‘English only’ measure could cost the state federal money
A state lawmaker’s plan to save the state money by sending government materials only in English may run afoul of the Civil Rights Act and federal guidelines, and could cost state agencies billions per year in federal dollars.
Brewer asks regents to back Medicaid plan
Gov. Jan Brewer asked the Arizona Board of Regents to support her controversial AHCCCS expansion plan, arguing that it would free up general fund money for higher education.
The regents, the majority of whom are Brewer appointees, quickly granted her request, passing a resolution in support of both her overall budget plan and her proposal to increase Medicaid coverage under the Affordab[...]
Lawmakers consider redrawing boundaries to create tribal county
Native American nations don’t get a piece of state shared-revenue the way that cities counties do, and for decades they haven’t been able to change that. But a proposal in the Legislature could help make that elusive goal a reality.
Bennett to attend economic forum in NM
Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett is scheduled to attend an economic forum later this week in New Mexico.
Report: Arizona lags most states in election administration
Most states had better overall election administration procedures than Arizona in 2008 and 2010, according to a study released this week by the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Arizona legislators tone down their spirit of rebellion
For the most part, Arizona lawmakers appear to have stepped back from the trenches of the states’ rights issue after years of incessant fighting with the federal government.
DuVal preparing to enter governor’s race
Fred DuVal said there is a “high probability” that he will officially begin his campaign for governor later this month.
DuVal, a former regent, former Clinton White House aide and longtime Democratic operative, said he expects to file his campaign committee with the Secretary of State’s Office by the end of February.
House bill makes mental health detentions easier
An Arizona House committee has given initial approval to a bill making it easier for police officers to detain people believed to be a danger to themselves or others because of a mental issue.
Appeals court upholds reopening of uranium mine near Grand Canyon
A federal appeals court Monday upheld the government’s decision to let a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park continue to operate under environmental standards now decades old.
Lawmaker: ‘Holidays’ from state sales tax would boost Arizona’s economy
Eliminating state sales tax over two upcoming holiday weekends would encourage Arizonans to make more purchases and also serve as a thank you, a state lawmaker contends.
Bill would would allow communities to ban fireworks sales
Saying it would help reduce the risk of wildfires, a state lawmaker is trying again to give cities and towns the authority to ban the sale of sparklers and other fireworks legalized by a 2010 state law.
Yee offers medical marijuana reforms as alternative to repeal
A Republican state senator is gaining bipartisan support for bills that would reform Arizona’s medical marijuana law rather than repealing it, as one Republican lawmaker would prefer.
Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, introduced four bills late Monday that she says strengthen Arizona’s medical marijuana program, making it more workable in the long term.
Yee’s proposals come [...]