Resignations of veteran legislators in order to run for Congress will mean losing institutional knowledge, particularly of the budget process, at a time when that acumen is most needed.
Read More »Legislature losing budget savvy
Burns plugging holes as senators resign to run for Congress 
Faced with the resignations of Jim Waring and Jonathan Paton, Senate President Bob Burns may have to appoint freshmen committee chairs or pick from the veteran lawmakers who are on his naughty list. Burns has other options as well, but none of them are ideal.
Read More »Waring says he’ll resign today 
Sen. Jim Waring, a Phoenix Republican who is running for U.S. Rep. John Shadegg’s seat, said he will turn in his resignation letter today. Waring said he wanted to make sure that his bills — among other things — are taken care of before he steps down.
Read More »Supporters see momentum this year to create lieutenant governor’s post
The secretary of state has ascended to the Arizona governor's office four times in recent decades. Twice, including last year, that's meant a governor from a different political party.
Read More »Lawmakers try again with anti-polygamy legislation
A loophole in Arizona's law against incest handcuffs officials wanting to crack down on polygamists who marry relatives under age 18, according to two state lawmakers.
Read More »Senate panel approves 3 weapons bills, holds two others
A handful of bills aimed at easing restrictions on weapons were approved by a Senate committee on Jan. 25. One of the bills, S1021, would justify deadly force if a person shoots someone who is threatening physical violence. Last year, ...
Read More »Gorman resigns from Senate 
Sen. Pamela Gorman, who represented District 6 in the Senate since 2007, has resigned her seat to run for Congress.
Read More »Paton to resign from AZ Legislature to run for Congress 
Sen. Jonathan Paton said he will resign his seat in the Arizona Legislature to challenge U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in this year's congressional election.
Read More »Lobbyist, lawmaker to resume Clean Elections clash 
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission has renewed a $6,500-per-month contract with lobbyist Mike Williams, setting up another battle over the fate of the public campaign-funding system. Todd Lang, director of the Clean Elections Commission, said hiring a lobbyist was necessary to protect a system he credits with increasing political participation of the public and encouraging people to run for office.
Read More »Capitol Quotes 11/6 
"Their majorities haven't helped them." - Rep. David Schapira, a Democrat from Tempe, speaking Nov. 4 about the need for Republican leaders to negotiate a budget fix with Democrats.
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