Starting a Phoenix business should not take 58 steps
Phoenix should look at consolidating fees and streamlining the building and zoning permit process, which can be lengthy and opaque. Aspiring restaurant owners, for example, must submit seven sets of plans with their applications. This is too much.
Lesko’s decision opens door for fresh faces in LD27
U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko’s decision not to run for re-election in Congress leaves an opportunity for fresh faces to replace some of the most high-profile Republicans in the state Legislature, including the leader of the state House of Representatives. House Speaker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, announced his candidacy on Nov. 2 to run for the seat occupied by Lesko in Congress.
Hobbs takes credit for family tax rebate despite not wanting it in budget
Gov. Katie Hobbs is claiming credit for a $260 million tax rebate to families that she didn't want in the budget. And she is doing so even though the law sending up to $750 back to Arizona taxpayers was crafted in a way designed to preclude her from doing so.
Mothers of biological girls won’t be able to join legal fight tied to transgender girls playing school sports
The mothers of some biological girls will not be able to join the legal fight against the efforts to allow two transgender girls to participate in school sports.
New program will place armed, uniformed off-duty police officers on campuses with SROs
The Arizona Department of Education announced a new program to place armed and uniformed off-duty police officers on school campuses lacking a school resource officer.
State considers using effluent water credits
The Arizona Water Banking Authority is exploring the possibility of buying purified wastewater to distribute later – which would be unprecedented.
Kolodin’s ‘Trojan Horse’ targets Scottsdale water
While addressing Rio Verde Foothills (RVF) residents on Jan. 28, Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, vowed “to break the rock,” referring to a hostile takeover of Scottsdale Water. HB2561 is just that, a frontal attack on the residents of Scottsdale who have invested in the best water technology, expert personnel, and water portfolio in the country.
Arizona gets hit hardest in Colorado River plan
More than half of the 3 million acre-feet in water cuts announced as part of a multi-state conservation deal will come from Arizona, state officials said on May 25.
Detective details investigation in trial of slain kids’ mom
An Idaho detective says an investigation that resulted in a triple murder charge against Lori Vallow Daybell all started with a request from Gilbert police, who wanted help finding a Jeep.
Hobbs plans to veto legislation to block cities, towns from taxing groceries
Gov. Katie Hobbs is going to veto legislation to block cities and towns from taxing groceries.
DOE grants $375M loan for lithium battery recycling plant
The effort to satisfy a vast demand for lithium for electric vehicle batteries moved one step forward with a $375 million loan from the Department of Energy to Li-Cycle, a battery recycling company, to build a lithium-ion battery recovery plant near Rochester, N.Y., after plans for another such facility in Arizona were announced recently.
House Republicans unify, pass budget proposal to Hobbs
Days after a House Republican explained why she voted against the GOP budget proposal, she flipped her vote to give the budget enough votes to pass the House and send it to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.