by Matthew Holloway | Jan 22, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In the aftermath of historic flooding across Gila County in September 2025, Arizona communities are still wrestling with the long road toward recovery, and the federal government’s initial refusal to provide disaster relief has only added to the frustration.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) took action, sending a letter to President Donald Trump and FEMA Region IX Administrator Robert Fenton uring them to intervene in Arizona’s appeal of FEMA’s denial of a Major Disaster Declaration. He was joined by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06), and David Schweikert (R-AZ01).
The disaster declaration, would unlock vital federal funds and resources under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to help communities like Globe, Miami, and other rural areas rebuild infrastructure, support residents, and mitigate future flood risks.
The appeal follows FEMA’s December 20, 2025, denial, a decision that came despite the state and local officials’ reassessment estimating damages well above $100 million.
“The new figures reflect substantial and unanticipated financial burdens placed on local jurisdictions, which were required to undertake immediate emergency protective measures, restore essential services, and address damage to roads, utilities, and public facilities,” Crane wrote in the letter.
He added, “When viewed in the aggregate, these impacts demonstrate a level of strain that exceeds the reasonable capacity of affected communities to manage without federal support.” Crane has engaged directly with FEMA officials in Washington, D.C., and invited them to visit Gila County to see conditions firsthand.
“With this more accurate assessment,” Crane said, “FEMA will now have a better sense of the damage to these storied communities. While many democrat elected officials were quick to point fingers and score cheap points, we worked behind the scenes to strengthen our efforts and believe the State of Arizona’s updated figures present a far stronger case for federal assistance. We applaud President Trump’s ongoing commitment to Arizona and look forward to continuing our work with his team at FEMA as they consider this appeal, which would deliver much-needed assistance to residents in rural Arizona.”
The original denial has drawn bipartisan criticism, including from Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs, who argued the decision left families and local governments to shoulder rebuilding without critical federal support.
As federal officials weigh the appeal, residents and local leaders in Gila County continue working to recover from floods that overwhelmed watersheds, washed out infrastructure, and left lasting damage to homes and businesses.
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 Matthew Holloway | Jan 21, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold another oversight hearing on the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) on Thursday, Jan. 29. Committee Chair Sen. Carine Werner (R-LD4) is seeking answers over ongoing access and provider network issues.
Werner said ongoing oversight efforts, including hearings, document requests, and sworn testimony, have revealed continued failures within AHCCCS that are disrupting Arizona’s provider network and limiting patient access to care.
According to Werner, providers remain locked out of the system, services continue to be restricted, and families seeking care are facing delays.
“This is no longer just a policy failure. It’s a public health and safety crisis,” Werner said. “Decisions made inside AHCCCS dismantled parts of our provider network and robbed Arizonans of the care they desperately need.”
Werner explained in the release that AHCCCS leadership, appearing before the committee, has failed to provide clear and complete answers regarding enforcement decisions, provider terminations, and internal actions taken after the discovery of billions of dollars in Medicaid fraud.
The Senator has introduced multiple bills during the current legislative session aimed at strengthening oversight, enforcing accountability, and ensuring AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Health Services fulfill their responsibility to protect patients, providers, and taxpayers.
Werner also referenced the recent appointment of Ginny Rountree as AHCCCS director, saying leadership changes alone may not resolve issues identified during the investigation.
“The committee remains cautiously optimistic that newly appointed Director Ginny Rountree can begin stabilizing the agency, but the oversight record makes clear that leadership changes alone will not resolve the systemic breakdown exposed through the investigation,” Werner said.
Werner said the committee will continue its oversight efforts until access to care is restored and accountability measures are implemented within Arizona’s Medicaid system.
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 Matthew Holloway | Jan 20, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) has introduced H.R. 6931, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act. The bill would ratify and authorize the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement reached in 2024 between the Tribal Nation, the State of Arizona, the Salt River Project, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and local stakeholders.
The agreement, approved by the Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Council on June 26, 2024, resolves water rights claims that have been pending in Arizona courts for over four decades.
A central component of the settlement is the Cragin-Verde Pipeline, a roughly 60-mile-long pipeline that will deliver surface water from the C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim to the Verde Valley. The pipeline will provide reliable drinking water to the Nation, reduce groundwater pumping, support housing and economic development on the reservation, and contribute to the sustained health of the Verde River, as explained by the ASU Arizona Water Innovation Initiative.
H.R. 6931 would codify the Nation’s water rights, authorize federal funding for construction of the Cragin-Verde Pipeline and the Yavapai-Apache Drinking Water System, and establish dedicated trust funds for water, wastewater, watershed restoration, operations, and maintenance.
Under the legislation, the U.S. Department of the Interior would oversee planning, design, and construction of the Cragin-Verde Pipeline as part of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project. The bill also authorizes the Nation’s use of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, establishes a permanent CAP delivery contract, and allows the Nation to store, lease, or exchange CAP water within Arizona.
The settlement would provide water reliability for the Nation’s more than 2,500 enrolled members across five tribal communities and enhance long-term water security throughout the Verde Valley, according to a press release from Crane’s office.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Chairman Buddy Rocha Jr. stated, “The passage of the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act will finally resolve our water rights claims that have been pending in Arizona’s courts for over four decades, providing water certainty for the Nation and our neighbors throughout the watershed. On behalf of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, I want to thank Congressman Crane for his commitment to the Settlement and to his constituents here in the Verde Valley. We are also truly grateful to Congressman Crane for his recent visit to the Nation, where he, and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kirkland, saw first-hand how the Settlement will help support critically needed housing and economic development on our Reservation for years to come.”
Rep. Crane said in the press release, “I’m honored to introduce this legislation to help secure long-term water security for the Yavapai-Apache Nation, develop critical infrastructure, and finally move toward a permanent solution. After visiting and meeting with tribal leaders and surrounding communities, it was clear how much certainty and stability this bill would provide. I’m proud to fight for rural Arizona.”
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 Matthew Holloway | Jan 19, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby (R-LD13) has introduced legislation to temporarily suspend the state gasoline tax in Maricopa and Pinal counties during the summer months, citing higher fuel costs tied to air-quality regulations.
According to a release from the Arizona House Republican Caucus, Willoughby’s House Bill 2400 would suspend the state’s 18-cent-per-gallon gas tax on the special Cleaner Burning Gasoline blend required in Maricopa and Pinal counties from May through September.
“Because of federal requirements, families in Maricopa and Pinal counties are forced to pay more at the pump than the rest of Arizona,” Willoughby said in a statement. “During the summer, these counties can only sell Cleaner Burning Gasoline—a boutique fuel blend refined in limited quantities, primarily in California. That limited supply drives up costs, and Arizona drivers pay the price.”
“In 2023, Phoenix drivers paid higher gas prices than Los Angeles,” she continued. “As California refineries shut down, supply constraints will increase—pushing prices higher at a time when families are struggling with rising costs. Arizona now ranks as the sixth most expensive state in the nation for gas.”
Because of the added production and transportation costs, drivers in Maricopa and Pinal counties often pay more for gasoline than motorists elsewhere in Arizona, according to the House GOP. The release cited comparisons showing Phoenix-area gas prices exceeding those in Los Angeles during parts of 2023.
Willoughby said lawmakers have previously worked with federal officials to explore lower-cost fuel alternatives, but federal environmental requirements have limited available options. Her proposal includes a provision to backfill lost revenue to the Highway User Revenue Fund, which supports transportation infrastructure and is shared by state and local governments.
“Republicans are focused on affordability,” Willoughby said. “Our Majority Plan is about upholding the American Dream and making sure the cost of living doesn’t keep climbing out of reach for working families.”
In addition to the state tax suspension, Willoughby is advancing House Concurrent Memorial 2008, which urges Congress to suspend the federal gas tax on Cleaner Burning Gasoline during the same May-to-September period.
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 Matthew Holloway | Jan 18, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed Republican-backed tax conformity legislation approved Thursday by the Arizona Legislature.
The bill, SB 1106, would have provided $1.1 billion in tax relief over three years while maintaining a balanced state budget.
The legislation would have aligned Arizona’s tax code with recent federal changes and included provisions eliminating state income tax on tips and overtime pay, increasing the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, creating a deduction for childcare expenses, and providing additional tax relief for seniors.
Hobbs vetoed the bill without releasing a formal veto message as of the time of publication.
In response, House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) issued a statement criticizing the governor’s decision and warning of potential impacts on taxpayers as the filing season approaches.
“Governor Hobbs’ veto of our tax relief act is a failure of leadership that will create unnecessary confusion and disruption for millions of Arizona taxpayers,” Montenegro said in a statement released Thursday.
Montenegro said House and Senate Republicans passed the legislation early to provide clarity and certainty for families, seniors, small businesses, employers, and tax preparers. He added that the bill conformed Arizona law to federal tax changes and removed provisions the governor had previously opposed.
“The Governor admitted swift action was needed. She asked for a bill to be sent quickly. We did exactly that,” Montenegro said. “What she did not do was offer a plan of her own. No bill. No alternative. No solution.”
Montenegro also listed several provisions included in the legislation that were rejected through the veto, including increases to the standard deduction, a childcare expense deduction, an expanded child tax credit, elimination of state taxes on tips and overtime, and additional tax relief for seniors.
Montenegro said the veto would lead to confusion for taxpayers, adding, “The chaos ahead is not accidental. It is the direct result of Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto a responsible tax conformity bill with no replacement plan.”
The veto also prompted reaction from other Republican lawmakers. State Rep. Nick Kupper (R-LD25) criticized the decision in a post on X. Kupper wrote, “Of course @GovernorHobbs vetoed the tax cuts we sent her because she doesn’t give a crap about working families. If she can’t give more handouts to non-working people then she won’t like whatever we send her.”
Arizona Congressman and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, said, “Katie Hobbs vetoed a $1.1 BILLION tax cut for Arizona seniors, families, and workers. She is a weak and ineffective governor keeping Arizona from its full potential. She has no vision for the state. She has no ability to lead.”
Republicans do not hold the votes necessary to override the governor’s veto, leaving tax conformity unresolved unless lawmakers and the governor reach an agreement later in the legislative session.
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.
