‘Razor-thin’ GOP majority cracks, budget falters
While Republican lawmakers cast Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs as the villain in their quest to pass a budget, it turns out their true nemesis sat within their own ranks, exposing the fragility of a one-member majority.
Panel OKs cuts on zoning regulations for housing
A Senate committee passed legislation on Feb. 8 to drastically reduce zoning regulations on housing, despite opposition from municipalities that want to retain the power to make zoning decisions themselves.
Senate follows House, OKs waiving AEL
After the House passed a resolution to waive the aggregate expenditure limit, the Senate followed suit.
Chaplik pushes bill to require businesses to accept cash
Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik of Scottsdale wants to be sure that Arizonans don't get turned away from businesses in the state because they want to use "legal tender'' or cash to pay.
Panel moves to force Scottsdale to give Rio Verde water
A House panel passed a bill that would force Scottsdale to temporarily resume service providing water to the unincorporated Rio Verde community, but Democrats withheld the support needed for immediate relief.
House votes to waive AEL with bipartisan support
The House voted to waive the aggregate expenditure limit (AEL) today with bipartisan support, clearing the two-thirds majority necessary to send it forward. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, needed 40 votes to pass and received 46.
Shah’s bill would criminalize sale, purchase of items made from kangaroos
Got kangaroo parts? You may if you have certain kinds of sports shoes. And a proposed new state law would make the sale and purchase of such items made with what has been called "k-leather'' a crime.
Republican budget proposal fails in House after Harris votes against caucus
It seemed nearly inevitable that legislative Republicans would send their continuation budget proposal to Gov. Katie Hobbs this week for a quick veto, starting the negotiation process between the Republican majority Legislature and the ninth floor. Plans have now changed after one stray vote from a Republican lawmaker who promised she wouldn’t vote on any bills to protest a “fraudulent” elec[...]
Kavanagh’s bill would merge hand and machine counting of ballots
A veteran state lawmaker thinks he's found a way to finally end the debate over whether humans are better or worse than machines at counting ballots. Put them both to the test.
County recorder, lawmakers tackle election reforms
Following multiple razor-thin election results in Arizona, proposals from Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer offer solutions to potentially expedite the vote-counting process. Now, the county must work out the details with the Legislature.
Senate Republicans target ‘drag story hour,’ other drag performances
Republicans in the Arizona Senate are targeting "drag story hour'' and other drag performances that have drawn the ire of conservatives, with the sponsor of a proposal banning certain shows before children or in government buildings calling it a case of "good versus evil.''
Senate alters governor nominee review process
Republicans in the Senate deviated from past precedent on Thursday, creating a new committee to review Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ nominations to various offices.