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Sale of state prisons running into wall of opposition
When lawmakers chose April Fool’s Day as the deadline to submit a plan to privatize the state’s prison system, they unwittingly telegraphed just how dubious the plan was. First, the whole idea of putting state prisons under private control was a difficult sell to the public. Then there was a question about how many of the state’s 10 prisons to auction off.
Treasurer’s race hinges on incumbent
Much of the uncertainty surrounding the race to become the next state treasurer hinges on whether Dean Martin will challenge Gov. Jan Brewer for her office or continue serving as the fourth-ranking state executive. Even if Martin has decided to run against Brewer, he can't announce it anyway. If he does before January, he would have to resign as treasurer.
Parker treads fine line by heading anti-tax committee
Clean Elections watchdogs are keeping a wary eye on Save Our Jobs: Stop the Tax Hike, a committee formed by gubernatorial hopeful Vernon Parker. The committee, which Parker founded earlier this month, aims to block a 1-cent sales tax increase proposed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
ADOA says new state financing on track
The state says it's on track to obtain new financing that Treasurer Dean Martin says Arizona needs to avoid having to issue IOUs for state paychecks and other payments in February.
Grand jury indicts 2 Maricopa County supervisors
A grand jury has indicted two Maricopa County supervisors on criminal charges in separate cases, a move that intensifies a nasty dispute between county officials and the county's two top law enforcement officials.
Lottery big part of state’s financial plans, but first voters must vote to keep it
While other contributors to state revenues have dropped off severely of late, the Arizona Lottery has been a growing source of tens of millions of dollars per year since its inception in 1980. The lottery funds a variety of voter-approved state programs in areas such as education, health and transportation and has contributed $2.3 billion in all to its beneficiaries.
Report: DUI task force stops 20,000
More than 20,000 traffic stops have been made since the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety established a DUI task force to look for impaired drivers. Agency Director Alberto Gutier said Dec. 7 that more than 2,000 officers and deputies have been involved in the effort since it began on Thanksgiving weekend.
Goddard sues over fake businesses
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard says he's suing three men for advertising at least 47 fictitious businesses in the Tucson Yellow Pages. David Sasson and David Peer, both of Clearwater, Fla., and Gilad Gill of the Bronx, N.Y., are accused of violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Manning bows out of AG race
After months of flirting with a run for office, Phoenix attorney Michael C. Manning announced that he will not run for attorney general. Manning announced his decision in a letter on Dec. 8. Manning said he believes he would win the race, but decided against a run over concerns about what would happen to his law firm, Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP. He said a number of colleagues presented him w[...]
Highway money on states’ radar
States are hoping that a job-creating initiative to be outlined by President Obama on Dec. 8 will include billions of dollars for infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, recession-worn Michigan may be ineligible for $475 million in federal highway money next year because it can't find $84 million in matching state funds.
ADOT pledges to plow roads during storm
Despite a $100 million deficit, the Arizona Department of Transportation vows to keep roads in northern Arizona plowed and safe during a winter storm that is expected to hit Arizona this week. ADOT road crews plan to be out in force plowing at the same pace as last year.
State accuses payday loan company of deception
Arizona authorities are accusing a major payday loan company of engaging in deceptive practices by filing collections lawsuits in courts far from where debtors live or took out the loans.
