Gov. Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan is sound fiscal management
Gov. Jan Brewer has set as a top priority that the state expand Medicaid to become eligible for a nine-to-one federal match instead of the current two-to-one match.
Senate president vows to block Medicaid expansion plan
Senate President Andy Biggs said Tuesday he would do “everything I can” to prevent Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid from reaching the Senate floor for a vote.
Heroes and traitors: Medicaid debate forces lawmakers to take sides on budget
When discussing the progress made in budget negotiations so far this year, Senate President Andy Biggs reminded the Arizona Capitol Times that patience is a virtue.
Recall bill soundly defeated in Senate
A bill to overhaul the recall election process in Arizona to protect Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other elected officials was defeated today in the state Senate. HB2282 failed by a 10-18 vote. It would have created a primary and general election process in the event an elected official is recalled, as opposed to the current non-partisan, winner-take-all election.
Arizona Legislature closing in on Medicaid vote
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer held the latest in a series of rallies at the Capitol on Thursday to show she has broad support for her proposal to expand Medicaid to about 300,000 more poor Arizonans. And her effort appears to be paying off.
Brewer tells Biggs to slow down the pace
Little progress has been made on Gov. Jan Brewer’s agenda for the legislative session, and she’s sending a clear signal that she wants to see some movement on her priorities before she deals with theirs. But the Ninth Floor says Brewer isn’t threatening to dust off the veto stamp.
It’s curtains for film tax credit bill
Political realities at the state Capitol have forced the film industry and its allies to abandon the push to create a tax credit program aimed at luring productions to Arizona.
Democrat’s gun control be will be heard before deadline
A gun control bill sponsored by a Democrat will go before a state Senate committee on the day before the deadline to hear bills introduced in the chamber.
Senators fast-track money for CPS, IRC
Lawmakers plan to send two bills to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk by the end of the week: an emergency provision to hire new staff for Child Protective Services and $500,000 for the Independent Redistricting Commission for an upcoming trial in federal court.
Biggs to challenge Pierce for Senate’s top post
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs confirmed yesterday he will challenge Senate President Steve Pierce’s hold on leadership when Republicans convene after the elections next month.
Pearce will testify at U.S. Senate committee snubbed by Brewer
The day before the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in the landmark case over SB1070, the bill’s author will testify about it in a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
Pearce eyes Senate comeback
Recalled former Sen. Russell Pearce is eyeing a return to the Capitol and recently filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office that would set the stage for 2012 campaign.