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Let’s go to the videotape
Politicos had mixed opinions on the Ninth Floor’s handling of the Terri Proud-Joey Strickland situation at the Department of Veterans Services. One lobbyist believed Strickland genuinely didn’t believe he was disobeying an order and said the governor shouldn’t have fired him, noting that if he were still a state employee, he wouldn’t have spoken to the media about the situation and much of[...]
Two can play that game
The Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity has responded in kind to the Arizona Business Coalition’s mailer supporting Carter. AFP this week sent out a mailer criticizing Carter for her support of Brewer’s Medicaid plan. The front of the mailer is nearly identical to the coalition’s mailer, but instead of thanking Carter for “standing up for Arizona families,” it thanks her for “s[...]
Scottsdale Healthcare ‘reserving judgement’
While the Mayo Clinic is officially on board with Brewer’s Medicaid plan, Scottsdale Heathcare has serious concerns over the proposed provider tax and is still weighing its options. Scottsdale Healthcare lobbyist Michelle Pabis told our reporter that the hospital system is still not a supporter of the expansion plan, specifically because of the provider tax.
Mathis: I followed SPO’s advice
For the first time since Republican redistricting commissioners accused their chairwoman, Colleen Mathis, of destroying mapping firm procurement documents and attempting to privately corral commissioner’s votes, Mathis offered her explanation for what happened in yesterday’s (March 28) IRC trial.
No, you’re the RINO!
A war of words erupted between Tobin and the Arizona Conservative Coalition (formerly the Pachyderm Coalition) early this week, and it is showing no signs of abating. At the center of the escalating tension is the group’s ranking system, which is based on a set of criteria that aims to show how conservative a Republican is.
The familiar conspiracy
Before this morning’s (March 25) federal court trial, the Republican story has been that Dem commissioners and the IRC’s independent chairwoman worked together to thwart the desires of GOP commissioners, all the while advancing map proposals pushed by Dems. But Miranda’s name was not connected to that theory.
More of a blessing than a curse
Few politicos believe the Campbell recall has a snowball’s chance of succeeding, and an increasingly prevalent school of thought is that the recall effort is actually a boon to the minority leader’s 2014 gubernatorial aspirations, since it gives him a platform to raise his public profile. And thanks to the vagaries of the state campaign finance laws governing recalls, it may be more of a boon [...]
A less than positive reception
The reaction to LaFaro’s remarks yesterday (March 20) about Brewer triggered a tsunami of backlash, and by this morning, several politicos and lawmakers were calling for LaFaro’s resignation. So far, no one has stepped forward to defend his remarks, although some said they believe the governor has abandoned the party’s conservative principles. Tobin took to Twitter to denounce LaFaro.
It’s not like it’s that important
Heather Casey and her team organized a lunchtime press conference at the Capitol today (March 20) to introduce the candidate who is targeting Carter, but the event resulted in her trying to give reporters the silent treatment when it came to her opposition of Medicaid expansion.
Making good on their word
AHCCCS expansion foes appear to have followed through on their promise to field a primary opponent for Carter because of her support of Brewer’s proposal, as Heather Casey today filed a committee for the House in LD15. Because she didn’t return multiple phone messages, little is known about Casey.
An expensive bone to pick
The IRC met last night (March 14) to revisit what has become routine: mounting legal costs and dwindling funds. The commission is just about out of money, and the bills for March haven’t even arrived yet. Executive Director Ray Bladine has opened negotiations with top Legislative staff, and has formally submitted a request for a $551,000 FY13 supplemental.
Let’s get this party started
Now that the long-awaited draft of Brewer’s Medicaid plan is out, the governor is hoping to win some hearts and minds in the Legislature. And she made clear that she’s putting a lot of faith in Carter, a “true leader” whom the governor praised for her “courageous leadership.”
