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Inspiration for new laws often comes from personal experiences
Personal problems, problems from constituents and even problems that admittedly don’t exist are sometimes the basis for bills Arizona lawmakers introduce.
District Court judge sentences Arredondo to probation
Former Democratic lawmaker Ben Arredondo walked out of court Wednesday effectively a free man, having convinced a federal judge his lifetime of community service and failing mental and physical health justify no time behind bars.
Judge Frederick Martone, of U.S. District Court in Phoenix, placed Arredondo on three years of probation, including 18 months of house arrest, and ordered him t[...]
State prepares for debate on costly Common Core educational standards
Those who support Arizona’s new Common Core standards for math and English education say they help turn students into better thinkers and prepare them for college and the workforce.
Those who question the new standards say they could create added expenses for public schools, including new textbooks, teacher training and the need for new technology. They say the price tag, still undete[...]
Republican leaders want conservative approach to budget
After receiving a briefing on the governor’s $8.9 billion budget proposal, Republican leaders said they want a final spending plan that hews to the conservative approach they have adopted during the past few years.
Brewer seeks $317 million in new spending, largely for K-12
The Governor’s Office unveiled an $8.9 billion budget plan today for fiscal year 2014, which included $317 million in new spending. “We’re finally comfortable using red, so that should tell you something about the state budget,” John Arnold, director of the governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, joked about the bright red color of the budget books distributed to the me[...]
Brewer: ‘Tut-tutting’ NYC conservative editors don’t know Arizona
One of the most prominent conservative media outlets in the United States is taking Gov. Jan Brewer to task for her call to expand her state’s Medicaid program in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, accusing her of abandoning her principles and pursuing a course of action that will harm both Arizona and the United States.
Tempe Democrat recycling old bills, hoping Legislature eventually will pay attention
Sen. Ed Ableser came out of the gate sprinting — pre-filing 17 bills before the session began. But after seven years in Legislature’s Democratic minority, previously as a member of the House, he has learned to temper his hopes of actually getting them signed into law.
Lopez introduces own anti-gun violence legislation
Another Democratic leader will unveil a package of legislation tomorrow in response to the mass shootings that have rocked the country in the past few years, including the Tucson rampage that seriously wounded then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others.
Campbell offers comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell’s ideas for preventing a mass school shooting in Arizona include more cops in schools, more money pumped into the public-health system and stricter gun laws.
With a school resource officer and an award winning school counselor to help him make his case at a Jan. 9 press conference, Campbell said the cost of his 12-point plan would be $261 million. T[...]
Lawmaker wants to remind voters that ballot measures are permanent
If Arizonans knew that ballot measures were permanent and nearly impossible to change, Rep. Michelle Ugenti thinks that residents would think twice before approving the measures.
Notable laws nationally add restrictions to life in 2013
In California, a new law makes it a crime for a dog to pursue a bear or bobcat at any time.
In Illinois, it’s now illegal to sell, trade or distribute shark fins.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a list of laws around the country that went into effect Jan. 1. Here are others, as described by the NCSL.
Lawmaker proposing more money for School Resource Officers to help prevent shootings
Arizona’s answer to the Newtown, Conn., massacre could be an infusion of guns next year on school campuses, either in the form of more cops, heat-packing principals or patrols of retired police officers and military veterans carrying concealed weapons.
