Sign In
Free Newsletter
Some say ‘incentives,’ others call them ‘bribes’
Like many public-private partnerships, the Arizona Commerce Authority will be responsible not only for attracting new businesses, but also for doling out incentives. Others say the incentives many states use to lure new companies ignore the needs of businesses already in the state, especially small businesses, while paying their competition to move in next door.
Health Department’s new medical-pot proposed regs ease patient-physician relationships, open door to wholesale market
The Health Department on Monday signaled an eased stance on several components of Arizona’s new medical marijuana law, with the release of the second draft of the proposed rules for the yet-to-be implemented system.
Adams’ pick for redistricting commission: Scott Freeman
State legislators have begun the final step of appointing nominees to the Independent Redistricting Commission, which will redraw the boundaries of the state’s legislative and congressional districts. The process kicked off Monday, Jan. 31, as Republican House Speaker Kirk Adams selected Scott Freeman, an attorney from Maricopa County, to serve as a commission member.
Critics question effectiveness, fairness of ACA-style agencies
Shuffling the state’s ineffectual Commerce Department into a public-private economic development collaboration called the Arizona Commerce Authority is an attention-grabbing maneuver that, history teaches, will fall short of propelling Arizona out of its economic doldrums.
Since Carter years, judicial confirmations have slowed
Quick and lasting relief in the form of more judges for an overburdened federal court in Arizona appears doomed by Washington, D.C., politics.
Advocates: Easing business personal property tax will spur investments
The annual futility of efforts either to abolish Arizona’s tax on business equipment and machinery or to increase the exemption has not deterred the many critics of the tax. This... […]
Clemency shift would bypass Arizona governor
State budget problems are prompting lawmakers to reconsider a lot of things, but the issue of crime and punishment has been too hot to touch, even if doing so would save money.
Birthright proposal not on the majority agenda
For the most powerful man in the Senate, denying American citizenship to children born to undocumented aliens is the next step in the Arizona-led crusade to confront illegal immigration in the country. But a majority of Senate President Russell Pearce’s colleagues don’t see it as a priority, and they may not go along if the so-called birthright citizenship bill is voted on before the Legislatu[...]
HOAs may face restrictions on document fees
All the big guns have been drawn for the perennial battle over just what exactly homeowners associations may do. For 2011, it’s over how much an association can charge for processing documents when a resident is selling his or her house. Sen. Andy Biggs, a Republican from Gilbert, wants to limit the fee to a per-page cost of 10 cents for the documents.
Bill attempts to reduce use of ignition-interlock device
The latest effort to amend Arizona’s ignition-interlock device law — which would limit how long a first-time DUI offender would have to use one — received a Senate committee’s unanimous recommendation on Jan. 26.
A ‘cigar wrapper’ by any other name
A Senate panel on Wednesday waded into an ugly fight between a trade association of cigar manufacturers and one of its members over “blunt wraps.”
Lawmakers pass anti-casino bill, but it’s not exactly a win for proponents
Lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill aimed at stopping the Tohono O’odham tribe from building a casino in Glendale. But the bill, which barely squeaked through in the Senate, lost its emergency provision. That means it would take effect 90 days after the session ends.
