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DES asks for permanent funding to cover cost of minimum wage hike
The Department of Economic Security has requested more than $3 million in general fund appropriations to match wage increases, without which they say services for individuals with disabilities may be severely limited.
Carpenters express safety concerns, demand leadership change at Industrial Commission
Dozens of workers from the Carpenters Union of Arizona attended the commission’s meeting on September 21, where they demanded the resignation of Chairman Dale Schultz, and the firing of Bill Warren, the director of the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety.
Agencies make case for new spending, but most requests likely doomed
Gov. Doug Ducey is looking for good policies and savings. But requests for money from the general fund, the state’s all-purpose kitty, are tougher to justify than those that come from other sources, like grants and fees.
Corrections asks for more money to help prisoners re-enter society
The Arizona Department of Corrections wants 102 new positions and more than $13 million to fuel re-entry and recidivism reduction programs, but prisoner rights advocates aren’t convinced the request signals a turn in the department’s philosophy.
Personal information requirement for drug could hamper opioid crisis effort
Gov. Doug Ducey’s requirement that people give their personal information to a state database when they pick up a life-saving drug for opioid overdoses at a pharmacy may actually jeopardize lives, say those who help people with drug addiction recover.
State attorneys: Judge’s order on pension unclear, violates separation of powers
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office claims state officials don’t know how to respond to a judge’s order to adjust contribution rates to a retirement fund for the judiciary and elected officials.
Corporation Commission approves APS rate hike
The 4-1 vote by the Arizona Corporation Commission came after the majority rejected a bid by Bob Burns to delay the rate case until his lawsuit with APS and his fellow commissioners is resolved.
Former DES head disputes guns and ammunition audit
The former director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security denied the conclusions of a state audit, which found the agency amassed an excessive and poorly secured stockpile of ammunition under his watch.
Audit concludes ammunition in excess, some missing at DES
An audit of the security policies and weapons stash of the Department of Economic Security under its former director found shoddy record keeping, insecure storage of guns and ammunition and violations of state procurement policies.
Reagan denies Trump commission’s request for voter data
Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan will not turn over voter data to the Trump administration, arguing that to do so is not in the state’s best interest.
Dreamers at Arizona universities will still pay in-state tuition – for now
Dreamers at the state’s three universities will continue paying the same tuition as other Arizona residents, at least for the time being.
ABOR adopts special tuition rate for ‘dreamers’ ahead of court ruling
A little-known policy of the Board of Regents could blunt the financial effect of a new court ruling denying dreamers in-state tuition.
