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Preserving Arizona’s remaining rivers, streams, springs
For those of us that do not follow the intricacies of water policy, we are left asking basic questions, such as how to deal with drought and climate change? How do we manage growth and economic development opportunities sustainably to support future generations? And importantly, how can we ensure that Arizona’s last remaining rivers, streams, and springs are preserved, not just for future genera[...]
It’s simple, really: Arizona’s economy is tied to water
Many of us take our water supply for granted, yet as water becomes scarcer it is more important than ever to be clear who speaks for the diverse interests and people of Arizona. Efforts are moving forward to avert a potential crisis for Arizona due to the declining reservoir levels on the Colorado River – these are very important to manage water scarcity in the short term.
Let’s protect the Colorado River, and the lives that depend on it
The Colorado River Indian Tribes are seeking to protect the life of the river and potentially the lives that depend on it. Any leasing of our water beyond our borders, as other tribes have done, is complex and challenging. Yet, there could be many opportunities for mutual gains for water users in the state of Arizona and economic gains for our people.
Let’s welcome robust, uncomfortable, contentious discussion
The state of Arizona is experiencing a paradigm shift. We spent the last 30 years taking as much water off the Colorado River as possible to keep it away from California. Now, the waters of the Colorado River are not only fully subscribed each year, but over-allocated compared to the true yield of the river.
DPS trooper, lab tech injured in Vegas shooting
Two employees from the Arizona Department of Public Safety were injured when a gunman opened fire on a country music festival in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Dental therapist proposal to get new hearing before lawmakers
Legislators are again being asked to license dental therapists in Arizona, but after the effort’s resounding failure last year, skeptics continue to argue that backers are responding to a problem... […]
Water manager’s lobbyist costs under scrutiny, ban possible
The Central Arizona Project has paid more than $2.5 million for lobbyists in Arizona and Washington D.C. over the past five years, an analysis of the agency’s lobbying contracts shows.
DES asks for permanent funding to cover cost of minimum wage hike
The Department of Economic Security has requested more than $3 million in general fund appropriations to match wage increases, without which they say services for individuals with disabilities may be severely limited.
Agencies make case for new spending, but most requests likely doomed
Gov. Doug Ducey is looking for good policies and savings. But requests for money from the general fund, the state’s all-purpose kitty, are tougher to justify than those that come from other sources, like grants and fees.
State employees, retirees will pay for health insurance trust sweeps
Arizona state employees will pay higher premiums and copays for health insurance next year, and some lawmakers say funding sweeps approved by the Republican-controlled state Legislature are partly to blame.
Legal, but unethical – most charter schools use public funds for questionable transactions
A majority of Arizona’s charter schools spend taxpayer dollars on non-competitive business arrangements with for-profit businesses that are owned by the charter holder, board members, or their relatives. Grand Canyon Institute’s research found that 77 percent of charter schools engage in ‘related-party transactions’ in a manner that is not in the best interests of Arizona’s students, par[...]
Sinema challenges Flake in showdown for U.S. Senate seat
Democratic U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema announced today that she is running for the U.S. Senate, ending months of speculation on whether she would challenge U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake for the seat.
