Lopez criticized for delaying resignation from Senate
After initially denying rumors that she planned to resign from the Arizona State Senate, Sen. Linda Lopez finally conceded that she’ll leave her post in January. But rather than resign immediately, the Tucson Democrat has drawn criticism from her colleagues for staying at the Legislature to gain another year of service in order to pad her retirement benefits.
Hale decides not to challenge Begay’s credentials for Senate
Rep. Albert Hale won’t go to court to challenge Sen. Carlyle Begay’s qualifications for office, but Hale may run against Begay for his Senate seat in 2014.
AZ senators reluctant to put Shooter on trial
Democratic Arizona senators, even those once interested in pushing for an ethics hearing into the actions of Sen. Don Shooter at a Yuma charter school earlier this year, now say it’d be a waste of time holding hearings on an issue that police and prosecutors have already dealt with in full.
Attorney for Carlyle Begay responds to attempt to remove him from Senate
An attorney for Sen. Carlyle Begay called Rep. Albert Hale’s request that the Apache County Attorney’s Office challenge Begay’s recent appointment to statewide office an “inappropriate attempt… to advance his own agenda” and raised questions about the legality of such a challenge.
Path of Begay
New senator has lived in many homes far from his district
By all accounts, new state Sen. Carlyle Begay is highly qualified for public office.
He has impressed lawmakers, county and city officials and even the Governor’s Office with his credentials as a student of public health. And he boasts extensive work with American Indian communities as the vice president of [...]
Hale challenges choice of Gilbert man to represent Apache County in state Senate
State Rep. Albert Hale, who sought an appointment to a vacant state Senate seat, is challenging the Apache County Board of Supervisors’ decision to send a nominee who lives in Gilbert to the Capitol.
Livingston scores a perfect legislative batting average
The award for best legislative batting average for the session — the calculation of bills introduced versus bills signed into law — goes to Rep. David Livingston, a freshman Republican lawmaker from Peoria who has been vocally critical of the governor.
Senator to leave for State Department appointment
Sen. Jack Jackson, Jr. has accepted a White House appointment to serve as advisor and liaison for the U.S. State Department. He will resign from the Arizona Senate on July 12.
From child abuse to the Golden Rule: Bill would rid state of license plates linked to private groups
Roughly 1,800 Arizonans order a Child Abuse Prevention plate every month. That translates into almost $375,000 per year that goes to programs that prevent child abuse.
Rural lawmakers excited to have leaders from beyond Phoenix, Tucson
Unlike his colleagues from the Valley and Tucson, Democratic Sen. Jack Jackson Jr. of Window Rock comes to the State Capitol with concerns that he calls “Third World.”
But after he and other Senate Democrats met a month ago with new Senate President Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, Jackson said he’s optimistic that the needs of the Navajo Nation will be better recognized.
Senator: Boost penalties for owners, renters of drop house property
A state senator wants stiffer penalties for owners or renters of properties that are used for drop houses, saying it would make them more likely to turn against leaders of smuggling rings.
Leader emerges in LD2 Senate race
Former legislator Jack Jackson, Jr. holds the early lead in the Democratic Senate primary in Legislative District 2, an expansive area in Northeast Arizona. Jackson, who is in the four-way... […]