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Recent Articles from Ben Giles
Embryos in divorce dispute at center of Senate bill
A legislative effort to resolve disagreements over frozen embryos in the midst of divorce would strip away a couple’s right to choose whether to be mothers or fathers, infertility experts warn.
Veteran tax cut passes on second vote of Senate
The chamber voted 18-11 to approve a tax break for certain military veterans, days after the same measure failed on a 15-13 vote -- one shy of the 16 needed in the Senate for approval.
Alleged revenge-porn violation against former House staffer depends on time crime was committed
Rep. Anthony Kern wants prosecutors to determine if a former legislative staffer violated Arizona law by sharing sexually explicit messages about Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita.
Yarbrough bill to curb STO tax credits called ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’
A Republican proposal to end the dramatic annual growth of tax credits for private school scholarships also expands access to those scholarships in ways that makes public school advocates wary.
Tax-break proposal for veterans fails in Senate vote
The Arizona Senate failed to pass a bill giving certain military veterans a tax break, as the 15-13 vote on Thursday afternoon fell one vote shy of approval.
Lawmaker drops proposal to hide most donor identities
The Fountain Hills Republican said Tuesday he’s dropping a measure that would double the threshold at which political and candidate committees in Arizona are required to report the names of their donors.
Ducey courts school districts with more K-12 money
Looking for a scapegoat a year ago, Gov. Doug Ducey accused school officials for the woes of the Arizona teacher, whose average salary is among the lowest in the nation. Nearly a year later, the governor sounds like a changed man.
GOP senator wants to let Arizonans pay taxes in bitcoin
Sen. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, wants to require the state’s Department of Revenue to accept cryptocurrency as payment for personal income taxes.
Kavanagh wants to ban driving with pets on laps
Sen. John Kavanagh wants to ban pets, be they dogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians or other mammals, from resting on the laps of a person who’s driving a vehicle.
Ducey budget proposal makes public school teacher pay raises permanent
One year after claiming local school officials can’t be trusted, Gov. Doug Ducey now has faith that state monies are going to pay teachers higher salaries.
Q&A with Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs
In her last year at the Arizona Legislature, Senate Minority Leader Katie Hobbs must balance running for higher office and leading the Democratic Caucus.
Q&A with Senate President Steve Yarbrough
Senate President Steve Yarbrough is on his farewell tour at the Capitol. It’s his 16th year in office, but the Chandler Republican has some goals he hopes to accomplish on his way out the door.
