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Moratorium leads to near-record number of Brewer vetoes
The bill moratorium that rankled lawmakers as Gov. Jan Brewer started applying pressure to pass her Medicaid expansion plan helped push her to a near-record number of vetoes in 2013.
Brewer vetoed 26 bills this year, the second highest total of her career, behind the 29 she rejected in 2011.
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.
Economic development bills waiting on budget
The fever pitch for economic development legislation has died down somewhat following signs of recovery and passage of blockbuster bills in the past two sessions. But lawmakers are still pushing job-creating legislation, which has been stalled for months over the ongoing budget stalemate.
Brewer vetoes bill allowing funeral home trainees
Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have allowed Arizona's 51 crematories and 163 funeral homes to hire intern trainees.
Commerce Committee hears one side of federal regulation problem
The chairman of the House Commerce Committee said during an informational session Wednesday that the U.S. Environmental Agency is pandering to the far left wing of the Democratic Party as it burdens Arizona with unnecessary regulations.
Obstacles hold up bills that seemed bound for success
Many notable bills that seemed on their way to success this session suddenly faltered — sometimes for personal reasons, sometimes for ideological reasons and sometimes because there just wasn’t enough time to smooth out the details.
Lawmaker pursues changes in funeral industry
Republican Rep. Tom Forese of Chandler sponsored three bills this session to loosen regulations on the undertaking industry, and allow them to bring on interns to do some of the work.
Despite bipartisan opposition, House approves ‘benefit corporations’ bill
Saying the American Dream is on life support and in need of help, Republican Rep. Tom Forese of Chandler beat back bipartisan opposition to his bill allowing a new type of corporation — a benefit corporation.
Police drone measure stalls, heads to study committee
The Arizona Legislature will wait to consider the regulation of drones for at least another year.
AZ House approves new biz, self-employed tax cuts
A sharply divided Arizona House has given final approval to a bill lowering the property tax rate assessed on fixtures and other so-called "personal property" businesses own if they expand and add jobs.
Drone Revolution: Lawmakers react to fears of Big Brother
For decades, police have been peering into backyards from helicopters to look for signs of crime without having to get search warrants. But the impending revolution of drones, or unmanned aircraft, brings fears of a Big Brother rising to watch over people’s lives. And now concern about unmanned aircraft has spawned legislation to force police officers to get court approval when they want to u[...]
House panel OKs bill requiring warrants for drones
An Arizona House panel has given initial approval to a bill requiring state and local law enforcement agencies to get search warrants before using unmanned aircraft to gather evidence in a civil or criminal case.
