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Will legislative PACs be used to corral votes?
A pair of political committees created by top legislative Republicans will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend in next year's elections, which is causing some to wonder if it's appropriate for them to wield that kind of power.
Budget bill fails in Senate; Verschoor AWOL
The Senate has hit a major snag and has failed to pass the main budget measure that is part of a package that partially fixes a $2-billion deficit, and it has adjourned until Nov. 23. The bill went down by a vote of 14-13. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray voted "no" so he could bring the vote up for reconsideration later. All the Democrats voted "no" on the bill. So did Sen. Ron Gould, a[...]
House panel approves budget-fix bills
A House panel followed the Senate's lead, quickly approving a series of budget bills aimed at chipping away at the state's massive deficit. The bills include $300 million in cuts to social programs and state aid for education.
Foreclosure law on track for repeal – again
It's back to square one for the Arizona Bankers Association. A tenuous deal to alter Arizona laws that govern home foreclosures was struck down by lawmakers on Nov. 18 after objections were raised by the homebuilding industry. The agreement had been struck by the Bankers Association and the Arizona Association of Realtors.
Pearce offers amendment, then pulls it back
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Nov. 18, Sen. Russell Pearce, a Republican from Mesa who chairs the committee, offered an amendment that would have dictated how Pima and Maricopa counties would have to pay $22 million to the state.
Senate approves bills in debate, final vote expected today
In almost staccato fashion, senators approved a package of bills to reduce state spending by about $300 million on Nov. 18 - first in committee and then on the floor. Senators attempted several amendments, both in committee and during Committee of the Whole.
Senate Appropriations panel approves bills
The budget fix to eliminate a portion of the state's $2 billion deficit is moving through Senate committees while the House is on hold until Nov. 19. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved four bills after a relatively short deliberation on Nov. 18. Some of the bills received bipartisan support.
Counting votes
Without Democratic support, Senate Republicans will be counting on every GOP vote they can muster. Sen. Barbara Leff is out of town and Sen. Ron Gould is a "no." That means Senate leadership will need the vote of everyone else in the caucus...
Schapira to run for Senate; Arredondo to run for House
A longtime Tempe city councilor is switching parties to run for the state House as a Democrat after a veteran legislator announces her retirement. Ben Arredondo, who has served on the Tempe City Council since 1994, will announce his candidacy for the District 17 House seat. The move was prompted by Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill's retirement announcement, which came at a Capitol press conference on Nov. 1[...]
First Senate bill targets officials’ use of public money for ads
The first bill filed in the Legislature for next year's regular session seeks to curb statewide politicians' use of public money for self-promotion. The idea is not new. Similar legislation was filed in the past with no success.
Melvin says he has Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Sen. Al Melvin, a Tucson Republican, disclosed Nov. 9 that he has been undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Melvin said the disease is not interfering with his work and he expects a full recovery. Melvin, in fact, has been holding hearings on energy and water during the past several weeks. He said he was lucky it was detected early.
No moratorium, Senate to hear bills early in session
The Senate is going to hear bills when session starts, Senate President Bob Burns said Oct. 29. This is a departure from the strategy the Senate leadership adopted during the most recent regular session, when a moratorium on hearing non-budget bills was used so lawmakers could direct all their energy to solving the state's record-breaking budget deficit.
