Fight continues against anti-union bills
Unions are stepping up the pressure on lawmakers as they seek the defeat of a slew of bills that would fundamentally weaken public unions in Arizona.
Biggs, father of demoted ex-cop, seeks to allow disciplined officers day in court
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, whose son was stripped of his duties as a Gilbert police officer for shooting an unarmed man in the groin while off-duty in 2009, is sponsoring a bill to give disciplined cops a chance to take their cases to court.
Republican lawmaker to address redistricting panel
The state's redistricting commission on Wednesday will hear a critique of its work from a legislative leader who supported Republican Gov. Jan Brewer's failed attempt to oust the panel's chair.
Salmon picks up Club for Growth endorsement
Matt Salmon has gained the endorsement of a prominent anti-tax group in his bid to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake.
Jon Kyl named to debt ‘super-committee’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has named Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rob Portman of Ohio to the committee.
Debt reduction is next fiscal hurdle
After policymakers borrowed heavily to keep government afloat amid a festering fiscal crisis that blew holes in the state’s budget for four years, a former Senate president tried to put into place a mechanism to rein in politicians’ appetite for debt-financing.
Expectations low as second day of special session begins
With both sides digging in, the hope of extending unemployment aid to jobless Arizonans appears to be fading.
Lawmakers are expected to resume the special session this afternoon, but the Legislature is more apt to close down the session without acting on the legislation than it is to approve the bills.
Brewer: Special session a ‘total meltdown’
Failing to deliver an extension to unemployment benefits, the first day of the special session instead ended in recrimination that is once again threatening the fragile relationship between Gov. Jan Brewer and the Republican-led Legislature.
UpClose with David Schapira: Found some success at blocking legislation with ‘watchdog’ approach
The Senate minority announced an audacious goal this year — to put the spotlight on Republicans and their legislation. That task fell to a young father to articulate his party’s positions in a year when Republicans, who are control both chambers, don’t even need a single Democratic vote to pass emergency legislation.
The immediate challenge for Senate Minority Leader David Schapir[...]
Plight of the minority: Was self-assigned ‘watchdog’ role a success for the Democrats?
Lacking the numbers to block Republican-backed bills, Democratic legislators billed themselves as watchdogs whose main task at the Capitol was to highlight legislation they considered to be harmful to the state.
Lawmakers working fast to end session in coming hours
Lawmakers have been meeting all day as they try to churn through the last few pieces of legislation and wrap up legislative business for the year.