11 August 2006
Senate Dem Leader Looks Back at "Daunting Task"Linda Aguirre led the state Senate's Democrats for two years. KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with Aguirre about her time as leader, about how to lead a minority party.
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05 August 2006
Outgoing Senate President Reflects on his TenureSenate President Ken Bennett's term will end in a few months. KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with the Prescott Republican about his time leading the Senate, and what's next for him.
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01 July 2006
New Fiscal Year Means New Budget PrioritiesThe start of the new fiscal year doesn't have the same ring as, say, New Year's Day. But even without the parties and resolutions, KJZZ's Mark Brodie and one Valley economist release the ballons on the new state budget.
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24 June 2006
State Lawmakers Reflect on 164 Day SessionThe state legislature adjourned sine die this week. KJZZ's Mark Brodie asked several lawmakers to (briefly) describe their 164 day session.
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22 June 2006
Lawmakers Call It QuitsAfter 164 days in session, state lawmakers adjourned their session early Thursday morning. KJZZ's Mark Brodie takes a look back at some of the session's highlights, and big fights.
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19 June 2006
Legislature may be on its way outKJZZ's Dennis Lambert speaks with Arizona Republic capitol reporter Chip Scutari about the legislature, the budget, and when lawmakers may finally go home for the session.
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12 June 2006
Session Slows Down as Budget Battles ContinueThere's a lot of idle time at the state capitol these days for rank-and-file lawmakers, as leadership continues to work on a new state spending plan. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about what's going on (or not) in the legislature.
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10 June 2006
Legislative Veteran Looks Back, ForwardThe legislature is still in session, less than 3 weeks before the deadline to have a new state budget in place. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with one state lawmaker who has seen more than most at the capitol, about what's going on this session.
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05 June 2006
Is The End (of the legislative session) Near?State lawmakers now have 2 budget proposals to consider, but have to consolidate them into one. Also, the feds step up and send National Guard troops to the border. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about the goings on at the capitol.
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28 May 2006
State Legislature Tackles Immigration, BudgetKJZZ's Rene Gutel speaks with Arizona Capitol Times staff writer Phil Riske who offers a look into the coming week at the state legislature.
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22 May 2006
Lawmakers, Governor Continue Talks on Budget, ImmigrationLegislative leaders and Governor Napolitano are continuing to negotiate a new state budget, as well as a comprehensive immigration reform package. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie discuss what they're talking about, and how those meetings are going.
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15 May 2006
Doing the Numbers on GOP Budget ProposalThe Republican-led legislature has released it's budget proposal. Now, lawmakers and the governor have to come to an agreement on it. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about what's in the spending plan, and its prospects for being passed.
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08 May 2006
State Budget, Immigration Package To Be LinkedLawmakers could deal with 2 of the major issues remaining in this legislative session this week. They'll likely be debated, at least in part, together. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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06 May 2006
Budget Veteran Takes Us Behind the Closed DoorsIn recent years, the state budget has been one of the last things done before the legislature adjourns. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with a Valley economist and veteran of budget talks about what goes into writing a spending plan....and why it can take so long.
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01 May 2006
State Lawmakers to Take up New Immigration Reform Bill, Activists to Take to the StreetsIllegal immigration will again be front and center this week, both at the state capitol, and on the streets. Republican leaders in the legislature plan on introducing a sweeping immigration reform proposal in the next few days….and activists are encouraging an economic boycott today. K-J-Z-Z’s Mark Brodie reports.
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24 April 2006
Budget Talks Continue at State CapitolThe state legislature is getting closer to adjourning its session. The main obstacle, though, is a big one: the state budget. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about how negotiations are coming on that front.
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22 April 2006
State Democratic Leaders Make Pitch for Early CaucusA delegation of Arizona Democratic Party officials has been in New Orleans this week, making the state's case to have more of a say in picking the Democratic presidential nominee. KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with the party's executive director from the Big Easy.
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17 April 2006
Governor, Lawmakers Continue Budget TalksGovernor Napolitano and GOP leaders are scheduled to meet again later today to talk about the state budget. The sides met last Thursday afternoon, and hope to continue negotiations until they reach an agreement. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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10 April 2006
State Lawmakers Prepare for Immigration March, RallyMonday's march and rally protesting federal immigration reform proposals will end across the street from the state capitol. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about how that'll affect the legislature.
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27 March 2006
Immigration Issues Continue to be Front and Center at the CapitolContinued turnover in the state legislature isn't having too much of an effect on the issues lawmakers are debating. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about the week ahead at the capitol.
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20 March 2006
Legislative Democrats Getting Budget Ideas ReadyDemocrats in both the state House and Senate are getting their budget priorities in order, although many acknowledge their input into the state's new spending plan could be minimal. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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18 March 2006
Statewide Smoking Ban, Minimum Wage Get Strong Support in New SurveyNovember's ballot could be a long one, with several initiatives either already qualified or close to qualifying for the election. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Fred Solop of NAU's Social Research Laboatory about a new survey looking at how much support some of them enjoy.
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13 March 2006
Local, State, Federal Officials Look to Curb Meth ProductionMethamphetimine production and use is a major problem, both in Arizona and around the country. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports on efforts to try and put an end to both.
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10 March 2006
State Senator Passes OnState Senator Marilyn Jarrett passed away this morning, after being taken to the hospital from her senate office Thursday afternoon. KJZZ's Terry Ward and Mark Brodie have more.
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06 March 2006
State Lawmakers Moving on In SessionThe fate of the legislature's latest plan for funding English Language Learner programs is now in the hands of the federal judge. And that means state lawmakers can focus on the other big issues of the session. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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04 March 2006
State Lawmaker Wants to Limit Some Solo Trips to MexicoWith all the talk of trying to keep illegal immigrants coming into the US from Mexico, one state lawmaker is trying to prevent some Arizonans from getting into Mexico. KJZZ's Mark Brodie has more.
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27 February 2006
ELL Bill Moves to HouseFunding for English Language Learner programs continues to be the dominant issue at the capitol. This week, the legislature could send its 3rd bill of the year on the subject to the governor. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about the week ahead.
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25 February 2006
Lawmaker Wants Arizonans to Get Money for WaitingLong lines are nothing new to people at the state's MVD offices. But one lawmaker wants the state to pay up for long wait times. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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20 February 2006
Bills Moving at Capitol; ELL Talks, Not So MuchState lawmakers have been moving a number of bills this session, and have addresses a number of issues. But one continues to dominate the capitol: funding for English Language Learner programs. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about the latest negotiations.
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13 February 2006
GOP, Governor to Meet Monday on ELLLegislative leaders and the governor are scheduled to meet again this morning to try and find a solution to the English Language Learner situation. They said their meeting on Thursday was productive, and hope today's get together can continue to move towards an agreement. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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11 February 2006
Lawmaker Wants Predictability in College TuitionAs college becomes more expensive in Arizona, one state lawmaker wants to help students afford school, while making sure universities have enough money to operate. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Senator Dean Martin about that delicate balance.
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06 February 2006
English Language Learning Still on Legislature's AgendaState lawmakers have another busy week ahead of them, as they tackle a number of issues, and continue to work towards an agreement on ELL funding. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie talk about what to expect this week at the capitol.
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04 February 2006
State Lawmakers to Take Up Workers' Comp ReformSupporters of changes to workers' compensation laws in the state are getting ready to take the issue to the voters, just as soon as the legislature's done with it. KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with the sponsor of 2 bills in the legislature that would reform workers' comp.
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30 January 2006
Governor to Decide Fate of State Worker Pay Raise MeasureBefore the legislative session began, both the governor and state lawmakers said they wanted to give state employees a raise. This week, Governor Napolitano will act on a bill to do that. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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28 January 2006
State Lawmaker Still Trying to Eliminate Tax IncentivesState lawmakers have had a lot on their plates so far this session, but not all the issues being debated are new. KJZZ's Mark Brodie spoke with one state lawmaker about a measure he's bringing back from last year.
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23 January 2006
Capitol Preview with Phil RiskeMorning Edition's Dennis Lambert speaks with Weekly Capitol Times staff writer Phil Riske who offers a look into the coming legislative week, and possible contenders for the Governor's seat.
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16 January 2006
State Lawmakers Gear Up For More Work in 2nd WeekState lawmakers will be taking a small breather today for the Martin Luther King holiday, but the session's second week could be nearly as eventful as its first. KJZZ's Rene Gutel and Mark Brodie talk about what's coming up at the capitol.
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14 January 2006
Democratic Lawmaker "Shocked" by Governor's Immigration ProposalGovernor Napolitano's plan to curb illegal immigration includes putting National Guard troops at the border. That idea doesn't sit well with at least one Democratic lawmaker. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Representative Steve Gallardo about why.
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09 January 2006
Legislative Session Kicks Off TodayGovernor Janet Napolitano will deliver her State of the State Address this afternoon, officially starting the 2006 legislative session. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and KJZZ's Mark Brodie talk about what to expect from the capitol.
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07 January 2006
Legislature Comes Back Into Session on MondayIn advance of Monday's start to the 2006 legislative session, KJZZ's Mark Brodie offers this recap of what may....or may not happen at the capitol.
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05 January 2006
Republican, Democratic Leaders Lay Out Priorities for Upcoming SessionRepublican and Democratic leaders in the state legislature laid out some of their plans and priorities on Wednesday for the upcoming session. Many of the details still need to be worked out, but there were a number of specifics. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.
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31 December 2005
Environmental Lobbyist: Sopport Good Bills, Try To Stop Bad Bills in 2006Phoenix residents have been able to, quite literally, see the region's bad air recently. But Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club isn't optimistic the state legislature will act to do anything about it this coming year. KJZZ's Mark Brodie continues our series looking ahead to the 2006 legislative session, with a conversation about environmental issues.
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27 December 2005
Education Leaders Hoping State Will Spread the WealthTwo major education issues will likely be up for debate early on when the state legislature comes back into session in January. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with John Wright, the President of the Arizona Education Association, about what he thinks will happen in 2006.
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24 December 2005
Group to Focus on School Choice in 2006The end of the 2005 legislative session will likely be remembered for the bad feelings between Governor Napolitano and legislative Republicans, after the governor vetoed 2 bills. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy about her groups's effort to take another shot at one of those measures.
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17 December 2005
Business Community Wants to Burn "Fiscal Bridges"With state lawmakers less than a month from coming back to Phoenix, we continue looking ahead to what the next session will bring. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Farrell Quinlan of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry to get the business community's take.
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10 December 2005
"Scar" Remains After End of Session VetoesGovernor Napolitano angered many legislative Republicans when she vetoed 2 bills at the end of the last session. KJZZ's Mark Brodie speaks with Jay Tibshraeny, the Senate Majority Whip, about how last session's vetoes will affect the upcoming legislature.
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03 December 2005
House Democratic Leader Optimistic About Upcoming SessionState lawmakers are getting ready to come back to the capitol, and when they do, there's going to be a lot to talk about. KJZZ's Mark Brodie begins a series of conversations about what to expect at the legislature by sitting down with House Democratic Leader Phil Lopes.
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