by David Safier Arizona Public Media’s Political Roundtable is back with Jim Nintzel as host. The debut show features Republican strategist Jonathan Paton, Democratic strategist Rodd McLeod and reporter Andrea Kelly. Advertisement Advertisement

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Donald was so impressed with Governor Goodhair Rick Perry that he couldn't remember his name. Rick Perry is "proud" of his record 234 executions as governor of Texas; he was hoping to put another notch in his belt today. But Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia — yes, Scalia — issued a rare stay … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Donald Trump was so impressed after his Wednesday night dinner with Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry that he couldn't remember the Texas governor's name the next day. "I had dinner last night with Jim Perry," Trump told The Street. "I was impressed with him." Did Trump mean Former Twins pitcher Jim Perry? … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: There are two tax proposals under consideration, possibly as a citizens intiatives headed for the 2012 ballot. The first is a plan floated earlier this year by the Arizona Hospital Association to avoid the draconian budget cuts to AHCCCS care and enrollment enacted by our Tea-Publican governor and legislature (that are now … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Federal Court A three-judge 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said last month that AHCCCS violated federal law when it began charging co-payments to certain enrollees last year. Court didn't halt AHCCCS co-payments: [But] mandatory health insurance co-payments remain in place for some of Arizona's poorest residents despite last month's court … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Today is the day that the state of Arizona was to award a contract to one of four bidders to build 5,000 new private prison beds in Arizona, despite the Department of Corrections never having complied with Arizona law requiring it to conduct a cost-benefit study. This matter is now in litigation and … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports that AIRC Chair Colleen Mathis has hired former Arizona U.S. Attorney General Paul Charlton to represent her against Arizona AG Tom "banned for life by the SEC" Horne's politically motivated witch hunt against the AIRC. IRC chair hires former US Attorney for AG’s probe – … Read more