Pearce restricts press conferences inside Senate
Arguing that the move would make it easier to secure the chamber, Senate President Russell Pearce on Tuesday issued a memo saying press conferences that are open to the public will no longer be allowed inside the Arizona Senate building.
Biggs to head Senate Appropriations; committee memberships announced
Senator-elect Andy Biggs will not only head the Appropriations Committee – where the budget bills are traditionally assigned – the Gilbert Republican also was appointed as vice chairman of the Government Reform and Judiciary committees.
Rios expected to move up as leader of Senate Democrats
Sen. Rebecca Rios, an Apache Junction Democrat and the assistant minority leader, will likely succeed Sen. Jorge Garcia, the Democratic leader who is termed-out and is running for the Corporation Commission.
Senate panel bans agency regulations on greenhouse gas
The state agency that deals with environmental quality would be barred from enforcing any regional or state program that regulates greenhouse gas emissions under a measure that received committee approval in the Senate on March 15.
Senate panel endorses ‘sexting’ bill
An Arizona Senate panel on Feb. 3 endorsed a bill that prosecutors hope would make young people think twice before sending nude pictures of themselves to their friends or significant others.
Brewer reaching out to rank-and-file lawmakers
Gov. Jan Brewer's budget proposal will be a hard sell to Democrats. And some provisions, such as her temporary sales tax increase, will be difficult for Republicans to embrace.
Education funding battle heats up
Lawmakers and representatives from the education community clashed over funding for Arizona's public education during a forum Oct. 20 at a downtown restaurant. Rep. Rich Crandall, a Mesa Republican, said he was taking the position as a "realist" and warned that cuts to education are inevitable next year given the size of the state's budget deficit.
Flake honored posthumously by colleagues
Senators honored the late Jake Flake and unveiled a clay bust of him on June 8. Franklin Lars Flake was serving as a Republican senator last year when he fell off of his horse and died several days later from related injuries. He died on June 8, 2008 at age 72.
Dems stockpiling political ammunition for 2010
Democrats have tried nearly every conceivable strategy in the past four months and have, at times, sounded like a broken record as they seek an invitation from Republicans to negotiate the fiscal 2010 budget.