Sign In
Free Newsletter
Tobin, Fann hold off challenge from Klein
In what may have been Arizona’s most bizarre primary race, House Speaker Andy Tobin has defeated an opponent backed by out-of-state money and friends who include Herman Cain, Joe the Plumber and the creator of the notorious Willie Horton attack ads.
Herman Cain gives money to oust Speaker Tobin
Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain and two wealthy contributors to conservative causes are funding an independent expenditure campaign aimed at ousting House Speaker Andy Tobin and replacing him with a first-term Republican lawmaker who made waves in 2011 for pointing a loaded gun at a reporter during an interview.
According to a campaign finance report filed Monday, Ar[...]
2 big blows to government unions mean hope for taxpayers
June was not a good month for government labor unions. Early in the month, they lost a big election in Wisconsin that was being watched nationally. And later, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that dealt a blow for constitutional free speech rights and against unions.
Judge halts pay for police officers doing union work
In its fight to curb the influence of public unions, the Goldwater Institute has persuaded a judge to temporarily block Phoenix’s practice of paying police officers to perform union work.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled today that the practice known as “release time” likely violates the Arizona Constitution’s “gift clause,” which prohibits governm[...]
Anti-union bills being parceled out to gain success
Backers of anti-union bills are planning to parcel out the provisions of a measure that is advancing in the Senate, an apparent move to give each idea the best chance of passing. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to prohibit pay to public employees who do union activities, a practice called “release time.”
Law enforcement not the place for political ideology
Most people would agree that the world of law enforcement is not the place for strident political agendas. So when an ideological organization whose lobbying activities are being challenged by the secretary of state starts pushing for changes that affect front line police officers, the law enforcement community stands up and takes notice.
Anti-union bills expose lack of worker solidarity
While the slew of measures targeting public unions appeared to have re-energized organized labor in Arizona, it also exposed their inability to fully unite amid a sustained attack from foes. The discord over tactics was palpable on March 1, when hundreds of union members and their supporters protested at the state Capitol, but many public unions stayed away.
Union members rally, warn of dire consequences for workers, lawmakers
A coalition of unions rallied at the Capitol to oppose a slate of anti-union legislation, warning that the passage of the bills would carry dire consequences for both workers who would lose their rights and lawmakers who would lose their elections.
Unions planning big rally at state Capitol
Unions from across Arizona are planning to bring hundreds of workers to the state Capitol on Thursday, two days after the Senate advanced a second bill that targets public unions.
They also want to send a clear message that they’re opposing Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to overhaul the state personnel system and make it easier to hire and fire workers.
Second anti-union bill gets Senate OK
After being pulled from the debate calendar twice, a proposal that would prohibit public employees from being paid for union work finally received Senate approval today.
Public employee union bills stall in Arizona Senate
Several Republican-sponsored bills targeting government employee unions appear stalled in the Arizona Senate, a week after one such measure was approved.
Senate likely to vote on anti-union measures this week
This week, the Senate is likely to vote on a slew of proposals that would fundamentally weaken public employee unions in Arizona. The proposals have quickly advanced since their introduction about two weeks ago and there are indications they will be brought to the Senate floor for a debate soon.
