Gov. Doug Ducey last month asked Arizonans to tell him what regulations they want sent to the scrap heap, and the people delivered.

Lawmakers this year filed 1,247 bills covering topics as diverse as campaign finance reform to protections for wild horses.

Arizona political leaders like John Rhodes and Sandra Day O’Connor tackled far-reaching complex issues to set Arizona on a path of prosperity. The long-term planning that helped establish the Central Arizona Project and judicial reform are what Arizonans are urging elected and business leaders to embrace for government finance.

Every month seemingly brings a slick new gadget to consumers’ hands, but those technological advancements aren’t always felt in the public sector, where some local governments have only just begun to push through upgrades to sometimes decades-old systems.

The 20th century thinker G.K. Chesterton once likened democracy to blowing one’s nose: You ought to do it yourself, even if you do it badly.

There has been a disturbing trend lately of government officials – elected and appointed – straying so far beyond their agencies’ mandate that they’re encroaching on Arizonans’ constitutionally protected right to free speech.

It doesn't look like Arizonans are going to be able to bring their guns in to public buildings.

Traditionally, Republicans campaign on limiting government, but many introduce one or more bills that would expand government right after they win re-election. It’s done in various ways – establishing a new commission, adding new regulations for an industry, launching a new program, or adding to what has already been established.

With the new year upon us, there are a host of issues state leaders likely will face in 2015. Here are 10 things to watch for in Arizona politics and government for the coming year.

Supporters of Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan urged the Arizona Supreme Court to reverse an appellate court’s ruling that a group of Republican lawmakers has standing to challenge the constitutionality of the program.