Hobbs demotes three officials but doesn’t cut their salaries
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs demoted three officials running state agencies to deputy director posts after a judge ruled that her move to name them and other agency heads as “deputy […]
Childcare agency survives with tighter controls
The Department of Child Safety was put in the spotlight again this legislative session, but the agency was granted a lifeline – tied to stipulations – despite some lawmakers’ stance that it should not be continued at all. Legislation that passed this session will put aspects of the agency under a microscope and set up policy that aims to increase housing security for foster children that age[...]
Lawmakers consider tightening oversight of Department of Child Safety
In a debate over how long the Arizona Department of Child Safety should be allowed to continue, a state representative denounced the agency at a sunset review hearing Wednesday and two legislators voted against recommending the agency’s continuation.
New Children’s Action Alliance CEO passionate about public service
January Contreras never forgets a face. The new CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, one of the most respected nonpartisan groups in Arizona, still vividly remembers the constituents in crisis she has served, ranging from small business owners crushed by health care costs to grandparents caregiving for loved ones struggling with substance abuse.
State discovers flaw in DCS system used to determine children’s removal from homes
State officials have discovered that a flaw in a system used by the Department of Child Safety that has let judges make decisions on removing children from homes without having all the information that they needed.
House corporate income tax cut bill passes initial committee hearings
The first bill to be heard by Arizona House of Representatives members, which is projected to reduce the state’s revenue by about $1.8 billion from corporate income tax breaks over four years, passed two committee meetings on Wednesday.
Arizona Supreme Court explains decision to kill vote
Arizonans have no constitutional right to block lawmakers from cutting - or even eliminating - taxes, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Friday.
After court losses, ballot initiative backers regroup
As in most recent election years, Arizonans will probably get the chance to vote on several ballot initiatives this November, but this year’s measures come on the heels of court rulings that have blocked a pair of high-profile proposals.
Iffy camps dot learning catch-up program
Sign-up is now open for summer camps that are set to receive money through Gov. Doug Ducey’s funding program, and a web page listing the offerings at more than 100 camps show options range from basic to bizarre, and at least one appears to violate the program’s rules.
Repeal, replace ‘21 tax cut aims at Prop. 307
Education groups pushing a referendum to repeal the almost $2 billion in tax cuts passed last year say a new Republican plan to repeal and replace the cuts, which would nix their effort, is an attempt to undercut the will of the voters.
Republicans eye repealing, replacing huge Arizona tax cuts
Arizona Republican lawmakers who pushed through a nearly $2 billion income tax cut in the last session are looking to repeal it and replace it with a new version
Infrastructure bill gives Sinema bipartisan victory
Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has faced unrelenting tension with activists in her party over her insistence that bipartisan deal-making is still the way to do big things during a hyper-partisan era in Washington.