Newly empowered House Democrats set priorities for next Congress
WASHINGTON - The first order of business in the new Congress, HR 1, is a three-pronged package of top Democratic election reform efforts, a clear signal from Democrats that they want to flex their muscle after midterm elections saw the party gain 40 seats and retake control of the House.
A year after its supposed demise, DACA renewals struggle along
WASHINGTON – A year after the Trump administration said it would end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program had received more than 230,000 DACA renewal applications after a court ordered the program kept alive while legal challenges played out - which they continue to do.
Arizona delegation brings new faces, less seniority to next Congress
WASHINGTON - When the 116th Congress convenes in January, something notable will be missing in Arizona's delegation: About 73 years of collective Capitol Hill experience. The loss of senior members drops the delegation's average tenure from just under nine years in the last Congress to just over five now.
Despite fits and starts, officials optimistic a water deal is close
WASHINGTON - After months of meetings, progress toward Arizona's portion of a multistate drought contingency plan has been a two-steps-forward, one-step-back affair, but those involved in the process think they're getting close to a deal they can present to the Legislature this spring.
Victims of Baptist Foundation scheme still recovering 20 years later
PHOENIX – Anne Mezzapelle Cacace was one of 11,000 investors who lost $580 million when the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, or BFA, a registered nonprofit, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1999, in what prosecutors described as a Ponzi scheme. To this day, it is considered one of the largest affinity frauds in U.S history.
Dewey-Humboldt Town Council condemns coyote-killing contests
FLAGSTAFF – The Dewey-Humboldt Town Council passed a resolution Nov. 20 condemning animal-killing contests. The resolution comes three weeks before a coyote contest in central Arizona.
Will Arizona’s saguaros survive climate change and drought?
TUCSON – Fueled by climate change and prolonged drought, the establishment of young saguaro cactuses in Saguaro National Park has nearly ceased for decades.
Luke Air Force Base feels effects of national shortage of pilots, instructors
GLENDALE – Luke Air Force Base is feeling the effects of a national pilot shortage. Their primary concern is staffing instructor pilots. Across the state, high school students are training in different areas impacted by this pilot shortage.
After Grijalva calls for him to resign, Zinke responds with blistering tweet
WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke blasted Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, on Twitter Friday after the congressman wrote an editorial calling on Zinke to resign "immediately" in the face of multiple, ongoing ethics investigations.
Freshman hazing: Stanton draws short straw in lottery for Hill offices
WASHINGTON - They won their elections, but the really important contest for members of the incoming freshman congressional class came with the traditional lottery drawing to see who gets first pick of the House offices the will be their workspaces for the two years.
Arizona Gov. Ducey to ask for $30 million in budget proposal for drought plan
PHOENIX – The head of the state water department said Gov. Doug Ducey will ask for significant state dollars in his upcoming budget proposal to help make the Drought Contingency Plan a reality.
As deadline looms, lawmakers push to save popular public lands fund
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers gathered to push for renewal of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which directs millions from offshore oil leases toward public lands and recreation projects amid fears that Congress is running out of time to save the program.
