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Resigning to ignore the law
In the latest chapter of who may or may not be violating the state's murky resign to run law, it seems at least one legislator didn't know the law even existed. Rep. Ray Barnes, termed out in the House next year, has already formed a Senate campaign committee: not an exploratory committee - a committee.
Deal or no deal?
With three days left until the governor needs to act on the budget, Sen. Jorge Luis Garcia, Sen. President Bob Burns and Gov. Jan Brewer met again this morning on the ninth floor to discuss a proposal laid out by Senate Democrats...
Enjoying the show?
Meanwhile, former state Republican executive director Sean McCaffrey seemed to fan the flames of those Democratic fears, telling our reporter that the Dems have "never relished their role in the minority so much."
Five-party talks in peril
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema spoke to our reporter at the conclusion of today's five-party talks. "I'm not sure there's going to be any more of those meetings," she said. She identified the repeal of the equalization tax as the biggest obstacle. She said Republicans "won't budge" on reinstating the tax...
Campaign 2010
Rep. Nancy Barto, who is not termed until 2012, has opened an exploratory committee for the District 7 Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jim Waring, who is term-limited next year. Rep. Ray Barnes, who like Waring is termed in 2010, opened a Senate exploratory committee back in February.
Brewer: Tax vote won’t affect decision to run
Gov. Jan Brewer said today (Aug. 28) she won't base her decision on whether to run for a full term in 2010 on the outcome of a public vote on her sales tax increase proposal. "I don't think so," Brewer told our reporter following an awards luncheon in Litchfield Park, when asked if the outcome of the vote would affect her decision.
Pierce to Brewer; Brewer to Dems
Reached by phone, Sen. Steve Pierce reiterated to our reporter today his position that Gov. Jan Brewer should sign the budget that's on her desk. "I've given her my word I would continue to work towards it [the sales tax referral], and in the meantime, she should sign the budget that's there and let the state operate like it should," Pierce said.
All is not well in GOP-land
Rep Sam Crump is hopping mad at Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen after Pullen ripped him and Sen. Pamela Gorman at Monday's (Aug. 24) LD-6 GOP meeting and has sent a missive to RNC Chairman Michael Steele detailing what he called "unacceptable conduct" by Pullen, who also doubles as the RNC treasurer.
Lujan responds to Arpaio article
The July 20 New Yorker had a feature article on Sheriff Joe Arpaio ("Sheriff Joe" by William Finnegan). The piece, mostly critical, tried to give the magazine's readers a flavor of his policies regarding illegals and the controversies that he engenders.
From the cheap seats
Lobbyists and other interested observers are all speculating on what Gov. Jan Brewer might do. One onlooker, who asked not to be identified, said the Governor's Office, in particular, is keeping mum: "Even the [staffers] who will say, ‘Hello,' to you are choosing not to say anything.
As simple as ABC
The Arizona Budget Commission was formed today through Senate President Bob Burns' fiat. The commission will look at how agencies spend tax dollars and identify "cutting-edge technologies that will assist in balancing state budgets," a statement from Burns' office said.
Who’s behind the Gorman attack ad?
A video attacking Sen. Pamela Gorman that was posted Sunday (Aug. 16) on YouTube was making the rounds at the Capitol yesterday among lawmakers. The professionally produced, minute-long ad was also reportedly e-mailed to some Republicans in LD-6 by the district's GOP leadership.
