http://azcapitoltimes.com The latest updates from Arizona Capitol Times en-us Copyright 2008, Arizona Capitol Times. http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8650 Sen. John McCain’s campaign was seeking a show of unity May 10 at the Arizona Republican Convention at the Mesa Convention Center. And for the most part, that’s what it got. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8651 A proposal seeking to streamline the process of adopting children out of the state’s foster care system was approved by the Legislature May 7. It was signed by the governor a few days later.<br />The legislation rode the support of lawmakers who have adopted or are in the process of adopting children. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8658 Jerome has had its ups and downs. It still does. <br />The town sits on the side of Cleopatra Hill. Each building looks down on the roof of the building in front of it, if the building in front even has a roof. You get from one street to the next by taking the steps. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8663 A measure defeated earlier this spring to give workers at the state’s school system for deaf and blind children more protection under state personnel rules was resurrected in the Senate and approved unanimously by both chambers. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8664 A move by Republicans to revive a measure that would ban gay marriage in Arizona has prompted a House Democrat to threaten retaliation with a ballot measure of her own that would protect the rights of gays. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8665 The state Court of Appeals has struck down a pair of school voucher programs, saying they violate the Arizona Constitution by providing funding for private schools. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8666 Arizona’s senators are balking at the idea of a “North American Union” with Canada and Mexico and are asking the nation’s leaders in Washington, D.C. not to construct a North American Free Trade Agreement superhighway system. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8667 Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed into law a bill criminalizing the act of knowingly renting or selling properties that will be used by human smugglers as drop houses. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8668 Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8669 Lawmakers passed a bill last week to forbid state agencies from regulating greenhouse-gas emissions and fuel economy of cars without the approval of the Legislature, but the governor vetoed the measure on May 15. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8670 The governor has signed a bill that would give high school seniors the chance to augment their AIMS test scores with grades from their coursework enabling them to receive diplomas, even if they did not pass the exam. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8671 I opened my eyes from an exhaustion-forced nap. Immediately, I was aware of a burning sensation about my face and arms. Dry and coated with a heavy hue of an earthy, sour-medicine taste, my mouth was recovering from what I had subjected it to just hours earlier. Feathery, cotton-like seeds clung to my worn T-shirt. My flip-flops, strewn carelessly on the floor, still carried a coat of mud. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8672 Sometimes the names of formations in Red Rock country make sense right away. Sometimes you have to … squint a little. <br />Just beyond Oak Creek Village, off Arizona Highway 179, is Bell Rock. Next to it is Courthouse Butte.<br />Bell Rock is obvious. Courthouse Butte takes a little more imagination.<br />I had seen both formations from a vehicle a number of times. This was the first time I visited them on foot. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8673 Choosing the single highlight of a two-week guided tour through Northern Italy is like deciding which pasta you like the best — difficult, if not impossible.<br />How can you rate the history, food, architecture, food, art, food, stately churches, food, culture, food and ambiance that Italy offers? And don’t forget the local vino served with every sumptuous dinner. You can get a sampling of all this packed into two weeks of hectic, yet wholly gratifying sightseeing, guided tours and, of course, shopping. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8674 Gov. Janet Napolitano said on May 14 that her decision to redirect more than $1 million from a task force charged with enforcing the state's human smuggling laws was driven by a need to track down and arrest thousands of fugitive felony suspects. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8675 Nearly four dozen candidates for the state Legislature have submitted the paperwork needed to qualify for this fall's ballot since the opening day of filing on May 5, a sign that the election season has hit full throttle while the legislative session drags on.<br />As of May 15, 42 candidates had filed nominating petitions that, if validated, will allow them to participate in the primary elections in September. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8677 A Democratic senator is trying to revive efforts to ban text messaging while driving. <br />The idea for a statewide ban on texting while driving was first floated unsuccessfully last year after the city of Phoenix passed a similar ordinance. A bill to ban the practice was introduced in the House this year, but it was never heard in committee. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://azcapitoltimes.com/story.cfm?ID=8678 While some insiders debated a bargain struck between an influential homebuilders group and proponents of a multi-billion dollar transportation initiative, others were focusing on a fine-print clause that could pour millions into the hands of nonprofit environmental groups. Fri, 16 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT