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House panel OKs ‘religious freedom’ bills
An Arizona House panel on Tuesday approved changes to a proposed law beefing up protections for businesses that assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays and others, but the changes didn't placate critics who call the bill a way to allow discrimination.
Brewer touts legacy in session-opening speech
Much of Gov. Jan Brewer’s State of the State address had the aura of an undeclared farewell speech as the governor reminisced about the accomplishments of the past five years.
AZ lawmakers face uphill climb to reform income tax system
Arizona lawmakers, business leaders and economists face a daunting task as they try to make any changes to the state’s income tax rates and tax system.
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.
Brewer signs sales tax reform bill
Gov. Jan Brewer signed her sales tax reform bill, bringing closure to an issue that has lingered since the governor’s days in the Legislature nearly two decades ago.
Brewer signs bill stocked with tax exemptions
A bill that began its life as a small tax break for companies that rent ignition interlock devices for people with DUI convictions but ended up as a catch-all for tax breaks that lawmakers could find no other place to stash in the Legislature's final hours is now law.
Senate approves sales tax reform compromise
By a 29-0 vote, the state Senate late Thursday approved Gov. Jan Brewer’s sales tax overhaul proposal after she obtained the buy-in of Arizona cities and towns.
Laguna Beach weekend tops lobbying expenditures
In early March, Sens. Nancy Barto and Steve Yarbrough stayed for three days in Laguna Beach, Calif., courtesy of conservative activist and lobbyist Cathi Herrod.
Arizona House passes bill protecting religion
An effort to allow people to sue over potential violations of religious liberty cleared the Arizona House of Representatives on Wednesday despite opposition from civil liberties groups who warn the measure will inspire waves of lawsuits over alleged First Amendment violations.
Recall bill soundly defeated in Senate
A bill to overhaul the recall election process in Arizona to protect Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other elected officials was defeated today in the state Senate. HB2282 failed by a 10-18 vote. It would have created a primary and general election process in the event an elected official is recalled, as opposed to the current non-partisan, winner-take-all election.
Mayors unveil own sales tax simplification plan
Mayors of Arizona cities offered an alternative plan to simplify the state’s sales tax code today, hours before a Senate panel began tackling key provisions of Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal.
It’s curtains for film tax credit bill
Political realities at the state Capitol have forced the film industry and its allies to abandon the push to create a tax credit program aimed at luring productions to Arizona.
