News Digest for Thursday, Feb. 4

Here is the Cronkite News Service lineup for Thursday, Feb. 4. Video and other multimedia with these packages is available at https://cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/video, and clients are welcome to link to or embed individual videos on that site. In addition, clients may download the QuickTime movie file for their players here with a free Vimeo account.  If you have questions or would like to receive an e-mailed version of this digest, please contact Steve Elliott at 602-496-0686 or steve.elliott@asu.edu. You can monitor Cronkite News Service via Twitter (@cronkitenews) and a Web feed optimized for iPhone (https://cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/mobile).

TODAY’S NEWS

Legislation advances to give Arizona lottery 25-year extension without election

PHOENIX (Thursday, Feb. 4) _ Lawmakers are advancing a plan that would have voters decide whether to extend the Arizona Lottery for 25 years, a much longer renewal than in the past but one that proponents say is necessary with the state planning to borrow against future sales to help close the budget deficit.

Slug BC-CNS-Lottery Renewal. By Kristena Hansen. With BC-CNS-Lottery Renewal-Box.

THE WEEK’S NEWS

Lawmaker: Time for legislators to take a pay cut along with other state employees

PHOENIX (Wednesday, Feb. 3) _ Lawmakers often complain getting the $24,000 for a part-time job that winds up being full time, but it’s tough to find an argument against a proposed ballot initiative that would force a pay cut on legislators should other state employees have to take a hit. The proposal by Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, was scheduled for committee action Thursday.

Slug BC-CNS-Pay Cut. By Melanie Kiser.

NOTE: We are updating this story Thursday to note that the measure won committee approval.

Bill would offer schools greater flexibility with English language learners

PHOENIX (Wednesday, Feb. 3) _ State mandates on English immersion programs deny school districts the flexibility they need to develop instruction that works best for their students, a state lawmaker contends. That’s contributed to many districts failing to meet state standards for progress among English language learnerssaid Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista. “To say that one size fits all sometimes may work, but sometimes it does not,” he said. “I think we need to look at alternatives so that children don’t fall behind.” Gowan has introduced a bill that would allow districts to develop their own instructional plans for English language learners, provided that the districts demonstrate that students are progressing sufficiently.

Slug BC-CNS-English Learners. By Griselda Nevarez. With BC-CNS-English Learners-Box.

Counties brace for possibility that governor’s plan will send back youths incarcerated by the state

YUMA (Tuesday, Feb. 2) _ On an average day, 55 youths fill the 80 available beds at the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center, most of them staying for about two weeks. But Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to disband the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections would send around 50 youths incarcerated for more serious offenses back here, and the math doesn’t add up for County Administrator Robert Pickels. In addition to adding an estimated $1 million in personnel costs to an already strained county budget, the move would force officials to consider making room in the regular county jail by releasing offenders considered lower risks, he said. “This is something that we hate to have to consider,” Pickels said. Counties around Arizona offer similar assessments: Taking on youths incarcerated by the state would be an undue hardship.

Slug BC-CNS-Juvenile Corrections. By Kristena Hansen. With BC-CNS-Juvenile Corrections-Box.

Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

Two bills look at future of requiring public notices in newspapers

PHOENIX (Tuesday, Feb. 2) _ In a digital age, should Arizona taxpayers have to continue covering the cost of publishing public legal notices in newspapers? Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, says it’s wasted money when government bodies can easily post public notices on their Web sites. He’s sponsoring a bill that would remove the requirement in state law to publish public legal notices in newspapers. “It is extremely costly to do print media, he said. “You’re dealing with essentially 19th century technology to disseminate information.”
A bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Crump, R-Anthem, who has since resigned,would establish a committee to spend two years studying the most efficient and effective way to publish public notices. That could lead to removing the requirement, he said. “It’s really a matter of the horse and buggy, and getting used to the automobile,” said Crump, who recently resigned to run for Congress. The bills come as local governments face strained budgets but also as newspapers deal with eroding advertising revenue. The Arizona Newspapers Association, which lobbies for newspapers’ interests, contends that newspapers offer a value and credibility when it comes to public notices.

Slug BC-CNS-Public Notices. By Ryan Van Velzer. With BC-CNS-Public Notices-Box.

NOTE: This story will move late this afternoon.

Federal task force takes aim at Arizona’s human smuggling crisis

PHOENIX (Monday, Feb. 1) _ A federal task force and new efforts to overcome victims’ fears will help address the crisis of human smuggling in Arizona, officials including the U.S. attorney for the state said Monday.

Slug BC-CNS-Human Trafficking. By Melanie Kiser.

Special license plate bills would honor agriculture education, Masons, more

PEORIA (Friday, Jan. 29) _ Caleb Gillispie said he knew long before coming to Peoria High School that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, a high school agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America adviser. That led him to this school’s agriculture education program, where as a junior he’s tutoring younger students and helping manage those caring for a golf course located on campus. “FFA is teaching skills for life, not just leadership,” he said. “You go out right away and apply what you learned in the classroom. Based on a request from state FFA leaders, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, is sponsoring a bill that would create a special license plate honoring agriculture education. HB 2245 is one of several bills introduced so far that would add special plates supporting troops, the Arizona Masonic Fraternity, multiple sclerosis awareness and other groups and causes. Arizona already offers nearly 50 special license plates.

Slug BC-CNS-Agriculture Plates. By Yvonne Gonzalez. With BC-CNS-Special Plates-Bills.

Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

^___=

PHOTOS: Click thumbnails to see full-resolution images.

PARKS RALLY

020210-yumajuvenile-official11.jpg
Yuma County Administrator Robert Pickels says Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to have counties take over juvenile offenders now incarcerated by the state would force officials to consider releasing offenders considered at lower risk. He said there isn’t jail space to accommodate the 50 youths who would return to Yuma County. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Kristena Hansen)

020210-yumajuvenile-pod.jpg
Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center has, on average, 55 youths filling its 80 beds. Yuma County Adminstrator Robert Pickels says Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to have counties take over juvenile offenders now incarcerated by the state would force officials to consider releasing offenders considered at lower risk. He said there isn’t jail space to accommodate the 50 youths who would return to Yuma County. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Kristena Hansen)

AGRICULTURE PLATES

020110-nevadaplate.jpg
Nevada is among the states offering residents the ability to purchase special plates supporting agriculture education through Future Farmers of America. FFA leaders in Arizona are urging lawmakers to add such a plate here, and a bill by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, is heading to the House floor. (Photo Courtesy of the Nevada Department of Education)

012910-ffaplate-example.jpg
Pennsylvania is among the states offering residents the ability to purchase special plates supporting agriculture education through Future Farmers of America. FFA leaders in Arizona are urging lawmakers to add such a plate here, and a bill by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, is heading to the House floor. (Photo by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation)