State Capitol News

Phoenix, AZ – In July U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton issued an
injunction, placing several sections of SB 1070 on hold while the
case makes its way through the legal system. She concluded there
is evidence they are preempted by federal law. This morning
attorney John Bouma who is representing the governor argued to a
appeallate panel the problem with that is the federal government
isn't doing its job, especially away from the border.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Reporter Laura Sullivan said the idea was hatched at a meeting
last December of the American Legislative Exchange Council.
That's a business-sponsored organization that gathers with
generally conservative state lawmakers to discuss measures of
common interest. Sullivan said -- quote -- that plan became
Arizona's immigration law. Pearce said that ignores the history
of the bill.

Phoenix, AZ – It was Brewer who denied a request by Landrigan for a reprieve.
The only reason he's still alive is because a federal judge put
the execution on hold until she gets some answer on the source of
the drugs the state plans to use. The governor brushed aside
questions of whether Langrigan being put to death in the name of
the state -- and having refused to spare him -- she should see it
through.

Phoenix, AZ – The governor has joined with prosecutors and police in opposing
Proposition 203. She said medical marijuana laws are ripe for
abuse.

(And almost all marijuana recommendations come from a few doctors
(who) for, say, $150, will prescribe pot to nearly anyone. Most
marijuana cardholders are under the age of 40. And a large
percentage are teenagers. I will tell you, compassion will
quickly turn to capitalism.)

Phoenix, AZ – Health Director Will Humble said about 2,000 Arizonans die each
year from what are called healthcare-associated infections.
That's more people than are killed in automobile accidents. A
committee his department formed to seek solutions came up with
some ideas. But Kris Korte, a member of that panel and a nurse in
charge of infection control at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center,
said that didn't include telling prospective patients about each
hospital's infection rate.

Phoenix, AZ – Arizonans agreed four years ago to hike tobacco taxes by 80 cents
a pack to fund programs for early childhood health and education.
Proposition 302 asks voters to overturn that decision -- at least
partly. It would kill the programs but keep the tax proceeds.
Only thing is, the current $9.1 billion budget is built on the
assumption the measure will pass. But Brewer won't campaign for
it and instead is taking a wait-and-see attitude.