Lawmaker wants testing for parents of drug-exposed babies
An Arizona lawmaker on Thursday called for changes in state law to allow ongoing testing of parents whose babies are born exposed to drugs after a child who was returned to her parents died of apparent abuse.
AG drops appeal but wants court to vacate political committee ruling
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that led the Legislature to rewrite a key campaign finance law, but will ask the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to remove that ruling from the record.
AHCCCS will renew bid to seek premiums, copays for Medicaid enrollees
Lawmakers have been trying to impose premiums and copays on Arizona’s Medicaid enrollees starting next January, but that decision is ultimately up to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. And if past experiences were a guide, it’s going to be a tough sell.
Cities, towns offers new plan for public safety pension
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns has proposed changes to the state pension system for future public safety employees.
Advocate says new clean water rules will protect Arizona, but Republicans say they go too far
New federal rules designed to better protect small streams, tributaries and wetlands ai??i?? and the drinking water of 117 million Americans ai??i?? are being praised by environmentalists as a victory for clean water and criticized by Republicans and farm groups as going too far.
State Library awards grants to counties, municipalities
The State Library has awarded nearly $541,000 of grants to 24 county and municipal library systems in Arizona.
Education Department to seek guidance on cuts affecting smaller schools
The Department of Education will ask the attorney general this week to issue a formal opinion on cuts to funds that support smaller schools.
Ducey aims to reduce, consolidate state’s 10-plane fleet
Gov. Doug Ducey was unable to reverse the Arizona Department of Transportation’s purchase of a new plane, but is now looking to see where he can pare down the rest of the state’s air fleet.
Congress could save AZ redistricting if court deems it unconstitutional
Fearing defeat at the Supreme Court, more than a dozen members of Congress from California and Arizona introduced legislation Friday to preserve the congressional boundaries set by independent redistricting commissions.
Clean Elections looking into Corp Comm texts
Arizona election regulators have taken note of records showing that Corporation Commissioner Bob Stump was in regular contact with the campaigns of candidates he supported and a “dark money” group that helped get them elected, and they want to see and inspect those records themselves.
Wrongful termination suit filed by 5 ex-CPS workers tossed
A judge Thursday threw out a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by five former Arizona child welfare workers who were fired last year amid an agency scandal.
Timeline: Turbulent start for new schools chief
In January, new state Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas offered a message to state leaders: “Stop the madness.” But events since then suggest the madness was only starting.