Regina Cobb: Blending all her talents in new role
Editor’s Note: The Arizona Capitol Times has reestablished its Q&A that will feature people in the world of Arizona politics and government. You’ll get their take on current and past […]
Legislative leaders want to pass budget ASAP, governor’s staff says it’s ‘false urgency’
Republican Senate leaders said on Tuesday that the Legislature is working with Gov. Katie Hobbs to pass the state’s budget in the next two weeks, citing an April deadline connected to federally allocated Medicaid funding, but the governor’s staff say it’s a play to create “false urgency.”
Latino city in Arizona grew, but census says it shrank
The overwhelmingly Hispanic community has grown enough over the last decade that it's also building a new elementary school. But the Census Bureau says Somerton actually lost 90 residents during that time, putting its official population at 14,197 people, not the 20,000 that the mayor expected.
Q&A with Senate President Karen Fann
With every Republican leader in the state Senate from 2018 gone, Karen Fann steps into the void as the next Senate president and the leader of not just the Republican Caucus, but the chamber at large.
House members praise Mesnard’s inclusive approach to budget planning, but Senate president has doubts
It’s still too early to know exactly what impact House subcommittees will have on the budget process, but the reviews from House members are, thus far, positive.
Open for comment: Lawmaker lets people talk, and they have plenty to say
Hours after the experts had their say – the budget analysts, representatives from the Arizona Board of Regents, and the presidents of the Grand Canyon State’s public universities – the public had a chance to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 27. Senators got more than they bargained for.
Ducey budget authority request sparks separation-of-powers concerns
Republican lawmakers will soon have to make a decision that will pit their desire to promote responsible spending against the territoriality they’ve historically exercised over their appropriations authority.
Settlement deal survives blistering attack in committee
A package of measures aimed at settling a long-running lawsuit by giving schools $3.5 billion over 10 years inched closer to reality after surviving a blistering challenge in the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning.
Ducey abandons plan to pay for cemeteries with veterans fund
Facing a flurry of opposition from veterans and questions from legislators, Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday abandoned his plan to pay for cemetery operations from a fund to help the families of wounded veterans.
Arizona House selects committee chairs
House Speaker-elect David Gowan of Sierra Vista announced committee chairmanships for a total of 19 committees, including six committees that are either new or hybrids of past panels.
More cuts expected as Senate postpones budget debate until Tuesday morning
The Arizona Senate delayed debate on a $9.23 billion spending plan Monday afternoon as lawmakers prepare amendments to the budget and Senate President Andy Biggs finds a means to further cut funding for district charter schools.
Arizona forester seeks budget increase for wildfires
Arizona's state forester is citing a growing threat from wildfires as he requests a doubling of his agency's budget.