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Recent Articles from Camryn Sanchez Arizona Capitol Times
House, Senate diverge on per diem issue
Following Arizona Capitol Times coverage on the amount lawmakers collect in per diem, the Senate reminded members they can opt out of payments for the rest of this session, but the House instituted a new policy that members who opt out can never get per diem again.
How much do lawmakers make for how much work?
Lawmakers collectively make more than a million dollars in per diem subsistence payments, despite long breaks during the session without public meetings or movement on bills, although that varies wildly between lawmakers.
Kaiser cites putting ‘family first’ for resignation
Sen. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, is resigning at the end of the week, as first reported by ABC15’s Dennis Welch. He said Wednesday that he’s made this decision to spend time with his family, and he would have resigned regardless of whether his housing bills passed this week.
Senate pushes rental tax elimination (again)
The Senate voted Tuesday to pass a revised version of the rental tax elimination bill that was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs a few months ago.
Legislature moves to expand its powers, limit governor’s
A resolution that would limit the governor’s ability to declare a state of emergency moved through the Senate on Monday on party lines. Unlike typical bills, this Republican-sponsored resolution doesn’t have to get by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs – it goes to the voters.
Final housing reform effort dies
After two years of effort, the last in a series of attempts to reform housing laws has failed in the Legislature. Sen. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, started the session with a substantive housing bill, which was killed in the Senate, but revived in three other pieces of legislation – all of which died on Monday afternoon.
Senate panel approves DOC nominee amidst death penalty debate
A Senate panel voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend the approval of Ryan Thornell as director of the Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry and discussed the state’s actions related to the death penalty.
Veto of public porn or book banning?
Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill on Monday she said aimed to ban books, but the sponsor said it’s meant to ban the “practice” of filming pornography in public schools.
Senate panel rejects former lawmaker over incendiary politics
A Senate committee voted Wednesday, as expected, to recommend the rejection of a former Democratic lawmaker to lead a state agency, citing his past political comments.
Panelists make outrageous claims in conservative Covid committee
Conservative lawmakers hosted a panel today with speakers who claim that the federal government intentionally lied and mishandled Covid, that hospitals intentionally killed people, and made statements that medical professionals say are untrue.
Hobbs vetoes mainly partisan bills, draws ire for nixing elections legislation
So far this session Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed 92 bills, 22 of which had the support of at least one legislative Democrat, leading to criticism from Republicans about her treatment of bipartisan bills.
Toothless resolution on elections equipment flagged for supervisors
Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, reminded county boards of supervisors on Monday that the Legislature passed an amendment on elections equipment back in April, but the resolution doesn’t have the power of a law and can’t be upheld.
