Resolution Copper Company is urging Arizona lawmakers to allow miners who work underground to be scheduled for shifts up to 12 hours. Current state law limits underground miners to eight hour shifts.
A representative of Resolution Copper told the House Employment and Regulatory Affairs Committee that operations in other states that increased the limits to 12 hours have seen decreases in time lost to injuries. Adam Hawkins also said that workers have found that they prefer this because it means less time commuting and more time at home.
The bill would also remove language from state law declaring that employment in underground mining is “injurious to health and dangerous to life and limb.”
Cronkite News Service reports that the bill has already been approved by the Arizona Senate. It now goes to the House floor.
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legislation. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wikipedia and Other Websites Plan 'Blackout' on Wednesday
Wikipedia has announced that it will black out the English language version of its website on Wednesday to protest anti-piracy legislation in Congress. It will shut down access from midnight Eastern Standard Time (10:pm MST) Tuesday night until midnight Wednesday.
Critics of the proposed legislation say it goes way beyond cracking down on the sale of pirated US products. They say the language of the two similar bills in the House and Senate restricts freedom of speech, creativity and innovation. They also say that eventually only those with the financial resources to fight legal challenges would be able to speak.
The Reddit and Boing Boing websites are also planning to blackout their services on Wednesday. Many other tech companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter are also strongly opposed to the legislation, but they are not participating in the blackout.
The White House has also expressed opposition to parts of the proposed legislation.
Critics of the proposed legislation say it goes way beyond cracking down on the sale of pirated US products. They say the language of the two similar bills in the House and Senate restricts freedom of speech, creativity and innovation. They also say that eventually only those with the financial resources to fight legal challenges would be able to speak.
The Reddit and Boing Boing websites are also planning to blackout their services on Wednesday. Many other tech companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter are also strongly opposed to the legislation, but they are not participating in the blackout.
The White House has also expressed opposition to parts of the proposed legislation.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
New Law Gives Schools Some Spending Flexibility
Governor Brewer has signed into law a bill that will allow any remaining tax-credit donations from last year and previous years to be used to fill in cuts made to classroom budgets.
Taxpayers can give $200 a year to schools in tax credit donations, $400 if filing jointly as a married couple. The money has been restricted to field trips and character education.
The Arizona Republic reports that the temporary measure will allow school districts to use the money for books, classroom supplies, library materials, technology and buses for up to two years.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Child Restraint Law Passes AZ House
A proposed child restraint law has made it through the Arizona House. It now goes to the state Senate.
Arizona’s current law allows children to be moved from a car seat to an adult seat belt at the age of 5. But studies show that children using an adult seat belt without a booster seat can suffer serious head, spine and abdominal injuries. They may slip out of the belt or even be ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says proper use of a safety seat can reduce child fatality risk up to 71%. It can reduce injury risk by up to 59%.
Arizona’s current law allows children to be moved from a car seat to an adult seat belt at the age of 5. But studies show that children using an adult seat belt without a booster seat can suffer serious head, spine and abdominal injuries. They may slip out of the belt or even be ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says proper use of a safety seat can reduce child fatality risk up to 71%. It can reduce injury risk by up to 59%.
Arizona Senate Approves Ban on Texting While Driving
The Arizona Senate has approved a bill that would ban texting while driving. The bill would make it a non-moving civil traffic violation to manually enter information into a handheld wireless device to write, send or read written messages while driving.
The Arizona Republic reports that drivers would still be allowed to make telephone calls. And texting would be allowed if your vehicle is stopped in traffic but not at a red light or stop sign.
A violation would be punishable by a $50 fine. That increases to $200 if you are involved in an accident.
The bill now goes to the state House.
The Arizona Republic reports that drivers would still be allowed to make telephone calls. And texting would be allowed if your vehicle is stopped in traffic but not at a red light or stop sign.
A violation would be punishable by a $50 fine. That increases to $200 if you are involved in an accident.
The bill now goes to the state House.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Arizona Senate Passes Bill to Make GCC Independent
The Rim Country Gazette reports that on Tuesday evening the Arizona Senate passed the bill that would allow Gila Community College to become independent.
In a letter to the Gazette’s Blog, GCC Board Member Tom Loeffler thanked the blog’s readers for their help. Loeffler says the Arizona House will vote on the bill in a couple of days.
In a letter to the Gazette’s Blog, GCC Board Member Tom Loeffler thanked the blog’s readers for their help. Loeffler says the Arizona House will vote on the bill in a couple of days.
Monday, February 28, 2011
County Supervisors Oppose SB1411
County Supervisors across the state are expresing alarm over proposed legislation that weakens their authority over county budgets.
A Gila County press release says that Senate Bill 1411 strips boards of supervisors of their ability to oversee the budgets of county elected officials including sheriff’s, attorneys, treasurers, recorders and clerks of the court. The bill would replace it with limited authority to “approve and appropriate” those budgets.
The bill also gives elected officers in large counties new authority to enter into contracts, make purchases, and establish salary and personnel policies for their offices. These functions are currently managed by board policies across all county departments to maximize efficiency and reduce duplication.
The Gila County Board of Supervisors urges state lawmakers to allow county elected officials to work together to resolve their differences rather than changing state law that would lead to further conflict and reduce transparency.
Senate Bill 1411 was passed by the Senate Government Reform Committee on February 16 and will next be considered by a vote of the full senate.
A Gila County press release says that Senate Bill 1411 strips boards of supervisors of their ability to oversee the budgets of county elected officials including sheriff’s, attorneys, treasurers, recorders and clerks of the court. The bill would replace it with limited authority to “approve and appropriate” those budgets.
The bill also gives elected officers in large counties new authority to enter into contracts, make purchases, and establish salary and personnel policies for their offices. These functions are currently managed by board policies across all county departments to maximize efficiency and reduce duplication.
The Gila County Board of Supervisors urges state lawmakers to allow county elected officials to work together to resolve their differences rather than changing state law that would lead to further conflict and reduce transparency.
Senate Bill 1411 was passed by the Senate Government Reform Committee on February 16 and will next be considered by a vote of the full senate.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
AZ Senate Committe Votes to Kill Medicaid
An Arizona Senate Committee has voted to eliminate the state’s Medicaid program. The bill would replace it with a much smaller system for only a fraction of low income people now served.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8 to 5 to drop the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Supporters say it is financially unsustainable.
The program currently serves about 1.3 million people, or about 1 in 5 Arizonans. A proposed replacement would serve less than 10% of that.
KOLD reports that dropping Medicaid would cost the state about $7.5 billion in federal funding.
Opponants say the funding loss would devastate the health care system and close hospitals, especially in rural areas.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 8 to 5 to drop the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Supporters say it is financially unsustainable.
The program currently serves about 1.3 million people, or about 1 in 5 Arizonans. A proposed replacement would serve less than 10% of that.
KOLD reports that dropping Medicaid would cost the state about $7.5 billion in federal funding.
Opponants say the funding loss would devastate the health care system and close hospitals, especially in rural areas.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Lawmakers Consider Head Injury Bill
Arizona legislators are considering a bill to protect student athletes from head injuries during games. The bill would require all schools to pull a player from a game immediately if a head injury is suspected. ABC15 reports that the player would not be allowed to return until examined and cleared by a doctor.
Studies show that if players return to the game too quickly, another concussion could cause more problems. It can even be deadly.
The Arizona Sports Concussion Network says 40% of players receiving a concussion return to the game too soon.
Studies show that if players return to the game too quickly, another concussion could cause more problems. It can even be deadly.
The Arizona Sports Concussion Network says 40% of players receiving a concussion return to the game too soon.
Bill Would Reduce Use of Interlock
Device for First-Time DUI Offenders
The Arizona Senate is considering a bill to reduce the amount of time that a first time DUI offender will have to have an ignition interlock device.
An ignition interlock device is a breath analyzer that is wired to a car’s ignition. The driver has to blow into the device before the car can be started. If it shows bood-alcohol content above .08, the car won’t start.
Since 2007, a person convicted of DUI has had to have an interlock device for a minimum of one year. A bill sponsored by Sen. Linda Gray would drop that to six months for first time offenders who complete an alcohol or drug education or treatment program.
AZFamily.com reports that Mothers Against Driving Drunk opposes the bill. They say six months is not enough time for offenders to change their behavior.
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