Melinda Merkel Iyer

It can be confusing to watch #AZLeg this time of year, but we're here to demystify it. Peek behind the curtain with us, read about the worst of the worst, then help layer on the public pressure.

Shoving brand-new bills through "trash can" committees. A partisan veto-bait budget, again. The failure of common sense.

The annual last-minute rush to take out the trash. A Project 2025-inspired bill in sheep's clothing. Way too many ballot referrals. Buckle up, this is a long one.

The best thing we can say about the Arizona Legislature this year is that Republican lawmakers can't agree on which bonkers, conspiracy-driven, voter-suppression ballot measures they want to pass.

Ten pounds of you-know-what in a five-pound bag. A lopsided cutting-room floor. Regularly scheduled infighting. The bills are out there and they're coming.