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Goddard asked to challenge Land Dept. funding law
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard was asked on Oct. 27 to challenge a recent law change that allows the Arizona State Land Department to use portions of proceeds from the sales of state trust land to cover its own management duties.
UPDATE: Attorney says MCSO captain’s claim smacks of extortion
The Sheriff's captain who last year headed up a secretive political committee that broke campaign finance laws in its efforts to support Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is threatening to sue the county for "emotional distress" and investigate county officials for federal crimes unless it pays him $75,000.
Operation Los Tusa dismantles marijuana syndicate
The Arizona Attorney General's Office announced Oct. 26 that it has indicted 21 people in connection with a marijuana-smuggling operation based in Pinal County. Attorney General Terry Goddard, along with Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, sent out a media release noting that Operation Los Tusa has dismantled a syndicate responsible for smuggling thousa[...]
Burke to head up immigration subcommittee
U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke will chair a subcommittee on border and immigration law enforcement that will advise U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Burke, who was recently confirmed as the U.S. attorney for Arizona, on Oct. 26 was named as the chairman of the Border and Immigration Law Enforcement Subcommittee.
Budget gap grows as result of ‘unrealized savings’
Legislative budget analysts said last week that $165 million of the state budget deficit is due to "potential unrealized budget savings" that were assumed as part of the spending plan, which was designed to bridge a $3 billion shortfall. In short, several savings measures won't work as planned.
US researchers will study Verde River
PRESCOTT - U.S. Geological Survey researchers plan to study how changes in the flow of the middle and upper Verde River might affect plant and animal life and water quality. Lower stream flows could be caused by global warming or groundwater pumping and affect the viability of some fish and bird species.
Wildlife group highlights 24 Arizona species threatened by climate change
The desert tortoise thrives in intense heat and can go a year without water, but it's among the species threatened by climate change, an wildlife group says. Looking toward events Oct. 24 calling attention to carbon emissions and their role in warming the planet, the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity released a report highlighting 350 animal and plant species it says could vanish due[...]
Getting state there from here: Arizonans agree on one solution
Reliable, reasonably priced transportation options are vital, especially in a state where the car is king, public transportation is severely limited, fuel prices are in continual flux, the number of elderly residents is rising rapidly and commodities must be imported by truck, train, pipeline or plane.
Brewer names John Arnold as Klein’s OSPB replacement
Former OSPB official and School Facilities Board executive director John Arnold will return to the governor's budget agency as the replacement for Eileen Klein, who was promoted to chief of staff for Gov. Jan Brewer.
School districts betting heavily on upcoming overrides
For many Arizona school districts, a lot is riding on upcoming November budget override elections. Schools already have been hit by state budget reductions, and many districts will have to cut programs and staff even further unless they receive a funding boost from override elections.
Some agencies avoid submitting reduction reports
When drafting reports to show the impact of 15 percent cuts to their budgets, some state agencies described how their services would be gutted. Some simply explained why such cuts aren't feasible. And others, such as the Governor's Office, which ordered the reports, don't seem to know where to even make the cuts.
Gambling pitched as Arizona’s budget salvation
The struggling Arizona racing industry is hoping it can sell lawmakers on a proposal to help racetracks stay open and give the state hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue. But the idea faces resistance on several fronts, as it would expand gambling by allowing "racinos" and by lifting limits on tribal casinos.
