An election-related bill may have a good chance of becoming law in Arizona thanks to an overwhelming result in one legislative chamber.
Last week, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2482, which “establishes a voter registration alert system requiring the County Recorder to notify voters of specified changes, such as change of party affiliation, telephone number or address to their voter registration record” – according to the overview provided by the chamber. The vote in the State House was 57-0 – with two members not voting and one seat vacant.
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅ State Representative Barbara Parker Champions Unanimous House Passage of Voter Registration Alert System Legislation
“We now live in a digital age where the tiny glowing rectangle in our pocket can communicate any information to us at any given time.… pic.twitter.com/M6jtbG0sLC
Republican State Representative Barbara Parker, the sponsor of the bill, issued a statement following the successful passage of her proposal. She wrote, “We now live in a digital age where the tiny glowing rectangle in our pocket can communicate any information to us at any given time. Admittedly, government communication isn’t always top-notch. However, it absolutely should be, especially when it comes to voting! That’s why our County Recorders should uniformly communicate with Arizona’s constituents regarding changes such as party affiliations, phone numbers, or addresses. And what’s the easiest way to do that? Via text message.”
Parker added some final thoughts on the importance of this bill for the voter registration and election landscape across the state, saying, “With the passage of HB 2482, and through the creation of a voter registration alert system, they will be required to do just that. Remember: Education and information are always key. And with a little legislative nudge, we’ll get there.”
Last month, the legislation was approved by the House Committee on Municipal Oversight & Elections. The vote in committee was unanimous – 9-0.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request To Speak system, representatives from AZ National Organization for Women, State Conference NAACP, and the Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter, indicated their support for the legislation.
A representative from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office signed in as neutral to the bill.
HB 2482 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.
Arizona’s Attorney General is taking the Internal Revenue Service to court.
Last week, Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a press release to announce that “the State of Arizona has sued the IRS to prevent it from taxing the state-issued Arizona Families Tax Rebate.”
The federal government's decision to tax the Arizona Families Tax Rebate is unfair and unlawful. I will do everything I can to ensure Arizonans receive tax relief as intended. https://t.co/rZh2kGZbpbpic.twitter.com/c1tsbXVlCy
Mayes’ lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Arizona.
The legal issue at hand stems from the Arizona Legislature’s May 2023 passage of a “General Welfare Income Tax Rebate to offer financial relief to eligible taxpayers.” Few – if anyone – in the state expected this rebate to be taxable by the federal government, but that all changed earlier this year when a notice came from the IRS. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office confirmed that “the IRS did not confirm its decision in writing until late last week.”
In a statement that accompanied the release, Mayes said, “This lawsuit is about standing up for Arizona taxpayers. The federal government’s decision to tax these rebates is unfair and unlawful – and I will do everything I can to ensure the tax relief provided to Arizonans by their state government remains in the pockets of Arizona taxpayers, as intended.”
Mayes had previously sent a letter to the IRS Commissioner over the issue, arguing that “the full Tax Rebate should be excludable from federal tax under the general welfare exclusion,” and that “at a minimum, the Tax Rebate should be excluded from federal tax to the extent it does not exceed state taxes that were actually paid and that were not deducted from federal income.”
According to the State Attorney General’s Office, the legal challenge makes the following allegations:
Unlawful Taxation: The IRS’s decision to tax the rebates lacks legal basis and contradicts prior IRS guidance and precedents.
Arbitrary and Discriminatory: The decision by the IRS is arbitrary, capricious, and unfairly targets Arizona taxpayers.
Economic Impact and Violation of Taxpayers’ Rights: Taxing these rebates affects not only the individual taxpayers but also the broader economic well-being of Arizona, reducing the disposable income of taxpayers and state sales tax revenue.
Mayes’ public involvement in the matter over the IRS taxing these rebates appears to have followed that of Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who, in January, shared that he was “working diligently to come to a resolution that will protect the more than 700,000 recipients from having to give the federal government a portion of [the rebate] this tax season.”
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senate President @votewarren Works to Prevent Biden's IRS from Taking Advantage of "Arizona Families Tax Rebate" Recipients ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Y2B2JisOvy
A bill to help educate Arizona students about the history of communism is one step closer to the Governor’s desk.
On Thursday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2629, which “establishes November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day and requires the State Board of Education to create a list of recommended resources for mandatory instruction on the topic in certain public school courses” – according to the chamber. The proposal was sponsored by Speaker Ben Toma and received a vote of 33-26 (with one seat vacant).
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅ House Speaker @RepBenToma Thanks Republican Colleagues for Passing Bill to Remember Victims of Communism, While Most Democrats Unite in Opposition
“Teaching Arizona students about the evils of communism shouldn’t be a partisan issue, yet here we are.… pic.twitter.com/bazWymr1dd
In a statement, Toma said, “Teaching Arizona students about the evils of communism shouldn’t be a partisan issue, yet here we are. Thankfully, Republicans get it. As someone who lived in communist Romania, I can attest that Marxist ideology has left a lasting scar on our world. For more than 100 years and over 100 million lives lost, the legacy of communism is death, oppression, deprivation, economic suffering, and families being torn apart. It’s important to educate about this dark history, to ensure that the atrocities of communism are never forgotten, and future generations can learn from those who suffered in the past and gain a deeper appreciation for the democratic principles that underpin our free society.”
According to the State House of Representatives, if the bill was enacted, the “State Board of Education (SBE) would be tasked with developing a list of recommended resources on the history of communism that align with academic standards in statute. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, high school taking American government courses will have at least 45 minutes of classroom instruction on the history of global communist regimes, encompassing figures such as Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, Fidel Castro, Vladimir Lenin, Pol Pot, and Nicolas Maduro. Students would learn about how victims suffered under such regimes, through poverty, starvation, forced migration, lethal violence, and the suppression of speech.”
Only two House Democrats supported the proposal on the floor, which was something that Representative Quang Nguyen, the bill’s cosponsor, highlighted. Nguyen stated, “I think if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle grew up under a communist regime, as Ben and I both did, this vote would have been unanimous. Opposing the education of Arizona students on the history of communism and those who have suffered from it is an extreme and shameful position that’s hard for Democrats to defend. And it’s certainly far from where most Arizona parents stand.”
LOOK AT THE NO VOTES!!! HB2629: Establishes November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day and requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to create a list of recommended resources for mandatory instruction on the topic in certain public school courses.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request To Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona, signed in opposition to the bill.
Last month, the legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 6-3 vote. All Republicans voted in favor, and all Democrats voted to oppose.
HB 2629 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.
Arizona voters may have the opportunity to help crack down on illegal immigration if the state legislature refers a new measure to the ballot.
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee passed HCR 2060, which was sponsored by Speaker Ben Toma. The proposal would “submit a proposition to the voters relating to employment and the use of the E-Verify program,” according to the overview provided by the State House.
"We may not be able to do the federal government's job, but we can definitely stop Arizona from becoming like California. Our message to illegal immigrants is simple: if you want to take advantage of Americans, go somewhere else."
In a statement accompanying the announcement of this introduction, Speaker Toma said, “We need to ensure illegal aliens don’t stay in Arizona to illegally obtain work and free benefits. The invasion of illegals into our country is a cultural and financial catastrophe! It is incumbent upon Arizona to do its part to ensure that if you break our laws, there are real consequences. We need to make sure illegal aliens can’t take advantage of hardworking American pocketbooks.”
On Monday, Toma held a press conference outside the state capitol with fellow members of the Legislature. Afterwards, he posted on the platform “X,” “Today, I announced my ballot referral to crack down on illegal immigration. The ‘Protecting Arizona Against Illegal Immigration Act’ expands the use of E-Verify and cuts off welfare programs to illegal aliens. If the Biden Administration won’t provide deterrents to stop the illegal invasion, Arizona will.”
Today, I announced my ballot referral to crack down on illegal immigration. The "Protecting Arizona Against Illegal Immigration Act" expands the use of E-Verify and cuts off welfare programs to illegal aliens. If the Biden Administration won't provide deterrents to stop the… pic.twitter.com/L5jofTfNis
According to Speaker Toma, HCR 2060 would accomplish the following:
Make it a class 6 felony to knowingly assist illegal aliens in their efforts to break the law.
Give Arizona’s law enforcement agencies greater resources to enforce immigration laws by instituting tough financial penalties for violations ($10,000 per offense).
Require any state funded government agency or program which provides social welfare benefits to individuals to run them through E-Verify.
Require businesses to run E-Verify when hiring independent contractors for the first time.
Require any state agency that issues documentation, licensing, accreditation, or identification that is not immigration related to run an applicant through E-Verify.
Democrats on the committee expressed their strong opposition to the Speaker’s legislation. Representative Lorena Austin said, “I’m proud to serve with other members of the SB 1070 generation. We got involved, we got educated, we’re here now and we’re not going anywhere because we’re here to protect the rights of all Arizonans.”
Powerful vote by @LorenaAustin4Az opposing anti-immigrant measure HCR2060. “I’m proud to serve with other members of the SB1070 generation. We got involved, we got educated, we’re here now and we’re not going anywhere because we’re here to protect the rights of all Arizonans.” pic.twitter.com/SoPAeVBI8W
Representative Marcelino Quiñonez added, “This sort of rhetoric, this sort of branding does not benefit Arizona. This is not who we are anymore.”
“This sort of rhetoric, this sort of branding does not benefit Arizona. This is not who we are anymore.” Rep. @Marcelino4AZ shares his immigrant story and his no vote on divisive and backwards-looking HCR2060. pic.twitter.com/71vFCK2qLr
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from Heritage Action for America signed in support of Toma’s measure. Representatives from Chicanos Por La Causa, Living United for Change in Arizona, CHISPA Arizona, American Civil Liberties Union of AZ, State Conference NAACP, Rural Arizona Action, All Voting is Local Action, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, and WM E Morris Institute for Justice, indicated their opposition to HCR 2060.
HCR 2060 awaits final action in the State House of Representatives. If passed by both chambers, it would appear on the November General Election ballot.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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.
