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Brewer nixes special session request on TPT
Gov. Jan Brewer won’t call a special session requested by a contractors’ industry group to postpone the implementation of her 2013 transaction privilege tax reform law.
Easier to count the angels on the head of a pin
Public safety unions have a chance to avoid Plan B, which will push back a proposed special session on pension reform until after the election.
Bing, bang, boom
The second special session of the 51st Legislature officially ended today at 12:56 pm. Only a single vote was cast against the CPS reform package, with Ward voting no on S1002 (appropriations; Dept of Child Safety)
Governor, lawmakers hope a new strategy will restore order to the state’s child welfare system
Gov. Jan Brewer signed two bills Thursday creating a new independent agency to handle reports of child abuse and neglect.
If the ducks aren’t in a row, suspend the rules
The House suspended rules in order to make up for lost time waiting on the legislation. The lower chamber suspended Rule 9(C)(7) requiring notice to lawmakers and the general public by 4 pm the day before a special meeting can be called, as well as Rule 33(B), which prohibits committees from taking action on a measure unless the measure is posted on a committee agenda by 4 pm the previous day.
Child welfare session gets off to a slow start before bills introduced
Arizona lawmakers opened a special session to overhaul the state’s child welfare system with a sputter, beginning the session without having finished preparing the bills needed to create a new Department of Child Safety.
Signed, sealed and delivered
Brewer issued a call today (May 22) for lawmakers to return to the Capitol May 27 for a special session to overhaul the state’s child-welfare agency and close out an ever-growing backlog of 14,777 abuse and neglect cases.
Hitting two birds with one special session stone
Associated Press reporter Bob Christie broke the news late Friday afternoon that police and fire unions are pushing for a special session that would allow voters in November to vote on an overhaul of PSPRS to deal with the pension’s underfunding.
Brewer vetoes money for external audit of CPS, cites upcoming special session
Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed legislation calling for an external audit of Arizona’s beleaguered Child Protective Services, but called for the issue to be a part of discussion in an upcoming special session focusing on child safety.
Proposals for fixing CPS emerge
Authorities search for new ideas in the face of an ongoing crisis
Some lawmakers say Child Protective Services needs more money. Others say it should become its own agency, separate from the Department of Economic Security. Another cautions against “reactionary legislation” that won’t really solve anything.
Kwasman: Keep the Grand Canyon Open
Washington is broken. Arizona, like other states throughout the country, is bearing the burden. The crown jewel of the National Park System, Grand Canyon National Park, is closed. The New York Times reports that trip cancellations "are pouring in," while hotels are offering refunds, tour groups are cancelled, and restaurants find themselves without customers.
Hotshot’s widow asks governor for special session
The pregnant widow of one of the firefighters killed while fighting a wildfire near Yarnell is asking Gov. Jan Brewer to call a special session of the Legislature to address benefits for the men's families.
