Arizona’s Three Universities Mandate All Employees Get Vaccinated by December 8

Arizona’s Three Universities Mandate All Employees Get Vaccinated by December 8

By Corinne Murdock |

Arizona State University (ASU), University of Arizona (UArizona), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) will require their employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 8. This latest development is due to the Biden Administration’s order for federal contractors and subcontractors to get vaccinated by the hard deadline of December 8. The universities’ mandates will also affect student workers.

The Arizona Board of Regents explained that the three universities have substantial federal contracts that necessitate compliance with the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate.

“The universities have hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts, funding critical research, employment and educational efforts,” stated spokesperson Julie Newberg. “We respect individual opinions regarding the vaccine and will include disability (including medical) and religious accommodations consistent with federal rules.”

UArizona President Dr. Robert Robbins reiterated the reality of their situation in an email to employees: the universities rely heavily on millions of dollars in contracts with the federal government.

“President Biden recently issued an Executive Order that requires institutions that contract with the federal government, such as the University of Arizona, to comply with guidance from the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force,” wrote Robbins. “The University has hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts, funding critical research, employment, and educational efforts, and already has received amended federal contracts that include this requirement.”

Governor Doug Ducey hasn’t issued any statements on the three universities’ mandates as of press time, though he has expressed ardent disapproval for both vaccine and masking mandates, as well as issued orders to curtail these mandates and approved legislation outlawing them.

Per the universities’ latest published reports, ASU has over 17,000 employees, UArizona has over 16,000 employees, and NAU has just under 5,000 employees.

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Chandler City Council Approves $56,000 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Study

Chandler City Council Approves $56,000 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Study

By Corinne Murdock |

Thursday night, Chandler City Council passed a proposal to spend up to over $56,000 for a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study” of the city’s community and its governance.

The proposal identified Cooperative Personnel Services, dba CPS HR Consulting (CPSHR), will conduct the study and offer their consulting services. The city’s Human Relations Commission (HRC) conducted a study last year following a survey from the city about their DEI initiatives. HRC will serve as a “steering committee” of sorts in CPSHR’s efforts, receiving progress reports and updates on the survey.

According to City Manager Josh Wright, the survey will have four phases. First, the creation of a DEI Aspirational Policy that will define the successful outcome of the study; the development of an external and internal communications strategy; definition of what the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion mean; interviews of council members.

The second phase will include an extensive DEI community engagement process. An online survey will be opened and promoted by the city, a community focus group will be formed, and a website will be launched to house all the documents associated with the study’s processes.

The third phase will look at the city’s employees. At this point, the city will have a “DEI Roadmap.”

Wright didn’t expand on what the fourth phase would include, but indicated it would focus on communication and transparency.

“In many ways this process can be thought of as a community dialogue about our shared values and vision for Chandler,” said Wright. “It is not simply a survey on a nondiscrimination policy or any one aspect of DEI, but rather a holistic look at how we build on our strengths as a city, improve in areas where we need to do better, and continue to create a community that is welcoming for all.”

Councilmember Matt Orlando expressed one of his main concerns with the study was that it wouldn’t produce “statistically valid” results. He asked how the HRC would play in the role of conducting the study.

“I don’t want to get this [topic to get] any more polarized,” stated Orlando.

Wright explained that they would create focus groups and further organize the study in the near future. He added that the HRC would serve a “critical role” in conducting the study.

Councilmember OD Harris asked why CPSHR was chosen to conduct the study.

“There is a strong feeling that there were groups that were left out of the discussion,” stated Harris. “Have we went back to talk to those groups? Have we had additional conversations [about] why we chose this particular company?”

Wright asserted that CPSHR was unbiased on the issue. He argued that they were the only consultant who provided all the services under one roof, and were able to do the study in “a timely fashion.” He said that anybody who believed the procurement process overlooked other companies should reach out.

It was revealed that the Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct the study wasn’t opened up to the public, which several members of the community took issue with in public comment.

According to the mayor, over 600 comments were issued about the proposal. Mayor Kevin Hartke assured the community that he’d read them all.

Prior to the meeting, Harris had expressed high hopes for the proposal in a statement to AZ Free News.

“First and foremost I was elected to represent all city of Chandler residents. We are in the first step, in putting forth a scientific study on discrimination in Chandler. This is the first true study of its kind as we continue to evolve as a community of diverse people and backgrounds. I am very excited to have this conversation tonight. It’s my call to action in-regards to this critical conversation for all City of Chandler residents to share their experiences and life stories. This data will allow us to specifically identify any barriers, find appropriate solutions, and lastly come together for what is best for our community.”

Harris changed his tune once he learned during the meeting that the survey wasn’t open to a public RFP. He expressed his displeasure, attempting to offer an alternative motion to rescind a vote on the proposal and instead open up the survey to public bidders.

However, a majority of the council voted for the proposal, ending that possibility for Harris. Only Harris and Councilmember Christine Ellis voted against the proposal.

The study will be completed in the spring.

Watch discussion of the proposal at the council meeting here.

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

Arizona Senate’s Audit Liaison Ken Bennett to Explain What Happened in Town Hall

Arizona Senate’s Audit Liaison Ken Bennett to Explain What Happened in Town Hall

By Corinne Murdock |

The Arizona Senate’s liaison to the Cyber Ninjas-led audit, Ken Bennett, will be hosting a town hall series over the next few weeks to discuss what happened with the audit. The series, “What Happened at the Audit,” was organized by Look Ahead America, an America First nonprofit dedicated to voter outreach and election integrity.

The town halls will occur at the following locations from 7 to 8:30 pm:

· October 19: Hilton Garden Inn Tucson Airport

· October 21: Scottsdale Studios

· October 25: Prescott Gateway Community Room

· October 27: Shugrues Restaurant and Brewery in Lake Havasu City

The town halls will also be live streamed on Rumble and on Look Ahead America’s website.

Look Ahead America also hosts the results of the Voter Integrity Project (VIP), an initiative by former President Donald Trump’s 2016 data analyst and strategy director Matt Braynard. Braynard is also the executive director of Look Ahead America. He will moderate the town halls.

Though Cyber Ninjas submitted its final audit report on Maricopa County weeks ago, Bennett has continued his work as liaison. Most recently, Bennett appeared before the U.S. House Oversight Committee to testify last week. Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan was noticeably absent, though he was invited.

During the hearing, Bennett responded to questions about whether he believed the audit showed Trump as having won rather than Biden. Bennett said no.

“I would not characterize it that way. I was asked by the Senate to be the liaison to the Maricopa audit,” stated Bennett. “The Maricopa audit found that the results were very similar to what Maricopa County canvassed in the official results.”

Those interested in attending any or all of the town halls must register in advance here.

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.

New Law Creates Opportunities For Rental Of Privately Owned Vehicles

New Law Creates Opportunities For Rental Of Privately Owned Vehicles

By Terri Jo Neff |

Among the dozens of new laws which took effect in Arizona on Sept. 29 is one that provides for Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing businesses while addressing public safety and bringing in new tax revenues.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) car sharing is the authorized, contracted use of a shared vehicle -for a fee- by an individual other than the shared vehicle’s owner.  It does not apply to car rental agents nor to vehicle rentals with the services of a driver, but is optional for traditional short-term car rentals companies as well as individuals.

The new P2P law ensures that tax revenues are collected from those companies like Getaround which operate the platforms used by individual vehicle owners to connect with and rent their vehicles to other drivers. The law, created earlier this year by Senate Bill 1720, now requires such P2P platforms to collect and remit transaction privilege tax (TPT) on a monthly basis for all rentals it arranges.

But it is not only the platforms that have responsibilities under the new law.

An individual vehicle owner not otherwise in the business of renting vehicles does not have to have a TPT license in order to place a shared vehicle on a P2P platform, but the owner must certify to the Arizona Department of Revenue that TPT or Arizona’s use tax was paid when the vehicle was purchased or that out-of-state sales or use tax was paid if the vehicle was purchased out-of-state and later brought into Arizona.

A vehicle purchased in a private, casual sale where no TPT or use tax was paid cannot be certified by the Department of Revenue as an individually-owned shared vehicle. That won’t prevent such vehicles from being rented on a P2P platform, but the rentals are subject to certain surcharges, as are rentals of vehicles that an owner chooses to not certify with ADOR.

Pima and Maricopa counties, as well as the City of Phoenix, imposes additional taxes on short term vehicle rentals, including rentals arranged through a P2P platform.

Senate President Karen Fann attributed passage of SB1720 at the time to the efforts of Sen. David Livingston (R-LD22) and Rep. Travis Grantham (R-LD12) who garnered bipartisan support for the legislation. Among those backing the bill were key stakeholders in the tourism industry, including a major rental car business operating in Arizona.

“The result is a fair set of rules that respects the interests of car rental customers, car rental providers, vehicle purchasers, and the communities in which we operate,” said Kevin Cooper, GM of Enterprise Leasing Company of Phoenix.

Phoenix Council Reports Violent Crime Rising, Number of Officers Diminishing Rapidly

Phoenix Council Reports Violent Crime Rising, Number of Officers Diminishing Rapidly

By Corinne Murdock |

The city of Phoenix is facing the reality of a dwindling police force with violent crime surging ahead. This was revealed during the Phoenix City Council’s Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday.

Phoenix Police Department (PPD) reported that they’ve experienced a “continued decline” in the number of officers over the past two years, despite all recruitment efforts. They reported 172 less officers between March of last year and July of this year. Since July, PPD reported having 60 less officers. PPD also reported that it is 42 officers short of minimum staffing level for optimal patrol operations.

“Despite aggressive hiring campaigns over the last two fiscal years, like most other law enforcement agencies across the country the department has experienced a continued decline in the number of filled sworn positions,” said PPD. “On average the department is currently losing approximately 30 officers per month and expects to lose over 100 additional officers by mid-December 2021.”

The department also reported that officers are carrying a higher number of caseloads on violent crimes than recommended – anywhere from three to eleven times the amount they should.

Last year, the FBI reported that homicides rose by nearly 44 percent while aggravated assaults rose by over 24 percent.

On Tuesday, Councilman Sal DiCiccio posted some of the research ahead of the committee meeting. He emphasized that the findings were alarming – increases in violent crime in every district and a reduced numbers of officers.

“There is rising crime in EVERY council district In Phoenix. Does that honestly make you and your family feel safe knowing that? We need change and we need it now,” wrote Diciccio. “800 police officers short [;] Response times increasing [;] ‘Defunding Police’ rhetoric[.]”

According to Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher, the largest spikes in crime occurred in districts 4, 5, 7, and 8. Those districts are led by Councilmembers Laura Pastor, Betty Guardado, Yassamin Ansari, and Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia – those who voted to install a police oversight board.

The vice mayor pushed to reduce police funding greatly during budget considerations earlier this year, which would’ve divested millions from PPD to fund public transit and child care. Additionally, Garcia and Guardado voted against a contingency that officers receive a raise in exchange for additional accountability measures.

In response to PPD’s reports of increased crime and less officers, law enforcement advocate and DiCiccio’s former Chief of Staff Sam Stone told AZ Free News that councilmembers supportive of “defunding the police” rhetoric were to blame.

“The council came one vote from defunding the police last year. One vote. Crime is skyrocketing. Murders are up citywide,” stated Stone. “People are being killed. And this crazy defund movement is to blame. That anyone on this council would seriously continue to try to cut police is just insane.”

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.