Recent Articles from Julia Shumway and Arren Kimbel-Sannit
Democratic candidates down in numbers, still enthusiastic
As Democrats eye their chances of winning a majority in the House and reversing, tying or narrowing their margins in the Senate, they’ll be doing so with far fewer candidates.
Lawmakers put pet projects in perspective as virus rages
Lawmakers introduced a record 1,731 pieces of legislation this year, from small tweaks to sweeping changes to state statutes.
Old tactics, new territory as lawmakers embrace partisan COVID-19 framing
In any other week, Rep. Anthony Kern’s dinner choices wouldn’t have mattered to anyone but the most fervent crusader against lobbyist influence. This week, depending on who you ask, he’s either a hero fighting government overreach or the face of irresponsibility.
Legislature to pass bare-bones budget this week
GOP leaders announced today the Legislature plans to pass a basic spending plan and a series of “noncontroversial” bills before they may recess or adjourn as a way to mitigate... […]
Progressives call for worker protections as legislature mulls recess
Democratic lawmakers and progressive activists presented a list of demands they say are necessary for the safety of the state’s workers amid the COVID-19 outbreak on Monday, encouraging party leadership to mitigate the economic fallout of a virus that has already kneecapped tourism and hospitality in Arizona.
Arizona lawmakers mull shutting down session to prevent coronavirus spread
A House Democrat has announced he’ll be stepping back from most lawmaking duties for the remainder of the session amid calls from some legislators to temporarily suspend the session to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
Big fights loom over few differences in GOP spending proposals
Cage fighting has begun at the state Capitol.
Legislative leaders plan early budget to quell holdouts
The Arizona House and Senate plan to release their own budget proposals in the third week of January, creating two or three distinct spending plans as the Legislature begins its 2020 business.
Groups file sweeping criminal justice ballot measure
Prisoners serving time for non-violent crimes would get one day off their sentences for every day served under a ballot measure filed by a newly formed group Friday.
Legislators aim to reassert authority with early budget
Republican leaders in the Arizona House and Senate are moving ahead with plans to draft their own budget proposal by the end of the year, reasserting legislative authority they say they lost during recent years.