Gov. Hobbs floats special session on water – opposition surfaces
Gov. Katie Hobbs is open to calling a special session of the Legislature this year to address the state’s groundwater issues if Democrats and Republicans can come to an agreement on legislation, an administration official announced at the Governor’s Water Policy Council meeting June 18.
Senate approves 4-year continuation for school for deaf, blind
In what has become a mysterious political struggle, state senators on Thursday debated on how long to allow the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind to operate before it must return to the Legislature for approval to continue as a state agency.
New tally favors GOP, but control of Senate still hangs in the balance
Democratic challengers jumped out to early leads in a handful of key races that could determine control of Arizona’s Senate, but the contests remain too close to call, initial results show.
Facing slim majority, House Republicans beef up key committees
House Republicans have stacked the legislative system in their favor even now when Democrats hold nearly half the seats in the chamber.
Passing legislation requires moderation, tricks of the trade
Lawmakers passed 369 bills, 30.6 percent of the 1,206 bills introduced in the 2018 session. Of those 369 bills, Ducey signed 346, or 93.8 percent of all the bills that were approved.
Few lawmakers achieve perfect attendance, voting records
Only 19 state lawmakers, or 21 percent, made it to work every day and also registered a vote on 100 percent of the measures that went up on the board during the 53rd Legislature’s second regular session.
House Republicans take another crack at control of local elections; bill passes 34-22
Claiming it will increase turnout, the Republican-controlled House voted March 7 to set up a system that could force cities to move their local elections to even-numbered years.
Law enforcers seize suspicious envelope sent to legislator
Public safety officers today seized a suspicious envelope sent to Rep. TJ Shope’s office.
The Breakdown, Episode 7: ‘Hamilton’ was bound to come up sometime
The Arizona Capitol Times team didn't know how to say no to a "Hamilton" tribute, and "licenses schmicenses" was a real topic of conversation.
Regents, lawmakers, look to mend fences after chairman’s resignation
Regents and lawmakers alike expect the June 18 resignation of the Arizona Board of Regents’ chairman can heal any lingering wounds between them, though Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, who is at the center of the controversy, said the resignation changes nothing.
Lawmakers mull sine die delay until key senator returns from absence
The Arizona House and Senate may delay adjourning the session until next week, as the Legislature waits for Republican Sen. John Kavanagh to return from a trip to Louisiana to provide a crucial vote for a pair of bills.
Construction of House security system runs 52% over budget
Construction of the new security system in the Arizona House of Representatives, which includes metal detectors, gun lockers and a Kevlar wall, cost taxpayers significantly more than expected.