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Rural GOP legislators torn between ideology and helping jobless constituents
Not all Republicans are celebrating the special session as a victory over federal spending.
For representatives from rural areas, where unemployment is more than 20 percent in some pockets, it can be frustrating to hear their colleagues from urban centers like Phoenix denounce efforts to help the unemployed as unnecessary spending.
Correcting ‘misinformation’ about the special session
I’d like to set the record straight due to the political intrigue and misinformation that have been ascribed to the recent special session on continuing the federal Extended Benefit (EB) Program until the end of the year in Arizona.
Tobin/Brewer tiff expected to heal
In his first real test in his new role, House Speaker Andy Tobin found himself battling Gov. Jan Brewer.
Six weeks after being chosen by his caucus, Tobin and Brewer squared off over an extension of unemployment insurance: Brewer wanted to extend the benefits by 20 weeks and make some limited reforms, while Tobin publicly challenged her to expand the special session to include corporate[...]
Special session failure highlights struggle within GOP
Like taxes, budget and immigration, the special session that failed to extend unemployment aid to those who have been out of work the longest became another arena in the war to define the soul of the Republican Party.
The program’s most vocal critics and most ardent supporters are, not surprisingly, members of the GOP.
Relationship strained? Special session fiasco may be sign of things to come
After back-to-back legislative sessions in which Gov. Jan Brewer and GOP lawmakers appeared to put their differences behind them, work as a team and strive for a common agenda, the failed special session on unemployment benefits threatens to poison a relationship that has already seen its share of discord.
Brewer won’t seek session without backing for bill
Gov. Jan Brewer's office says she won't call the Arizona Legislature back into special session again to vote on an unemployment benefits proposal until lawmakers have a change of heart.
Expectations low as second day of special session begins
With both sides digging in, the hope of extending unemployment aid to jobless Arizonans appears to be fading.
Lawmakers are expected to resume the special session this afternoon, but the Legislature is more apt to close down the session without acting on the legislation than it is to approve the bills.
Brewer: Special session a ‘total meltdown’
Failing to deliver an extension to unemployment benefits, the first day of the special session instead ended in recrimination that is once again threatening the fragile relationship between Gov. Jan Brewer and the Republican-led Legislature.
Keynesian Obama stimulus bailout welfare crap
Biggs, another Republican who has been vocal against extending jobless benefits, is unimpressed by the governor's offer of "accountability safeguards" as a way to check abuse in the unemployment benefits program.
Votes, attendance still question marks for special session
Baring the same determination she employed in pushing for a temporary sales tax hike, Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session to be held on June 10 to extend aid to jobless Arizonans. But it's unclear whether the votes Brewer needs are there.
Despite strong resistance, Brewer calls special session to extend jobless benefits�
Baring the same determination she employed in pushing for a temporary sales tax hike when she first took office more than two years ago, Gov. Jan Brewer called for a special session to be held June 10 to extend aid to unemployed Arizonans, despite the objections of many Republican lawmakers.
It’ll cost you
Brewer's use this morning of the bully pulpit to leverage GOP votes on unemployment insurance led Tobin to say the House would play ball - for a price.
