Armed with a mop and broom, Tea Party challengers make their case in LD8
When Republican Reps. T.J. Shope and Frank Pratt didn’t show up to a recent debate hosted by the Pinal County Tea Party, their Republican opponents in the Legislative District 8 House primary, Darla Dawald and Wayne Bachmann, set up a broom and a mop to represent the two incumbents.
Defeated ‘solar team’ weighs in: ‘Chickens coming home to roost’
A year before the Arizona Corporation Commission began formally considering reductions to rooftop solar panel incentives, Arizona voters rejected three Democratic commission candidates who billed themselves as the “solar team.”
The powers that be
As it reaches a climax, the months-long campaign to reduce a key incentive for residential solar has given Arizonans a glimpse into a nearly obscure but powerful body of regulators that oversees some of Arizona’s biggest industries.
Solar storm
All eyes on Arizona as formal energy hearings begin
At the heart of Arizona’s battle over solar net metering systems is whether utilities can balance solar energy with the cost of maintaining the grid that delivers electricity to all users.
APS: $3.7 million spent on metering publicity
Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest energy company, told regulators Nov. 6 that its parent corporation has spent $3.7 million dollars to fight for a drastic reduction to a key rooftop solar incentive in Arizona.
Reforming election reform
Debate over HB2305 continues after opponents gather enough signatures to put it on the ballot
Groups opposing the state’s election reform law rejoiced on Oct. 29 when the secretary of state concluded the referendum against the law has enough signatures to appear on the 2014 ballot.
Immigration bill’s fate murky on eve of lobbying
WASHINGTON (AP) ai??i?? Prospects for comprehensive immigration legislation this year grew murkier on the eve of an all-out push by a coalition of business, religious and law enforcement to convince the House to overhaul the decades-old system.
Some panel members say Arizona’s income tax system is fine after all
Members of a panel tasked with studying Arizona’s personal income tax system said that while flattening or doing away with the income tax may be a popular talking point, the state’s current system is reasonably fair and may not need a major overhaul.
Shutdown can’t keep Arizona vets from visiting World War II Memorial
A government shutdown could not keep 77 southern Arizona veterans from seeing “their” World War II Memorial Monday.
Hot topic
State climatologist takes conciliatory stance on global warming
At a rally to raise awareness of climate change, Nancy Selover demonstrated the delicate balance she has to strike as both a political appointee and a scientist.
Carmona, Flake spar on earmarks
When Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake and Democratic former Surgeon General Richard Carmona weren’t attacking with or defending against accusations of inconsistency on their positions during their first debate, the two U.S. Senate hopefuls drew key distinctions on a variety of topics, but none more than the role of federal earmarks.
Lewis proposes strict lobbying reform; Ableser accuses senator of copying his plan
Sen. Jerry Lewis, the Mesa Republican who ran on a platform of transparency and lobbying reform during the recall election last year, on Oct. 3 unveiled a proposal to tighten the reporting requirements for legislators and lobbyists and make it easier for the public to find out how the two groups interact.