The Association has been actively attempting to lobby lawmakers and the Governor’s Office to bring attention to this public safety issue. Earlier in February, President Jeff Hawkins posted a picture of his meeting with State Senator Frank Carroll, where they “discussed the issues that our members are dealing with.”
We met with Senator Carroll and discussed the issues that our members are dealing with. We also marked a dubious first, the Highway Patrol is now under 500 Troopers. We've dropped below critical staffing levels. We need help. #azleg#budgetdiscussions#paypublicsafetypic.twitter.com/3yEKAR9O8s
Hawkins also met with State Representative Hendrix to have “a frank conversation about how many vacancies the agency currently has and [the] dire need to fill them before the situation gets worse.”
President Hawkins had productive meeting with Representative Hendrix. They had a frank conversation about how many vacancies the agency currently has and our dire need to fill them before the situation get worse. #azleg#budgetdiscussions#paypublicsafetypic.twitter.com/rWPXt5jnCW
Not only are the number of troopers at DPS understaffed, but the number of dispatchers are suffering as well.
Earlier this session, the Association expressed displeasure in the budget released by the state’s governor – particularly with the lack of attention to solving the crisis over DPS vacancies. The “X” account for the Arizona Troopers Association stated, “We are very disappointed Governor Hobbs’ budget won’t do anything to solve the looming crisis AZDPS faces. Historic vacancies are getting worse. Either we spend the money to get a fully staffed highway patrol or face public safety disasters in the future.”
We are very disappointed @GovernorHobbs budget won't do anything to solve the looming crisis AZDPS faces. Historic vacancies are getting worse. Either we spend the money to get a fully staffed highway patrol or face public safety disasters in the future. #azleg#fundpublicsafetypic.twitter.com/SF9QBycgFG
The Arizona State Troopers Association endorsed a bill, SB 1175, that would “appropriate an unspecified amount from the state General Fund to the Department of Public Safety in FY 2025 to pay the cost of stand-by for peace officers employed by DPS.”
This bill easily passed the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety and Border Security (6-1) and narrowly passed the Appropriations Committee (5-4 – with one member not voting).
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police (Arizona State Lodge) and the Arizona Police Association indicated their support for the bill. There were no individuals or organizations signed in to oppose the proposal.
Senator David Gowan, a Republican, is the sponsor of SB 1175.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A familiar face may be returning to the Arizona Legislature.
Last week, former state legislator and Corporation Commissioner Justin Olson announced his candidacy for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 10.
In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Olson explained that he would be running for the seat being vacated by Representative Barbara Parker, who would be serving on a church mission with her husband in 2025.
Olson stated that Parker reached out to him to initiate a conversation about his candidacy and to offer “her full support and endorsement” should he accept. He also shared that Representatives Justin Heap and Senator David Farnsworth also gave him “overwhelmingly statements of support.”
The former East Valley Legislator took a trip down memory lane to recount the start of his tenure in the legislative branch as well as what he was able to help accomplish as a member. Olson said, “When I first ran for the Legislature, Arizona faced a $3.6B budget deficit and the record unemployment levels of the Great Recession. I ran promising to fight for fiscal responsibility and economic growth while championing the conservative policies across the board. In my six years at the Capitol, my successful legislation cut taxes, balanced the budget, eliminated job killing bureaucratic red tape, defunded Planned Parenthood and Obamacare in Arizona, expanded school choice, funded public safety, and much more.”
During his time in legislative office, he earned the following ratings and awards: A+ rating from the NRA “Champion of the Taxpayer” by the Arizona Republican Party, a “Friend of the Family” by the Arizona Family Project, “Legislator of the Year” by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and “The Free Market Champion of the Year” by The Arizona Free Enterprise Club.
The veteran Arizona Republican underscored the importance of keeping the East Mesa seat in reliable conservative hands, saying, “Once again, Arizona faces a budget shortfall. Arizona’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee forecasts a $835.2M deficit for the current fiscal year and $878.9M for next year. With a one vote majority in both the House and the Senate and a Democrat Governor in the Executive Tower, it is critical that our Legislative District replaces Barbara with someone that will continue her conservative efforts.”
Olson asked for the vote of Legislative District 10 voters, writing that he would “continue these important efforts of advancing freedom, faith, and family, and standing up for common sense conservative principles like secure borders, the rule-of-law, the second amendment, and the right-to-life.”
The Arizona Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A bill to help young entrepreneurs throughout Arizona is advancing through the state legislature.
Last week, the Arizona Senate approved SB 1370, which was sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick. According to the purpose provided by the chamber, the proposal would “prohibit a municipality or county from requiring a license or permit for a business that operates occasionally by a minor or a person who has not graduated from high school, [and] creates a transaction privilege tax (TPT) exemption.”
It was an honor to sponsor SB1370.
We need to let kids flourish and soak up the entrepreneurial spirit, not regulate their imagination and grit before they can even launch their idea.
Please support youth entrepreneurs like Aiden so we can free the lemons here in Arizona! https://t.co/nywqzudHMl
In a statement, Bolick said, “Asking kids to obtain a food handlers card to set up a lemonade stand is absurd, yet cities across Arizona are requiring this. I don’t agree with saddling our budding innovators with red tape, so I’ve sponsored SB 1370, which would prohibit a municipality or county from requiring a license or permit for a business that operates occasionally by a minor or a person who has not graduated from high school.”
Bolick encouraged Arizonans to listen to the testimony of Aiden, a young entrepreneur who appeared before the Senate Government Committee when the bill was being heard earlier this month. She revealed that “despite his impressive request for support from legislators, all Democrats voted no to helping him and other child entrepreneurs like him.”
The bill passed the Senate with a 16-10 tally, with four members not voting. Senator Brian Fernandez, the lone Democrat co-sponsor of the legislation, did not vote on the measure.
Young man makes impressive request for support for child entrepreneurs. ⬇️
Continuing with her supportive comments for her legislation, Bolick stated, “It’s important that we allow kids to learn how to succeed in life, instead of creating unnecessary barriers against them. Several other states, including liberal Colorado, have passed similar laws.”
Republican State Representatives Michael Carbone and Justin Wilmeth are also co-sponsors of the bill.
On the Request to Speak system for the Arizona Legislature, representatives from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity Arizona indicated their support for the proposal. A representative from Save Our Schools Arizona signed in opposition to the bill.
SB 1370 now awaits action in the Arizona House of Representatives.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona may be one step closer to having a state planet.
On Monday, the State House of Representatives passed HB 2477, which “establishes Pluto as the state planet of Arizona.”
We in Arizona haven’t forgotten about you, Pluto. You were discovered in our grand state on this day back in 1930. And tomorrow, you’ll be one step closer to being Arizona’s state planet! #PlutoDay#HB2477@LowellObspic.twitter.com/MPHHbc7S1f
The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Justin Wilmeth, was approved by the full House of Representatives with a 52-0 vote. Seven members did not vote, and one seat was vacant.
Earlier this session, the proposal passed the House Government Committee with a bipartisan 8-1 vote.
“This is not just about designating a state symbol; it’s about recognizing Arizona’s pivotal role in advancing astronomical knowledge,” said Representative Wilmeth. “The discovery of Pluto at the Lowell Observatory is a testament to our state’s scientific legacy, and by designating Pluto as our state planet, we honor the curiosity and dedication of those who have expanded our cosmic horizons.”
According to the Arizona House of Representatives, other official state emblems include:
The Bola tie as the official state neckwear;
Lemonade as the official state drink;
Sonorasaurus as the official state dinosaur;
Wulfenite as the state mineral; and
The Arizona tree frog as the official state amphibian
HB 2477 now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Legislature is working to strengthen parental rights in the state.
Earlier this month, the State House of Representatives passed HB 2183, which “entitles parents with the right to receive from a healthcare entity equivalent access to any electronic portal or other healthcare delivery platform for their minor child,” according to the overview from the chamber. The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby, received bipartisan support on the floor, garnering a vote of 32-25 (with three seats vacant).
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅ Arizona House Protects Parental Access to Minor Children’s Medical Records Online
“Arizona’s parents’ bill of rights safeguards parents’ ability to make healthcare decisions for their minor children,” said State Representative @JWilloughbyAZ, sponsor of… pic.twitter.com/q8YemrJVbI
In a statement after the House vote, Representative Willoughby said, “As healthcare delivery evolves, patients have increasingly varied avenues to access and communicate with healthcare providers. Yet, I’ve heard from parents who have been denied the ability to access their child’s medical records through an online patient portal. These portals are essential for parents to manage the care of their children, enabling them to contact pediatricians and specialists, schedule appointments, and refill prescriptions.”
Willoughby added, “Arizona’s parents’ bill of rights safeguards parents’ ability to make healthcare decisions for their minor children. My bill expands upon this protection, guaranteeing parents’ equal access to healthcare delivery platforms like online medical portals to care for their minor children.”
Before arriving on the floor for a vote from the whole chamber, HB 2183 was approved by the House Committee on Health and Human Services in January, with a partisan 6-4 vote.
HB 2183 was co-sponsored by Representatives Biasiucci, Bliss, Carter, Cook, Dunn, Gillette, Kolodin, Nguyen, Peña, and Speaker Toma.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, Christine Accurso and a representative from the Center for Arizona Policy signed in support of the proposal. Representatives from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, American Civil Liberties Union of AZ, AZ Public Health Association, Children’s Action Alliance, Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, NARAL Pro-choice America, National Council of Jewish Women Arizona, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, and Human Rights Campaign registered their opposition to the bill. Additionally, representatives from the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Health System Alliance of Arizona noted their organization’s neutrality on the legislation.
The bill now awaits action in the Arizona Senate.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
