By Alexander Lomax Every year in Arizona, the legislative session ends when the budget has been finalized and voted across the finish line. In years past when Republicans held significant majority in both the House and the Senate as well as holding the Governor’s seat, the session often wrapped up relatively early (April or May) with a relatively uneventful budget … Read More
Guest Editorial: Arizona’s New Deepfake Law is Well-Intentioned, but Fatally Flawed
By Paul Coble Chair of the Intellectual Property Department Rose Law Group On May 21, 2024, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed emergency House Bill 2394 into law in an attempt to curb the growing threat of digital impersonations created by Artificial Intelligence. The statute, A.R.S. § 16-1023 (the “Anti-Deepfake Statute”), is aimed at protecting Arizonans from being damaged by fake images … Read More
The Battle for the Legislature: Partisan Primaries Could Provide a Clue
The Arizona Republican Party has for a long time held a stranglehold on legislation at the State Capitol. Democrats haven’t held a majority in either the Senate or House since all the way back in 1992, representing a stunning 32 year time period where Republicans held a majority in both (outside of a four year period where the Senate was … Read More
Potential Election Changes Likely Headed to Your Ballot: What are the Potential Implications?
This is a busy time of year at the Arizona State Capitol. Most years, legislators are attempting to finish all of their work, most notably the annual budget, in order to call and end to the session and be done for the year. This year’s legislative session will be a significantly longer one, with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Republican-led … Read More
Arizona Democrats Pro-Death Penalty? Local Leaders Take a Surprising Stance
When it comes to partisan politics, one dynamic has stayed constant for a long time: Democrats leaning towards compassion and Republicans leaning towards consequences when it comes to the legal process and crime. That dynamic has nearly always stayed in place when it comes to one of the more controversial topics of our time: the death penalty. Until now, that … Read More
No Longer 1864: Reversal of the Abortion Bill Potentially Upending Election
For a number of weeks, Arizona Republicans were extremely nervous, Democrats were furious, and the eyes of the country (sometimes even the world) were once again on Arizona, as the state Supreme Court ruled that an abortion law from all the way back in 1864 was once again the law of the land. This ruling would ensure that abortion was … Read More
Illegal Immigration is Likely to Go On the Ballot: What It Means for the 2024 Elections
Nearly everyone engaged in current events enough to read our content understands that the state legislature passes laws in Arizona. However, not everyone is aware that the legislature can also pass bills for the sake of putting them to a public vote on your election ballot. And it is precisely through this mechanism that Arizona Republicans are making a bet … Read More
Arizona Legislature Singing Kumbaya on Education…For Now
As this year’s legislative session kicks into full swing, one issue is front and center this year: education. And in a strange twist, Republicans and Democrats are actually somewhat united on this issue…for now. But as the fight for control of the legislature, which leans ever so perilously on the side of the Republicans, heats up this year these agreements … Read More
Phoenix’s Water Management Dilemma: Politics, Sustainability and Resources
By Grace Chapman Within the arid landscape of Arizona, water is a necessary resource as this summer saw scorching temperatures up to 116 degrees. Therefore it is imperative that Arizona’s local and state governments understand how to navigate water resources within the state. Phoenix faces a formidable challenge of managing water resources during climate change and growing urbanization. Most of … Read More
Arizona Encountering a Major Revenue Problem with Tough Decisions in a Divided Capitol Looming
An end-around to placate the state’s highest earners and nullify a citizen initiative seemed like a clever move at the time. The chickens have since come home to roost however, and there may be some major repercussions. Arizona is now staring down the barrel of a massive $1.7 billion deficit at the start of the legislative session. Since the budget … Read More