State Capitol News

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Child care providers and their allies want Governor Jan Brewer to
use federal stimulus dollars to fund inspection and licensing
programs instead of hiking their fees.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – The news that Arizona is 2 billion dollars in the hole has some
lawmakers looking for creative ways of plugging it.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – A new report today says the state park system needs an infusion
of outside cash to keep it operating.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – A proponent of stiffer immigration laws announced today he is
relaunching his effort.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Businesses may have to wait a little longer for the tax cuts that
Governor Jan Brewer promised them earlier this year.

The tax cuts were part of Brewer's five-point plan unveiled in
March for getting the state back on its financial feet. Speaking
Monday to a Tempe business group, the governor said she remains
convinced that lower taxes are the way to get firms to locate and
expand here.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State officials are warning they may have to abolish the entire
program designed to help those in mental health crisis if their
funding is cut any further.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – State agency chiefs detailed today what might best be described
as a list of "horribles" that will occur if they are forced to cut
their spending by 15 percent.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – A new report today shows the state's jobless rate remained
virtually unchanged for the second month in a row. But that doesn't necessarily
mean the economy is stabilizing.

The 9.1 percent unemployment figure for September is the same as
it was in August. And it's actually a tenth of a point less than
July. But Lisa Danka of the state Department of Commerce said
that doesn't show the whole picture.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Governor Jan Brewer is trying to stop the Environmental
Protection Agency from requiring installation of some expensive
new pollution equipment at a major coal-fired power plant.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – A new lawsuit claims that a budget-balancing maneuver by the
Legislature could leave residents high and dry -- literally.