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Agency: Pearce e-mail suggesting FTF funds illegals, abortions is inaccurate
Sen. Russell Pearce, author of Arizona’s new strict immigration law, suggested in an e-mail that money from First Things First is funding services for illegal aliens and abortion.
Campaign committee aims to dismantle First Things First
Supporters of a proposal to dismantle program for early childhood development have formed a campaign committee to persuade voters to approve the measure this November.
First Things First users caught in political, economic hailstorm
The Legislature's decision to go after First Things First and its $325 million was inevitable, given the magnitude of the state's financial woes. But the agency also made political missteps that made it a target. Now the agency that is dedicated to providing health care services to children is fighting for its existence. In November, voters will be asked whether to continue the programs or dissol[...]
Judge: First Things First ballot language is impartial
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge decided Monday against changing the description of a ballot measure that aims to eliminate a voter-approved program for early childhood development and sweep its money.
Fate of First Things First hinges on ballot measure
In its last action to shore up the staggering state deficit, Arizona lawmakers decided to ask voters to dismantle a program aimed at expanding education and health services for children.
First Things First takes hit in final act of special session
Arizona lawmakers wrapped up their seventh special session March 16 but not before stripping a voter-approved program aimed at expanding education and health services for children.
Antenori absent; Senate postpones voting on final two budget bills
The Senate gaveled in and out of special session March 15 without any action on two budget measures that senators skipped voting on last week.
DHS hearing focuses on child care; lawmaker blasts First Things First
A joint legislative panel approved a recommendation on Nov. 9 to extend the Department of Health Services, which was the subject of a sunset review, for another decade. That was the easy part.
Hands off tobacco money – Supreme Court: Legislature can’t sweep First Things First
The Arizona Supreme Court has decided unanimously that state lawmakers overstepped their authority when they swept millions of dollars of interest held in the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health... […]
AZ Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge of First Things First sweep
Whether the Legislature can legally sweep millions of dollars from a program that pays for children's health care may hinge on the fine print of a ballot initiative passed by voters in 2006.
Supreme Court to hear challenge of First Things First fund sweep
The Arizona Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge of a legislative fund sweep that targeted money generated by a tobacco tax and intended to pay for children's health care. But in the same stroke on June 1, justices declined to address a dispute of a fund sweep protested by a state labor commission.
