Arizona State Senate

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, July 12, 2012

Russell Pearce Bigot Bash at Central High School Library CANCELED!!!

UPDATE 4:30 P.M.: Just received a call from Phoenix Union School District's community relations office. They tell me they've CANCELED Pearce's event, as they don't have the security to handle it. This just in...now (apparently) they're going to be having the event at a high-school that's 60 per ... More >>

Best Reader Caption for Russell Pearce and a Baby?

On Friday, we asked readers to write the caption for the above photo of ousted state Senate President Russell Pearce -- who's actually trying to get elected again -- with some baby.After sifting through all the responses -- as usual, some of them more politically correct than others -- we've narrowe ... More >>

A Homophobic Group Killed Arizona's Anti-Bullying Law

Russell Pearce's Rival Bob Worsley Endorsed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith

The campaign of Legislative District 25 state Senate hopeful Bob Worsley today announced a major endorsement, that of Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, a GOPer many consider a future contender for Governor of Sand Land."I have known Bob Worsley for over 30 years," Smith states in the press release, which ... More >>

Employers Not Covering Contraception for Religious or Moral Reasons: Yay or Nay?

​The Arizona Senate is currently considering a bill that would keep all of the existing prescription drug coverage for any medications your doctor prescribes for you, unless it's contraception.It's been the law in Arizona since 2003 that prescription contraception is treated just like any other m ... More >>

Arizona Bill Calls for "Freedom" in Prescription Drug Coverage -- Unless You're a Woman and Your Boss Can Cite a Diety

​The Arizona Senate is currently considering a bill -- which has already been passed by the House -- that would keep all of the existing prescription drug coverage you're getting through your employer or health insurance company... if you're a dude.If you're a woman, and Jesus or a similar figure ... More >>

Important Legislation Alert: Bill Proposed to Criminalize Jumping Off Cliffs

​There's a very important piece of legislation proposed in the Arizona Senate that could affect people all across the state.Yes, jumping off cliffs could become a crime.Senate Bill 1499 is the work of Republican State Senator Judy Burges, and would make it a misdemeanor for anyone to "knowingly ju ... More >>

Let's Make it Official: Arizona Needs a State Food

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Steve Pierce to Replace Booted Senator Russell Pearce as State Senate President *WITH UPDATE*

Senator Steve Pierce will take over for ousted Senator Russell Pearce as president of the Arizona Senate.​State Senate Republicans confirm to New Times that GOPers have selected a replacement for ousted Senate President Russell Pearce following his historic loss in Tuesday night's recall election. ... More >>

Sarah Palin Not Running For President. But What About an Arizona Senate Seat?

​Former Alaska Governor/the best person Governor Jan Brewer could find to write the foreword to her new book, Sarah Palin, isn't going to run for president this year -- but there's a Senate seat in a certain Southwestern haven for far-right-wing-nuts that she's rumored to have been eying for sever ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, May 26, 2011

Arizona Legislature Would Prefer You Not Be Gay if You Want to Adopt a Kid

www.cafepress.com​The Arizona Senate yesterday approved a bill already given the green light by the House of Representatives that makes it as difficult as possible for gay people to adopt a child in the Grand Canyon State.The bill doesn't necessarily say homosexuals can't adopt children, but that ... More >>

Arizona's Senate-Approved Birther Bill Could Force Presidential Candidates to Provide Documentation Describing What Their Penis Looks Like to Get on Ballot

www.scaredmonkeys.com​They don't call Arizona the "meth lab of Democracy" for nothing -- where else could a lack of foreskin prove citizenship?The Arizona Senate formally passed the "Birther Bill" today, but not in its original version. Apparently, requiring presidential candidates to provide a lo ... More >>

Arizona Legislature Votes to Keep Happy Meal Toys

  littlemissmomma.blogspot.com ​Yesterday the Arizona Senate voted to keep Happy Meal toys and other cute giveaways fast food restaurants tuck amongst the fries, azcentral reports. The bill now awaits Governor Brewer's signature -- and when she signs, which you know she will, Arizona ... More >>

Governor Jan Brewer Probably Will Sign Bill Designed to Guilt Women Out of Having Abortions

​The Arizona Senate gave final approval earlier this week to the second of two controversial abortion bills to pass through the Legislature this year. This one's aimed at guilting women out of ending their pregnancies and places more restrictions on abortions by pill.HB 2416, approve ... More >>

Race-Based Abortion Bill Passes in State Senate. Non-Existent Problem (Almost) Solved

​(Gulp) Good news, Arizona -- we're one step closer to solving a problem that doesn't actually exist in the Grand Canyon State: gender and race-based abortions.The Arizona Senate -- which apparently thinks its oversight extends to regions of China, where these types of abortions are actually a pro ... More >>

Arizona Senate Votes Down Five Immigration Bills Sponsored By Russell Pearce and Dingleberry Right-Wingers

Arizona SenateIs your senator a Russell Pearce dingleberry, like Steve Smith?​Five anti-immigration bills sponsored by Senate President Russell Pearce and dingleberry right-wing senators went down in defeat yesterday as sanity prevailed in the Arizona legislature. The rejected measures were S ... More >>

Senate Passes Legislation to End Distribution of Spanish-Language Election Material

Arizona SenateRookie senator, veteran boot-licker.​The Arizona Senate passed legislation yesterday that would eliminate Spanish translation of election materials in information booklets distributed by the Secretary of State. Russell Pearce acolyte -- or is it wannabe? -- Sen. Steve Smith, R-M ... More >>

Morning Poll: Is Determining Official "State Gun" the Biggest Waste of Lawmakers' Time? Sadly, it's Debatable

​Well, they actually did it...The Arizona Senate yesterday approved a bill that puts the Grand Canyon State one step closer to becoming the first state in the entire union to have its own official state gun (Arizona's currently in a race with Utah for that (ahem) honor).The Senate voted 18-12 to m ... More >>

Feb. 24 In Blogs: Salvador Reza, iPic Theaters, Flathead, Tortas El Rey, and Jonathan Burns

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, January 6, 2010

Drama King

Evil stands in the way of Mexican family’s rendezvous with Baby Jesus

Arizona Election 2010: Goddard Concedes to Brewer Amid Conservative Field Day

Image: www.azsos.gov​Terry Goddard won't follow his father's footsteps as Arizona Governor, at least not this time.The high-profile Democrat was just one more body thrown on the pyre following the Arizona's Election Day slaughter by Republicans. Goddard conceded to Governor Janice Brewer at abou ... More >>

ManBearPig? Not in Arizona! Legislature Passes Embarrassing Bill Outlawing "Human-Animal Hybrids"

Martin Cizmar Russell Pearce, Jan Brewer, and ManBearPig​The Arizona Legislature finally has tackled the super-cereal business of making sure that the likes of South Park's infamous "ManBearPig" have no place in the Grand Canyon State.A ManBearPig -- as described by "Al Gore" on t ... More >>

"Birther" Bill Set Aside By Arizona Senate; Doesn't Have Enough Republican Votes

www.icanhazcheezburger.com​Has common sense prevailed in the Arizona State Senate?That may be a stretch, but one of the more embarrassing pieces of legislation to find its way through the Arizona House this session won't get a vote in the Senate -- this session anyway.The controversial "birther" b ... More >>

"I Didn't Pay Enough Fund" Passed by Arizona Senate; Guess How Much Moolah a Similar Program Generated in Arkansas -- You'll Laugh

www.knuckletattoos.com​ Feel like voluntarily ponyin' up some of your hard-earned cash to help legislators dig themselves out of the budget crisis they created? Of course you don't, but that didn't stop legislators from taking time out of their day to pass a bill that asks taxpayers to do ex ... More >>

Concealed-Weapons-Permit Bill Would Gun Down Lucrative Permit-Training Businesses; Proposal Also Allows Cops to Hold Guns During Traffic Stops

  Image: Wikimedia Commons ​ Glendale resident Dave Gushert says public safety would be at risk if lawmakers pass a bill that lets most Arizonans pack heat without a permit. The bill, which passed on a 20-10 vote in the Arizona Senate and is headed for likely a ... More >>

Obamacare Lawsuit Bill Approved by Arizona Legislative Committies

www.colleenhammond.com​Committees in both the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Senate have approved bills that would allow the state of Arizona to challenge the controversial, federal healthcare bill in court.Attorney General Terry Goddard refused to participate in simil ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Tax Bill Clears Arizona Senate

www.chattahbox.com​A voter initiative to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona is likely to go to the voting booth in November and if it passes, the state hopes to tax the ever-loving crap out of medicinal weed.The Arizona Senate passed SB 1222 yesterday, which allows the state government to levy ... More >>

March 26 In Blogs: Janet Napolitano, Paul McCartney, Matt McLinn, and Medical Marijuana

​In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: Janet Napolitano Gives Lip Service to Immigration Reform at ASU, while Partnering with Jo ... More >>

Hot Links: Immigrant Center, Adoption Bill, and Kayak Rescue

​Federal immigration officials are opening an immigrant processing center in Mesa. The center, which will operate at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, will serve as the final stop before illegal immigrants board a plane to Central America. The facility will open in about two weeks...The Arizona Se ... More >>

Hot Links: Senate Bills, Penis Tree on eBay, and Charity Grants

​The Arizona Senate committee has approved recommended passage of Senate Bill 1334, which would ban drivers from sending text messages while driving. If it passes, the law would go into effect January 1, and motorists caught texting will have to pay a $50 fine. If the driver was involved in an acc ... More >>

South Carolina's Tea-bag Senator Vows to Stay Neutral in McCain/ Hayworth Showdown

www.talkingpointsmemo.com Tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb​A South Carolina senator, arguably the biggest tea-bag in the conservative "Tea Party" movement, says he will remain neutral in the Arizona Senate race, where John McCain is squaring off with conservative darling J.D. Hayworth.Senator J ... More >>

Verschoor Shows Up, Burns Burns Dems; Senate Passes Budget Bills

Senate President Bob Burns​After nearly four agonizing months, the Arizona State Senate has finally passed four bills that will cut about $450 million from the state's budget.Like most things in the Legislature, this afternoon's agreement didn't come without a little bit of drama.First and foremos ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Gordon Won't Support Latest Budget Bill; Governor Brewer "Disappointed" in Some State Senators

Phil Gordon​ Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says he can't support the legislature's current budget proposal, despite Governor Jan Brewer's urging to do so. In a news release sent out this evening by the city (see text below), Gordon says changes to property tax collection rates will lower the amoun ... More >>

Caribbean Vacation for Senator Chuck Gray Not Going Over Well With Some GOPers

Vacationing Senator Chuck Gray​ As we reported Tuesday, when you're the Arizona State Senate majority leader, and your state is in the midst of heated budget negotiations, taking a Caribbean cruise is probably not your best course of action. Apparently some members of the Republican caucus a ... More >>

State Senator Steve Pierce to Serve as Acting Senate Majority Whip Until the Rest of GOP Can Mosey on Home to Vote

www.arizonacattlemansassoc.org Senator Steve Pierce​If the Arizona Senate could vote on a budget as quickly as members vote on leadership positions, we might not still have a $3.4-billion budget gap.Senate Republicans named Steve Pierce acting majority whip Tuesday, just hours aft ... More >>

Hot Links: Gascon's Temp, Guns in Cars, and Bank Robberies

Phoenix City Council will vote this week on three projects: a 12-acre entertainment district on Jackson Street, a $300 million expansion of the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, and a Latino cultural center on Adams Street. Wednesday is the council's last meeting before the summer recess...As Mesa Po ... More >>

Hot Links: San Tan Valley, Abortion Bills, and Frito-Lays

Residents in an unincorporated community near Queen Creek have voted to name the area San Tan Valley. About 2,000 people voted, choosing the name over another consideration, Bella Vista...Residents of northeast Mesa held a meeting Tuesday night with Councilwoman Dina Higgins to discuss institu ... More >>

Hot Links: County Suits, Lil Wayne, and the Asparagus Tribe

An analysis released Monday by the Office of Management and Budget shows that legal disputes between Maricopa county officials cost taxpayers about $1.1. million in fees. In the past year, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, County Treasurer Charles Hoskins, and the Board ... More >>

June 12 In Blogs: Red Bull, P.F. Chang's, Asi Es La Vida, and Ryan Gabrielson

In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Feathered Bastard: Arizona's Apartheid: Anti-Immigrant Legislation Advances in Arizona State Senate Up on the Sun: ... More >>

News Media Getting Kicked Out of State Senate Building, May Move to New Office in Capitol

State Senate President Tim Bee told capitol reporters last week to vacate offices in the state senate building that they've worked in since the 1970s. As first reported on Friday by the Arizona Republic's capitol reporter, Matthew Benson, Bee sent an eviction letter (reprinted below) to Howard ... More >>

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, May 4, 2006

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, Jnauary 26, 2006

Flashes

No Sunset for Solar - Yet

Solar advisory council members get hot over Department of Commerce's effort to snuff their group

VOUCHING FOR ALSTON