Advocates of contraception opt-out revive bill

Supporters of a controversial proposal that would allow any employer with a religious objection to deny contraception coverage to workers successfully revived the legislation a day after critics defeated it in the Senate.

Arizona House approves bill for Bible course

The Arizona House has approved a bill to create an elective high school course about the Bible and its role in Western culture.

Lawmakers urging classes on sex, money and the Bible

Sex, money, the Bible and the U.S. Constitution are some of the subjects lawmakers are proposing this session to be taught in Arizona classrooms.

Most of the bills come from Republicans inspired by personal experiences, and they manage to reconcile their proposed classroom mandates with the principles of small government and local control of curriculum.

Brewer vetoes religious liberty bill, warns of unintended consequences

Citing the possibility of unintended consequences, Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have protected people from losing their professional licenses over their religious beliefs.

Critics cite unintended consequences of religious protection bill

Leeches, witchcraft and self-help gurus. Those were mentioned in some of the scenarios that critics tossed out when debating a bill guaranteeing that licensed professionals would be protected from religious discrimination.

Clergy v. S1070

When religious groups speak out on public policy, many Arizona lawmakers listen closely - except when it comes to immigration issues.

Collaboration during the past few years between faith-based lobbyists and lawmakers who say religious doctrine is the core of their political ideology has led to new state laws restricting abortion, boosting enrollment in private schools and banning gay m[...]

Gov. Brewer signs bill on rights for siting churches

Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that restricts local governments' ability to impose land-use restrictions where churches are located.

The struggle over the role of religion in schools

(Note: This is the second part of a series on a new law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer that will change how Arizona schools address daily conflicts between freedom of religious expression and the U.S. Constitution’s non-establishment clause.)