by Jonathan Eberle | Mar 31, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona State Senator Carine Werner (R-LD4), Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, has called for a legislative probe into the Arizona Department of Child Services (DCS) group home regulations. Werner called for the investigation after the gruesome murder of 14-year-old Emily Pike. Pike had run away from a state-licensed facility in January before being killed.
In a press release, Werner expressed deep concern over the failure of the system to protect vulnerable children. She announced plans to convene a bipartisan hearing through the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety. The hearing will include DCS officials, law enforcement, lawmakers, tribal councils, and social services departments to examine existing policies and identify areas for reform.
“Arizona’s licensed group homes have repeatedly made headlines for egregious mistakes that have cost lives and threatened the safety of staff,” Werner stated. “There may be underlying systemic issues requiring immediate reforms, so we must assess where mistakes are occurring and determine the next steps.”
Werner also called for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to launch an investigation, though no official inquiry has been announced at this time.
Arizona’s child welfare system has faced long-standing criticism over group home conditions and the safety of children placed in state care. Reports of abuse, neglect, and inadequate oversight have raised alarms among lawmakers and child advocates. The tragic case of Emily Pike has reignited demands for stricter oversight and accountability.
The Senate hearing is expected to focus on the effectiveness of existing DCS policies, safety measures in group homes, and potential legislative solutions to prevent future tragedies. Senator Werner has pledged to keep the public informed on the progress of the investigation and any forthcoming policy recommendations.
As Arizona lawmakers push for answers, the case underscores the ongoing debate over child welfare reforms and the role of state oversight in protecting the most vulnerable children.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 31, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona’s Republican lawmakers are looking to take on the cost of groceries by sending a referendum to the voters that would cap the transaction privilege taxes in municipalities on the sale of food items for home consumption at 2 percent.
The effort has been led by Republican State Representative Leo Biasiucci. It initially began as an outright ban, which proved to be a non-starter with State House Democrats and Governor Katie Hobbs. A bill to accomplish this was already dead on the table with the prospect of a veto from Hobbs, but this has been sidestepped through a compromise, HCR 2021.
“These are things that families need to survive,” Biasiucci told AZ Capitol Times. “This is the right thing to do. The fact that we are taxing people on eggs and milk and bread is insane.”
In a post to X Biasiucci wrote, “My bill to remove taxes from all essential food items like milk, eggs, butter, vegetables, fruit, baby food, beef and chicken passed committee 4-2. My bill also removes taxes from diapers. Taxing our food is regressive and it needs to end.”
A previous version of the measure passed both chambers of the legislature in 2023 only to suffer a prompt veto from Hobbs after the leaders of several municipalities claimed city services, including police and fire departments, would need to be reduced without tax revenue from food sales. In her veto letter, Hobbs claimed, “It’s clear that this bill doesn’t actually eliminate costs for our residents. It simply moves those costs around.”
Rep. Neal Carter, a Republican from San Tan Valley told the Times that there have been significant increases in municipal sales tax revenue from online sales after the SCOTUS ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair. The outlet reported that from 2019-2024, cities and towns have enjoyed a 60% increase in sales tax revenue, but city expenses have also increased in that time period as well, leaving the local governments reticent to cut spending.
“This is a terribly regressive tax. This is the most regressive tax I could possibly dream up,” Carter told the outlet. “If I was going to dream up a regressive tax, I would tax the one thing that you literally have to have to live. You don’t even, in a sense, have to have a home to live, but you have to have food.”
“I don’t know a single person in Arizona, a voter or a constituent, who’s going to say, ‘Yes, continue to tax me on these things that I have to put on the table for my family,’” Biasiucci told his colleagues. “At a time when inflation is through the roof, these taxes are going higher. You’re paying more.”
Under the compromise passed in the House, a city or town with a tax rate below 2% could elect to increase it up to the limit with voter approval. However, with approximately 70 of the 91 municipalities charging taxes on groceries ranging from 1.5% to 4%, some municipalities would be required to reduce their taxes and either reduce spending or increase taxes in other areas such as property tax.
After passing the House with limited Democrat votes and near total Republican support, the resolution was read in the Senate on March 10th and 11th and is pending review by both caucuses and a final vote.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Mar 31, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona House Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation to continue the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC), a key agency overseeing law enforcement funding, crime prevention, and criminal justice policy implementation in the state.
The bill, SB 1227, was sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-LD2) and passed the committee after a “strike everything amendment” from Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-LD1). If encated, it would extend ACJC for two years while modifying its structure and operations.
The legislation, which passed the committee by a 7-1 vote, introduces several changes to ACJC’s governance: it expands the population size eligibility for police chiefs, county attorneys, and sheriffs serving on the commission; prohibits members from using a designee to represent them; adds an additional victim advocate member to the commission; requires ACJC to meet at least four times a year instead of once annually; and subjects ACJC to a sunset review by the Auditor General after two years.
The reforms are designed to ensure ACJC remains focused on its mission of supporting law enforcement, allocating federal grants, and coordinating crime prevention efforts across Arizona.
“This legislation sends a strong message that Republican lawmakers will continue to push for resources to protect the men and women in law enforcement,” said Senator Bolick. “I am thankful Rep. Nguyen, and I were able to work together on a plan that prevents ACJC from dissolving, ensuring our criminal justice system receives uninterrupted resources and support.”
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission plays a central role in the state’s criminal justice system. It monitors the implementation of laws, conducts statistical analyses, and provides reports to state officials. Additionally, ACJC administers funding for various law enforcement initiatives and victim services programs.
The push to extend ACJC comes amid broader debates on criminal justice policy in Arizona. Supporters of the bill argue that the commission is critical in securing federal grants that benefit local law enforcement and victim support programs. They contend that reforms will strengthen ACJC’s oversight and ensure its operations remain effective.
With its passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the bill now moves to the full House for consideration before heading back to the Senate. If enacted, ACJC will continue its operations with the proposed modifications and remain under legislative scrutiny.
Senator Bolick and Representative Nguyen have emphasized that the bill reinforces Republican lawmakers’ commitment to law enforcement resources and public safety. “We would be doing a disservice to the selfless individuals who protect our communities if we allow ACJC to become obsolete,” Bolick stated.
As the Arizona Legislature continues to debate the future of criminal justice policy, the outcome of SB 1227 will determine whether ACJC remains a key player in law enforcement and public safety efforts across the state.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 30, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes announced in a social media post on Wednesday that he will not be running to replace the late Democrat Congressman Raúl Grijalva in the 7th Congressional District. Instead Fontes will seek to defend his seat as Arizona’s top election official in the 2026 mid-term election.
In his remarks, posted to X, Fontes referred to a “rising tide of fascism sweeping this nation,” as his primary motivation for the decision. Fontes cited President Donald Trump’s Executive Order “Preserving And Protecting The Integrity Of American Elections,” and claimed that through this action the “president is laying the groundwork to cancel elections in 2026.”
Fontes gave no explanation or description of how requiring voter identification, preventing non-citizens from voting, cooperation between the state and federal governments to maintain voter roll integrity, requiring states only count ballots received on or by election day, and improving the security of voting systems could possibly accomplish this end.
Fontes wrote:
“I have considered the pros and cons of running for congress. It is clear to me that our party must fight harder and stand up to the rising tide of fascism sweeping this nation.
“With this week’s executive order from the Trump Administration, I firmly believe the president is laying the groundwork to cancel elections in 2026.
“After careful thought and reflection, I have decided that for family, for country, and for democracy, I will continue to defend America as Arizona’s secretary of state.”
As reported by KJZZ, Fontes claimed that the Executive Order, “is in my view an attempt to erode confidence so much that he [Trump] will be able to declare some kind of emergency or something and potentially just cancel the elections in 2026. I don’t think that is beyond what this administration is capable of.”
In a subsequent interview with Scripps, Fontes proceeded to double-down, telling Elizabeth Landers that were DOGE to come for any of Arizona’s voter rolls or information, as required under the Executive Order, he “would tell them to go to hell.”
He also announced that a formal campaign announcement for Secretary of State will be forthcoming.
Several commenters to Fontes’ post on X disagreed with his characterization of his decision, instead positing that the late-Rep. Grijalva’s daughter Adelita Grijalva is the likely frontrunner.
Former Arizona State Representative Daniel Hernandez Jr. has already announced his candidacy for the seat as well with at least seven statements of interest filed for the race so far.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Mar 30, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona State Senate is considering HB 2880, a bill that would prohibit individuals from establishing or occupying encampments on university and community college campuses. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Alma Hernandez (D-LD20), passed the Arizona House of Representatives with a 41-17-2 vote and outlines enforcement procedures and penalties for violators.
The legislation defines an encampment as a temporary shelter, including tents, set up on campus for overnight or prolonged stays. If an individual or group is found in violation, university or college administrators would be required to order the encampment dismantled and direct the individuals to vacate. Failure to comply would result in charges of criminal trespass and possible legal action, including removal by law enforcement.
Additionally, students who refuse to leave could face disciplinary action under their institution’s student code of conduct. Violators would also be held liable for any damages resulting from the encampment, including costs related to removal, campus restoration, and property repair.
The bill aligns with Arizona laws protecting free speech on college campuses, allowing restrictions only when expression violates laws, disrupts university operations, or falls outside First Amendment protections. While supporters argue that the bill upholds campus safety and prevents disruptions, critics contend it could limit protest activities and infringe on student rights.
The issue of campus encampments recently came to the forefront in Arizona following the arrests of protesters at Arizona State University (ASU). According to reports, multiple demonstrators were detained during an anti-Israel protest on campus, where students and activists had set up an encampment in defiance of university regulations. Law enforcement intervened after the protest was deemed disruptive to campus operations.
The incident at ASU has intensified discussions surrounding HB 2880, with supporters arguing that the bill is necessary to prevent similar disruptions, while critics claim it could be used to suppress student activism. The event highlights the broader national debate over the limits of protest on college campuses and the role of law enforcement in maintaining order. Several states have introduced similar legislation in response to high-profile protests that have disrupted campus operations.
If enacted, the bill would require enforcement by campus security and local law enforcement agencies. The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) and community college governing boards would ensure compliance with student conduct policies.
The bill now awaits further deliberation in the Senate. As the debate continues, lawmakers, university administrators, and students will likely weigh the balance between maintaining order on campuses and protecting the right to protest.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
