The Legislature is well into the homestretch with a goal to wrap up the session before Easter still in its sights. This led to busy days and long nights at the Capitol this week. Read more» 1

This week at the state Capitol: The Legislature is on track to finish its business early this year with this week being the final one for most committee meetings. The goal for legislators is to wrap up the session in the next couple of weeks, but the House and Senate still saw new legislation introduced. Read more» 1

In 2009, Arizona became the first state in the country to require drug tests for welfare recipients in effort to save the state dire-needed cash and ensure taxpayer dollars won’t go to drug users. The results, however, haven’t come to meet those expectations. Read more» 1

At the Legislature this week, Gov. Ducey and Republican House and Senate leaders pushed through a $9.1 billion budget proposal which drew strong criticism from Democrats and brought hundreds of protestors to the Capitol. Lawmakers also moved forward bills to allow concealed weapons into public buildings and events, and to outlaw revenge porn. Read more»

The Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey have agreed to a budget that would deepen previously announced cuts to state universities by nearly 50 percent — a move that prompted sharp criticism from university supporters. The budget would cut $104 million from universities, zero out state support for community colleges, and cut JTED funds. Read more»

At the Legislature this week, lawmakers moved forward bills to clarify who controls the Board of Education and to lift the bans on sawed-off shotguns, silencers for firearms and nunchucks, while rejecting a bill banning photo radar enforcement. Read more» 1

If you’re driving a particularly pockmarked road in Arizona, you may be able to blame the bumpy ride on the state Legislature. Read more»

With further cuts looming over higher education in Arizona, public universities are finding ways to rely less on the state for funding at the expense of the students they serve. Read more»

The Legislature didn’t take Monday off for Presidents Day and worked through Arizona’s post-birthday week as drama continued over the “firing” of two top Board of Education officials. Read more»

Open government advocates found hope late last week after the governor reopened his daily calendar for public inspection and the legislature began discussions to change the language of a bill that allows most state business to be conducted behind closed doors. Read more»

Last week the Legislature voted to move forward a bill banning red-light camera ban, a Senate committee voted to move forward a bill banning driver's from texting, and Democrats took to social media to urge fellow legislators to prioritize schools rather than prisons after Governor Ducey’s budget proposal. Read more» 1

As Arizona continues to a face a $1 billion deficit, Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget proposal calls for cutting school administrative costs in order to spend more in the classroom, but school officials insist there is little fat left to cut there. Read more» 1

One state senator wants to ask voters to promote more harmony at the Capitol and have more knowledgeable legislators — by lengthening the terms of those they elect. Read more» 1