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Orange Coalition, Gray seek restrictions on eminent domain
A group of Arizonans who call themselves the "Orange Coalition" are behind three measures that would bolster individual property rights and secure state control of water within its borders.
Legislature losing budget savvy
Resignations of veteran legislators in order to run for Congress will mean losing institutional knowledge, particularly of the budget process, at a time when that acumen is most needed.
Senate panel approves bill to overturn term limits
A proposal to ask voters to overturn term limits has overcome the first of many hurdles after a Senate panel approved it on Jan. 19. The committee voted 4-2 to send the bill to the Senate floor for a vote by the entire body.
Lawmakers’ first duty: Show up and vote
Here’s the simple mathematics of representative government: Arizona taxpayers pay for lawmakers to show up and vote on every bill in the Legislature. Now here’s the flaw in that equation: Lawmakers get paid whether they show up or not. Unfortunately, many Arizona residents were underrepresented at the Capitol during last year’s regular legislative session.
Gray not seeking reelection in 2010
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray has announced he will not seek re-election in 2010, saying he wants to focus on new business opportunities. Gray, a Republican from Mesa, told the Arizona Capitol Times he plans to expand his Internet business. His company, which was founded in 1997, markets car accessories across the globe.
The incredible shrinking Senate
Sen. Chuck Gray has announced he won't be seeking reelection in 2010, a big surprise considering he was widely expected to seek the chamber's presidency. "I am not a career politician," he said in a statement Friday. "I am a husband and father who served his state and community and is now preparing to return to private life for a time." Gray, the current Senate majority leader, said business oppo[...]
The politics of tweets: Arizona leaders, candidates embrace social media
John Paul Mitchell spends two to three hours a day on social media sites, sharing links to articles he finds interesting and regularly engaging people in bursts of 140 characters or less. But the time he spends on his Twitter account, Facebook page and other sites is more than just leisure. Mitchell hopes it will help deliver him the Arizona governorship in 2010.
Capitol Quotes 8/14
“If we can’t be successful within the party, we are going to have to go to the Democrats. They have been perfectly reasonable and trying to help us. I think... […]
Senate revives sales tax referral
The Arizona Senate has revived a measure that contains a provision for a sales tax increase, even though some lawmakers have called it a "dead horse." Senate President Bob Burns indicated lawmakers would continue to work to pass the ballot referral.
Pearce: No support for ousting Gray
Sen. Russell Pearce said he has not seen any move in the Senate aimed at removing majority leader Chuck Gray from his leadership post, despite reports that he may suffer the same fate as recently ousted majority whip Pamela Gorman.
House leader calls budget ‘best deal possible’
More than a week after the governor and legislative leaders announced a new budget deal, the state was still without a complete budget and time was running out to call... […]
No budget this week; session will drag into Aug.
The Senate met for a few minutes today (July 31), but only to adjourn the special session until Aug. 4. Even then, though, it’s not clear whether leaders in the Senate will be able to gather enough votes to pass the budget legislation that has tied them up for the past several days.
