22,000 Arizona children could lose health care
The federal budget year expired Sept. 30 without lawmakers taking action to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program for the new year. States use those dollars to provide care for about nine million children of the working poor, including 22,389 at last count in Arizona.
Dental therapist proposal to get new hearing before lawmakers
Legislators are again being asked to license dental therapists in Arizona, but after the effort’s resounding failure last year, skeptics continue to argue that backers are responding to a problem... […]
House OKs Mohave County billboard measure, sends it back to Senate
The House voted 35-18 on April 20 to open areas of Mohave County to electronic billboards. But not in and around Lake Havasu City. And nowhere near the Hoover Dam.
House members praise Mesnard’s inclusive approach to budget planning, but Senate president has doubts
It’s still too early to know exactly what impact House subcommittees will have on the budget process, but the reviews from House members are, thus far, positive.
Mosley, Cobb lead Republican field in LD5
Paul Mosley has won the GOP field in the House Legislative District 5 primary, while Republican Rep. Regina Cobb held onto the district’s second seat.
Rep. Cobb draws opposition from school choice group in LD5 race
A school choice group’s independent expenditure committee is spending in support of two House Republican candidates in Legislative District 5 and against the GOP incumbent.
Senate passes KidsCare, sends measure to Ducey
Thwarted in earlier attempts, Republican supporters of a program to provide health insurance to the children of the working poor outmaneuvered their own leadership Thursday night to have the measure given approved by the House.
House Republicans reject KidsCare restoration in budget
The House of Representatives rejected an attempt to restore a federally funded children’s health insurance program over concerns that it would “blow up the budget.”
It’s time to lift the freeze on KidsCare
Arizona has a real problem with uninsured kids. But we also have a time-tested solution that now has no cost to the state budget: KidsCare.
Cobb eyes elusive TPT reform, but faces likely opposition from cities
Rep. Regina Cobb is hoping the elusive goal of radically simplifying the way contractors pay sales tax will be within reach during the 2016 session.
Support for land trust plan remains strong despite the treasurer’s vocal opposition
Recent criticism by state Treasurer Jeff DeWit appears to have done little to dampen Republican enthusiasm for Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposal to increase state land trust payments to K-12 schools.
5 freshmen lawmakers stand out in the class of 2015
While some true freshman lawmakers were just learning the ropes or making noise with no real results, a handful House newbies caught the eyes of lobbyists and lawmakers in the recently ended session with their effectiveness in passing legislation, quiet leadership and star potential.