Optimistic Biggs expects Brewer to accept Senate’s budget package
The Arizona Senate approved a $9.18 billion fiscal 2015 budget Thursday evening, a proposal supported exclusively by Republican lawmakers.
Democratic leaders slam conservative group behind SB1062, abortion bill
The conservative advocacy group, Center for Arizona Policy, which was behind legislation such as SB 1062 and attempts to restrict abortions has too much power over the Legislature, Democratic leaders said Tuesday.
Advice from the pros
Women embarking on their first political campaign for public office got some advice from the pros at the Arizona Capitol Times’ third annual Women in Public Policy event at the W Hotel in Scottsdale on Nov. 20.
AZ senators reluctant to put Shooter on trial
Democratic Arizona senators, even those once interested in pushing for an ethics hearing into the actions of Sen. Don Shooter at a Yuma charter school earlier this year, now say it’d be a waste of time holding hearings on an issue that police and prosecutors have already dealt with in full.
Higher education officials press for more business engagement
University officials today pressed the business community and the state for more engagement in creating a robust college education system, even as they acknowledged that schools are adapting to technology-driven changes in higher education.
Livingston scores a perfect legislative batting average
The award for best legislative batting average for the session — the calculation of bills introduced versus bills signed into law — goes to Rep. David Livingston, a freshman Republican lawmaker from Peoria who has been vocally critical of the governor.
Arizona leaders link domestic violence to gun use
Some Arizona leaders say gun ownership contributes to domestic violence. State Sens. Katie Hobbs and Olivia Cajero Bedford are leading a campaign in Arizona to connect weak gun laws and domestic abuse.
Pro-life dispute: Conflicting definitions further complicate Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal
Gov. Jan Brewer forcefully declared that her proposal to expand the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to hundreds of thousands of new patients is a pro-life plan. As a pro-life governor, she said, she will not sit idly by while people suffer. Since then, opponents of her plan have taken up the pro-life mantle in the Legislature.
Committee OKs bill that would limit contributions to recall efforts
Supporters of former Senate President Russell Pearce weren’t able to stop his foes from putting him on a recall ballot in 2011.
But stopping the next recall effort may be a lot easier.
From child abuse to the Golden Rule: Bill would rid state of license plates linked to private groups
Roughly 1,800 Arizonans order a Child Abuse Prevention plate every month. That translates into almost $375,000 per year that goes to programs that prevent child abuse.
Dems ready to work with Brewer on Medicaid expansion, but express caution
Gov. Jan Brewer’s bombshell on Medicaid expansion in her State of the State speech Jan. 14 led many Democratic lawmakers to give her proposal a standing ovation for the first time in her four years at the dais.
Commission recommends more accountability in use of state fees
The State Agency Fee Commission on Tuesday approved recommendations aimed at creating transparency and accountability in how fees are used, putting together guidelines for all agencies as well as specific recommendations for the four the commission reviewed this year.