Pro golfer Phil Mickelson brought up an important issue that many people around the nation are facing today – they are being overtaxed and essentially penalized for their success in life.

At a news conference Thursday morning Senator Kelli Ward unveiled her bill that would inform parents of all the school choice options the state has to offer. Arizona is at the forefront of school choice options, and Senator Ward’s bill would fill the “knowledge gap” that prevents families from exploring their education options.

Senator Nancy Barto Thursday received the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Arizona Rural Health Association. She earned the award for her dedication to promoting rural health in Arizona and for her service to the rural healthcare community.

PHOENIX – The large number of provisional ballots cast in November has two lawmakers so far proposing ways to address the issue.

Senator Rich Crandall appeared on Channel 8’s Arizona Horizon Tuesday night to discuss his plan for improving safety in Arizona schools.

President Barack Obama’s administration will soon make a critical decision affecting U.S. consumers, U.S. and Mexican jobs and U.S.-Mexico relations when it decides the future of the U.S.-Mexico tomatoes agreement.

On January 7th Senator Kelli Ward was honored to receive the 2012 Woman of the Year award from the London Bridge Republican Women’s Club. This award honors women in Lake Havasu City who exemplify Republican principles through their words and actions, and Senator Ward is the perfect example of someone who does just that.

Senate President Andy Biggs today expressed serious concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of new regulations requiring the owners of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) to install up to $1.1 billion in new pollution-control equipment, ostensibly to reduce regional haze.

A new legislative proposal could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by creating a less generous, 401(k)-style retirement plan for future Arizona elected officials, including Superior Court judges.

Arizona State Senate President Andy Biggs and Speaker of the House Andy Tobin provide a preview of the 2013 legislative session.

The 51st Legislature is under way and senators are at work. The session began with opening ceremonies on Monday, January 14. The gallery was full of guests who were invited to watch the ceremonies. After the call to order, a prayer was led by Jose R. Montenegro, pastor of Apostolic Assembly in Surprise, Arizona.

Senator Gail Griffin, Arizona District 14, visited Graham County last week on Dec. 12 and 13. Her goal was to make herself available to constituents by attending community functions in order to better understand the strengths as well as the areas in which she might make improvements to benefit the people in (parts of) Graham, Greenlee, Cochise and Pima counties by being a catalyst for change on a legislative level. One of the senator’s first stops in Graham County was the Gila Watershed Partnership meeting at the Graham County General Services Building on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

Senate President-elect Andy Biggs sits down with Arizona Capitol Television to talk about the upcoming legislative session.

Senator-Elect Kimberly Yee (R-Phoenix) has been selected to serve in leadership for the nation’s oldest organization addressing the needs of elected women at all levels of government.

“I support the decision today by Governor Brewer that Arizona will not operate its own Health Insurance Exchange. I appreciate her thoughtful deliberation and the research of the Governor and her advisers on the concept of an exchange run by the state.

Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, is happy to have had a part in turning around the state’s multimillion-dollar budget deficit. His hope for the new year is “to continue keeping the state solvent and still encourage business.”

Senator-elect Kimberly Yee has been chosen to lead the Senate Committee on Education. Senate President-elect Andy Biggs made the announcement this afternoon.

Sen.-elect Yee has a long history with education policy. In California, she was chosen by then-Governor Pete Wilson to be a policy analyst to the California State Board of Education. She has also worked as a research analyst for the Arizona Senate Committee on Education, and has 16 years of experience in public education.

Senate President-elect Andy Biggs today announced Senate committees and the chairs overseeing them for the 51st Legislature.

Senator Don Shooter will continue to chair the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Senator Shooter chaired the committee last year, producing a balanced budget with new funding for education and hundreds of millions in a rainy day fund.

The Marines of Recruiting Station Phoenix came to the Arizona State Senate on November 9 to celebrate the United States Marine Corps’ 237th birthday. The Marine Corps was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. The Senate ceremony included Dr. Lance Hurley portraying George Washington. He read an official proclamation from Governor Janice K. Brewer, announcing November 2012 as “Marine Corps Month” in Arizona. The Marines also honored a 60 year tradition of cutting the ceremonial birthday cake, which has come to symbolize the passing of tradition from generation to generation. In keeping with that idea, the oldest and youngest Marines present at the ceremony were recognized

Arizona Week took a half-hour look at the state of Arizona’s economy this month. Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs was featured, discussing where we stand and where we are headed.