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Bare-bones Revenue Department would eliminate audits
An unintended consequence of a veto last month means the state agency tasked with collecting taxes is on the verge of laying off more than half of its staff, barring a budget fix to allow access to all of the money lawmakers gave it earlier this year. Anthony Forschino, the agency's assistant director, said the layoffs would still allow the Department of Revenue to function, but in a bare-bones[...]
Arizona raided water funds that held money deposited by Nevada
The Legislature is getting sued, again, over fund sweeps initiated earlier this year to close the state budget gap. A commission charged with delivering water from the Colorado River to several Arizona counties and Native American tribes has filed a lawsuit with the Arizona Supreme Court to challenge the Legislature's decision to sweep millions of dollars held by the Arizona Water Banking Autho[...]
Garcia to explore a run for Corporation Commission
Senate Minority Leader Jorge Luis Garcia said he will be exploring a run for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Garcia said he would announce his plans on October 13 at a restaurant in Phoenix.
Interior secretary, congresswoman help dedicate Arizona’s first commercial-scale wind farm
HEBER - It was appropriately windy Oct. 12 for the dedication of the first commercial-scale wind farm in Arizona. And speakers ranging from U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, to executives from Salt River Project said the message the facility sends is as important as the power it will generate.
Brewer: multiple special sessions possible
The off-season for lawmakers might be even shorter than they thought. Since Gov. Jan Brewer partially vetoed the Legislature’s budget in early September, she has been adamant about the need to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session to restore funding for a handful of state agencies, including the Arizona Corporation Commission and Department of Revenue.
State workers’ domestic partners to keep benefits through Oct. 2010
Although the recently enacted state budget strips health benefits for domestic partners of state workers, officials say the health insurance coverage will remain intact for the next 12 months.
Employer sanctions coming up short
Arizona's employer sanctions law has been in effect for 21 months, yet no businesses have been shut down over hiring practices. In fact, there hasn't yet been a single business forced to defend itself in court. But now, one lawmaker wants to change all that by giving county attorneys more enforcement powers.
Capitol Police arrest two, confiscate 27 pounds of pot
Capitol Police arrested two men Oct. 7 after an officer found more than 27 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, $22,030 and a 9 mm handgun during a traffic stop on North... […]
Brewer hopes showing impact of cuts will spur revenue increase
At Brewer’s request, all state agency heads were required to submit reports detailing the effects 15-20 percent spending reductions would have on their departments. Those reports, which were due Oct. 9, are intended partly to demonstrate to the Legislature that sizeable cuts would have dramatic consequences, according to Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman.
ADOT to close dozens of offices, rest areas
The state’s transportation department said it plans to shut down a dozen Motor Vehicle Division offices, temporarily close rest areas and defer hundreds of millions of dollars in construction as... […]
DPS uses tracking device to avoid high-speed chases
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is deploying a new high-tech gadget intended to reduce high-speed pursuits across the state, making it the first state-level agency to do so. The... […]
Budget Web site to cost fraction of $100M estimate
It looks like Arizona won’t have to spend $100 million to put state budget information online. In fact, not even close. The cost of the Financial Transparency Web site scheduled to be launched in 2011 is estimated to cost $740,000, according to a Sept. 1 report by the General Accounting Office.
