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Bill to give sheriff, other county officials control over budget fails
Legislation aimed at giving county sheriffs and other county officers full control over their budgets failed to get the nod of a Senate panel on Feb. 10.
Tucson lawmaker tries to spark light bulb battle with feds
A former U.S. Army Green Beret serving in the Arizona Legislature is itching for a fight with the federal government over national regulations he says infringes on the rights and liberties of states and citizens.
Scottsdale businessman chosen to replace Waring
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has appointed a Scottsdale man to the Arizona Senate.
Bills involving transparency include plan to put local government spending online
Requiring local governments to post records of all financial transactions online would make officials better stewards of the public's money, a state lawmaker contends.
Bill requires dedicated funding for city ballot measures
Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2004 to require a dedicated funding stream for voter-approved programs. Now lawmakers want the same requirement at the municipal level.
House narrowly approves bill to borrow $750M
The House today narrowly approved a bill that would close about half of the current year's budget deficit through borrowing.
Miranda to run for House
Sen. Richard Miranda, a Democrat from Tolleson, will run for the House this year. Miranda cannot seek re-election to the 30-person chamber because he has reached his term limit.
State lawmakers penning postcards to Congress, others
Rep. Ed Ableser, a Tempe Democrat, wants Congress to urge the NCAA to adopt a college football playoff system. Sen. Jack W. Harper, a Surprise Republican, wants to proclaim that Arizona has no intention of providing assistance to the controversial community-organizing group ACORN. Rep. Chad Campbell, a Phoenix Democrat, wants federal laws aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Local governments against changes to shared-revenue formula
So far, lawmakers and the Governor's Office have avoided conjuring the greatest fear of local governments - changing the formula that determines who gets what from the collective pot of money they all share.
Special session: Day 4
The House Feb. 8 approved two more measures aimed at filling in a $1.4 billion deficit this year and paving the way to bridge a substantially larger shortfall in the upcoming year, but two more bills still await action.
Braswell assumes Senate seat
Residents from Legislative District 6 have a new senator. David Braswell, chairman of the district's Republican Party, formally assumed office after a brief swearing-in ceremony on the Senate floor on Feb. 6.
Passing the buck: Local governments’ worst budget fears
Local government is usually the last place the Legislature looks to find extra money, but the state budget deficit has forced lawmakers to take desperate steps. This year and last, cities and counties have been forced to pay bills that historically have been the state's responsibility. During the past year, lawmakers have taken money that was intended to pay for local services, limited cities' [...]
