Law & Government
Disappointment, but still some hope for criminal justice reform advocates
An ambitious criminal justice reform agenda with substantial support on both sides of the partisan aisle will have to wait another year, at least, after the Legislature passed a key deadline without hearing a handful of far-reaching bills in their respective committees.
Southwest Key CEO steps down, says ‘it’s time for new beginnings’
The founder and CEO of the nation’s largest network of shelters for migrant youth announced Monday he is stepping down.
DNA database bill would cost state, cities millions
Proposed legislation that would create a state database from DNA from sexual assault kits using a new form of DNA testing would cost the Arizona Department of Public Safety up to $2.3 million annually and would cost cities an unknown amount of money, legislative budget analysts say. The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria, […]
U.S. senators call for investigation of sex abuse reports in migrant shelters
Two U.S. Senators are calling for an investigation of “an alleged widespread and long-term pattern of sexual abuse against unaccompanied children” in federally contracted facilities that hold migrant minors. Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) — both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee — wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and […]
The data proves the partisan reason for GOP attempts to limit early voting
I’m sure it’s purely coincidental that Republicans are suddenly agitating about needing to protect the integrity of the elections. Surely, they aren’t more concerned about protecting the electoral power they have historically held in Arizona.
Senate passes “ban the box” legislation
The Arizona Senate passed “ban the box” legislation that would make it easier for people convicted of felonies to get jobs by limiting what prospective employers can ask about their criminal histories. Sen. Martin Quezada’s Senate Bill 1437 would prohibit private sector employers from asking job applicants about their criminal histories until they’ve given the […]
How to manufacture a humanitarian catastrophe
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen this week, as The New York Times put it, “implored Congress to confront” what she called a growing humanitarian catastrophe on the U.S.-Mexico border. Under normal circumstances and under a normal presidential administration, Nielsen’s entreaty might well have seemed appropriate or even compassionate. Then again, this is someone […]
Anti-vaxxer bill could cost AHCCCS providers up to $23 million per year
When it comes to proposed legislation that would require doctors to provide parents with voluminous amounts of information about the vaccines offered to their children, legislative budget analysts say time is money. An analysis performed by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee determined that House Bill 2471 would cost health care providers $16.4 million to $23.5 […]
Documents show extent of sexual abuse reports in migrant youth shelters
Federal government documents released last week by a Florida Congressman detailed the scope of sexual abuse allegations reported at shelters that hold migrant minors. These shelters contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and hold children and teens who arrived in the country alone to seek protections […]
National Day of Empathy highlights inability of ex-inmates to find jobs
Advocates for the formerly incarcerated gathered the Capitol on Tuesday as part of a National Day of Empathy to raise awareness of the lack of opportunities facing people when they get out of prison.
Bills to tackle AZ doctor, nurse shortages win Senate approval
Two bills aimed at addressing the state’s shortage of nurses and doctors have passed their first major hurdle.
Sinema misses votes on judges, EPA chief during trip to New Zealand for Ironman race
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Saturday competed in an Ironman race in New Zealand, where she set a personal record in the grueling race – clocking in under 13 hours. In doing so, she missed a string of high-profile votes back at the U.S. Capitol.