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Passage of election consolidation – from the Capitol to the courthouse
Republicans who pushed for Senate Bill 1152 intending to spark a lawsuit over consolidated elections will likely get their wish.
New session, old story – cities, counties fend off Legislature’s reach
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the Arizona Association of Counties fended off a bonding plan that would have allowed the state’s three public universities to keep the sales taxes they ordinarily would have paid to the state, cities and counties.
Public education advocates bemoan school money still not enough
It’s hard to argue the budget doesn’t focus on education when much of the new spending focuses on K-12 or university education initiatives. The fiscal year 2018 budget adds $163 million above inflation funding to schools.
Wrap up with Doug Ducey
In the end, Gov. Doug Ducey got nearly everything he wanted – slightly more money for teachers, a huge university bonding plan and several controversial education programs like universal vouchers and performance funding for schools.
Democrats almost had a voice in budget process, but Republicans didn’t hear them
Republicans say Democrats overplayed their hand. Gov. Doug Ducey and GOP leaders were willing to talk, but Democrats asked for too much and were too firmly entrenched in their request to make negotiating a reality.
Trump budget gives Arizona Congressional Dems heartburn, GOP on board
The White House said its proposed $4.09 trillion budget shows “respect for the people who pay the bills,” but Arizona Democrats said deep domestic cuts make it a “dangerous plan” that will hurt the most vulnerable Americans.
Arizona top teachers unload on Legislature
Three current and former teachers of the year lashed out Monday at lawmakers for failing to properly fund schools -- and salaries -- but were more forgiving of local school boards who actually set their pay.
The cost of cuts: Arizona tax carve-outs last year hit $13.7B
In fiscal year 2016, state law allowed $13.7 billion in taxes to go uncollected through a litany of exemptions, deductions, allowances, exclusions or credits. And that number is likely to grow by another $1-to-2 billion once individual income tax deductions are tallied.
Regents applaud OK of university funding plan
The state Board of Regents is applauding legislative approval of a program that will allow the state's public universities to borrow up to $1 billion for new buildings and maintenance.
Budget nuggets: winners, prospective teachers, horse breeders; losers, some kids
While the big ticket and politically charged budget items get most of the attention, there are hundreds of items that get little to no fanfare. Following are a few of those items.
Lawmakers tackle $9.8 billion budget filled with Ducey’s priorities
The fiscal year 2018 budget proposed a small boost in pay for Arizona teachers, allowed the state’s universities to take on more debt to construct new buildings, and instituted a performance-pay program for high-achieving schools.
Horse trade could lead to legal action in city ballot measure
In a bid to get votes for the state budget, Republican lawmakers are picking a new legal fight with charter cities.
