Hospital group to announce plans over lawsuit it filed against state
The CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association is holding a press briefing with Senate President Steve Pierce today about the lawsuit it filed against the state over cuts in reimbursements to health providers.
Arpaio responds to ruling critical of pink boxers
An Arizona sheriff known for making prisoners wear pink underwear asked an appeals court Wednesday to reconsider its ruling that criticized jail officers' decision to force the colorful boxer shorts onto a mentally ill inmate who erroneously believed the officers were trying to rape him.
Brewer vetoes electronic billboard law
Saying she doesn’t want to put the state’s astronomy industry in jeopardy, Gov. Jan Brewer today vetoed a bill to legalize electronic billboards along highways.
Contraception bill defeated – but battle far from over
In a startling turn of events, state senators today rejected a proposal to allow employers with religious objections to deny contraception coverage to their workers.
The measure was defeated by a close margin – 13-17. But the battle isn’t over yet.
Calif. wants Arizona immigration law overturned
SACRAMENTO a�� California has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Arizona's tough immigration law, saying it would drive illegal immigrants into other states. The Arizona law passed two years ago has been largely blocked by court order because of court challenges. Among other things, it makes in a crime to be in the country illegally and to seek work.
Colangelo backs Parker in CD9
Businessman and sports mogul Jerry Colangelo threw his support behind Vernon Parker, giving the former Paradise Valley mayor a coveted big-name endorsement as the Republican field in the 9th Congressional District continues to grow.
Seel’s striker would allow voters to file suit against presidential candidates
Rep. Carl Seel is getting the backing of Arizona’s most high-profile sheriff in pushing for a state law that would allow voters to file suit against any political candidate they believe is legally ineligible to run for office, in what appears to be another challenge to the citizenship of President Barack Obama.
Senate passes sweeping anti-abortion measure
The Senate today approved a proposal that makes it illegal for doctors to perform an abortion if the fetus is determined to be at least 20 weeks old.
The measure brings pro-life advocates closer to their goal of blunting the impact of Roe v. Wade, the decades-old U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave women the right to an abortion.
Collective bargaining debate
It may have passionate allies at the state Capitol, but the Goldwater Institute is so far failing to advance the centerpiece of its anti-union agenda: ending public employees' ability to negotiate over salary and benefits.
Budget negotiations moving again; lawmakers to get an update
Lawmakers will get a briefing this afternoon about the progress of budget negotiations with the governor.
This is the first concrete sign of movement on the budget front since talks over the state’s final spending plan began several weeks ago.
Texting while driving ban resurfaces, then fails
The attempt to stop Arizonans from sending LOLs and emoticons while operating a vehicle suffered a serious blow today, leaving a slim chance that the prohibition will become law this year.
Hezbollah terror threat on U.S.-Mexico border is real
On Feb. 17, the Arizona Capitol Times printed a story disputing my statements concerning Hezbollah terrorists coming across our unsecured, unprotected southern border into the U.S.
The article undermines the need for additional law enforcement support on the Arizona/Mexico border, which is the purpose of my bill, SB1083, which establishes an Arizona Special Missions Unit to organize a s[...]