Sign In
Free Newsletter
National group calls education reform bill anti-science
A recently introduced Senate bill seeks to include in K-12 science courses discussion on the controversial issues of evolution, global warming and cloning, but the National Center for Science Education calls the measure anti-science legislation.
Brewer approves emergency funding for CPS
Gov. Jan Brewer signed an emergency appropriations bill today that provides $4.4 million for Child Protective Services to hire new staff, and lawmakers sent another bill to her desk to continue funding the Independent Redistricting Commission as it heads to trial in federal court.
Arizona lawmakers struggle to stay on priorities
It's early on in the Arizona legislative session, but so far the proposals described by one top Republican as "esoteric" and criticized by Democrats as unconstitutional have dominated the headlines — despite promises from GOP leaders to focus on top-tier issues such as balancing the state budget and improving education.
Senators reach agreement on immigration reform
A bipartisan group of leading senators has reached agreement on the principles for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, including a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country.
State prepares for debate on costly Common Core educational standards
Those who support Arizona’s new Common Core standards for math and English education say they help turn students into better thinkers and prepare them for college and the workforce.
Those who question the new standards say they could create added expenses for public schools, including new textbooks, teacher training and the need for new technology. They say the price tag, still undete[...]
Q&A with Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor
Long before Gov. Jan Brewer decided to fight for a full expansion of the state’s Medicaid program, then-incoming Senate Minority Leader Leah Landrum Taylor was furiously trying to find a way to salvage a plan — any plan — to pay for the coverage of a sizable segment of the state’s uninsured population.
Lobbyists discuss what’s on tap for the upcoming legislative session
As the year comes to a close and a new legislative session is on the horizon, lobbyists and lobbying groups across the state are firming up their agendas and trying to get lawmakers’ ears and votes.
State lawmaker pledges to renew fight for ban on texting while driving
State Sen.-elect Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said he will reintroduce legislation next year to ban texting while driving, despite repeated rejections in the House, noting that the rest of the country has finally caught up with his idea.
Ballot counting officially ends
Following several close contests and two weeks of counting, Secretary Ken Bennett and other state officials today signed the official canvass and certified last month’s election results.
The move effectively ended the 2012 campaign cycle and heralded the start of the new one.
Republicans propose plan for undocumented young
Two Senate Republicans on Tuesday unveiled their version of the Dream Act, stalled legislation that would provide a path to legal status for hundreds of thousands of young immigrants, many who have spent most of their lives in the United States.
Border business backers finally getting lawmakers’ attention
Arizona is missing out on huge economic opportunities by not reaching out to its southern neighbor, owners of businesses near the Arizona-Mexico border say, and that message hasn't been taken seriously by state lawmakers.
Biggs leadership style: Conservatism with limits
As recently as last year, Sen. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Mesa and the next leader of the Arizona Senate, pushed for an insurgent idea — the elimination of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program.
