Arizona struggles with lack of experienced teachers
A shortage of teachers in Arizona’s public school classrooms has education groups, school administrators, business groups and the Department of Education spreading the word, figuring out the scope of the problem and looking for solutions.
Prescott panel to review benefit claim by firefighter’s family
PRESCOTT ai??i?? A hearing is scheduled this week in Prescott on the retirement-benefit claim by the family of a fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot.PRESCOTT ai??i?? A hearing is scheduled this week in Prescott on the retirement-benefit claim by the family of a fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot.
It’s the moment they’ve all been waiting for
Pastor shook Arizona’s political universe today by announcing that he is retiring at the end of the current term, when he completes his 23rd year in Congress. “I’ve been in public office for 39 years and it’s been a pleasure to serve the people of Arizona,” Pastor said in a news release.
Pastor retiring after 23 years in Congress, several Dems consider running
In a move that is certain to send Democrats into a mad scramble, U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, 70, today announced that he is retiring from at the end of the current term, when he completes his 23rd year in Congress.
McComish won’t seek re-election, will support Dial for Senate seat
The Arizona Senate GOP’s second in command won’t seek re-election this fall. Senate Majority Leader John McComish announced Monday afternoon he’ll leave the state Legislature when his term expires in January 2015.
Arizona’s hourly minimum wage going up by 10 cents for 2014
For about three years, Katherine Castillo has worked as a hotel housekeeper earning Arizona’s minimum wage of $7.80 an hour.
Arizonans in ‘Old Guard’ say honoring the fallen is the greatest service
Former Phoenix residents Tyler O’Connor and Enrique Garcia took different paths to the Army.
O’Connor knew at age 7 that he wanted to be a soldier and spent four years in Army ROTC at Arizona State University to earn a commission in the infantry. Garcia decided much later to enlist, about a year after high school. O’Connor wound up serving in Afghanistan, Garcia was deployed twice to [...]
Review finds fiscal problems with clemency board
Four current and former members of the state Board of Executive Clemency are each owed about $2,000 in overtime pay, but some are being told they owe the state retirement system even larger amounts.
Phoenix city manager asked to end pension spiking
Although the city manager is being asked to end a policy that allows pension "spiking" by Phoenix police officers and firefighters, no changes are imminent because the city must honor its labor-contract obligations until next fiscal year.
Judges’ pension case linked to meaning of the word ‘benefit’
Justices on the Arizona Supreme Court on June 4 wanted a clear definition of a benefit to help them decide whether the Legislature’s 2011 cut in annual cost-of living-increases for state retirees is constitutional.
Goldwater Institute threatens suit over pensions
The Goldwater Institute is threatening to sue Phoenix over its practice of increasing retiring workers' pensions by including unused sick leave, vacation and other benefits when calculating the retirement amounts.
Arizona panel recommends pension alternative for state
A committee that studied funding issues with Arizona's pension system for public employees is recommending that current and former workers be allowed to move into a 401(k)-style plan as an optional alternative to fixed-benefit pensions.
















