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IRC ruling clears way for second lawsuit on congressional map
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s right to draw congressional boundaries opened the door for a second, long-dormant challenge to the districts to move forward.
Local and state policymakers should be prepared to deal with emerging technologies
The rapid growth of technology will impact our lives in meaningful ways. At the same time it poses a challenge for state and local governments that are charged with establishing rules and regulations that often draw important revenue.
Thank you, Head Start, for opening a window of opportunity
This summer marks Head Start’s 50th anniversary. As a proud Head Start graduate and an educator, I can speak first hand to the life-changing difference a quality early childhood education makes in a young life.
Senate president disappointed in audit that recommended more money for child safety
To improve the outcomes for Arizona children who are wards of the state, Senate President Andy Biggs wants officials to take a closer look at what requires the state to intervene in families’ lives in the first place.
OSPB chief insists Ducey’s land trust plan is sound
The Ninth Floor today issued a memo to lawmakers in response to DeWit’s criticism of his plan to boost K-12 funding through increased payouts from the state land trust. The memo, written by OSPB Director Lorenzo Romero, didn’t directly refer to DeWit or his email to lawmakers, but it did address several of the issues the treasurer raised.
The McNary Railroad
This is steam locomotive No. 36 on the old McNary Railroad in the White Mountains. At the time of this photograph, the railroad had been converted to a scenic line that carried passengers from McNary to the logging town of Maverick, south of Baldy Peak, during the summer season. As many as 200,000 passengers made the trip during the years it was running.
Yes, you paid $250,000 for that
Biggs expressed some buyer’s remorse after reading an audit of Dept of Child Safety conducted by the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago, which the Auditor General had picked for the job.
Culture War: Lawmakers split with tribal leaders over future of Indian Child Welfare Act
Two lawmakers who represent eight Indian tribes aren’t standing with tribal leaders who see a Goldwater Institute lawsuit challenging provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act as an attack on a law that rectified historic wrongs.
Administrative bloat? Republican lawmaker sets sights on school tax credit organizations
Within days of the new fiscal year’s commencement on July 1, the Arizona Department of Revenue announced that Arizona businesses had claimed more than $51 million in tax credits for their donations to School Tuition Organizations. The state had reached the legal cap on the tax credits in lightning-fast fashion.
Challenge from the right: Ward launches ‘David and Goliath’ campaign against McCain
Kelli Ward knows she has an uphill battle ahead of her in her bid to wrest the Republican nomination from U.S. Sen. John McCain. But as the two-term state senator launched her campaign in her hometown of Lake Havasu City, Ward was confident, comparing the race to the tale of David and Goliath.
Trump’s comments reflect his ignorance of Mexico, trade and immigration
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to have played host earlier this year to events featuring three of the leading Republican presidential contenders: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. I expect we will welcome additional candidates from both parties in the fall.
A new era of physician-patient partnership around preventive care
This spring, Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that had been championed by Rep. Heather Carter, Sen. Nancy Barto and physician leaders to give Arizonans direct access to lab tests. That groundbreaking law went into effect last week, ushering in a new era of preventive care.
