Steve Kirwan, Author at Arizona Globe

Payne Bill Protecting Officers Signed by Hobbs

June 25, 2026 4:13 pmJuly 8, 2026 4:09 pm

PHOENIX — Arizona law enforcement officers who were wrongfully terminated and later reinstated will no longer be left to absorb the financial cost of clearing their names under legislation signed into law this month. Senate Bill SB1493, sponsored by Sen....

Rogers, Farnsworth Top GOP Assessment of Hobbs’ 88 Bill Vetofest

June 24, 2026 9:03 amJuly 8, 2026 3:35 pm

PHOENIX — Republican lawmakers are criticizing Governor Katie Hobbs after she vetoed 88 bills in a sweeping end-of-session action that blocked GOP priorities on border security, election integrity, religious law, education, photo radar, taxpayer transparency, and gender-transition-related care for minors....

Gallego Slammed for Campaign Fund Luxury Travel, Childcare, More

June 23, 2026 4:46 pmJuly 3, 2026 8:10 am

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego is defending his use of political funds for travel, childcare, and event-related expenses after national reporting raised questions about whether campaign money was used to support a lifestyle that blurred the line between fundraising and personal...

Kavanagh Defends Data Center Tax-Break Freeze in Budget Deal

June 17, 2026 4:30 pmJuly 3, 2026 8:10 am

PHOENIX — Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh is defending a post-session budget compromise, temporarily freezing new data center tax breaks while preserving incentives already promised to companies operating in Arizona. The three-year moratorium was integral in the $18.3 billion bipartisan budget...

Carter, De Los Santos Spar over Final Night Kolodin House Bill Vote

June 16, 2026 2:10 pmJuly 3, 2026 8:10 am

PHOENIX — A late-night procedural fight on the final night of Arizona’s 2026 legislative session erupted into a heated confrontation between Republican Rep. Neal Carter and Democratic House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, underscoring the partisan tensions surrounding a...

Bolick Bill Mandating Assisted-Living Agency Screening

June 11, 2026 3:44 pmJuly 3, 2026 8:10 am

PHOENIX- Arizona lawmakers sent Gov. Katie Hobbs new legislation intended to close oversight gaps in the assisted-living referral industry, which helps families select care facilities but is not currently subject to state licensing requirements. Senate Bill SB1477, sponsored by Sen. Shawnna...

Montenegro Claims Victory after Judge Flips AZ Housing Water Rule

June 10, 2026 4:15 pmJuly 3, 2026 8:10 am

PHOENIX — Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro is claiming vindication after a Maricopa County judge ruled that the state illegally required developers to secure substantially more water than their projects would use before receiving approval to build. Montenegro joined the Home...