Congressional immigration debate signals big shift
The national mood on immigration has changed dramatically since Arizona approved a first-of-its-kind immigration law, igniting a furor over border security and the country's treatment of immigrants.
Senate to vote again on shielding lottery winners
The Arizona Senate is set to vote again on a bill allowing lottery winners to keep their anonymity. The Senate rejected Republican Rep. John Kavanagh's bill on a 16-11 vote last week but it is on the calendar for a reconsideration vote Tuesday. The House voted 51-8 in favor of the bill in February.
Predicting Brewer vetoes is difficult; reasons vary
Figuring out how to avoid Gov. Jan Brewer’s veto pen is a guessing game that leaves even some of the most seasoned veterans at the Capitol perplexed.
Many lawmakers and lobbyists say there are no hard and fast guidelines for avoiding a veto from a governor who vetoed 91 bills in her first four legislative sessions.
Despite heavy opposition, ‘bathroom bill’ passes House Appropriations Committee
Despite a two-hour marathon of opposition testimony from dozens of transgender people and their allies, the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that has become known as the “bathroom bill.”
Anti-transgender ai???bathroom billai??i?? to get hearing today
A House committee is set to consider a watered-down version of a bill that would have barred transgender people from using public bathrooms not associated with their birth gender.
Kavanagh proposes a different approach to the ‘bathroom bill’
Faced with a chorus of criticism from LGBTQ groups and even some fellow lawmakers, Republican Rep. John Kavanagh of Scottsdale is modifying his “bathroom” bill – his reaction to Phoenix’s decision to expand its anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
Recall petition filed against Kavanagh
Republican state Rep. John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills is the third public official in the state facing a possible recall campaign, as opponents filed a recall petition against him today citing “attacks on students, LGBTQ individuals and attempts to thwart legitimate recall efforts.”
Obstacles hold up bills that seemed bound for success
Many notable bills that seemed on their way to success this session suddenly faltered — sometimes for personal reasons, sometimes for ideological reasons and sometimes because there just wasn’t enough time to smooth out the details.
Bill aims to prevent court battles over settlement money
A bill that would change the way the state handles money from court settlements with the Attorney General’s Office could help prevent the kinds of court battles that ensued after the Legislature swept $50 million into the general fund last year.
Mayors unveil own sales tax simplification plan
Mayors of Arizona cities offered an alternative plan to simplify the state’s sales tax code today, hours before a Senate panel began tackling key provisions of Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal.
Arizona ‘bathroom bill’ ties restroom use to birth gender
A bill to prohibit men going into the women’s bathrooms and vice-versa was held from the House Appropriations Committee agenda Wednesday, but the sponsor vowed to bring it back up for debate next week.
Ariz. House to hold 1st Medicaid expansion hearing
A proposal by Gov. Jan Brewer to expand the state's Medicaid plan under provisions of the federal health care overhaul gets it first legislative hearing Wednesday.