Multistate compacts in vogue, not ready for prime time in Arizona
The sheer number of legislative proposals that were introduced this year seeking to defy the federal government seemed to affirm Arizona’s credentials as a bastion of the states’ rights movement.
But nearly all of the bills that would have allowed Arizona to band together with other states in attempts to check federal overreach fell by the wayside.
McFarland and Fannin: Men of many hats
Wearing multiple hats was not uncommon for Arizona’s political figures when the state was much younger and less populated, but the career of at least one legendary figure merits being labeled as unique.
Arizona searching for Goldwater statue to put in Washington D.C.
The state is looking to buy something a little bit out of the ordinary a�� a statute of Barry Goldwater.
Appeals Court rules in favor of fish pedicure salon owner
The Arizona Court of Appeals on April 29 ruled in favor of a Gilbert nail salon owner who sued after the Board of Cosmetology prohibited her from using fish for pedicures.
Adding STO expansion to tax fix bill backfires, draws veto
Reeling from a veto in early April of a bill that would have dramatically expanded a tax credit program for private school scholarships, pro-school-choice legislators deleted the provisions Gov. Jan Brewer cited in her veto message.
Feet-nibbling fish salon owner looking to reinstate lawsuit
A Gilbert nail-salon owner whose service of using tiny fish to exfoliate feet was squashed by the Board of Cosmetology asked the Court of Appeals April 27 to overturn a lower court’s dismissal of her lawsuit.
Arizonans give Brewer lots of advice on bills
Gov. Jan Brewer is getting plenty of advice on what to do with the pile of 168 bills awaiting her signature or veto following the end of the legislative session.
Legislation spells end for Mesa impact fee court case
They couldn’t win in court, so they took the fight to the Legislature – and won.
The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona and the Goldwater Institute, a litigious government watchdog group with a libertarian bent, were unable to convince the courts that impact fees Mesa charged to new home construction for cultural programs are illegal. Instead, lawmakers approved legislatio[...]
Cronyism fueled merit system, but modern concerns may take precedence
More than four decades ago, Republicans led the charge to create the state employee merit system they now hope to overturn. It was implemented in 1969 in response to cronyism and patronage in state government, according to former state officials who dealt with personnel issues.
Republican lawmakers eager to take on merit system
While the battles Wisconsin Republicans waged against their state’s teachers unions dominated news coverage in a made-for-television drama, their legislative counterparts in Arizona moved against government employees with far less fanfare.
Arizona Supreme Court turns away appeal on impact fees
The Arizona Supreme Court won't hear an appeal of a court ruling that Arizona cities have broad powers to impose development impact fees.