Howard Fischer

State lawmakers are weighing whether to let those who have insurance to pay for injuries their dogs may cause ignore county leash laws and homeowner association rules. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer reports.

The proposal comes from Sen. Lori Klein.

"I've had several of my constituents come to me about the fact that little old grandmother with her little Chihuahua comes out with the dog, the dog gets off leash and she's fined," Klein said. "Twenty five percent of the fines in homeowner associations are over dogs off leash. And most of it is very silly."

Republican State Senator Don Shooter, who chairs the Appropriations Committee said Tuesday's meeting was to hear not from the public but from the directors of the departments of health and economic security about how they operate and their funding needs for the coming year.

Sen. David Lujan, a Democrat, objected, "We're not providing the public an opportunity to testify today on such an important part of what we do down here."

The state's first medical marijuana dispensary could be up, operating and selling the drug legally by July. 

The House Ways and Means Committee voted Monday to keep inflation from taking a bigger chunk of your tax dollar. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer explains.

Sometime in the coming weeks you'll be able to sign nominating petitions for your favorite candidates while still in your pajamas.

The state's unemployment rate remained steady last month amid lackluster job growth in the private sector. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer explains.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Richard Gama rejected the governor's contention she has the discretion to delay enactment of parts of the law. Gama said there was no legal basis for that argument, writing "the voters intended the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act be implemented within 120 days. This has not been done."

Attorney Ty Taber who represents those who challenged the governor's action said the ruling orders the Governor to implement the act.  "I just don't think there's any other doubt that's he's saying."

A 2010 United States Supreme Court ruling says corporations have the right to spend as much as they want supporting or opposing any candidate as long as they do that independent of the candidate's campaign. Secretary of State Ken Bennett said some corporations suddenly popped up last year during the Phoenix mayoral race and the Russell Pearce recall claiming that they did not have to disclose the SOURCE of their funds. 

A new survey suggests Arizonans believe the economy is going to get better, even if they cannot see evidence that it has so far.