Government Spending

RUNAWAY TRAINSTHE RAILROAD INDUSTRY WON'T TAKEN THE BLAME IF YOU GET KILLED AT ONE OF ITS CROSSINGS

Phoenix's Freebie for Fife

The city torpedoed an urban development program when it let Symington off the hook for $2.7 million.

The Health-Care Mirage

GOP boosters say Arizona's medical system for the poor should be a model for national health-care reform. But three federal investigations question whether Arizona's system is any less expensive than traditional Medicaid plans.

When Revolution Meets Reality

Governor Symington says his massive tax cuts have brought prosperity to Arizona. Actually, they are bringing on a fiscal train wreck that could damage the state for decades.

Welfare That Doesn't Work

Governor Symington has spoken of helping needy kids and improving the welfare system. His welfare agency, the Department of Economic Security, is famous for astonishing incompetence and children who die.

Children of Synanon

An acclaimed Tucson drug-treatment program went suddenly, mysteriouly bankrupt. Administrators blame the board of directors. But others are questioning the administrators and their history at the notorious drug-treatment empire known as Synanon.

Jan Brewer: Herbert Hoover in High Heels and a Pantsuit

Separated at birth? According to economist Paul Krugman, it's possible. Will soon-to-be Arizona Governor Jan Brewer repeat the mistakes of Republicans in the midst of the Great Depression, specifically those of President Herbert Hoover?It seems likely. With a GOP-led legislature intent on "starv ... More >>

Rick Renzi, Indicted Former Congressman, Getting His Earmarks Through

  If you don't like the $1.2 million in earmarks shoved into a Congressional spending bill headed for a vote in the U.S. Senate, it may be tough to get ahold of the man responsible: Indicted Former Congressman Rick Renzi. USA Today reports that Renzi is one of several former lawmakers who ... More >>

A Cancer on ASU

Could Bob Pettit have cured cancer in his lifetime? We might never know, thanks to nasty university politics

Friends at Work

When it comes to million-dollar contracts at the Arizona Department of Transportation, it's all about whose back gets scratched

Stealth Zealot

Pop quiz. Who’s Arizona’s other U.S. senator? Here’s a clue: He makes Dubya look like a liberal

Lab Rats

The University of Arizona's push to become one of the nation's great research institutions has paid off -- but at what cost to the state, faculty and students?

War of the Wards

Phoenix Children's Hospital, for years hidden inside Good Samaritan hospital, seems to have been misplaced by the federal government

A Different School of Thought

The state's unabashed enthusiasm for charter schools stops at the borders of Indian reservations

Class Reaction

Legal aid to farmworkers and Indians slashed as Congress seeks end to mass lawsuits

LIBERAL TO A FAULTA LONG-RUNNING POLITICAL FEUD HAS BROUGHT DEMOCRATIC SOUTHWEST PHOENIX LITTLE BUT INTRIGUE, PARANOIA--AND A GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION

Legal aid to farmworkers and Indians slashed as Congress seeks end to mass lawsuits

DEAD AND FORGOTTEN

THE STATE'S MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR THE POOR DOESN'T KNOW WHETHER ITS CLIENTS ARE DEAD OR ALIVE. AND THAT'S HARDLY THE WORST OF THE PROBLEMS AT THE ARIZONA HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT SYSTEM.

Arizona Governor Wants New, "Sustainable" Model for Universities; Will Use Federal Money to Ease Tuition

Arizona needs a more affordable business model for its universities in the face of state budget realities, Governor Jan Brewer said this morning to the Arizona Board of Regents. In the short term, hundreds of millions of federal stimulus dollars will be used over the next co ... More >>

AFL-CIO Calls Two State Reps "Heroes" for Voting "No" on Republican Bills; Huppenthal's Trial Delayed

Daniel Patterson State Representatives Daniel Patterson and Jack Brown were called "heroes" this week by the AFL-CIO for their committment to vote "no" on most Republican bills. Patterson and Brown began their voting boycott a couple of weeks ago and haven't yet relented, resulti ... More >>

Obama Mafia Asks Governor if She Supports Jon Kyl and Wants to Kiss Stimulus Money Goodbye

    www.mrrl.org Has Obama taken the role of Don Corleone? In Corleone fashion, top Obama officials made Arizona Governor Jan Brewer an offer she shouldn't refuse. They want her to back the President's stimulas plan, and if she doesn't and agrees with Senator Jon Kyl,&n ... More >>

Hot Links: Monsoons, ADOT's Outsourced PR, and 'Racinos'

The monsoons have finally arrived in the Valley. After a series of thunderstorms Monday night, the city saw more storms early this morning. Although temperatures in the Valley are expected to be around 108 the next several days, the Weather Service says the chance for thunderstorms will continue int ... More >>

ASU Offers Classes for Businesses Looking to Use Stimulus Funds; Level of Scrutiny by Feds to be "Unprecedented"

Image: Arizona State UniversityGary Aller Federal handouts come with long, twisted regulatory strings attached. Now, thanks to a series of new Arizona State University classes, stimulus-grabbing businesses can prepare for the bureaucratic onslaught.The classes are being offered by a side-gig of the ... More >>

Telemarketing Scam Bilking Phoenix Seniors Revealed in Federal Court

www.spoofcard.com​A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix today alleging that several Kansas-based telemarketing firms have been ripping off suckers and the elderly in countless states including Arizona.The complaint says Landmark Publishing Group, Grant Writer ... More >>

Hot Links: Solar Cameras, 306 DUI Arrests, and Bones on Base

​Scottsdale-based company Redflex Traffic Solutions Inc. is developing a solar-powered photo enforcement camera. The company has an agreement with Tempe-based Arizona Solar Concepts to design the cameras, but both companies refuse to elaborate until the project is further along. A Redflex spokespe ... More >>

Governor Brewer Could be Investigated by Goddard's Office, Says the Business Journal

​ Three unidentified sources "from different parts of the political spectrum" hint that a state investigation of Governor Janice Brewer may be coming down the pike, says the Phoenix Business Journal.A September 5 article by Mike Sunnucks says that questions have arisen about the way Brewer us ... More >>

Hot Links: Motorcycle Emissions, Education Funding, and a Body Found in the Grand Canyon

​A possible extension of the Valley Metro light rail that would extend through Mesa is likely to get federal funding, according to Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith presented the project to officials in Washington D.C. last week and claims that federal officials are all but sold on helping fund th ... More >>

Doug Lingner's Tenure at the Housing Authority of Maricopa County Has Been Marked by Nepotism, Cronyism -- and Plenty of Turmoil

​A possible extension of the Valley Metro light rail that would extend through Mesa is likely to get federal funding, according to Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith presented the project to officials in Washington D.C. last week and claims that federal officials are all but sold on helping fund th ... More >>

Sidebar: Whose Dole Is It, Anyway?

​A possible extension of the Valley Metro light rail that would extend through Mesa is likely to get federal funding, according to Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. Smith presented the project to officials in Washington D.C. last week and claims that federal officials are all but sold on helping fund th ... More >>

Phoenix Police: There Is No Criminal Investigation of PD Over Kidnapping Stats, Feds Conducting Standard Audit

​Kidnapping statistics tallied by the Phoenix Police Department are getting called into question --again. Two Valley news stations have reported that the Phoenix Police Department, including Public Safety Manager (read: Police Chief) Jack Harris and Mayor Phil Gordon, are under inves ... More >>

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's Involvement with Veolia Transportation Contract Questioned by Federal Transit Administration

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Elissa Mullany​A New Times story about Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon advising a transit company that employs his girlfriend on how to muscle nearly $30 million from Phoenix prompted an inquiry from the feds.The Federal Transit Administration, an agency that provides money ... More >>

Andrei Cherny Announces Bid for Arizona Democratic Party Chair

Andrei Cherny, the next Arizona Democratic Party Chair, if the Dems are luckyI'm on deadline at the moment, but I want to bring you this much anticipated news: erstwhile state Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny just called me to tell me he formally putting two feet in the river, and making a bid for ... More >>

Ask A Mexican on Harvesting Cactus Leaves and Wasting Away

Andrei Cherny, the next Arizona Democratic Party Chair, if the Dems are luckyI'm on deadline at the moment, but I want to bring you this much anticipated news: erstwhile state Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny just called me to tell me he formally putting two feet in the river, and making a bid for ... More >>

Congressman Jeff Flake Announces Senate Run

Congressional beefcake Jeff Flake wants to be a senator.​It's official: Republican Congressman Jeff Flake will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.Flake made his announcement this morning at the same Phoenix hotel where Kyl announced his upcoming retirement last week. Fla ... More >>

Phoenix Cops May Have Inflated Kidnapping Stats to Get Federal Bucks

Congressional beefcake Jeff Flake wants to be a senator.​It's official: Republican Congressman Jeff Flake will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl.Flake made his announcement this morning at the same Phoenix hotel where Kyl announced his upcoming retirement last week. Fla ... More >>

Andy Biggs, the $10 Million Chairman, and His Tuesday Night Massacre

Senator Biggs: Thanking God every day for Ed McMahon It's apropos that state Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Andy Biggs, the man primarily responsible for a bill that will drive a Ryder Truck full of nitro through the state's Medicaid program, is himself a very wealthy man.He's not ric ... More >>

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris Moving to City Hall? New Times Sources Say That's What's Going Down

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris​Sources tells New Times that city officials have been behind closed doors all day trying to figure out what's next after police finally admitted there are inaccuracies with the agency's reported U.S.-Mexico border related kidnapping statistics.   T ... More >>

Phoenix Kidnapping Statistics: Review Panel Includes Retired Judges, FBI Agent

Karen Thoreson will chair the committee charged with reviewing Phoenix kidnapping stats​A panel of independent experts charged with reviewing Phoenix's kidnapping statistics will be headed by Karen Thoreson, president of Alliance for Innovation. The other members are retired FBI Agent Larry ... More >>

Morning Poll: Are Jan Brewer's "Day of Prayer" Proclamations Unconstitutional?

www.cafepress.comJan Brewer thinks God will bail her our of Arizona's economic mess.​Arizona's economy is in the tank, the state has a pesky $1.15 billion budget shortfall to deal with, but fear not, Arizonans, Governor Jan Brewer's got a plan: prayer.In January, the governor proclaimed a "Day of ... More >>

Arizona's Public Universities Plan All-Time High Tuition; Could Go Higher if Senate Has Its Way

​Tuition increases proposed late last week by Arizona's three public university presidents make getting a public education in Arizona pricier than ever. Worse, they were probably underestimated -- again. Presidents of the three universities sent their pitch for new tuition increases to the Arizon ... More >>

Sam Fox's New Restaurant Gets Even More Arrogant with their Meat

Uberculture via Flickr Can this help Arizona crawl out of the red? ​The Arrogant Butcher publicity machine is at it again. When the Sam Fox eatery first opened at downtown's CityScape in mid-February of this year, the place was flooded with VIP parties that made it look like the most popula ... More >>

Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio: Persecuted For His Political Beliefs?

Councilman Sal DiCiccio​Is Councilman Sal DiCiccio playing the victim card?The councilman claims he has been the target of attacks over his political beliefs that city services should be privatized and city employees are overcompensated.DiCiccio was in a city meeting and unavailable for comment. I ... More >>

Two of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Top Deputies Have "Love Connection" to SCA Scandal

Councilman Sal DiCiccio​Is Councilman Sal DiCiccio playing the victim card?The councilman claims he has been the target of attacks over his political beliefs that city services should be privatized and city employees are overcompensated.DiCiccio was in a city meeting and unavailable for comment. I ... More >>

Governor Jan Brewer Vetoes Measure Requiring Cities to Open City Services to Competative Bids

Phoenix workers protest of SB1322​Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a Senate Bill 1322, a measure that would have required large cities, namely Phoenix and Tucson, to open up certain city services to competitive bids from private companies. Brewer said it was "riddled with shortcomings""It's a good victo ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Pal Thayer Verschoor to Take Over for Brett Mecum as AZ GOP's Executive Director, Sources Say

Thayer Verschoor​With the ouster of now-former Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party Brett Mecum, Thayer Verschoor, a veteran of the Arizona Legislature and short-lived communications director for the AZ GOP, is getting a promotion.Sources tell New Times Verschoor has been slated to t ... More >>

Phoenix Mayoral Candidates Toss Political Barbs During Downtown Phoenix Forum

centralphoenixinn.comPhoenix mayoral candiates met at the Lexington Hotel for a lively exchange​Quite a lively exchange at the Downtown Voices Coalition's mayoral forum at the Lexington Hotel. At most forums, candidates cleave to the their talking points and engage in political niceties, but resid ... More >>

John McCain Bashes Almost Everyone During Senate-Floor Tirade

John McCain yesterday compared Tea Partiers to Hobbits.​"The Mav" had quite the day for himself yesterday.Aside from calling Tea Partiers "hobbits" while addressing the Senate, Senator John McCain also managed to bash Nevada Senator Harry Reid, President Barack Obama, Reid's opponent in last year' ... More >>

Should the U.S. Government Subsidize Accordion Festivals?

ww.schoolmusicshirts.com​A group of accordion fanatics in Texas aren't happy with Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake.This coming weekend is the International Accordion Festival in San Antonio, Texas. The Festival is subsidized by the National Endowment of the Arts, an independent agency of the federal ... More >>

Sheriff Paul Babeu: "It's Time For a New Sheriff in Washington." Announces He'll Run For Congress

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu: proud member of the "build the dang fence" club.​It seemed like only a matter of time, but Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu announced this morning that he'll run for Congress in Arizona's Fourth Congressional District."The American people are sounding a giant 911 ca ... More >>

Representative Judy Burges One of Three Possible Replacements For Shamed Former State Senator Scott Bundgaard

www.teapartytribune.comRepresentative Judy Burges wants to be Senator Judy Burges.​There's good news and bad news...The good news: the Scott Bundgaard freeway fight fiasco is finally over. The bad news: he might be replaced by state Representative Judy Burges -- one of the first sponsors of Arizon ... More >>

"Birther" Judy Burges to Fill Scott Bundgaard's Senate Seat

Senator Judy Burges​Republican state Representative Judy Burges has a new title: state Senator Judy Burges.Burges was chosen this morning by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to fill the state Senate seat made vacant when former Senator Scott Bundgaard.Bundgaard, as you know, called it quit ... More >>