Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

A spending cap in the K-12 settlement approved by legislators was pounced on by Democratic lawmakers who say the cap will be used in the future to limit spending on schools.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Tempe Democratic Rep. Andrew Sherwood to the state Senate.

Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a $3.5 billion education spending proposal that legislators gave final approval to earlier today, finalizing a plan that, if voters approve in May 2016, will settle a longstanding lawsuit against the state.

Senate Democrats will be short a vote if lawmakers are called back to the Capitol for a special session this week.

Department of Economic Security Director Tim Jeffries has canned 168 employees since he was appointed department head in February, a pace of more than four firings a week. A spokeswoman for the agency could not say how many of those former employees were considered bullies and liars as well.

A vital cog in the Arizona music industry for two decades, Charlie Levy is the owner of the promotions company Stateside Presents, which books acts for various venues throughout the Valley and Tucson.

The influential Arizona Tax Research Association penned a study that attempted to provide context for why Arizona consistently ranks among the worst states when it comes to spending on K-12 education.

Democrats in Tempe and west Mesa nominated two state representatives and a local party leader as candidates to fill a vacant Senate seat.

Officials at the Department of Child Safety know the beleaguered agency has problems, but Director Greg McKay says previous administrations are to blame.

Foster parents worry that new rules drafted by Arizona’s child safety agency could create a harmful environment for foster children and parents alike.