The stories are heartbreaking and upsetting. Arizona seniors losing most or all of their life’s savings because of the actions of unscrupulous individuals appointed to manage their finances. The time has come to reform Probate Courts in our state.

“While Senator Steve Pierce proposes a vote on defunding Clean Elections, the US Supreme Court scrutinizes the provision of matching funds and how it relates to the 1st Amendment.

The U.S. District Court in Phoenix ruled Thursday that Senate President Russell Pearce will be allowed to give oral arguments at a hearing on April 1. The hearing is to determine whether Pres. Pearce can intervene in the federal government’s lawsuit over SB 1070. Pearce is the author and sponsor of SB 1070.

Maricopa resident and District 23 Senator Steve Smith has introduced several bills that he said will help reduce the financial strain illegal immigration puts on Arizona and curtail future illicit entry into the country.

A new bill that will reform Arizona’s public safety retirement system passed out of the Senate March 3 with 21 votes. Sen. Yarbrough’s pension plan, outlined in SB1609, provides extensive results-based reforms which will provide and preserve excellent benefits for its employees.

“Freshman legislator Don Shooter, the Republican state senator for District 24, jumped full force into state politics.

“A new Arizona law allows developers to build infrastructure but tax themselves to pay for it, a novel approach to economic development that the state thinks will catch on in towns throughout Arizona. Scottsdale is hoping to use the law to gussy up a one-mile stretch of abandoned car dealerships.”

“A bill inspired by Arizona’s law SB1070 was presented on Thursday in the Senate in North Carolina, a state where the immigrant community doubled in numbers over the past decade.

Klein (R-6) spoke with Western Free Press’s Brad Zinn on March 1st. Watch as she discusses a wide array of issues, from the FAIR tax to birthright citizenship.

If you know my record at the Legislature, you know my tough approach in dealing with people who choose to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a car.

I was proud to sponsor the bill lowering the state’s extreme DUI level from .18 to .15 and to impound vehicles when the offender failed to get the ignition interlock as required. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has recognized me several times for my efforts to strengthen Arizona’s DUI laws. I’m also the only legislator to serve on the National Safety Council’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee.

Sen. Andy Biggs sat down with Ch. 12’s Brahm Resnik to defend bill abolishing Medicaid.

Sen. Smith Talks Medicaid on Ch. 12 “Sunday Square Off”

Sen. Smith debates fiscal impacts of illegal immigration with Sen. Schapira and Howard Fischer.

“The Arizona Senate today will consider major changes to three public-pension systems with a bill that would force police, firefighters, politicians and corrections officers to pay more to fund their retirements and suspend cost-of-living raises for retirees.

“It is very difficult but we are going to reduce the size and scope of state government. There are no tax increases. We are committed to doing this and to turn the state’s economy around making this a business friendly state that attracts new businesses and helps those of us that are already here. There are going to be tax reforms, and all thru government new reforms will be occurring.”

Senate President Russell Pearce and members of the Republican Leadership in the Arizona State Senate today announced they are in full support of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his efforts to institute common sense reforms to benefit programs for Wisconsin state workers.

“Gov. Walker is staring at the same financial challenges we are facing in Arizona, and in states all across this great land. He’s come forward with a sensible proposal to close a $137 million deficit. Public employees would make a modest 5.8% pension contribution, which is roughly the national average, and well below what Arizona state employees contribute,” says Pres. Pearce.

Senate President Russell Pearce is praising a clear, concise ruling from Judge J. Kenneth Mangum of Maricopa County Superior Court, siding with the Legislature in a dispute over the wording of a Proposition approved by Arizona voters in 2000.

Judge Mangum today dismissed a claim by school districts and the largest teachers union that Prop. 301 required inflation funding for not only transportation, as lawmakers supported in the current budget, but for schools’ base spending levels, as well.

The Senate Education Committee heard testimony Monday regarding new legislation that would protect young athletes from concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.

SB1521 is designed to address the prevention, risk and treatment of sports-related concussions, which are becoming more commonplace in youth sports and whose effects are all too often underestimated and even ignored.

Senate President Russell Pearce announced today he has selected Richard Stertz to serve on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.