Author

Jim Small is a native Arizonan and has covered state government, policy and politics since 2004, with a focus on investigative and in-depth policy reporting, first as a reporter for the Arizona Capitol Times, then as editor of the paper and its prestigious sister publications, the Yellow Sheet Report and Arizona Legislative Report. Under his guidance, the Capitol Times won numerous state, regional and national awards for its accountability journalism and probing investigations into state government operations.
McSally to Ariz. cities: The cavalry isn’t coming to help you
By: Jim Small - May 7, 2020
Martha McSally has the solution for Arizona cities that have seen a gaping hole blown in their budgets because of the coronavirus pandemic: Sit tight and hope that the federal government loosens the strings on a too-small pot of money that you can’t access.
Legislative session on hold indefinitely, GOP leader says
By: Jim Small - April 7, 2020
The top Republican in the Arizona House of Representatives has told elected officials and staff in his chamber that they won't be returning to work on April 13 as planned because of the COVID-19 crisis.
AG: Local police can enforce Ducey’s ‘physical distancing’ order
By: Jim Small - March 31, 2020
Local law enforcement has the authority under state law to enforce Gov. Doug Ducey’s “enhanced physical distancing” order to combat the spread of COVID-19 that went into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wrote in a legal opinion.
Hobbs says Brnovich opinion is ‘political grandstanding’
By: Jim Small - March 25, 2020
In a wholesale rejection of a legal opinion from Attorney General Mark Brnovich declaring her plan to halt in-person campaign filings because of COVID-19, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said the AG was engaging in “political grandstandnig” in the face of a pandemic.
AG: Hobbs can’t end in-person candidate fillings because of COVID-19
By: Jim Small - March 24, 2020
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich says Secretary of State Katie Hobbs can’t require all prospective candidates to either mail or use a new drop box to submit the nominating petitions required for them to qualify for the ballot.
Ducey, GOP governors calling for direct federal COVID-19 aid to states
By: Jim Small - March 23, 2020
Gov. Doug Ducey joined 20 other Republican governors in authoring a letter calling on Congress to include direct aid to states as part of their COVID-19 response plans.
Penzone: Don’t open new jail, use it to treat COVID-19 patients
By: Jim Small - March 23, 2020
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone is asking that a new $185 million jail intake and jail facility in south Phoenix not open as scheduled, and that it instead be considered by public health officials as a space for temporary care and treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Why won’t Republicans protect Arizonans from economic disaster?
By: Jim Small - March 18, 2020
If lawmakers end their work without assuring the economic security of the millions of Arizonans who are already seeing their lives upended by the coronavirus, it will be a gross abdication of their responsibility.
Sinema: Ducey failing AZ by not closing bars, restaurants
By: Jim Small - March 17, 2020
U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says Gov. Doug Ducey is putting Arizonans at risk of the coronavirus by failing to close down restaurants like has been done in other states and large cities.
Courts limit in-person hearings, won’t pick juries because of coronavirus
By: Jim Small - March 16, 2020
Arizona courts are sharply limiting in-person proceedings and are halting jury selection until the end of March to comply with public health recommendations aimed at limiting spread of the coronavirus.
Lawmakers prepare to suspend or end session due to coronavirus
By: Jim Small - March 16, 2020
The Arizona House of Representatives has cancelled its committee hearings for the week after federal public health officials said people shouldn’t gather in groups larger than 10 people to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Ducey: Events larger than 50 people should be cancelled
By: Jim Small - March 15, 2020
Arizona public health officials are adopting recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that any events larger than 50 people scheduled for the next eight weeks be cancelled to combat the spread of the coronavirus.