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Move to limit gubernatorial emergency powers, sparked by COVID-19, advances
New legislation that limits the power of future Arizona governors to declare a public health emergency has passed the Senate Government Committee with a slim margin and now awaits debate by the full Senate. Senate Bill 1009 caps a governor’s state of emergency proclamation for reasons of public health to 120 days, and only 30 […]
No evidence of Ducey claim that victims are being charged $800 for rape kits
In his State of the State speech earlier this month, Gov. Doug Ducey claimed that women are being charged up to $800 in processing fees for rape kits — which would be illegal under federal law — but it’s unclear whether that’s actually happening. To back up its claim, the governor’s office provided the Arizona […]
Controversial Texas abortion law introduced in Arizona
Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick has been a source of comfort for women dealing with unwanted pregnancies in the Phoenix area for more than 25 years. But an attempt to replicate Texas’ sweeping new abortion law that lets citizens police abortion restrictions could tie her hands. Arizona is one of several states where Republican lawmakers are looking […]
Committee approves measure to ease SNAP requirements for ex-felons
A bill to help individuals with drug-related felony convictions keep food on the table cleared committee on Wednesday, taking its first step toward becoming law. The bill won approval in the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by the measure’s sponsor, Snowflake Republican Rep. Walt Blackman. It seeks to ease access for those with felony […]
A day early, Arizonans can order free at-home COVID-19 test kits
Arizonans can now receive free at-home COVID-19 tests alongside their online purchase packages, a day earlier than initially planned. Each household can order up to four tests via the U.S. Postal Service website. Last week, the Biden Administration announced it was purchasing 1 billion tests, half of which would be available to order on Jan. […]
Ex-inmates would face less food insecurity under GOP proposal to ease SNAP restrictions
For Kara Janssen, walking out the front doors of Perryville Prison in 2016 was stressful enough without having to worry about food security, especially with three children to think about. “You get $200 when you’re leaving prison,” Janssen said. “They kick you out and say, ‘Good luck,’ and expect you to go and rejoin society.” […]
Nativist Republicans call on Ducey to militarize the border to stop an ‘invasion’
A nativist former top Trump White House official on Wednesday exhorted Gov. Doug Ducey to use Arizona’s National Guard to turn immigrants back at the border. Ken Cuccinelli, a top United States Citizenship and Immigration Services official in Donald Trump’s administration, said Ducey has the constitutional ability to direct national guardsmen to remove those crossing […]
Democrats diss Ducey for ignoring school funding needs, COVID-19 challenges
Democrats and public school advocates said Gov. Doug Ducey had two glaring holes in his final State of the State speech on Monday: funding for public schools and COVID-19. “If we truly want Arizona to be unstoppable, our priority should be increasing education attainment,” said Education Forward Arizona President & CEO Rich Nickel, referencing Ducey’s […]