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Brewer eyes economic development, education issues for 2014 session
While Brewer boasted of Arizona’s economic turnaround of the past few years and the attention the state has received nationally for its improved business climate, the governor said Arizona’s work is not done.
Advocates say Brewer CPS plan is only first step to reform
Gov. Jan Brewer’s plan to turn Child Protective Services into a standalone division that reports directly to her office received broad support following her State of the State address. But advocates, experts and lawmakers warned it is only a first step in reforming the troubled agency.
Republican seeks to allow cuts in public pensions
An Arizona lawmaker wants the state constitution amended to allow cuts to public employee pensions and increases in employee contributions if the systems are badly underfunded.
Lawmaker targets early childhood education money to fund CPS
A senior Republican legislator wants to use tobacco-tax dollars to help fund the embattled Child Protective Services, which was recently rocked by revelations that it ignored more than 6,000 cases of abuse and neglect over several years.
Hot contests
Early voting in the 2014 primary begins in nine months, and candidates are already firing up their campaigns.
Governor’s staff to IRC: No special session for extra funding
The Governor’s Office said it doesn’t believe a special session is needed to provide more funding to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, which warned that it won’t have enough money to pay its legal bills through the end of the year and may sue if it can’t get more money before January.
Resign-to-run change lets candidates say what they mean
Al Melvin no longer has to pretend he’s considering, exploring or contemplating a run for governor. He’s running. It’s as simple as that.
Changes in Arizona’s resign-to-run law unmuzzle candidates
Recent changes to Arizona's "resign-to-run" law mean current officeholders can now speak publicly about running for another office without having to use wiggle words, and Secretary of State Ken Bennett has taken advantage of the revisions that went into effect last week to say he will be a Republican candidate for governor next year.
Mesnard spurs drive to reconsider flat tax for Arizona
Two years after efforts at the Capitol to create a flat income tax rate in Arizona failed, a state representative wants to tackle the issue again with the hope of proposing legislation next year.
City officials worry about state’s convention center investment safeguard
Phoenix officials are worried that a provision imposed by the Legislature to ensure a return on its investment in the Phoenix Convention Center will cause the state to withhold sales tax revenue from the city.
Freshmen stand out on issues ranging from Medicaid to sales tax reform
Doug Cole, a longtime lobbyist and veteran of the Capitol, said freshmen used to simply fall in line with leadership and sit on the back bench to learn during a session or two.
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.
