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Triple threat: Hospitals could go to ballot if doomsday scenario plays out
The fiscal year 2016 budget may only the beginning of a year of bad news for Arizona hospitals, which could face a doomsday scenario depending on the outcome of two big lawsuits.
Classrooms first: School officials say rhetoric doesn’t match budget reality
Many school district officials and education leaders say Gov. Doug Ducey’s “Classrooms First” slogan and the oft-repeated boast that Arizona will spend more than ever on K-12 education next year are misleading and don’t reflect how budget cuts will affect schools in 2016.
Lawmakers talk of fix-all bill for budget errors, unresolved issues
Gov. Doug Ducey noted with pride that less than two months after he took office, legislators approved a budget that he considers 99 percent of what he asked for, passing it out of both chambers in record time.
Dems say Begay betrayed party with decisive votes for GOP budget
Three key votes swung the budget in Republicans’ favor in the Arizona Senate, but none was more crucial than that of Democratic Sen. Carlyle Begay.
View of the budget from Osborn School District
For political insiders, crafting the state’s spending plan is a spectacle – a final meeting of the minds after a period of high drama, backroom wheeling and dealing, and rushing to put together the final pieces of a $9 billion jigsaw puzzle.
Not really a cop: Glendale lawmaker incorrectly claims to be a police officer
On March 10, Republican lawmaker Anthony Kern said in a Republican caucus meeting that he recommended passage of SB1445 “as a certified peace officer.”
House votes to scrap Common Core academic standards
On a 34-23 margin, the state House voted Wednesday to scrap the Common Core academic standards and essentially force the state Board of Education to start over again from scratch.
State Senate approves microbrewery compromise
The Arizona Senate approved a bill Wednesday that will allow microbreweries in the state to more than double their alcohol production without having to relinquish retail locations they argued are crucial to their brand.
Senate passes Clean Elections repeal on reconsideration
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission’s victory in the Senate turned out to be short-lived as two Republicans changed their votes on a measure asking voters to repeal the public campaign funding system, giving it enough votes to send it to the 2016 ballot.
Feds approve $1.9 billion South Mountain freeway project
The federal government has given final approval to a $1.9 billion project to extend the Loop 202 freeway around the southern edge of the Phoenix area.
Regents chairman calling for lawsuit over university cuts
Saying the Arizona Constitution is being ignored, the chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents said Tuesday his colleagues should sue the Legislature if they do not come forward with more funds for the university system.
Ducey dropped as Medicaid expansion defendant
Gov. Doug Ducey will get to keep his name off of the court case over his predecessor’s controversial Medicaid expansion program.
