Democrats discouraged despite getting more bills passed
Senate President Karen Fann can boast a 333 percent increase in the number of bills sponsored by Democrats that passed out of her chamber in 2019 compared to last year.
Mesnard led in vetoed bills, Brophy McGee most prolific lawmaker in 2019
Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, knows how to get legislation passed. This year, he learned how to get it vetoed.
Session Wrap with Charlene Fernandez
House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez came into the 2019 legislative session hopeful that the 31-29 split in the chamber would lead to more opportunities for her Democratic colleagues.
Prosecutors’ honor questioned as criminal justice measures die
Arizona lawmakers stymied this year in their quests to revamp the criminal justice system are re-evaluating how to work with prosecutors next year after what some described as an 11th-hour betrayal.
Judge dismisses federal claims in ousted lawmaker’s lawsuit
A federal judge late Friday threw out charges by former state Rep. Don Shooter that his civil rights were violated by an investigation that resulted in his ouster last year from the state House.
Student Tuition Organizations scaled back
Arizona is finally ready to curtail -- but not stop -- the ability of corporations to divert what they owe in state income tax to instead help send children to private and parochial schools, a system of credits that threatened to reduce corporate tax collections to zero.
9th Circuit upholds law to burden Libertarian candidates
A federal appeals court has upheld a 2015 state law which the Libertarian Party charges – and some Republican lawmakers admitted – was specifically designed to keep its candidates off the ballot.
Legislature passes $11.8B budget, adjourns session
Three days after the House approved an $11.8 billion spending plan negotiated with Gov. Doug Ducey, the Senate caught up and approved it, too.
Senate near on budget deal with holdout lawmaker
The fate of an $11.8 billion budget could be decided today as lawmakers debate the question of the liability of churches, the Boy Scouts and other organizations over old charges of sexual abuse.
Senate stalls on budget again
Instead, Fann, R-Prescott, emerged from her office shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday to end the day and apologize to a group of red-shirted teachers, many of whom had spent their first day of summer vacation watching a mostly-empty Senate floor.
House passes budget package, Senate goes home
Just a few hours after saying she was “bound and determined” to pass a budget Friday night, Senate President Karen Fann sent senators home for the night without voting on an $11.8 billion spending plan.
Senate determined to pass budget tonight
Senate President Karen Fann vowed to pass an $11.8 billion spending plan Friday night, or at least Saturday morning, despite missing support from at least two Republican senators whose votes are needed to approve the budget on party lines.