Quarters bounce: Cities win appeals of Census’ count of group quarters
Population growth is nothing new in booming Arizona, but that growth usually comes with moving trucks. Over the past year, however, five Arizona cities and towns managed to add 10,000 residents without a moving truck or a packing box in sight.
Arizona bill to ban school ‘social justice’ courses dies quickly
Republican Rep. Bob Thorpe’s bill to ban K-12 schools and universities from teaching “social justice” is dead for the year, according to the chairman of the committee to which it has been assigned.
In memoriam: 4 whose legacy will be remembered
Arizona lost a former governor and three former lawmakers who left their marks on state government as leaders and pioneers.
Local and state policymakers should be prepared to deal with emerging technologies
The rapid growth of technology will impact our lives in meaningful ways. At the same time it poses a challenge for state and local governments that are charged with establishing rules and regulations that often draw important revenue.
Park Service balks at requirement to plan ahead for future shutdowns
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service is not interested in coming up with plans to let states pay to keep parks open should another government shutdown occur, a service official testified Thursday to a House subcommittee.
Arizona finishes 12th in national ranking on energy-efficiency policies
WASHINGTON – Arizona is the 12th-most energy-efficient state in the nation this year, the same position the state held last year, according to rankings released Wednesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
California commission also goes after recipients of “dark money”
While the Arizona-based Center to Protect Patient Rights and the Americans for Responsible Leadership successfully settled to pay only a combined $1 million for failing to adhere to California’s campaign disclosure laws, the political committees that received millions of dollars from the Koch-associated groups still could face heftier enforcement actions.
Debt Dilemma
2010 decision to mortgage state’s assets threatens cash reserves
Borrowing billions of dollars allowed Arizona to limp through the worst financial crisis in its history. But the decision to mortgage state assets that include the House and Senate buildings has an unwanted underside: It precludes the state from having significant cash reserves.
House passes bill to control private sector employee benefits
By a vote of 32-27, the House on March 4 approved a bill that would assert the Legislature’s authority over employee benefits in the private sector, and prohibit any further regulation on employee benefits by any city, county, town or political subdivision.
Arizona among states to reach settlement with US cigarette makers
Three U.S. cigarette makers say they have reached a settlement with 17 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico to resolve a dispute over payments required under a 1998 anti-smoking agreement.
Arizona review finds state computer deficiencies
Auditors report finding numerous problems and shortcomings that create vulnerabilities for services provided by the main computer office of Arizona's state government.
Lawmaker’s next focus: Brewer’s personnel overhaul
After wrapping up work on the budget, senators immediately turned their attention to a sweeping proposal by Gov. Jan Brewer to overhaul the rules that govern state employees.