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Governor’s Office – While the governor’s office technically allows its employees to telecommute when necessary, a staff member told the Yellow leaf report only one person from Gov. Doug Ducey’s office works from home, a younger woman with previous health complications. The rest work in the office while following the Arizona Department of Health Services guidelines on office hygiene. The source said the possibility of more or most employees working remotely is “not something we are considering at the moment.” According to an e-mail written by Daniel Ruiz, Deputy Managing Director of Ducey, who Yellow leaf obtained, employees can ask their manager to determine what works best for them and use the ‘relax[ed]“Telecommuting policies for those who can work from home. Ruiz said in the email that the state is also waiving co-payments for telemedicine on health care plans for state employees.
Executive orders- Ducey issued 12 decrees, regarding COVID-19, to date. One to close bars, gyms and cinemas in counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19, all 15 counties were affected as of March 30. Another delays driver’s license expiration dates by six months, a third stops all elective surgeries. Ducey has also listed the companies he deems to be “Essential” and can remain open, which includes golf courses and payday lenders. He ordered a postponement of the evictions until July 22. The governor also issued orders to expand telemedicine coverage for all wards, for hospitals to increase bed capacity and plan how to better use available staff and resources, and on March 30, he released a command “stay at home” this still allows anyone to use and participate in “essential activities” and no one will have to prove or justify what they are doing outside their home when questioned by the police. People who violate the order, except those living in homelessness, could be charged with a Class 1 offense if they do not comply after being told of the order. The order is in effect until April 30.
Secretary of State – The Secretary of State’s office is temporarily suspending all in-person services, while maintaining its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The office has been able to successfully hold the presidential election preferably on March 17 and is looking forward to receiving the signature sheets from candidates for office. They are due before April 6.
Arizona Attorney General’s Office – From Governor Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency, Attorney General Mark Brnovich has filed numerous lawsuits to control businesses and other state agencies. When Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes suggested he would mail the ballots for the presidential election preferably, Brnovich prevented it from happening. Brnovich has since reminded Arizona employees of their rights during the pandemic which included mandatory paid sick leave, childcare services during school closings, and health care. Additionally, Brnovich warned companies that they will face the consequences if they are using COVID-19 as a reason for raise prices or further violate the Consumer fraud law. Brnovich too joined with Senator Kyrsten Sinema in warning the elderly against scams like bogus medicine, government fraudulent calls and disinfection services. His most recent notice says the state government may share non-identifying information about people who test positive for the virus in order to stop its spread.
Arizona Department of Education – On March 19, the Education Department said it had the option for some employees to work remotely. “The department has around 640 employees, but we don’t have the number of telecommuters currently,” said department spokeswoman Morgan Dick. She said, however, that the adult education services department was fully online. Governor Doug Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced that March 30 public schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
Arizona Supreme Court – Arizona Supreme Court spokesman Aaron Nash said all staff have been properly trained to telecommute, but each division decides who telecommutes and when. They take into account social distancing, available equipment and tasks, he said. “When the nature of someone’s job doesn’t allow for telecommuting, these people work on-site in places that allow for social distancing,” Nash said. Yellow leaf report.
Arizona Superior Courts- There are constant updates with what each trial court has done regarding hearings and background information to help fight COVID-19. Trials are either canceled or postponed and as of March 25, all courts in Maricopa County have barred physical access to all court buildings until April 8, with a few exceptions.
Arizona Corporation Commission- A spokeswoman for the commission said about 50% of the agency teleworked for part of the time between March 9 and March 20. The commission also suspended all in-person services effective March 24.
Arizona Department of Administration – Since March 19, the Ministry of Administration has encouraged employees of state agencies to work from home if they are ill or need to care for their child who would normally be in school, although the department cannot say how many employees are taking advantage of this.
Arizona Department of Economic Security- On March 20, Ducey named Tom Betlach as Acting Director for 75 days, allowing Acting Director Cara Christ to focus on her main job as Director of the Department of Health Services. On March 22, Ducey allocated $ 2 million from DES for the state to contract with the Crisis Response Center to run a 2-1-1 service to provide information on COVID-19. On March 24, it was revealed that DES had received around 30,000 jobless claims in the previous week alone.
Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reintegration – As of March 23, the Department of Corrections said it was testing six inmates for COVID-19, but the results were still not known as of March 29. The department has also taken the necessary precautions to defend against the spread. They have suspended visits, check inmates and staff daily for flu-like symptoms, and more.
Arizona Department of Revenue – Following a recommendation from Governor Doug Ducey, the Ministère du Revenu extension of the deadline for filing and paying income tax two months to July 15.
The universities- The big three universities canceled their in-person classes for the remainder of the spring semester as the coronavirus pandemic reached a national scale in early March. Students are responsible for taking the courses online, preferably at home, as requested by the universities. On March 26, a class action lawsuit was filed in federal court against the Arizona Board of Regents request reimbursement of accommodation, room, board, tuition and other costs which would have been used for counseling, maintenance and athletics.
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