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U.S. Supreme Court sets date for IRC hearing
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Legislature’s lawsuit against the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission on March 2.
States’ use of execution drugs varies widely
Problematic executions in Arizona, Oklahoma and other states have highlighted a patchwork approach states are taking with lethal drugs, with types, combinations and dosages varying widely. A question-and-answer look at how the disparities in drugs came about and why, after more than three decades in which all death penalty states used the exact same mixture:
Young immigrants get Arizona driver’s licenses
They waited in line in the dark outside motor vehicle offices, cheered when the doors opened and celebrated again upon passing their driving tests. For many young immigrants in Arizona, Monday marked a landmark day as they were able to get driver's licenses for the first time.
‘Dreamers’ policy takes away drivers licenses from domestic violence victims
Forced to surrender on “dreamers,” Gov. Jan Brewer is denying licenses to drive to a potentially more vulnerable group of migrants: domestic violence victims.
It worked so well we’re not doing it again
A report commissioned by the Dept of Corrections on the execution of Joseph Wood found no fault in the agency’s two-drug protocol. Still, consultants who prepared the report, which was released today (Dec. 22), recommended that DOC ditch the protocol. Subsequently, DOC Director Charles Ryan has decided not to use the two-drug combination of midazolam and hydromorphone in executions.
Failed drugs will no longer be used in Arizona executions
Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan announced today the state will stop executing prisoners with the drug combination used on Joseph Wood, who took two hours to die in July.
State seeks stay of campaign finance ruling
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office asked a federal judge to stay a recent bombshell ruling that threatens the state’s ability to enforce all of its campaign disclosure laws.
The Ducey hiring train keeps on chugging
Ducey’s transition team today (Dec. 19) announced another batch of senior staffers. Three of the hires were expected – Mike Liburdi as general counsel, Daniel Scarpinato as deputy chief of staff for communications and JP Twist as a senior advisor – but one caught some observers off guard: Victor Riches, who will be the deputy chief of staff for policy and budget.
Sheriff Arpaio aims to halt Obama immigration order
A gadfly attorney and an Arizona county sheriff want to halt President Barack Obama's immigration order in the first courtroom battle over an initiative designed to spare nearly 5 million people from deportation.
Charter schools to seek new sources for buildings
Charter schools will be looking for ways to obtain buildings in the next legislative session through laws that would give them more favorable financing and preference when public school districts sell property.
House undergoing $335,000 renovation
As one of his first acts as Speaker-elect, David Gowan is making some renovations to the “People’s Chamber.” Gowan has spent and accepted bids totaling more than $335,000 for a variety of renovations in the House, including a new coat of paint throughout the building, testing for asbestos and installing new carpet on the House floor and members’ lounge.
Under Common Core, fantasy merges with reality to revitalize education
In the past few years, Osborn Middle School has turned itself into a beehive of activity in implementing Common Core, the controversial standards Arizona embraced four years ago. And if there’s a good place to see whether Common Core is working, it’s this school.
