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Two reasons Sen. Harper flipped on budget
Two recent developments persuaded a conservative Republican senator to switch his stance from opposition to support for a budget package that has stalled in his chamber for weeks. One was an e-mail from the Americans for Tax Reforms, a national anti-tax group that administers the No New Taxes Pledge.
Brewer signs bills allowing guns in bars, restaurants, parking lots
With a Republican as governor, conservatives successfully advanced much of their non-budget agenda this year, successfully pushing for legislation that would allow guns in restaurants and bars, as well as in private parking lots.
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.
Lawmakers send message to D.C. – pull U.S. out of U.N.
Arizona lawmakers sent more than 100 bills to Gov. Jan Brewer for her approval or veto earlier this month, but a few measures they passed don't need the governor to sign off - including one that asks Congress to reconsider a measure that would pull the United States out of the United Nations.
Legislature passes guns-in-restaurants bill on final day of session
Lawmakers approved two measures on the final days of this year's session that aim to allow gun owners to carry firearms in restaurants and bars and to store firearms in vehicles parked on private lots.
Tax hike a tough sell; Dems may enter picture
The budget deal that legislative and Gov. Jan Brewer reached earlier remains a tough sell, as the Senate adjourned on June 27 without advancing the agreement.
What’s on tap
The Senate is back in full gear today, trying to make up for lost time on non-budget bills. After working the past two Fridays, the chamber seems intent on finishing... […]
Guns in restaurants bill fails in Senate; second vote expected
A measure to allow guns in restaurants failed to get enough votes to pass the Senate on June 15. The bill, S1114, failed by a vote of 14-14. It needed 16 votes to pass. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jack Harper, changed his vote from "yes" to "no" so that he could be on the prevailing side of the vote and, thereby, ask for the legislation to be reconsidered.
Harper explores House bid
Sen. Jack Harper is now exploring a House seat. Harper, a Republican from Surprise, has amended his exploratory committee to reflect that he is considering running for the District 4 House seat. Harper's Senate term ends in 2010.
Capitol Quotes 6/12
“I consider this first panel – not necessarily the governor or her staff, but this first panel of people testifying to be a kangaroo court.” — Sen. Jack Harper, commenting... […]
Brewer and ‘stakeholders’ pick apart Legislature’s budget
Lawmakers said they wanted more time to negotiate with the governor when they declined to send their budget package to Jan Brewer's desk. Those negotiations continue, but Brewer is using the extra time to take aim at the myriad provisions of that budget that she considers unacceptable.
Next stop for budget: Negotiating Brewer’s five-point plan
Senate President Bob Burns has lit a path toward compromise with Gov. Jan Brewer on a final budget for fiscal 2010. On June 4, Burns said he wants to discuss ways in which Brewer can advance her five-point economic plan, which includes a $1 billion tax increase.
