Dem compares immigrant proposal to Nazi Germany
Sen. Robert Meza was one of several activists who said Friday that Rep.-elect Jay Lawrence’s proposal to add the words “non citizen” to Dreamers’ driver’s licenses was comparable to Nazi Germany’s efforts to require Jews to wear yellow badges and armbands.
Pre-election victors: 7 lawmakers face zero opposition in 2014, more have limited competition
It may be hours before polls close and votes are counted in Arizona’s 2014 primary elections, but for a handful of candidates, today is just a formality. Five senators and two representatives are running unopposed in both the primary and the November general election, ensuring their place at the Capitol. And election is all but assured for many more candidates who are running on one-party-domina[...]
Ableser attributes low attendance to family responsibilities
Democratic Sen. Ed Ableser of Tempe regained his title of most absentee lawmaker this year, showing up for only 62 percent of Senate floor sessions, though he voted on 70 percent of all the bills put before the chamber.
Livingston scores a perfect legislative batting average
The award for best legislative batting average for the session — the calculation of bills introduced versus bills signed into law — goes to Rep. David Livingston, a freshman Republican lawmaker from Peoria who has been vocally critical of the governor.
Legislation slows as bickering continues over Medicaid expansion, other key bills
The legislative process at the Arizona Capitol has slowed to a crawl in recent weeks after Gov. Jan Brewer warned lawmakers to focus on her own legislative priorities, first and foremost Medicaid expansion.
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.
Jabs aside, Téran mobilizing community support in hopes of ousting Meza
The LD30 fight embodies a shift in Arizona Democratic politics.
Meza accuses opponent of illegal campaign coordination
Sen. Robert Meza today filed a third complaint with the Arizona Secretary of State against his Legislative District 30 Democratic primary opponent, Raquel Téran.
This time, Meza claims Téran’s campaign illegally coordinated with an independent expenditure committee that produced campaign mailers promoting Téran.
LD30 Democratic primary sees spate of campaign finance complaints
A west Phoenix Democratic activist has filed a campaign finance complaint with the Secretary of State’s office, claiming Democratic Sen. Robert Meza appears to have used campaign money for personal use and collected illegal campaign contributions.
Court dismisses case against Democratic candidate in LD30
A judge today dismissed an election challenge against a Democratic legislative candidate who is seeking to unseat an incumbent senator.
Dem lawmakers protest border-security speaker, call him anti-Semitic
Two Democratic senators walked out of a border security panel this morning after its chairwoman invited an activist who is described by a civil rights group as a “vitriolic Mexican-basher.”
Chippy meeting on IRC maps brings out critics on both sides
Republican lawmakers got a lot of blowback over their new redistricting committee from legislative Democrats and sympathetic members of the public, but they got what they wanted when a parade of speakers stepped forward to air grievances against the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.