed
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee left the state on a personal matter, making it unlikely that 21 of the governor’s court- related nominations will be filled this year.
Arizona Senate passes election overhaul bill
The Arizona Senate revived an election omnibus bill Thursday that could limit early voting participation after Republican leaders pressured their caucus to pass the measure in the final hours of the 2013 legislative session.
Expanded voucher system approved by Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate has reversed course and approved an expansion of a school voucher program that allows students to use public funds to attend a private school.
Expanded voucher system rejected by Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate has rejected an expansion of a school voucher program that allows students to use public funds to attend a private school because it lacked accountability standards.
House takes aim at Senate budget package, Medicaid expansion
It has been three weeks of legislative deadlock since the Senate passed a state budget including Medicaid expansion, but the gears are moving again and the House is getting ready to take a vote on the Senate’s budget plan.
Top legislative leaders meet similar fate in dealing with governor
It may have taken House Speaker Andy Tobin longer to realize, but eventually he came to the same conclusion that Senate President Andy Biggs reached months ago.
Committee chairman’s trip to Montana leaves Brewer’s appointments unconfirmed
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has left the state on a personal matter, making it unlikely that 21 of the governor’s court-related nominations will be filled this year.
Why conservatives oppose expansion of Obamacare
The battle over the Arizona expansion of Obamacare resembles the fight between David and Goliath. The pro-expansion team has millions of dollars, powerful lobbyists, support from all Democratic legislators, most if not all of the media and a few Republicans who have defected to their cause.
After losing control of Senate, Biggs looks on as new majority emerges
The Arizona Senate’s passage of a budget plan that includes Medicaid expansion on May 16 was a tremendous victory for Gov. Jan Brewer, as well as the lawmakers who stuck their necks out for the governor — most notably Senate Majority Leader John McComish, who sponsored the amendment that added expansion to the budget plan.
Capitol Quotes: May 24, 2013
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances from Arizona's political world.
In voting for Medicaid, senators were just doing their job
It was heartening to see The Arizona Republic editorial board endorse the Arizona Senate’s action to support Governor Jan Brewer’s Medicaid proposal as “courageous.” While it is always nice to get accolades in politics, I must admit it was not an act of courage, but simply what we were elected to do.
