by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 22, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
With less than two weeks before Arizona’s fiscal year ends, a deepening budget dispute between the state House and Governor Katie Hobbs escalated Saturday, as House Speaker Steve Montenegro announced plans to introduce a continuation budget to keep state government running past the June 30 deadline.
Montenegro said the House would move forward with a stopgap measure after determining that the Senate-passed executive budget, negotiated by Hobbs and Republican Senate leaders, lacks sufficient support to clear the House.
“The executive budget plan passed in the Senate does not have the votes in the House—with bipartisan opposition from Republicans and Democrats,” Montenegro said. “Now, with time running out and no viable path forward for their plan, it’s our responsibility to act to prevent a shutdown.”
He added that House Republicans had already passed their own budget last week, which he said focused on public safety, infrastructure, and government accountability—but that proposal was “ignored by the Senate.”
“The House is not going to be forced into a take-it-or-leave-it deal that doesn’t reflect the will of our members or the people we represent,” Montenegro said. “We will do what responsible legislators should do: take action to keep government running and protect Arizona taxpayers.”
A continuation budget, currently being drafted, would maintain current funding levels to preserve essential government operations while lawmakers continue to negotiate. However, the governor swiftly condemned the plan and signaled she would veto any such proposal.
In a statement, Governor Hobbs accused House Republicans of abandoning bipartisan talks and attempting to “jam through an irresponsible and partisan ‘budget.’”
“For months I have worked with leaders of both parties, in both chambers, to craft a bipartisan, balanced, and fiscally responsible budget,” Hobbs said. “Sadly, House Republican leadership abdicated their responsibility and refused to meaningfully participate in those bipartisan conversations.”
Hobbs warned that the continuation budget would gut pay raises for state troopers and firefighters, slash childcare and education funding, raise taxes on small businesses, and eliminate key investments in veterans’ services and wildfire mitigation.
“Speaker Montenegro knows this, yet he has chosen to continue with this farce as an exercise in pointless political grandstanding,” she said. “His reckless actions jeopardize basic government functions with potentially devastating consequences.”
The governor also criticized House Republicans for seeking an increase in their own per diem pay while proposing cuts to public safety and education programs.
“This irresponsible House Republican budget will raise costs and make our state less safe, less secure, and less competitive,” she added. “It’s time for House Republican leadership to come back to reality, stop wasting everyone’s time, and show some common sense by working with their colleagues in a productive fashion.”
With the June 30 deadline approaching, the battle over Arizona’s budget now hinges on whether either side can reach a new agreement—or whether the impasse will trigger a government shutdown.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 19, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate Republicans introduced a new state budget proposal Monday that aims to deliver a balanced fiscal plan while investing in public safety, education, infrastructure, water, and public health — all without raising taxes.
Senate leaders emphasized that their budget reflects bipartisan priorities and presents a path forward to avoid a looming government shutdown.
“This is a bipartisan budget the Republican majority can fully support and the governor will sign,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “We are protecting the interests of Arizona by boosting pay for public safety personnel and increasing public safety resources to support safer communities.”
Petersen added that the proposal includes key investments in transportation and infrastructure, with a focus on road projects that support economic growth. The budget also addresses water security and enhancements to Arizona’s public health system.
“The governor has been adamant she will veto the House budget,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh. “With the possibility of a government shutdown in a matter of days, we must move forward with our conservative spending plan, and we’re calling on our colleagues in both chambers to support it.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope offered a blunt assessment of the House proposal, describing it as a “fantasyland budget.”
“Elections have consequences,” Shope said. “We are in an era of divided government, and we must proceed as such. Republicans can’t get everything they want, and neither can Democrats. We did very well with protecting and funding our Republican priorities.”
Lawmakers face a deadline to approve a spending plan before a potential government shutdown later this week.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 18, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) is facing growing scrutiny from parents and advocacy groups over concerns that sexually explicit books are being displayed in the youth sections of its libraries. Organizations like AZ Women of Action (AZWOA) and EZAZ, along with dozens of local residents, are urging county officials to take stronger action to protect children and support parental rights.
The issue reached a boiling point this spring when residents raised their concerns directly with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (BOS). In response, Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart held meetings with AZWOA representatives, signaling that the county may be preparing to address the controversy more directly.
MCLD, which oversees 15 libraries serving the nation’s fourth-most populous county, currently follows a Collection Development Policy that emphasizes community demand and diversity. The policy also defers to parents and guardians on what materials their children borrow, and explicitly avoids labeling materials based on their content or philosophy. Critics argue this approach lacks adequate safeguards.
At the center of the debate are specific books flagged as inappropriate by advocacy groups. Titles such as “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie H. Harris and “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson have drawn sharp criticism for what opponents say are graphic depictions of sex and sexual behavior that are not suitable for minors. Novels by author Ellen Hopkins, which explore themes of sexual abuse and trafficking, have also been cited as problematic.
Advocates point to Arizona statutes—ARS 13-3506 and ARS 13-3507—which make it a felony to knowingly provide sexually explicit materials to minors or display such materials in public. Some residents have called on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office to investigate whether the library’s practices violate these laws.
“The goal isn’t censorship,” said Merissa Hamilton of EZAZ. “It’s about ensuring age-appropriate content and preserving a parent’s right to guide their children’s upbringing.”
In recent weeks, AZWOA has launched a petition asking the BOS to move explicit titles from youth sections to adult areas and to consider implementing a rating system. Books rated three or higher on a five-point scale would require parental permission before being borrowed by minors.
As a partial response, the BOS approved a pilot program at the Queen Creek Library. The program allows parents to submit a form listing books their children may not check out. However, critics argue the system is cumbersome and poorly publicized, making it ineffective.
The future of library policy in Maricopa County remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: a growing number of residents are demanding more say in what books their children can access—and they’re not backing down.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 17, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
In a move that signals both a shift in corporate strategy and a broader commentary on the business climate in the Pacific Northwest, Dutch Bros, one of Oregon’s most iconic homegrown brands, is officially relocating its headquarters from Grants Pass, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona.
The fast-growing drive-thru beverage chain, known for its coffee and energy drinks and its fiercely loyal customer base, announced that the transition to Arizona will help better position the company for its next phase of growth.
“To support the next phase of Dutch Bros’ growth, we’re relocating additional roles to our new Phoenix office and making strategic changes to the structure of several teams,” Dutch Bros said in a statement. “Bringing more people together will allow us to better serve our customers and crews across the country.”
The move had been anticipated for some time. CEO Christine Barone has operated from Arizona since 2023, and the company has steadily increased its corporate presence in the Phoenix area since early 2024. Arizona policymakers are touting the relocation as a major win for the state.
The announcement sparked immediate reactions back in Oregon, where Dutch Bros began in 1992 as a single coffee cart run by brothers Travis and Dane Boersma. Now a national brand with over 1,000 drive-thru locations and 26,000 employees nationwide (including franchises), Dutch Bros has grown annual sales from $240 million in 2018 to $1.3 billion last year. The company projects another 22% increase in 2025.
The reasons behind the move appear primarily logistical and strategic. The company cited the need to be closer to high-growth markets like Texas and the Southeast, and near a major airport to facilitate executive travel. Challenges in recruiting young professionals to rural Oregon—specifically a lack of child care—also played a role in earlier internal discussions.
Terry Hopkins, CEO of the Grants Pass and Josephine County chamber of commerce, acknowledged the emotional and economic impact of the headquarters relocation but expressed hope that Dutch Bros would remain a strong local presence. “We’ll definitely feel the impact. We’ve been fortunate,” he said, noting the Boersma family still lives in the area and continues to be active in the community.
As Dutch Bros continues its rapid national expansion—with aspirations for 7,000 locations—the company’s move may serve as both a business milestone and a broader statement about where companies see opportunity, talent, and infrastructure aligning for long-term success.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 16, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona House of Representatives passed a structurally balanced, conservative budget on Thursday, advancing a financial plan that focuses on strengthening public safety, reducing costs for families, and increasing government accountability.
Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) called the budget a reflection of voter priorities. “This budget delivers safe communities, strong families, and a government that works for the people — not the other way around,” he said. “It cuts tuition, raises pay for law enforcement, fixes critical roads, and reins in waste — all without raising taxes.”
Key components of the budget include a 5% pay raise for Department of Public Safety and corrections officers, $94 million for repairs to major highway infrastructure, and a 2.5% in-state university tuition reduction alongside a freeze for the subsequent two years. The budget also fully funds school choice programs and clears a backlog of Empowerment Scholarship Account applications.
Additional funding is designated to keep voter rolls accurate and up to date, fully fund payments for parents acting as caregivers, and provide developmental disability services. An expanded adoption tax deduction is also included.
“The House-passed budget puts the House Majority Plan into action,” Majority Leader Michael Carbone said. “We’re protecting opportunity by lowering costs for students and parents. We’re backing public safety with strong support for our law enforcement officers. And we’re holding government accountable by cutting waste and demanding better results — this is the kind of leadership Arizona voters asked for.”
Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter stressed the budget’s potential for boosting small business. “The House-passed budget gives long-overdue relief to Arizona’s small businesses by eliminating the administratively burdensome business personal property tax under the $500,000 threshold,” Carter said. “This helps local job creators grow, hire, and invest in their communities — and makes Arizona a more competitive place to do business.”
The budget package — HB2945 through HB2961 — now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
