Arizona

“The Perfect Storm” – Expanded Arizona Supreme Court Sets Two Records In 2019

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The Arizona Supreme Court set two new records in 2019, and Chief Justice Robert Brutinel notes that it was the “perfect storm”. He says 2020 will show a noticeable increase in the number of opinions from the expanded court.

The Supreme Court’s 26 opinions in 2019 are the fewest issued by Arizona’s highest court in modern times* Also, the 7 justices have not issued an opinion since the Brush & Nib opinion attracted national attention on September 16; never* has the Supreme Court gone this long without releasing an opinion.**

Brutinel tells AZ Law that it is “a funny set of circumstances” that led to fewer opinions being issued. Among the confluence of events was the departures of Chief Justice Scott Bales and Justice John Pelander, the resulting appointment of two new justices “who really want the first ones to be good” and naming of a new Chief Justice and Vice Chief Justice. In addition, a “minor factor” may have also been the difficulty and 110- page length of the Brush & Nib opinion. (James Beene and Bill Montgomery are the two new Justices.)

“We’ll get back into a regular rhythm as people get a little more experienced,” the new Chief Justice explained. “The reality is we’re trying to take more cases, (we are) a group of people that wants to work hard – they’re here to write opinions.”

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Casey Clowes wants to help make Tempe The Jewel of the East Valley.

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Casey Clowes recognizes that local actions stemming from local government officials and local statutes have more impact on residents’ daily lives than state and federal ones. She also realizes that serving on the City Council is one of the best ways to help move Tempe and its residents forward. In recent years, many public policy … Read more

AZ State Rep. Eddie Farnsworth is stonewalling gun safety legislation.

Why is Farnsworth Blocking Support for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors?

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This week, the Arizona legislature passed its 120th day of session, which, as this article from KJZZ, points out, means the legislators might have to start having to start skipping their afternoon lattes, as their per diems have been cut from $60 to $20 for out-of-county legislators and $35 to $10 for those from Maricopa. The per diem cut is meant to be an incentive for legislators to get things wrapped up quickly, but as it stands right now there is no definite end in sight as June is coming quickly on the horizon.

What is causing the holdup? Well, with slim majorities in both houses and a firm commitment to not working in a bipartisan manner and letting Democrats in on negotiations, the Republicans have little margin for disagreement within their own caucus and several Republicans in both houses are unhappy right now and unwilling to sign on to a budget from their leadership.

According to an anonymous source with knowledge of the negotiations, some Senate Republicans are reportedly backing the “Bradley Budget” proposed by Democrat and Senate minority leader David Bradley, while many House Republicans are complaining about being shut out of the process by the small and secretive group working on the House Republican proposal.

In the Senate, one of the Republicans who has been most vocal in his refusal to sign on to the budget is Paul Boyer of LD 20. Boyer has said he won’t vote for any budget until the Senate allows a vote on his bill, SB 1255, which extends the statute of limitations for civil suits by survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Why is this seemingly uncontroversial piece of legislation now threatening the entire budget?

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