Arizona Senate panel rejects ban on photo red-light cameras
Testimony by police from several Phoenix-area departments backed the use of the cameras, saying they are useful in slowing down drivers and cutting accidents at intersections.
GOP-led Arizona State Senate OKs major school voucher expansion
State Senators in Arizona narrowly approved a major expansion of the state’s school voucher program on Feb. 15, despite protests from Democrats who called the wide-ranging proposal a slap in the face of voters who rejected a slightly larger expansion just over two years ago.
Arizona senators Sinema, Kelly vote to convict Trump in impeachment trial
Arizona senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly voted to convict former president Trump for his role in the Capitol riots last month, but were 10 votes shy of a conviction.
Months after Biden win in 2020 election, Arizona officials still face threats
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have been facing continued threats and harassment for backing election results that saw Democrat Joe Biden win in the state.
Arizona ethics panel won’t investigate Tucson lawmaker over involvement in Capitol riot
Rep. Mark Finchem of Tucson said he was near the Capitol on Jan. 6 but did not go inside and didn’t learn the building was breached until hours later.
Arizona Senate pushes backup plan in election fight with Maricopa County
An Arizona Senate committee advanced a proposal that says ballots and election machines are not privileged, confidential or protected from disclosure if the Legislature issues a subpoena.
Arizona Senate OKs measure targeting governor’s power
The measure was pushed by Republicans because of Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision to sign executive orders closing or restricting businesses to limit opportunities for COVID-19 to spread.
Arizona legislative panel advances two gun bills
One measure would prohibit police and sheriffs from enforcing federal gun laws that violate the 2nd Amendment. The other would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns in public buildings and events on public property unless there are metal detectors and security screeners.
Arizona House panel advances bill allowing sports betting
The proposal would allow pro sports teams and tribes that already run casinos to have sports betting operations. It also would legalize fantasy sport betting from online operators, and allow new betting at horse racing tracks.
Arizona restaurants look to make cocktails-to-go permanent
Restaurant owners supporting the measure say it would help them get back on their feet after the pandemic devastated the industry. But others say it would devalue their businesses.
Judge refuses to block Arizona’s new education tax
Proposition 208, which voters passed in November, imposes a 3.5% tax surcharge on income above $250,000 for individuals or above $500,000 for couples.
Arizona State Senate fails to pass contempt resolution against Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Arizona Senate Republicans were poised to hold the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in contempt for refusing to turn over ballots from the 2020 election.
Arizona Democrats move to expel state lawmaker who attended Jan. 6 D.C. rally
State Democratic lawmakers are moving to expel a Tucson lawmaker who attended a Jan. 6 rally in Washington D.C. that turned violent when demonstrators stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Arizona senators request 300,000 additional vaccine doses for the state
Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly asked the Biden administration for an immediate supplement of 300,000 vaccine doses with an additional 300,000 doses added to Arizona's usual weekly supply.
New bill would allow thousands more Arizonans to claim unemployment benefits
An expert estimates the change would allow 10,000 more Arizonans to collect unemployment this week that are currently capped out.
Congressional Dems ask Ducey to explain use of COVID-19 cash
Doug Ducey used more than 20% of the $1.86 billion the state received in federal CARES Act relief to backfill agency budgets, allowing them to return cash to the general fund.
Maricopa County asks court to quash Senate subpoena over 2020 election ballots
The Maricopa County board has already turned over a massive amount of data requested by the Senate as it seeks to perform an outside audit of the 2020 election.
Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward sees new heat on her election
A large group of GOP state lawmakers sent party Chair Kelli Ward a letter this week demanding that she either allow an audit of her January election as party chair, or step aside from efforts to audit results in Maricopa County that saw President Joe Biden win.
Bill aims to prevent prison escapes by toughening punishments for such attempts
House Bill 2790, if passed, will potentially tack on an extra three to 35 years in prison for prison inmates who try to escape.
Months after the election, audit wrangle pits Republicans against Republicans in Arizona
Republicans who control the Arizona Senate voted to fast-track a resolution finding Maricopa County in contempt for failing to turn over elections equipment and ballots cast in the November election as a subpoena demanded.