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Civil asset forfeiture reform: A solution in search of a problem
If the Arizona Legislature wants to help drug cartels and organized crime, then heeding the Institute for Justice and establishing a “conviction first” statute for civil forfeiture is a great start. The only people such a measure will hurt are law abiding citizens, prosecutors and police officers. But drug dealers? They will absolutely love it.
To improve Arizona Legislature, consider cumulative voting
Imagine an Arizona House of Representatives modeled in part on the system used in Illinois. There would be Republicans elected from liberal bastions like Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson. Democrats would be elected from conservative places like Mohave and Yavapai Counties.
Is Constitution to be taken seriously or for granted?
As an attorney and retired judge I have always considered the Arizona Constitution to be the highest law of the state, not a set of guidelines. That’s why I am a plaintiff, along with a top local businesswoman, in the lawsuit brought by Rose Law Group challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 208, potentially the largest income tax hike in Arizona history.
Ducey loses big with Trump, taxes, legal pot
Republican Governor Doug Ducey was able to keep the Arizona Legislature red, but not everything worked out to his benefit, based on unofficial election results.
Court refuses to block enforcement of horse-racing law
A federal appeals court won’t block enforcement of a law that requires companies that provide off-track betting signals to sell them to anyone who will buy then. In a unanimous […]
The Breakdown: A sine die surprise
The Arizona Legislature is officially done, and what a weird session it's been.
Sound fiscal practices in ’19 help Arizona weather ’20 storm
When Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey placed a priority on shoring up the state’s rainy day fund in 2019, he could not foresee the economic hurricane the state was headed for in 2020. Now, that fiscal prudence will help Arizona weather the crisis brought on by the COVID-19 virus.
A majority under pressure reveals legislative fissures
Early the morning of May 7, a Thursday, a motley crew of senior Senate Republicans and their Democratic counterparts, disregarding a chorus of conflicting desires from the membership as a whole, pulled the plug on the 2020 legislative session.
Passage of resolution to overturn Ducey’s order a very long shot
The plan hatched by some of the Legislature’s most vocal conservatives to reopen the state’s economy hinges on a concurrent resolution that would overturn the governor’s emergency declaration.
At least 90 opinions of what are ‘must-pass’ bills
Some lobbyists and lawmakers have a pitch for legislative leaders dallying over plans to adjourn or resume the session – find a middle ground.
Candidates head to court to defend petition challenges
Freshman lawmaker Shawnna Bolick has landed in court for using a P.O. box instead of her address on nominating petitions for her return bid to the state House.
Republicans rail against all-mail elections, but they vote by mail
Saying it is ripe for fraud, many Arizona Republican lawmakers oppose the idea of sending mail ballots to all voters during the COVID-19 crisis, but 79% of the GOP caucus opts for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver their vote.
