Rules, enforcement lacking to prevent sexual harassment among lawmakers
Arizona lawmakers had little in the way of guidance for how to deal with sexual harassment until a state representative shared her own experience of being harassed by her fellow legislators at the Capitol.
Ethics committee opens inquiry on Dem Miranda, votes along party lines
The Arizona Senate Ethics Committee will investigate a Democratic state senator for allegedly violating signature gathering laws, but won’t do any real sleuthing until the attorney general weighs in.
Judge can’t tell lawmakers how much money to give schools, attorney says
An attorney for the state is telling a judge she has no legal right to tell the Legislature it isn't providing enough money for school construction and repair.
Arizona charitable giving improves thanks to tax credit law change
Whether they’re conscious or not of Arizona’s reputation, legislators have over the years hunkered down to encourage charitable giving.
Lawmakers say Ducey must decide on civil war monuments if Legislature passes bill to remove them
House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said any decisions about removing those monuments and memorials likely have to come in the form of legislation which has to be signed by the governor to take effect.
Wrap up with Katie Hobbs
Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs, D-Phoenix, led Democrats in her chamber through yet another session where the minority party tried and failed to substantively change the budget. But the Phoenix Democrat found a few reasons to be pleased with the session, while mostly remaining frustrated by Republican legislative victories.
Few lawmakers chalk up perfect attendance and voting records
Only 24 Arizona legislators managed to both attend work on all of the days they were expected during the 122-day session, and push a button each time there was a vote. Two of those perfect record-holders were Speaker of the House J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, and Senate President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler.
Wrap up with Steve Yarbrough
In his first year at the helm of the Senate, President Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, took to heart his experience as the majority leader to lead a united Republican Caucus — at least, most of the time.
Democrats almost had a voice in budget process, but Republicans didn’t hear them
Republicans say Democrats overplayed their hand. Gov. Doug Ducey and GOP leaders were willing to talk, but Democrats asked for too much and were too firmly entrenched in their request to make negotiating a reality.
Lawyer: No one hurt yet by law restricting voter initiatives
David Cantelme told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joshua Rogers he believes there's a legal flaw in a challenge to new hurdles erected to voters creating their own laws.
‘Sine die’ – a sunset, a flip-flop and money for business and the needy
The Legislature adjourned sine die just before sunset May 10, capping a final week in which one Republican’s flip-flop prevented a prolonged session and lawmakers expanded tax breaks for businesses and benefits for poor Arizona families.
GOP leaders say bonding plan doesn’t have enough Republican votes to pass
The fate of Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposal to boost public universities’ bonding capacity by $1 billion - and perhaps of the state’s budget - rests in the hands of Democrats, according to GOP legislative leaders.