Those who hope to scratch or pick their way to riches may soon get some protection from family and friends and foes.

Imagine if your company wasn’t able to reward its best employees with raises, wasn’t able to hire new employees when they were needed, and was forced to tolerate poor performers and malcontents because of a bureaucratic maze that made firing almost impossible.

The Arizona Department of Commerce dodged a bullet in this year’s session of the Arizona Legislature and will continue to perform its economic development activities as a separate entity under the budget plan approved by lawmakers this week.

Senator and Ahwatukee Foothills resident John McComish was recently endorsed by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee among 35 other candidates for the state legislature.

November 29, 2004

WASHINGTON — Toyota Motor Corp. and federal regulators faced more questions from Congress Tuesday over the giant Japanese car company's troubled safety record. "We know something has gone terribly wrong," Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller said.

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers will consider partly reversing a decision that eased media ownership restrictions, Senate Commerce Committee chairman John McCain said Wednesday.

Rep. Russell Pearce is the target of a new political committee that aims to block the Mesa Republican's bid for a state Senate seat.

A proposal to increase Arizona's maximum, weekly unemployment insurance benefit to $240 by the summer of 2004 is headed to the Arizona Senate floor after a favorable recommendation Wednesday.

Calling the system "morally wrong," a state senator hoping to become a member of Congress pushed legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee designed essentially to kill the system of public financing of state elections.

State senators took the first steps Wednesday to block Gov. Janet Napolitano from mandating reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Arizona and imposing new standards on the vehicles that can be sold here.

WASHINGTON - The Senate moved the digital TV transition one step closer to reality on Thursday, setting a firm date for television broadcasters to switch to all-digital transmissions.

A Senate panel approved a far-reaching bill designed to combat illegal immigration, including allowing police to stop and actually arrest anyone they just reasonably believe is in this country illegally.

WASHINGTON - Eric Holder won Senate confirmation Monday as the nation's first African-American attorney general, after supporters from both parties touted his dream resume and easily overcame Republican concerns over his commitment to fight terrorism and his unwillingness to back the right to keep and bear arms.

If one listens to the rhetoric, it seems impossible that the state Senate race between incumbent Carolyn Allen and Rep. Colette Rosati is actually between two Republicans. Allen said Rosati is out of touch with the mainstream public and has been ineffective in the House of Representatives.

If one listens to the rhetoric, it seems impossible that the state Senate race between incumbent Carolyn Allen and Rep. Colette Rosati is actually between two Republicans.

Cutting red tape, closing sales tax loopholes, and making city streets safer were all topics of discussion at Friday’s Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Committee meeting.

WASHINGTON - The Senate has voted to impose tough new limits against sending unwanted commercial e-mails, but supporters warned computer users not to expect any immediate end to offers for prescription drugs, cheap loans, herbal remedies and pornography.

State senators voted Thursday to let lawmakers nullify federal laws -- but not before refusing to give Pima County permission to secede to avoid all the embarrassment.

Legislation to permit alcohol sales until 2 a.m. in the state survived a key committee vote Wednesday, but faces a big fight when it goes next to the full Senate.

A state Senate committee will consider an amendment Wednesday to increase the maximum, weekly unemployment insurance benefit to $240 by summer 2004.

WASHINGTON - The House overwhelmingly approved business tax breaks worth $1.8 billion over 10 years on Friday, a key step toward forging a congressional compromise on increasing the minimum wage.

Hoping to lure more movies, TV shows and commercials, state lawmakers are moving to once again provide income tax credits for those who produce them in Arizona.