Sign In
Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Senate panel approves legislation to override energy initiative mandate
State senators voted Wednesday to give utilities a way to avoid having to get half their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 even if voters mandate that they do so.
Disgraced entrepreneur who swayed AZ legislators target of federal suit
A California firm that parlayed a change in Arizona law to generate business here was charged Wednesday by federal regulators with defrauding investors with false claims about its technology -- the very technology that was cited in amending the state law.
Senate panel approves proposed hotline to prevent school shootings
Hoping to prevent a future school shooting, a Senate panel agreed Tuesday to set up a statewide hotline where students and others can anonymously report dangerous activities and threats.
New proposed tax cuts abound as need for K-12 funds persists
Gov. Doug Ducey won't promise to veto new tax cuts even as he says the state is putting as much money as it can into public education.
Court of Appeals rules rental-car levy legal
In a key victory for the state's two largest counties, the judges overruled a lower court decision which said the Arizona Constitution requires levies connected with driving to be spent only on road and other transportation projects.
Student, lawmakers call for changes to gun laws
Saying students are trying to save their own lives, a Mountain View High School junior said Monday he is helping organize a walkout Wednesday to get the attention of recalcitrant legislators who to date have yet to approve any meaningful limits on access to guns.
Realtors seek ballot measure to ban taxation of services
An initiative launched Friday proposes to constitutionally prohibit a sales tax from being imposed on services. Backers need at least 225,963 signatures by July 5 to put the issue on the November ballot.
Politics, paleontology mix in push to make herbivore state dinosaur
A 27-foot-tall dinosaur that lived about 100 million years ago could soon have something in common with the cactus wren, the palo verde and even the Colt single action revolver: becoming part of "official'' Arizona.
House Republicans take another crack at control of local elections; bill passes 34-22
Claiming it will increase turnout, the Republican-controlled House voted March 7 to set up a system that could force cities to move their local elections to even-numbered years.
Bill to allocate money for school supplies passes House
A measure to help teachers pay for classroom supplies cleared a critical hurdle Thursday as state lawmakers resurrected it from political death.
Arizona teachers not likely to mirror W. VA colleagues – yet
The head of the statewide teachers union said Wednesday a strike may be necessary to get salaries closer to where he believes they should be. But not this year.
House panel okays bill to toughen penalties for traffic accidents
State lawmakers are moving to close what appears to be a loophole that allows some people to escape with what amounts to a legal slap on the wrist even if they kill someone while driving.
