AZ Capitol Times (State Affairs Arizona)

We tried to move up our Best of the Capitol event, and you spoke up. So we’ve decided to extend our nominations period and reschedule our award ceremony to June 3, 2026. Still have someone you want to nominate for categories like best dressed, best polling firm or best lobbyist? Get at it! Visit the link below and submit your nominations today before time runs out. (For real this time!) azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/02/0…

Arizona leaders are getting antsy as the state’s water future hangs in limbo without a negotiated deal on Colorado River sharing guidelines and without federal intervention. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Is energy on your mind? We're bring together a select panel of state lawmakers for a discussion moderated by our Energy Reporter @hsanchez128. @PluribusNews Join us! Register here 👉us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

A 2025 law shielding Tucson Electric Power, Arizona Public Service and other electric utilities from most lawsuits if their equipment sparks a catastrophic wildfire had just one requirement: The power companies must create comprehensive plans to minimize the risk of fires. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

A Republican candidate running for the state House this year may get some early experience after being appointed to fill a vacancy to replace former state representative and congressional candidate Joe Chaplik. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Attorney General Kris Mayes is turning the tables on a company that takes online bets on future events, charging it with multiple violations of state gaming laws. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

A company that lets people bet on everything from where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will get married to whether Katie Hobbs will get another four year term as Arizona governor is asking a federal judge here to stop the state from trying to shut it down. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Sen. J.D. Mesnard says 90 — 30 senators and 60 representatives — is too few. So he is proposing to add 30 more to the state House. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

We’re back again with cowboy hats, and Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, happily obliged our passion for fashion. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

A majority of state senators want to ask voters to double their pay. And the claim is that Arizonans may get a better — or at least broader — choice of people to represent them. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Virginia is illustrating for data center critics in other states how difficult it is to build enough political support to impose restraints on an established industry. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

The nominees have been gathered! Go to azcapitoltimes.com/events for more information.

States are casting a wide net in their efforts to meet a surging electricity demand being driven by the burgeoning data center infrastructure necessary for artificial intelligence. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

“Great Scott! ⚡️ Looks like the future finally arrived… just a few decades late. If this thing hits 88 mph on the legislative lawn, someone better tell David Farnsworth the Back to the Future timeline might officially start in Arizona.” Photo by @JordanLouWho12 (3/10)

Fearing an end-run around the courts, two top state officials are telling counties to refuse to comply with any grand jury subpoenas for their voter records. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Pinal County taxpayers could get a $300 check from the state. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Republican precinct committeemen in Legislative District 3 have suggested three candidates to fill a vacancy in the state House of Representatives left by state Rep. Joe Chaplik, including one former state senator. Now, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors must decide who it believes is best to replace the newly-resigned Republican legislator. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Gov. Katie Hobbs is kicking off her Arizona Capacity and Efficiency Initiative aimed at reducing government spending and optimizing state services with the announcement of a new hire. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Climate-conscious state lawmakers have proposed policies to keep states on track to meet their environmental goals, as rising electricity demand spurred by data center development is threatening to hamstring efforts to rein in greenhouse-gas emissions. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…

Gov. Katie Hobbs is kicking off her Arizona Capacity and Efficiency Initiative aimed at reducing government spending and optimizing state services with the announcement of a new hire. azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/03/1…