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Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Corp Comm takes new stab at disclosing APS political spending
State utility regulators are making another bid to find out how much money the state's largest electric utility is spending on political campaigns and lobbying.
House approves tax exemption for pesticides, fertilizers
The preliminary vote by the full House came following pleas from lawmakers representing agricultural communities that it's unfair to require those who grow food for Arizonans and people across the county to pay taxes on items they need.
Committee kills bill to fund groundwater for Pinal County farms
Several lawmakers from both parties questioned why state taxpayers should be on the hook, especially after they said the drought contingency plan approved late last month already has some cash for the farmers.
Court: It’s legal to tax rental cars to fund stadiums
There's nothing illegal about taxing tourists renting cars in Arizona to pay for sports complexes in Pima and Maricopa counties, the state Supreme Court ruled today.
Lawmaker assures Gila River Indian Community contentious water bill is dead
The Gila River Indian Community will provide the promised 500,000 acre feet of water for the state's drought contingency plan after being assured that legislation the tribe opposed is dead.
What’s in your beef?
State lawmakers want to make sure that, when a shopper asks “where’s the beef,” what they’re buying actually came from a steer or a cow.
Bills that critics fear would lead to dip in vaccinations advance
Arizona lawmakers approved three measures that foes said could result in fewer children being vaccinated even amid outbreaks of measles in pockets across the nation.
Bill to allow cops to stop drivers not buckled in advances
If Rep. Bob Thorpe gets his way police will no longer need an excuse to pull over a motorist who isn't buckled up.
Timeshare bill passes out of House committee
State lawmakers are weighing whether it should be necessary for someone to die to get out of a timeshare contract.
Goldwater loses bid to unveil information on experimental drugs
A federal judge rejected efforts by the Goldwater Institute to force the Food and Drug Administration to detail publicly how dying people can get access to unapproved medicines.
Law to levy tax for city band nears final note
If you're counting on music to keep the local kids out of trouble, with a Capital T, you'd better act quickly: The state House voted along party lines Feb. 14 to repeal a law that now allows cities to levy a tax to finance a municipal band.
Bowers forges ahead with water bill that could torpedo drought plan
House Speaker Rusty Bowers is blowing off a threat by the Gila River Indian Community to pull out of the drought contingency plan − and deny the state its water − if he pursues his own legislation on forfeiture of water rights.
