by Matthew Holloway | Nov 14, 2024 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A post-election letter obtained by AZ Free News from Arizona Education Association (AEA) President Marisol Garcia to union members, saw the labor leader address AEA members as if reacting to a great catastrophe. Rather than remarking on a largely peaceful and uncommonly decisive national election that provided an unambiguous mandate to the incoming government, she spoke of families and students being “directly in danger,” and that “no one is coming to save us.”
In the text of the letter, Garcia speaks in disturbingly combative terms, suggesting that there are individuals, either teachers or students, they will need to “protect,” because they “are being targeted.”
She also told Arizona educators, “We are going to be the union thugs that we were meant to be…” and added instructions that they “Drink some water, get some rest, get off social media and surround yourself with joy and get ready. Because, it’s on y’all.”
AZ Free News independently confirmed the letter was sent to Arizona educators and the language is consistent with Garcia’s post to X on November 6th when she wrote, “Join your union—Unbreakable Solidarity, and “OK take a deep breath, find some space the rest, and know the way through this is through it TOGETHER. Elections are one tactic. Organizing for solidarity and power is another. ✊🏾”
In the full letter Garcia wrote:
AEA,
First, how proud we must be for all the efforts that everyone put into this year’s election work. We all have to be proud of the new leaders that we saw step up. The goals that brave locals made and worked hard to reach, many of which they broke, too much shock to themselves. Ballots continue to be counted in every county and so many of our focus races are yet to be called—so as usual the work continues.
In that vein, our labor work, our power building work must continue as planned, with more clarity on the importance of unbreakable solidarity. The talk, the words, now more than ever become the walk and the work.
I won’t sugar coat this, many of us, our families and our students are directly in danger. You might recall, last year I reminded the delegates that no one is coming to save us — we have to save ourselves. The mechanism to which we can save ourselves is through good old fashion local organizing work.
Building our smaller circles into bigger circles. Embracing the things we have in common to find solution for the things that threaten all of us. Small group meetings, engaging in difficult conversations and above all listening. Our union knows how to do this, we have the ability to not just work through this, but lead through this, together.
On a personal note, as a product of ancestors who survived hundreds of years of institutional impacts, including genocides, starvation, and military attacks. I’m still here. My great great grandmothers did not give up. They fought back and organized collectively to survive, sharing food, housing, powerful stories and safety. This resilience was passed to their next generations and will continue with my son.
We will not comply in advance, we will not shirk, we will not forget the fights we have survived nor will we not prepare to protect those who are being targeted.
We are going to be the union thugs we were meant to be… we will fight, because together we are always stronger and whether we like it or not, it is our destiny to be in the fight.
Drink some water, get some rest, get off social media, and surround yourself with joy and get ready.
Because, it’s on y’all.
Unbreakable solidarity.
Marisol Garcia, President.
Arizona Education Association
Turning Point Action Field Representative and VP of Greater PHX Republican Women, Alyssa Goncales shared an image of the letter in a post to X, writing, “The AZ teachers union is an obvious branch of the Democratic Party. @MarisolGarciaAZ doesn’t care about the rights of all teachers and students. She’s just spreading fear and pushing the lefts agenda. It speaks volumes to what public school is trying to do to our children. Great push for AZ parents to homeschool.”
Notably in the union’s recommendations for the 2024 ballot, all of the recommended candidates in partisan races were Democrats.
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 | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A series of polls released over the past year have shown that public support for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants represents a majority-driven mandate from the American people which cuts across racial, political, and economic lines. Congressional leaders from Arizona have emerged as the most fervent voices reflecting the widely accepted viewpoint.
As noted by Cronkite News, President-Elect Donald J. Trump drew direct attention to this in remarks he made announcing his victory when he touted “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
“They’re coming by the thousands,” Trump warned in a video posted on Truth Social. “We will secure our borders. And we will restore sovereignty.”
A Scripps News/Ipsos survey presented findings that approximately 54% of the American public, including 25% of Democrats, an overwhelming 86% of Republicans, and even a strong majority of 58% of Independents agreed that they “strongly,” or “somewhat” support “Deporting those who are in the country illegally.”
Similarly, an Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll released in April found conclusively that 51% of the American public, with 42% of Democrats, 68% of Republicans, and even a 45% share of Latinos and 40% of Black Americans polled found they “support mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.”
Finally, a Fox News Poll, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research released in mid-October in the final weeks of the election cycle made it quite clear that “Since 2015, support for deporting those living in the U.S. illegally is up across the board, but most notably among nonwhite voters (+24 points favor), Republicans (+21 points), rural voters (+20), urban voters (+19), and men (+16). Democrats are also more likely to favor this now but by a smaller 8-point margin.” The increase over time in acceptance of mass deportation has been profound.
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) has consistently criticized the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration and frequently sparred with Secretary of the Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In April, Crane was reported by Forbes as scorching Mayorkas.
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) shared a video of Trump explaining his mass deportation policy in a post to X in March 2023 with the caption: “We need mass deportations and NO AMNESTY.”
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) posted likewise in January 2023 writing, “All illegal aliens must be deported. Period.”
Trump’s selection of former acting director of ICE, Tom Homan, as “border czar,” has further energized the conversation around the mass deportation plan Trump promised during his campaign.
The morale of Border Patrol agents has also improved significantly according to reports. National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez told Fox News in an interview that the agency’s morale is “through the roof,” adding, “We’ve received hundreds of calls, texts, emails, just saying how happy the agents are.”
“There are a lot of agents that had originally said that they would retire if President Trump did not win. And now those same agents are saying they’re going to hold back on their retirement because they want to serve under this administration again, because they know exactly how it was during this first administration, and they know this one’s going to be even better,” he said.
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 | Nov 12, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
With the retention of Arizona Supreme Court Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King assured, the effort to nominate the next Justice of Arizona’s highest court is underway after Justice Robert Brutinel announced his retirement on October 31. The pool of possibilities begins with 17 candidates and will eventually be whittled down to three, which Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs will choose from, according to The Center Square.
Applications, which ran through the month of October, were closed on Nov. 1. As the outlet noted, applications held three constitutional requirements; that prospective jurists be attorneys in good standing, under 65-years of age, and a resident of the state for at least ten years.
The judicial standards lay out that, “The judge shall demonstrate command of relevant substantive law and procedural rules, impartiality, clarity of oral and written communications, judicial temperament and professionalism upholding public confidence in the legal system and demonstrating appropriate respect for everyone.”
“Furthermore, the judge shall have possession of the administrative and management skills and work ethic necessary to be productive and efficient.”
Brutinel was appointed by former Republican Governor Jan Brewer in 2010 and was named to the post of Chief Justice by his peers in 2019. He stepped down as Chief Justice at the end of his five-year term to present-Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer.
“After 42 years as a lawyer and 28 years as a judge, I believe more strongly than ever in the rule of law and that everyone is equal before the law,” Brutinel wrote in a statement on his retirement. “Arizona’s judicial branch is truly committed to the idea that our courts and the law are a positive force for protecting our rights and improving the lives of our fellow citizens.”
“The decision to leave the court has not been easy and I will greatly miss the Court’s interesting and challenging work and particularly all the wonderful people with whom I have had the pleasure of working,” he wrote.
Brutinel’s replacement will be the first Democrat appointee since Justice Scott Bales stepped down in 2019.
The slate of candidates to replace him includes:
- Sheena S. Chiang, a Phoenix criminal defense attorney featured in Phoenix Business Journals’ 40 Under 40 in 2020.
- Ann B. Ching, a Clinical Professor of Law at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law who served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Asian American Bar Association (2018-present) and as its President (2023-2024).
- Janette C. Corral, a Commissioner of the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County, and former Maricopa County Deputy Public Defender – Criminal Mental Health.
- Maria Elena Cruz, Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division One, and former prosecutor in the Yuma County Attorney’s Office.
- Nicole C. Davis, a commercial litigation attorney in Phoenix.
- Monica N. Bellapravalu Edelstein, a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge assigned to the Criminal Department in Phoenix, a Reserve Assistant Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Air Force at Luke Air Force Base, and former Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.
- D. Andrew Gaona, as noted by The Center Square, Gaona has been known to provide legal advice to the Hobbs administration, and is one of the more likely choices.
- Andrew M. Jacobs, a judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals Division One, graduate of the University of Illinois and Harvard Law School, and former research assistant to radical anti-Trump legal Professor Laurence Tribe, who wrote to X after Election Day, “The comprehensive nature of Trump’s victory suggests that alongside the large core of voters thrilled by his misogyny, xenophobia, bullying, and mendacity, many more are at least not repelled by his ever more extreme indulgence in those sadistic pleasures.”
- Shalanda M. Looney, an attorney practicing juvenile law with the Gates Law Firm.
- Doreen N. McPaul, an assistant legislative attorney working for the Tohono O’odham Nation.
- Robert J. McWhirter, a practicing private attorney specializing in criminal law.
- Regina L. Nassen, the principal assistant city attorney for the Tucson City Attorney.
- Alexander W. Samuels, the principal deputy solicitor general of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
- Amy D. Sells, an appellate and civil attorney for the prominent Phoenix law firm, Tiffany & Bosco
- Mikel P. Steinfeld, a Supervisor with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office overseeing the appeals unit.
- Barry G. Stratford, a partner at the private firm Perkins Coie. This firm was also home to Clinton-operative Marc Elias and was at the center of election controversy in 2016 when Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm, was hired to develop a false-dossier about Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Russia.
- William R. Wingard, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge appointed by Gov. Hobbs in 2023.
The Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments is moving forward with these candidates, investigating their backgrounds and holding public interviews. Three of them will make the ‘short-list’ of recommendations to Hobbs after taking public comments in a meeting scheduled for Nov. 22.
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 | Nov 12, 2024 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Board of Regents held special board and committee meetings last week. And despite a year of scandal and serious allegations, Arizona State University (ASU) President Michael Crow received a significant pay increase along with a contract extension.
For those who’ve been keeping up with the news regarding ASU over the past year, scandals included:
Given all of the above, one might expect that university leaders would face a reckoning from the Arizona Board of Regents, but they would be wrong.
According to AZCentral, Crow will now receive a base salary of $892,500, around a 7% increase over his last contract, and the new agreement will keep him with the university until June 2029.
The ASU President has also received an additional $305,000 in bonuses for meeting goals laid out for him by the board. According to the report, these goals included “launching a training center to support the semiconductor industry in the state and creating a strategic plan to implement AI at the school.” He was also up for an additional $35,000 if the university exceeded a 10% enrollment growth goal over 2021 numbers, which ASU missed.
As reported by The College Fix, College Republicans at ASU called for an investigation into possible election interference when “70,000 Arizona State students received a text from the Kamala Harris campaign which is data from the Arizona state database and should be confidential!”
Carson Carpenter, president of College Republicans at ASU, told the outlet that the group had confirmed that the text message from Kamala Harris’ failed campaign was sent to “students from [all] Arizona universities,” including ASU, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona.
The group asked, “If Kamala Harris has access to all of Arizona college students’ phone numbers, what ELSE do they have?”
In an emailed statement to College Fix, an ASU Spokesman told reporters on condition of anonymity, “Under Arizona Public Records Law, ASU’s records are public unless there is a specific confidentiality requirement.”
“While most student records are confidential under [the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act], FERPA exempts from confidentiality ‘directory information,’ which includes contact information. ASU is therefore required to release student directory information upon request.”
State Representative Jake Hoffmann posted to X that he would be launching a full Senate investigation into the matter, which he called, “a MAJOR security breach!”
He added, “I’m receiving lots of evidence from many Arizona public university students who received unsolicited text messages promoting Kamala Harris for president that appear to have come from Arizona universities illegally providing their personally identifiable information to her campaign. This seems like yet more election interference in Arizona, which is why my investigation for the Arizona Senate has already begun.”
Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs and Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne serve on the board as ex-Officio members. However, neither were present for the meeting or took part in the vote to approve Crow’s contract. According to the annotated meeting agenda, the vote to approve was unanimous with seven of the twelve voting members present, “Regents Mata, Goodyear, DuVal, Penley, Pacheco, Brewster, Archuleta, Stein, and Zaragoza voted in favor. None opposed and none abstained.”
The regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. With the exception of the Governor, Superintendent, and two student members, they serve 8-year terms.
In the meeting agenda and annotation, no mention is made of the ongoing controversies that have rocked ASU in 2024.
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 | Nov 11, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a post-Election Day vote on Nov. 6th, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted unanimously to approve a Consent Agreement between Southwest Gas Corporation (SWG) and the Arizona Corporation Commission Office of Pipeline Safety (AZOPS). The Commission slammed SWG with a $2,000,000 civil penalty stemming from two incidents in 2021 in Chandler and Scottsdale caused by degradation in pipelines, leaks, and explosions. The incident in Chandler saw an explosion that injured four people.
As reported by 12News, the explosion on August 26, 2021 that drew the attention of the ACC occurred near Ray and Rural Roads at a Chandler business and injured four people. The blast caused a complete structural failure of the building’s roof which subsequently collapsed and caused the evacuation of nearby homes. The explosion caused damage in excess of $5 million the outlet reported, citing public records.
In a press release, the ACC explained that it voted on Wednesday to impose a Consent Agreement between Southwest Gas Corporation (SWG) and the ACC, which proposes a resolution to the issues related to the Scottsdale and Chandler incidents.
The ACC explained its findings stating:
“AZOPS investigators concluded that pipe purchased by Southwest Gas degraded in high heat areas, leading to leaks, and possible explosions. The investigators further concluded that Southwest Gas failed to properly map where this type of pipe, referred to as Driscopipe polyethylene (PE) M7000 and M8000, was located and needed to increase leak patrols. The mapping errors lead to an incorrect understanding of where the potentially failing piping is located. Maintaining accurate records is mandated by law.
Southwest Gas accepted responsibility and agreed to pay $2,000,000 to the Commission as a civil penalty. As part of the agreement, Southwest Gas also must plan to replace or abandon all services with no active meter sets or stubs identified underground that contains the defective piping material. Southwest Gas estimates there are more than 10,000 miles of M7000 and M8000 pipe installed throughout Arizona.”
Commissioner Kevin Thompson added an amendment that was approved as well that the Consent Agreement is not the final word on the matter “making it clear that enactment of the settlement does not constitute an approval or authorization by the Commission for recovering the costs of pipe replacement or costs associated with fulfilling the terms of the settlement in any upcoming rate case,” according to the release.
He said in a statement, “This matter has been before the Commission long enough and the approval of this settlement is a big step in the direction of maintaining public safety and holding the utility accountable.” He added, “I don’t believe customers should bear the entire responsibility for the mistakes of the manufacturer and their defective products, and I wish the utility would have pursued this path more aggressively when they had the chance.”
Speaking with Fox10 Phoenix, Tom Ryan, trial attorney for the explosion victims, Platinum Printing and the Ryan brothers, said, “It was a shock—a complete devastation. Metal was bent, doors were sent flying 200 feet. It was just an incredible, shocking sight. And I’m still amazed today—that as badly as they were burned—that he lived to tell about it.”
Southwest Gas has not sought legal action against the pipe manufacturer for defective product liability as of this report.
Fox10 reported that the new piping mandated under the Consent Agreement could impact thousands of businesses and homes across the Phoenix Metro area and will total in nearly 1,000 miles of replacement piping.
In a statement issued to AZFamily, a Southwest Gas spokesman wrote, “Southwest Gas worked closely with the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Office of Pipeline Safety during its investigation of the incidents in Scottsdale and Chandler to identify root causes and opportunities to enhance the safety, service, and reliability of our infrastructure in the State of Arizona. The Consent Agreement is the result of these efforts and ensures the insights gained from this process lead to positive change reflective of Southwest Gas’ continued commitment to safely deliver natural gas service for our customers and the communities we serve.”
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.
