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Cities preparing restrictions on marijuana dispensaries
Municipalities fear that without restrictions, the roughly 120 marijuana dispensaries that would be allowed to open if Proposition 203 passes could cluster in cities or be placed near churches, parks, community centers and even drug-treatment facilities.
Bill would give religious groups more freedom to open churches
The Arizona Legislature is advancing a bill that would allow churches anywhere non-religious groups are permitted to operate, despite opposition from city officials who fear the bill would create a host of practical and legal problems.
Plan unveiled for juvenile corrections
The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections would close in March 2011 under the Legislature's plan to shift the cost of incarcerating juveniles to counties.
Proposal for public notices committee clears House
The state House passed a bill March 3 that would establish a committee to examine the most cost efficient and effective ways for local governments to publish legal notices as required by statute.
Budget plan shifts cost of jailing juveniles to cities, counties
Lawmakers are tossing around a budget plan that would shutter the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, put counties in charge of incarcerating juveniles and shift some of the cost to municipalities.
Bill would preempt local ordinances involving carrying, manufacturing knives
PEORIA - D'Alton Holder loves knives. Since 1966, he's been crafting hunting knives with handles of amber, marble, ironwood and more in the workshop behind his home, selling them at trade shows throughout the U.S.
Pearce bill would expand state control over gun regulations
A Senate panel has approved a bill that would prohibit local governments from enforcing stricter rules on firearms ownership than what's written in state law.
Bills involving transparency include plan to put local government spending online
Requiring local governments to post records of all financial transactions online would make officials better stewards of the public's money, a state lawmaker contends.
Local governments against changes to shared-revenue formula
So far, lawmakers and the Governor's Office have avoided conjuring the greatest fear of local governments - changing the formula that determines who gets what from the collective pot of money they all share.
Changes to revenue-sharing system would devastate cities
If anyone doubts the state's troubled economy is clobbering Arizona's cities and towns, they only have to look in the newspaper. "Phoenix details plan for drastic cutbacks;" "Cities, towns resort to layoffs;" "Falling revenues affect city of Prescott operations."
Lottery big part of state’s financial plans, but first voters must vote to keep it
While other contributors to state revenues have dropped off severely of late, the Arizona Lottery has been a growing source of tens of millions of dollars per year since its inception in 1980. The lottery funds a variety of voter-approved state programs in areas such as education, health and transportation and has contributed $2.3 billion in all to its beneficiaries.
High court won’t hear suit challenging new immigration law
The Arizona Supreme Court announced on Dec. 2 it will not hear a lawsuit filed by local governments that sought to challenge legislation affecting land development and public benefits for immigrants. The petition for special action filed with the court on Nov. 23 by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns charged that the provisions in question were unconstitutionally included in a state budget [...]
