Sign In
Free Newsletter
School advocates: It could work
Rebecca Gau, executive director of the education advocacy group Stand for Children, said she believes Ducey’s proposal to open up unused school facilities could benefit both district and charter schools, though she said a lot will depend on the details.
Not all gov’t. expansion is created equal
In his first state of the state address, Ducey announced plans big and small to make Arizona the best place in America to work and to do business. The details of how he will achieve that goal will likely be included in his budget, which he will unveil this Friday.
The maverick kicked the hornet’s nest
Less than two weeks ago, former LD30 GOP Chairman Timothy Schwartz told Politico that the efforts by McCain’s camp to wrest control of the Republican Party infrastructure away from grassroots activists would lead to retaliation.
Bye Huppenthal, hello ethnic studies!
Douglas agrees with Huppenthal’s conclusion that Tucson Unified School District is violating a 2011 law prohibiting ethnic studies that promote the overthrow of the US government and resentment toward a race or class, but the new schools chief struck a far more conciliatory tone.
Activist accuses Lovas of seeking limits to people power
Some grassroots activists immediately viewed Lovas’ HCR2001 (constitutional amendments; 60 percent approval) as a power grab.
We the people applies at 60 percent
Lovas wants to make it more difficult to amend Arizona’s constitution, but first he’s got to convince voters that it’s the right thing to do. HCR2001 (constitutional amendments; 60 percent approval) would place a question on the 2016 ballot to amend the Arizona Constitution so that, in the future, constitutional changes would need the approval of at least 60 percent of voters.
GOP excited, Dems deflated by speech
Ducey’s speech was well-received by GOP lawmakers. There weren’t any surprises, but Republicans were optimistic about the tone and direction he set for his administration. “Obviously, he’s outlining a vision, and next week we’ll hear more specifics.
Sit tight, the end is nigh
Some of Brewer’s agency heads and others have been fidgeting over whether they’ll still have jobs under Ducey’s new administration. Last Wednesday, Ducey’s transition team told them to wait a little bit more, although it also looks like they – and those who are seeking jobs in the new administration – will have their answers soon.
Don’t forget your checkbook
The end of any year is always met with a mix of emotions – gratitude for the things that went well in the previous 12 months, excitement about the upcoming challenges and regret for the things that didn’t go as hoped. For those who make a living in the government affairs arena, there’s an additional emotion: stress stemming from the flurry of legislative fundraisers that take place the first[...]
TPT reform fixes taking shape
As noted yesterday (Dec. 29), a big push is underway to clean up the TPT reform law enacted in 2013. Some members of the contracting industry are working with Lesko, who is expected to run the legislation, our reporter has learned.
Another big fight awaits new energy regulators
The Corporation Commission today tabled a staff-driven proposal to investigate whether the renewable energy rule that requires utilities to derive an increasing portion of their power from residential solar and other distributed energy sources should be scrapped.
It worked so well we’re not doing it again
A report commissioned by the Dept of Corrections on the execution of Joseph Wood found no fault in the agency’s two-drug protocol. Still, consultants who prepared the report, which was released today (Dec. 22), recommended that DOC ditch the protocol. Subsequently, DOC Director Charles Ryan has decided not to use the two-drug combination of midazolam and hydromorphone in executions.
