Lawmakers, advocates blast ‘misguided’ Grand Canyon fee hike plan
Arizona lawmakers and advocates are condemning proposed fee increases at the Grand Canyon and 16 other parks, a move the National Park Service said is badly needed to fund billions of dollars in backlogged maintenance projects.
EPA funding cuts expected to impact Arizona air, water programs
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality expects reductions in grant funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, but a lack of specifics have impeded planning.
Water policy remake stirs fight unlike others in state history
With Republican Gov. Doug Ducey convening water giants into meetings this summer, it’s become all the more apparent that major water players in Arizona, namely the state’s water department and its canal system, the Central Arizona Project, are at odds.
Trial on citizen initiative restrictions gets underway
The consultant who has helped with most of the recent initiative drives testified Wednesday a new state law will impair the ability of Arizonans to craft their own laws.
Lawyer: No one hurt yet by law restricting voter initiatives
David Cantelme told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joshua Rogers he believes there's a legal flaw in a challenge to new hurdles erected to voters creating their own laws.
Lawmakers throwing up more obstacles for voter initiatives
Republican lawmakers are poised to advance yet another salvo aimed at the initiative process, one that would put even more dampers than already enacted on the right of Arizonans to propose their own laws
Parks official under fire as Ducey pushes to give her office more power
Recent allegations against Arizona State Parks Director Sue Black could complicate Gov. Doug Ducey’s plan to get rid of the State Parks Board and give more powers to her.
Corp Comm officials want outside investigation into whistleblower’s claims against Gary Pierce
Perhaps the most damning accusation against former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce comes up in the fifth point in a bulleted list on the fourth page of a whistleblower’s letter.
Arizona’s emissions dilemma – tough state plan or federal crackdown?
A federal environmental mandate could force the state to choose between implementing strict carbon emissions rules on its own terms or enduring a federal takeover if it refuses – an option policymakers and utilities say could be far worse.
Proposed resolution would weaken Voter Protection Act
A proposal to change Arizona’s Voter Protection Act would make it easier for lawmakers to repeal or alter laws approved by a popular vote of the people.
Amending the state Constitution could become tougher
An Arizona lawmaker wants to make it more difficult for voters to amend Arizona’s Constitution, but first he has to convince voters that it’s the right thing to do.
Utility consumer advocate pans energy efficiency scale back pitch
The small state agency responsible for looking out for Arizona consumers’ interests on energy policy roundly opposed on Nov. 18 a plan to reconfigure the state’s energy-efficiency standards.