Gov. Doug Ducey wants to grant pay raises to nearly half of all state employees, with an emphasis on boosting salaries for law enforcement and corrections officers.

A new independent state agency charged with investigating cases of child abuse and neglect may include substantial new oversight, including an annual external audit of the department and a citizen oversight board.

Lawmakers are tossing around a budget plan that would shutter the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, put counties in charge of incarcerating juveniles and shift some of the cost to municipalities.