Sign In
Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Ben Giles
John McComish: A man of many hats now dons a robe
Since trading in his legislator badge for judicial robes in 2015, John McComish said he has no regrets leaving the Capitol and mostly leaving politics behind.
State leaders converge on Arizona House to plan constitutional convention
State leaders who descended on Arizona’s Capitol to make plans for a potential convention of the states hope that their meeting of the minds helps legitimize their effort to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Livingston accuses Blanc of doctoring referendum petitions, calls for resignation
Rep. David Livingston said Rep. Isela Blanc should fully comply with any investigation into allegations she or others doctored petitions to help get a referendum of school voucher expansion on the ballot, and if she’s found in the wrong, resign from office.
Livingston files ethics complaint against Blanc over alleged petition doctoring
A Republican lawmaker wants Democratic Rep. Isela Blanc investigated by the House Ethics Committee, citing allegations that petition sheets she gathered to block an expansion of school vouchers were doctored.
Goose and gander: Firm charges lawmakers hourly rate to gather signatures
A handful of incumbent Arizona legislators aren’t happy that the most prolific signature gathering firm in the state is treating them the way they treat citizens who propose or challenge laws via the ballot.
Medical pot dispensaries to start paying personal property tax, assessor announces
Taxing personal property at medical marijuana dispensaries and growth operations may net Maricopa County schools more than $1 million, and likely more once the county assessor completes audits of taxes owed in previous years.
Maricopa County to enforce business property tax on medical marijuana dispensaries
Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen wants medical marijuana dispensaries to pay personal property taxes, and the county’s dispensaries say they’re happy to comply.
Legislator to draft law to unmask protesters he compares to KKK
Rep. Jay Lawrence wants to create criminal penalties for protesters who wear masks to hide their identity while committing crimes, and likened those modern day protesters to the Ku Klux Klan.
Law to force AG investigation of cities ‘rung’ again, complaint withdrawn quickly
A Yuma lawmaker on Friday started the short-lived process of initiating an attorney general investigation into whether the City of Somerton violated state law by charging a local church a fee for a building permit.
C.T. Wright: Politically active clemency chairman prays for unity
If you’ve sat through a day at Arizona Senate in the past three years, there’s a chance you’ve heard a booming prayer delivered by C. T. Wright. His prayers have also been heard in the Arizona House of Representatives, at state GOP meetings, and even at a campaign rally for President Trump in 2016.
State attorneys: Judge’s order on pension unclear, violates separation of powers
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office claims state officials don’t know how to respond to a judge’s order to adjust contribution rates to a retirement fund for the judiciary and elected officials.
Lawmaker to introduce bill for spikes to stop wrong-way drivers
Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, said she’ll introduce legislation in 2018 requiring state officials to install spike strips on “high risk” exit ramps where there have been a high number of wrong-way drivers.
