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David Schapira: Keeping spotlight on GOP helped block anti-labor bills
The most challenging task for Democrats at the state Capitol is to stay relevant in a place where you’re greatly outnumbered.
That job fell to Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, whose caucus shrank to only nine members following the 2010 elections.
Chad Campbell: Democrats label session as ‘a lot of missed opportunities’
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell was a little more hopeful this session. The state had some money to spend, and the Legislature wasn’t going to have to do as much budget-slashing as they had in previous years. Maybe now, he thought, they could start restoring some funding that had been cut.
Lawmaker participation ranks high 3rd year in a row
Once again, voting and attendance records from this year demonstrate that as long as the legislative session is kept close to the 100 days prescribed by legislative rules, lawmakers’ participation remains high.
She’s not all bad: Dems find silver lining in some Brewer vetoes
Democrats aren’t exactly viewing Gov. Jan Brewer as the second coming of Janet Napolitano, but they’re taking solace that her vetoes included bills that they viewed as some of the most onerous of the 2012 session.
As new Senate president, rancher Pierce deftly stepped through political minefields
Senate President Steve Pierce, a rancher from Prescott, has a habit of walking into difficult situations.
He did it once three years ago, when he became the de facto majority whip, and he did it again last year, when he vied for the position and became Senate president after Russell Pearce was ousted in a special recall election in November.
Russell Pearce gone but not forgotten by legislative allies
A phantom of sorts lurked in the Senate last session.
Divas weren’t held captive in a cellar. Chandeliers weren’t damaged. But ousted Senate President Russell Pearce’s presence was felt in the chamber that he once ran.
Arizona votes on seven ballot measures in 2012
The race is on to woo voters for a slate of ballot measures passed by the 50th Legislature on property taxes, government financing, trust land and states’ rights.
Some of the seven propositions on the November 2012 ballot have dry subjects that might be difficult to grasp, making it all the more important for backers to get organized and present a coherent message, said David Berman, [...]
Dismissal of Arizona redistricting lawsuit requested by commission
Arizona's redistricting commission is asking a federal court to toss out a Republican lawsuit challenging new legislative districts approved by the commission for use in elections.
Arizona mortgage settlement fund sweep challenged in court
A lawsuit filed by public interest law firms on behalf of homeowners tries to block Arizona from using part of a foreclosure settlement to help balance the next state budget.
Arizona medical marijuana may get more qualifying conditions
Arizona may expand its fledgling medical marijuana program even as state officials are still moving to implement a key part of the law approved by voters two years ago.
Richard Carmona: Birther stunts symptom of larger problem
A frightening symptom is caused by a major systematic problem – that’s true in medicine, and it’s true in politics.
Barber-Kelly debate focuses on Social Security
Republican Jesse Kelly and Democrat Ron Barber clashed on Social Security, the health care overhaul and taxes during a Wednesday evening debate in the race for a U.S. House seat formerly held by Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.
