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Recent Articles from Ben Giles
AZ Supreme Court skeptical of minimum wage challenger arguments
Arizona’s Supreme Court justices spent time March 9 imagining a world in which the state’s voters may never get to pass laws by the ballot again.
Former Glendale Mayor to Arizona Coyotes: Blame your management, not the city
The City of Glendale, the home of the Arizona Coyotes, is not what ails the team, according to former mayor Elaine Scruggs.
Senate minority leader aiming for Secretary of State
Democratic state Sen. Katie Hobbs announced Wednesday morning she’ll challenge Republican Michele Reagan for secretary of state in 2018.
NHL Commissioner: Without a new arena, Coyotes won’t stay in Phoenix region
The Arizona Coyotes won’t stay in the Phoenix region without a new stadium, according to a letter NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sent to state lawmakers.
Analysts skeptical about fiscal benefits of expanded voucher program
State taxpayers will see minimal to no savings when students transfer from public to private schools under an expanded voucher program.
Senator promises to scale back bill that threatens political entities’ funding
A Senate panel has approved a bill expanding a law that allows the state to withhold money from government entities that don’t do as legislators please after its sponsor promised to scale back the scope of its application.
State Supreme Court agrees to take up minimum wage case
Arizona’s Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments by the business community that the new voter-approved minimum wage violates the state’s Constitution.
Bill advances that could jeopardize more than $200 million in desegregation funds
At a time when Gov. Doug Ducey boasted more than $100 million in new investments for education in his budget plan, a Senate panel advanced a bill that could put roughly double that amount of school funding in jeopardy.
Senator wants to broadly expand law designed to punish wayward cities
A law that allows the state to withhold the revenues from communities that don’t do as Arizona lawmakers please has been called illegal coercion. Sen. Steve Smith wants to expand it.
JLBC chief cautions lawmakers on governor’s spending plans
Legislative budget analysts pumped the brakes on Gov. Doug Ducey’s spending proposals this week, cautioning lawmakers that the governor’s projection of available revenues is far rosier than their own.
Ducey proposes first step toward restoration of all-day kindergarten
A coalition of educators, business figures, politicians and others advocating for full-day kindergarten in Arizona could see their vision take a step toward reality in 2017.
Q&A: New Senate President Yarbrough focused on fiscal stability
Senate President Steve Yarbrough takes the helm of the Senate this session, culminating 14 years of service in the Arizona Legislature.
