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Mental health care: 30 years of broken promises
Magellan Health Services has adopted a slogan since taking over Maricopa County's behavioral health care system two years ago: "Getting Better All the Time." The reforms promised by the Maryland-based company in the months before taking control of the system were put on hold while the company tried to rebound from the loss of medical records, a critical audit by the court and a series of well-p[...]
Capitol Quotes 7/2
“Support was not there for the sales-tax referral. It just became brutally apparent.” – Sen. John Huppenthal, commenting after the failure of Gov. Jan Brewer’s plan to refer a 1-cent... […]
Stopping time: In the AZ Senate, anything is possible
As the last day of the 2009 fiscal year was winding down without a budget in place, political onlookers who have spent a few years at the Capitol started to wonder: Will the Senate stop the clock before midnight of June 30 to hide the fact that the new fiscal year has started?
Stopgap plan would keep Arizona government running
Key Arizona lawmakers are drafting emergency legislation that could be used to keep state government going temporarily even if a new budget isn't approved in time - but not for all of state government nor for very long.
Tax hike a tough sell; Dems may enter picture
The budget deal that legislative and Gov. Jan Brewer reached earlier remains a tough sell, as the Senate adjourned on June 27 without advancing the agreement.
Clergy ejected from committee – Dems follow
A clergy and her group opposed to a bill dealing with immigration enforcement were ejected from a committee hearing June 23 after speaking without permission and ignoring the chairman’s order for them to stop.
Senate moves affirmative-action ban to 2010 ballot
Next year, Arizona voters will be asked to determine whether to ban government use of preferential treatment based on race and gender when it comes to employment, education and contracting.
Senate OKs bill on immigration enforcement
The Arizona Senatea��s approved a bill to enable state and local police officers to help enforce immigration laws and to make it a crime for illegal immigrants to be in the state.
Republicans advance bills requiring public disclosure on government Web sites
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted June 9 to advance two proposals aimed at allowing residents to review exactly how local governments spend their tax dollars.
Lawmakers compromise with Brewer on health care spending
A five-month battle over health care spending between Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican leadership reached a breaking point early this week after Brewer asked lawmakers to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars of additional spending for state-run health care programs.
Capitol Quotes 5/29
“I want you to know that the events that led to Kerry’s death are very rare, and that she would not want you to worry. Hug your family and cherish... […]
Burns tells colleagues to pass fiscal 2010 budget — now
The Senate’s top Republican is pushing to pass a budget proposal for fiscal 2010 in the next few days — even without the buy-in of the House or the Governor’s Office. Senate President Bob Burns told members of his caucus that now is the time to vote on the budget.
