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Harper explores House bid
Sen. Jack Harper is now exploring a House seat. Harper, a Republican from Surprise, has amended his exploratory committee to reflect that he is considering running for the District 4 House seat. Harper's Senate term ends in 2010.
Two-way attack waged on Clean Elections matching funds
While attorneys prepare for a summer showdown over the constitutionality of a segment of Arizona's system of public campaign financing, a committee of legislators will decide whether to give voters the opportunity to ban publicly funded campaigns entirely.
Malpractice bill absent from Senate’s health committee hearing
The Senate Healthcare and Medial Liability Reform Committee met June 10 to consider bills for the first time since the start of the legislative session almost five months ago.
Senate OKs continuation, expansion of STO-tax credit program
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation June 9 to expand the corporate income tax credit and allow insurance companies to donate to school tuition organizations (STOs).
Chairmen sift through 100s of bills with only 2 weeks left in fiscal 2009
As the Senate shifts to cranking out non-budget measures in the final weeks of session, some lawmakers are raising concerns that the rush will lead to defective laws that they would have to correct later.
Senate panel adopts stricter abortion rules
Women who seek an abortion will have to wait at least 24 hours between the time they speak to a doctor about terminating a pregnancy and the actual procedure, under legislation adopted by a Senate committee June 10.
Bill aims to include insurance firms in corporate tax credit program, repeal sunset
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation June 9 to expand the corporate income tax credit to include insurance companies.
Republicans advance bills requiring public disclosure on government Web sites
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted June 9 to advance two proposals aimed at allowing residents to review exactly how local governments spend their tax dollars.
Senate panel rejects bill to eliminate fines for obscured license plates
A Senate panel has rejected a measure that would allow motorists whose license plates are obscured to avoid paying a fine if caught. Last year, lawmakers passed a state law to prohibit the obstruction of the name of the state on Arizona license plates. Violating the law is a civil offense and carries a fine of $110 to $200.
Flake honored posthumously by colleagues
Senators honored the late Jake Flake and unveiled a clay bust of him on June 8. Franklin Lars Flake was serving as a Republican senator last year when he fell off of his horse and died several days later from related injuries. He died on June 8, 2008 at age 72.
Senate panel advances guns-in-restaurants bill
A Senate panel has approved legislation to allow people who have concealed-weapons permits to bring a handgun into restaurants that sell alcohol. By the time the committee hearing was held June 8, though, the debate had shifted from whether to have weapons in restaurants to how best to implement the policy.
With floodgates opened, Senate begins hearing regular bills
The Senate began hearing scores of bills June 8 following Senate President Burns' decision to shift strategy and open the floodgates for regular measures.
