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Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
House passes measure to thwart boycotts of Israel
Claiming boycotts are anti-Semitic, the state House voted Monday to deny public contracts to firms that refuse to do business with other companies that do business in Israel.
Sen. Gowan defends himself against conflict of interest allegations for sponsorship of fireworks measure
A Sierra Vista lawmaker who sells fireworks around certain holidays is defending his proposal to expand the number of days when Arizonans can buy and use them.
Proposal to lower minimum wage for young workers dead
A bid to allow employers to pay some young workers less than the voter-mandated minimum wage is effectively dead. The Senate Rules Committee voted this afternoon that the proposal by Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, would effectively amend two separate public votes that established a state minimum wage. The first, in 2006, included a definition of "employees;'' the second in 2016 pushed the wages [...]
Fireworks allowed more days in Arizona under proposed law
State lawmakers agreed Thursday that members of the Indian community should have the right to use sparklers and similar fireworks for the festival of Diwali the same as other Arizonans can for other holidays.
Proposal to give sex abuse victims more time to sue dies in House
Victims of child rape and sexual abuse won't get more time to sue their assailants, at least not this year.
House to create code of conduct in wake of Stringer resignation
Facing Democrat demands, House Speaker Rusty Bowers on Wednesday finally directed the Ethics Committee to come up with a code of conduct for lawmakers – including whether they can be ousted for their public comments – more than a year after it was first promised.
Senate to consider school district consolidation proposal
Saying too much money is wasted on duplication, state lawmakers took the first steps April 2 to force consolidation of the more than 200 school districts in the state.
Ducey wants immigration question in next census
Gov. Doug Ducey is siding with the Trump administration in its bid to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census despite concerns by some that it will cause an undercount that could cost the state millions – and maybe a congressional seat.
Minimum wage bill on hold in Senate Rules Committee
A bid to slice the minimum wage for some young workers hit a speed bump Monday as some lawmakers questioned its legality.
APS admits spending millions in 2014 election of energy regulators
The state’s largest electric utility admitted late Friday that it gave $10.7 million to organizations that spent heavily in the 2014 race for the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates energy companies.
Gay rights groups sue over Arizona’s ‘no promo homo’ law
Two gay rights organizations filed suit Thursday in federal court in Tucson challenging the legality of what some call Arizona’s “no promo homo” law.
Sex offenders get chance to end life-long registration under House proposal
State lawmakers are weighing whether to give judges more leeway to eliminate the requirement that certain people register for life as sex offenders.
