Rail and roads
The iArizona Committee is headed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and backed by a broad coalition of local politicians, construction contractors and business interests. Their ultimate goal is to boost Arizona’s economy and status as a transportation hub connecting Los Angeles, Dallas and Mexico, as well as linking Arizona’s manufacturing and economic hubs to one another.
Immigration activists detained while trying to enter US
U.S. authorities have detained eight activists who asked to be allowed to re-enter the United States from Mexico on humanitarian grounds in a protest against American immigration policies.
Portable shelters couldn’t save 19 Arizona firefighters
Trapped by a wildfire that exploded tenfold in a matter of hours, a crack team of firefighting "Hotshots" broke out their portable emergency shelters and rushed to climb into the foil-lined, heat-resistant bags before the flames swept over them.
Group gives Phoenix grade of D on spending transparency
A public watchdog group on Wednesday gave Phoenix a grade of D for its online disclosure of spending information, ranking it 19th among the 30 largest cities in the U.S.
Notable laws nationally add restrictions to life in 2013
In California, a new law makes it a crime for a dog to pursue a bear or bobcat at any time.
In Illinois, it’s now illegal to sell, trade or distribute shark fins.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a list of laws around the country that went into effect Jan. 1. Here are others, as described by the NCSL.
Tax credits, the sequel: Film incentives ready for another closeup at State Capitol
Reviving tax credits used to lure movie productions to Arizona – and expanding the program to include other forms of multimedia – would make Arizona more competitive with states such as New Mexico that offer such incentives, supporters say.
Arizona officials consider expanding medical marijuana program
The Arizona Department of Health Services held a public hearing to consider requests to expand its fledgling medical marijuana program.
Applications for pot dispensaries now open
State health officials are now accepting applications from medical marijuana dispensaries.
Air: What’s in a grade?
Although Maricopa County was assigned a grade of “F” for ozone pollution and a grade of “C” for 24-hour particulate pollution in the American Lung Association’s recently released 2012 State of the Air Report, air quality professionals contend that the simple letter grade doesn’t tell the entire story of the Valley’s air, and that progress has been made during recent years in reducing[...]
Phoenix, Tucson losing homeland security money
Phoenix is losing $3 million in federal grant money designed to help urban areas respond to and prevent terrorist attacks.
Many states’ laws would have prohibited Fiesta Bowl trips
As stunning as the Fiesta Bowl revelations were in Arizona, the scandal would have been far more severe for the lawmakers involved had it been the Orange Bowl or Sugar Bowl.
Calif lawmaker promotes Ariz-like immigration bill
A tea party member promoted an anti-illegal immigration bill Monday that is loosely modeled after one that drew attention to Arizona last year.