From snake and rat shot to legal tender — lawmakers offer flurry of bills
In the first week of the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers have already introduced hundreds of bills on topics ranging from the mundane to the life-or-death.
Ducey proposes $176 million in new spending, largely on K-12 education
Gov. Doug Ducey filled in the details of many of the proposals he unveiled in his State of the State address with an executive budget plan that includes $176 million in new spending for fiscal year 2018, with the lion’s share going to K-12 education.
Thorpe proposes broader ban on ethnic classes, events
Saying students are being taught hatred at public expenses, a Flagstaff Republican lawmaker is proposing new limits on what and how schools, colleges and universities can teach.
School advocates to Ducey: Show us the cash
Advocates for Arizona public schools say Gov. Doug Ducey needs to back up his stated intent to better fund teachers with cash for years to come.
Profits of Policing: Arizona asset seizures net $200M in past five years
State laws allowed Arizona law enforcement agencies to seize nearly $200 million in personal property during the past five years – almost all of it cash – from people who may never be charged or convicted of a crime.
Ducey outlines ambitious and possibly costly agenda, with focus on education
In his third State of the State address, Gov. Doug Ducey laid out an ambitious and potentially pricey agenda that left lawmakers on both sides of the aisle nodding in approval and asking the same question: How is the state going to pay for all this?
Ducey speech to focus on opportunity, education
Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey plans to deliver a broader and longer state of the state speech when the Legislature convenes.
Goldwater Institute takes aim at occupational licensing that limits competition
The Goldwater Institute wants to make it easier for Arizonans to challenge licensing requirements that the conservative organization views as unnecessary or unduly burdensome and protectionist.
Schools, prisons, welfare seeking bigger slice of the pie
As the mad scramble to craft the state’s spending plan begins, policymakers are quickly realizing that they have precious little money – an estimated $24 million – to spend, and not nearly enough even for their highest priorities.
Secretary of State floats election law overhaul
Secretary of State Michele Reagan has begun circulating a memo detailing a proposed overhaul of the laws governing virtually every aspect of how elections are conducted in Arizona, from data protocols and recount procedures, to "sore loser" candidates and voter fraud investigations.
$3.6 million federal grant jump starts opioid awareness efforts in six counties
State officials said federal funding has helped jump start awareness campaigns and drug monitoring efforts to combat the prescription drug epidemic in six of Arizona’s 15 counties.
Commissioners pick Forese as new chairman, while top staffers leave
Regulators today picked Tom Forese as chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission. Former gubernatorial staffer Ted Vogt also took over as executive director of the regulatory agency.