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Early voting bills revived — but only temporarily
Just when it appeared the controversial election bills involving the Permanent Early Voting List were dead, they received new life last week after Senate leadership introduced an elections omnibus bill incorporating five measures. Then they stalled again.
Clean energy means more jobs, not less
The Arizona Republican Party recently issued a press release stating that I want to “eliminate 1,000 coal jobs” on Navajo land. That statement is so far removed from reality that it warrants a direct response.
A lobbying tradition: lunches on the lawn
During the first three months of 2013, lawmakers worked 44 days, during which there were 35 lunches on the Capitol lawn for everyone in the halls of the House and Senate or for members of certain caucuses.
Problems surface over Arizona’s 2007 employer sanction immigration law
The immigration debate in Arizona reached a boiling point in 2007 when the state passed a groundbreaking law targeting those often blamed with fueling the nation's border woes: Employers who hire immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
Brewer, league compromise on sales tax reform, but still no deal
Gov. Jan Brewer made a major concession to her transaction privilege tax reform bill that eliminates the most contentious provision, but that wasn’t enough to get the League of Arizona Cities and Towns on board.
An honest discussion is needed on Medicaid expansion
Far from a “relatively minor expansion” of 57,000 Arizonans, Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal could add as many as 450,000 people to AHCCCS. In addition to the expansion population, we will be adding those formerly eligible people who were frozen out in 2010.
Lobbyist gift ban crusader accepts gifts from lobbyist
Since getting caught up in the Fiesta Bowl scandal of 2011, Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo has been the Capitol’s gift ban crusader, repeatedly introducing legislation to make it illegal for lawmakers to take free tickets or meals from lobbyists.
Senate gives preliminary approval to Medicaid expansion
A block of five Republican senators joined forces with Senate Democrats on May 16 to wrest control of the chamber from Sen. President Andy Biggs and provide momentum to Gov. Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid in Arizona.
McComish becomes key player in Medicaid expansion drama
Senators are prepped for a lengthy floor debate on the GOP-led budget plan and a wildly anticipated fight to add Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal to the mix against the objection of most Senate Republicans.
Ten budget bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, many by 6-3 party line votes, and the Rules Committee on Wednesday afternoon. That paves the way for lawmaker[...]
Ariz. lawmakers want students to learn how to budget
The Arizona House of Representatives has advanced a measure that would require some high school students to learn about personal finance before graduating.
Former Ariz. congressman to marry partner in DC
TUCSON ai??i?? Former Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe says he and his partner of eight years plan to get married this weekend in Washington, D.C.
FDIC shutters Central Arizona Bank
WASHINGTON ai??i?? Regulators have closed a small bank in Arizona, bringing the number of U.S. bank failures to 13 this year. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Tuesday seized Central Arizona Bank, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.
