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Behind open doors, states track stimulus money
What do an FBI fraud team, a showdown between a governor and the legislature, and a sophisticated online system called geographic information systems have in common? All are part of states' efforts to ensure that billions in federal stimulus money are spent wisely within their borders.
Disagreements to resurface: Topics include taxes, spending reductions
A special session - or two - is likely this fall as Gov. Jan Brewer continues to pressure lawmakers to reconvene and legislative leaders have started asking members when they would be available. But roadblocks remain.
Redistricting predictions: Rural areas might lose seats
The balance of power in Arizona government may shift a little further toward the Phoenix metro area when the state's legislative and congressional district boundaries are redrawn. As a result, rural areas might wind up with less representation than they have now. Determining with any precision where the district lines will be in 2012, when Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission will [...]
ICE: If Arpaio continues sweeps, it will be under state, not federal, law
Now that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's federal authority to arrest illegal immigrants during crime-suppression sweeps has ended, any future sweeps and immigration enforcement he engages in will be under the authority of state law, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Farmers, ranchers fear budget cuts to Agriculture Dept.
As Arizona continues to grapple with declining government revenue, the state's farming and ranching communities are warning that the Arizona Department of Agriculture has stretched its dollars to the limit. And the situation could grow worse, as Gov. Jan Brewer in September ordered state agencies to draft plans that predict the immediate effects on departments if their budgets are cut another 1[...]
Thrasher to run again for D-10 House seat
A North Phoenix music teacher is hoping to return to the Legislature in 2011 and avenge a narrow defeat in last year's election. Jackie Thrasher, who one term served in the House before being defeated in last fall's election, announced Oct. 15 that she is running for the House next year.
Bare-bones Revenue Department would eliminate audits
An unintended consequence of a veto last month means the state agency tasked with collecting taxes is on the verge of laying off more than half of its staff, barring a budget fix to allow access to all of the money lawmakers gave it earlier this year. Anthony Forschino, the agency's assistant director, said the layoffs would still allow the Department of Revenue to function, but in a bare-bones[...]
GOP-led panel hears testimony on STO program
Members of a Republican-led committee met for the first time on Oct. 14 to examine possible weaknesses of a state law designed to make private schools more accessible to children... […]
Report shows states’ most important revenue sources
Oregon, more than any other state, relies on its residents' income tax payments for revenue, while its northern neighbor, Washington, depends more heavily than any other state on sales taxes, according to a new 50-state analysis of state finances.
Arizona raided water funds that held money deposited by Nevada
The Legislature is getting sued, again, over fund sweeps initiated earlier this year to close the state budget gap. A commission charged with delivering water from the Colorado River to several Arizona counties and Native American tribes has filed a lawsuit with the Arizona Supreme Court to challenge the Legislature's decision to sweep millions of dollars held by the Arizona Water Banking Autho[...]
Garcia to explore a run for Corporation Commission
Senate Minority Leader Jorge Luis Garcia said he will be exploring a run for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Garcia said he would announce his plans on October 13 at a restaurant in Phoenix.
Brewer: multiple special sessions possible
The off-season for lawmakers might be even shorter than they thought. Since Gov. Jan Brewer partially vetoed the Legislature’s budget in early September, she has been adamant about the need to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session to restore funding for a handful of state agencies, including the Arizona Corporation Commission and Department of Revenue.
