Recent Articles from Camryn Sanchez and Jakob Thorington Arizona Capitol Times
GOP leaders prepare to sue Biden over monument law
Republican lawmakers are following in Donald Trump’s footsteps, questioning the constitutionality of an old law President Joe Biden is using to expand national monument protections.
GOP, Dems fight over monument designation plan
Republicans and Democrats are fighting over a proposed national monument around the Grand Canyon supported by President Joe Biden, which Republicans say will take away economic opportunities.
Prop. 400 compromise alters use of tax monies
Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signing of a proposal to extend a Maricopa County transportation tax ensures voters will get the chance to weigh in on the issue before the tax expires in 2025. Most legislative Republicans, Democrats and Hobbs are praising the deal as one of the major legislative accomplishments this session.
Lawmakers move successful tax extension over far-right opposition
Established Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass a controversial tax extension on Monday, raising questions about whether the far-right Freedom Caucus will be as effective next session after the caucus failed to kill the deal.
Arizona Legislature sends transportation tax proposal to voters
The longest legislative session in state history came to an end Monday after 204 days as lawmakers in both chambers succeeded in adjourning sine die shortly after 5 p.m., finally addressing a transportation tax extension they’d wrestled with for months.
Legislature on track for longest session ever
The Arizona Legislature is officially tied with the longest session in state history as of June 30, and it will be the longest with no end date in sight.
Prop 400 gridlock spurs possibility of initiative
Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Legislature are gridlocked over a half-cent sales tax extension in Maricopa County, and regional leaders are saying they want to bring an initiative to voters statewide to bypass lawmakers.
Legislature passes Rio Verde solution, Hobbs voices support
The Legislature passed a bipartisan bill with an emergency clause on Tuesday that would get water back to Rio Verde, and which Gov. Katie Hobbs said she plans to sign into law.
Partisan tax extension plan poised for veto
On Tuesday evening the Legislature passed a partisan, controversial half-cent sales tax extension, which Democrats called a “slap in the face” and the governor said she will veto.
One Rio Verde plan dies, another advances
House members approved a new measure to get water to the Rio Verde community Monday that Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, is offering as an alternative to appease Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, and the Senate killed an alternative plan.
Lawmakers take long break – key bills await action
The pressure is off state lawmakers after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a $17.8 billion budget package and negotiations on critical housing and transportation issues will continue during a near month-long recess of the Legislature.
Lawmakers consider two potential Rio Verde water solutions
A potential solution to get water to the Rio Verde Foothills passed through the Legislature on Monday, but even though the residents like it, a different proposal might have a better chance of becoming law.