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ALEC’s influence looms large at Capitol
The American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative organization whose corporate largesse and influence over policy have become a flashpoint for liberal criticism, has a deep reach into the Arizona Legislature.
When the group kicked off its 2011 summer conference in New Orleans on Aug. 3, 29 of Arizona’s 61 Republican lawmakers were in attendance.
Six senators, one legislative district: Eastern states wrestle with moving away from multi-member districts
In September 2010, Channel 17 in Burlington, Vt., held a multi-candidate debate among aspirants for the state Senate in the local district. Then it held another one. And another. And another. But here’s the interesting part: No candidate appeared more than once. There were 16 different people running for the Senate in the Chittenden County district. If six Democrats, six Republicans and an assor[...]
Recall looms large in Arizona history
Recall elections played a pivotal role in Arizona statehood. President William Howard Taft, a former judge who was later appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, actually vetoed the enabling act that would have granted Arizona statehood in 1911 because the proposed state Constitution included a recall provision for judges.
Arizona’s unusual recall provision for federal officials untested, nonbinding
There’s no way to recall members of Arizona’s U.S. Senate and congressional delegations, but that doesn’t stop people from trying.
Russell Pearce endorses immigration bill working its way through Georgia Legislature
Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, the main sponsor of SB1070, said Tuesday he endorses a similar bill making its way through the Georgia Legislature.
Ariz. may require hospitals to check citizenship
Arizona lawmakers are trying to widen the state's illegal immigration crackdown with a proposal to require hospitals to confirm whether patients are in the country legally.
Arizona businesses eye tax hike for jobless benefits
In a somewhat unusual turn of events, Arizona's tax-averse business community is asking state lawmakers for what amounts to a temporary tax increase for employers.
Tucson lawmaker resumes push for laws against distracted driving
Despite repeated failures in the past, a Tucson lawmaker is out to curb distracted driving with bills that would ban all cell phone use by drivers under 18 and outlaw text messaging as part of a wide range of distractions.
State lawmakers target automatic birthright citizenship
A group of state lawmakers unveiled model legislation today that aims to deny citizenship to children born to non-citizens. Ultimately, they want to get the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on whether the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to such children.
Arizona eyes health care program for new budget cuts
Cash-short Arizona's budget troubles could put the state's Medicaid program on the chopping block again, with the possibility of hundreds of thousands of low-income people losing their government-funded health care.
Capitol Quotes: Dec. 10, 2010
“This is still Senator Pearce’s baby, no pun intended.” – Rep. John Kavanagh, when asked to comment on Russell Pearce’s birthright-citizenship bill.
Gov. Brewer says Ariz. wants Medicaid waiver
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Thursday she'll ask for a waiver under the federal health care overhaul so Arizona can reduce its Medicaid rolls to lower costs that Brewer and fellow Republicans say the cash-short state can't afford. If approved, the change could mean the loss of government-funded health care for hundreds of thousands of people.
