by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 24, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Republican leaders in the Arizona Legislature are highlighting a string of tax cuts they say are aimed at providing relief to working families, renters, and small business owners across the state. Over the past three years, lawmakers have passed three separate tax measures that they argue will reduce financial burdens for everyday Arizonans.
The most recent change, Senate Bill 1069, was approved last month and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The legislation raises Arizona’s business personal property tax exemption to $500,000, a move Republican lawmakers say will particularly benefit small businesses by cutting down on tax bills for equipment and other property used in daily operations.
In 2023, the legislature also passed Senate Bill 1184, which bans municipal excise taxes on residential leases starting in 2025. Supporters say the measure will help renters by prohibiting local governments from adding extra taxes to apartment and home leases, a cost often passed directly to tenants.
That same year, lawmakers enacted the Arizona Families Tax Rebate through Senate Bill 1734. The rebate provided one-time direct payments to Arizona households: up to $750 for single filers and up to $1,500 for joint filers. Families received $250 per child under 17, while older dependents qualified for $100 each.
Senate President Warren Petersen praised the tax cuts as part of a broader conservative approach to governance.
“At a time when families are feeling squeezed, we’re doing what government should—getting out of the way and letting our hardworking taxpayers keep more of what they earn,” Petersen said in a statement. “These tax cuts aren’t handouts. They’re the result of smart, conservative leadership that puts everyday Arizonans first.”
Petersen also framed the tax policy as aligned with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, signaling that Arizona Republicans see these moves as part of a larger national effort to spur growth and reduce government intervention.
Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, have raised concerns in past sessions that cutting taxes could limit state and local governments’ ability to fund essential services, including education and infrastructure. However, GOP leaders maintain that the state’s healthy revenues give them room to ease tax burdens without sacrificing core programs.
With these three measures now on the books, Arizona Republicans are positioning themselves as champions of taxpayer relief ahead of the 2026 legislative session and upcoming election cycles.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 23, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
In a tense and disorganized special meeting last week, the Arizona Democratic Party voted to remove Chair Robert Branscomb after just six months in office. The ouster followed months of infighting, public disputes with elected officials, union clashes, and growing concerns over the party’s financial health heading into the 2026 election cycle.
Branscomb, who was elected chair in January after unseating incumbent Yolanda Bejarano, faced mounting criticism from party leaders and lawmakers. Arizona’s top Democratic elected officials—including U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, Governor Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes—issued a rare public rebuke earlier this year, expressing a loss of confidence in his leadership.
Despite technical problems that plagued the meeting, 476 party committee members voted to remove Branscomb through the party’s preferred voting method, surpassing the two-thirds threshold required by Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) bylaws. Some members cast votes by email due to glitches in the party’s online voting system, though the total vote count remains unclear.
“Today’s recall effort is rooted in misrepresentation, divisive tactics and does not reflect our democratic values,” Branscomb said during the meeting. He argued that his removal was not about party unity but about “distraction and dividing us at a time when unity is more important than ever.”
Several lawmakers and party officials cited concerns over Branscomb’s ability to lead Democrats to victory in the next election. “Donors have told me directly they’re sitting out until the party gets its act together,” said State Representative Aaron Márquez.
The July 16 meeting stretched on for hours as frustrations mounted over procedural confusion and technical failures. Several members said they did not receive links to vote on the quorum, raising fears that they would be disenfranchised. Over two and a half hours were spent troubleshooting the party’s online voting platform.
Much of the confusion appeared to stem from tensions between party officers and ADP Executive Director Michael Ruff, who was tasked with managing the voting system. Some staff members claimed in Zoom chat messages that they had offered to help with the process but received no response.
ADP Vice Chair Melissa Galarza criticized the disorganization, saying, “I just feel like this was not well planned, the staff was not prepared for it, Michael Ruff did not prepare us, we had a lack of conversation about this meeting.”
A new election to select the party’s next chair is scheduled for September. Branscomb has the option to challenge his removal in that meeting. Until then, ADP Vice Chair Kim Khoury will serve as interim chair.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 19, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Goldwater Institute has filed a federal lawsuit against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), demanding answers about an ongoing government case targeting a California-based moving company with a $15 million fine for alleged age discrimination.
At the center of the dispute is Meathead Movers, a family-owned business founded in 1997. The company has grown into California’s largest independently owned moving company, employing more than 300 workers. Its business model emphasizes physical endurance and customer service, with employees jogging to and from trucks when not carrying furniture.
The EEOC launched an investigation into Meathead Movers in 2017, accusing the company of discriminating against older applicants and using marketing materials that allegedly promote age bias. The case is unusual because it is an “agency-initiated” lawsuit—meaning the EEOC filed it without an official complaint from an alleged victim. The EEOC only pursues a small number of such cases each year.
According to the Goldwater Institute, that lack of a public complaint is precisely why the group is now suing the federal government. In March, the Institute submitted a public records request asking the EEOC to disclose whether any individuals had actually filed complaints against Meathead Movers and whether similar actions had been taken against other companies. The EEOC denied the request, citing privacy concerns.
The Goldwater Institute argues that the refusal to disclose this information violates federal transparency laws. “Privacy is for individuals, not government agencies,” the Goldwater said in a statement. “Transparency is a legal requirement, especially when taxpayer-funded agencies wield their power against private businesses.”
Critics of the EEOC’s case say the lawsuit defies common sense. Moving companies, by nature, require employees capable of lifting heavy furniture and working long hours in physically demanding conditions. The Goldwater Institute points out that Meathead Movers has employed workers of all ages and argues there is no evidence of systemic discrimination.
“This isn’t just about one company,” said a spokesperson for the Goldwater Institute. “If the government can pick a successful business, launch a multimillion-dollar enforcement action without an actual complaint, and then refuse to explain why, it sets a dangerous precedent for small businesses everywhere.”
As the lawsuit moves forward, the Goldwater Institute says it will continue to press for the release of records, arguing that public accountability is at stake.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 17, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro announced on Monday new senior staff appointments for the House Majority leadership team, signaling an early staffing shift as lawmakers prepare for the next legislative session.
Grant Hanna will assume the role of Chief of Staff, bringing over a decade of legislative experience from the Arizona Senate. Hanna most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Senate, where he was a key advisor on natural resources, water policy, energy, and government affairs. His background also includes roles as a Senior Policy Advisor and Research Analyst.
In addition, Matt Specht has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Specht has spent nine years on the House Majority staff and will now lead the day-to-day operations of the House. His responsibilities will include advising leadership, overseeing floor calendaring, and serving as a key resource for both members and staff. Montenegro praised Specht’s “professionalism, institutional expertise, and the highest standards of public service.”
Linley Wilson will continue in her dual roles as Deputy Chief of Staff and General Counsel. She will remain a principal advisor to leadership and Republican caucus members, contributing to policy strategy while also overseeing legal matters and supporting the House Rules Committee.
“The Arizona House is fortunate to have such a talented, experienced, and trusted leadership team supporting our Majority staff,” Speaker Montenegro said in a statement. “Grant, Matt, and Linley have earned the confidence of Members through their professionalism and sound judgment. Their leadership ensures we stay organized and focused on delivering results for the people of Arizona.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 14, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) has announced the launch of a new statewide alert system aimed at helping law enforcement and the public quickly locate missing and endangered individuals under the age of 65. Known as the Turquoise Alert, the initiative officially went into effect on Thursday, July 10.
Created through House Bill 2281 and signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs on May 13, the alert system is formally named “Emily’s Law” in honor of Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe whose case helped spotlight the need for broader missing persons tools, particularly for Indigenous communities.
“The Turquoise Alert represents a vital step forward in protecting vulnerable individuals in our communities,” said AZDPS Director Colonel Jeffrey Glover. “By empowering the public with timely, actionable information, we can make a critical difference in locating those who are missing and bringing them home safely.”
The alert is designed for cases involving individuals under the age of 65 who have gone missing under suspicious or unexplained circumstances and are believed to be in danger. To trigger a Turquoise Alert, the following criteria must be met: the missing person is under 65 years old; local law enforcement has exhausted all available resources in the search; there is credible concern that the person is in danger or with a potentially dangerous individual; and authorities possess enough descriptive information to assist in the recovery effort.
Once activated, alerts will be broadcast across multiple platforms: Emergency Alert System (EAS); Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phone; Highway signs via the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT); Social media accounts of the requesting law enforcement agency; the AZDPS Alerts website; and an All-Points Bulletin (APB) sent to law enforcement statewide.
Based on data from similar programs, AZDPS anticipates issuing 15 to 30 Turquoise Alerts per year, though that number could increase with expanded public awareness.
The new system adds to Arizona’s existing suite of public alerts, including the Amber Alert, for abducted children; Silver Alert, for missing seniors or those with cognitive impairments; and Blue Alert, for threats to law enforcement.
By establishing a dedicated framework for endangered adults under 65—many of whom previously fell outside the scope of other alert systems—state officials say the Turquoise Alert helps fill a critical public safety gap.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
