Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
House committee advances bill to limit messages on freeways, major roads
On a 7-4 vote Friday the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a measure which limits the messages on freeways and other major roads in the state to those "directly related to transportation or highway public safety.''
House panel approves new financial hurdle for some solar, wind projects
A House panel voted Friday to erect a new financial hurdle in the path of some future solar and wind projects in Arizona.
Mayes investigating whether to try to block grocery chains’ merger
Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating whether to try to block the proposed merger of the state's two largest grocery chains.
House committee moves to block sale, lease of state lands to foreign governments
Arizona lawmakers are moving to block the sale and lease of state lands to foreign governments and certain foreign corporations -- but not the one that has caused the concern in the first place.
Group urges judge to block attempts to stop ‘dark money’ law
The group that convinced voters last year to outlaw "dark money'' is asking a judge to block a bid by two special interest groups to keep the law from taking effect. In new legal filings, attorney Chanele Reyes told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott McCoy there is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that voters know who is trying to influence elections.
Bill would allow chickens in some residential areas
Got chickens? Wish you did? State lawmakers are trying to make sure you have that opportunity -- but only if you live in a single-family detached home -- and one that isn't located in a homeowner association.
Chaplik pushes bill to require businesses to accept cash
Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik of Scottsdale wants to be sure that Arizonans don't get turned away from businesses in the state because they want to use "legal tender'' or cash to pay.
Shah’s bill would criminalize sale, purchase of items made from kangaroos
Got kangaroo parts? You may if you have certain kinds of sports shoes. And a proposed new state law would make the sale and purchase of such items made with what has been called "k-leather'' a crime.
Republicans fighting to defend law prohibiting abortions in genetic defect cases
The top Republicans in the House and Senate want a judge to let them defend a law that bars abortions in cases of genetic defects, saying newly sworn-in Attorney General Kris Mayes won't do it. And they have more than adequate reason to believe that.
Kavanagh’s bill would merge hand and machine counting of ballots
A veteran state lawmaker thinks he's found a way to finally end the debate over whether humans are better or worse than machines at counting ballots. Put them both to the test.
State GOP makes another effort to kill on-demand early voting
The Arizona Republican Party is making a last-ditch effort to get a court to do what lawmakers have so far refused: Kill on-demand early voting in the state.
Republicans move to make it more challenging for citizens to make own laws
Republican legislators are moving to throw another roadblock in the path of people to make their own laws.