Sign In
Free Newsletter
Bill allowing employers to deny contraception coverage advances
Any business with a religious objection to contraception would be allowed to not include it in their insurance coverage under a bill that was approved by a Senate committee Monday. Current law allows only religious employers, which are defined as nonprofit groups that primarily employ and serve persons who share their religious tenets, to provide health plans that don’t cover contraceptives.
Lawmakers consider extra funding for NAU, ASU
Arizona lawmakers are considering legislation to ensure the state is spending the same amount of money per student at each of its three public universities.
Sweeping abortion bill advancing in Senate
Pro-life lawmakers were able to get a sweeping abortion measure through a Senate committee Monday, despite the measure being held in the House nearly two weeks ago.
Sweeping anti-abortion bills facing hurdles
The pro-life community suffered a setback Wednesday as proposals that would add a host of requirements before an abortion could be performed failed to get committee approval.
A bill to ban most abortions after 20 weeks and another that would define human life as beginning at conception stalled in the Republican-led Legislature.
Republican angst over redistricting decision not enough to force direct elections of judges
Republican anger against the Arizona Supreme Court over its ruling in last year’s redistricting case is fierce, but wasn’t enough to push through a trio of bills that sought to retaliate against the judiciary, including the perennial conservative goal of forcing the direct election of judges.
Group seeks to alter immigration discussion in Arizona
A coalition of businesses, religious organizations and political figures is pushing an ambitious project to change the tone of the immigration discussion in Arizona and steer it toward policies that promote comprehensive, more humane and nuanced solutions.
Lawmakers, Brewer looking past rocky 2011
The road from the end of the last legislative session to the beginning of the new one was full of potholes for Gov. Jan Brewer and the Legislature.
Both sides say there’s nothing unusual about the two branches butting heads, and say they’ve moved past the disagreements of 2011. But there was no shortage of feuds between Brewer and the Legislature.
Lewis takes oath of office, pledges focus on economy
Exactly two weeks after unseating Russell Pearce in a recall election, Republican Jerry Lewis took his oath as the Senate’s newest member and promised to focus on getting the economy back on track.
From Pearce to Pierce: Prescott rancher elected new Senate President
Republicans today selected Sen. Steve Pierce as their new leader, a move that quickly filled the vacuum that resulted from the toppling of Senate President Russell Pearce two days ago.
Three senators jockey for Senate presidency
The toppling of Senate President Russell Pearce will trigger a shakeup in Senate leadership that will see Republicans choosing a new president.
And depending on who replaces him, that shakeup could also mean changes in the makeup and chairmanships of committees.
A Pearce defeat means shake up in Senate
If Senate President Russell Pearce loses his race tomorrow, it will trigger a shakeup in Senate leadership that will see Republicans choosing a new president.
By all accounts, three senators are interested in the position — Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, Senate Majority Whip Steve Pierce, and Sen. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler.
Independent lawyer will prosecute Bundgaard’s ethics case
The Senate Ethics Committee decided Oct. 27 to use an independent lawyer to prosecute an ethics complaint against Sen. Scott Bundgaard, but adjourned before voting on whether to use a lower standard of proof.
