Low-income tenants lack options as old mobile home parks are razed
The razing of older mobile home parks across the United States worries advocates who say bulldozing them permanently eliminates some of the already limited housing for the poorest of the poor. Residents may have to double up with relatives or live in their cars amid spiking evictions and homelessness, they warn.
Democratic Senator seeks AG probe of prevailing wage ordinance
A Democratic state senator has asked the Attorney General to investigate whether a Phoenix ordinance to force contractors on public works projects of more than $250,000 to match the wages of union workers in the area is lawful.
Terán makes Congressional District 3 run official
State Sen. Raquel Terán, D-Phoenix, officially announced on Wednesday that she is running for Congress in 2024 in District 3, after hinting that she would in February.
Mobile home owners forced out of parks to get larger payouts under new law
Residents of three mobile home parks facing imminent eviction could get bigger payouts from the state for leaving or moving their homes following a new law.
Voters to decide if state should levy new fine to help victims’ families
Arizona voters will get to decide next year whether the state should levy a new $20 fine on each criminal conviction in order to pay an extra $250,000 to the families of police officers, firefighters, EMTs and corrections officers killed on the job because of a criminal act.
Phoenix City Council bans ‘source of income’ discrimination for renters, home buyers
The Phoenix City Council has given overwhelming approval to a measure that would prevent landlords and property owners from discriminating against renters or buyers who rely on public assistance for income.
Phoenix urged to pass ordinance prohibiting discrimination against some renters
Residents who have struggled with high rent in America’s fifth-largest city are calling on city officials to address discrimination against renters who receive public assistance. Carla Naranjo, a coordinator with the nonprofit Unemployed Workers United, is urging the Phoenix City Council to pass an ordinance that would prohibit landlords from rejecting renters who rely on Section 8 housing vouch[...]
Democrats eye new Congressional opening
The heavily Democratic Congressional District 3 is seemingly open for takers now that Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ, has announced that he’ll run for Senate. Several Democrats are considering a run, but it’s a big risk. In such a blue district, whichever Democrat wins the primary is almost guaranteed the seat, and there’s no limit on how many primary candidates can run.
Heat deaths in Arizona’s biggest county outpace last year’s
This summer was the deadliest on record for heat-associated fatalities in Arizona's largest county amid a growing wave of homelessness. Public health statistics this week confirmed a record 359 such deaths just days before the end of the six-month heat season.
Cholla Trail, part of Goldwater’s cherished Camelback Mountain, reopens
Many Valley visitors and residents recently welcomed the reopening of the Cholla Trail on the eastern ridge of Camelback Mountain, which the late, five-term Republican U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater made it his mission to protect.
Police unions active in reform efforts
Common demands for police reform include chipping away at long-established police protections: make complaints against officers open to the public, tighten and enforce use-of-force rules, and reform the disciplinary process.
Residency challenges hard to prove
Arizona law requires politicians to live in the districts they represent, but not much stands in the way of “carpetbagging” lawmakers who live outside their district.