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Delay tactics give false impression of Gowan, House travel expenses
Former House Speaker David Gowan deliberately put off the release of public records last year to buy time to disguise questionable spending by his staff, himself, and fellow lawmakers.
Federal judge upholds law to keep Libertarians off ballot
A federal judge has rebuffed a bid by the Libertarian Party to kill an Arizona law even its sponsors concede was designed to make it harder for minor party candidates to get on the general election ballot.
House tightens travel policy, discourages use of state vehicles
Arizona state representatives are now barred in most instances from using the state vehicle fleet, and must physically sign paperwork to be reimbursed for miles traveled on legislative business, according to a new policy announced today by House Speaker J.D. Mesnard.
National popular vote and other ideas that did not make the cut
By the time this year’s legislative session adjourned sine die, lawmakers passed 395 out of 1,180 bills, memorials and resolutions. About 70 percent of 2017's big ideas failed.
Wrap up with J.D. Mesnard
In his first year as speaker of the House, J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, managed to get all 35 of his chamber’s Republicans to agree to support the state budget, though two from his caucus still balked at Gov. Doug Ducey’s university bonding proposal.
Few lawmakers chalk up perfect attendance and voting records
Only 24 Arizona legislators managed to both attend work on all of the days they were expected during the 122-day session, and push a button each time there was a vote. Two of those perfect record-holders were Speaker of the House J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, and Senate President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler.
Wrap up with Steve Yarbrough
In his first year at the helm of the Senate, President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, took to heart his experience as the majority leader to lead a united Republican Caucus — at least, most of the time.
Testy session, debates marked by use of ‘impugning’ rule in House
Throughout the 2017 legislative session, the House floor was a hotbed of animosity, as Democratic lawmakers repeatedly tested the boundaries of what they could say about their colleagues, and Republican lawmakers repeatedly tested the limits of how far the chamber’s rules could stretch to limit speech.
Lawyer: No one hurt yet by law restricting voter initiatives
David Cantelme told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joshua Rogers he believes there's a legal flaw in a challenge to new hurdles erected to voters creating their own laws.
‘Sine die’ – a sunset, a flip-flop and money for business and the needy
The Legislature adjourned sine die just before sunset May 10, capping a final week in which one Republican’s flip-flop prevented a prolonged session and lawmakers expanded tax breaks for businesses and benefits for poor Arizona families.
School officials threaten lawsuit over proposal forcing them to raise teacher pay
The lobbying arm of Arizona’s school boards is threatening to sue over a proposed amendment that would require 50 percent of inflationary funding increases for K-12 education to be used for teacher pay raises.
Lawmakers, governor move closer to a budget deal, including university bonding
Lawmakers strove to set a budget in motion on Monday night, but fell short of introducing bills as staff worked feverishly to put in writing a $9.8 billion spending plan... […]
