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Recent Articles from Hank Stephenson
For it yet against it: Dems split on school funding package
In a span of less than 24 hours, House Democratic Leader Eric Meyer went from railing against the special session package designed to settle the lawsuit over education inflation funding, to vowing to support it at the special election in May.
House approves $3.5B education package
The Arizona House of Representatives worked late into the night Thursday to approve a $3.5 billion education finance package aimed at settling a long-running lawsuit over education funding.
Lawmakers fast-tracking special session education funding package
Lawmakers will likely vote on a deal to settle the five-year lawsuit over education inflation funding today, after Democratic leaders in the House late Wednesday night agreed to provide the necessary votes to fast-track the proposal that they largely oppose.
Conservative Republicans pushing back against attempts to increase K-12 funding
In the face of a massive push from the governor and GOP legislative leaders for a special session to increase education funding, some conservative Republicans are pushing back, saying the funding proposals contain no metrics to gauge if the additional money actually improves education outcomes.
As new county employee, Pearce uses office email to pursue personal agenda
Although he was removed from office in a historic recall election in 2011, former Senate President Russell Pearce is still trying to influence his former colleagues - and is doing so from his official county email account at his new job at the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office.
Power vacuum: Candidates from around Arizona vie to replace Ann Kirkpatrick in CD1
The power vacuum U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will leave behind as she runs for the U.S. Senate is drawing many familiar faces into the contest for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District – including well-known politicians who live outside the district’s boundaries.
Thorny issues face group mulling police body camera legislation
A committee made up of law enforcement and criminal defense officials, members of the media and lawmakers had its first meeting on Oct. 7. It mulled over the issue of police body cameras in preparation for legislation Sen. John Kavanagh expects will be introduced next year.
Gowan and Babeu join 1st Congressional District race
The GOP primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is officially a crowd. Speaker of the Arizona House David Gowan and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu both entered the race today, ending months of exploring by the two and bringing the number of Republicans vying for the nomination to five.
Halls at state Capitol echo with new approaches to school funding
Education funding fever has gripped the Arizona Capitol, and just about everyone has a plan. Republicans spent the week huddling in small groups to discuss the House speaker and Senate president’s four-point education funding plan, while Democrats stood outside the Capitol buildings doing TV interviews to announce and rally public support for their own education funding proposal.
Democrats offer plan to raise $4 billion for education
In response to education funding plans proposed by the governor and legislative Republicans, Democrats today released their own school funding plan, boasting that their proposal would raise nearly $4 billion dollars over 10 years without increasing taxes.
Prosecutors prepare to fight civil forfeiture reforms
Members of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council spoke frankly about their strategy for killing a bill proposed by Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe of Flagstaff during a recent meeting to discuss possible law enforcement related bills. Thorpe has said his goal is to add transparency and accountability in the civil forfeiture laws.
State spurns responsibility to pay for urgent transportation needs, experts say
Experts warn that the future of transportation is changing fast, and Arizona must come up with a 21st century plan to fund the massive infrastructure needs the state is facing.
