Early childhood agency amenable to Brewer’s loan proposal
Officials at the state agency devoted to early childhood development are studying the governor’s proposal to borrow $330 million for one day and use the money to balance the state’s budget shortfall.
Q&A with House Speaker with Kirk Adams
Kirk Adams begins his second term in the House’s top post with a host of challenges that range from a budget deficit of $825 million to getting a “jobs bill” through and the inevitable rancor birthright-citizenship legislation would bring, but much of his first week on the job was driven by the shooting in Tucson in which six were killed and 13 wounded, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords[...]
Q&A with Senate President with Russell Pearce
Even before he became president of the Arizona Senate, Russell Pearce, a conservative Republican from Mesa, was dominating much of the action in the Legislature. But as he takes over the top spot in the Senate, he has lost some of the freedom he had to set his own course.
Q&A with House Minority Leader with Chad Campbell
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell takes the reins of a Democratic caucus whose numbers are so depleted that it risks being reduced to observer status in the 50th Legislature.
Unpaid days off for state employees would go away
Those unpaid furlough days for Arizona state employees would be a thing of the past under Gov. Jan Brewer's proposed new state budget.
Balancing the budget on a loan and a prayer
Brewer's budget proposal, which was released this afternoon, essentially hinges on the feds giving the state a waiver to make a $541 million cut to AHCCCS and a novel new budget gimmick that would see a one-day loan from First Things First every year for the foreseeable future.
Brewer budget hits AHCCCS, universities
The budget proposal released today by Gov. Jan Brewer hinges on empathy from the federal government, surviving potential lawsuits and a $330 million accounting gimmick that may not be legal.
Capitol community ramps up security for opening day, but permanent changes unlikely
The hundreds of dignitaries, elected officials, family members and onlookers who attended Gov. Jan Brewer’s subdued State of the State address on Jan. 10 encountered more security than they would on any other day, but the changes are not likely to last
Capitol Quotes: Jan. 14, 2011
“I will never say anything hateful or hurtful again about somebody else who I have a disagreement with because we must break this mold.” — Democratic Rep. Steve Farley, of Tucson.
Cities and towns led by example during great recession
As the Legislature faces the unenviable task of tackling our economic and budget crisis, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns remains committed to being a positive partner with Gov. Jan Brewer and state lawmakers to move Arizona forward.
At Capitol, civility reigns for now, but business as usual looms
No opening day at the Capitol has ever resembled the one on Jan. 10, but the end of the 2011 session may not look any different from the near-century of sessions that preceded it.
Healing, hope at Tucson memorial
Reflection and remembrance capped with a message of hope marked Wednesday’s memorial at the University of Arizona to pay homage to the six people killed and 13 wounded in the Jan. 8 attempted assassination of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.