Gov. Doug Ducey rolls out two executive orders in State of the State
Jan 11, 2016, 3:29 PM | Updated: Jan 12, 2016, 6:44 am
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey presents his State of the State address, Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced two executive orders during his State of the State address on Monday.
Both dealt with very different topics. One concerned the state’s economy and one concerned unprocessed rape kits.
The first order promotes the state’s participation in the “sharing economy,” or businesses that allow private people to provide services to others; businesses such as Uber, Airbnb and Lyft. Ducey said Arizona lawmakers have been to slow to react to emerging business trends.
“As our economy advances, our government and our laws need to modernize too,” he said in the address.
In response, Ducey’s executive order created the Governor’s Council on the Sharing Economy to identify regulations that block the success and spread of sharing businesses.
“I want startups in the Sharing Economy to know: California may not want you, but Arizona does,” he said.
Immediately after announcing the executive order, Ducey mentioned the city of Phoenix’s battle with rideshare services — specifically Uber — over picking up passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
“More than 40 million passengers enter our state through Sky Harbor International Airport every year, but you can’t order an Uber or Lyft because unelected bureaucrats at city hall are protecting special interests.
“Sky Harbor may be a city airport, but it’s an Arizona vital resource used by citizens all over the state, and our economy is dependent on its success.”
Though he does not have authority over the airport, Ducey called on the Phoenix city government to lift the “unnecessary regulations” placed on rideshare services at the airport.
Ducey’s second executive order forms a task force to deal with thousands of untested rape kits statewide, including 2,300 in Maricopa County.
“On my watch, the state of Arizona will do whatever it takes to lock these criminals away,” he said.
The task force will be required to develop a new process for testing and tracking sexual assault kits and a way to fund it. It has a deadline of Oct. 1.
