Mecham payment bill eyed amid recall fight and legal costs
A state bill would allocate 372000 dollars to former governor Evan Mecham to cover legal expenses from his 1988 recall bid. The measure passed 33 to 24 and heads to Gov. Fife Symington after Senate approval of a lower amount. Mecham sought 839000 in a federal suit dismissed for improper filing location. If signed, the bill bars further legal action and shapes Mecham's next move. A separate bill to form a citizens panel for freeway planning and two ballot questions on taxes failed after a House Senate conference breakdown. The plan would have allowed a single election for extending a half cent freeway tax and adding another half cent split between freeways and transit, but supporters say the measure is likely dead this year. Welfare measures advance also noted.
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House
Evan Mecham
Mecham
Senate
Fife ‘Symington
Maricopa County
House-Senate
County Board of Supervisors
MAG
Steffey
Debolske
Youth crime bills pass with bipartisan support and tougher penalties
The House approved a package of youth crime measures adding three years to felonies when street gang involvement is shown and creating a class three felony to curb gang activity. The bills fund an anti gang task force, protect property owners, expand juvenile rehabilitation and after care, and require parental participation in court proceedings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stat Gang
State Department of Public Safety
Paterson
Department of Youth, Treatment and Rehabilitation
Ex-legislator Carl Kunasek runs for Arizona Corporation Commission
Former Mesa legislator Carl Kunasek announced his candidacy for a six year term on the Arizona Corporation Commission. He seeks to lower utility rates, spur economic development, and curb fraud while serving as a minority Republican alongside Democrats Rent Jennings and Marcia Weeks. He resigns as Commissioner of the Office of Navajo Hopi Relocation to pursue the post. He says he will work with the majority and criticizes past rate cases as needing objective review.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mesa
Carl Kunasek
Arizona
Senos
Corporation Commission
Arizona Senate
Commission
Kunasek
Rent Jennings
Marcia Weeks
House
Senate
Cable TV lobbyist enters race for 1st District seat
The Associated Press notes a fifth Republican candidate joins the race to fill the seat vacated by Sam Deme ca. Bitter Smith, a lobbyist with ties to cable interests, declares her candidacy and is highlighted as ASU Alumni Association president-elect. State Sen. Chuck Blanchard is the sole announced Democrat.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sam Demeca
U.S
Democratic Congress
Bitter Smith
Smith
Administration
Arizona State University
ASU
Chuck Blanchard
Phoenix
Mexico approves inmate sentence swap with Mexico
Arizona Governor Fife Symington announced a program allowing hundreds of Mexican nationals held in Arizona prisons to complete their sentences in Mexico to cut state costs. The plan targets nonviolent offenders, excludes murder and sex crimes, and aims to keep inmates imprisoned in Mexico as long as needed. About 400 could start, with participation open to other nationalities already imprisoned. the state will repatriate inmates returned from Mexico if needed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arizona
Fife Symington
Symington
Florida
Mexico
United States
Sam Lewis
State Department of Corrections
Lewis
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mecham Payment
Superior Coe
Freeway Bill
Are
aCace
Queen Creek Road
Alma School Road
The
Associated Press
Omnibus
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