Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Teacher strike reaches third day as libertarian group threatens lawsuit
The teacher strike enters its third day today as educators remain dissatisfied with the pay hike proposal by Gov. Doug Ducey and many schools remain closed despite threats by the Goldwater Institute to sue.
AG lawsuit against regents dismissed
Attorney General Mark Brnovich has no legal right to challenge the tuition the Arizona Board of Regents sets for the state's three universities -- or even the policies used to come up with those numbers, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Connie Contes decided today.
Ducey to teachers: Pay demand ‘delivered on’
Saying he won't be offering anything more, Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday the teacher strike will end when they realize he's made them a good offer and they all go back to work.
Lawmaker seeks protections for teachers against strike
House Majority Whip Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, is telling teachers who oppose the job action to send her emails at her official state address detailing that they actually want to go to work but can't because the school has been closed. Townsend told Capitol Media Services she will write back -- and from her official state email account -- to provide proof that they made that claim.
Senate approves traffic fine increase to pay for police training
Motorists who speed a little too much or drift through stop signs may soon be paying a bit more in their debt to society.
Top Republicans meet to work out deal on teacher pay
Top Republicans are huddling to see if they can reach an accord over the issue of teacher pay ahead of Thursday's strike deadline, potentially forestalling or at least undermining the walkout.
Lawmakers pass bill to give bureaucrat authority to set vehicle registration fees
It could soon cost more to register your car or truck in Arizona. On a 17-13 vote Monday, the Senate gave final approval to allowing the director of the Department of Transportation to levy a fee on each vehicle.
Ducey draws primary challenge from Bennett
Former Secretary of State Ken Bennett is challenging Gov. Doug Ducey in the Republican primary for governor, setting off a surprising intraparty fight over control of the state government.
Gun bill advances, but foes say it doesn’t go far enough
A Senate panel voted 4-3 on April 19 to allow judges to force some people to surrender their weapons - but only after a multi-step process that supporters say will protect due process rights.
Teachers vote to walk out
Teachers have voted overwhelmingly to walk out beginning April 26. Nearly 80 percent of the 57,000 votes case were in favor of a strike.
PTA group withdraws support from Ducey’s teacher pay hike plan
Calling the governor’s plan not sustainable, the Arizona PTA has withdrawn its backing for Gov. Doug Ducey’s teacher pay hike plan.
Ducey mulls gambling to help fund teacher raises
Gov. Doug Ducey hopes to fund part of his teacher pay package through a new form of gambling that may be illegal, is opposed by a key backer of the governor -- and also could blow up the deal Arizona negotiated nearly two decades ago with Indian tribes.