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Nurses are biggest beneficiaries of licensing fee waivers
A program that allows low-income Arizonans to get started on their careers without paying fees for their state-issued occupational licenses has been a hit with people who are going into nursing. Under the 2017 law, first-time applicants from families that earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level can apply for a waiver […]
Allen reverses course, will seek re-election in hotly contested district
A Republican senator’s unexpected re-election announcement has injected new drama into a key district in northern Arizona that could determine which party controls both chambers of the legislature after 2020. Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, told the White Mountain Independent and Payson Roundup last week that she’ll seek another term in Legislative District 6. She had […]
Prominent lobbyist angling for county attorney post, should Montgomery land on Supreme Court
Lobbyist and lawyer John Kaites is eyeing a possible appointment as Maricopa County’s top prosecutor if County Attorney Bill Montgomery gets a seat on the Arizona Supreme Court.
Despite SCOTUS ruling, Arizona redistricting rules still limit gerrymandering
While the U.S. Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for states to engage in unbridled gerrymandering, the Arizona Constitution has additional protections that could prevent the kinds of ultra-partisan maps that are now deemed permissible under federal law. Exactly how far the Arizona Supreme Court would go in enforcing those rules, however, is an unanswered question. […]
Ex-GOP candidate looks to influence redistricting
Steve Gaynor, a Republican businessman who lost last year’s race for secretary of state, is looking to give the GOP a hand in the next round of redistricting. Gaynor in May created a nonprofit organization called Fair Maps Arizona. He said the organization will participate in the next redistricting process, which begins in 2021. Fair […]
Arizona’s Stephanie Grisham named White House press secretary
Arizona politico Stephanie Grisham will be the new face of the Trump administration after being named White House press secretary. Grisham had previously been serving as First Lady Melania Trump’s communications director. She will replace Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose resignation was announced earlier this month. She will also take over the role of former White […]
Inmates freed under new early release law
More than one hundred inmates have already been released from Arizona state prisons due to a new law allowing people convicted of drug offenses to end their sentences early. And more than 7,000 people who are currently incarcerated in Arizona could be eligible for early release under the law as well, though in some cases […]
Lawmakers OK plan to replace broken prison locks
A legislative panel approved the Arizona Department of Corrections’ request to use nearly $18 million to replace faulty locks that have allowed inmates at state prisons to get out of their cells.
Ducey chides utility regulators for ‘mission creep’
Speaking to reporters on Monday in Paradise Valley, Ducey said Arizona should protect its most vulnerable residents, and said that may include new protections, regulations or legislation to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ducey: Video of Phoenix police holding black family at gunpoint is ‘disturbing’ and ‘unacceptable’
While warning that the full story hasn’t been made public, Gov. Doug Ducey said he found video of Phoenix police officers pointing guns and screaming expletives at a black couple and their two young children “disturbing” and “unacceptable.”
Top prosecutors in Maricopa, Pima counties lobbied Ducey for veto on ‘repeat offender’ bill
The top prosecutors in Arizona’s two most populous counties urged Gov. Doug Ducey to veto a criminal justice reform bill limiting who can be considered a repeat offender, even though an organization representing all 15 of the state’s county attorneys took a neutral position on the legislation.
Developmental disability providers hopeful extra funding goes to wage hikes
Organizations that contract with the state to provide services for adults with developmental disabilities are waiting to find out whether the Arizona Department of Economic Security will free up some of its new funding to help cover the increased costs they’re incurring due to Arizona’s rising minimum wage.