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Tea Party taking aim at moderate Republicans in primary
It’s been two years since the Tea Party flexed its political muscles and sent more Republicans to the state Capitol than at any time in state history, and Tea Party activists haven’t put their tri-cornered hats back on the shelf yet.
Stripped of matching funds, Clean Elections loses appeal to candidates
With the linchpin of Clean Elections gone, participation in Arizona’s once-vigorous campaign financing system has nosedived to levels not seen since the program’s infancy.
Only 72 candidates have signed up for public financing this election cycle, compared to 121 in 2010.
The reason: Clean Elections suffered a devastating blow in the middle of the 2010 campaign season, wh[...]
Court’s exit spurs race for majority leader
House Majority Leader Steve Court’s announcement that he won’t be seeking re-election quickly fueled the Republican rumor mill over who might take his leadership spot.
Speculation over who would be jockeying for the position began even before the news this week of Court’s exit, as the Mesa Republican was facing a tough primary battle.
Bipartisan clamp down: Lawmakers passed several bills in 2012 increasing punishment for lawbreakers
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle acted to make life tougher for Arizona criminals during this year’s legislative session by passing a slate of criminal justice bills.
Commerce Authority ‘stipends’ draw scrutiny
The Arizona Commerce Authority set off alarms at the Goldwater Institute this week after the government agency announced it would be awarding thousands of dollars to companies that were eliminated from a competitive grant program.
Budget deal saves courts from ‘virtual shut down’ of system
The Arizona Supreme Court was able to work out a deal allowing the Legislature to take money from a variety of smaller accounts rather than a larger, more critical one that lawmakers were targeting.
Housing group preparing lawsuit over mortgage sweep
A housing advocacy organization is planning to sue the state over a budget sweep of $50 million intended to help alleviate the effects of the foreclosure crisis.
Capitol Quotes: April 20, 2012
This week’s most outstanding quips, jibes and utterances.
Legislature reconsiders sweep of court automation fund
Legislative budget staffers are re-evaluating a proposed $10 million sweep of a Supreme Court fund after court officials howled that losing the money would cripple courts across Arizona. The legislative budget proposal targets the Supreme Court Automation Fund, which is supplied by fees for defensive-driving classes, time payment fees for people who make payments on their court fines, and surch[...]
Az House kills bill to divert land conservation funds
The Arizona House has voted down a proposal to use $40 million from a land-conservation fund for forest restoration and historical and cultural resources.
