by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers have taken swift action to strengthen emergency mental health services for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1163 into law earlier this month, a measure designed to allow U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) peace officers to directly assist veterans in crisis.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee Chairman David Gowan (R-LD19), grants VA peace officers the authority to take veterans into custody if they have probable cause to believe the individual is a danger to themselves or others due to a mental health disorder. Police officers may also apply for written or telephonic emergency admission evaluations, a legal requirement before an individual can be hospitalized for psychiatric care.
“It’s our duty to support the veterans who have served our country, and one way we can do so is by immediately providing the best possible care when they face mental health challenges,” Gowan said in a statement. He emphasized that the new law would help prevent tragedies by allowing veterans to access emergency services more quickly, without delays caused by waiting for civilian emergency personnel or navigating complicated legal processes.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly by both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives, reflecting bipartisan agreement on the need to improve veteran mental health care. Gowan also credited Cpl. Charles Stalter, a veterans advocate, for bringing the issue to lawmakers’ attention.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD affects between 11% and 20% of veterans who served in operations such as Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Mental health crises among veterans have been a growing concern nationally, with the VA reporting an average of 17 veteran suicides per day in 2021.
Under previous Arizona law, VA peace officers lacked the specific legal authority to initiate emergency mental health holds, even when faced with an obvious crisis. SB 1163 closes that gap, aligning Arizona with several other states that have empowered VA officers to take immediate action in mental health emergencies on VA property.
Supporters say the emergency designation for the bill — allowing it to take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature — was necessary given the urgency of the mental health needs among the veteran population.
“This commonsense legislation ensures veterans won’t have to wait for help,” Gowan said. “It will save lives.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services and the Department of Veterans’ Services are expected to assist with implementation and coordination with VA facilities statewide.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
In a bipartisan show of gratitude, the Arizona House of Representatives honored Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck last week for her decades of service to the state and nation. The ceremony, held on the House floor, also marked a new effort to support Arizona National Guard members currently deployed overseas.
Republican Representative Walt Blackman (R-LD7), a U.S. Army combat veteran and Chairman of the House Government Committee, led the recognition. Lawmakers from both parties signed a tribute to Muehlenbeck, who recently retired after more than 30 years of service, including her tenure as Commanding General of the Arizona National Guard and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
“Major General Muehlenbeck embodies everything we strive for in public service—courage, integrity, and a relentless commitment to those she leads,” Blackman said during remarks. “We thank her for her service and the legacy she’s leaving behind—a Guard that’s more prepared and more capable than ever.”
Muehlenbeck made history as the first woman to command the Arizona National Guard. House members praised her leadership through key operations such as border security missions, wildfire suppression efforts, and pandemic response initiatives. They also highlighted her parallel career in legal services and education.
The tribute ceremony was accompanied by a large donation drive to benefit deployed service members. Representative Teresa Martinez (R-LD16) organized the collection of snacks, hygiene items, and personal care products, with contributions coming from House members, staff, and their families.
“We’re grateful to Representative Martinez for organizing this drive to support our men and women in uniform,” said Blackman. “The Guard follows leaders like General Muehlenbeck into some of the toughest assignments. This is one small way for us to send a piece of home to those currently serving abroad.”
Photos posted by the Arizona House GOP on X showed the House members presenting Muehlenbeck with the signed tribute while standing before a large display of care packages. The event drew praise online for its bipartisan spirit and for spotlighting the service and sacrifice of both senior military leaders and rank-and-file troops.
The tribute was signed by Representatives Walt Blackman, Teresa Martinez, Nick Kupper, Dave Marshall, John Gillette, Stacey Travers, Aaron Márquez, and Mae Peshlakai. A copy of the tribute, photos of the ceremony, and images of the donated supplies were made publicly available following the event.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 27, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB 1585 into law, a measure that strengthens Arizona’s legal tools for prosecuting child sexual predators. The legislation, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-LD29), received unanimous support in the legislature and directly addresses a legal loophole that had hindered prosecutions in recent undercover sting operations.
The new law modifies the definition of a Dangerous Crime Against Children (DCAC) to include crimes committed against someone posing as a minor—specifically when the defendant knew or had reason to believe that the individual was under the age of 15. Previously, a 2023 Arizona Court of Appeals ruling created ambiguity around whether offenders caught in stings targeting fictional victims could be prosecuted under the DCAC statute.
The change comes in response to two recent undercover operations led by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, during which 20 adults were arrested over a four-week period for allegedly attempting to lure minors for sexual activity. However, due to the appeals court’s interpretation of existing statutes, several cases could not be charged as DCACs, limiting the penalties available to prosecutors.
“This legislation closes a dangerous loophole,” said Shamp in a statement. “If a pervert is caught trying to solicit sex from a child by an undercover police officer, the offender deserves to be thrown behind bars—regardless of whether or not an actual child was present.”
Shamp credited Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller for bringing the issue to her attention. Miller emphasized the importance of equipping prosecutors with clear, enforceable laws to hold predators accountable. Under current DCAC guidelines, offenders face harsher penalties, including longer mandatory minimum prison sentences.
SB 1585 passed with bipartisan support, signaling widespread agreement among lawmakers that the legal ambiguity identified in the appellate court ruling needed to be addressed. While sting operations remain a key strategy in identifying potential abusers before they can harm actual children, legal experts had cautioned that unclear language in the law could undermine these efforts.
Now, with the signing of SB 1585, Arizona prosecutors will be empowered to charge offenders caught in these operations with DCAC-level offenses, provided that the defendant reasonably believed the victim to be underage.
The legislation reflects a broader trend in Arizona and across the country toward strengthening criminal penalties for child exploitation and digital predation. States have increasingly looked to clarify statutes around internet-based luring and sting operations to stay aligned with evolving law enforcement practices.
Senator Shamp framed the passage of the bill as a clear statement: “Arizona has zero tolerance for this evil against our kids.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 26, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
California is poised to lose a significant portion of its oil refining capacity by the end of 2026, as Valero announced the closure of its Benicia refinery—its second largest in the state—just months after Phillips 66 declared plans to shut down its Los Angeles facility. Together, the closures will eliminate roughly 17.4% of California’s total refining output, a shift expected to ripple beyond state borders, potentially triggering gasoline price spikes and supply disruptions in neighboring Arizona and Nevada.
These developments come on the heels of new state regulations introduced under Governor Gavin Newsom, which impose strict oversight on refinery operations. The rules limit when refineries can conduct maintenance, mandate increased inventory storage, and aim to curb perceived “price manipulation.” However, the energy industry and regional leaders argue these measures are accelerating refinery shutdowns and undermining fuel stability across the Southwest.
California operates as an “energy island,” with limited ability to import refined fuel from other U.S. regions due to the federal Jones Act, which restricts domestic shipping to U.S.-built and -crewed vessels. With U.S. shipbuilding capacity far behind that of countries like China, domestic maritime transport remains scarce and costly. As a result, California will increasingly rely on foreign tanker ships for fuel imports—an emissions-intensive, volatile, and expensive solution.
Governor Newsom claims California’s high gas prices are due to refinery “price gouging,” despite his own administration’s lack of evidence. His regulatory push has faced bipartisan opposition, including a joint letter from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo warning that new refinery laws could lead to “higher costs for consumers” in all three states. Chevron echoed this concern, stating that the regulations would increase both the likelihood and duration of fuel shortages, while permanently raising consumer prices.
Refineries in California are already operating at or near full capacity. With no new facilities planned—especially as the state pushes to ban new gas-powered car sales by 2035—any closure tightens supply margins. The upcoming shutdowns will reduce daily refining capacity to 1.34 million barrels, well below the state’s consumption level of 1.8 million barrels per day, necessitating a shortfall of over 140 million barrels per year.
Due to California’s requirement for a specialized gasoline blend, few out-of-state refiners can meet demand, further narrowing supply options. These vulnerabilities were recently exposed when the temporary shutdown of the Martinez refinery sent gas prices soaring across the region, including in Arizona and Nevada.
With California gas prices already the nation’s highest—averaging $4.86 per gallon—experts warn that future supply shocks could bring about even more dramatic volatility and potential fuel shortages across the Southwest.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 24, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Despite recent claims of financial strain, Arizona cities are experiencing robust revenue growth, according to the Arizona Tax Research Association’s (ATRA) April 2025 newsletter. The report highlights that municipalities have accumulated substantial cash reserves, even as some city officials advocate for tax increases.
ATRA’s analysis reveals that for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, Arizona cities collectively budgeted $9.1 billion for their general funds, with nearly $4.2 billion—approximately 47%—allocated to cash reserves. This financial strength is attributed to consistent growth in sales and income tax revenues, bolstered by legislative changes and economic factors.
A significant contributor to this revenue surge is the 2019 Wayfair legislation, which enabled Arizona to tax remote sales. This change led to a substantial increase in sales tax collections, with shared revenues to cities rising over 55% from $589 million in FY 2020 to $915.5 million in FY 2025. Projections indicate this figure will reach $918 million in FY 2026.
In addition to sales taxes, cities benefit from Urban Revenue Sharing (URS), which distributes a portion of state income taxes based on collections from two years prior. In FY 2025, URS allocations amounted to over $1.26 billion. However, this represents a 19% decrease from the previous year, primarily due to the implementation of a 2.5% flat income tax rate in FY 2024. To mitigate the impact on municipalities, the state increased the shared percentage from 15% to 18%.
Despite these strong revenue streams, some city leaders cite recent state tax reforms—such as the 2021 personal income tax cut and the elimination of taxes on residential rents—as reasons to consider raising local taxes. ATRA cautions against this approach, emphasizing the importance of prudent fiscal management and the existing financial cushion that many cities possess.
The association’s findings suggest that while state-level tax policy changes have influenced revenue dynamics, Arizona cities continue to enjoy a favorable financial position. As discussions around taxation and budgeting persist, ATRA advocates for transparency and accountability in municipal fiscal practices.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
