This week, we're looking back at the stories that impacted our state throughout the past year, including those that will continue to be part of our conversations in 2018.
Federal policies affect every state, but the uncertain future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has some undocumented immigrants in this state trying to figure out what to do next. The program allowed temporary reprieve from potential deportation by giving people who were brought to the country as children a work permit or permission to attend school. We interviewed several Arizonans about how the program's end in March is affecting their lives. Many are asking Congress to continue the program before it expires.
President Donald Trump won Arizona in the 2016 election, and many of his proposed and enacted policies affect people in this state. Most notably, immigration policy and staffing at the border hits home. The President also visited Yuma and Phoenix in August, to praise from those who attended the speech and protests from those outside.
Health Care policy drove the national news and we spent time trying to figure out what proposed changes would mean for Arizona residents who seek care, doctors who provide it, and those who help ensure people who can't afford care have access to it.
Education funding was also a consistent topic in 2017. Gov. Doug Ducey began the year with a promise to give teachers a raise, which became controversial later in the year when it seemed the raise would be smaller than expected. At the same time, the state Attorney General, Mark Brnovich, sued the Arizona Board of Regents because he said the board unconstitutionally increased tuition at the state's universities.
This is the final episode of Arizona Week, Arizona Public Media is debuting a new public affairs TV show Jan. 5. Join us for Arizona 360 with host Lorraine Rivera.
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