Posted by AzBlue Meanie: I didn't have a good video of the proceedings for the earlier post, but now I do. Advertisement After Democratic Rep. Gary Hebl finishes his debate time and yields the floor, there's a "flash vote" and the Republican majority passes the so-called "budget repair bill" (union busting bill). The vote was … Read more

by David Safier I have given the Star a heaping serving of praise lately — especially considering the source: someone who scours the paper daily and often criticizes it for its lacks and excesses. My only criticism of late was more about its owner Lee Enterprises and the corporation's virulently anti-union stance. That being said, … Read more

by David Safier Rule o' Law Russell can find neither the rule nor the law saying he can ban someone from the state Senate Building. Yet he says he has banned Sal Reza, and when Reza, who claims he hadn't heard of the ban, entered the building Thursday, he was arrested for misdemeanor tresspass. Under … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: From the department of things you just can't make up. A Google search on the Arizona Republic web site for an article turned up this fascinating result: Even "the Google" at the Arizona Republic combines the tin foil hat conspiracy theorists of UFO ufologists with Tea Party birthers. I would love to … Read more

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings …and a sneak peek at next week… – Signed into law this week: HB2167, banning "Spice," a dangerous synthetic version of marijuana.  Passed both chambers and all commitees in those chambers unanimously.  Because of an "emergency" clause, this law goes into effect immediately. – Controversial bills that passed one … Read more

by David Safier SecDef Robert Gates thinks any future SecDef who recommends anything similar to the invasion of Iraq should "have his head examined." And he was talking to cadets at West Point when he said it. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates bluntly told an audience of West Point cadets on Friday that it would … Read more