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From law-breaker to lawmaker
Democratic Rep-elect Ceci Velasquez may need to use her legislative privilege to stay out of jail, if the cops don’t find her before session begins. Florence Municipal Court records show that Velasquez has a warrant out for her arrest due to her failure to appear in court or pay fines associated with a string of traffic violations in 2010.
Federal, state laws at odds on lobbyist political contributions
To curtail the inappropriate influence of money in politics, Arizona law prohibits lobbyists from contributing to lawmakers’ campaign committees while the Legislature is in session.
Counterattacks
Arizona, other states retaliate against ‘revenge porn’
Sparked by a new law approved by the California legislature this fall, Arizona is one of several states where lawmakers are proposing bills to criminalize “revenge porn.”
Extracting funds for K-12
Crandell’s overhaul of school finance plan attracts skepticism and support
It’s a puzzle that has vexed policymakers, education leaders and business groups for decades, but it’s one that Sen. Chester Crandell hopes to solve: How can the state revamp education funding to be both fair and simple?
Park Service balks at requirement to plan ahead for future shutdowns
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service is not interested in coming up with plans to let states pay to keep parks open should another government shutdown occur, a service official testified Thursday to a House subcommittee.
Judge sets date to hear Medicaid expansion lawsuit
A judge will hear arguments in a lawsuit seeking to block Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's Medicaid expansion plan early next month.
3 years later, still no groundbreaking on donation-funded state border fence
Nearly three years after lawmakers started soliciting public donations to build a portion of fence along Arizona’s border with Mexico, lawmakers still don’t have a plan to build a fence with the $264,028 they have received.
Lawmaker ready to try again for state ban on texting while driving
Despite failing repeatedly since 2007, a state lawmaker said he is going to try again to have Arizona join 41 other states that have outlawed all texting while driving.
Republican candidates could benefit from their support of Medicaid
When asked how his vote for Medicaid expansion could threaten his chances at another term in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Majority Leader John McComish points to an Arizona Capitol Times newspaper hanging in a frame behind his desk “The risk of defiance,” the headline reads. “What will GOP senators’ ‘no’ votes on immigration bills cost them?”
Cuts to food stamp benefits hit more than 1 million Arizonans Friday
More than 1.1 million Arizonans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – better known as food stamps – will see their benefits reduced Friday in a long-planned national cut.
Some panel members say Arizona’s income tax system is fine after all
Members of a panel tasked with studying Arizona’s personal income tax system said that while flattening or doing away with the income tax may be a popular talking point, the state’s current system is reasonably fair and may not need a major overhaul.
Rail and roads
The iArizona Committee is headed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and backed by a broad coalition of local politicians, construction contractors and business interests. Their ultimate goal is to boost Arizona’s economy and status as a transportation hub connecting Los Angeles, Dallas and Mexico, as well as linking Arizona’s manufacturing and economic hubs to one another.
