Recent Articles from Bob Christie, Capitol Media Services
Hobbs seeks $760M federal reimbursement for border security costs
Key Points: State wants a reimbursement for funds spent on border security since 2021 Arizona spent $100 million on shipping containers for a border wall under former Gov. Doug Ducey... […]
Appeals court overrules LDS church position, jury needs to hear details of child abuse
Key Points: Appeals court rules against Mormon church in child sexual abuse case Lower court has tossed lawsuit Church leaders say they will appeal, citing confession confidentiality An appeals court... […]
Marana prison may be used as ICE detention facility, says town manager
Key Point: Arizona’s first private prison sold back to original builder Management & Training Corp. paid $15M for the 500-bed prison Town of Marana lost over 200 jobs with prison’s... […]
Hobbs signs ‘Ag-to-Urban’ bill, paves way for new water management in Arizona
Key Points: New law expected to conserve groundwater Could spur homebuilding in Phoenix, Pinal County Despite bipartisan support, some foes raise concerns Legislation designed to save huge amounts of water... […]
New deal on Ag-to-Urban water plan moving in Senate
Key Points: Water proposal lets builders buy water from retiring farmers Plan could allow 1 million new homes statewide Rural areas feel left out, fear water shortages Housing developers left... […]
Budget talks bog down as House and Senate Republicans squabble
Key Points: Arizona House Republicans push solo budget plan, skipping Senate cooperation Senate GOP are negotiating with governor without the House Budget standoff risks missing July 1 fiscal year deadline... […]
Arizona property still open to Chinese government after governor’s veto
Key Points: Hobbs vetoed land ban for Chinese government, citing vague enforcement and security doubts Sen. Shamp claimed the bill protects bases from Chinese surveillance threats Federal rules already restrict... […]
As budget deadline looms, state officials begin talks
Key Points: Arizona has less than 40 days to complete a state budget before a government shutdown One reason for budget delay is uncertainty over state tax revenue Despite habitual... […]
Electric utility lobbying efforts win big in 2025
Key Points:Â Electric utility companies had two bills passed to protect their financial assets in 2025 Companies like Arizona Public Service Co. have also donated huge amounts of money across... […]
Abandoned Marana prison sold back to original owner for use as private prison
Editor’s note: The total population of the town of Marana, Arizona, was corrected to 63,000. Key Points: The Legislature rejected a proposal to sell the abandoned Marana prison to the... […]
Sen. Kavanagh pushes preferred pronoun and bathroom bans for students
Key Points: The two bills aim to ban the use of students’ preferred pronouns and bathrooms Both measures have been previously vetoed by Gov. Hobbs Kavanagh aims to put the... […]
Private schools, public teams: Should public school sports be open to private school students?
Key Points: Legislation would allow private school students to compete on public school sports teams Advocates believe the bill allows access to important programs for private school students Opponents believe... […]
















