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Freshmen swell Freedom Caucus, defy Hobbs
The “spear tip” of legislative conservatism is already pushing back hard against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, but not all the dissenters will identify themselves.
Husband, wife lawmakers will attend after long absences
Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, and her husband Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, will return to in-person meetings at the Legislature next session, according to Mendez. Salman and Mendez have avoided coming to the Capitol in-person since the onslaught of the Covid pandemic in March of 2020, but the other 88 lawmakers came back to work in person last year.
Senate committee clamps down on early voting
Millions of Arizonans would lose the right to vote early and by mail under the terms of legislation approved Monday by a Senate panel. SB1404 would scrap longstanding law that allow any registered voter to request a ballot by mail, fill it out at home and then either mail it back or drop it off […]
Help make Arizona better for all
The people who most directly impact daily life in Arizona are meeting again. The Arizona Legislature has started their 2022 session. Republicans have a razor-thin one vote majority in both chambers and have used this to control what bills are proposed and passed. Last year, instead of seeking bipartisan support to their most extremist bills, […]
Legislators, Ducey take aim at education
Gov. Doug Ducey promised that education will be one of his priorities in 2022, and in his State of the State Address on January 10, he laid out an education agenda that legislators have followed up on this week with numerous bills, including some centered on learning loss suffered during the pandemic and hot-button curriculum […]
Ducey keys on border, water, schools before walk-off
The 2022 legislative session will be Doug Ducey’s eighth and last as governor of Arizona. It’s starting as yet another wave of Covid washes over the state and partisan politics are as bitter as ever in the Arizona legislature. State legislators have plans to tackle a wide range of issues in the upcoming session – […]
Hayden Samples: The most fashionable reader in Arizona politics
Hayden Samples, the reader at the Arizona House of Representatives, stands out from the sea of dull black, gray and brown outfits with his three-piece suits, colorful bolo ties and boots one might mistake for a snake.
Arizona Senate president aims to end session Thursday night
Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs said he wants to end the 2015 legislative session by Thursday ai??i?? a target that would make it the shortest session in nearly 50 years.
McCain, Flake vote to ban workplace discrimination for sexual orientation
WASHINGTON – Arizona Republican Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake joined an overwhelming majority of senators Thursday to pass a bill banning workplace discrimination based on an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
New lawmakers face steep learning curve
The incoming class of lawmakers contains a relatively high number of new members — and like children heading to their first day of school, those newbies bring with them outside experiences, fresh ideas and optimism. But one thing they often don’t bring is a working knowledge of the issues and the process.
Sine die: Conservative agenda dominates session
Lawmakers wrapped up their work at 8:25 p.m. on May 3 after nearly four months in session, having stashed away money for anticipated rainy days ahead, approved a sweeping measure that allows state workers to be more easily fired and fought on the unending battlefronts of abortion, taxation and border security.
And like the year before, lawmakers with conservative leanings shaped the age[...]
GOP compromise budget gives $450M to rainy day fund, $7M to tourism
As Republican lawmakers begin to receive briefings on the budget deal that GOP leaders and the Governor’s Office agreed to in principle April 25, details are beginning to emerge.
The major sticking point between the two sides has been revenue projections — not just for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, but also for the following two years. Though Gov. Jan Brewer had bee[...]
