An Arizona judge on Monday ruled that the state’s ban on mask mandates in public schools, and other Republican-passed Arizona laws that block local governments from imposing COVID-19 requirements, are unconstitutional. The sweeping ruling from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper effectively clears the way for Arizona cities and counties to impose mask mandates. At least 29 public school districts had defied the laws and enacted their own mask requirements. Cooper in her ruling voided a ban on vaccine requirements at public universities, community colleges, and local governments. The judge also overturned several provisions not related to COVID-19 that were slipped into the state budget, including a required investigation of social media companies and stripping the Democratic secretary of state of her authority to enforce election laws. The measures were set to go into effect on Wednesday. “The bill is classic logrolling—a medley of special interests cobbled together to …