Arizona was fairly giving this election season, kicking in at least $16 million to presidential candidates, according to the Federal Election Commission.

A committee tasked with evaluating the city’s ethics standards will promote transparency, openness and accountability, Mayor Greg Stanton said Monday.

While many Arizonans are enjoying spring break and our beautiful weather, it is an appropriate coincidence that this past week was also designated “Sunshine Week,” a nationwide initiative that draws public attention to the need for increased government transparency and accountability.

Since the Arizona Commerce Authority officially launched on July 1, it has awarded $17.2 million in incentives to companies moving to or expanding in Arizona. But detailed information is available for less than half of that money.

That’s because $9.3 million has been awarded in the form of tax credits, which are defined in Arizona statute as confidential taxpayer information.

CHANDLER - Arizona's redistricting commissioners today are scheduled to consider the chair's proposal to subject themselves to transparency requirements already imposed on key advisers. Under the requirements, redistricting-related contacts with outsiders have to be reported.

The Arizona Legislature is advancing a bill that would require local government entities to create their own websites showing detailed information on revenues and expenditures.

"I think they've probably exhausted everything." - Sen. Paula Aboud, a Democrat from Tucson, on the payday loan industry's multiple attempts to get legislative approval to continue operating past its June 30 sunset date.

Kirk Adams may have set the bar impossibly high. As part of his bid to become speaker in late 2008, he distributed a well-polished 16-page book that laid out exactly what he would do if elected by his Republican colleagues to lead the House of Representatives.

Nobody likes working ’round the clock. And nobody will say publicly that it’s a good idea to pass a budget at 4 a.m. But it happens. And I get why it happens – sort of, at least. Lawmakers have put ...