Members of the state library association, county governments, and library districts around the state are warning about proposed legislation they say could gut library funding statewide.House Bill 2379, proposed by Republican Representative Justin Olson, would put a cap on the taxing capabilities of “special districts” around the state, which includes…
Arizona’s House and Senate both approved a proposal to spend more than $6.8 million to hire new employees at Child Protective Services, which includes $5.7 million in new spending from the state’s general fund.In addition to that, one legislator proposed dipping into the general fund for a little bigger special…
A bill introduced this week could let a majority of Arizona students become eligible to receive state money to attend private school.Senate Bill 1236 would considerably expand the qualifications for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), especially lower-income families. ESAs provide debit cards pre-loaded with state money to parents, who then can…
The Arizona bill that would criminalize publishing sexual images that were shared in confidence is “almost certainly unconstitutional,” according to a University of Arizona law professor.House Bill 2515, proposed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, would make it illegal to “knowingly disclose, display, distribute, publish, advertise, or offer a photograph,…
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously in favor of a proposal to spend more than $6.8 million to hire new employees at Child Protective Services.That’s not to say all the senators on the committee were eager to approve a large special fund for CPS, since some of them have voted…
Arizona is joining a growing number of states where legislators are seeking to criminalize so-called “revenge porn.””Revenge porn” typically comes about after nude images are shared, in confidence, with lovers. When a relationship turns sour and one decides to share his or her ex-lover’s nude images with a larger audience,…
Trampoline-park operators would have to jump through regulatory hoops in Arizona if a bipartisan group of lawmakers have their way. The new bill follows lobbying efforts by the parents of a Valley man who died in 2012 at SkyPark, a Phoenix indoor trampoline center…
Many Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that would prevent churches or ministers from getting “forced” to have anything to do with gay marriages.Although the Arizona Constitution effectively bans gay marriages in the state, this is proposed in case the situation changes. The bill, House Bill 2481, is the second…
A bill backed by 22 legislators aims to prevent Arizona cities from prohibiting chickens in residential neighborhoods, ruffling a few feathers across the state.At first glance, the most interesting thing about Senate Bill 1151 appears to be the unlimited potential of bad puns. However, the bill proposed by Republican Senator…
Last June, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery silenced Democratic County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox with threats of possible felony charges over her potential conflicts of interest. He’s yet to issue any warning to Republican Supervisor Denny Barney, who has potential conflicts on a different matter…
Today in Found at the Border: Officers at the port of entry in Nogales seized a very creepy mask that someone tried to bring back into the United States.A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman says an officer conducting a routine search of a car on Tuesday found “a suspicious…
Maybe the eighth time’s the charm.State Senator Steve Farley, a Tucson Democrat, is proposing a ban on texting while driving, which he’s proposed every legislative session for the past eight years…
Some Democratic lawmakers are proposing that marijuana possession in Arizona should no longer be a felony.It’s not legalization, but it is decriminalization — 13 Democrats have teamed up to offer a bill that proposes the penalty for possessing less than an ounce of pot be a “civil penalty” of $100…
Some Arizona lawmakers are proposing lowering the age limit for a concealed-weapon permit to 19 for military members.Although a concealed-weapon permit isn’t required for people 21 or older, the permit process still exists, and this new legislation would allow military members as young as 19 to obtain a permit…
For the third time in as many years, some legislators are proposing a repeal of Arizona’s law that protects legislators from being arrested in certain situations.Although many people say the law doesn’t truly shield legislators from arrest in criminal cases, several lawmakers have made immunity claims over the last few…
Phoenix recycles garbage at less than half of the national average rate, mostly because of a lack of awareness by residents, a city official says. To reduce the amount of waste the country’s sixth-largest city sends to landfills, officials have planned a diet of smaller trash cans and educational campaigns,…
For the second year in a row, legislators have proposed allowing people other than police officers to have guns on school campuses.Attorney General Tom Horne pushed for the legislation last year in response to the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre of schoolchildren, as he called for one person in every school to…
Trips to space aren’t exactly commonplace at the moment, but some lawmakers would like to address the liability of companies that plan to provide flights to space.By addressing the issue of liability, one of the lawmakers behind the bill says he hopes space flight in Arizona will become a lot…
Electric-car manufacturer Tesla Motors has a dinky presence in Arizona.There’s no dealership here, and although the company operates a “gallery” at Scottsdale Fashion Square, the company technically doesn’t sell any cars in Arizona. However, that’s only due to state law, and there’s a proposal to change that law…
Among the bills turned in early this legislative session is a proposal to create a registry of convicted animal abusers.The bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Steve Farley and Democratic Representative Andrew Sherwood, calls for the Arizona Department of Public Safety to run the registry, similarly to how it currently operates…
A Phoenix resident is petitioning the City Council to allow members of the public to speak during the council’s formal meetings instead of making them wait until the sometimes lengthy public sessions are over. Dianne Barker, who first raised the issue in November, also would like to see the current…
Among the first bills submitted this legislative session is a proposal from a trio of Republicans to create a drug-testing program for people seeking unemployment insurance.Perhaps the most important part of the legislation from Representatives Phil Lovas and David Livingston and Senator Judy Burges is that it wouldn’t apply to…
