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Marijuana legalization is far from inevitable
Since the 2012 election, national news coverage about marijuana has focused almost solely on the states of Colorado and Washington, creating the impression the country is moving toward legalization. But anti-marijuana forces actually won most of the contests in 2012 and in 2010, and lost only when outspent by large margins.
Capitol quotes: February 22, 2012
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances.
Arizona Democrats again seek to repeal SB1070
As national leaders rev up the debate on border security and immigration reform, Arizona Democrats are fighting a losing battle in the Legislature to reopen the discussion on how this border state treats illegal immigrants.
Brewer proposal would put unprecedented power in AHCCCS director’s hands
By using a loophole in Proposition 108 that may allow her to sidestep the need to get a two-thirds vote for her Medicaid expansion plan, Gov. Jan Brewer would be putting an unprecedented amount of power in her AHCCCS director’s hands.
Arizona lawmakers weigh public safety bills
Arizona lawmakers are weighing a trio of public safety measures that would help teachers and police officers identify mentally ill people, while also giving the public more access to guns.
Bill inspired by Colorado City sets procedure to take over corrupt police departments
A bill spawned by police corruption in a polygamist town received unanimous approval Tuesday in the House Government Committee.
And while the bill passed easily and has support of police unions, sparks flew when a Utah civil rights attorney who spoke against the measure suggested the U.S. Department of Justice and Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board could address corrupt[...]
Brewer tax reform bill advances, but Kavanagh threatens to block in Approps
The unanimous vote that Gov. Jan Brewer’s sales tax reform bill received in the House Ways and Means Committee is far from a sign of smooth sailing ahead.
With accounting system ‘on the ropes,’ Arizona moving forward with upgrade
The state’s accounting system is on life support, but thanks to funding allocated last year by the governor and the Legislature it’s getting an overhaul that officials say is long overdue.
Tax-reform pledge takers becoming a dwindling breed
The pledge that for years has been a holy grail of anti-tax conservatism is dwindling in popularity at the Copper Dome.
Only 11 lawmakers, including just one of 17 Republicans in the Senate, have signed the Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Only two of the 14 new Republican lawmakers this session have signed.
Bill would require sex offenders to divulge their crimes on social media
Imagine logging on to Facebook one day and trolling a friend’s page for new photos and status updates, and finding instead a notice that he is a registered sex offender.
House bill makes mental health detentions easier
An Arizona House committee has given initial approval to a bill making it easier for police officers to detain people believed to be a danger to themselves or others because of a mental issue.
Yee offers medical marijuana reforms as alternative to repeal
A Republican state senator is gaining bipartisan support for bills that would reform Arizona’s medical marijuana law rather than repealing it, as one Republican lawmaker would prefer.
Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, introduced four bills late Monday that she says strengthen Arizona’s medical marijuana program, making it more workable in the long term.
Yee’s proposals come [...]
