Finchem, Ward targets of new subpoenas by committee probing Jan. 6 attack
WASHINGTON - The committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol subpoenaed Arizona GOP leader Kelli Ward and Rep. Mark Finchem for "information about efforts to send false slates of electors to Washington and change the outcome of the 2020 election."
Experts spotlight disparities in contraception, family planning as Supreme Court weighs key abortion case
PHOENIX – As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a key case that could scale back or overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion rights advocates are spotlighting disparities in family planning and health care access, noting women of color and those living in poverty are most likely to be affected by any change in law.
Schweikert agrees to $125,000 fine from FEC for campaign violations
WASHINGTON - Rep. David Schweikert, R-Fountain Hills, has agreed to pay $125,000 to the Federal Election Commission for misuse of campaign funds, including charges that funds went to personal use of campaign staffers.
Nearly $1.2 billion at risk for Arizona public schools if Legislature fails to override cap
PHOENIX – Arizona public school districts could face budget cuts of 16% if the Legislature doesn’t override the aggregate expenditure limit, a spending cap that voters approved in 1980.
Lawmakers target rise in violent crime; Arizona rates remain above U.S.
WASHINGTON - With violent crime rates rising in Arizona and the nation, lawmakers and police groups met on Capitol Hill to push for a bill that would allocate $100 million a year for 10 years to support police agencies and increase assistance to victims and their families.
Move 2023 Super Bowl out of Arizona? That’s what faith leaders want because of voting bill restrictions
PHOENIX – More than 200 faith leaders have signed a petition asking the NFL to move the 2023 Super Bowl from Arizona. The petition cites three Arizona bills as voter suppression.
Democrats look for help, as scores of election bills land in Legislature
WASHINGTON - Arizona Democratic Party Chair Raquel Terán says Democrats don't have the numbers to stop GOP election reform bills, so she called on an unlikely source for help: Republicans. Terán said it will take help from across the aisle to block the most-extreme bills.
Despite lingering claims, election officials hope to put 2020 in the past
WASHINGTON - Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has blasted "outlandish theories" of election deniers in the past, but he said Wednesday he is "flattered" that far-right 2020 election deniers are running for state office - it means they care enough to try to fix the system.
Despite huge funding lead in Senate race, Kelly still faces a challenge
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., raised more than $27.5 million for his 2022 reelection bid, almost twice the total raised by a half-dozen Republican challengers, but analysts said that "giant war chest" does not guarantee a win in what could be a tough year for Democrats.
Families face first month without child tax credit payments since July
WASHINGTON – January was the first month since last summer that Arizona low-income families did not get a check under the expanded Child Tax Credit program, leaving parents scrambling for help and advocates worrying about an increase in poverty.
Abortion fight in Arizona heating up, even as Supreme Court weighs Roe
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court is expected to weaken or reverse its Roe v. Wade abortion-rights ruling this year, but advocates on both sides of the issue in Arizona are not waiting for the court to act, with bills already filed that mirror the laws the high court is considering.
Censure sensibility: Once rare, party censure rises amid polarized politics
WASHINGTON - Former President Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment - "thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican" - is being broken these days by the GOP and Democrats alike, and Arizona is no stranger to the shift, with recent censures.
