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.

Romney hosts retreat of political, business elite

PARK CITY, Utah — Mitt Romney urged a gathering of political and business leaders to set aside partisan bickering and to seek solutions to the nation’s most pressing issues.

Renzi corruption case now rests in hands of the jury

Rick Renzi

Renzi corruption case now rests in hands of the jury

A federal court jury in Tucson is deliberating in a corruption case in which former Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi was accused of trying to engineer a federal land exchange to benefit himself and a business associate and of looting clients' premiums from his family insurance business.

Fitz Blog: Bachmann to retire

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced she is retiring from Congress to stay home and iron her husband’s new boy scout uniform. Marcus Bachmann said the happy couple will live happily behind a candelabra and be very active in his church.

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.

Fitz Blog: Melvin to run for White House

MARS - Three-term state Sen. Al Melvin announced Monday he intends to run for President of the United States this coming year. “Although it’s not an election year I’m not going to let that malarkey stand in my way.”

Praising Obama, McCain backs revenue compromise in grand bargain

WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., says Republicans should compromise and increase tax revenues as part of a “long-term grand bargain” on the budget, and praised President Obama for reaching out to senators across the aisle.

US Sen. Rand Paul endorses immigrant path to citizenship

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul is endorsing a path to citizenship for the nation’s illegal immigrants, a significant move for a favorite of tea party Republicans who are often seen as hostile to such an approach.

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.

Sarah Garrecht Gassen: The sequester is going to hurt, no matter what the seed-eaters say

Barring any last minute "miracles" to call off this Congress-inflicted fiasco, automatic federal budget cuts will kick in. The reductions total $1.2 trillion spread over nine years. The first cuts will be $85 billion by the end of September.

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

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…

Tucson Councilman Kozachik dumps Republican party

The Tucson city council has lost its lone Republican member.

Bill would move up AZ presidential primary

PHOENIX - A Republican state lawmaker wants to be sure Arizonans have a real voice in deciding who will run for president in 2016.

George H. W. Bush

Pres. George H. W. Bush, right, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, left, stand at attention as they listen to their respective anthems during a welcoming ceremony at Kubba Palace, Friday, Nov. 23, 1990, Cairo, Egypt. Later on Friday Bush travels to Geneva to meet Syrian President Hafez El…

George H. W. Bush

President George Bush greets South African leader Nelson Mandela on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 26, 1990, Washington, DC. Mandela told Bush the support blacks in South Africa have received from the United States, particularly economic sanctions, have been crucial promotin…

George H. W. Bush

Pres. George H. W. Bush talks to reporters at the Oval Office of the White House during his first full day as president, Saturday, Jan. 21, 1989, Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

George H. W. Bush

President-elect George H. W. Bush holds his hands up to acknowledge the crowds applause, and ask them to allow him to continue his speech, during his victory rally with grandson, George P. Bush, right, and son George W. Bush, left, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1988, Houston, Texas. (AP Photo)