With promises that it will be scaled down, the Arizona Senate passed controversial House Bill 2625 Thursday, which will allow employers to deny women’s birth control coverage under health insurance plans.

The Arizona Small Business Association hosted a luncheon at the Westin La Paloma on March 22, where Arizona Rep. Steve Farley, Sen. Al Melvin, and Senate President Steve Pierce outlined their 2012 legislative efforts to support small businesses in Southern Arizona.

The Sun City Oro Valley Government Affairs Committee is holding a forum involving candidates for the Arizona State House and Senate, District 11.

The Arizona Senate voted to de-fund Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, as efforts continue to halt abortions from taking place at all.

A bill that would allow a person to carry a gun in vehicles other than public transit without having a concealed carry permit has become a multi-pronged crime bill with get-tough sentencing rules.

In what became a heated race for the Arizona Senate, Jeff Flake will replace Jon Kyl as the state’s new senator after defeating former Surgeon General and Democrat Richard Carmona.

Arizona State Sen. Al Melvin endorsed Wil Cardon's bid for the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

This article is in reply to a recent Special to The Explorer written by Jo Holt published in the Feb. 20 issue of the paper. Because Arizona has had two balanced General Fund budgets in a row, our state is ranked number one in the nation for business startups.  We went from 46th to number four in private sector job creation. We are 10th in overall great business climate compared to California which is ranked 50th.  During the past four-year recessionary period, we never let K-12 public school per pupil funding go below $9,000 (federal, state plus local funding). We mortgaged the Senate, House and Executive buildings in order to protect K-12 education funding. The north side of Tucson has four outstanding public school districts in Catalina Foothills, Amphi, Marana and Flowing Wells. We have more charter schools per capita and more school choice than any state. We have open enrollment between public school districts, tuition tax credits and a great home school program.

It’s girl’s week out, since nearly 300 high school girls from across Arizona converged on the University of Arizona campus for the 66rd session of The American Legion Auxiliary premier program, Arizona Girls State. This “unique” opportunity is open to girls completing their junior year of high school that meet the necessary qualifications. This year’s session began June 2-8; attending from Pusch Ridge Christian Academy were: Delaney Halvey and Madeline LaMear; from Canyon Del Oro HS; Melissa Silva and Noelle Smith.

Jo Holt filed her 2014 candidacy today for the Arizona State Senate, representing Legislative District 11 on the Democratic ticket.  Jo identifies herself as a moderate pragmatist who will represent the people of her district regardless of their political affiliation, and who will maintain a presence in their local communities.

Cheryl Cage is running for the Arizona State Senate from District 26.

Cheryl Cage, the Dove Mountain Democrat who lost to Republican Al Melvin by 1,966 votes in November, has formalized her plan to seek election in 2010 to the District 26 Senate seat now held by Melvin.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1877, Ed Schieffelin recorded his claim to the “Tombstone Mine” in the Territorial courthouse in Tucson.

On Wednesday, April 1, 1861, the Overland Mail Company discontinued its route through Arizona because the Civil War in the east forced troop withdrawals and the closing of forts in Arizona, leaving no protection for the letter carriers against Apache Indians.

Jeff Flake today received the endorsement of two leading business advocacy organizations with the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry announcing their support for Jeff Flake in the general election race for U.S. Senate.

The Arizona Senate voted Thursday to reconsider the controversial contraception bill, a day after House Bill 2625 was defeated in a 17-13 vote.

It is only through the good graces of Thelma Grimes, Editor at The Explorer Newspaper, that I have the opportunity to respond to a bizarre letter from my colleague, Vic Williams. Let’s get to the nub of V. Williams’ letter.

Republican Al Melvin has culminated a four-year pursuit to serve in the Arizona Senate.

Leaders from Arizona’s Legislature today joined a growing coalition of leaders throughout the state who support for Jeff Flake to serve in the United States Senate.

Recent articles about my proposed education fund and related spent nuclear fuel recycling program have produced some uninformed and negative reactionary responses. I urge everyone in the media, political arena and the voting public to educate themselves about this important subject.

Al Melvin and Pete Hershberger drew clear distinctions with one another Wednesday, when the two Republican Senate District 26 candidates fielded questions at a Citizens Clean Elections Commission debate.

The Arizona State Legislature’s 2012 session was a major success by any measure. The $8.6 billion general fund budget is $3 billion below the $11.6 general fund budget of 2009. Unlike California, Arizona can bring spending under control and put our people back to work. Thanks to our efforts over the past four years, Arizona now ranks in the top 10 states regarding a favorable business atmosphere, excellent conditions for business start-ups and for overall job growth. All trucking and mining companies are hiring. At Pima Community College, for $3,000 in tuition to pay for a three-week course, one can earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start earning $36,000 a year, before overtime.  Some trucking companies will provide this training free of charge in return for a commitment to work for a specific period of time. There are over 1,000 mining industry job openings throughout Arizona, including IT, electrician, welding, secretarial, etc. Enterprise Car Rental, Edward Jones stock brokerage and USAA insurance are just a few examples of employers who are constantly recruiting and hiring college graduates. The Union Pacific Rail Road and Pinal Air Park are looking for new employees.        

Jo Holt, a Democrat, is new to the political stage, but feels it’s time for a newcomer to take the reins in the State Senate for Legislative District 11, formerly known as District 26.

As a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, I would like to address comments made by state Senator Al Melvin while appearing on KVOI’s early morning talk show (Wake up Tucson) on Dec. 12th.

The battle over wastewater rights between Pima County and Marana has state lawmakers interested, with Senate President Steve Pierce asking Gov. Jan Brewer to step in.