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Sailing away? Arizona facing decision to save or do away with Clean Elections
As fewer candidates choose to run for office using Arizona’s Clean Elections system, lawmakers are sensing the system’s vulnerability and are preparing to deal a death blow.
Mayo, Scottsdale hospitals concerned about impact of Medicaid expansion
When Gov. Jan Brewer announced her plan to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, one of the few hospitals in Arizona to object was the Mayo Clinic.
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.
Election reform bills pass Senate
Three election-reform bills cleared the Arizona Senate, sending Sen. Michele Reagan’s trio of bills to the House despite objections from Democrats that the bills would infringe on voter rights and undo years of get-out-the vote efforts by activist groups.
Committee OKs bill that would limit contributions to recall efforts
Supporters of former Senate President Russell Pearce weren’t able to stop his foes from putting him on a recall ballot in 2011.
But stopping the next recall effort may be a lot easier.
Arizona senators look to revamp lobbying gift ban
The cozy relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists could get a little less familiar under a proposed ethics overhaul that seeks to give the public a more detailed look into Arizona politics.
Committee takes first step in changing voting laws
Hoping to lessen the crush of provisional ballots that delayed the final tally after the November election, the new Senate Elections Committee took its first step in changing the laws governing Arizona’s Permanent Early Voter List.
Capitol Quotes: February 1, 2013
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances from Arizona's political arena.
Lawmakers push election overhaul — target early voting, contributions, signature gathering
Maricopa County elections officials don’t want to see a repeat of 2012.
After Election Day, the county had a record number of provisional ballots. For two weeks afterward, they counted votes, including thousands of provisional ballots caused by people who had received early ballots in the mail but chose to vote in person on Election Day instead.
Inspiration for new laws often comes from personal experiences
Personal problems, problems from constituents and even problems that admittedly don’t exist are sometimes the basis for bills Arizona lawmakers introduce.
Lawmakers crafting responses to election concerns
The large number of provisional ballots cast in November has two lawmakers so far proposing ways to address the issue. Rep. Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, the House minority leader, said he is drafting legislation to form a committee to study election problems and recommend legislation.
New Senate committees have narrower partisan split
Reflecting the new political reality at the Capitol, incoming Republican leaders have created a dozen Senate committees with a narrower partisan split.
