Four bills that would allow exemptions for Arizona schools and teachers as they continue to face challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic received favorable votes in the Legislature’s education committees during their Tuesday meetings.
STEVE GOLDSTEIN: The Supreme Court s ruling in the Citizens United case in January of 2010 has had an enormous impact on campaign spending in U.S. elections. Since then, we ve seen greater influence from independent groups and wealthy individuals supporting candidates or issues. Two of those individuals are Robert Mercer and his daughter, Rebekah, and they re credited with giving then-candidate Donald Trump a major financial boost when other donors were more cautious. And though there have been reports about the Mercers pulling back on contributions in last year s election, a recent report in the Intercept indicates they are fans of Arizona s Republican Party chair, Kelli Ward. Matthew Cunningham-Cook wrote the story, and he s with me. So, Matthew, the Mercers are very influential in conservative media, right?
An Arizona Senate panel voted on party lines to end the public health emergency Gov. Doug Ducey declared last March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.Republicans agreed that the emergency declaration has gone on far too long. The only way to end it, other Ducey willingly lifting the order, is for both chambers of the Arizona Legislature to pass resolutions declaring it’s
Michell Ugenti-Rita
Arizona Sen. Martin Quezada in July 2018.
An Arizona Senate panel voted on party lines to end the public health emergency Gov. Doug Ducey declared last March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Republicans agreed that the emergency declaration has gone on far too long. The only way to end it, other Ducey willingly lifting the order, is for both chambers of the Arizona Legislature to pass resolutions declaring it’s over.
The Senate Government Committee also voted on four other bills and resolutions that would put time limits on future emergency declarations, and require a legislative process to extend the orders.
The Arizona Republican Party re-elected its chairwoman Saturday, and chastised three of its own.
Rep. Andy Biggs was among the early speakers at the all-day meeting held at a north Phoenix church.
A local poll out this week signaled trouble with voters for Biggs, if allegations that he helped plan the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol get proven true.
biggs.house.gov
Andy Biggs
Biggs denied all accusations in a prepared statement released the same day as the poll, and blamed the media that rumors persist.
On Saturday, Biggs began his speech by asking who in the crowd was offended by the phrase “let’s fight.” He went back to the word several times.