A bipartisan plan to increase Arizona’s housing supply through zoning deregulation has stalled for the second year in a row at the state Capitol.
The Starter Homes Act awaits a vote in the House, but it faces opposition from both the political right and left. The bill would limit municipalities’ power to reject housing projects.
Democratic Sen. Analise Ortiz (Phoenix) is one of the bill’s supporters.
“The proponents are working on several amendments, but basically since the last meeting it has been radio silence from the governor’s office, and to me that signals that they are not prioritizing this bill,” she said.
Nick Ponder, a lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns says municipalities have made offers to amend the bill, but the bill’s proponents won’t accept them.
That’s the same allegation Ortiz made against the League. Far-right lawmakers in the Legislature’s Freedom Caucus are also against the measure.
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The Arizona Department of Health Services has awarded a grant to Barrow Neurological Institute to study ibogaine to treat post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries. -
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly wants the federal government to give the green light to more work on portions of Interstate 11, which is planned to connect Phoenix to Las Vegas. -
The city says the rate increase request comes as maintenance and contract costs have gone up. -
The agreement was signed by U.S. Army Secretary Doug Driscoll on a visit to Mexico. -
Arizona’s Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly has called for an investigation into conditions on the USS Lincoln, a Navy aircraft carrier that’s been supporting the United States in its war with Iran.
