Ducey supports short shutdown to secure border if Congress won’t act
WASHINGTON - Gov. Doug Ducey said maintaining trade with Mexico is important but gave conditional support to a "short as possible" border shutdown, then shifted blame to Congress which he said has been playing politics with the issue of border security.
Arizona House moves forward on code of conduct before session ends
PHOENIX – The House approved a motion by voice vote to move forward with a code of conduct that Republican leaders promised last year.
Lawmakers, business leaders wary of Trump threat to close Mexico border
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump repeated his threat to deal with a surge of migrants by closing the U.S.- Mexico border, a move that has been called a potential "economic catastrophe" for Arizona, which did $16.7 billion in trade with Mexico in fiscal 2018.
McSally, Biggs question DHS on release of migrants into Arizona communities
PHOENIX – Sen. Martha McSally hosted a closed-door roundtable Monday with Homeland Security officials over the release of apprehended migrants into Arizona communities.
Bill to slice minimum wage for young part-time workers heads to Senate
PHOENIX – House Bill 2523, which would allow employers to pay part-time workers under the age 22 less than the Arizona minimum wage, passed the Arizona Senate Commerce Committee Thursday.
Arizona lawmakers, House split in vote against transgender military ban
WASHINGTON - Two days after courts removed the last hurdle to a Trump administration ban on transgender military service, the House voted 238-185 to condemn the ban - but not block it. Arizona lawmakers, like the rest of the House, split on party lines for the vote.
Training, change in tactics can reduce dangers to police officers handling drugs
PHOENIX – Newer and more powerful drugs like fentanyl and concerns for officer safety have complicated once routine police work, such as field testing suspected drugs. An Arizona toxicologist and some law-enforcement agencies said training makes a difference. Vertical: Government/health
Water officials press Senate on urgency of Colorado River drought plan
WASHINGTON - The director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources joined other state and federal water officials who told a Senate panel that there is an "urgent need" to authorize a multistate drought contingency plan for the Colorado River basin.
Proposed budget cuts for Special Olympics concern those who could be impacted in Arizona
PHOENIX – With news of a budget proposal that calls for eliminating funding for the Special Olympics, those in Arizona who could be impacted by the cuts express concern.
Republicans blast Green New Deal, Democrats say GOP is playing politics
WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema was one of just three Democrats to vote against the "Green New Deal," as the expansive environmental bill faced its first test vote in the Senate and a renewed round of criticism from Republicans who called it a job killer
Pentagon moves ahead on border wall, as House can’t override Trump veto
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's proposed border wall continued to inch forward this week, as the Democrat-controlled House failed Tuesday to block the border emergency declaration that let the Pentagon approve $1 billion in wall work Monday.
When life gives you lemons: Arizona might declare lemonade as its state drink
PHOENIX – Senate Government Committee voted 6-1 to advance a bill that would make lemonade Arizona’s state drink.