The budget fix being shopped to Republican lawmakers would erase a little more than a quarter of the estimated $2 billion deficit and include about $300 million in permanent spending cuts. House Majority Whip Andy Tobin said the deal Republican leaders have reached with Republican Gov. Jan Brewer would include $140 million in cuts to K-12 education and $140 million in cuts to ADES.
Read More »Budget fix pitched to GOP lawmakers
Telemedicine institute trains doctors, helps patients in remote areas
To Dr. Ronald S. Weinstein, a doctor's eyes and ears are as important as instruments or tests. A patient's tone and body language can say as much as his or her words, he said, and eye contact and seeing that a doctor is paying attention establishes trust for the patient. But that doesn't necessarily mean that doctor and patient have to be in the same place, said Weinstein, director of the University of Arizona College of Medicine's Arizona Telemedicine Program.
Read More »Hopi Nation appeals for help as coal plant face closure 
A tribal government in Arizona has stepped up lobbying efforts against rules being proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency that threaten the closure of a power plant. This time, the tribe is reaching out to state lawmakers.
Read More »Legislative leaders, governor reach agreement on special session 
Legislative leaders and the governor have reached an agreement on the framework of a special session later this month. The plan is to fix the budget problems of several agencies that resulted from Gov. Jan Brewer's veto of a budget bill that had contained funding mechanisms for the agencies.
Read More »Lawmakers discuss streamlining, consolidating mining permits 
A panel of lawmakers and experts has begun looking into the state of the mining industry in Arizona with the ultimate aim of helping the industry grow. Among the topics discussed: streamlining the permitting process and making it more affordable ...
Read More »Burns mum on special session meeting with Brewer 
Republican leaders and Gov. Jan Brewer are slated to meet this afternoon to discuss the provisions of a possible special legislative session to address budget issues.
Read More »Kirkpatrick raises concerns about renewable energy’s cost to rural Arizona residents
Duncan Mayor M.C. Holiday has nothing against renewable energy. But as the state and federal governments look toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he hopes officials will keep in mind that his remote town has a high unemployment rate and many residents on fixed incomes.
Read More »Arizona’s leading ladies 
Michael Kurtenbach recalls Janet Napolitano's election over Matt Salmon for governor in 2002. He remembers seeing her inauguration speech on TV when he was 13 and seeing her leave for Washington D.C. earlier this year. However, one thing the 18-year-old political science major at Arizona State University doesn't remember, is a man serving as Arizona's governor.
Read More »Wishful thinking interrupted by budget reality 
JLBC has singled out three budget provisions that wouldn't live up to their billing: a plan to save $50 million due to reduced fraud in the health care system; deals to privatize nine of the 10 state prisons; and a plan to raise $735 million by selling dozens of state buildings, then leasing them back. But there's more.
Read More »Lottery renewal needed before state can borrow 
The odds of winning the Arizona Lottery's big jackpot are about one in 175 million. The odds that lawmakers will sell off future lottery revenues for a quick cash infusion are exponentially better. As lawmakers ponder how to fix a fiscal 2011 budget deficit that is expected to top $2 billion, many are viewing lottery securitization as a last resort whose time has come.
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