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State finishes fiscal year with more money than expected
Arizona is poised to end fiscal 2013 in a better position than anticipated.
Ariz. failed to pass millions in aid to homeowners
Arizona has failed to pass along millions of dollars given to the state from Washington to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.
Lawmakers aim high in budget talks
Small-group discussions have begun on the state budget, offering rank- and-file lawmakers their first chance to give input on next year’s spending plan, and nearly everyone has a pet priority they want funded.
An expensive bone to pick
The IRC met last night (March 14) to revisit what has become routine: mounting legal costs and dwindling funds. The commission is just about out of money, and the bills for March haven’t even arrived yet. Executive Director Ray Bladine has opened negotiations with top Legislative staff, and has formally submitted a request for a $551,000 FY13 supplemental.
We want some more
Executive Director Ray Bladine submitted a letter to Biggs and Tobin on Friday asking for a $2.27 million supplemental to prevent the IRC from running out of money by the end of February, as the commission is still under the cloud of three pending lawsuits.
DOC seeks more money for maximum security, manpower
Although the Arizona Department of Corrections is asking for a relatively small increase in its nearly $1 billion budget, one request stands out.
Court rules Legislature can take money from workers comp fund
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the Legislature can sweep money from a workers’ compensation fund that provides additional awards for catastrophically injured workers.
Judge: Arizona campaign finance laws unconstitutional
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled this month that the state’s most fundamental campaign finance laws dealing with the registration of political committees and reporting of contributions and expenditures are unconstitutional.
The ruling won’t affect campaigns this election cycle, but it threatens to upend the state’s campaign finance system for future elections.
Arizona school data system to get upgrade with federal grant
Arizona's school data system is getting an upgrade with money from the federal government.
Ariz. schools to get $40M to fund reading mandate
Arizona school districts are getting a boost to meet a third-grade reading mandate in the form of $40 million. The Arizona Republic reported Sunday schools statewide will receive money to assist in reaching a goal that all third-graders must have proficient reading skills.
Lawmakers urging classes on sex, money and the Bible
Sex, money, the Bible and the U.S. Constitution are some of the subjects lawmakers are proposing this session to be taught in Arizona classrooms.
Most of the bills come from Republicans inspired by personal experiences, and they manage to reconcile their proposed classroom mandates with the principles of small government and local control of curriculum.
Push for transparency focuses on campaign spending, gift giving
In the wake of two of Arizona’s biggest political shake-ups of last year, lawmakers are hoping a little sunshine will help clean up the mess.
Shadowy groups involved in the recall of then-Senate President Russell Pearce brought to light some of the flaws in the current financial disclosure requirements. Meanwhile, the Fiesta Bowl scandal brought to light ethical questions about what s[...]
