If you happen to have a problem with a Sasquatch trampling your lawn or unicorns eating your shrubs or a leprechaun’s running amok in your garage, just call state Representative Steve Montenegro or state Senator Nancy Barto — they seem to have a knack for solving problems that don’t actually exist…on…
The Phoenix Police Department has completed its investigation into the February freeway fracas between Senator Scott Bundgaard and his then-gal-pal Aubry “Heavyweight Champion of the Highway” Ballard and concluded that Bundgaard should be charged with assault.Ballard was initially charged with assault following the fight, but that charge was dropped after…
Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake announced earlier this week that he’s changing his stance on comprehensive immigration reform in order to focus on securing the border. Flake, a one-time rare-for-Arizona Republican advocate of a guest-worker program and a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, now says he’s only focused on securing…
The Arizona Republic took a look at what Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon hopes to accomplish in the final months of his time in office.It was a sweet piece looking at how Gordon is trying to execute his lofty goals in the scant nine months he has in office.And what a…
Well that didn’t take long.Just over a month after announcing his candidacy for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl, Congressman Jeff Flake has gone the route of Senator John McCain and caved to Arizona’s culture of Conservative kookdom by abandoning his support of comprehensive immigration reform.Flake, a…
Republican Congressman Trent Franks continues to hint that he plans to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl, and last week, announced that the decision would be made by god and his constituents.”I truly don’t know what God wants me to do and what is right…
If the customers who feast on the Arrogant Butcher’s Turkey Sloppy Joe and wash it down with a Miller High Life have anything to say about who will lead the nation’s fifth … er, that is sixth largest city … then the honors will go to former Deputy Attorney General…
Unlike the rest of us, Arizona Congressman Ben Quayle can rest easy — Texas tough guy Chuck Norris doesn’t want to kick his ass. In fact, the played-out punchline of endless jokes is diggin’ him some Ben Quayle.The man who will “never have a heart attack because his heart isn’t…
Republican Arizona Congressman Trent Franks’ decision on whether to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl will apparently not be made by Franks — rather, it will be made by god and his constituents, the Congressman told GOPers.Franks spoke to a group of Sun City Republicans…
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try (and try) again — no matter how absurd what you’re trying to accomplish may be.A little over a month after the “Birther Bill” failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee, GOP legislators are pushing to send the proposal back to both houses for…
(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 problem — passed…
Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos sent a message to Phoenix employees praising them after results of a citywide Community Attitude Survey reveal that 95 percent of residents are pleased with customer service.Not bad considering that in 2008, the survey showed that 86 percent of residents reported being treated professionally and…
A news release this morning from state Attorney General Tom Horne states that his office released a video of Raza studies supporters this morning. That statement’s not correct. And that’s just the first weird aspect of many surrounding this story. If you’ll follow the link to the video in the…
Despite getting the boot from his leadership position by Senate GOPers earlier this week for last month’s freeway fracas with former gal-pal Aubry Ballard, former state Senate Majority Leader Scott Bundgaard apparently still has some friends on the Senate Ethics Committee.The committee voted 3-2 along party lines today to dismiss…
Charlie Sheen’s “winning” knows no bounds, which is why it should come as no surprise to learn that when pegged against former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a race for president, Sheen’s “winning” among independent voters.The left-leaning polling firm Public Policy Polling conducted a poll asking voters who’d they…
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 Prayer for Arizona’s Economy and State Budget,” which happens to be Jan’s best idea…
The Arizona Senate passed legislation yesterday that would eliminate Spanish translation of election materials in information booklets distributed by the Secretary of State, first reported by the Yuma Sun. Russell Pearce acolyte — or is it wannabe? — Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, introduced the measure. Aside from it being an…
The Arrogant Butcher, downtown’s newest dining spot, has been running a straw poll to gauge who might be Phoenix’s next mayor.The results for Week One are in, and former Deputy Attorney General and Councilman Greg Stanton is leading the pack. Stanton: 168 Councilman Claude Mattox: 126 Councilwoman Peggy Neely: 78…
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 McCormick, retired Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Cecil Patterson, retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice Michael D. Ryan and Michael White,…
As New Times noted last week, it was only a matter of time before Senate Majority leader Scott Bundgaard got the boot from his leadership position, and today it happened.Senate sources confirm to New Times that Republicans voted to remove Bundgaard from his leadership spot over last month’s scuffle with the…
Congressman Jeff Flake’s bid to become Senator Jeff Flake is picking up steam — and GOP senators are beginning to take notice, including Utah Senator Mike Lee, who endorsed Flake’s candidacy today. “Jeff Flake’s record on fiscal conservatism speaks for itself,” Lee says in a statement. “He was offering legislation…
State Senate Republicans are expected to revisit the Scott Bundgaard fiasco this morning, and New Times’ sources say there’s no chance of the majority leader escapes the meeting with the title of “majority leader.”However, that was before Bundgaard apparently passed a lie- detector test that his lawyer claims verifies his…
