by Matthew Holloway | Mar 14, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Earlier this month, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) introduced the Guarding Religious And Career Education (GRACE) Act. If enacted, it would direct Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to outright eliminate the DOE’s Office of Enforcement within the Office of Federal Student Aid. The office, according to a report from the American Principles Project (APP), overwhelmingly enforced actions against faith-based and career-centered schools.
According to the APP report, the vast majority of all enforcement actions, at almost 70%, were directed toward institutions of these varieties despite their accounting for less than ten percent of the total number of enrolled students in the nation.
In a press release from Rep. Biggs, the congressman cited the example of the egregious targeting of Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in America and the extremely questionable $37.7 million fine levied against the school as previously reported by AZ Free News.
In a letter to McMahon, Biggs urged the newly minted Secretary to launch an investigation into the Office of Enforcement’s targeting of Christian and technical schools amidst the mass reductions in workforce already underway.
He wrote in part, “It is imperative to determine the extent of any ideological targeting and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. For example, in October 2023, ED’s Office of Enforcement fined Grand Canyon University, (GCU) $37.7 million for allegedly misrepresenting the cost of doctoral programs, an allegation GCU has categorically denied and is appealing. The claim has been refuted judicially and administratively: in federal court, by the Higher Learning Commission in its 2021 comprehensive review, and by the Arizona State Approving Agency of the Department of Veterans Affairs in an audit.”
McMahon told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that her termination of over half the Department’s staff is in fact part of a “total shutdown” of the agency. “Yes — actually, it is,” she said, adding, “That was the president’s mandate. His directive to me clearly is to shut down the Department of Education.”
In line with the actions McMahon is already taking, Biggs called upon her to shudder the Office of Enforcement altogether in the GRACE Act, writing, “The continued existence of the office appears to serve as a vehicle for weaponization rather than a tool for oversight. The targeting of Christian universities and career colleges must end.”
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 Matthew Holloway | Mar 14, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
On Monday, the Subterranean Border Defense Act, jointly reintroduced by Reps. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Lou Correa (D-CA) was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate. The bipartisan bill received near-unanimous support with 402 votes in favor and one against. The one vote against came from Michigan Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
“Passage of this bill is a massive win for our security. With border crossings thankfully going down since January, it’s safe to assume this will drive threats underneath our border through these tunnels. This legislation will ensure Congress has sufficient knowledge and oversight in regard to this dynamic threat,” Rep. Crane said in a statement.
In a post to X, Crane took note of Tlaib’s dissenting vote writing, “I thought for sure everyone was gonna vote yes on my bill this evening. 402-1 is still pretty solid though.”
Commenting during House proceedings, Crane explained the necessity of the bill by telling Congress, “Since 1990, officials have discovered more than 140 tunnels that have breached the border, with an 80% increase in tunnel activity since 2008,” according to CSPAN. He added, “As transnational criminal organizations continue to grow in both size and sophistication, illicit cross-border tunnels along the southwest border of the United States represent a significant and growing threat to national security.”
According to Fox News, Tlaib’s office did not respond to requests for comment on her lone vote against the measure, which fellow Democrat Rep. Correa called “an important step in the right direction.”
Crane thanked members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for their support saying, “Effective border security is created by overlapping deterrents, and I’m grateful to Chairman Green, Rep. Correa, and my colleagues for supporting this bill.”
In his own statement on the bill, Correa said, “It’s clear that human traffickers and illegal drug smugglers have developed dynamic ways to evade capture—making it urgent and necessary that we adapt to defend against their attempts to breach our border.” He added, “I’m honored to be leading this bipartisan effort, alongside Rep. Crane, to help improve our efforts to counter these tunnels and those who rely on them, and protect the lives of those on both sides of our border.”
The legislation, expected to be taken up by the Senate quickly, was co-sponsored by Representatives Biggs (R-AZ), Duncan (R-SC), Gosar (R-AZ), Guest (R-TX), Higgins (R-LA), Luttrell (R-TX), McCaul (R-TX), and Ogles (R-TN).
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 14, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers are advancing a series of bills aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and taxpayer protection. These measures tackle issues ranging from government spending on elections to school board meetings and travel, with a focus on ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and efficiently. With strong support from various groups, these bills reflect ongoing concerns about how taxpayer money is spent and how local government actions are conducted.
One of the most significant pieces of proposed legislation, HB2722, is backed by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and sponored by Rep. Neal Carter (R-LD15). The bill seeks to prevent taxpayers from indirectly subsidizing private businesses through government gifts. Specifically, it targets “gift clauses” in state and local government contracts, which some argue allow for inappropriate use of taxpayer funds to benefit private entities.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has been vocal about the need for stronger protections against such expenditures. The organization has stated that this bill is necessary to curb the growing trend of government spending on private corporations without clear public benefit.
“Taxpayers should not be used as a backdoor financing mechanism for private companies,” said Arizona Free Enterprise Club officials. “This bill is about ensuring that public dollars are spent in a way that directly benefits the public, not private interests.” If passed, this bill would create stricter guidelines on how public funds can be spent and would allow taxpayers to hold officials accountable when misused funds are discovered.
Another bill making its way through the Arizona legislature is SB1036, supported by the Goldwater Institute and sponosred by Sen. John Kavanagh (R-LD3). This bill targets government spending on influencing elections, a topic that has sparked considerable debate in recent years. SB1036 would create a private right of action for taxpayers, allowing individuals to sue if they believe government funds are being spent on efforts that influence an election. This would make it easier for citizens to challenge the use of taxpayer money in elections, particularly when the spending appears to be partisan or otherwise improper.
The Goldwater Institute has argued that taxpayers have a right to ensure their money isn’t used to sway political outcomes. According to a recent report by the organization, there have been multiple instances of local governments spending taxpayer funds to advocate for policies that align with political interests, which has raised concerns about government overreach.
“Governments should not be using taxpayer money to influence the political process,” said Goldwater Institute officials. “This bill provides taxpayers with the ability to stand up for their rights and ensure public resources are not misused.”
Another bill, HB2169, which was introduced by Representative Matthew Gress (R-LD4), seeks to address transparency within Arizona’s public school districts. The bill would require school board meetings to be held in public facilities within the district, ensuring that they are easily accessible to the communities they serve. Additionally, the bill mandates that school boards must receive public approval before engaging in out-of-state travel, making it more difficult for administrators to make costly decisions without community oversight.
This legislation gained near-unanimous support, with proponents arguing that it ensures greater accountability for how public schools operate and how funds are spent. Critics of the current system have pointed to examples of school board members using taxpayer money for luxury travel without clear, public approval or benefit. A notable incident involved a local school district that faced backlash after spending taxpayer funds on extravagant trips while simultaneously requesting additional funding from voters for educational needs.
“Public education is about serving the community,” said Representative Gress in a statement. “We need to make sure that the actions of school boards are always in the public interest. This bill strengthens public trust in our school systems.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 13, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a dramatic defeat for the proponents of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), along with other various apparatus of leftist governance, Tucson voters struck down the proposed Safe & Vibrant City ballot measure on Tuesday. The measure would have increased the city’s overall sales tax by a half-cent, extracting an estimated $80 million in annual revenue from taxpayers to fund a raft of left-leaning agenda items.
The final result saw 69.76% vote NO with 30.18% voting YES.
Michael Guymon, President and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber, told KVOA, “I am very pleased the voters supported our message of fiscal responsibility without the need to raise taxes on our community’s most vulnerable individuals.”
The No on Prop 414 coalition, a group of business owners and Tucson residents opposed to the measure, celebrated the defeat of the proposition as well stating, “The resounding defeat of Prop. 414 is an important victory for all Tucsonans and an important first step in making sure city resources go to where they can do the most good. While we celebrate that we won’t be directly funding increased surveillance and the harms of policing with every dollar we spend for the next 10 years, we understand that there are still urgent, unmet needs in the community.”
Scot Mussi, President of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, also celebrated the results of the election saying, “Voters from all sides of the political aisle made the correct decision in Tucson today. This tax increase was another failed attempt by Tucson’s radical leaders to take more tax dollars from hard-working men and women to fund an insatiable leftist agenda.”
Mussi added, “We have seen over the years how Tucson officials have embraced globalist environmental, energy, and social justice propaganda and policies to steer their municipality – and even our state – into that camp. Tonight, Tucson voters rejected these efforts, rightly deciding to keep their tax dollars for themselves.”
According to AZCentral, $13.4 million of the new tax would have gone “to community and justice-related programs” with approximately two-thirds of it being directed toward public safety measures. The proposition was also strongly endorsed by Democrat former state Sen. Kristen Engel, who was recently defeated in a challenge to Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani.
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 Staff Reporter | Mar 13, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
When 26-year-old Erzsi Moffatt first sought out a volunteer opportunity at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, she had no idea it would lead to something much bigger. What started as a role helping parents access essential family care quickly evolved into a larger mission—one that she and her 24-year-old brother, Jedidiah Lyons, would take statewide. Recognizing the overwhelming need for baby essentials, they founded The Dandy Project, a nonprofit dedicated to making parenthood more accessible by providing car seats, strollers, diapers, and other necessities to families in need.
How It All Started
While seeking to volunteer at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, Erzsi Moffatt found herself in a position to be able to work as their Boutique Manager. Since 1977, the center has provided free and confidential services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, and options counseling. It also offers parenting classes, maternity and baby supplies, and resources to help parents navigate unplanned pregnancies with confidence and support.
In this role, she assisted clients by providing essential supplies such as formula, diapers, baby equipment, and more. As she became more involved, she invited her brother, Jedidiah Lyons, to volunteer at the center, where he began teaching workshops on life skills, like budgeting and resume building.
During their time there, Erzsi and Jedidiah witnessed firsthand the meaningful impact of these services, seeing how the center’s support helps struggling parents and their children thrive.
Erzsi’s husband, Stephan, a golf professional in the community, received a career opportunity that required their family to relocate to Phoenix. While excited for her husband’s growth, Erzsi couldn’t help but feel sad to close her chapter at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center.
After sharing the news with her brother, Jed, they discussed wanting to leave a lasting contribution before departing and were reminded of the center’s long waitlist for car seats. Recognizing an opportunity to help, Jed—an entrepreneur with a background in assisting others in starting businesses—suggested they tackle the issue using surplus overstock sales, a process retailers use to cut costs on online returns and excess inventory.
Putting their heads together, they identified a vendor that allowed them to source car seats and other baby essentials at a fraction of their retail value, helping to significantly reduce the waitlist and support families in need.
Knowing that many other Pregnancy Resource Centers like Hope existed across the state, Erzsi and Jed decided to take their concept and start their own non-profit. In September 2023, they founded The Dandy Charitable Foundation, also known as The Dandy Project—a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission to “protect, empower, and support those who do the same for the next generation.”
We had the opportunity to sit down with the brother-sister duo to learn more about their journey and the impact they hope to make.
Q: What made you decide to take on this endeavor?
Erzsi: We realized that we already had the resources to start helping families right away and trusted that we’d figure out the rest as we went. Jed and I have always embraced challenges and followed our own path, so we saw this as an opportunity to put that mindset to good use. At the very least, we knew we could make somewhat of a difference for families in need so that was reason enough to start.
Q: What inspired the mission statement for The Dandy Project, and how did you shape it?
Erzsi: Well, Jed and I spent a lot of time discussing what we wanted The Dandy Project to achieve, and we kept coming back to the growth we witnessed in clients at Hope as they navigated their journeys to parenthood. Seeing them rise to the challenge and transform through the experience is what ultimately inspired us to take on this endeavor.
As we reflected on the most impactful aspects of that growth, we realized it all came down to the ability to protect, empower, and support their own family—especially in unexpected circumstances. That understanding became the foundation of our mission.
Q: Your mission statement encompasses a broad range of support. Can you share specific ways The Dandy Project fulfills this mission in practice?
Jed: Hope Pregnancy Resource Center operates in the non-urban community of Flagstaff, Arizona. While it’s not exactly rural, it still faces unique challenges that a metropolitan center wouldn’t. We had a solid understanding of the operational needs at Hope, but knowing that many other centers existed across the state, we wanted to leave room to develop additional programs as we built relationships and identified broader needs.
I personally believe we fulfill our mission best by alleviating the financial burden that comes with having a baby. Through our program, we’re able to provide a car seat, stroller, crib, and six months’ worth of diapers and wipes to a client—all at no cost to them. What would typically cost around $1,800, we’re able to source for just $100 per client, making a significant impact on struggling families.
Q: Who does The Dandy Project primarily serve, and what does a typical client look like?
Jed: We’re fortunate that our programs are very cost-effective, which allows us to operate on a no-questions-asked basis for client intake. If someone applies for support, we provide whatever resources we have available—so ultimately, we serve anyone who is expecting or already has children.
When we partner with organizations, we focus primarily on rural communities, which means much of our outreach serves Arizona’s Native American populations. However, the clients who come to us directly come from all walks of life, and most are based in the Phoenix metro area.
Q: What is the process for clients to receive supplies from The Dandy Project?
Erzsi: Clients can apply for support directly through our website, DandyProject.org. Since we store the items in our garage and local unit, we personally drop them off to local clients ourselves.
However, distributing supplies to our community partners across the state is a bit more complex. In our first year, we were truly bootstrapping our distribution system—relying on friends, family, and our personal vehicles to transport supplies to the rural communities we serve.
Last year, we celebrated our first anniversary with a banquet, and thanks to fundraising from that event—along with additional support from a fundraiser hosted by Calvary Oro Valley Church in Tucson—we were able to purchase a used Ford E350 cargo van. This has made our distribution process significantly more cost-effective and efficient.
Q: After 18 months in operation, how would you measure the impact The Dandy Project has made so far?
Erzsi: We’re proud to share that in 2024 alone, we directly supported over 312 families and reached more than 1,000 additional families through our community partners. Seeing the tangible difference we’ve been able to make in such a short time has been incredibly exciting.
Q: What’s next for The Dandy Project?
Erzsi: Right now, we primarily operate in the northern part of the state, but we’re eager to expand further into southern Arizona, particularly the greater Tucson area. Looking ahead, I hope to become The Dandy Project’s first official employee and take our model even further, maybe reaching families even beyond Arizona.
Q: How can people get involved and support The Dandy Project?
Erzsi: Financial donations are always needed, and we are an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO). This means that anyone filing for the 2024 tax year can take advantage of the QCO tax credit, reducing their tax liability dollar for dollar—up to $420 for individual filers or $840 for those filing jointly.
Our most immediate need is always volunteers. If you or someone you know frequently travels to communities like Flagstaff, Show Low, or Prescott, we would be incredibly grateful for your help in delivering supplies to our community partners. Your support—whether financial or hands-on—makes a real difference for families in need.
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