Judge boots MCAO from Horne campaign finance case
A judge ruled that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office lacks to the authority to pursue campaign finance allegations against Tom Horne and a top aide, giving the attorney general at least a temporary reprieve.
Judge questions MCAO case against Horne; ruling expected on Thursday
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge expressed skepticism over the county attorney’s authority to pursue alleged campaign finance violations by Attorney General Tom Horne, putting the future of the case in question as the state’s top law enforcement officer and a key aide prepare to fight the charges in court.
Action lacking despite opportunities to improve Arizona’s lobbyist reporting system
From lobbyists to lawmakers to advocacy groups, reactions to flaws in Arizona lobbying reports reflect an image of a system that needs to be improved.
Some proposals for how to improve the system have emerged, but any agreement on the solutions, not to mention the political will to enact them, still eludes lawmakers two years after the Fiesta Bowl lobbying scandal roped in dozens of pol[...]
Bennett seeks dismissal from Arpaio recall lawsuit
Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett has asked to be dismissed from a lawsuit by a group that's trying to halt a recall effort against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Lobbying records reveals loopholes, reporting gaps and errors
Almost daily, Arizona politicians face an army of lobbyists who are ready to spend money on dinners, drinks, parties and travel, aimed at currying favor and eventually bending the public... […]
Rejected ballots reflect continuing problems in Arizona’s elections
Tens of thousands of ballots cast in Arizona’s 2012 election were rejected by elections officials, indicating continued communication and voter education problems in the state, according to an analysis by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.
Montgomery rejects dismissal for Horne case, hearing is back on
A May 7 evidentiary hearing in Attorney General Tom Horne’s campaign finance case is back on after Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery officially rejected an administrative law judge’s recommendation that the case be dismissed.
Carmona won’t run for governor
The biggest name in Democratic politics in Arizona won’t jump into the fray for the 2014 governor’s race. Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona told KPNX-TV (Channel 12) reporter Brahm Resnik in a Sunday interview that he won’t seek the Democratic nomination for governor.
Carmona won’t run for Arizona governor in 2014
Richard Carmona says he won't be running for Arizona governor in 2014.
Senate panel approves bill to make petition drives more efficient
An Arizona Senate panel cleared legislation that would require political organizations to better organize signatures they collect and reward those that conduct background checks of their own paid circulators.
Contribution limit overhaul heads to Senate
A House bill that seeks to raise limits on campaign contributions could discourage candidates from using Arizona’s Clean Elections system, election officials warned.
Legislature gets aggressive on election reform in wake of 2012 voting delays
Lawmakers have been rushing to pass election reform measures this year, hoping to enact laws that would thwart the type of problems that marred the 2012 election.