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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Taxpayer costs from a racial profiling case arising from then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns are expected to exceed $350 million midway through next year. -
The move was prompted by the proposal of BNSF Railway to build the nation's largest rail hub that would surround Wittmann. -
A new Arizona law cracks down on the sale of synthetic opioids that a Republican lawmaker warns are deadlier than fentanyl. -
Last week, Arizona’s largest electricity provider notched two financial wins with the approval of new laws from Gov. Katie Hobbs. The victories for Arizona Public Service Co. have been years in the making. -
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge sent the criminal case against Arizona’s so-called fake electors back to the grand jury, which will further delay a case that has moved slowly through the courts since the original indictment came down over one year ago.
