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Recent Articles from Ben Giles
New group registers to push for legalized marijuana in Arizona
A new effort has emerged to legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona, creating a fracture in the campaign to put the issue to a public vote in 2016.
First Amendment attorney warns of unintended consequences in police shooting bill
A police shooting bill approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Doug Ducey would strike the names of police officers from all public records – including everything from disciplinary records to police reports to traffic accident reports, an attorney who specializes in First Amendment issues has warned.
Critics urge governor to veto bill that would keep officers’ names secret
Critics are calling on Gov. Doug Ducey to veto a bill that would keep the names of officers who use deadly force a secret for two months.
Greg McKay confirmed as new Child Safety director
The state Senate confirmed Greg McKay as the new director of the Department of Child Safety despite objections from some legislators who say they lacked all the necessary information to vet Gov. Doug Ducey’s appointee.
University budget cuts: Numbers from JLBC and other sources reflect a harsher reality
Gov. Doug Ducey and Republican lawmakers have boasted their budget includes more spending on education than ever in Arizona’s history. But the numbers behind the cuts to higher education paint a different picture for the state’s university system and community colleges.
Senate committee votes to kill Common Core, but full Senate vote could keep standards alive
The Senate Education Committee voted today to kill Arizona's Common Core academic standards as foes blamed them for everything from the use of a sexually graphic book in one high school to making automatons of Arizona children.
Lawmaker pushes to expand online signature gathering
Candidates for legislative and statewide office in Arizona could collect all their nominating signatures online, a benefit that critics say should be available to all efforts to place candidates or initiatives on the ballot.
Dems say Begay betrayed party with decisive votes for GOP budget
Three key votes swung the budget in Republicans’ favor in the Arizona Senate, but none was more crucial than that of Democratic Sen. Carlyle Begay.
State Senate approves microbrewery compromise
The Arizona Senate approved a bill Wednesday that will allow microbreweries in the state to more than double their alcohol production without having to relinquish retail locations they argued are crucial to their brand.
Budget clears first hurdle, now faces GOP opposition
Arizona legislators advanced a budget deal struck by Senate and House leaders and Gov. Doug Ducey, but the bills won’t move any further unless GOP leadership can change the minds of more than a dozen rank-and-file members opposed to the spending plan.
Bill would strip school districts of money to remedy racial discrimination
Backers of a bill that would strip Arizona school districts of millions of dollars in funding allotted for desegregation and student achievement are struggling to find enough votes for approval.
Beer bill runs afoul of the Constitution
Constitutional issues stalled legislation that aims to update Arizona laws regulating microbreweries, and opponents of the bill are ramping up efforts to defeat it.
