Arizona roads, bridges in good shape, but budget cuts worry some
Arizona has some of the safest roads and bridges in the nation, according to a new analysis of Federal Highway Administration data, but experts worry that recent budget cuts could threaten state roads in the future.
Lawmaker proposing more money for School Resource Officers to help prevent shootings
Arizona’s answer to the Newtown, Conn., massacre could be an infusion of guns next year on school campuses, either in the form of more cops, heat-packing principals or patrols of retired police officers and military veterans carrying concealed weapons.
Myths of gun control always miss the target
The recent slaughter at the grade school in Connecticut is an unimaginable tragedy that could never have been predicted. What can be predicted with pinpoint accuracy will be the national call to disarm honest, law-abiding citizens as a strategy to somehow prevent this from happening again.
State offers grants to improve shooting ranges
The state is offering grants to help develop and improve public shooting and archery ranges across Arizona.
Of course there’s already talk of a special session
The work of the 50th Legislature is officially completed, but rumors were circulating last week that some Republicans are – or will be – working on a referral to compete with the Open Government initiative, which seeks to overhaul the state’s elections system by allowing everybody to vote in an open primary with the top two winners, regardless of party, competing in a runoff.
Lawmaker’s next focus: Brewer’s personnel overhaul
After wrapping up work on the budget, senators immediately turned their attention to a sweeping proposal by Gov. Jan Brewer to overhaul the rules that govern state employees.
Referendum would raise the bar on raising taxes
If a proposed constitutional amendment wins voter approval this fall, the threshold for raising taxes at all levels of government in the state will be made significantly higher and could make it nearly impossible for tax increases or extensions to ever occur.
Committee approves pregnant inmates bill
A Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill that would restrict the use of restraints on pregnant inmates in Arizona.
Pardon scandal illustrates need for public notice adherence
Call former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s pardons of more than 200 convicted felons what you want — egregious, nonsensical or, if you’re so inclined — justified. More worrisome, though, may be the volume of instances where pardons were issued but public notice requirements about them were not fulfilled.
Deadlines extended for Arizona court applications
The deadline to apply for appointments to fill two Arizona Court of Appeals vacancies is being extended because only a few people have applied so far and they're all Republicans.
Court teaches school district a lesson — do what you promised
Imagine hiring a builder to add a kitchen on to your house. You agree to a price, sign a contract, and take out a loan. But without consulting you, the builder decides instead to build a garage. You would sue him for violating the contract and you would win.
This is exactly what Cave Creek School District did when it broke its contract with the voters.
Brewer won’t attend border governors meeting
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is canceling her plans to attend a border governors meeting in Mexico this week.