Sign In
Free Newsletter
GOP closes caucus after Harper, Allen exchange words
Senate Republicans closed their caucus from the public July 13 after two members got into a relatively heated discussion over how to deal with the governor and her proposal for a one-cent sales tax increase. After the two-hour closed-door meeting, senators said they talked about organizational matters, one of several subjects that they are permitted to go into executive session to discuss.
Burns strips Verschoor of leadership role, removes 2 from Rules panel
The president of the Arizona Senate has removed Thayer Verschoor from his leadership position, replacing him with a freshman lawmaker. Sen. Steve Pierce, a lawmaker from Prescott, was appointed July 8 to replace Verschoor as Senate President pro tempore, as well as on the six-member Senate Rules Committee.
Legislature passes additional restrictions on abortion
Senators passed two measures June 23 that would put additional restrictions on abortions performed in Arizona and modify the statutory definition of partial-birth abortion.
Senate panel OKs measure that would permit voters to end Clean Elections
In 2010, Arizona voters could be asked to separate political candidates from public campaign funds. But elected lawmakers at this point have no intention of pulling the plug themselves on the lucrative funding stream that pays for publicly funded campaigns.
Voters might have last word in Clean Elections
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted June 15 to advance a measure that would allow voters to decide the fate of Arizona's system of publicly funded campaigns known as Clean Elections.
Budget shortfall blamed on overspending, tax cuts
Rapid increases in government spending, permanent tax cuts for individuals and woefully inadequate levels of savings have put Arizona on a treacherous financial path during the past 15 years. Now, lawmakers are trying to detangle the state’s twisted finances and unwind one of the biggest budget knots in state history.
Senate Republicans last to jump on lawmaker blog train
Senate Republicans launched their own Web site on May 5, following the lead of the three other caucuses of the Arizona Legislature.
Joint approps hearing cancelled at last minute
The House and Senate Appropriations committees were scheduled to meet jointly on April 28 to discuss a budget proposal to allow the state to sweep hundreds of millions of dollars from cities. But the hearing was cancelled at the last minute because, as at least one lawmaker put it, a homebuilders association was not prepared to give a presentation.
