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Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Court rules Prop 208 surcharge can stay – for now
The Arizona Supreme Court on August 19 ruled the income tax surcharge on the wealthy can remain, at least for the time being.
Biden warns governors against prohibiting mask mandates
President Biden on Wednesday directed the nation's top education official to take action "against governors that are trying to block and intimidate local school officials and educators'' by prohibiting them from requiring the use of masks.
County wants Senate to pay $2.8M for voting machines
Maricopa County officials are sending a bill for $2.8 million to the state Senate to cover the cost of having to acquire new voting machines.
AZ lawmakers seek review of Ducey’s use of federal funds
Two Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation are asking federal officials to review the legality of Gov. Doug Ducey using Covid relief dollars to benefit only schools that do not require masks.
Judge rejects TRO seeking to nullify schools’ mask requirements
In a ruling Monday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner said the state law banning such mandates approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature at the end of June is not yet in effect.
Education alliance sues to end mask mandate prohibition, other new laws
A coalition of school board members, educators, child welfare advocates and others is asking a judge to void a host of changes in state law approved in the waning days of the legislative session.
Mask mandate clash heats up
Two of the state's universities said Wednesday they are going to require face masks on campus in certain situations, regardless of new legislation apparently designed to preclude them from doing that.
Banner could begin restricting capacity as Covid surges
A top doctor at the state's largest hospital network said the facilities could begin to impose capacity restrictions at the rate Covid is multiplying in Arizona.
Judge gives tax cut challengers time to gather signatures
A judge agreed Monday to give foes of the $1.9 billion in tax cuts approved by legislators enough time to see if they can gather the signatures to force a public vote before deciding whether their efforts are legal.
Court rules public schools not required to protect children off campus
Schools can't be held accountable for violent incidents between students that occur off campus, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Judge refuses – for now – to grant TRO against Phoenix Union’s mask policy
A Superior Court judge did not rule on the claim by a teacher at Phoenix Union, which imposed a mask mandate, that the law banning schools from doing so is in effect. But he did not grant a request by Alexander Kolodin, the teacher’s attorney, for an immediate restraining order to bar the district from enforcing its new policy.
Court orders Senate to turn over audit records, appeal likely to come
A judge has ordered the Senate to immediately produce the records it has related to the audit of the 2020 election -- even those in the hands of Cyber Ninjas Inc., the private firm hired to conduct the review.
