Republican members of the Arizona Legislature are fighting back against Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ emerging environmental agenda.
On Friday, four state senators wrote a letter to Governor Hobbs, highlighting a recent announcement by her Office that the State, under her direction, had joined the United States Climate Alliance.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Governor Hobbs Joining a Do-Nothing Organization on Behalf of Arizona Has Zero Impact on State Business@RepFrankCarroll ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AZVaS3IdwU
Senators Frank Carroll, Sine Kerr, David Gowan, and T.J. Shope were signatories to the letter.
On July 11, Hobbs revealed that the State was joining the Alliance. She asserted that “Together, we are creating green jobs and businesses, ensuring clean air and water for Arizonans, lowering energy costs, and preparing more effectively for a changing climate.”
I'm excited to announce Arizona is joining the bipartisan Climate Alliance. Together, we are creating green jobs and businesses, ensuring clean air and water for Arizonans, lowering energy costs, and preparing more effectively for a changing climate.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) July 11, 2023
In response, the Alliance welcomed Hobbs as a member – not the State – in a Twitter post.
The legislators, in their letter, stated that the Alliance is “an organization set up by three Democratic governors as a protest to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the job-destroying Paris Agreement; and that the Alliance is a completely voluntary coalition of governors with aspirational and non-binding goals to combat global warming.”
They warned Hobbs that Arizona laws did not authorize her to join the State with this alliance, writing, “To be clear, the Alliance is a coalition of governors, not States. The Legislature is the branch of government constitutionally charged with setting public policy for the State of Arizona and nothing in the laws of the State authorize you to join this coalition – as ineffectual as it is – on behalf of the State.”
There was a strong encouragement by the lawmakers for the Governor’s Office to work with the Legislature on these matters – a refrain that has oft been used in 2023 under a divided Arizona government. The lawmakers said, “We suggest that, instead of unilaterally creating task forces and joining do-nothing coalitions, you work with and through the Legislature to formulate public policy. Attempting to evade this process through edict misleads the public on the proper role of the executive and diverts attention from the real work that needs to be done.”
The coalition of legislators concluded their letter with a promise to use their authority under the Arizona Constitution to preserve the separation of powers inside of the state, adding, “Most importantly, executive overreach threatens the separation of powers provisions in Article II of the Arizona Constitution. Because separation of powers is ‘essential to the preservation of liberty,’ James Madison, Federalist No. 51, Senate Republicans are committed to serving as a check on any abuse of executive power.”
According to the Alliance, its members “are working to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping temperature increases below 1.5 degrees Celsius through four key collective commitments.” Those commitments are as follows:
Reducing collective net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at least 26-28% by 2025 and 50-52% by 2030, both below 2005 levels, and collectively achieving overall net-zero GHG emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.
Accelerating new and existing policies to reduce climate pollution, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and promote clean energy deployment at the state and federal levels.
Centering equity, environmental justice, and a just economic transition in their efforts to achieve their climate goals and create high-quality jobs.
Tracking and reporting progress to the global community in appropriate settings, including when the world convenes to take stock of the Paris Agreement.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A Mesa, Arizona native is being highlighted by the U.S. Navy for his service.
The Navy Office of Community Outreach recently published a story, featuring Mesa’s Rylan Sweigart, a Petty Officer 3rd Class. Sweigart graduated from Desert Ridge High School in 2020 and has spent three years (so far) in the Navy. He is an electronic’s technician on the USS Charlotte – a submarine. Sweigart’s job aboard the submarine makes him part of an exclusive class of Navy personnel – only ten percent of Navy personnel are submariners.
This nuclear-powered attack submarine is the fourth “Charlotte” to be christened with that name in American history. It was commissioned in September 1994 and is based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Sweigart’s father also served in the Navy, and he credits his parents for instilling values and characteristics vital for his future success. He said, “I learned in school how to study well and my parents taught me professionalism. My dad was previously in the Navy and he taught me a lot as well.”
The Petty Officer 3rd Class enlisted with his brother – an action he points to as key to his start: “I would like to thank my parents and my brother for helping me in my Navy career. I joined with my brother and it made the process of joining easier.”
Sweigart will undoubtedly gain more experience as he serves in the Navy, but he has already accomplished feats that make him proud of what he has come through to reach this point in his career. He told the Navy Office of Community Outreach, “My proudest accomplishment would be receiving my submarine qualifications, also known as ‘dolphins.’ It provided that I know the systems on the boat and I can be trusted in tough situations.”
The Mesa native is laser focused on his mission and his service to his nation, saying, “The Navy contributes to national security because our presence at sea deters our adversaries and provides access to free trade and safety on our shores.”
According to the Navy Office of Community Outreach, “strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program; and as a member of the submarine force, Sweigart is part of a rich history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in defense of America and its allies.”
Admiral Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, also weighed in for the story, adding, “Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level. This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
On Tuesday, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) announced that it “joined a multi-state settlement with Robinhood Financial LLC, which will pay up to $10.2 million in penalties for operational failures that harmed main street investors.”
According to the ACC, “the investigation was sparked by Robinhood platform outages in March 2020, a time when hundreds of thousands of investors were relying on the Robinhood app to make trades. In addition, prior to March 2021, there were deficiencies at Robinhood in its review and approval process for options and margin accounts, weaknesses in the firm’s monitoring and reporting tools, and insufficient customer service and escalation protocols that in some cases left Robinhood users unable to process trades even as the value of certain stocks was dropping.”
The investigation was led by “state securities regulators in Alabama, Colorado, California, Delaware, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Texas coordinated through the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) regarding Robinhood’s operational failures with respect to the retail market.”
NASAA President Andrew Hartnett issued the following statement in conjunction with the announcement: “Today’s multistate agreement represents states at their best – working together for the benefit of Main Street investors. Robinhood repeatedly failed to serve its clients, but this settlement makes clear that Robinhood must take its customer care obligations seriously and correct these deficiencies.”
ACC Chairman Jim O’Connor also added, “This agreement is part of an ongoing effort by state securities regulators to protect investors and to make sure they are treated fairly by their financial services companies.”
The ACC’s news release made clear that “the Commission found no evidence of willful or fraudulent conduct by Robinhood, and that Robinhood fully cooperated with the investigation.” Also, “Robinhood neither admitted nor denied the findings as set out in the states’ orders.”
One of the findings of fact in the order before the ACC was that “Robinhood acquired approximately 89,136 new Arizona customers from October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, for a total customer count of approximately 290,356 as of March 31, 2020. From October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, Robinhood approved approximately 13,713 Arizona customers for option trading and approximately 1,934 Arizona customers for margin trading.”
The ACC’s release highlighted these violations as included in the order:
Negligent dissemination of inaccurate information to customers, including regarding margin and risk associated with multi-leg option spreads.
Failure to have a reasonably designed customer identification program.
Failure to supervise technology critical to providing customers with core broker-dealer services.
Failure to have a reasonably designed system for dealing with customer inquiries.
Failure to exercise due diligence before approving certain option accounts.
Failure to report all customer complaints to FINRA and state securities regulators, as may be required.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s Democrat Governor is moving ahead with her plans to talk to the state’s utility companies to address the heatwave. This week, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that she had “scheduled a roundtable meeting with utility company leadership for August 18.”
Hobbs plans to use the event to “highlight her administration’s efforts to protect Arizonans during the historic heat wave and discuss actions utilities can take to address future challenges.”
Extreme heat can be devastating when not properly addressed. That’s why I’m taking action to provide relief through additional cooling center resources and collaborating with utilities, local organizations, cities, and county officials. Together, we will keep Arizonans safe…
In a statement, Hobbs said, “Extreme heat can be devastating when not properly addressed. That’s why I’m taking action to provide relief through additional resources and collaborating with utilities, local organizations, cities, and county officials. Together, we will keep Arizonans safe through this historic heat wave and ensure our state is prepared for future emergencies.”The governor also revealed that her Office would “provide $50,000 to Valley Interfaith Network for staffing, water, and expanded cooling center service throughout Arizona.”
Hobbs’ announcement followed a controversial letter sent to Arizona utility companies at the end of last month, in which she asked for “written plans outlining how they will protect Arizonans during this devastating heat wave.”
The governor directed the utility companies to focus their plans on the areas of Disconnects, Grid Security, Emergency Response, Customers in Arrears, and Community Service.
Today, I sent a letter to Arizona's utility companies asking for written plans outlining how they will protect Arizonans during this devastating heat wave, and inviting them to discuss how we can work together to better prepare for the future.
You can read my letter HERE:…
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) July 21, 2023
Republicans and Democrats largely broke to partisan corners with their responses to the governor’s efforts on this front. Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor tweeted, “Phoenix has been experiencing a historically hot summer – if a statewide or even citywide power outage were to happen, lives would be lost. We need to know what to do during that situation and how we can help our residents. Governor Hobbs is asking the right questions.”
Phoenix has been experiencing a historically hot summer — if a statewide or even citywide power outage were to happen, lives would be lost.
We need to know what to do during that situation and how we can help our residents.
— Councilwoman Laura Pastor (@PHXDistrict4) July 22, 2023
The Arizona Democratic Party also weighed in, posting, “As Arizona faces a historically hot summer, Democrats are delivering real relief! Thank you Governor Hobbs.”
— Arizona Democratic Party (@azdemparty) July 21, 2023
Republican Representative Matthew Gress took an opposing view to the governor’s announcement, writing, “Governor, you *do* know the utilities already submitted those plans and briefed the Commission…back in April…right? And you do realize the excessive heat warning has been in effect for nearly a month? We’ve hit new records for several weeks now? Every time, our utilities performed flawlessly. But really glad you weighed in weeks after the heat wave started! You’re really on top of things.”
Governor, you *do* know the utilities already submitted those plans and briefed the Commission…back in April…right? (SEE: https://t.co/6YTrQGZrO2)
And you do realize the excessive heat warning has been in effect for nearly a month? We’ve hit new records for several weeks now?… https://t.co/RXvtGQ9ilZ
Representative Joseph Chaplik added, “Another example of an unqualified Hobbs Governor/CEO of AZ. As Gov, you should have already known all this from communicating with APS and SRP over the last 9 months with preparation for the summer. We all know we get hot in the desert during July. No need to publicize your late demands. You should be thanking them for being prepared.”
Another example of an unqualified Hobbs Governor/CEO of AZ. As Gov, you should have already known all this from communicating with APS and SRP over the last 9 months with preparation for the summer. We all know we get hot in the desert during July. No need to publicize your… https://t.co/zbYQTW1eWi
— Rep. Joseph Chaplik 🇺🇸 (@JosephChaplik) July 22, 2023
Long-time Arizona journalist Howie Fischer pointed out that the governor’s request to state utility companies was “not within her constitutional duties (but was) the role of the Arizona Corporation Commission.”
It's not within her constitutional duties. That's the role of the @CorpCommAZ. But that isn't stopping @GovernorHobbs from demanding that utilities give her information about their hot weather plans. https://t.co/bYNeVohBpg
— Capitol Media Services 📢 Telling it like it is (@azcapmedia) July 22, 2023
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope agreed with Fischer, tweeting, “Correct, it’s not within Governor Hobbs constitutional duties. Perhaps her interns oughta watch one of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee hearings that Senator Sine Kerr chairs so she can learn about energy plans and how the utilities plan for summer.”
Correct, it’s not within @GovernorHobbs constitutional duties. Perhaps her interns oughta watch one of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee hearings that Sen. @SineKerr chairs so she can learn about energy plans and how the utilities plan for… https://t.co/aftlZe0kk6
Arizona Legislative Republicans are furious over President Joe Biden’s announcement about the Grand Canyon.
During his visit to Arizona on Tuesday, President Joe Biden established the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. In his signed proclamation, Biden stated, “Protecting the areas to the northeast, northwest, and south of the Grand Canyon will preserve an important spiritual, cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy; maintain a diverse array of natural and scientific resources; and help ensure that the prehistoric, historic, and scientific value of the areas endures for the benefit of all Americans.”
Today marks a historic step in preserving the majesty of the Grand Canyon.
First among American landmarks. Sacred to Tribal Nations. Revered by every American.
Arizona Republicans were quick to oppose the president’s action in their state. Senator Frank Carroll said, “Halting uranium mining in this region will only promote our country’s dependence on communist China for the minerals needed every day to support our energy supply. Even the FBI has sounded the alarm that China is the greatest long-term threat to our nation’s ideas, economic security and national security, yet President Biden is welcoming a greater reliance on this government with this action.”
Senator David Gowan also issued a statement: “There was entirely inefficient notice from the Biden Administration to the residents, business owners and elected officials of Mohave County. This is not how government should conduct itself within Arizona or within the United States. We don’t need the federal government coming in and dictating to Arizonans how to protect Arizona. We’ve been doing a fine job of conserving our precious resources and will continue to do so. This federal overreach is unacceptable and unconstitutional.”
Last week, Arizona House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci and Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borreilli requested that an emergency, joint committee hearing be convened in Kingman in order to “hear testimony on President Biden’s radical proposal to circumvent Congress and unilaterally declare a new 1.1 million acre ‘national monument’ near the Grand Canyon in Mohave and Coconino Counties.”
The plea was directed to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Water (Rep. Gail Griffin and Sen. Sine Kerr) and the Chair of the House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Rep. Lupe Diaz).
The call for the emergency meeting was adhered to by the Chairs of the legislative committees, where Republicans met Monday night in Kingman and “voted to formally oppose the move that promises to adversely impact the state’s economy and our national security by devastating critical industries like mining and cattle ranching.”
Republican Representative John Gillette also chimed in, posting, “Arizona Democrats refuse to show up for public input on the Biden Land Grab. As Biden is planning to designate 1.1 million acres of AZ people land to build wind and solar via executive order 14008. Democrats call public comments a sham. We must vote them out!”
Arizona Democrats refuse to show up for public input on the Biden Land Grab. As Biden is planning to designate 1.1 million acres of AZ people land to build wind and solar via executive order 14008. Democrats call public comments a sham. We must vote them out! pic.twitter.com/cd4Oog2kKR
— Rep. John Gillette AZ House LD30 (@AzRepGillette) August 8, 2023
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope was at the hearing and shared his support for his fellow Republicans’ efforts to highlight this issue, writing, “Excited to be in Kingman today to discuss my strong opposition to the over 1 Million Acre land-grab in Northern Arizona that President Biden is expected to announce in the coming hours.”
Excited to be in Kingman today to discuss my strong opposition to the over 1 Million Acre land-grab in Northern Arizona that @POTUS Biden is expected to announce in the coming hours. #AZLeghttps://t.co/mhcBMFuWKm
After Biden’s establishment of the National Monument, Shope issued another statement, saying, “The Biden Administration is determined to halt mining across our country and here in Arizona, crippling our ability to meet demands. We must immediately open up mining in Arizona and address other national security risks here locally that are associated with China’s influence. Shame on President Biden for putting our citizens, our resources and our economy at risk.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
