by Ethan Faverino | May 3, 2026 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Goldwater Institute has called on Arizona’s largest school district to immediately repeal a policy that prohibits “personal attacks” on school board members, staff, students, or members of the public during public comment periods, arguing the rule unconstitutionally silences criticism while allowing praise.
In a formal letter sent to Mesa Public Schools Governing Board President Courtney Davis, the Goldwater Institute contends the policy constitutes blatant viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment and the Arizona Constitution.
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board adopted this policy in July 2024, banning any “personal attacks” during the public comment portion of board meetings. According to the Goldwater Institute, the rule effectively permits speakers to praise or thank board members, administrators, and teachers by name, but forbids any negative, critical, or challenging comments directed at the same individual—no matter how factual or civil the critique may be.
“This prohibition punishes a specific viewpoint insofar as it prohibits ‘attacks,’” the letter states. “It is not, then, the speaking about Board members, staff, students, or members of the public in general that the Governing Board is preventing, but only speech about those groups from a certain viewpoint. That is unconstitutional.”
Adam Shelton, an attorney for the Goldwater Institute, who wrote the letter, told The Center Square, “The Supreme Court has consistently held that viewpoint discrimination is almost always unconstitutional.”
The Goldwater Institute became involved after concerned Mesa parents contacted the organization, requesting a review of the policy. Shelton noted that the board reads the restriction aloud before every public comment session.
“The policy has chilled the speech of some of the parents,” Shelton added. “They’re afraid to speak out and bring problems before the school board. These parents are concerned about being banned or punished for making negative comments about school board officials.”
Public comment periods at school board meetings serve as a vital democratic function, allowing parents and community members to bring forward issues, including complaints about teachers, policies, or administrative decisions. The Goldwater Institute argues that Mesa’s policy undermines this purpose by making it nearly impossible to discuss real problems without naming those responsible.
Federal courts have repeatedly struck down similar policies. In Ison v. Madison Local School District Board of Education, the Sixth Circuit invalidated a rule banning “antagonistic” or “abusive” speech personally directed at board members as impermissible viewpoint discrimination. More recently, in Moms for Liberty – Brevard County, FL v. Brevard Public Schools, the Eleventh Circuit ruled against a prohibition on “abusive” comments, noting that such policies effectively require “happy-talk”—allowing positive comments while suppressing negative or challenging ones.
The Eleventh Circuit emphasized that restricting “personally directed” speech obstructs the core purpose of school board meetings: educating officials and the community about legitimate concerns. The court observed that a parent complaining about a math teacher’s instructional methods would struggle to explain the issue without referencing the teacher.
The Goldwater Institute warned that maintaining the policy exposes the district to potentially costly litigation. Following its victory in the Brevard case, Moms for Liberty secured a settlement requiring the Florida school district to pay nearly $600,000 in attorney fees, costs, and expenses.
In addition to federal constitutional concerns, the letter highlights that the policy likely violates Article II, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution, which provides even broader protections for free speech than the First Amendment.
The Goldwater Institute has requested that the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board promptly amend its policy by removing the prohibition on “personal attacks.” The organization expressed willingness to work cooperatively with the board to bring the rules into compliance with constitutional standards and noted that all options remain under consideration if the policy is not revised.
No response has been received from the Board President, Courtney Davis, or the governing board as of the time of publication.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | May 1, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) introduced Kayleigh’s Law, a landmark federal legislation designed to provide survivors of dangerous crimes with permanent, lifelong protection from their convicted abusers by requiring courts to issue no-contact injunctions that remain in effect for the rest of the offender’s life.
Named after Kayleigh Kozak, an Arizona mother and prominent victim advocate who was sexually abused as a child by her teacher, the bill aims to end the repeated “legal tug-of-war” that forces survivors to return to court multiple times to maintain basic safety protections against their predators.
Kayleigh’s Law would mandate that federal courts impose lifetime no-contact injunctions against individuals convicted of federal sex crimes and violent felonies when requested by the victim or the government at sentencing.
The legislation builds directly on successful state-level reforms. Kayleigh’s Law has been enacted in Arizona and Wisconsin since 2022, where it has provided critical relief to survivors. In its first year alone in Arizona, the law enabled over 1,000 victims to secure lifetime protective orders against their abusers.
“As a former prosecutor, I know how vulnerable victims can be, how determined their predators often are, and how judges can frequently fail victims of crime. That is why we must require federal courts to impose these lifetime injunctions when requested by the government or the victim during sentencing,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “I have seen what victims go through as the predator’s adjudication process plays out, and I know how important it is for the victim’s healing process to begin. That process cannot be interrupted by their predators simply because our courts fail to take crime seriously and fail to impose lifetime injunctions.”
Kayleigh Kozak, whose personal experience drove the creation of the original state law, emphasized the lifelong impact of sexual violence.
“The harm caused by sexual assault is not temporary. It is lifelong,” stated Kayleigh. “The protections for those who have been sexually violated should be lifelong too. No survivor should have to repeatedly return to court just to request the continuation of a protective order from the person who was convicted of sexually violating them. Kayleigh’s Law ensures no victim ever has to endure the nightmare of continuously justifying their need for safety. When I was a little girl, I could not protect myself from the teacher who sexually abused me at school – but I can fight now to protect myself, other innocent children, and every victim.”
Under the federal proposal, the lifetime injunction would prohibit all forms of direct or indirect contact with the victim and would remain enforceable even after the offender completes prison, probation, or supervised release.
Original cosponsors of Kayleigh’s Law include Representatives Brian Babin (TX-36), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Troy Downing (MT-02), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Brandon Gill (TX-26), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), David Joyce (OH-14), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Barry Moore (AL-01), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chris Smith (NJ-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), David Taylor (OH-02), and Delegate Kimberly King-Hinds (MP).
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) stated, “Kayleigh’s Law originated in Arizona and will uplift thousands of victims of unspeakable crimes. I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this commonsense legislation to ensure victims of dangerous crimes can obtain lifetime protections against their abusers. Survivors should not be faced with uncertainty about those who have harmed them. Kayleigh’s Law will close critical gaps in federal law by strengthening protections, enhancing enforcement, and ensuring lasting safety for victims.”
Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) added, “Victims of violent crime and sexual assault deserve to have permanent, basic safety protections without having to repeatedly face their attacker in court. The emotional and psychological toll of these legal proceedings is high. Kayleigh’s Law gives victims one less thing to worry about by removing the fear and dread of reliving these experiences. I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Hamadeh’s bill to ensure these criminals hold no power over their victims.”
The bill mirrors key elements of Arizona Statute (A.R.S. 13-719), which applies to dangerous offenses, serious/violent felonies, and specific sex offenses under Chapters 14 and 35.1. Injunctions issued under the law are effective immediately upon sentencing and do not expire for the predator’s natural lifetime.
Kayleigh’s Law is being introduced during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, underscoring its focus on empowering survivors and closing critical gaps in federal protections for victims of sexual assault and violent crimes.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 30, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
A new national poll conducted by Pulse Decision Science reveals that pharmaceutical reform represents a powerful and politically advantageous issue for Republican candidates heading into this election cycle.
The data shows the issue effectively consolidates support within the GOP base during primaries while delivering meaningful gains among independent and battleground voters in general elections.
The poll highlights near-universal frustration with the high costs of prescription drugs, creating a rare opportunity for Republicans to claim ownership of an issue that resonates deeply across demographic and partisan lines.
According to the survey, 84% of voters report using prescription medication, underscoring how broadly the issue affects American households. Cost pressures are forcing significant behavioral changes, with 55% of respondents admitting they have skipped doses, turned to over-the-counter alternatives, or ignored doctor recommendations due to high prices.
These coping behaviors are particularly common among younger women, lower-education voters, and independents/moderates.
Voters across the political spectrum overwhelmingly attribute rising drug prices to pharmaceutical industry practices rather than investments in innovation. Major factors cited include:
- Increasing profits: 81%
- Rising executive compensation: 76%
- Unethical business practices: 70%
By contrast, only 52% of voters view research and development costs as a major driver of prices—the weakest factor identified by a wide margin.
This perception creates fertile ground for messaging focused on corporate greed, price gouging, and unfair practices, which the poll indicates resonates strongly even with the Republican base.
When voters are presented with a candidate who supports specific, targeted pharmaceutical reforms—including Most Favorable Nation (MFN) pricing, patent reform, and measures to increase competition—that candidate sees a net +5-point gain in overall support.
Notable gains were recorded among key subgroups:
- Hispanics: +10 points
- High-propensity general election voters (3 of 4 voting history): +9 points
- Women 55 and older: +7 points
- Voters in lean Democratic Congressional districts: +7 points
- High school education or less: +7 points
- Republicans: +6 points
- Conservatives: +6 points
- Bachelor’s degree holders: +6 points
These shifts demonstrate that pharmaceutical reform serves both a base-unifying issue and a tool for expanding appeal in competitive general election environments.
The poll further shows that framing pharmaceutical reform through an “America First” lens is especially powerful in Republican primaries. Fully 89% of GOP primary voters indicated they are more likely to support a candidate who prioritizes codifying President Trump’s Most Favorable Nation Executive Order.
When paired with messaging that emphasizes America-First pricing, the issue delivers strong consolidation within the Republican coalition. Key subgroup gains in the primary context include:
- Males 18-34: +13 points
- Voters in lean Republican Congressional districts: +11 points
- Mid-turnout voters (2 of 4 voting history): +10 points
- Self-described “Not So Strong” Republicans: +10 points
The findings arrive as the Trump administration continues to focus on delivering tangible results on pharmaceutical pricing. On April 23, 2026, President Trump announced the 17th agreement with a major pharmaceutical manufacturer—this time with Regeneron—bringing MFN-style pricing to American patients.
The deal provides every State Medicaid program access to MFN prices on Regeneron products, delivering hundreds of millions in savings. It covers 86% of the branded drug market across 17 leading manufacturers and includes commitments to end foreign freeloading on American innovation.
Key provisions include significant price reductions, such as lowering the price of Regeneron’s cholesterol medication, Praluent, from $537 to $225 when purchased through TrumpRx.
Additionally, Regeneron’s new gene therapy for a rare form of genetic deafness, Otarmeni, will be provided at no cost to American families. The company also committed to a $27 billion investment in U.S. research, development, and manufacturing by 2029, contributing to a total of $448 billion in pharmaceutical investments secured under President Trump in just 15 months.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 27, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) announced that he has begun work on the BRRRRT Act (Bolstering Recognition, Resurgence, Retention, and Remembrance of the Thunderbolt) to ensure U.S. troops on the front lines continue to receive the most effective and lethal close air support available.
The legislation aims to reinforce the iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the “Warthog,” whose distinctive sound has long provided reassurance to ground forces under fire. Hamadeh quoted one soldier, who called it, “One of the most terrifying yet beautiful sounds ever heard.”
Earlier this week, at the request of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of the Air Force announced that the Air Force will extend the A-10 Thunderbolt II through 2030. The service plans to keep two squadrons flying through that date: one active-duty squadron at Moody Air Force Base and one reserve squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base.
Congressman Hamadeh’s BRRRRT Act would build upon and strengthen this extension by:
- Reinforcing the 2030 timeline and increasing the minimum number of A-10s required in the operational inventory.
- Supporting robust training and sustainment pipelines for the platform.
- Requiring that certain retired A-10s be preserved in rapidly recoverable conditions at the AMARG boneyard in Arizona to enable future surge capacity.
- Directing an evaluation of retaining additional A-10s in Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard wings.
- Examining the feasibility of selling or transferring A-10s to foreign partners, including through shared sustainment arrangements.
The bill would also mandate a comprehensive report to congressional defense committees on the A-10’s combat legacy. The report will cover the aircraft’s employment from Operation Desert Storm through current operations and analyze lessons learned for future close air support doctrine. Topics would include pilot training, weapons integration, battlefield communications, and air-ground integration.
Specifically, the legislation directs the Air Force to assess how elements of the A-10 mission set, command-and-control methods, and operational experience could inform emerging close air support concepts, such as human-machine teaming, autonomous collaborative aircraft, counter-drone operations, AI-enabled mission planning and targeting, digital battlefield communications, and distributed air-ground integration.
“As a former U. S. Army Intelligence officer, I know that the arrival of the A-10 creates the most beautiful sound ever heard by troops under fire on the battlefield,” stated Congressman Hamadeh, who oversees fighter platform programs on the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. “For too long, the military industrial complex has pushed newer, not better, leaving our troops at risk by retiring the great Warthog. The A-10 is proof that newer isn’t always better and price has nothing to do with performance.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 25, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) announced his letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to adopt common-sense reforms to the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program.
The goal is to eliminate outdated bureaucratic hurdles, reduce unnecessary costs, and better align the program with today’s competitive housing market so more young veterans can achieve the American Dream of homeownership.
In a formal letter to Secretary Collins, Congressman Hamadeh highlighted the Trump administration’s strong progress in refocusing the Department of Veterans Affairs on its core mission: delivering timely benefits, expanding access to quality care, slashing the claims backlog, and eliminating waste. Building on that momentum, Hamadeh expressed confidence that practical improvements to the home loan program will receive serious consideration.
“As my fellow veteran and Committee member, Congressman Van Orden said in our hearing on the subject, we must find ways to eliminate the unnecessary administrative costs of the VA Home Loan program and better align it with other Federal housing programs,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “My family is in real estate. I am very familiar with housing, and I know the unintended consequences of bureaucratic policies that have little to no protective value and ignore the realities of the marketplace.”
Congressman Hamadeh’s recommendations focus on four key areas where the VA Home Loan program lags behind other federal housing programs, such as FHA and USDA loans:
Ending Origination Fee Stacking: VA rules cap lender origination and administrative fees at 1% of the loan amount, intended to cover all lender labor and overhead. However, veterans report lenders charging the full 1% while adding separate itemized fees for processing, underwriting, and other services. This practice amounts to an unfair cash grab that increases costs for veterans and should be strictly enforced.
Modernizing Underwriting Process: The VA continues to rely heavily on manual underwriting, resulting in average closing times of about 10 business days. In contrast, the FHA has implemented semi-automated systems that can approve straightforward loans in as little as 2 to 7 days. The Mortgage Bankers Association has testified that automated underwriting would accelerate the process and help reduce the perception that VA loans are slower and more cumbersome.
Raising the Seller Concessions Cap: The VA currently limits seller concessions to 4% of the home’s reasonable value. Both FHA and USDA programs allow up to 6%. In competitive markets, this 2-percentage point difference can mean the difference between a veteran’s offer being accepted or denied.
Addressing Appraiser Shortages Through Reasonable Certification Requirements: The VA has identified 436 counties in 31 states facing appraiser shortages that delay loans and drive up costs. A major contributor is the VA’s stringent experience requirement of 3 to 5 years for certification, compared to just 12 to 18 months for FHA and USDA programs. Aligning standards would increase the pool of qualified appraisers, shortening waiting times and lowering fees.
These targeted reforms would remove barriers without compromising program integrity, helping young veterans secure homes more efficiently and affordably. By modernizing the program, VA can better fulfill its promise to those men and women who have sacrificed for our country.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
