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NEW FACES: Tony Rivero
Republican Tony Rivero returns to the legislature this session to represent District 27 after a two-term hiatus.
Key criminal justice bills dormant in Senate
Although several measures aimed at cutting prison sentences and making other major changes to Arizona’s criminal justice system have passed the House this year, the big question is whether these bills will make it through the Senate or even get a hearing there.
Opioid deaths, overdoses on the rise despite states efforts to curb crisis
Two years after Gov. Doug Ducey called a special session to fast-track the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, more Arizonans are overdosing and dying from opioid-related overdoses now than any time since the state started recording those figures.
Demise of sanctuary cities measure a mixed bag of politics, protests
The death of the referral marks the end of a two-month saga that began in Ducey’s January State of the State Address, in which it was unveiled as one of several policy proposals that the governor would push through the legislature. Shope received a glowing shoutout. Republicans rose to their feet.
House passes bill to cut red tape on border wall construction on private land
Calling it a matter of property rights and security, the state House voted Thursday to let those living along the border to construct walls without first getting local permission or building permits.
House Republican threatens vote against budget
Saying the budget agreement crafted by GOP legislative leaders and Gov. Doug Ducey is “not a conservative budget,” Rep. Tony Rivero, R-Peoria, vowed to vote against it Thursday unless his colleagues agreed to several significant changes.
Push to legalize needle exchanges in Arizona gets new life
Following strong support in the Legislature last year for legalizing needle exchanges, a Republican lawmaker is trying again to allow drug users to legally trade in their used needles.
Republicans introduce bills to lighten criminal sentencing
A Republican-sponsored bill would allow judges to depart from mandatory sentences for certain crimes.
Proposed law would sweep hashish under definition of marijuana
Rep. Tony Rivero wants to change state law to clarify that cannabis is marijuana and protected for medicinal use.
Stringer continues criminal justice reform effort amid controversy
At a meeting with a group of African Americans last month, Rep. David Stringer didn’t exactly apologize for his remarks that immigration is “an existential threat” to the United States.
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.
Supervisors appoint ex-legislator Rick Gray to replace Debbie Lesko
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today appointed ex-legislator Rick Gray to replace former state Sen. Debbie Lesko in Legislative District 21.
