Officials, lawmakers call for greater investment in wildfire prevention
WASHINGTON – For every dollar the government spends preventing wildfire damage, it could save cash-strapped agencies like the Forest Service another $5 on fighting increasingly large fires, a Senate committee was told Tuesday.
Republican candidates could benefit from their support of Medicaid
When asked how his vote for Medicaid expansion could threaten his chances at another term in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Majority Leader John McComish points to an Arizona Capitol Times newspaper hanging in a frame behind his desk “The risk of defiance,” the headline reads. “What will GOP senators’ ‘no’ votes on immigration bills cost them?”
McCain urges House to act on immigration reform, says issue can’t wait
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., urged the House Thursday to act on immigration reform, even if that means moving on its own piecemeal approach to the problem rather than the Senate’s comprehensive reform bill.
Arizona business groups in Washington lobby for immigration reform
Arizona business leaders were in Washington to lobby the state’s congressional delegation on immigration reform Tuesday, just the latest in a string of groups trying to pressure Congress on the issue.
Some panel members say Arizona’s income tax system is fine after all
Members of a panel tasked with studying Arizona’s personal income tax system said that while flattening or doing away with the income tax may be a popular talking point, the state’s current system is reasonably fair and may not need a major overhaul.
Sebelius visits Phoenix call center, offers few solutions to ‘Obamacare’ website problems
As lawmakers on Capitol Hill grilled contractors responsible for HealthCare.gov, the failing website allowing access to a new federal health-insurance marketplace, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was thousands of miles away in Arizona.
Arizona “dark money’’ groups face combined $1 million in fines
California’s Fair Political Practices Commission has reached a settlement with two so-called “dark money” groups in Arizona that will see them pay a combined $1 million in fines.
Senator Yee: Personal finance instruction will lead to better choices
When Mitch Ruttenberg teaches economics at Trevor G. Browne High School, he ends each semester with lessons on credit cards, taxes, budgeting and other aspects of personal finance.
Debt Dilemma
2010 decision to mortgage state’s assets threatens cash reserves
Borrowing billions of dollars allowed Arizona to limp through the worst financial crisis in its history. But the decision to mortgage state assets that include the House and Senate buildings has an unwanted underside: It precludes the state from having significant cash reserves.
Class action lawsuit alleges securities fraud against First Solar of Tempe
A federal judge in Phoenix on Tuesday certified a class action lawsuit alleging securities fraud against First Solar and its executives, a company that is selling a Mesa plant that Gov. Jan Brewer once hoped would be a shining example of solar investment.
US House OKs bill lowering student loans; some worry about long-term impact
The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would retroactively lower interest rates on federal student loans, which doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent after Congress failed to act before July 1.
Flake, McCain show courage on immigration reform
Serving as pastor of a large, multi-congregational church can look a lot like being an elected official. Navigating multiple stakeholder groups and many differing opinions inside congregations can be rough stuff.