The Veridus BLOG

Oh, Scottsdale. City voters are bracing for a contentious municipal election, with a pair of PACs squaring-off against a sitting councilman and two contenders for City Council.

Viewers who tuned-in to this week’s GOP gubernatorial debate expecting a repeat of the 2022 food fight were likely disappointed. This was an orderly affair, with front-runner Andy Biggs and main challenger David Schweikert largely training their attacks on Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs instead of each other.

Dear clients: On Saturday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed the $18.3 billion FY27 State budget. The new fiscal year begins July 1. As part of her bill-signing statement, Governor Hobbs praised the package for “...stopping the data center tax credit for three years, investing in border security, education and water security, and delivering a $1.4 billion tax cut for middle class Arizonans.” With session adjourned sine die, the Governor now has until June 25 to sign or vet

Dear Clients, The Second Regular Session of the 57th Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die at 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning. Over the course of the session, 2,030 bills were introduced, 125 were signed into law and 63 were vetoed. Governor Katie Hobbs now has until June 25 to sign or veto any legislation remaining on her desk before the measures automatically become law. The general effective date for legislation is Sept. 12, which applies unless a bill has an emergency claus

Today, the Arizona House and Senate approved the FY 2026-27 State budget package with broad, bipartisan votes. The nearly $18.3 billion General Fund spending proposal now moves to the desk of Governor Katie Hobbs for her consideration and anticipated signature.

Following weeks of negotiations, it appears a bipartisan State budget deal has been reached between legislative leaders and Governor Katie Hobbs.

Good news on the water front? Potentially. There were encouraging signs this week when Lower Basin states, major utilities and federal officials gathered in Carlsbad, California. The parties signed an MOU to make greater use of ocean water via an area desalination plant, and ease reliance on the dwindling Colorado River. The plant is operated by the San Diego County Water Authority. The MOU is likely to lead to more concrete discussions about a future water trade of sorts. Th