Stay ahead of the curve as a political insider with deep policy analysis, daily briefings and policy-shaping tools.
Request a DemoState agencies have submitted their budget requests to the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, and most are jockeying for more money in FY 2026 despite cuts made to settle the state’s budget deficit in FY 2024 and 2025. Not all agency budget requests are available online yet, and OSPB did not respond to our reporter’s question about when they would be available. But some of the major agencies, like the Dept. of Public Safety and the Dept. of Environmental Quality have posted requests online, outlining the funding they’ll need to keep their agencies successful in the coming years. ADEQ submitted a detailed list of funding asks that included 15 items needing budgetary attention. Many of the agency’s budgetary limitations stem from fee-based programs that are not generating enough revenue to stay afloat and affecting ADEQ’s ability to comply with federal laws like the Clean Water Act. The agency is asking for over $28 million more in appropriated funds in FY 2026 to address issues like water contamination, air emissions, abandoned mines and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, DPS is asking for over $53 million more in appropriated funds to help finance state Highway Patrol projects and salaries and uniforms for officers. The agency is eliminating $770 million in funding for public safety equipment after lawmakers passed the most recent state budget. Other agencies are also likely to request more funding for FY 2026, but whether or not the state will have the money to grant those requests remains to be seen.
RockAuto customers flood Ninth Floor emails over sales taxes
Railbirds say they’ve heard concerns that Hobbs’ office might be blocking emails from RockAuto customers concerned the company will stop doing business in Arizona due to a legal battle with the Department of Revenue over sales taxes. The online auto parts retailer is currently appealing a lawsuit to the state Supreme Court after ADOR asked …
MCAO declines to represent Richer in dispute with Fontes over coding SNAFU
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office refused to represent Stephen Richer in “friendly litigation” with Fontes over the ballot eligibility of voters impacted by a motor vehicle division coding error, a railbird said. Richer said it took some time for the county attorney’s office to assign outside counsel. Both the county attorney’s office and Richer declined …
After losing in the primary, Bennett eyes working as a state agency director
After a primary upset in which incumbent Bennett was ousted by his challenger, he said his primary signifies a “Civil War going on within the Republican Party,” but noted that he hopes to continue his career in politics. Reflecting on the 2024 legislative session, Bennett said he was targeted for being a Republican that chose …
Legislature says voters in limbo after MVD error should vote full ballots in 2024, provide proof of citizenship after
The legislature agrees with Fontes that fully registered voters who may not have provided proof of citizenship should initially be given full ballots – not federal only ballots – in the 2024 election. The legislative leaders clarified they “agree unreservedly” that the affected voters should have to provide proof of citizenship in order to avoid …