Arizona: Terry Goddard

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year.
The step is a formality, the furthest the state's resign-to-run law allows a sitting office holder to go in preparing a campaign for a different position. As of Jan. 1, Goddard - who is term-limited next year - will be allowed to formally launch his campaign.
Regardless, Goddard's first official step toward the gubernatorial campaign is significant. He is the first Democrat to inch into the race and he does so as the overwhelming favorite to capture his party's nomination. ...

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According to the Arizona Republic, a new poll by Republican pollster Margaret Kenski suggests that the state's top elected Democrat, Attorney General Terry Goddard, would beat all current Republican potential candidates for governor. The poll found that Goddard leads accidental Gov. Jan Brewer by 16 points, Arizona Regent John Munger by 18 points, and appointed Secretary of State Ken Bennett by 15 points. The closest Republican to Goddard was state Treasurer Dean Martin, who he leads by 6.5%.

Also, Rodney Glassman, a councilman for the city of Tucson has formed an exploratory committee for Senate in 2010. Glassman told the Arizona Republic, ".

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Here is a news item from the past week that, as far as I can find, was not reported in any of the major newspapers in Arizona - with the exception of the online Arizona Guardian (subscription required). Curious...

Goddard announces $900,000 settlement over inflated drug prices
WEDNESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2009 12:25

(Phoenix, Ariz. -- Sept. 23, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today announced a $900,000 settlement with Bristol-Meyers Squibb (BMS) over allegations that the pharmaceutical company set fraudulently inflated prices for certain drugs purchased by consumers, insurers and other payers. 

Goddard filed a lawsuit in 2005 against 42 pharmaceutical companies, alleging that they engaged in deceptive trade practices by manipulating the Average Wholesale Price (AWP) of their prescription drugs, causing buyers to overpay.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Guardian (subscription required) reports that "After weeks of closed-door meetings, GOP legislative leaders are trying to rush through a package of budget bills so fast that adequate public notice and participation will be all but impossible."

"On Tuesday, Republicans in the Senate voted to suspend the rules in order to allow the bills to be heard in committees without the required prior notification." Senate leaders decided to hold the hearing Wednesday morning.

"Senate President Bob Burns said lawmakers will then try to move the entire budget deal out of the Legislature by the end of the day. The House is scheduled to come back at 1:30 p.