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Another blow for Democrats: State Sen. Carlyle Begay switches parties
Democratic Sen. Carlyle Begay is now a Republican. The Ganado lawmaker announced Monday morning his switch to the Republican Party, a move he said is an extension of his independent streak at the Arizona Capitol. But Democrats categorized the move as no surprise for a lawmaker who often bucked his party to vote in favor of Republican-led bills.
Senate Republicans urge schools chief, ed board to settle
Republican leaders of the Arizona Senate are urging state schools chief Diane Douglas and the Arizona Board of Education to end their dispute over board investigators' access to teacher records.
Maricopa County supervisors to choose replacement senator
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is set to choose a replacement for a Democratic state senator from Tempe who resigned to take a new job in Nevada.
Senators told to be ready for special session work Wednesday
Senate President Andy Biggs has told members to be prepared for a special legislative session to start in just a day.
Sen. Lesko decides not to run for Corporation Commission
Sen. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, has decided not to seek a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission. Instead, Lesko said she will run re-election to the Senate.
Senate Republicans get school funding briefings, House next
An anticipated special session of the Arizona Legislature to boost funding for K-12 schools appears at least several weeks away as proposals between Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Doug Ducey continues to be in flux.
Until we meet again… Maybe in a special session
The Associated Press reported this morning that House Republicans were being summoned to small-group meetings to discuss education funding options in advance of a possible special session. The initial report was that meetings were scheduled for today, tomorrow and Wednesday, though House sources said this morning that today’s meetings were being rescheduled because of a scheduling conflict.
Senate GOP: Texts related to govt. business not public records
Arizona Senate Republicans refuse to turn over text messages between President Andy Biggs and other leaders regarding government business because the caucus does not consider the records public.
House and Senate leaders offer school funding plan, but critics find holes in it
When news broke that more than seven months of court-ordered negotiations between education groups and the Legislature had reached an impasse on August 25, leaders of the House and Senate came armed with good news.
Court allows activist banned from Senate in 2011 to pursue lawsuit against Pearce
Public officials cannot ban people outright from their buildings even if they have caused a disturbance in the past, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Former state senator to run for Corporation Commission
Former Republican state Sen. Al Melvin is running for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Melvin, who served six years in the Senate before briefly running for governor in 2014, announced on Thursday that he would be seeking a spot on the commission, which has three seats up for grabs in the 2016 election.
Memo to House pages: Be prepared
Shooter yesterday (July 27) told our reporter that he and Montenegro have agreed to swap seats, at least for the 53rd Legislature. The move will let Montenegro, who is termed out of the House, run for the Senate without an incumbent-on-incumbent primary battle. Shooter quipped that the “House will be damn lucky to get me.”
