by Ethan Faverino | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, supported by all Arizona’s Republican representatives, was signed on Friday, July 4th. The bill provides the largest tax relief in American history.
Among the bill’s most impactful provisions are no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits.
These policies are designed to put more money back into the pockets of the hard-working American people.
The “No Tax on Tips” provision offers a new deduction of up to $25,000 for workers in tipped industries. Whether tips are received in cash, by charge, or through tip-sharing arrangements, employees will keep more of their hard-earned income.
This measure is expected to save tipped workers nearly $2,000 annually, providing direct financial relief to millions of Americans in these critical industries.
The bill also eliminates taxes on overtime pay. This guarantees that workers who put in extra hours are rewarded greatly with bigger paychecks. This, as well, could also save Americans on average $2,000 a year.
According to a new study from the Council of Economic Advisers, 88% (48 million) of American seniors receiving Social Security will pay no taxes on their Social Security income.
For a single senior receiving the average retirement of $24,000 annually, deductions will exceed their taxable Social Security income. Similarly, married seniors with a combined Social Security income of $48,000 will also see their deductions surpass taxable income.
The One Big Beautiful Bill also delivers an average 15% tax cut for Americans earning between $15,000 and $80,000, significantly boosting take-home pay.
For a typical family with two children, this translates to an increase of up to $10,900 per year in after-tax income. The bill also boosts the standard tax deduction, raising it to $23,625 for married couples and $15,750 for singles, a benefit utilized by 91% of taxpayers.
According to the Council of Economic Advisers, the One Big Beautiful Bill will drive significant growth and fiscal stability. This includes:
- Real wages increasing by up to $7,200 per year
- Real Investment growing by as much as 10%
- Creation of protection of 7 million jobs
- Deficit reduction of up to $11.1 trillion, driven by $5.2 trillion from economic growth, $2.8 trillion from tariff revenue, $1.6 trillion from discretionary spending cuts, and $1.5 trillion from interest savings.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 7, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
A record number of Arizona high school students have earned the prestigious Seal of Arts Proficiency for the 2024-25 school year. 2,366 students have received this honor, some earning more than one, indicating proficiency in more than one arts discipline.
There was a total of 2,400 awards, marking the highest number of recipients since the program launched in 2019. These students were recognized across multiple disciplines of Visual Arts, Theatre, Music, Media Arts, and Dance.
“I am a passionate supporter of the arts. Not only do disciplines such as music, theatre, art, and dance have intrinsic value, but studies have proven that students who pursue the arts often do better academically,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. “There is tremendous value in arts education, and I am extremely pleased to see the highest number of students in the history of this program receiving the Seal of Arts Proficiency. I also offer my congratulations to the Dysart district and its leadership for having the most students receiving this recognition.”
Out of the 2,400 seals and 2,366 participating students, the Dysart Unified School District was awarded 261 seals with 249 participating students.
The program was launched in the 2019-20 school year with hopes of recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional skills in the arts disciplines. Within the past 5 years, it has quickly grown from 585 participating students to 2,366. The total awards have also increased from 591 to 2,400, showing the state’s proficiency in high school arts. School involvement and support have also grown, with 58 schools participating in 2019 compared to 146 schools this year.
The Arizona Seal of Arts Proficiency honors students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in the arts, while also equipping them with essential life skills and preparing them for college. With nearly 80,000 jobs in Arizona’s arts and culture sector, the seal offers students a meaningful pathway into creative industries, allowing them to succeed both personally and professionally.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 5, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Department of Education sent information to the State Treasurer’s Office earlier this week regarding supplemental dollars to be sent to Arizona public schools following a shortfall this year. The information confirms funding will be sent to schools immediately, following the newly signed state budget.
As soon as the new state budget was signed into law, the Department of Finance personnel began working on this process, ensuring that schools would not face funding shortfalls.
This move by the Department of Education makes sure that schools will receive full payments for June and beyond, avoiding the crisis that emerged at the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
At the close of FY2025, Arizona’s education system faced a shortfall of just under $200 million, which was due to several factors.
The biggest factors in this shortfall were caused by recalculation of Statewide Average Daily Membership, the Qasimyar tax lawsuit, the Empowerment Scholarship Account, and the Qualifying Tax Rate Levy.
The recalculation of the state’s Average Daily Membership (ADM) caused a $45 million adjustment. This is the state’s method for counting enrolled students, which determines how much funding public schools receive per student. The state had overestimated student enrollment, likely due to increased withdrawals as families opted for other methods of schooling, some paid for by the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA).
In an unexpected blow to the state’s finances, Arizona settled Qasimyar v. Arizona. This was a tax lawsuit over disputed property assessments, resulting in a large payment of $69 million from the state’s general fund. This same fund also supports public education, causing a significant amount to be taken away from public schools across the state.
Arizona’s ESA program exceeded its projected cost by $52 million in FY2025. With more families taking advantage of the program than people anticipated, the general fund was strained even more, reducing resources for public schools.
The last big blow to public school funding was the Qualifying Tax Rate Levy, which is a property tax that contributes directly to school funding. This brought in $17 million less than what was projected.
Despite all the financial pressures, the Arizona Department of Education took early action. Before the new budget’s approval, ADE had already distributed roughly 63% of June’s payment.
With the new budget in place, the remaining balance will be paid immediately, restoring full funding levels for schools.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 4, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressmen Abraham Hamadeh and Andy Biggs proudly cast their votes on Wednesday, in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill, pushed by President Donald Trump.
Congressman Andy Biggs credited the collaboration “between President Trump and the Freedom Caucus for pushing the One Big Beautiful Bill over the finish line.
“I’m honored to stand with my great Freedom Caucus colleagues as we work in lockstep with President Trump,” said Biggs on X.
“Today, I proudly voted for the agenda that my constituents voted for when they sent me to Congress – the America First agenda. The agenda laid out by President Donald Trump during his historic, successful run to return to the White House,” stated Hamadeh. “The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers the largest tax cut for middle- and working-class Americans in history and secures increases in paychecks and take-home pay for the hardworking families in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill is a foundation of President Trump’s economic vision, providing what supporters say are “significant benefits to American workers, seniors, and rural communities.”
Major elements of the bill include:
- Historic tax relief with an average of a 15% tax cut for Americans earning between $15,000 and $80,000, with no tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security benefits for seniors.
- Increased Standard Deduction, which raises to $23,625 for married couples and $15,750 for singles, boosting take-home pay over $10,000 annually for a typical family.
- Support for retirees (65+) by introducing a new tax deduction ensuring the average Social Security beneficiary pays zero taxes on their benefits, with relief phased out only at high incomes.
- Protection for social programs, like Medicaid and Medicare benefits, by maintaining full funding. Also, strengthening Medicaid for Americans with disabilities and implementing measures to eliminate fraud in Medicaid and SNAP programs.
- Investment in rural communities by expanding market access and providing historic support for farm families.
- Advancement of President Trump’s national security agenda, Peace Through Strength, by reinforcing America’s global leadership.
Congressman Hamadeh, a first-generation American and former U.S. Army Reserve Captain, highlighted the bill’s significance in countering economic challenges and misinformation. “For months, Americans have been bombarded with fake news accounts that stirred fear and anger and stoked resentment as part of the Democrats’ war on Capitalism,” he said. “Today, my Republican colleagues and I were able to ignore the noise bought and paid for by Green New Deal corporatists and hear the voices of the American workers.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill has gained significant attention for its bold approach to economic reform. Hamadeh’s vote reflects his commitment to addressing the soaring inflation and border security concerns that he identified as critical issues for Arizona’s 8th District during his 2024 campaign.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jun 30, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Prescott City Council has voted down a proposed General Plan on Tuesday, rejecting what critics said contained “woke policies.” If the proposal had been approved, it would have made its way to the ballot for the next election.
The proposed General Plan included policies such as Vision Zero, road diets, and pricey, unreliable energy. These were just a small part of the “woke proposal,” according to critics, that seemed to change the dynamic of the city, rather than shape the future in a way that reflects the community’s vision and priorities.
Vision Zero aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries, which may seem noble on the surface, but is designed to ultimately eliminate the use of fossil fuel vehicles.
Road diets have a similar goal, reducing vehicle lanes to add bike lanes or wider sidewalks.
Prescott Mayor Phil Goode, along with two city council members, opposed the original proposal, citing its misalignment with the city’s conservative values and practical needs. Mayor Goode spoke strongly against this proposal, which he believed reflected policies that could transform the small, historic town into Los Angeles or San Francisco.
In the final vote, the original plan failed to obtain the five-vote supermajority needed to be referred to the ballot. A revised version, which made minor adjustments but retained many of the original policies, was also brought forward but failed again, this time with a 4-3 vote.
Prescott City Council is running out of time to agree on a General Plan that best describes the community’s needs for future development. If they do not vote and decide soon, they may likely miss the ballot for this fall’s general election.
Associate of Government Affairs for Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Mylie Biggs appaluded the move, saying, “This is a major win for the people of Prescott and the members of the Council that stood firm. Every other city in Arizona should be cautious of the language in their own General Plans and follow Prescott’s lead in rejecting wokeness in their cities.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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