Certain counties to receive settlement monies for reentry programs
A legislative committee today approved monies for counties to spend on reentry programs to reduce recidivism rates, but only counties with existing programs can get the money, excluding some.
Cook becomes Freedom Caucus spoiler
House and Senate Freedom Caucus members started the legislative session with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs as their prime nemesis, but soon found a new foe in a rural Republican.
Getting a bill passed takes ‘compromise’ and persistence
After a record number of vetoes from a governor during the 2023 legislative session, Republicans saw a fewer volume of the amount of bills signed than in recent years.
Lawmakers pool resources to craft budget projects
Legislative Republicans and Democrats pooled their resources this session to craft major expenses in the state budget, including a $300 million boost to K-12 education and a $260 million tax rebate to Arizona families, plus many smaller projects also were negotiated into the budget.
Prop. 400 compromise alters use of tax monies
Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signing of a proposal to extend a Maricopa County transportation tax ensures voters will get the chance to weigh in on the issue before the tax expires in 2025. Most legislative Republicans, Democrats and Hobbs are praising the deal as one of the major legislative accomplishments this session.
Prop 400 gridlock spurs possibility of initiative
Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Legislature are gridlocked over a half-cent sales tax extension in Maricopa County, and regional leaders are saying they want to bring an initiative to voters statewide to bypass lawmakers.
Partisan tax extension plan poised for veto
On Tuesday evening the Legislature passed a partisan, controversial half-cent sales tax extension, which Democrats called a “slap in the face” and the governor said she will veto.
Voters to decide on measure that changes citizen initiative process
Legislative Republicans are asking voters to make it harder to put voter initiatives on the ballot.
Smart policy, technology benefit our economic development
The days of Arizona being a dusty truck stop on the way to California are long gone. Instead, recent developments have solidified the state’s stance as a burgeoning technology leader. Several technology giants are doubling down on their presence while others are exploring expansion into the Silicon Desert.
$150 million for housing, half a billion for education in budget proposal
A new budget proposal emerged today that delivers a child tax rebate, major spending on housing and education, and a reshuffling of money destined for water projects.
Committee denies Fontes’ request to use funds for private security detail
A Legislative committee on Thursday denied a request from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to use $250,000 already in his office budget to pay for a private security detail to protect him and his family from "credible security threats,'' a move that comes after Gov. Katie Hobbs also denied a request to assign state troopers to protect Fontes.
GOP bills linked to budget talks with Hobbs
With the Legislature heading into its final weeks, Republican leadership has several bills to consider in budget negotiations with Gov. Katie Hobbs that will likely not advance through the Legislature on their own.