Howard Fischer

Governor Jan Brewer signed new restrictions on abortions Thursday even as lawmakers moved to expand laws exempting who has to fund contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.

State lawmakers apparently are not quite ready to give up free stuff. 

Current law does put some restrictions on the kind and size of gifts that legislators can get from lobbyists. But Senator Steve Gallardo, a Phoenix Democrat, pointed out there are some major exceptions. One permits lawmakers to be wined and dined, whether individually or at group events. Another says legislators can get free tickets to events like the Fiesta Bowl and Diamondbacks games if everyone is invited.

State senators gave final approval this afternoon to legislation that could let anyone bring a gun into a public building. 

Current law says posting a sign makes it illegal to enter with a gun. This legislation adds the requirement of having armed guards and metal detectors. Proponents said the signs are obeyed only by law-abiding citizens, leaving them prey to those who ignore the signs. Sen. Al Melvin said society can be broken down into three groups: The unarmed sheep, armed sheep dogs -- and the wolves who are the bad guys.

Wednesday's abrupt resignation of embattled state Rep. Daniel Patterson may not be the end of the matter. 

Patterson said he quit because it became clear he was likely to be ousted. He said the entire process followed by the Ethics Committee, which had made the expulsion recommendation earlier in the day, was flawed because Chairman Ted Vogt ignored committee rules requiring he be allowed to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Instead Vogt allowed Patterson only to make a statement and answer questions. Patterson said that opens the door for legal action.

A move to expel a Tucson lawmaker from the House ended abruptly this afternoon with his resignation. 

The action came just hours after the Ethics Committee voted unanimously to conclude that there was evidence Daniel Patterson was guilty of disorderly behavior and recommended that he be ousted. Patterson had argued to the committee that nothing he has done rises to the level of meriting expulsion.

The Tucson lawmaker formally denied charges on Tuesday that he did anything to merit expulsion from the House.

The state House voted this afternoon to make Arizona the seventh state in the nation to ban abortions at 20 weeks. 

Current state law bans abortion of a viable fetus, a point generally thought to be in the 22 to 23 week range. But Rep. Kimberly Yee said that is not justified.

"The medical evidence is clear that the pre-born child has developed pain sensors on their face in the seventh week of life," said Yee. "By the 20th week of life, sensory receptors have developed all over the preborn baby's body."

The Senate Education Committee voted Monday to recommend that an outspoken and often controversial blogger be named to the state Board of Regents. 

Republican Greg Patterson uses his Espresso Pundit blog to give his opinion on politics, public officials and just about anything that crosses his mind. But Senate Minority Leader David Schapira said what concerns him are Patterson's long record of comments on higher education and the presidents of the three schools.

A Republican lawmakers is urging his leadership to give Representative Daniel Patterson a chance to make his case, in person, this morning before the House Ethics Committee. 

The Tucson Democrat-turned-independent has been given until 9:30 to respond in writing to the findings of an outside investigator that he is guilty of threatening and intimidating staffers, lobbyists and fellow legislators. But Representative Cecil Ash , who is a defense attorney, said investigative reports do not always tell the whole story.

The state House could decide as early as Tuesday whether to expel the Tucson lawmaker.

The Ethics Committee meets at 9:30 in the morning to review the response by Daniel Patterson to a report by a legal team led by attorney Michael Manning which concluded he is guilty of a pattern of misconduct. That includes being abusive and combative with fellow lawmakers. Rep. Ted Vogt who chairs the committee said the possibility exists the panel will accept the response and then vote, without giving Patterson a chance to put on a case of his own or cross-examine witnesses.