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Recent Articles from Ben Giles
Why is Arizona’s K-12 funding so low? ATRA report offers explanations
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.
LD26 Dems nominate Mendez, Sherwood, party chair to fill Senate seat
Democrats in Tempe and west Mesa nominated two state representatives and a local party leader as candidates to fill a vacant Senate seat.
McKay defends his approach, says DCS problems created by past administrations
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 question new DCS rules
Foster parents worry that new rules drafted by Arizona’s child safety agency could create a harmful environment for foster children and parents alike.
Hundreds of millions of dollars later, child safety programs plagued by the same problems
A decade ago, a team of auditors embedded themselves in the agency charged with protecting Arizona’s children and found that some reports of child abuse or neglect weren’t properly investigated. Other cases lacked the relevant information necessary to ensure children’s safety. Ten years, hundreds of millions of dollars and a new agency later, the problems that plague the Department of Child [...]
Child Safety director says goal of reducing backlog “not attainable,” money “not well spent”
One year and $29 million later, Arizona’s child welfare agency is no closer to eliminating a sizeable backlog of stagnant child safety cases, a goal the agency’s director now says was unattainable.
As millennials tune out, Secretary of State Reagan reaches out to a younger generation
A recent event at a Phoenix Mercury basketball game was a part of a new effort by Secretary of State Michele Reagan to get kids excited about voting. At least for a day, it worked.
Ableser leaving AZ Senate for out-of-state job
Sen. Ed Ableser is resigning from the Arizona Senate at the end of September to lead a new anti-bullying effort for the Nevada Department of Education.
Critics worry proposed rules could make it difficult to hold child safety agency accountable
Hoping to halt its ever-growing backlog of cases, the Department of Child Safety wants to adopt new rules for what constitutes an investigation.
Pima County claims governor, legislators illegally shifted state costs to counties
Denied a hearing by the Arizona Supreme Court, Pima County will soon take its legal challenge over a budget provision regarding the 1 percent property tax cap to Maricopa County.
Elected officials can talk about ballot measures but can’t advocate a vote, AG concludes
A new opinion issued by Attorney General Mark Brnovich more clearly outlines how public and elected officials may exercise their free speech rights without improperly using public money to influence elections.
Senate president disappointed in audit that recommended more money for child safety
To improve the outcomes for Arizona children who are wards of the state, Senate President Andy Biggs wants officials to take a closer look at what requires the state to intervene in families’ lives in the first place.
