For Judge John Nelson of Yuma County Superior Court, there weren’t many options in his county for dealing with mentally ill criminal defendants who violated probation. He and his fellow judges often were limited to just sending them to prison.

After seven failed attempts during the past two decades, Arizonans voted heavily in favor of Proposition 119, a ballot measure that will allow the state to swap state land for federal trust land in order to protect military bases from encroachment, as well as preserve sensitive land areas, such as the San Pedro River, in the process.

Sen. John Nelson, a veteran politician and longtime legislator, abruptly announced today that he is retiring from public service and is dropping his bid for re-election. Nelson’s decision paves the way for Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, to secure the Senate seat in Legislative District 13.

Mesa businessman Bob Worsley has far outraised his primary opponent, former Senate President Russell Pearce, taking in about $67,000 in contributions during the first five months of the year. Pearce, meanwhile, collected a mere $2,800 during the same period, according to the latest campaign finance reports. The deadline to file the reports was July 2, and they reflect campaign finances through May 31.

Lawmakers from across the state are gearing up to take on incumbents and members of their own party in the August primaries.

What’s more, some incumbents are expected to square-off in the November general election, as well.

A primary matchup is brewing between Sen. John Nelson of Litchfield Park and Sen. Don Shooter of Yuma.

A proposal to create a new tax credit for film productions split Republicans but managed to garner just enough support to pass today in the Senate. The debate over measure, which still needs the House’s approval, illuminates a deep divide that is plaguing the majority party over how best to set the conditions for a robust economy.

Tension among Republicans in the Senate this morning nearly boiled over during a caucus meeting regarding legislation to create new tax credits for the film industry. Some oppose the proposal, and at least one Republican tried to keep the bill from advancing to the floor by invoking an informal rule to block the bill’s progress.

Sen. Don Shooter, a Yuma Republican, will be moving to a neighboring legislative district to avoid running for reelection in a Democratic-leaning area.

Eight of the nine Republican senators who bucked their party and played a pivotal role in defeating a package of immigration bills last session have the backing of the business community going into next year’s election.