by Ethan Faverino | Apr 1, 2026 | Economy, Must Read, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Wiloughby (R-LD13) praised a recent Trump administration decision recognizing the significant impact of internal emissions on Arizona’s ability to meet federal air quality standards.
The ruling grants the Phoenix metropolitan area relief from stricter federal requirements, opening the door for potential long-term reforms to the state’s expensive summer gasoline blend mandated in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.
The decision, issued last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area would have met the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) if not for emissions originating outside the United States. This finding, under Section 179B of the Clean Air Act, prevents reclassification to a more severe status. It acknowledges that a major share of emissions affecting Arizona is beyond the state’s control.
For months, Willoughby has collaborated with local and federal officials to pursue reforms addressing Arizona’s higher summer fuel costs. In January, she sent a letter to the EPA initiating discussions on permanent changes to lower costs for families while maintaining compliance with air quality standards.
“The main reason drivers in Maricopa and Pinal counties pay more for gas in the summer is that these areas are forced to use a special boutique blend made only for Arizona,” explained Willoughby. “It costs more to produce, limits supply, and leaves our state more vulnerable to price spikes. The question is whether this requirement is still doing anything meaningful to improve air quality. If it is not, then Arizona families are being forced to pay more for little to no benefit.”
Willoughby noted that industry operations are cleaner and national fuel standards have evolved since Arizona’s blend was last updated. “Industry is cleaner today than it was when Arizona’s blend was last updated, and fuel standards nationwide have changed significantly since then. There is a strong possibility that Arizona can move to a lower-cost fuel option without sacrificing air quality. If the evidence supports that conclusion, we should act immediately.”
To advance the issue, Willoughby introduced a package of five measures aimed at lowering fuel costs, evaluating compliant fuel options, and requiring the state to adopt a lower-cost fuel once federally approved.
“In order to change the blend, Arizona must submit a request to the EPA to revise our State Implementation Plan and show that we can still meet federal air quality standards with the new blend,” added Willoughby. “The modeling used to make that demonstration must take into account the fact that a major share of the emissions affecting our state comes from outside our borders and is beyond Arizona’s control. The Trump Administration’s recent decision recognizing international transport acknowledges this impact and gives Arizona more room to reevaluate whether our current fuel requirements are still justified. With the federal government signaling openness, this may be our best and only opportunity to get this done.”
In February, Willoughby requested that the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) model the impacts of switching from Arizona’s current boutique gasoline blend (Reid Vapor Pressure of 7.0 psi) to a more widely available, lower-cost blend with an RVP of 7.4 psi.
Preliminary modeling completed in March showed that the switch would increase the maximum ozone concentration in the Phoenix metropolitan area by between zero and 0.01 parts per billion.
“That is a negligible impact and more than enough reason to move this conversation forward,” continued Willoughby. “Just as important, Governor Hobbs’ administration already has these results. MAG provided the modeling to her Department of Environmental Quality, which means the Governor could begin acting on this now if she wanted to. She does not need to wait. She does not need more excuses. If Governor Hobbs is serious about lowering fuel costs, she should direct her agency to act immediately.”
In a follow-up letter to MAG Director of Environmental Planning, Matt Poppen, Willoughby highlighted the positive results from the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx v7.32) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ v5.5) analyses. The CAMx results showed no changes in the 2023 design value attainment at any monitoring site, while CMAQ predicted a maximum impact of just 0.01 ppb at three sites.
Willoughby also requested additional modeling for a Federal Reformed Gasoline blend with an RVP of 7.8 psi, used in some other western states, and discussions on next steps for a State Implementation Plan revision.
“The modeling is favorable. The facts are lining up in Arizona’s favor. We should seize this opportunity and make the case for lasting gas affordability now,” concluded Willoughby.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 31, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen sharply criticized Governor Katie Hobbs last week for vetoing Senate Bill 1010, which would have designated the Loop 202 as the “Charlie Kirk Loop 202.”
Petersen accused the governor of breaking Arizona’s long-standing nonpartisan tradition of honoring individuals based on their impact and contributions to public life rather than political alignment.
“Governor Hobbs didn’t just veto a bill. She broke with a long-standing Arizona tradition of recognizing impact over politics,” stated President Petersen. “Charlie Kirk inspired millions of Americans to engage in their communities, speak freely, and exercise their First Amendment rights. He built something that reached far beyond Arizona, and he brought that energy right here to our state. That kind of influence matters.”
Petersen emphasized that Arizona has historically honored service and civic contributions without requiring political agreement. He pointed to the precedent of naming a portion of the same Loop 202 after the late Congressman Ed Pastor, a Democrat, as a tribute to his service.
“Arizona has never required political agreement to recognize someone’s contribution to public life. We’ve recognized impact, service, and people who’ve shaped conversations and encouraged others to participate,” added Petersen. “This veto makes it clear that standards have changed. It tells people that recognition now depends on political alignment, not contribution. That’s not how Arizona has ever approached these decisions, and it’s a disappointing shift for our state.”
Gubernatorial candidate, Congressman Andy Biggs, also condemned Hobbs’ veto, saying, “Katie Hobbs wants us to forget about Charlie Kirk. We won’t. And we will honor him in November by voting her out of office.”
The bill directed the Arizona Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage, specified that the designation would not supersede existing names (such as Red Mountain Freeway, Santan Freeway, and Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway), and carried no anticipated fiscal impact to the state’s General Fund. It also required the new name to appear in official state records and documentation.
In her veto message, Governor Hobbs stated:
“Today I vetoed SB1010.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is tragic and a horrifying act of violence. In America, we resolve our political differences at the ballot box. No matter who it targets, political violence puts us all in harm’s way and damages our sacred democratic institutions.
I will continue working toward solutions that bring people together, but this bill falls short of that standard by inserting politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan. Any renaming of a highway must follow the current process through the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names and not be circumvented by the Legislature.”
The veto marks the second time this session that Governor Hobbs has rejected legislation honoring Kirk, following her earlier veto of a bill proposing a specialty license plate in his memory.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 29, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
This week, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors kept a tradition going when they unanimously approved a resolution to extend a moratorium on new county government regulations.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors first adopted the moratorium in 2013 and was effective until the end of 2017. The Board then extended the moratorium in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
This most recent extension lasts until December 31, 2026.
The moratorium prohibits all county departments from initiating any ordinance, rule, or regulation except in emergencies, when approved by a majority of the Board of Supervisors and when such a regulation would prevent a significant threat to public health, peace, or safety.
“The extension of this moratorium provides stability for current businesses to thrive and grow in Maricopa County,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, Debbie Lesko, District 4 in a press release. “It will also encourage new businesses to setup shop in Maricopa County, because they won’t have to navigate unnecessary rules and costs to do business.”
“As a business owner myself, I understand how much unnecessary regulations can get in the way of progress and innovation,” said Supervisor Mark Stewart, District 1. “At the end of the day, our job as the Board of Supervisors is to provide peak conditions for our economy to grow while maintaining quality of life for residents. The extension of this moratorium does just that.”
Deregulation is in the air this month.
Earlier this month, Maricopa County officials also announced that a recent determination from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not trigger additional air quality regulations for the region, maintaining its current “moderate” nonattainment classification under federal ozone standards.
According to a County press release, the County remains designated as a “moderate” nonattainment area under the 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), meaning ozone levels in parts of the region continue to exceed federal limits. However, the County has avoided a “serious” classification, which would increase regulatory burdens on industry.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 28, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Maricopa County Assessor’s Office announced a significant expansion of public access to property information with the launch of a new online Data Downloads page. Users can now freely download detailed bulk datasets and comprehensive property reports directly from the Assessors website—no formal requests or fees required.
Previously, these extensive reports and datasets were available only through time-consuming formal public records requests or by purchase. With the successful implementation of the AA-GAMA assessment system in October 2022, the Assessor’s Office has automated the generation of these files, dramatically reducing staff time and making the information instantly accessible.
“This is another step forward in our commitment to transparency and exceptional customer service,” explained Maricopa County Assessor Eddie Cook. “Our team has worked hard to modernize our systems so property owners and members of the public can get the information they need without barriers, delays, or unnecessary costs. Making these datasets freely available helps ensure our property tax system remains open, accessible, and easy to understand.”
The new Data Downloads page features more than a dozen different reports and bulk files, including valuable geospatial data. In addition to these bulk options, users can still search for and view detailed information on individual parcels or accounts directly through the Assessor’s Office website.
The initiative reflects the Assessor’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to serve Maricopa County residents more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of openness in government operations.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 26, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Arizona Senate has passed a comprehensive package of transportation bills designed to enhance roadway safety, improve mobility, reduce congestion, and support long-term economic development across the state.
The measures, which advance critical infrastructure projects in both rural and urban areas, were approved this week without raising taxes or imposing new fees on Arizona drivers.
The legislation targets high-priority corridors experiencing pressure from population growth, increased freight traffic, and tourism demand. Key components of the package include targeted safety and capacity improvements on several major routes.
SB 1062, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), appropriates $1,000,000 from the state general fund for FY26-27 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The funding will support planning, design, construction, and right-of-way acquisition for an additional left-turn lane and related intersection improvements at the busy intersection of U.S. Route 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Pinal County. These enhancements aim to ease traffic flow and improve safety along this heavily traveled corridor.
SB 1063, also sponsored by Senator Rogers, allocates $11,100,000 for critical safety improvements on U.S. Route 70 between Mile Post 225 and Mile Post 301. This rural route serves commuters, freight operators, and emergency services in eastern Arizona. The project addresses longstanding roadway deficiencies to enhance travel reliability and safety for users across the region.
SB 1064, another measure sponsored by Senator Rogers, appropriates $3,000,000 from the state general fund in FY26-27 to the Arizona Department of Transportation for distribution to the City of Flagstaff. The funding will support the design and construction of improvements along U.S. Route 66 between I-40 and Milton Road. Under the bill, the Department of Transportation must enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Flagstaff by September 15, 2026, and, if executed, distribute funds to the city by November 1, 2026. The project will help modernize infrastructure along one of northern Arizona’s busiest tourism and business corridors.
“Transportation is about safety, mobility, and economic opportunity,” stated Senator Rogers. “These projects address real pressure points on our highways, keep traffic moving, and support the continued growth of communities across Arizona.”
SB 1204, sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp (R-LD29), provides $5,500,000 for planning and environmental analysis for future interchange improvements at the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and Loop 303 in the rapidly growing West Valley. The area continues to see significant residential expansion and rising freight traffic.
“The West Valley is growing at an incredible pace, and our infrastructure has to keep up,” stated Senator Shamp. “This project prepares one of our most important corridors for the traffic we know is coming, improving daily commutes while supporting job growth and regional commerce, as well as preventing traffic fatalities.”
SB 1455, sponsored by Senate Appropriations, Transportation & Technology Committee Chair David Farnsworth (R-LD10), appropriates $500,000 for surveying, design, and study work on the future extension of State Route 24 east of Ironwood Drive in the East Valley—one of Arizona’s fastest growing regions.
“As families and businesses continue moving into the East Valley, transportation planning has to look ahead, not behind,” stated Senator Farnsworth. “Extending SR 24 will strengthen regional connectivity, reduce future congestion, and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with responsible growth.”
The measures now move to the Arizona House as part of the ongoing state budgeting process.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
