Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Three current and former GOP lawmakers want to avoid paying legal fees of Democrat
Three current and former Republican lawmakers are hoping to avoid paying the legal fees of a Democrat who a judge said was unfairly sued by them because she and others asked the FBI and Department of Justice to investigate their actions around the Jan. 6 riot.
Hobbs asks court to toss Lake’s latest bid to overturn election
Gov. Katie Hobbs is asking the state Court of Appeals to toss out Kari Lake's latest bid to overturn the 2022 election saying it is based on "mere speculation of election misconduct and conjecture regarding its supposed result.''
Kaiser pitches ban on political signs at street corners, medians, other public rights of way
Sen. Steve Kaiser has introduced legislation that could make him a hero of Arizona motorists -- assuming it gets approved and survives a likely court challenge. The Phoenix Republican wants to ban political signs from street corners, medians and other public rights of way.
Committee takes initial steps towards denying students right to use preferred pronoun
State lawmakers took the first steps Wednesday to denying students the right to be referred to by a pronoun that matches their preferred gender. SB 1001, approved by the Senate Education Committee on a 4-3 party line vote, also would put into law that teachers and other school employees may refer to a student by only his or her given name or a nickname "commonly associated with the student's name [...]
Finchem still seeking donations to pay off his debt in failed bid
Mark Finchem is still trying to raise money this week to pay off what he said is the debt for his failed bid for secretary of state. In a new fundraising email to supporters on Wednesday, Finchem asked people to "donate $25, $50, $100 or more'' to "stand with election integrity'' and "fight the propaganda.'' But it concludes with a disclosure that any money raised will "help pay off campaign debt.[...]
Supreme Court rules Marana acted illegally in putting whole cost of sewage treatment plant upgrade on future development
The Town of Marana acted illegally in putting the entire cost of an upgrade to its sewage treatment plant on future development, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Court allows vote by mail despite GOP’s efforts to kill practice
All Arizonans will continue to be able to vote by mail despite efforts by the state Republican Party to kill the practice. The state Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected arguments by a lawyer for the GOP and Kelli Ward, its chair, that allowing people to vote from their own homes or anywhere other than a polling place violates a constitutional requirement for a secret ballot.
Jones says her property tax cut bill needs major amendments to get traction
The way Rep. Rachel Jones sees it, once you've paid off your house you shouldn't have to worry about property taxes. But the first-term Republican lawmaker from Tucson acknowledged there are a bunch of practical questions with her legislation, including who would -- or should -- get a tax break. And she said her plan is probably going to need some major amendments to get any traction.
Freshman lawmaker seeks ban on voting by mail
A newly elected state lawmaker who wants to overturn the 2022 election is now trying to get colleagues to outlaw voting by mail.
Hobbs’ leftover inauguration funds can be used on elections
Gov. Katie Hobbs collected nearly $1.5 million in donations from corporations and other special interests to cover the cost of her inauguration.
Gress proposes lowering age required to serve in legislature
Arizona voters could decide next year how they feel about having people who aren't yet old enough to drink making state laws.
Price of eggs will increase as rules pertaining to treatment of animals take effect
Those already expensive eggs at your local grocer are about to get a tiny bit more costly. And potentially less available. And it's all in the name of humane treatment of animals. New regulations that took effect at the beginning of the month require that laying hens that are kept in cages have at least one square foot -- 144 inches -- of usable floor space.