Ex-lawmaker from Tucson to head Ariz. Veterans' Services

PHOENIX — A one-plus term Republican lawmaker from Tucson has been named by Gov. Jan Brewer to head the state Department of Veterans' Services.

House panel rejects Brewer's plan to expand Medicaid

PHOENIX — With all Republicans opposed, a House panel voted Monday to reject the proposal by Gov. Jan Brewer to use federal dollars to expand the state's Medicaid program.

Antenori, Gould to seek public vote on Medicaid expansion

PHOENIX -- Two former Republican state senators are maneuvering to give voters the last word on whether Arizona expands its Medicaid program.

Arizona lawmakers approve plan to expand Medicaid

PHOENIX — In an historic move, a group of Republican senators united with Democrats this afternoon to approve the plan by Gov. Jan Brewer to sharply expand the state's Medicaid program.

State Sen. Al Melvin to run for Arizona governor

PHOENIX — Three-term state Sen. Al Melvin announced this afternoon he intends to run for governor this coming year.

"Shame on you," Tucson shooting survivor yells after gun vote

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades on Wednesday, rejecting calls to tighten background checks on firearms buyers as they spurned the personal pleas of families of the victims of…

Report prompts Arizona GOP to consider new ways to reach Latino voters

PHOENIX - Arizona Republicans say they don't need to change their stance on immigration or even their message to attract the Latino voters who largely defected last year.

Congress passes bill renewing anti-violence law

WASHINGTON — House Republicans raised the white flag Thursday on extending domestic violence protections to gays, lesbians and transsexuals after months of resisting an expansion of the Violence Against Women Act.

Hillary Clinton: US strengthening embassy security

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, at times emotional and fierce, insisted on Wednesday that the department is moving swiftly and aggressively to strengthen security at U.S. missions worldwide after the deadly Sept. 11 raid on the consulate in Libya.

Fitz Blog: Brewer states "State of the State"

In her fifth State of the State speech, Gov. Jan Brewer proposed expanding Arizona's Medicaid program, funding 200 more caseworkers for Child Protective Services and spending more money on public education.

Fitz Blog: Antenori fed up with "limp-wristed" Republican party

Addendum: It has come to my attention that Mr.Antenori called to express concern that this blog submission was not clearly labeled as satire. With that thoughtful concern in mind I wish to inform readers that this blog is satire, made entirely from the fruit of the famous Sarcasm Trees which…

Fitz Blog: Kozachik joins the...

Councilman Steve Kozachik announced he is leaving the Republican Party which he claims has become a narrow party of extremists. Numerous attempts to reach a Pima County Democratic party spokesperson went unanswered because the door on the geodesic dome was sealed tight and a voice inside kep…

Fitz Blog: Kozachik

Councilman Steve Kozachik announced he is leaving the Republican Party which he claims has become a narrow party of extremists. Numerous attempts to reach a Pima County Republican Party spokesperson went unanswered because the bunker door was sealed tight and a voice inside kept shouting,”Go…

Obama admonishes McCain, GOP over criticism of U.N. Amb. Rice

WASHINGTON — Setting an unflinching tone for his second term, President Barack Obama on Wednesday accused two top Republicans senators of lobbing outrageous criticism at his United Nations ambassador instead of confronting him directly over a deadly attack on Americans in Libya.

Presidential elections and transfers of power

The Dewey-Warren headquarters in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City presented this almost deserted scene on Nov. 3, 1948 as the nation awoke to find its presidential vote result still in doubt. A handful of die-hards slumped in chairs as the rest of the huge hotel ballroom was empty. Incum…

Fitz Blog: Random piffle

I had to laugh when Jay Leno said, "President Obama is brewing his own beer in the White House. Actually, the White House beer is a lot like the Obama administration – great buzz, weak finish."

Fitz Blog:47%

“The party of capitalism must become the party of social insurance, for capitalism’s own sake.”

Ex-commander to replace Sheriff Dever on ballot

Republicans in Cochise County have picked a retired commander to take Sheriff Larry Dever’s position on the November ballot.

9/11 attacks play small role in election

WASHINGTON — For the first time in a decade, the Sept. 11 attacks and the wars that resulted are not the focus of the presidential campaign.

Fitz Blog: Fruitless

“.. Republicans, I actually never learned to hate them the way the far right that now controls their party seems to hate our president and a lot of other Democrats... “