Sign In
Free Newsletter
Capitol Quotes 3/26/2010
"I wouldn't bet a whole lot of money on those lawsuits being successful. I think most of these arguments were settled as a result of the Civil War." - John Rivers, president of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, on the lawsuit being filed by 13 state attorneys general against the federal health care bill.
Bills involving transparency include plan to put local government spending online
Requiring local governments to post records of all financial transactions online would make officials better stewards of the public's money, a state lawmaker contends.
Local governments against changes to shared-revenue formula
So far, lawmakers and the Governor's Office have avoided conjuring the greatest fear of local governments - changing the formula that determines who gets what from the collective pot of money they all share.
Changes to revenue-sharing system would devastate cities
If anyone doubts the state's troubled economy is clobbering Arizona's cities and towns, they only have to look in the newspaper. "Phoenix details plan for drastic cutbacks;" "Cities, towns resort to layoffs;" "Falling revenues affect city of Prescott operations."
Voters hate compromise; insiders say it’s necessary
Political insiders said voters are naïve to object to the practice of a lawmaker voting for a bill that he or she actually opposes.
Lobbyists lower expectations, mainly look to protect clients
So far this year, some lobbyists haven't even bothered to ask lawmakers to introduce a bill on their behalf. Others have big goals, despite the widespread perception that lawmakers will be focused almost entirely on the budget deficit.
Lottery big part of state’s financial plans, but first voters must vote to keep it
While other contributors to state revenues have dropped off severely of late, the Arizona Lottery has been a growing source of tens of millions of dollars per year since its inception in 1980. The lottery funds a variety of voter-approved state programs in areas such as education, health and transportation and has contributed $2.3 billion in all to its beneficiaries.
High court won’t hear suit challenging new immigration law
The Arizona Supreme Court announced on Dec. 2 it will not hear a lawsuit filed by local governments that sought to challenge legislation affecting land development and public benefits for immigrants. The petition for special action filed with the court on Nov. 23 by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns charged that the provisions in question were unconstitutionally included in a state budget [...]
Capitol Quotes 11/25
"They do good things 99 percent of the time." - Gov. Jan Brewer, commenting on the Legislature, while criticizing the League of Arizona Cities and Towns' recent lawsuit against the state.
Brewer, lawmakers blast League on illegal immigration; League says they missed the point
Before Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative leadership can settle their most recent legal dispute with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, the sides may have to agree on exactly what they're fighting about.
Adams fires back via Twitter after League vote to sue state
A recent vote by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns to sue the Legislature in an attempt to undo provisions passed in the most recent special session could have broader effects on the lobbying group for local governments.
Report ranks Arizona ninth nationally in state, local reliance on sales taxes
Arizona ranks ninth nationally in its reliance on sales taxes to fund its state and local governments, according to a report by a nonpartisan tax research organization. The Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation found that 48.4 percent of Arizona's tax base came from general sales taxes and from selective sales taxes on motor fuel, tobacco, insurance premiums, public utilities, amusements and al[...]
