Sign In
Free Newsletter
Push for transparency focuses on campaign spending, gift giving
In the wake of two of Arizona’s biggest political shake-ups of last year, lawmakers are hoping a little sunshine will help clean up the mess.
Shadowy groups involved in the recall of then-Senate President Russell Pearce brought to light some of the flaws in the current financial disclosure requirements. Meanwhile, the Fiesta Bowl scandal brought to light ethical questions about what s[...]
State unveiling system for online petition gathering
Arizona is preparing to launch a new signature-gathering system that will fundamentally change the way political candidates go about qualifying for the 2012 ballot.
Beginning Feb. 1, voters will be able go online to sign nominating petitions for candidates who want to run for statewide office and the Legislature.
Bill seeks disclosures of campaign spending
State officials in Arizona are seeking tougher disclosure requirements for businesses and unions that make independent expenditures for or against candidates.
Ballot order set by drawing for Arizona’s upcoming GOP presidential primary
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio grimaced as he scanned the square of paper pulled from a historic trophy offered by Secretary of State Ken Bennett.
Seel plans scaled-down ‘birther’ bill
One of Arizona’s more notorious bills from last session will be resurrected this year.
Rep. Carl Seel, R-Phoenix, plans to introduce a new version of his so-called “birther” bill that was vetoed last year by Gov. Jan Brewer.
Huntsman doesn’t make it onto Arizona primary ballot
The Arizona secretary of state's office says Jon Huntsman has failed to qualify for the state's presidential primary.
Scandal prompts bill to increase access to companies’ financial disclosures
As part of the state’s response to the Fiesta Bowl scandal, the Secretary of State’s office is planning to make financial disclosure statements more accessible to the public.
Campaign finance maneuvers drawing state scrutiny
The difficulty of persuading groups to comply with campaign finance reporting laws stems from a more aggressive interpretation of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
Loophole enables groups to conceal sources of electioneering money
The elections last month exposed what appears to be a gaping hole in Arizona’s campaign finance laws: The inability of elections officials to force groups to register as political committees or report their spending.
Brewer lays low on redistricting while touting book in New York
Gov. Jan Brewer’s media tour to promote her new book stands in stark contrast to the low profile she’s kept on her historic decision to oust Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis.
GOP-led Senate votes to oust redistricting chairwoman
In an unprecedented move that cast shadows of uncertainty over the state’s decennial remapping process, the Senate voted to remove Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Chairwoman Colleen Mathis.
The Senate voted to oust Mathis on a party line 21-6 vote – three Democrats were absent – for “neglect of duty” and “gross misconduct in office.” The charges stemmed from [...]
Bennett warns groups to disclose election spending
Secretary of State Ken Bennett today warned groups that are spending money to influence the Phoenix mayoral race and the Senate recall election they can’t hide behind a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving corporations and labor unions the same speech rights as individuals.
