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Despite much fanfare over Arizona’s Legislature passing and Gov. Doug Ducey signing drought plan legislation Thursday, the Department of the Interior is stepping in because federal officials say the drought plan isn’t done.

At a time when Arizona’s water future and questions of how to use a massive budget surplus should be dominating lawmakers’ time, the House is instead embroiled in a scandal that could end with the ouster of a Republican representative.

The governor and lawmakers celebrated passage of the Drought Contingency Plan bills as a “historic” moment that showed the state could work together to head off drastic water shortfalls on the Colorado River.

Republican lawmakers squared off against GOP Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday by passing legislation to grant Arizonans a reprieve on their state income taxes.

The ethics investigation of Rep. David Stringer will be handled outside of the state House of Representatives.

Arizona lawmakers will vote on final water legislation Thursday as the state comes down to the wire on a midnight deadline to adopt a multi-state drought plan.

The State Bar of Arizona has opened a preliminary investigation into Rep. David Stringer regarding his application to practice law in the state.

Claiming his rights were violated, ousted state Rep. Don Shooter has filed suit demanding unspecified damages.

Legislative leaders appear to be in alignment with Gov. Doug Ducey on the legislative package of water bills that lawmakers will have to vote on by Thursday if Arizona is to meet a deadline set by federal officials.

Barred from receiving in-state tuition at Arizona community colleges and universities, DACA recipients could still get a break on the cost of tuition under a Republican-backed bill.