Sign In
Free Newsletter
Republican leaders file brief aimed at protecting lawmakers’ ability to clear homeless encampments
Republican legislative leaders are spending $15,000 to file a legal brief designed to protect the ability of state lawmakers to enact laws to clear homeless encampments and cite those who are living on the street.
Legislative leaders increase intervening in court
On Aug. 1, legislative leaders filed an emergency motion in federal court to defend a law Republicans passed last year – one of many moves they’ve made in ongoing court cases this year.
Homicide charge is not a solution to drug use
There is a bill currently under serious consideration at the Arizona Legislature that would shift Arizona’s overdose crisis into overdrive. HB2021 threatens people who suffer from substance-use disorder with homicide charges and a mandatory prison sentence. It ignores the lessons learned from the failed “War on Drugs,” and if passed, would accelerate overdose deaths and […]
HB2319 infringes on the public’s right to record police
Our right to record police is a mechanism that holds our public officials accountable. Arizona lawmakers recently introduced legislation that puts our right in jeopardy. House Bill 2319, sponsored by AZ State Representative John Kavanaugh (R-Fountain Hills), would make it illegal to video record police activity without the officer’s permission unless the camera is 15 […]
Stop the lawsuit virus before it spreads
Many states already have Covid liability protection, and many other states have made it a priority for debate in this year’s session of their legislatures. Arizona has, too, and as SB1377 begins its journey through the Legislature, lawmakers should pass it at every stage with all due dispatch.
All in a session’s work: Pay hikes to official dinosaurs
If the just completed legislative session were a school year, the Class of 2018 would not be making the Honor Roll.
Lovas tops lawmaker ‘batting average’ with only 4 winning bills
Of the 1,079 bills lawmakers introduced in the 2017 legislative session, 353 were passed and sent to Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk. Ducey signed 97 percent of those bills into law, vetoing 11—the lowest number of vetoes since 2004, when Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, was governor.
House passes campaign finance overhaul
The state House gave final approval Tuesday to a major overhaul of campaign finance laws, including allowing individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money to help raise cash for candidates they like and never have to disclose that to the public.
Kavanagh bill would ban videos within 20 feet of a police officer
A state lawmaker wants to make criminals out of some people who take videos of cops questioning or arresting someone.
New laws take effect Jan. 1
Beginning Jan. 1, buyers of solar equipment for their homes will get new consumer protections, survivors of first responders can get a vehicle registered for free, and those who bury courts in legally meaningless filings will have to pay their own way.
Reagan eyes election law rewrites for 2016
Secretary of State Michele Reagan plans a massive rewrite of Arizona’s campaign finance statutes next session that her office says will simplify and clarify the state’s complex, perpetually growing body of law on the subject.
Prosecutors prepare to fight civil forfeiture reforms
Members of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council spoke frankly about their strategy for killing a bill proposed by Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe of Flagstaff during a recent meeting to discuss possible law enforcement related bills. Thorpe has said his goal is to add transparency and accountability in the civil forfeiture laws.
