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Recent Articles from Bob Christie, Associated Press
Bills give tax breaks to crop dusters, helicopter tours
A Republican lawmaker has reintroduced legislation that was vetoed last year to exempt crop-dusters and charter aircraft operators from state sales taxes.
Abortion bills emerge at Arizona Senate filing deadline
Two bills targeting Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers were among a flurry of filings as an Arizona Senate deadline for introducing legislation neared Monday evening.
Lawmakers again seek tax break for Grand Canyon University
Lawmakers are again seeking a big property tax break for a growing private Christian university in Phoenix, reviving an effort to benefit Grand Canyon University that was derailed over constitutional concerns in 2014.
8 corrections officers sue, claim unsafe working conditions
A corrections officer who was sexually assaulted by an inmate at the Yuma state prison is among eight prison guards suing Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan and the state of Arizona for conditions they contend led to assaults and injuries.
GOP lawmaker wants cap on private school tax credits
An effort by some Republicans at the Arizona Legislature to roll back an annual 20 percent boost in the amount of corporate tax credits available for contributions to private school tuition organizations has returned again this session.
Failed Arizona co-op says more than half chose new plans
More than half of the 59,000 Arizonans who will need to change health insurance companies because of the planned Jan. 1 closure of the state's nonprofit co-op have chosen new carriers, officials with the failed nonprofit said.
Sheriffs push back against Ducey’s border security plan
Gov. Doug Ducey should restore money taken from counties and fix ongoing problems with the state Department of Public Safety before pouring more cash into a new state border security strike force, the state sheriffs association said Monday.
Lawmakers work on public safety pension system overhaul plan
A plan to overhaul the state's woefully underfunded pension plan for public safety workers is nearing completion after months of meetings between lawmakers, pension officials, firefighter and police unions and cities, towns and other public agencies that pay into the system.
Arizona health insurance co-op to close shop Dec. 31
Executives with Arizona's nonprofit health insurance co-op said Tuesday that they have failed to come up with additional financial backing and the insurer plans to shut down all operations Dec. 31.
Ducey creates state police border force
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered the Arizona Department of Public Safety to create a border strike force comprised of state troopers who will help law enforcement agencies along the Mexican border respond to crimes.
Ducey won’t restore welfare cuts made during budget crunch
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey won't seek to reverse cuts to cash welfare assistance made when the state appeared to be facing a major budget crunch, despite a dramatic turnaround in state finances.
Sen. John McCain tries to woo Latinos in re-election bid
U.S. Sen. John McCain is trying to woo Hispanic voters to his re-election effort by putting together a coalition of Latino business leaders who back the Republican.
