Arpaio joins PETA in criticizing proposed ‘ag-gag’ bills
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio threw his support today behind opponents of two bills moving through the Legislature that would, among other things, hand investigative powers to the Arizona Department of Agriculture in livestock abuse cases.
Arizona GOP lawmakers take aim at feds once again
Three proposals show the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature's penchant for wagging its finger at the federal government is far from satisfied despite rebukes from federal courts on the state's efforts to control immigration reform and push the limits of abortion restrictions.
Legislative panel recommends changes to income tax code
A panel of lawmakers, tax experts and economists voted Thursday to recommend a series of changes to Arizona’s individual income tax code, including an eleventh-hour proposal to reduce the number of income brackets used to calculate tax rates paid by Arizonans.
Lawmaker ready to try again for state ban on texting while driving
Despite failing repeatedly since 2007, a state lawmaker said he is going to try again to have Arizona join 41 other states that have outlawed all texting while driving.
Arizona Democrats tout Obamacare benefits, despite problems with rollout
Despite the troubled rollout of the Affordable Care Act, Arizona Democrats touted the law’s “many, many positive aspects” and showcased one woman Monday who successfully got health insurance through healthcare.gov.
Speeding trucks and a flying SUV: Farley survived fatal crash on I-10
Barely an hour before the crash Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, participated in a contentious and successful attempt to overthrow a Democratic leader. But sitting still in the middle of a freeway on his way back to Tucson, with his hands behind the wheel and with zero visibility, Farley thought how inconsequential the morning’s political drama had been against the tragedy that un[...]
Doing no harm: Tax overhaul effort stalls over vague goals, concerns about middle class
After four weeks and three meetings of a task force with intentions to reform, tweak, or overhaul Arizona’s personal income tax system, the members of the group don’t seem closer to deciding what, exactly, they want to accomplish.
Livingston scores a perfect legislative batting average
The award for best legislative batting average for the session — the calculation of bills introduced versus bills signed into law — goes to Rep. David Livingston, a freshman Republican lawmaker from Peoria who has been vocally critical of the governor.
Top Quotes of the 2013 Session
The most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances from the 2013 Legislative Session.
Arts Commission gets an additional $1 million in budget
The arts in Arizona received a boost in the state’s fiscal 2014 budget after being allocated an additional $1 million from the state’s rainy day fund.
Dems play nice for Medicaid expansion
Gov. Brewer’s fight for AHCCCS expansion puts her in an unusual alliance
While Gov. Jan Brewer has spent months fighting for Republican support for her Medicaid expansion plan, Democratic lawmakers who are expected to provide the bulk of the votes are waiting on the sidelines.
Gun buyback programs likely to end in Phoenix, Tucson
Officials in Phoenix and Tucson say it’s no longer viable to organize gun buyback programs now that a state law will require the guns to be sold back into circulation, not destroyed.