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Proposed legislation would publish mugshots of undocumented immigrants online
Undocumented immigrants on supervised probation who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony would have their pictures published online under a new legislative proposal framed as a way to collect data on crime rates in the immigrant community — but critics say it’s simply an attempt to single them out. K.M. Bell, an attorney […]
Effort to punish human smugglers could end up criminalizing undocumented parents
Republican proposals seeking to criminalize anyone transporting or illegally immigrating with undocumented minors are moving unimpeded through the legislature. A bill conflating child sex crimes and smuggling elicited outrage from Democratic legislators during a Thursday hearing, who said that packaging the two issues in one bill is misleading. “If we’re going to talk about transporting […]
Movie tax credit bill will cost Arizona big, legislative analysists say
A new analysis of a push to lure movie productions to Arizona with $150 million in tax credits says claims that the state will see a return on its investment are unfounded — and the state could end up getting little in return for its money. Legislative budget analysts looked at Senate Bill 1708 and […]
GOP bills to restrict some voter registrations clear Senate committee
Senate Republicans on Monday advanced bills on voter registration that critics say will discourage some younger people — particularly college students — from registering to vote. On Monday afternoon, the Senate Government Committee considered bills from the lower chamber. One bill would ban same-day voter registration — something that doesn’t exist in Arizona. Instead, residents […]
Still no evidence of governor’s claim that victims are being billed for rape kits
Gov. Doug Ducey’s claim that facilities in some Arizona counties are charging victims to process their rape kits is disputed by almost every county, and those advancing the claim refuse to reveal where it’s happening.
A ‘punitive model’ for failing schools: GOP proposal would let charters take over district schools
In 2019, there were 180 Arizona schools that received a D or F rating and new legislation given preliminary approval by the House would hand over their operations or shut them down if they don’t improve. House Bill 2808 establishes the Arizona Achievement District. This district is made up of high-performing district and charter schools […]
Bills to increase scrutiny of school library books, access to classrooms advance
Schools would be required to publicly post every new book bought for their libraries, have elected governing board members approve all new book purchases and let parents know every book their child checks out under a proposal Senate Republicans advanced Tuesday. Critics said the new requirements would decrease diversity of viewpoints by adding library books […]
Republicans divided on bill to force businesses to pay reparations to some workers who refused COVID vaccine
Employers could be forced to fork out a year’s wages as reparations to employees whose religious exemptions from a company’s COVID-19 vaccination policy were denied. The Arizona House of Representatives on Monday gave preliminary approval to House Bill 2198, which requires employers to pay a lump sum equal to the employee’s annual wages upon severance […]
The ‘legislative circus’ came to the Capitol on Monday to highlight voter suppression
The grass lawns in front of the Arizona Capitol were filled with brightly painted circus-style games on Monday, all of them satirical references to recent legislation restricting voting rights. “We’re here to demonstrate that inside of those (legislative) chambers, Republican legislators are playing with people’s right to vote, and they want to pass ridiculous bills […]
Juvenile offenders given a leg up by bipartisan-approved House measure
Kids in juvie might see their financial load lightened, thanks to new legislation approved by the state House of Representatives that would eliminate the rollover of court fees on them and their families. The legislation would scrap the court’s ability to charge juvenile delinquents or their parents fees related to their trial and conviction. “This […]
Senate approves plan for $150m in tax credits to film movies in Arizona
Arizona landscapes would have a better chance of ending up on the silver screen under a legislative proposal to lure production companies to the Grand Canyon State with $150 million in tax credits that the Senate has approved. Proponents argue it will foster jobs, infrastructure and tourism. They say the benefits include construction of filming […]
9/11 education would be mandated under proposal that cleared state House
“Never forget” will not only be enshrined in American vernacular but also Arizona curriculum, if a new proposal establishing 9/11 Education Day approved this week passes into law. Public school teachers will be directed to craft lesson plans about the terrorist attacks every September 11, or the school day closest to it. The bill makes […]