by Matthew Holloway | Feb 26, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ8) has joined Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ9) in co-sponsoring the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, H.R. 1040, which was introduced earlier this month by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). If enacted, the bill would eliminate the current regime of de facto double taxation on Social Security benefits.
In a press release, Hamadeh explained his support for the bill saying, “Amid all of the FAKE news about Social Security benefits and the Democrats’ fear-mongering weaponization of it, I am glad to bring some REAL news to the residents of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. Help is on the way.”
He added, “’Prior to 1984, Social Security benefits were exempt from the federal income tax. Congress then enacted legislation to tax a portion of those benefits, with the share gradually increasing as a person’s income rose above a specified income threshold,’ noted a Congressional Research Service report. That is simply unfair, and unnecessary.”
Massie laid out the bill’s impact in his own release saying, “Although seniors have already paid tax on their Social Security contributions via the payroll tax, they are still required to list these benefits as taxable income on their tax returns. This is simply a way for Congress to obtain more revenue for the federal government at the expense of seniors who have already paid into Social Security. My bill would exempt Social Security retirement benefits from taxation and boost the retirement income of millions of older Americans.”
As Hamadeh’s office notes, Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) have already introduced corresponding legislation in the U.S. Senate with Tuberville recently telling Newsmax, “In a day and age where the cost of living has skyrocketed, our seniors should not experience a second tax on their Social Security when they’ve already paid income tax on their paychecks.”
The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act was first introduced by former Congressman Ron Paul and has been subsequently introduced by Massie every year since he took office in 2012.
Hamadeh called back to the introduction of the bill by Paul in a statement, “It is my honor – one of the highest honors – to support a bill first introduced by Congressman Ron Paul. The wisdom of the fiscal battles he waged over the years is now becoming evident to everyone thanks to President Donald Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). My hope is that as DOGE dives deeper into our bloated and broken bureaucracies, we will find many opportunities to reduce taxes on hard-working Americans.”
“In fact, my colleagues and I are committed to delivering a ‘big, beautiful bill’ that will deliver tax relief to all taxpaying Americans,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act delivers immediate relief to those who need it most — our seniors who built this 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 | Feb 25, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-LD13) has targeted the hidden fees—also known as interchange fees—which are imposed by credit card companies every time a card is used for payment. These fees are charged on every transaction and can range from 1% to 5%. The lawmaker is calling for these fees, which are charged on transaction totals, including taxes, to be reformed to include only pre-tax totals.
Weninger penned an op-ed with the straightforward message that “It’s time to wipe the swipe on taxes.” He called upon members of the Arizona House of Representatives to support HB2629, legislation he has sponsored to force credit card companies to eliminate swipe fees on sales taxes.
He wrote in part, “The credit card industry is dominated by two major players—Visa and Mastercard—who control 90% of payment processing transactions outside of China. These companies are raking in record profits, while Arizona businesses are left footing the bill for an unfair, hidden charge.
“HB2629 will stop this practice and ensure Arizona businesses and consumers are treated fairly. By eliminating swipe fees on sales taxes, we can keep more money in our state’s economy, help small businesses grow, and prevent credit card companies from profiting off of money that should go back to our communities.”
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) announced its support for the bill with NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich explaining in a statement, “HB 2629 will protect small businesses and keep more resources in Arizona for Arizonans. Today, millions of dollars, which could be better spent in Arizona on higher employee wages, better benefits, and business expansion, are instead being sent to out-of-state banks and major credit card companies that profit off Arizona state and local taxes.”
As noted in Weninger’s op-ed, Arizona businesses and consumers combined paid out over $217 million in interchange fees in 2023. According to Weninger, it’s “a fee on a fee that never should have existed in the first place.”
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 | Feb 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
From a vocal young Generation Z activist supporting the candidacies of Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh to driving election engagement in his own high school and becoming the youngest founder of a political action committee, Nico Delgado became an influential voice in conservative politics in Arizona, before he was even old enough to vote.
The prominence of Delgado and his ‘NicoPAC’ has extended to even commissioning one of the first polls in the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race which, as reported by AZ Free News, favored Congressman Andy Biggs.
AZ Free News conducted a short interview with Delgado to discuss his career so far, along with his motivations and aspirations.
What was your motivation for becoming involved with conservative politics?
My motivation was to save the state I love. I was born and raised in Arizona, and I watched as homelessness, drugs, and crime increased, and I had enough of it. I knew I was young, but I still wanted to contribute in any way I could to help the right people represent our state.
What or whom would you describe as the single greatest influence on your political philosophy?
Losing my mother at 22 while I was only 15 years old had a huge impact on my philosophy. She passed away after an overdose just before the 2022 midterms. I gained a whole new perspective on the drug, mental health, and the national security problems our nation suffers from.
What shortcomings, if any, do you see in the present Republican power structure? How do you feel they can or should be corrected?
The Republican Party had many shortcomings before 2024. The party was too scared to speak out against what was really happening because they feared it would cause them to lose. Thankfully President Trump and MAGA showed that when you speak out against corruption, you win.
Delgado announced this month that not only is he busy with studies and running his political action committee, but he is now working for Congressman Abe Hamadeh as a Congressional Intern.
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 | Feb 23, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a letter issued to all schools and school board members in Maricopa County, Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs gave notice that they are legally obligated to conform to an Executive Order from President Donald Trump ending illegal Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
Within the letter, Boggs detailed a series of specific steps that all schools must now take to erase the illegal DEI-based hiring, training, and curricular practices that stand in violation of federal law. According to a press release from Maricopa County Schools, Boggs emphasized that while the Superintendent lacks jurisdiction to directly enforce compliance upon the schools, it strongly encourages that they do so in order to “restore education to its core mission.”
“DEI programs have been used as a tool to divide students, teachers, and parents rather than foster true unity and equal opportunity,” Superintendent Boggs said. “Schools should be places of learning, not ideological indoctrination. Education must return to its fundamental purpose—teaching students the skills they need to succeed—not promoting political agendas that undermine academic excellence.”
The release continued, “One of the most critical responsibilities of this office is the appointment of school board members, who share the authority to set policies within school districts. Under Boggs’ administration, appointees must be committed to meritocracy and academic excellence over politics. Schools should reward hard work and achievement, not lower standards in the name of equity. Education should empower students with knowledge, critical thinking, and opportunity—not divide them by race, gender, or political ideology.”
The Superintendent’s letter also informed school administrators that the county will be monitoring their compliance and has offered resources to assist with the transition away from DEI policies. Superintendent Boggs restated a “commitment to ensuring that all students receive a high-quality, merit-based education free from politically driven programs that promote division.”
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 | Feb 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Pima County Superior Court Judge Greg Sakall issued a ruling earlier this week striking down Pima County Ordinance 2024-2. The ordinance was passed by the County Board of Supervisors in March 2024 and levied a fine of $1,000 against legal gun owners who failed to report a lost or stolen firearm within two days. According to the Goldwater Institute, which led the legal fight, the board appeared to be fully aware of the ordinance’s illegality “when it brazenly passed the ordinance.”
Goldwater took up the case of Air Force veteran Chris King and the Pima County-based Arizona Citizens Defense League. The group argued before the court that unless authorized by the Arizona legislature, no county or municipality in the state is legally permitted to enact any rule or ordinance that is firearms-related and exceeds any regulations already passed by the state.
In his ruling, Judge Sakall agreed that the county board’s actions violated multiple provisions of state law, writing that there is “no genuine issue of material fact,” and that the ordinance was pre-emptively rendered illegal by A.R.S. § 13- 3108(B) and (D) which state:
B. “A political subdivision of this state shall not require the licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories or prohibit the ownership, purchase, sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components, or related accessories.”
D. “A political subdivision of this state shall not enact any rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and is more prohibitive than or that has a penalty that is greater than any state law penalty. A political subdivision’s rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law, whether enacted before or after July 29, 2010, is null and void.”
As noted by Goldwater when it issued a letter to the board on behalf of the Arizona Citizens Defense League, the ordinance was passed even after “a majority of the board made comments prior to passage of the ordinance recognizing that firearms regulations belong at the state level.”
The majority Democrat board also ignored the objections of the sole dissenting Supervisor, Republican Steve Christy, who warned during the board’s March 2024 meeting: “Are we opening up Pima County to numerous lawsuits with various entities including issues with the state legislature as this definitely has conflicts with it?”
Christy suggested that the move by the board’s Democrat majority was intended as a “a typical diversion and detraction,” from the county’s more pressing issues such as illegal immigration.
Democrat Supervisor Dr. Matt Heinz even implicitly observed that such lawmaking is the purview of the state government when he said what he referred to as “impactful meaningful reform that affects gun safety” would only happen “if there is a Democrat Governor, Senate, and House in the state of Arizona.”
King, an NRA-certified firearms instructor who had a firearm stolen when his home was burglarized while he was deployed on active-duty outside the state, praised the ruling saying, “I’m grateful the court recognized that Pima County officials are not above the law. Firearm owners like me shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant fines as punishment for being robbed.”
Goldwater Staff Attorney Parker Jackson added in a statement, “Today’s ruling is a significant victory for the rule of law, for gun owners statewide, and for the state’s ability to prevent rogue cities and counties from creating a confusing patchwork of local firearm restrictions.
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.
