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Department of Revenue puts layoff plan on hold
Gambling that Arizona lawmakers will approve its funding in time, the state tax collection agency is shelving plans to lay off more than half its staff early this month. After Gov. Jan Brewer's vetoed some of the Department of Revenue's funding in September to kill an unrelated provision of the same bill, Director Gale Garriott said the department would probably have to lay off 450 of its 710 w[...]
Hopi Nation appeals for help as coal plant face closure
A tribal government in Arizona has stepped up lobbying efforts against rules being proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that threaten the closure of a power plant. This time, the tribe is reaching out to state lawmakers.
Former OSPB chief to head up AHCCCS
Gov. Jan Brewer replaced one of the last major agency heads left over from the Napolitano era, naming former OSPB chief Thomas Betlach as director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Betlach had served as deputy director of the agency since 2002. He replaces Anthony Rodgers, who was appointed to the position in 2003 by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano.
Lawmakers discuss streamlining, consolidating mining permits
A panel of lawmakers and experts has begun looking into the state of the mining industry in Arizona with the ultimate aim of helping the industry grow. Among the topics... […]
Burns mum on special session meeting with Brewer
Republican leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer are slated to meet this afternoon to discuss the provisions of a possible special legislative session to address budget issues.
Poll on H1N1 suggests that public health officials battling perception problem
A recent poll suggesting that many Arizonans don't plan to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu strain reflects a misconception that could leave many people at risk, a state health official said Oct. 30. "Most people don't understand that the virus is very dangerous," said Dr. Karen Lewis, medical director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization Program.
Wishful thinking interrupted by budget reality
JLBC has singled out three budget provisions that wouldn't live up to their billing: a plan to save $50 million due to reduced fraud in the health care system; deals to privatize nine of the 10 state prisons; and a plan to raise $735 million by selling dozens of state buildings, then leasing them back. But there's more.
Lottery renewal needed before state can borrow
The odds of winning the Arizona Lottery's big jackpot are about one in 175 million. The odds that lawmakers will sell off future lottery revenues for a quick cash infusion are exponentially better. As lawmakers ponder how to fix a fiscal 2011 budget deficit that is expected to top $2 billion, many are viewing lottery securitization as a last resort whose time has come.
GOP-passed election laws targeted by Democrats
Two electoral changes implemented by Republicans this year have attracted opposition and litigation from Democrats who argued the laws violate the state Constitution to advance partisan agendas. In July, Gov. Jan Brewer signed S1123 into law. The legislation, proposed by Tucson Sen. Jonathan Paton, banned local governments from including partisan affiliations for candidates on the ballot.
Burke says he’ll focus on stopping violence, drug trafficking – not Arpaio
U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke came into his new job with a goal of clamping down on the rash of crime emanating from Arizona's border with Mexico. Now, Burke not only will battle drug cartels and human smugglers on his own turf, but he will have a chance to influence the way the entire Department of Justice fights them as well.
Lawmaker: consolidating IT systems might save money
Arizona might be able to save money by streamlining government computer systems - at least that’s the hope of one lawmaker who is leading a committee to examine the issue before the Legislature returns to the Capitol next year.
Capitol Police leads gaze-test training, oversees ‘wet lab’
Dena Davison swore that she had drunk only six Captain Morgan and Cokes, but a police log next to the makeshift bar showed that it was more like eight. "The paper says eight, but I thought it was less than that," said Davison, 40, an assistant with the Arizona State Capitol Police.
