by Matthew Holloway | Jan 25, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Governor Katie Hobbs is now facing a serious legal challenge from the Goldwater Institute, acting on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, to put a stop to what Goldwater described as “one of the most significant bureaucratic overreaches in Arizona’s history.”
On Wednesday, Goldwater announced the lawsuit against Arizona’s Democrat Governor stating that Hobbs is “taking illegal actions” that would worsen the state’s ongoing housing crisis by imposing a certification requirement in parts of Maricopa County that, in addition to showing a 100-year groundwater supply, must also meet the dubious standard of “unmet demand.”
Writing for Goldwater, Stacy Skankey explained, “Although the phrase ‘unmet demand’ does not exist in Arizona law, this new rule now requires homebuilders to show a 100-year groundwater supply across the entire water management area (a specially designated area with a reliance on groundwater) rather than at the site of the proposed development. In other words, if a groundwater shortage is projected anywhere within a management area, the Department of Water Resources now claims that there is insufficient groundwater elsewhere in the Valley.”
As reported by AZ Free News in December, Goldwater penned a letter to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) urging the agency under Hobbs to reconsider its “AMA Wide Unmet Demand Rule,” noting that the new rule was in violation of the law having been imposed without legislative approval or via the required rulemaking process.
According to ADWR, “Unmet demand occurs when the model cannot simulate pumping of all demands included, thereby creating a pumping shortfall or deficit. This pumping shortfall or deficit occurs when there is insufficient saturated aquifer to satisfy the pumping demand (i.e., the depth-to-water level reaches bedrock) or when the depth to water exceeds 1,100 feet after 100 years of simulated pumping.”
Essentially, unmet demand occurs when the state’s modeling is insufficient to predict demand. In other words, the basis for shutting down Arizona housing development is that the Hobbs administration’s simulation doesn’t work.
As noted in an op-ed for the AZ Capitol Times by CEO of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona Jackson Moll and Goldwater Institute Vice President for Litigation Jon Riches, the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) Groundwater Model being used by the Hobbs administration, coupled with the ‘unmet demand’ standard, moves the goalposts on developers who have mitigated impact on the state’s water needs for nearly 30 years by replenishing pumped groundwater back into the water table.
Riches said in a statement, “Decisions on vital statewide concerns like the availability of affordable housing and the responsible stewardship of our natural resources should be made through a transparent, democratic process—not imposed by executive fiat.”
Moll added, “Gov. Hobbs’ deeply inaccurate and flawed claim that Arizona is running out of groundwater is having devastating effects on housing affordability in the state, which already ranks among the worst in the country.”
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 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A new poll shows Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) with a big lead over other potential GOP opponents in the 2026 race for Arizona governor.
Biggs announced that he filed a letter of interest to run for governor earlier this week.
The poll, conducted by Data Orbital and sponsored by AZ Free News, was taken between Jan. 18-20. It asked 500 Likely Republican Primary Election voters to choose between likely AZ GOP candidates for governor: Biggs, Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee, and Karrin Taylor Robson.
The results saw Biggs take an early polling lead with 31.7%, a definitive 19.3% advantage over Taylor Robson (who had 12.4% support). Yee trailed in single digits with 7.4% support. The poll had a 4.47% margin for error.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Data Orbital President George Khalaf said, “Congressman Andy Biggs has a commanding lead over potential opponents Karrin Taylor Robson and Treasurer Kimberly Yee, bolstered by his extensive history of earned media and established public leadership. His support is particularly robust among self-identified strong conservatives, capturing 45% of this key demographic.”
“These voters, who are historically the most reliable participants in primary elections, position Congressman Biggs with a significant early advantage should he choose to formally jump into the race,“ concluded Khalaf.
Conversely, in the demographic of younger voters aged 18-34, Kimberly Yee enjoyed the most support. But among independent voters, arguably the most decisive factor in the 2024 presidential election win for Donald Trump, Biggs captured 23.1% support followed by Taylor Robson at 11.7%.
The poll also showed that 45% of voters remain undecided and would still be up for grabs, demonstrating the possibility of a wide open race.
Full poll available here. Crosstabs available here.
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 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
On Monday, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) announced that detectives from its Anti-Smuggling Unit recently intercepted a vehicle on Interstate 10 driven by two illegal immigrants carrying 20,000 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition. During the January 17th traffic stop, a second vehicle, traveling with the first, was apprehended by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office in Benson, AZ, carrying 10,000 rounds of .50 BMG ammunition.
According to the PCSO press release, the investigation has been handed off to federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF.)
Sheriff Ross Teeple, who began his term on Jan. 1st, said in a statement, “The violence of the cartels in Mexico has held that country hostage. This traffic stop highlights the exceptional work of our Anti-Smuggling Unit detectives as they continually work against these criminal organizations. It also highlights our great working relationships with our federal and local partners in a united front against these criminals.”
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) revealed in a lengthier statement that the seizure involved the Cochise County Counter Narcotics and Trafficking Alliance (CNTA), HSI, and ATF. Officials reportedly contacted the occupants of the vehicles who were identified by the department as “an asylum seeker out of Cuba,” “a U.S. citizen out of Texas,” and “two asylum seekers.” CCSO did not specify what country the second pair were from.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told Fox10, “These people were arrested. It took a lot of work.”
Federal law prohibits the purchase, possession, or transport of ammunition by an illegal immigrant or alien who has not yet been admitted legally to the United States under The Gun Control Act (GCA), or 18 U.S.C. § 922(g),
“It shall be unlawful for any person— who, being an alien—(A)is illegally or unlawfully in the United States; or (B)except as provided in subsection (y)(2), has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(26))); to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.”
Bernard Zapor, a retired ATF Special Agent In Charge and faculty member at Arizona State University, told Fox10, “One thing for sure is that U.S. ammunition is a massively sought commodity in Mexico. It is priceless.”
He added that the seizures held the hallmarks of cartel involvement saying , “There’s a couple of things that are very interesting about this: the way that it was being transported, it wasn’t concealed from the photographs of the arrests. It was very blatantly just stored in an SUV, which indicates to me that they probably had the crossing into Mexico completely arranged.”
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 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A new release from former Scottsdale City Councilman and Chairman of Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE) Bob Littlefield has levied a serious accusation toward Axon. Littlefield alleged that the non-lethal weapon and bodycam manufacturer spent “a massive amount of money on so-called ‘petition blockers’” to counter city voters who were opposed to the company’s plan, which was backed by the defeated former Mayor of Scottsdale and his city council, to build 1,900 apartment units near the site for its new headquarters.
TAAAZE contended in the release, “The company doesn’t want the public to know the details.” The group continued, “That’s why it spent a massive amount of money on so-called ‘petition blockers,’ but failed to file a campaign finance report detailing its expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2024.”
“These ‘blockers’ stalked lawful petition circulators and tried to prevent Scottsdale residents from signing petitions to place Axon’s apartment project on the November 2026 ballot. It turns out Scottsdale residents can’t be bullied. Nearly 27,000 signed the petition in defiance of Axon’s intimidation tactics.”
As previously reported by AZ Free News, TAAAZE laid out a case that the massive apartment development would “increase traffic, block views, increase the use of our scarce water resources and negatively impact public safety.” The group also objected on the grounds of the firm’s new headquarters harming the funding mechanism for Arizona Schools.
Littlefield said in a statement, “Axon’s failure to file a campaign finance report with the City of Scottsdale demonstrates a blatant disrespect for state law and the people who follow it every day.”
He added, “As a Vietnam combat veteran, I won’t be intimidated by hired ’petition blockers,’ billion-dollar companies, or threats from its CEO. I have always supported Axon’s plans to build its headquarters in Scottsdale. Now Axon is threatening to leave town if it doesn’t get its lucrative rezoning which amounts to a giant apartment subsidy. If that’s the case, I know lots of people who will help them pack.”
Axon canceled its plans to break ground on a new world headquarters in Scottsdale on January 9th citing on its website, “the recent emergence of local political opposition,” which has caused the company to consider alternate locations for its global headquarters.
Founder and CEO Rick Smith said in a statement posted on Axon’s website, “Scottsdale has been our home for over 30 years, and we’ve worked hard to build a strong future here. But the uncertainty caused by this referendum forces us to confront a tough reality: we can’t allow political games to put our mission or our team at risk. Our focus remains on saving lives, improving public safety and attracting the brightest minds to join us. If that means relocating to a community that fully supports those goals, we’re prepared to make that move. This type of political interference risks not only this project but also Arizona’s ability to attract and retain major employers in the future.”
Axon has claimed that the referendum championed by TAAAZE, “has been linked to Unite Here, a California-based labor union, and its local political arm, Worker Power Institute, which has previously targeted major Arizona projects, including the Arizona Coyotes’ arena development. That campaign ultimately led to Arizona losing a major sports franchise.”
According to AZCentral, leaders of both Unite Here, the union Axon referred to, and TAAAZE have denied the union had any connection to the effort. The outlet reported that Littlefield told reporters Unite Here agreed not to launch its own petition drive as to avoid “compromising” the efforts of TAAAZE. However, he could not confirm or deny that canvassers from Unite Here were circulating petitions for the group.
“I could imagine that somebody would do that,” he told the Arizona Republic. “But we don’t have any formal setup with them at all.”
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 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Last week, the newly elected Scottsdale City Council voted to repeal the city’s sustainability plan, a controversial measure championed by former Mayor David Ortega.
A statement emailed by Councilman and Vice Mayor Barry Graham ahead of the council’s vote outlined the serious concerns he and his colleagues had with the sustainability plan. He wrote that the plan “passed in the 11th hour by the lame-duck Council calls for city government to:
- Reduce your household trash-output by 90% in 15 years.
- Ration your electric usage—regardless of power source.
- Ration water usage for single-family homes while giving businesses and apartments a pass.
- Outsource local control to the agendas and politics of county government.
- Redirect your tax dollars to speculative environmental programs.
- Subject your home and business to monitoring and auditing.”
He added, “Because the prior council majority refused to compromise, the new council must consider whether to repeal and replace the plan with one that focuses on sustaining our economy, finances and quality-of-life.”
The vote during the first meeting of the newly constituted council, however, ended in newly elected Mayor Lisa Borowsky voting against the repeal and creation of a Sustainability Task Force to draft a replacement strategy, drawing immediate criticism. The vote nonetheless carried without Borowsky’s vote by a 4-3 margin, and the plan has been repealed.
The activist account on X, Scottsdale Voter, characterized the Sustainability Plan as the “Scottsdale ‘Green New Deal’ forced through by four 1-term lame-duck losers,” and condemned Borowsky following the vote. They wrote, “We’re in shock We worked hard to elect Mayor Borowsky[.] We knew Solange Whitehead is desperate to influence new councilors, just like when she ‘got ahold of Tom Durham.’”
They continued, “The Scottsdale ‘sustainability plan’ was one of disgraced Mayor Ortega’s proudest legacy pieces. It was a ‘green new deal’ shoved down Scottsdale’s throat. And Borowsky voted to protect it.”
On her campaign website, Borowsky pitched as a Key Issue that she would “Develop a 20-year strategic plan focused on sustainability, economic diversity, and livability, engaging stakeholders in crafting a vision for the city’s future.”
According to the Resolution, the interim City Manager will work to establish a Community Sustainability Task Force that will examine the fiscal, population, and conservation needs of the city before making recommendations for a new plan.
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.
