Lawmakers passed 369 bills, 30.6 percent of the 1,206 bills introduced in the 2018 session. Of those 369 bills, Ducey signed 346, or 93.8 percent of all the bills that were approved.

The biggest victory was a grand compromise on GPLET (Government Property Lease Excise Tax) reform. A unanimous deal was struck between developers, cities and tax watchdogs on the long-term retention of the 8-year property tax abatement and narrowing the application in the future to a capped land mass contained in a central business district (CBD) within a city. HB2126 passed virtually unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey on April 17. The Arizona Multihousing Association, a key coalition partner with CRE, also played an instrumental role in advancing the compromise by proposing land mass percentage boundaries for a CBD, rather than dwelling on subjective “slum” and “blight” definitions in the eyes of the beholder.

A founding director at lobbying firm Veridus LLC and one of the most respected in her profession, Wendy Briggs has built a reputation as relentless, tireless, dependable and tough as nails – qualities that have served her clients well.

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.

Most legislation comes from citizens, businesses, organizations and associations who are confronted by a specific problem that needs redress. They look at their options at the state and political subdivision level. They look at their legal opportunities and whether court action might address the issue. And frequently they decide that fixing a perceived statutory deficiency is their best option.

I am embarrassed that my physician colleagues have turned to scare tactics in opposing Senate Bill 1336. This legislation provides for a very modest but necessary update to Arizona’s nearly century-old statutes governing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

House Speaker J.D. Mesnard said Monday he does not know whether changes in state statutes are needed to go after those who organize violent demonstrations.

The head of the Arizona Police Association is rejecting arguments that legislation to include rioting in racketeering and conspiracy statutes will chill the rights of Arizonans to protest.

Of the more than 1,000 bills, resolutions and memorials that have been introduced in the Arizona Legislature thus far in 2017, the majority are already being declared “dead."

Steve and Tana Smith have agonized over their son’s death for seven months. They want one question answered, but it’s an answer that will never come.