Sign In
Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
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.
Court of Appeals agrees to expedite consideration of Lake’s claims that election was flawed
The Arizona Court of Appeals has agreed to expedite consideration of Kari Lake's claims that the 2022 election was flawed. But none of that means the judges are going to give her what she wants: either to be installed as governor or require a new election in the state's largest county.
Republican lawmakers plan to send bills to Hobbs they know she’ll veto
The 2023 legislative session gets started today with perhaps the worst-kept political secret: Republican lawmakers are going to send bills to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs even knowing ahead of time she will veto them.
