When our nation’s founders wrote the language in the First Amendment guaranteeing the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances,” there were no words describing the form of that petition.

A senate panel voted Wednesday to throw some additional hurdles in the path of Arizonans who want to write their own laws.

Attorneys for the state are making a last-ditch effort to deny public schools about $82 million a year in funding.

State lawmakers are making another bid to shorten the time that individuals and groups have to put issues on the ballot.

State lawmakers and Gov. Jan Brewer were legally wrong in refusing to fully increase state aid to schools to account for inflation, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

We have all seen those strings of legal words in commercials set in type too small to read, even if you push the pause button and affix your eyeball directly to the TV screen.

A Scottsdale legislator figures you might have second thoughts about buying something if you knew all sales are final and it could not be returned.

Here's my annual list looking at 2012:

“If the Grand Obstinate Party is ever going to win any elections in 2014 or 2016 they need to do three things: Schedule a few sessions with Dr. Phil, privatize elections nationwide and have Koch Industries count the ballots, and, above all, don’t use pollsters that gerrymander. Republicans should know that’s the best way to get the worst information.”

The state Board of Regents on Monday suspended the ability of the Arizona Students’ Association to impose its $2-a-semester fee amid questions of how the money is being spent.

The state Board of Regents on Monday suspended the ability of the Arizona Students' Association to impose its $2-a-semester fee amid questions of how the money is being spent.

Editor's Note: These letters to the editor have been sorted by topic by the Tribune editorial staff in an effort to allow readers to read varied opinions on the issues, candidates, and other circumstances surrounding the 2012 general election. These submissions are the opinions of the author, not the Tribune, and have not been edited for grammar or content.

Mesa voters are being asked to make changes to the city charter during the Nov. 6 election, most of which impact elections and the city’s leadership.

“I am sure most Democrats don’t understand the comment about how Carmona should protect women by snubbing Clinton. They either weren’t alive in the 90’s or aren’t smart enough to realize the man’s actions have proven time and again what he really thinks of the role of women. Their continuing support of him tells me everything I need to know about the Democratic party. That is why I left the party to become an independent.”

I know the baseball playoffs are riveting (come on, admit it, even without the Diamondbacks), ASU’s football team is 5-1 and gearing up to face the No. 2 team in the nation this week (take that, Dennis Erickson) and the reality song and dance competition shows are heating up, despite the fact that Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have become such great pals.

I know the baseball playoffs are riveting (come on, admit it, even without the Diamondbacks), ASU’s football team is 5-1 and gearing up to face the No. 2 team in the nation this week (take that, Dennis Erickson) and the reality song and dance competition shows are heating up, despite the fact that Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have become such great pals.

DENVER — In a showdown at close quarters, President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney sparred aggressively in their first campaign debate Wednesday night over taxes, deficits and strong steps needed to create jobs in a sputtering national economy. "The status quo is not going to cut it," declared the challenger.

Signatures for a new voter initiative for the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) on the Loop 202 freeway extension was turned in during a meeting yesterday with the tribal elections office.

Signatures for a new voter initiative for the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) on the Loop 202 freeway extension will be turned in during a meeting with the tribal elections office at 11 a.m. today.

The Gilbert Public Works director has retired and the water director has been dismissed after the town began investigating why one of its water treatment plants failed to fluoridate the water.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flinching in the face of economic weakness, President Barack Obama's top aides refused to say Sunday in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention if Americans are better off than they were four years ago.

TAMPA, Fla. — His Republican National Convention pushed back by a day, Mitt Romney conceded Sunday that fresh controversy over rape and abortion is harming his party and he accused Democrats of trying to exploit it for political gain.