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Wrap up with Doug Ducey
In the end, Gov. Doug Ducey got nearly everything he wanted – slightly more money for teachers, a huge university bonding plan and several controversial education programs like universal vouchers and performance funding for schools.
Democrats almost had a voice in budget process, but Republicans didn’t hear them
Republicans say Democrats overplayed their hand. Gov. Doug Ducey and GOP leaders were willing to talk, but Democrats asked for too much and were too firmly entrenched in their request to make negotiating a reality.
Trump controversies drive surge in Democratic ranks
The Arizona Democratic Party found a powerful recruitment tool this year in Republican President Donald Trump, who continues to generate controversies.
Lawmakers restore public assistance funds in final act of session
Hundreds of needy Arizona families can access another year of cash assistance benefits after last-minute negotiations led the legislature to approve a reversal of a prior cut to the program.
Strife ahead as FY18 budget takes shape
Legislative leaders are hoping to line up the votes for a $9.8 billion spending plan that will give public school teachers an immediate 1 percent pay hike, with an identical amount again next year.
Failure to pass Obamacare replacement gives Ducey room to breathe
And while he wouldn’t publicly admit it, the failure of U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Congress to pass the American Health Care Act has given Gov. Doug Ducey room to breathe.
Petition measure sparks heated debate over future of citizens’ initiatives
When Republican Rep. Vince Leach proposed a bill to ban paying petition circulators for citizens’ initiatives on a per-signature basis, Democrats were collectively outraged and denounced the bill as an “attack on democracy.”
Senate moves Borrelli billboard bill
Four Democrats joined with most of the Republicans to allow construction of up to 35 of these internally illuminated signs within 60 miles of Laughlin, Nev.
Arizona lawmakers give Trump’s first speech to Congress mixed reviews
President Donald Trump delivered an hourlong speech to Congress Tuesday that, while short on detail, was long on rhetoric that kept Republican lawmakers jumping to their feet and Democrats mostly sitting on their hands.
Don’t turn Medicare into a voucher plan
Just because the Republican Party has majorities in the House and Senate and in the president, it is not a mandate to destroy Medicare with a “voucher” plan to pay outright subsidies to insurance companies who make big contributions to many members of Congress.
Dispute between AZGOP chair, LD23 leadership heats up
With the AZGOP organizational meeting a week away, the battle between Chairman Robert Graham and LD23 has reached a fever pitch, with the district’s leadership sounding the alarms that the state chairman could invalidate its 119 state committeemen.
Legislature elects new Senate and House leaders
The Arizona Legislature has convened its 2017 session and the House and Senate have formally elected new leaders for the session.
