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Capitol Quotes: Jan. 14, 2011
“I will never say anything hateful or hurtful again about somebody else who I have a disagreement with because we must break this mold.” — Democratic Rep. Steve Farley, of Tucson.
Dem targets texting while driving
The Arizona Legislature has balked at a statewide ban on texting while driving during each of the past three sessions despite bipartisan support for such a measure. So this year, a Tucson Democrat is planning a different approach.
Heinz elected whip by coin flip; Campbell wins top Dem post in House
Reps. Matt Heinz and Ed Ableser were still tied after two votes in the House Democrats' Nov. 4 leadership vote, so the caucus decided to flip a coin to break the stalemate. Heinz, a second-term Tucson Democrat, won the leadership post after picking tails.
Senate passes texting ban, battle now shifts to House
Sometimes, the party description next to a lawmaker’s name becomes the extra hand that helps push legislation forward – and that’s exactly what happened with a bill that would ban texting while driving.
Jobs dilemma — government or private sector?
Republicans and Democrats couldn't be farther apart on the issues of corporate taxes and job creation.
GOP jobs bill sails through committee
A House panel on Jan. 25 forwarded a measure to the floor aimed at spurring job growth through incentives to large corporations and tax cuts, where it is scheduled to be debated by the entire body.
Long session led to many missed votes
The Arizona House of Representatives held 382 floor votes during the 2009 regular session, which stretched into July as lawmakers struggled with the budget deficit. Rep. Rich Crandall, a Mesa Republican, didn't participate in 254 of them, nearly two-thirds of the total.
Lights out on payday loans
Next year, the Arizona Legislature will decide whether to eliminate payday lending in the state, which presents a dilemma for Republican lawmakers who will have to decide between their free-enterprise beliefs and a moral objection to the large fees on short-term loans.
Biden: Stimulus has saved thousands of Arizona jobs, will boost IT and high tech
Federal stimulus money has saved more than 12,000 jobs in Arizona and laid the groundwork for a economic recovery built on information services and technology, Vice President Joe Biden said Nov. 16.
Mixed messages emerge from school override, bond votes
If there's a message in the results of this month's school bond and budget override votes, the meaning is up for wide interpretation. The approval rate for overrides and bond issues requested by school districts on Nov. 2 was lower than the five-year average, leading some to conclude that the public's willingness to pay more taxes for education has decreased.
Tucson lawmaker: Career as artist provides flexibility and perspective for work at Capitol
TUCSON - "Life's too short for beige," Steve Farley said, standing in his backyard looking at the color palette he's painted his home: sandy peach, Easter-egg turquoise and a rich purple. But what stands out the most also happens to be what Farley does for a living: hundreds of painted ceramic tiles on the back of his house together form a two-story saguaro cactus in shades of green and gray.
