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Transplant funding issue likely to heat up
Months after Arizona cut off Medicaid funding for some medical transplants as a budget-cutting move, the issue stands to heat up again as Gov. Jan Brewer and the Republican-led Legislature prepare to act on a state budget.
Pearce, champion of the individual, takes a nanny-state step
Is it possible that Russell Pearce has a (gasp!) latent liberal side? A man known for his unswerving devotion to individual freedoms, the Arizona Senate president is showing that he can, under certain circumstances, embrace a bit of the nanny state and adopt a little of the collective-bargaining mentality.
Redistricting panel weighs disclosure requirements
The word “transparency” gets tossed around a lot these days. Activists demand it and politicians promise it. As Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission prepares to redraw the lines that will define the state’s congressional and legislative districts, exactly what level of transparency the commission will achieve remains unclear.
Voter mandate an issue in Arizona’s budget debate
Voters overwhelmingly approved a temporary sales tax increase last May to help balance the state budget, with the sales pitch emphasizing that approval would help protect funding for education and other services.
Census strengthens GOP’s grip: As power shifts, Phoenix and Dems look like losers in Legislature
If Arizona Democrats thought nothing could be worse than the 2010 election results, they might want to hold their collective breath as the Independent Redistricting Commission gets to work.
Senate Republicans finally pass budget
In a move that potentially sets the stage for a showdown with Gov. Jan Brewer, the Senate late Wednesday passed a budget proposal that cuts more than what the governor called for in January and rejects many of her accounting maneuvers to erase the fiscal deficit.
Critics say partisan fights take new shape in ‘independent’ redistricting
Placing the “I” word in front of Redistricting Commission doesn’t mean it’s really independent.
Now that the commission is fully constituted, they'll soon begin redrawing the state's legislative and congressional lines. At stake is the state's political landscape for the next ten years. And while most everyone agrees on the gravity of task, disagreements abound on just how "inde[...]
School unification committee gets broad support
When a slate of school district unification and consolidation ballot measures went down in flames in 2008, the movement appeared dead. But with Arizona reeling from deficit, advocates of unification are hoping that cost-conscious lawmakers will look at the proposal in a new light.
Brewer committed to small K-12 cuts
Some Republican lawmakers are predicting that they’ll have a budget on Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk by the time the 2011 session hits the 60-day mark, but first, someone will have to budge on K-12 spending and rollovers.
Senate OKs easing of gun restrictions
In a highly emotional vote, the Senate on Thursday approved a bill that loosens restrictions carrying firearms to most public places.
Pearce restricts press conferences inside Senate
Arguing that the move would make it easier to secure the chamber, Senate President Russell Pearce on Tuesday issued a memo saying press conferences that are open to the public will no longer be allowed inside the Arizona Senate building.
Former Tucson lawmaker Kromko gets probation for forgery
A former Tucson state lawmaker has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to forging petition signatures in his attempt to get on the 2008 general election ballot.
