Brewer says she’s against proposed primary changes
Gov. Jan Brewer says she's not taking any further steps to have legislators consider election-law changes but that it doesn't mean she likes an initiative measure to dramatically change Arizona's primary system.
Brewer, Arizona Chamber pan sales tax initiative
A ballot initiative to increase the state’s sales tax to fund education and construction jobs took two blows today when Gov. Jan Brewer and one of the state’s largest business groups came out against the measure.
Arizona ranks 3rd in number of unidentified remains
Arizona ranks third nationally among states with the highest number of unidentified human remains, and officials say the reason is the high number of people who die while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border through the state's remote deserts.
72 run under Arizona’s Clean Elections system
About 35 percent of the nearly 200 state and legislative candidates in this year's election decided to run using Arizona's publicly funded Clean Elections system. The Arizona Republic reports that 72 people are running with Clean Elections funding.
Arizona health insurance exchange hangs in balance
By upholding the federal health care law, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to establish their own health insurance exchanges — web portals where individuals and small businesses can purchase health plans.
Medicaid expansion appears unlikely after Supreme Court ruling
If the feds can’t force Arizona to move forward with the massive Medicaid expansion, it’s a near certainty the Republican-led Legislature won’t do it for them. Though the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the core of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, it ruled that the federal government couldn’t force states to expand health care for the poor by threatening to take away other Medi[...]
Retiring Pinal County judge is termed unfit to remain on bench
The Commission on Judicial Performance Review found itself in a quandary June 27 when it came time to vote on the qualifications of Pinal County Superior Court Judge Janna Vanderpool.
Lawmakers preparing for special session on ‘top-2’ primary (UPDATED)
Gov. Jan Brewer wants lawmakers to refer a measure to the ballot to correct what she views as the most glaring problem with a proposal to create a “top-two” primary election system in Arizona.
But while many lawmakers have talked for months about referring a competing ballot measure that could potentially sink the Open Elections/Open Government Act in November, Brewer wants to keep [...]
Arizona Legislative campaign finance round-up
Mesa businessman Bob Worsley has far outraised his primary opponent, former Senate President Russell Pearce, taking in about $67,000 in contributions during the first five months of the year. Pearce, meanwhile, collected a mere $2,800 during the same period, according to the latest campaign finance reports. The deadline to file the reports was July 2, and they reflect campaign finances throu[...]
EPA proposing to approve Ariz.’s air quality plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to approve Arizona's plan to control sulfur dioxide and soot at three power plants in the state.
Bundgaard letter: Vast conspiracy to destroy ex-lawmaker
Insisting he was the “victim” and not the perpetrator of domestic violence, former Sen. Scott Bundgaard lashed out at the city of Phoenix, its police department and the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, claiming they colluded to destroy him.
Fresh off health care victory, feds roll out grant program for states
Fresh from its U.S. Supreme Court victory, the Obama administration today rolled out another financial incentive for states to implement their own health care exchanges, which are key components of the federal health care overhaul.