I-10 expansion bill survives latest hurdle in saga
One senator’s last-minute amendment saved I-10 expansion funding from making it through the Legislature as a bill this session.
School for the Deaf and Blind can continue, may face extra scrutiny
The Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind is facing a shorter continuation timeline because Republicans in the Senate say there are issues with the agency that need to be scrutinized but would not clarify what those may be.
Rural healthcare at risk if we don’t hold health plans accountable
Commercial health insurance routinely downgrades and denies payment to healthcare providers, which means providers are left taking care of patients and not getting paid, which is not a good business model. That is why my bill, HB2290 currently up for consideration in the Senate, is important for hospitals, physicians and patients.
AEL faces uncertain future over legitimacy, longevity
The Legislature overrode the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL) again this session, leading some to question its legitimacy and staying power.
Independent healthcare providers believe health plans should pay their bills
It is not controversial to ask companies to pay their bills on time, talk to their partners when there is a dispute and provide a reason if they are not going to pay their bills. This is what HB2290 asks the commercial health insurers to do.
House passes bill to extend trauma counseling to 911 dispatchers
The House on March 7 passed a bill that would add dispatchers to current law that allows for police and firefighters to be eligible for counseling.
Scottsdale expresses approval of plan to get water back to Rio Verde
The Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a resolution supporting a plan that would temporarily resume service providing water to the nearby Rio Verde community.
House committee advances bill to limit messages on freeways, major roads
On a 7-4 vote Friday the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a measure which limits the messages on freeways and other major roads in the state to those "directly related to transportation or highway public safety.''
AG affirms Maricopa County’s power to deal with Scottsdale on Rio Verde issue
Attorney General Kris Mayes issued an opinion today affirming that Maricopa County has the power to temporarily supply water to Rio Verde, which was recently cut off by Scottsdale after decades of reliance on the city for water.
Senate follows House, OKs waiving AEL
After the House passed a resolution to waive the aggregate expenditure limit, the Senate followed suit.
Panel moves to force Scottsdale to give Rio Verde water
A House panel passed a bill that would force Scottsdale to temporarily resume service providing water to the unincorporated Rio Verde community, but Democrats withheld the support needed for immediate relief.
House votes to waive AEL with bipartisan support
The House voted to waive the aggregate expenditure limit (AEL) today with bipartisan support, clearing the two-thirds majority necessary to send it forward. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, needed 40 votes to pass and received 46.