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Jack Harper’s $13,000 question
In a quest to kill a component of the budget earlier this year, Sen. Jack Harper cost the state more than $13,000. But the Republican lawmaker says the money was well-spent, and may have saved the state from letting hundreds of "hardened" criminals out on the street...
Lawmakers react to injunction on abortion laws
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has granted a preliminary injunction against new state laws that place restrictions on abortion. Although the decision has been embraced by state Democrats, the Republican co-sponsor of both bills said it's another case of courts infringing on the territory of the Legislature.
Diminished debate: Limits on floor discussion put Senate in quandary
In the Arizona Legislature, debate usually refers to the Committee of the Whole, a crucial part of lawmaking that facilitates adjustments to legislation. More importantly for some, it is the last chance to thoroughly examine proposed legislation and to sway people's opinion for or against it. In most cases, emotions are checked and the tone is primarily civil. But in the last two years, senators h[...]
A third of Senate to say goodbye in 2010
A controversial constitutional amendment that limits the length of time that lawmakers can stay in office will force more than one-third of the senators out of their chamber by the end of next year, a massive revamp unprecedented in recent years.
Harper amendment means more layoffs by Feb. 1
Some state employees might have to look for new jobs before Feb. 1, when a budget amendment requiring a 5 percent reduction in state employees must be carried out.
Uncertainty looms in off session for Brewer, lawmakers
The uneasy stalemate that ended this year's budget battle didn't answer many questions, and the new ones it raises loom large as Gov. Jan Brewer and the Legislature look to what will probably be an even tougher fight ahead.
Midyear property tax repeal a potential ‘nightmare’ for counties
Legislative Republicans may have to reconcile themselves to at least one year of the state equalization property tax. It would be theoretically possible to repeal the tax retroactively during the next legislative session, so that property owners would be reimbursed for the taxes already paid under the equalization rate. But any lawmaker hoping to do so can expect fierce opposition from county trea[...]
Garcia: Budget talks ‘still alive’
Bipartisan budget talks took place Sept. 1 - but only between Senate leaders and the governor.
Courting Democrats – one at a time
Running out of time and options, Republican leadership in the Senate has turned its attention to a handful of Democrats to cajole their support for a ballot referral on a sales tax increase.
Impugning or just inappropriate?
Sen. Ken Cheuvront responded to Sen Jack Harper's comment yesterday comparing the Senate Dems to the Sunni minority in Saddam Hussein's Iraq - if they were to get their way in terms of policy, it would be a case of tyranny of the few over the interests of the many. Cheuvront said today that neither he nor any member of the minority has ever been a Sunni...
‘They call him Flipper, Flipper, Flipper . . .’
" . . . faster than lightning, No-one you see, is smarter than he . . ." ~ from "Flipper" TV series Leadership was able to get Sen. Jack Harper, a signatory to the Americans for Tax Reforms' (ATR) "No New Taxes Pledge," to flip on the budget in a quid pro quo for what many viewed as minor concessions.
Impact of Harper work force amendment murky
A budget amendment that would cut 5 percent of the state's work force has left some open-ended questions as to how many people would lose their jobs and how much money Arizona would save.
