Slew of newcomers fill empty seats in Legislature
The House will start 2022 with nine new members who were appointed to fill spots that opened due to a slew of resignations after the 2021 session. And that means new faces will be heading a couple of powerful committees.
New law targets wildfires, rehabs prisoners
As wildfires rage across Arizona and threaten numerous communities, legislators and forestry officials have had to come up with innovative ways to combat the problem.
New law gives more money for water projects
Gov. Doug Ducey on April 21 signed a bill that provides larger grants for developing water projects in rural areas, but questions linger on whether there will be any money for them.
Senate to vote on taking power from regulators
Rejecting arguments about economic development, clean air and even constitutional issues, a Senate panel voted along party lines March 31 to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of its power to set energy policy for utilities.
Lawmakers’ focus veers from Covid relief in 1st weeks of session
After nearly four full weeks of session, none of the bills lawmakers sent to the governor’s desk deals with the Covid pandemic, a shift in emphasis that’s especially noticeable given lawmakers’ insistence to help residents and businesses survive the crisis.
House passes bill to cut red tape on border wall construction on private land
Calling it a matter of property rights and security, the state House voted Thursday to let those living along the border to construct walls without first getting local permission or building permits.
Lawmakers want end to archaeological commission
A spat between ranchers and Native American tribes is threatening to torpedo a special panel which seeks to keep construction projects from damaging tribal remains and antiquities.
Lawmakers to look at shifting Santa Cruz, Cochise county lines
Despite being rebuffed by her colleagues, a Southern Arizona lawmaker has found a new way to pursue her plans to see if parts of Santa Cruz County should be merged with Cochise County.
Democrats discouraged despite getting more bills passed
Senate President Karen Fann can boast a 333 percent increase in the number of bills sponsored by Democrats that passed out of her chamber in 2019 compared to last year.
Committee proposed to study shift of county lines in southern Arizona
State lawmakers took the first steps Thursday to what eventually could lead to putting portions of eastern Santa Cruz County into Cochise County.
Rep. Griffin says she won’t push passage of her porn-tax bill
Griffin, questioned Tuesday about the bill, said it was not her idea but came from a constituent who was not identified. And now, with media scrutiny, Griffin said as far as she's concerned the measure isn't going anywhere this year.
Ducey threatens veto of water bill that ignores his principles
Gov. Doug Ducey threatened Tuesday to veto any drought contingency plan that does not equitably divide up the pain of Arizona having less water in 2020 and eventually leads to lower water use in the state.