Lowest-paid Arizonans to see 50 cents more in hourly wages
As of Monday, the new state minimum wage will be $10.50 an hour for most private sector employees. That’s 50 cents more than the current figure – or a bit more than $1,000 a year, before taxes.
Bill requires universities to pay for lawyers at disciplinary proceedings
The bill, H2028, requires college and university students undergoing disciplinary proceedings involving an allegation of a crime to be represented by a lawyer. If the student can’t afford one, the bill mandates the college or university to provide the student with legal counsel.
Elimination of car registration decals can save state $1.8 million, lawmaker says
Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita is proposing to eliminate one of the things police can use as an excuse to stop and question motorists: those metallic tags affixed to license plates that show whether a vehicle's registration is expired.
Bills aimed at keeping red tape out of home-based businesses
Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, believes easing regulations on home-based businesses can help jumpstart the economy, so he has introduced two bills aimed at making it easier for entrepreneurs to start businesses in their home.
Jared Keenan: Taking the job of a public defender to a systemic level
Jared Keenan is the newest hire by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, one of three staffing additions the organization will make thanks to a surge in donations following President Trump’s election in 2016.
Good Samaritan bill would provide immunity for reporting drug overdose
Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale, wants Arizona to join the vast majority of states that provide immunity to those who report a drug overdose.
Bipartisan effort to ‘reform’ sentencing underway
Two state lawmakers hope to do what has proven politically impossible for decades: Convince colleagues to consider sentencing reform.
Jobless rate drops, signs abound of continued improvement
Overall, Arizona added 28,100 private sector jobs last month. That was enough to drop the state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate for November two-tenths of a point from October, to 4.3 percent.
State Sen. Debbie Lesko seeking US House seat
A second state senator has formally announced a run for the U.S. House seat left vacant when Republican Rep. Trent Franks resigned.
Judge calls prison health care monitoring system ‘corrupt’
A federal judge believes the system of monitoring Arizona’s prison health care may be so “corrupt” that it can no longer be trusted.
State population grows on wave of newcomers
Arizona added enough residents in the 12 months ending July 1 to rank its growth the fifth highest in the nation.
Pinal County residents file suit against indicted utility owner
Pinal County residents long frustrated with utility owner George Johnson are piggybacking on criminal charges against him and others in a civil suit filed Monday.