A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has ruled that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ proposed ballot language for Proposition 145 violates Arizona law, blocking Fontes from using the language on the November ballot.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) and Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), who challenged the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) for children of military families.
Montenegro and Petersen alleged that Fontes’ proposed language improperly characterized Proposition 145 by informing voters that approving the measure would also nullify Proposition 212, a separate ballot initiative that would make changes to Arizona’s ESA program.
Petersen and Montenegro sought an injunction preventing Fontes from using the proposed descriptive title and “yes/no” language on the official ballot.
Fontes’ proposed language stated that a “yes” vote would amend the Arizona Constitution to “nullify Proposition 212, which imposes spending and income limits” on ESAs.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David McDowell ruled that the language did not comply with A.R.S. § 19-125(D), which requires ballot descriptions to explain the effect a measure would have on existing law.
“The reference to Proposition 212 in the title and the ‘yes/no’ language is not a reference to existing law,” McDowell wrote in his ruling.
Because Proposition 212 is a proposed initiative that voters will consider in November, rather than an existing law, McDowell determined that Fontes could not include a reference to its potential nullification in the official ballot language for Proposition 145.
The court therefore enjoined the Secretary of State from using the proposed title and “yes/no” language for Proposition 145 on the official ballot.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) applauded two major announcements he said further solidify Arizona’s position as a national leader in copper production and critical minerals. The announcements include a $1 billion investment in the Ivanhoe Santa Cruz Copper Project near Casa Grande and $180 million in grants to strengthen mining education programs, including at the University of Arizona.
✅$180 MILLION to strengthen mining education, including at @uarizona.
Arizona has the resources, workforce, and expertise to lead America’s mining future 🇺🇸 ⛏️ pic.twitter.com/lDPDKuWmtv
— Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) August 7, 2026
Arizona is home to some of the world’s largest copper deposits, as well as an abundance of other critical minerals essential to the nation’s energy, manufacturing, defense, and technology sectors.
The University of Arizona is consistently ranked among the nation’s top mining engineering programs and reports a 100% job placement rate for its graduates, helping prepare the workforce needed to meet growing demand for domestic mining and mineral production.
Two Arizona mining and eduction leaders attended the announcements at the White House and praised the investments.
Kray Luxbacher, Executive Director and Head of the School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona, highlighted the significance of the investment in mining eduction.
“This was a historic investment in American mining engineering schools, and we’re really grateful, said Luxbacher. “I also want to say thank you for what you’ve already done toward accelerating permitting for mining in the United States. It’s really been unbelievable.”
Proud to see Kray Luxbacher representing the University of Arizona's world-class mining program at the White House today!
UofA's leadership in mining education is second to none and today's federal investment in developing the workforce will power America's future. Thank you,… https://t.co/qvLJt1BQar
— Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) August 7, 2026
Vicky Peacey, President and General Manager of Resolution Copper, also praised the administration’s efforts to revitalize the domestic mining industry.
“Mr. President, you have brought mining back to America, single-handedly,” said Peacey.
Ciscomani called the announcements a landmark investment in Arizona’s mining industry and workforce.
“From a $1 billion investment in the Santa Cruz Copper Project to $180 million to strengthen mining education, including at the University of Arizona, these are major wins for Arizona,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “Arizona is leading America’s effort to produce the critical minerals our economy and national security depend on.”
“These once-in-a-generation investments by President Trump and the administration will create good-paying mining jobs, strengthen our workforce, and train the next generation of miners and engineers right here in Arizona,” added Ciscomani. “I am proud to see Arizona’s local leaders Vicky and Kray at the table. They are leaders in this industry and this is a transformational moment for Arizona and America’s mining future.”
Ciscomani has made strengthening America’s domestic critical materials supply chain a legislative priority.
He championed the Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755), legislation designed to align the Department of Energy’s and U.S. Geological Survey’s separate lists of critical minerals and materials, making copper a critical mineral.
The legislation would establish a more consistent federal framework for identifying critical minerals, with the goal of reducing regulatory uncertainty, streamlining permitting, attracting investments, and accelerating domestic mining and processing projects.
For Arizona, the legislation could help facilitate the development of copper projects by ensuring federal agencies use consistent standards when determining which minerals qualify as critical.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) spent the last week of July traveling across Arizona’s Second Congressional District, meeting with constituents, educators, ranchers, business leaders, and local officials while highlighting legislative priorities ranging from agriculture and energy to education and public lands.
The weeklong tour included stops in Douglas, Show Low, Holbrook, Williams, Camp Verde, and other communities where Crane promoted recent federal investments, discussed ongoing policy initiatives, and gathered feedback from residents on issues affecting rural Arizona.
One of the week’s most significant announcements came Wednesday, July 29 in Douglas, where Crane joined fellow Republican Representatives Andy Biggs (AZ-05) and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) alongside Secretary Brooke Rollins as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled a $25 million investment to construct a new sterile fly production facility in Douglas.
The project is intended to strengthen the nation’s defenses against the New World screwworm, a destructive livestock pest that has prompted growing concern among ranchers across the Southwest.
The announcement followed a letter signed by Crane, Biggs, and Ciscomani along with Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ09), urging the USDA to modernize the Douglas facility to improve the nation’s long-term response capabilities.
Following the announcement, the congressmen toured livestock inspection facilities at the Douglas Port of Entry, which is scheduled to re-open to livestock trade on August 24th after preparations aimed at safeguarding American agriculture.
Crane later traveled to Show Low, where he visited Linden Valley Arena, a well known destination within Arizona’s roping community that has been owned and operated by the Perkins family since 2010.
The following morning, Crane addressed teachers and staff with the Show Low Unified School District ahead of the upcoming school year, sharing lessons on leadership and teamwork drawn from his experience as a Navy SEAL and small business owners.
He also thanked educators for their commitment to students while highlighting what he described as a recent legislative victory for rural schools.
Last year, Crane helped build congressional support for a three-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, legislation that was ultimately signed into law and continues funding for education and essential county services in communities located near national forests throughout Arizona’s Second Congressional District.
After leaving Show Low, Crane visited Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, where he met with administrators to discuss the college’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program.
The visit coincided with the Trump administration’s recently announced Freedom Haulers Initiative, a federal effort designed to expand career opportunities for veterans entering the trucking industry.
Crane praised the initiative while recognizing the college’s work to strengthen workforce development through its CDL program.
Later that day, Crane met with the Murph family at H Bar and Y Ranch in Holbrook. The Murph family, whose cattle operation pre-dates Arizona statehood, faces uncertainty over long-held Arizona State Land Department grazing leases because of a proposed solar development by a foreign company.
Crane said he has been working behind the scenes to help resolve the dispute. The meeting also followed last month’s signing of a memorandum of understanding between the USDA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) establishing cooperation between the USDA Lawfare Portal and the SBA’s Office of National Ombudsman.
The agreement is intended to ensure complaints from farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers alleging legal harassment are investigated and resolved.
According to the USDA, the Lawfare Portal has received more than 400 complaints from 47 states over the past two years.
Crane also toured the Cholla Power Plant, which stopped burning coal in March 2025 after more than six decades of operation. Arizona Public Service is pursuing plans to convert the facility to natural gas, a transition expected to generate approximately 380 megawatts of capacity while preserving jobs and maintaining reliable power generation for the region.
On Saturday, August 1, Crane attended the annual Coconino County Farm Bureau and Cattle Growers Association banquet in Williams, where he updated attendees on several legislative priorities pending before Congress.
Among the measures discussed was the House-passed Farm Bill which includes Buy American requirements for school meal programs, increased reporting requirements for agricultural land purchases by foreign adversaries, and strengthened farm credit and crop insurance programs.
Crane also highlighted his amendment intended to accelerate recovery efforts following the White Sage Fire, while noting his support for proposals removing pesticide liability protections and ensuring compensation for livestock losses caused by Mexican wolves.
The measures seek to improve forest management through expanded technology and reduced litigation while accelerating reconstruction efforts at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim following the Dragon Bravo Fire. Both bills have passed the House but remain pending in the Senate.
The congressman’s final stop took him to Camp Verde, where he met with ranchers to discuss ongoing concerns involving the U.S. Forest Service.
Crane said he is developing legislation aimed at simplifying fence repairs following natural disasters while also addressing what he characterized as abuses of the Equal Access to Justice Act.
The district also received additional federal infrastructure support during the week as the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded more than $5 million in airport improvement grants throughout Arizona’s Second Congressional District.
The funding Includes:
Bagdad: $90,389 for design work to expand terminal parking.
Chinle: $339,000 to reconstruct aircraft apron pavement.
Cottonwood: $536,876 to reconstruct portions of Taxiway A.
Page: $679.031 for design of a new aircraft rescue and firefighting facility.
Springerville: $443,000 to construct a new taxilane serving future hanger development.
Prescott: $2.97 million to construct a new aircraft storage hanger designed to improve airport self-sufficiency.
ICYMI – The @USDOT awarded more than $5 million to improve airport infrastructure in #AZ02.
The latest awards follow additional federal grants announced last month totaling approximately $10 million for improvements at Polacca Airport and Coolidge Municipal Airport.
Reflecting on the week’s events, Crane emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties with constituents while Congress remains out of session.
“Last week, I had the privilege of visiting with constituents, industry leaders, and remarkable institutions within Arizona’s Second Congressional District,” said Rep. Crane. “While there is much work to be done in Washington, D.C., it’s refreshing to get back home and meet face to face with the people I’m honored to represent. I look forward to building on these relationships and delivering principled and effective solutions for all Arizonans.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court challenging the official ballot language prepared by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes for Proposition 144. The lawsuit argues the description violates state law by failing to provide voters with a neutral and accurate summary of the election integrity measure.
The lawsuit asks the court to require the Secretary of State’s Office to revise the ballot language before early voting begins in October.
Proposition 144, referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature, would amend the Arizona Constitution to require proof of citizenship to register and vote, require voter identification for all forms of voting, prohibit foreign money from being used to influence Arizona elections, and affirm the authority of the people and the Legislature to enact election laws while clarifying the legal standard for court challenges involving those laws.
According to AFL’s complaint, Arizona law requires the Secretary of State to provide voters with an impartial, objective, and accurate description of ballot measures.
The organization alleges the current description fails to meet those standards by omitting major provisions of the measure, inserting political commentary, and making unsupported claims about its legal effect.
🚨BREAKING — AFL just filed an important election integrity lawsuit in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Adrian Fontes is trying to manipulate and sabotage ballot language to stop election integrity initiatives.
One of the lawsuit’s primary claims is that the official ballot language does not mention Proposition 144’s citizenship requirements, which AFL describes as the measure’s central purpose.
The complaint notes that while Arizona law allows for a 50-word descriptive title, Secretary Fontes allegedly used only about 28 words and did not reference the amendment’s provisions requiring citizenship to register to vote.
“Free and fair elections start with an honest ballot,” stated James Rogers, Senior Counsel at America First Legal. “Secretary Fontes had one job here: tell Arizona voters the truth about what’s on their ballot.”
The lawsuit also challenges language describing the measure’s prohibition on foreign election spending. The official “yes” vote explanation states that the provision is “similar to prohibitions that already exist in federal law.”
AFL argues that statement is misleading because federal law does not prohibit foreign money from being spent to influence ballot measures, and contends Proposition 144 would close that gap.
Additionally, AFL disputes the ballot language stating that the measure would “lower the legal standard for judicial review of election laws, making it harder to challenge election laws in state court.”
The organization argues that Proposition 144 contains no such language and that the statement represents a speculative legal conclusion rather than a neutral explanation of the amendment’s text.
“Arizona law requires official ballot language to be impartial, accurate, and free from advocacy,” added Rogers. “Secretary Fontes’s description of Proposition 144 fails all of these requirements. AFL will fight in court to ensure that every voter in Arizona gets the truth before they cast their ballot. That is what the law demands and what democracy requires.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) has officially endorsed Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani for re-election in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District. The organization cited Ciscomani’s continued support for Border Patrol agents, commitment to border security, and record for delivering resources and legislative action to strengthen enforcement efforts.
The endorsement highlights Ciscomani’s work advocating for border security and comes as Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District remains one of the nation’s most closely watched House races, with immigration and border security continuing to be major issues for voters across Southern Arizona.
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Congressman Ciscomani for years, dating back to his work with Governor Doug Ducey on southern Arizona border operations, long before he ever ran for Congress,” stated President of the National Border Patrol Council, Hector Andujo. “Over the years, Juan has proven that he’ll show up, listen, and deliver results.”
“During the government shutdown, he even withheld his own pay to stand with Border Patrol agents who weren’t getting paid through no fault of their own,” added Andujo. “That’s why we know we can count on Juan to stand with us when it matters most. We’re proud to endorse him for re-election to a third term.”
Honored to once again earn the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council @BPUnion.
Today's event felt more like being surrounded by longtime friends than a campaign event. I've had the privilege of working with many of these agents for years, long before I came to… pic.twitter.com/qZJJyOxjbQ
Ciscomani, who immigrated to Tucson from Mexico at the age of five and later became the first naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico elected to Congress from Arizona, has built his congressional record around working directly with law enforcement officials and border communities to address challenges facing the southern border.
As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the only member of Arizona’s congressional delegation from either party or chamber serving on the Appropriations Committee, Ciscomani has played an important role in securing federal resources for Border Patrol agents operating throughout Arizona’s Sixth District.
During his time is Congress, Ciscomani led passage of the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, legislation designed to ensure Border Patrol agents and Department of Homeland Security employees continue receiving pay during government funding lapses.
He also helped secure additional resources for agents, retention bonuses, and equipment funding through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
Ciscomani has also introduced the FLASH Act, legislation aimed at improving public safety on federal lands along the southern border. It establishes Joint Operations Centers to improve coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and supported efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and strengthen border interdiction operations.
“Maintaining a secure border is one of my highest responsibilities as the representative of a border district, and it’s something I work on every single day I’m in Congress,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “I’m honored to once again earn the trust and support of the National Border Patrol Council. This is the third campaign they’ve had my back, and I don’t take that lightly.”
Ciscomani said his continued visits with Border Patrol agents in the field have shaped his approach to border policy and reinforced the need to provide agents with what they need to carry out their mission.
“I’ve spent countless hours with Border Patrol agents in the field, from the middle of the night to the hottest part of the day, listening to what they face and what they need to succeed,” added Ciscomani. “Every visit leaves me with an even greater appreciation for their service. I’ll continue fighting to ensure they have the resources, tools, and support they need to protect our communities and keep our nation secure.”
The National Border Patrol Council’s endorsement becomes the sixth organization to endorse Congressman Ciscomani for re-election and adds to the growing list of support from law enforcement, local leaders, and community advocates as he seeks a third term representing Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
