Camryn Sanchez Arizona Capitol Times

Legislature chips away at government transparency

The Arizona Legislature has often been hostile to transparency by introducing bills to limit access to public records and carving out exceptions in sunshine laws in the name of privacy.

compliance, public records, First Amendment, delays, attorneys

Agencies use delays to thwart public records requests

Arizona’s public bodies often use delay tactics and loose interpretations of the state’s public records laws to avoid transparency, First Amendment lawyers say.

courts October 24, 2023

Navarrete denies sex crime allegations in trial testimony

Former Arizona state Sen. Tony Navarrete testified on Tuesday and vehemently denied seven allegations of sexual crimes against his nephews.

courts October 18, 2023

Navarrete maintains innocence, family testifies in trial

Former state Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete is currently on trial for a series of sexual crimes against children, which his attorney maintains he did not commit.

Navarrete, child sex crimes, jury, Senate

courts October 12, 2023

Navarrete sexual crimes against children trial starts, jury selected

The highly anticipated trial of former Sen. Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete went forward on Thursday morning with jury selection, and still no plea deal.

legislature October 10, 2023

Certain counties to receive settlement monies for reentry programs

A legislative committee today approved monies for counties to spend on reentry programs to reduce recidivism rates, but only counties with existing programs can get the money, excluding some.

courts October 5, 2023

Former Arizona senator rejects plea offer in child sex abuse case

Former state Sen. Tony Navarrete appears to be going to trial for sex crimes against children next week, now that lawyers determined that a plea deal “does not appear to be possible.”

Bingo players resist regulation by state agencies

A state senator is pushing back against various state agencies over what they say is illegal gaming and he says is protected bingo.

legislature September 27, 2023

No one investigating lawmakers and staffers accepting event tickets

So far, no one is planning to investigate (or litigate) whether the acceptance of tickets to sporting events and concerts by Gov. Katie Hobbs’ staffers and lawmakers violates state law.

Hobbs, Trump, director nominations, Senate

Hobbs attempts to avoid Senate confirmation process

After months of arguing with Senate Republicans, Gov. Katie Hobbs pulled the plug on their appointee confirmation process by reassigning her picks to lead state departments as “deputy directors.”

water, Colorado River, Gilbert, Arizona Water Banking Authority

State considers using effluent water credits

The Arizona Water Banking Authority is exploring the possibility of buying purified wastewater to distribute later – which would be unprecedented.

housing, DINO, Serviss, Hoffman, Shope, nominee

legislature September 14, 2023

GOP members reject housing department nominee due to claims of plagiarism

A Senate panel voted Thursday to reject the governor’s pick to lead the state housing department – largely due to accusations that she is a serial plagiarist.

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