Goldwater Institute files petition seeking to allow all state voters to consider judges’ retention
The Goldwater Institute filed a special action petition seeking to allow all Arizona voters to weigh in on retention for Arizona Court of Appeals judges, not just those in their jurisdiction, and alleges the current residency-based retention system sows voter disenfranchisement and violates the Arizona Constitution.
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.
Hamadeh asks court to order new trial in his bid to overturn AG race
Claiming legal errors and improper government interference, Abe Hamadeh is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to order that he be given a new trial in his bid to overturn the race for attorney general.
Hobbs, legislature should prioritize funding for Border Strike Task Force
As the head of agencies that benefit from the state investment in law enforcement activities related to border crime, the Arizona Sheriff’s Association members urge Gov. Katie Hobbs to consider the important work done using the border task force dollars that have gone for local law enforcement throughout the state.
Judge: attorneys for Hamadeh will have to prove miscounts would have led to his victory
Lawyers for failed Arizona attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh will have to prove that miscounts or other errors in counting ballots would have led to his victory during a Friday trial without being able to use a computer record of all the votes and with just one day to inspect ballots in three counties, a judge ruled on Thursday.
Judge: Hamadeh can try to have election results set aside
Unsuccessful attorney general hopeful Abe Hamadeh will get a chance to try to have the election results set aside. In a ruling Tuesday, Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen said that the Republican contender is entitled to try to prove that some people legally entitled to vote did not get to cast a ballot on Election Day because of issues in Maricopa County.
Whether Hamadeh may challenge AG election results could depend on judge’s thoughts on pen use
The question of whether Abe Hamadeh gets to challenge the results of the race for attorney general that he lost by 511 votes could depend on what a judge thinks about claims that some people used the wrong kind of pen to mark their ballots.
After a year, omicron still driving Covid surges and worries
A year after omicron began its assault on humanity, the ever-morphing Covid mutant drove virus case counts higher in many places just as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving. It was a prelude to a wave that experts expect to soon wash over the U.S.
Feds will be watching polling in five Arizona counties
Federal officials will be watching polling Tuesday in five Arizona counties. But no one is saying how the Department of Justice selected those five -- or exactly what form that monitoring will take.
Courts have probation officer shortage, seek $17M
Arizona courts are asking the state for $17 million to deal with a statewide probation officer shortage that has reached crisis levels.
Civil asset forfeiture reform: A solution in search of a problem
If the Arizona Legislature wants to help drug cartels and organized crime, then heeding the Institute for Justice and establishing a “conviction first” statute for civil forfeiture is a great start. The only people such a measure will hurt are law abiding citizens, prosecutors and police officers. But drug dealers? They will absolutely love it.
Medicaid work requirements to take effect in fall 2020
About 120,000 Arizonans are going to have to prove they're working, going to school or doing volunteer service to keep getting free health care. But not just yet.