GOP lawmakers ready budget to send to Hobbs
Legislative Republicans are gearing up to send a budget to Gov. Katie Hobbs soon, which will likely be met with a hasty veto.
Tax free diapers, feminine hygiene products have bipartisan support
The governor and two lawmakers have shown their support for eliminating taxes on “essentials” including diapers and feminine-hygiene products.
Incumbent Sen. T.J. Shope gains major lead over Kerby
Preliminary election night results show that Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, is falling behind his Democrat challenger Taylor Kerby.
Special session pushed to avoid over $1B in school funding cuts
Democrats and public school officials are again asking Gov. Doug Ducey to call a special legislative session to avoid over $1 billion in K-12 funding cuts this school year, months after Republicans used the promise of a special session as a carrot to bring Democrats on board with this year’s historic bipartisan budget.
Ethics probe of Rogers’ social media posts underway
The Senate Ethics Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to investigate an inflammatory comment Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, posted on social media about a May 14 shooting that left 10 dead in Buffalo.
Sustained absence leads to Senate ethics complaint
Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, is fed up with another Senator who has been absent for the majority of this legislative session and will show it with an ethics complaint.
Dog lover lawmaker pushes vet loan program
A bill that forgives student loan debt of up to $100,000 for some graduating veterinarians sits idle in the Senate but has a promising future.
Community colleges seek change to spending limit
Semiconductor bootcamp training. Artificial intelligence associate degrees. Nursing simulation programs.
Repeal, replace ‘21 tax cut aims at Prop. 307
Education groups pushing a referendum to repeal the almost $2 billion in tax cuts passed last year say a new Republican plan to repeal and replace the cuts, which would nix their effort, is an attempt to undercut the will of the voters.
Cities, towns seek transportation tax extension
Legislation is in the works to extend an extra half-cent sales tax that has funded major expansions of Maricopa County’s highways and public transportation systems over the past few decades.
Senate panel chair hot seat in 2022
Some conservatives who want to see the Legislature take a harder line on election issues are hoping Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, who is the Government Committee’s vice chairwoman, be appointed to lead it.