Petersen praises Hobbs for budget negotiations
Republican Senate President Warren Petersen is heaping praise on Hobbs for the deal, saying she negotiated in good faith, kept her promises and made a rare bipartisan budget happen.
Lawmakers take long break – key bills await action
The pressure is off state lawmakers after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a $17.8 billion budget package and negotiations on critical housing and transportation issues will continue during a near month-long recess of the Legislature.
Hobbs, GOP lawmakers tout wins in budget as battle to define spending ahead
Two media events on Monday highlighted the coming political battle to define the $17.8 billion budget that lawmakers passed, and the governor signed last week.
LD26 Dems choose nominees for House vacancy
Democratic precinct committeemen in Legislative District 26 chose three nominees Friday evening to fill the district’s vacant state House seat.
2024 spending spread from schools to a rodeo and more
The budget crafted by Gov. Katie Hobbs and state lawmakers includes a tax rebate, big-ticket spending packages and – in a break from tradition – funding for scores of small, local projects.
Unwinding the pandemic without unwinding coverage
Unwinding pandemic-era policies doesn’t have to mean losing health insurance. Let’s work together to limit those who needlessly fall through the cracks.
To solve AZ’s affordable housing crisis, start by getting government out of way
Arizona is facing a housing affordability crisis—and the blame lies largely on the shoulders of local elected officials.
Housing reform bipartisan across country, can be in Arizona
We are at a crossroads with our housing crisis in Arizona. We can either take action to mitigate the crisis or we can continue with status quo. For us, the answer is clear. This is not a question of politics or partisanship. This is about helping human beings achieve their dreams and improve their daily lives. It’s about fairness and acting with grace. We need reform – and we need it now.
Hobbs vetoes vaccine religious exemption, homeless visibility bills
Gov. Katie Hobbs added to her veto tally Thursday, rejecting two more measures approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Senate passes bipartisan homelessness mitigation measure
The Senate passed a homelessness mitigation bill today with overwhelming support, much to the happiness of sponsor Sen. Catherine Miranda, D-Laveen, who has made this her main effort.
Kaiser tries to salvage part of controversial zoning bill
A Phoenix lawmaker is attempting to salvage at least part of his controversial plan to override local zoning rules in the name of affordable housing after it was overwhelmingly rejected because of opposition from cities and towns.
Phoenix urged to pass ordinance prohibiting discrimination against some renters
Residents who have struggled with high rent in America’s fifth-largest city are calling on city officials to address discrimination against renters who receive public assistance. Carla Naranjo, a coordinator with the nonprofit Unemployed Workers United, is urging the Phoenix City Council to pass an ordinance that would prohibit landlords from rejecting renters who rely on Section 8 housing vouch[...]