Year in Review: ‘Say what?’ moments: Outrageous, engaging and head-scratching comments from 2011
Politicians sometimes say the ‘darndest’ things, and 2011 didn’t disappoint. Whether deliberate or inadvertent, some comments by Arizona’s lawmakers outraged, inflamed or simply stoked people’s imaginations. Here are some comments and moments that left many scratching their heads, hopping mad or laughing out loud. If they proved anything, it’s this: The state Capitol can be a [...]
Melvin has advice for Smith
The IRC's rearrangement of the LD lines in Pinal and Pima counties put Melvin and Smith in the same district, but Melvin is hoping both can return to the Legislature in 2013.
‘Arizona Accord’ aims to change state’s illegal immigration enforcement image
A major effort is underway to get businesses, faith-based organizations and other groups to rally behind a more humane set of principles to guide how Arizona deals with illegal immigration, the complex and emotionally-draining subject that has consumed much of the state’s energy in the past few years.
GOP leader: More illegal immigration bills coming next session
Senate President Russell Pearce has been ousted, but his allies in the Legislature aren’t about to let his defeat deter them from pushing anti-illegal immigration measures that the outgoing senator would undoubtedly like to see become law.
Sen. Steve Smith wants to link teacher pay to performance
Sen. Steve Smith is planning to introduce a bill that would tie performance to pay for K-12 teachers.
It’s the least he could do
On Monday, Adams told our reporter that he believes the commentary S Smith penned attacking him for not backing Pearce was not just a put-on by the Salmon campaign, but was written by them, too.
Firm can offer one mile of discount border fencing
A very small portion of Arizona’s border fence project might be realized sooner than expected. Sen. Steve Smith, the project’s author, earlier disclosed that he’s in negotiations with a fence manufacturer about possibly donating or selling “several miles” of fencing at a greatly reduced rate to Arizona.
Smith says portions of privately funded border fence could go up soon
Critics view Arizona’s plans to build a fence on the US-Mexico border as either foolhardy or simply political posturing, but the author of Arizona’s border fence project claims it could go up sooner than expected.
Border fence gets $100,000 in donations
A fundraising website launched by the state of Arizona to build more fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border brought in more than $100,000 in donations in its first week of operation.
Freshmen reflect on 2011: Views mainly depend on party affiliation
With more than three tumultuous months under their belt, House and Senate greenhorns have been property initiated. And looking back, some of them seem a little shell-shocked, while others appear to be having the time of their life.
Border security laws may not secure very much
Like a fancy new car that just sits in the garage because the owner can’t afford to pay the insurance, cash-strapped Arizona may not have many opportunities to use two border security measures the Legislature passed.
Senate Bill 1495 authorizes the governor to establish the Arizona State Guard, which would be independent from the Arizona National Guard and under the exclusive control [...]