Recent Articles from Evan Wyloge
Legislature OKs bill on adoption preference
Legislation to give married couples a tie-breaker preference over singles for state-arranged adoptions is headed to Gov. Jan Brewer.
Most death penalty rationales fray under scrutiny
In recent weeks, we’ve seen a criminal executed and another execution is scheduled pending a last-minute review. Every time Arizona doles out the most severe punishment humans have the capacity to inflict on one another, I find myself asking: When criminals are killed for their crimes, what are we hoping will result, and what actually results?
Unforeseen Consequences: State pot rules may have spawned hemp industry
A small detail in the state’s medical marijuana rules might allow unregulated hemp production. The perceived loophole, one hopeful hemp farmer says, was created by the Health Department’s lack of input from pot botany experts during the department’s rulemaking process.
Building the Arizona Brand: Faced with a total fund sweep, the tourism industry says it’s worth the investment
Arizona’s moderate winters, diverse geography and year-round golfing have long been a draw for visitors from around the country and the world. From the awe-inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon and Sedona’s red rocks to the rich history of Route 66 and Tombstone, the state offers something for just about everyone. The mere existence of these attractions isn’t enough, some say. Making sure [...]
Health Department’s final pot rules main objective: keep recreational users out of the system
The Arizona Department of Health Services has released the final version of the state’s medical marijuana regulations, after nearly five months of writing and rewriting drafts of the rules following the passage of Proposition 203 in November.
IRC mired in administrative work before map drawing can begin
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has less than six months to redraw the state’s political divisions, but for the next several weeks, they’ll be mired in the administrative work necessary to facilitate their lofty task.
Redistricting panel weighs disclosure requirements
The word “transparency” gets tossed around a lot these days. Activists demand it and politicians promise it. As Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission prepares to redraw the lines that will define the state’s congressional and legislative districts, exactly what level of transparency the commission will achieve remains unclear.
Evan Wyloge talks about the final medical marijuana rules to come next week
Arizona Capitol Times reporter Evan Wyloge talks about what to expect from the final version of the Health Department's medical marijuana regulations, which will be released March 31.
Final state rules will aid rural pot shops
Since voters passed Proposition 203 in November, the Health Department has been racing against the clock to get rules and regulations in place that will guide Arizona’s medical marijuana program. In an interview with the Arizona Capitol Times, Will Humble, the department director, previewed some of the changes coming in the final rules concerning one of the most contentious parts of the[...]
Stump likely to change course for Congress
The Corporation Commission may lose a member if Franks jumps in the Senate race to challenge Flake, as Bob Stump told our reporter today he is very interested in a congressional bid.
Critics say partisan fights take new shape in ‘independent’ redistricting
Placing the “I” word in front of Redistricting Commission doesn’t mean it’s really independent.
Now that the commission is fully constituted, they'll soon begin redrawing the state's legislative and congressional lines. At stake is the state's political landscape for the next ten years. And while most everyone agrees on the gravity of task, disagreements abound on just how "inde[...]
Arizona hospitality industry fears more immigration backlash in 2011
According to data released by Smith Travel Research, an independent firm serving the hospitality industry, hotels all across Arizona lost significant business while news coverage and commentary about SB1070 roared across the country.
Now industry insiders fear the latest slate of immigration bills will trigger another jolt of negative nationwide publicity, and lead to a second big decline[...]