Small group of Republicans buck their party, vote their conscience
Republican Sen. Warren Petersen and Reps. Eddie Farnsworth and Rusty Bowers certainly don’t vote alike with Democrats. They also have the distinction of being the most likely to buck their own party.
Livingston accuses Blanc of doctoring referendum petitions, calls for resignation
Rep. David Livingston said Rep. Isela Blanc should fully comply with any investigation into allegations she or others doctored petitions to help get a referendum of school voucher expansion on the ballot, and if she’s found in the wrong, resign from office.
Livingston files ethics complaint against Blanc over alleged petition doctoring
A Republican lawmaker wants Democratic Rep. Isela Blanc investigated by the House Ethics Committee, citing allegations that petition sheets she gathered to block an expansion of school vouchers were doctored.
Testy session, debates marked by use of ‘impugning’ rule in House
Throughout the 2017 legislative session, the House floor was a hotbed of animosity, as Democratic lawmakers repeatedly tested the boundaries of what they could say about their colleagues, and Republican lawmakers repeatedly tested the limits of how far the chamber’s rules could stretch to limit speech.
Age of ‘tough-on-crime’ policies is fading in Arizona
The “tough-on-crime” trend is fading fast even in red state strongholds like Arizona. In its wake, a new movement has formed under a far more millennial catchphrase: smart on crime.
House moves bill giving student journalists same rights as professionals
The state House voted 41-19 Monday to guarantee free speech to student journalists despite claims it will give "children'' more rights than their professional adult counterparts enjoy.
Ducey defies prosecutors to sign bill changing civil forfeiture practices
Rebuffing prosecutors and sheriffs, Gov. Doug Ducey today signed legislation to make it more difficult for them to seize property.
Lawmakers OK bill tightening laws on civil asset forfeitures
The Arizona Legislature has passed legislation that would tighten policies on asset seizures, leaving it up to Gov. Doug Ducey to decide whether to overhaul the state's civil forfeiture laws.
Forfeiture reforms move closer to becoming law
Without a single dissent, state senators approved changes Monday in Arizona laws designed to sharply curb the ability of prosecutors and police to seize property.
Lawmakers contemplate boosting car insurance liability coverage
The Senate on Monday gave preliminary approval to boosting the amount of liability coverage required to drive in Arizona to $25,000 for injuries caused to any one person and $50,000 for all injuries in a single accident. Current law mandates only $15,000 and $30,000 coverage, respectively.
Civil forfeiture reform splits long-time allies, united some foes
The 15-year-long “bromance” between Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery may have come to a crushing end right around Valentine’s Day.
Legislature taking up major civil asset forfeiture reforms
The Arizona Legislature is considering a measure that would fundamentally alter how police agencies can take a private citizen’s money or property.