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House and Senate leaders offer school funding plan, but critics find holes in it
When news broke that more than seven months of court-ordered negotiations between education groups and the Legislature had reached an impasse on August 25, leaders of the House and Senate came armed with good news.
The education dilemma: Failure of mediation leaves future of school financing in doubt
Negotiations to resolve the case over inflation funding for K-12 education came to an impasse on Aug. 25, sending the lawsuit back to court. And once again, critics are questioning the Legislature’s commitment to K-12 education funding.
Governor says DOC not to blame in prison riot
Arizona’s Department of Corrections did nothing wrong in overseeing a private prison where a riot occurred last month and a breakout left two dead in 2010, Gov. Doug Ducey said today as he announced the state is terminating its contract with company managing the prison.
Superior Court judge upholds Brewer’s Medicaid expansion
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge upheld former Gov. Jan Brewer’s 2013 Medicaid expansion plan, ruling that a hospital assessment that funds the program is not subject to a provision in the Arizona Constitution that requires a two-thirds vote in the Legislature for a tax increase.
Attorney seeks ouster of Bitter Smith over alleged conflict of interest
A prominent lawyer is seeking the removal of energy regulator Susan Bitter Smith from the Arizona Corporation Commission and is set to formally accuse the commissioner of violating the state’s conflict of interest statutes.
Despite pleas and promises, state can’t deliver on school funding settlement
Before leaving office, former Gov. Jan Brewer urged Arizona lawmakers to settle a nearly $2 billion dispute over inflation funding for K-12 education. Gov. Doug Ducey, in his State of the State address in January, pleaded with lawmakers to settle the case as well.
Property tax reformer gearing up for fourth attempt at ballot measure
A self-proclaimed property tax reformer is making yet another attempt to convince voters to impose new caps on the annual levy. Lynne Weaver has taken the first steps to putting a measure on the 2016 ballot that would essentially freeze property valuations at where they are now and allow in most cases for only inflationary increases.
Diane Douglas calls in police against chairman of state Board of Education
Police are now involved in the conflict between the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, who is alleging board President Greg Miller grabbed her arm during a heated part of a meeting today.
’80s-era funding formula stymies community college innovations
A 35-year-old law is keeping community colleges from getting creative and implementing alternative sources of revenue.
Does Arizona count? Presidential campaigns laying groundwork, keeping low profile in state
Outside of a few rallies and fundraisers, the presidential race has been fairly quiet in Arizona, whose March 22 primary is relatively late in the campaign cycle. Candidates are stumping and fundraising here while focusing their resources and attention on critical early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
Clean Elections Commission delays vote on ‘dark money’ rule revisions
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission will hold off for two months on approving a proposed anti-dark money rule so the public can consider changes that strips out what many opponents viewed as its most onerous provision.
State revenues continue to rise
After years of incessant cuts, Arizona might be on the verge of shifting the budget discussion following months of robust revenue collections.
