Voters to decide whether child sex traffickers get life in prison
Ignoring pleas from Democrats that victims could be caught up in harsh sentencing, Republican lawmakers on Monday sent a measure to the November ballot that if passed by voters in November would require those convicted of sex trafficking minors to spend life in prison with no chance of ever being released.
Hobbs vetoes bipartisan housing legislation
Citing concerns that a bipartisan housing bill could have unintended consequences, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed the legislation that supporters say would have led to more affordable homes being built.
Gila River Indian Community rejects states’ plan for Colorado, works with feds
The Gila River Indian Community said it does not support a plan backed by three states for managing the Colorado River’s shrinking water supply, and is instead working with federal officials to develop its own proposal for water sharing.
Judge mulls third contempt case against Arizona for failing to improve prison health care
A judge presiding over a nearly 12-year-old lawsuit challenging the quality of health care in Arizona's prisons is considering whether to launch a third contempt-of-court proceeding against the state for failing to improve prisoner care.
Lake takes election legal fight to U.S. Supreme Court
Kari Lake and Mark Finchem want the U.S. Supreme Court to give them a do-over of their losing claim that machines used to tabulate votes in some Arizona counties are so inherently unreliable that they violate their constitutional rights.
State argues feds can’t tax rebates
Uncle Sam is entitled to a share of the rebates that Arizona issued last year to families with dependents, lawyers for the Internal Revenue Service are telling a federal judge.
Bypassing Hobbs’ veto could cause ballot fatigue
An increase in the introduction of ballot measures this session to avoid the governor’s veto could have unintended consequences for voters or the referendums themselves. However, the move might result in a surge in voter turnout.
9th Circuit hears Arizona case on transgender athletes
Two unnamed transgender girls brought the suit against Horne last year, claiming Senate Bill 1165, signed into law by former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022, violates the Equal Protection clause, Title IX and the Americans with Disability Act
Bill OKs more discussion with public in meetings
A Republican state senator is seeking to change open meeting law and allow local government officials to engage in more discussions with attendees.
Mayors press Hobbs to veto housing bill
Calling the measure both unnecessary and overreach, mayors from around Arizona came to the Capitol Thursday to urge Gov. Katie Hobbs to veto legislation on her desk to override some of their ability to make planning and zoning decisions.
As families seek asylum at border, groups offer help
The Tucson sector of the border has seen a dramatic rise in family migration. That shift has led to challenges for both asylum seekers and U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Republicans seek voter approval to let lawmakers override state agency rules
GOP lawmakers are attempting to circumvent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and ask the voters to approve a measure that reins in the spending of state agencies.