by Matthew Holloway | Jul 16, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a statement released last Wednesday, Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) announced his co-sponsorship of new legislation that would ratify the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement. The agreement, per Rep. Crane’s office, is designed to “address a persistent and dire water issue by securing water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.”
Crane remarked, “I’m proud to be part of a bipartisan and bicameral coalition of lawmakers who are working to provide life-sustaining water delivery systems for the involved Tribes in Arizona. As the representative for the impacted communities, I’ve worked with Tribal leaders, in addition to State, County, and city officials in the district, during the formation of this legislation.”
He added, “The final passage of this legislation would be a meaningful win for Northern Arizonans, who I’m proud to fight for on a daily basis.”
The settlement would, if ratified, provide clean water for the tribes in the area and also allow them to lease their water rights, creating an economic opportunity for their people.
Crane’s office wrote, “The legislation authorizes funds to acquire, build, and maintain essential water development and delivery projects, including a distribution pipeline. In total, the Tribes would be guaranteed access to over 56,000 acre-feet of water from outside the State of Arizona.”
In a press release from Senate Co-sponsor Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley explained, “Tens of thousands of Navajo people in Arizona do not have water in their homes. The infrastructure funded under the bill secures the necessary water supply that will serve these families’ homes. Without this settlement, our communities will remain disproportionately vulnerable to diseases and development on the Reservation will continue to be restricted by the lack of water infrastructure. Consequently, we are extremely grateful for the introduction of this landmark legislation.”
Curley added in a release from the Navajo Nation Council, “This is a great day for the Navajo people! This settlement prioritizes the need to provide essential water infrastructure to Navajo families and communities and provides the Nation an opportunity for growth and economic prosperity. It provides a pathway home for tribal members who have moved off the Nation to find career and financial stability.”
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) told AZMirror that the bill will provide for a “long lasting partnership” between Arizona and the tribal governments. “This not only gives much-needed certainty to the Tribes but allows Arizona to better plan for a secure water future while providing for improved water infrastructure throughout the region.”
Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma expressed his gratitude for the state, federal, and tribal officials who came together to make the agreement happen saying, “Our collective action means a more secure water future for the Hopi Tribe and all of our neighbors in Northern Arizona,” according to the outlet.
According to the press release, the ratifying bill also attached legislation authored by Rep. Crane to the settlement agreement creating a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, the only federally recognized Arizona Tribe without a homeland, in “The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Homelands Act.”
“I’m a proud representative of over half the tribes in Arizona,” Crane said according to Cronkite News. “They’re great partners in preserving American history and culture and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe is no different. Other than the fact that they don’t have their own land yet.”
The Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) will, after a lengthy legal battle between the Paiute and Navajo tribes settled by a 1992 treaty, grant 5,400 acres of Navajo Reservation land the tribes jointly held and the crucial water rights to the San Juan Southern Paiute.
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 | Jul 14, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States and presumptive Republican 2024 nominee, survived an attempted assassination in Butler County, PA, on Saturday. According to reports, an assailant opened fire with a 22-caliber rifle from a rooftop approximately 150 yards away from the mainstage where Trump was addressing his rally, grazing him in the right ear and killing a rally attendee. The Secret Service told reporters that two spectators were also critically injured. The would-be assassin was engaged by police snipers according to the New York Post with one bystander saying, “They blew his head off.”
As the shots rang out, President Trump can be seen raising a hand to his ear and exclaiming “Oh!” after the first round grazed him. A moment later he dropped to the ground and was swarmed by Secret Service Agents as rally goers took cover behind him. One of the agents can be heard on microphone shouting “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” Seconds later, per the Associated Press, the agents can be heard saying “shooter’s down.” The agents conferred for a few moments before helping Trump rise to his feet. After asking for his shoes, Trump is heard telling his agents to wait before looking out to the crowd with blood trailing across his face from his wounded ear and mouthing, “Fight, Fight, Fight” to his supporters.
Trump was transported to an area hospital in stable condition and released later in the evening.
Within moments, Arizona politicos and elected officials began to respond to the narrowly averted assassination.
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) posted a statement to X saying, “Political violence is unacceptable, and has no place in this country. I am glad that former President Trump is safe, and hope that others at the rally were not seriously injured. I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act will be swiftly brought to justice.” Her comments echoed the sentiment of many prominent Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemning political violence.
Speaker of the Arizona State House of Representatives Ben Toma (R-AZ-27) wrote within minutes, “Praying for President Trump, first responders, and any others who may have also been injured at the rally.”
Arizona Senate Presdient Warren Peterson looked back on a recent attempt by Democrats in Congress to strip Trump of Secret Service protection in a post to X saying, “It is a good thing the Democrats have not been successful in taking the secret service from Trump.”
In April, Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security led an effort to remove Trump’s protective detail known as the Disgraced Former Protectees Act (H.R. 8081) as reported by USA Today. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Yvette D. Clarke, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jasmine Crockett, Joyce Beatty, and Steve Cohen.
Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes offered her thoughts in a statement to X as well writing:
“The attack against former President Trump must be strongly condemned by ALL Americans — no matter their political beliefs. Poltical violence is never acceptable. Never. My thoughts are with the former President and anyone else who may have been injured or hurt at today’s rally.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell noted, “This is horrifying. Violence is never the answer. Praying for a full and speedy recovery for President Trump.”
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes offered his statement, notably without mentioning Trump by name, saying, “I condemn political violence in the most unequivocal terms. NO American political figure should ever be threatened with OR acted against with violence. If we want to beat a political opponent, we do it with ballots, not bullets.”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp lauded the efforts of the U.S. Secret Service protecting President Trump writing, “God bless the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect President Trump! #absoluteheroes”
State Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-AZ-29) shared a now iconic image of Trump raising his fist defiantly saying, “Praying for President Trump. #StandWithTrump”
Republican Senate primary candidate Kari Lake issued a statement saying, “I am shaken and horrified by the assassination attempt on President Trump’s life today. I am praying for President Trump and the innocent attendees who were tragically injured or killed. I am grateful for the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials for their swift action and for preventing this incident from becoming even more tragic.”
She later joined RSBN during the network’s live coverage and wrote, “Today, we saw an assassination attempt on a man who’s been fighting for this country. I’m praying for Donald Trump. I’m praying just as much for his family, & the people in that crowd, & more than anything, I pray for this great Republic & that we can come together as Americans.”
Fellow GOP Senate contender, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, wrote, “Our prayers are with President Trump and his entire family. I applaud the quick reaction and work of law enforcement and members of the Secret Service to move the President to safety and neutralize the suspect.”
Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who is also running for the Senate seat of outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), wrote, “Absolutely horrible. Political violence should never be tolerated. I hope President Trump and everyone at the rally is safe. Grateful Secret Service and law enforcement got the situation under control so quickly.”
President Trump made a statement posted to Truth Social, first thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement and offering condolences to those injured and killed and their families: “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.”
He added, “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), a popular contender to serve as Trump’s Vice Presidential pick, declared on X, “Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.”
Fellow VP short-lister Sen. J.D. Vance echoed a similar sentiment saying, “Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” He also condemned Rep. Thompson for his efforts to strip Trump of his protective detail saying “Remember this? I do. Kick his ass out of Congress. Absolute scumbag.”
Former Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum, another rumored potential VP, noted, “Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today,” adding, “We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.”
Possible Vice-Presidential pick and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offered a lengthy statement saying in part, “First they sued him. Then they prosecuted him. Then they tried to take him off the ballot. The only thing more tragic than what just happened is that, if we’re being honest, it wasn’t totally a shock. Biden’s inevitable ritual condemnation of political violence today (when it comes) will be insufficient and irrelevant. No amount of verbiage today changes the toxic national climate that led to this tragedy.
Apoorva and I mourn for the rally attendee who was apparently killed by the shooter. We believe the fact that President Trump is safe right now is nothing short of an act of God. My heart tells me God intervened not just for Trump, but for our nation. Today, the future survival of the United States of America came down to less than a hair’s width in the path of a bullet.”
He added, “If any good comes of today, let it be this: Americans just had the chance to see our next President’s true character, unvarnished. He took the fire, he took the hit, he felt the blood, and then he stood right back up for the people he was put here to lead. Regardless of who you vote for, let’s unite around the TRUTH that what happened today is unacceptable, now and forever.”
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 | Jul 14, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Bipartisan Arizona Legislative Council has issued its approval to an analysis of pending measures for voters to consider, proposition and initiative numbers have been assigned, and in total there will be 11 ballot referrals and three petition-based initiatives up for public vote this November. As reported by The Center Square, several controversial measures are set to appear before Arizona voters including a wide-ranging border and immigration bill passed by the legislature as House concurrent Resolution 2060 the Secure the Border Act, now rechristened Prop. 314. If passed by voters, it would make illegal immigrants entering Arizona a state crime, and ramp up penalties for possession and distribution of fentanyl.
The outlet also pointed to the historically notable Prop. 137, which would scrap judicial retention elections entirely. The move would be significant considering that the admission of Arizona to the union as the 48th state was nearly derailed by the inclusion of judicial recall in the state constitution. Admission of Arizona was vetoed by President William H. Taft, and the Territorial legislature removed the provision, only for Arizonans to promptly restore it after statehood was approved. Arizona’s unique approach to regulating the judiciary was so vital that territorial leaders effectively did an end-run around the President to keep it.
The heavily reported abortion access ballot initiative was also included in the approved list after a lengthy debate over the language published in the “publicity pamphlet” to be distributed by the Secretary of State’s Office per the legislature. Democrat Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton of Tucson reportedly led a failed amendment push to alter the initiative’s language from “unborn human being” to “fetus.” Fellow Democrat Rep. Nancy Gutierrez claimed, “Fetus is the correct medical term.”
Supporters of the Arizona abortion rights ballot initiative have subsequently launched a lawsuit arguing that the term is politically charged according to ABC News.
Leisa Brug, manager of the opposing It Goes Too Far campaign, argued that the term is appropriate telling reporters in a statement, “It shouldn’t read like an advertisement for the amendment. It should provide voters with a clear understanding of what current law states and what the amendment would do if passed.”
The approved list of Propositions and Initiatives includes:
- Prop. 133 – primary elections; eligible candidates
- Prop. 134 – initiative; referendum; signatures; legislative districts
- Prop. 135 – governor; emergency; powers
- Prop. 136 – ballot measures; challenges
- Prop. 137 – judicial retention elections
- Prop. 138 – tipped workers; wages
- Prop. 311 – death benefit; assault; first responders.
- Prop. 312 – property tax; refund; nuisance enforcement.
- Prop. 313 – sex trafficking; child; natural life
- Prop. 314 – border; benefits; fentanyl; illegal entry
- Prop. 315 – rulemaking; legislative ratification; regulatory costs
- I-02-2024 – One Fair Wage Act
- I-05-2024 – Arizona Abortion Access Act
- I-14-2024 – Make Elections Fair Arizona Act
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 | Jul 12, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
With voter confidence at an all-time low, state and county elections officials have their work cut out for them to run the 2024 polls effectively and restore the faith. However in Pinal County, with just weeks left before the Arizona primary, a small mistake could have large repercussions and does not build voter confidence.
As reported by SanTanValley.com, early ballots sent out July 3 for the 2024 primary election taking place July 30 were mailed, missing a “critical update regarding the return instructions.” The outlet reported that the county, in an effort to alleviate confusion between neighboring Maricopa County’s ballots and its own, switched from using green ballot return envelopes to “buff-colored” envelopes… without altering the instructions to the voter. So the written instructions that accompanied the ballot instruct the voter to use an envelope they weren’t sent.
In a statement reported by The Apache Junction/Gold Canyon Independent, the county said, “Unfortunately, the directions did not update the change from green to buff. Postcards with updated instructions will be mailed to all voters who received an early ballot. A notice will also be placed on the Pinal County Recorder’s website. The Republican and Democrat Party Chairs have been notified as has the Secretary of State’s office.”
The Pinal County Elections Department and the Pinal County Recorder’s Office provided the corrected instructions via a shared X account, which should have read:
- Step 3: Place the WHITE affidavit envelope into the BUFF return envelope addressed to the Recorder and seal.
The Arizona Republican Party posted an update regarding the error to X writing, “PINAL COUNTY VOTERS See Message from Recorder’s Office Error on Early Voting Ballot Printed Envelopes. The instructions call for a ‘GREEN’ return envelope but the color of the return envelope is ‘BUFF’ color. Follow these guidelines so that your ballot is processed timely: 1. Place your ballot into the WHITE affidavit envelope. 2. Sign and seal the WHITE affidavit envelope. 3. Place the WHITE affidavit envelope into the BUFF return envelope addressed to the Recorder and seal.”
Comments on the post revealed expressions of concern, dismay, and even dubiousness with one X user noting, “These mistakes don’t help anyone.” Another X user added, “Oh gee, who’d have guessed Pinal County messed up again?”
Paz Phillips an “AZ, Precinct & State Committeeman,” according to her bio asked, “Didn’t Pinal County just go through election problems and had to replace people?”
As noted by the commenters on X, and the AJ/GC independent, in the widely criticized 2022 primary election cycle, Pinal County suffered multiple printing errors on its early ballots and critical shortages of ballots at voting precincts on election day which contributed to massive erosion in voter confidence. As a result, the county elections department underwent a very public and costly revamp. However, this 2024 error is clearly not building voter confidence.
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 | Jul 10, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona’s Congressman for the 2nd District, Eli Crane, definitively and vociferously professed his support this week for the SAVE Act, stating in a post to X that “American citizens are the only ones who should be voting in American elections.”
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, would require that voters provide “documentary proof of United States citizenship” to vote in federal elections, and that the states “shall remove an individual who is not a citizen of the United States from the official list of eligible voters.”
Essentially the law would federalize and answer in broad scope the controversy across the states which has seen illegal immigrants suspected of voting illegally in federal elections, by providing a common, overarching standard each state must meet.
Despite it’s straightforward and obviously constitutional construction, the SAVE Act has been met with unremitted hostility and vehement opposition from both the Biden White House and Congressional Democrats. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) sent voting instructions to her House Caucus telling them they are “urged to VOTE NO” on the bill, according to a report by Axios. Clark’s office claimed that the bill would “prevent Americans from registering to vote with their drivers’ license alone,” would make a passport the “only acceptable standalone form of identification,” and suggested it would create what they called an “extreme burden for countless Americans” and “further intimidate election officials and overburden states’ abilities to enroll new voters.”
But the Democrats have drawn open scorn and rebuke from a broad host of prominent Americans who see the bill as a much needed step to rebuild faith in the American electoral system.
Responding to a report by Axios that “House Democratic leadership is bringing out the big guns against a Republican bill set to be voted on next week that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections,” Tim Pool of Timcast News commented in a post to X, “What? Why? Who disagrees with this?”
Mr. Pool, a prominent, classically liberal voice in American politics drew responses from Elon Musk who replied directly, “Because they want to cheat.”
The Redheaded Libertarian observed, “Every voting amendment is clear. Blocking the SAFE Act is shirking their oath to defend the Constitution,” and provided basis for this in the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth Amendments citing their use of the words “citizens of the United States.”
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) also noted in a video posted to X, “Biden let in millions of illegal aliens. Now he’s opposing the SAVE Act, which would prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Tell your members of Congress: pass the SAVE Act!”
The Libs of TikTok commentary account of Chaya Raichik responded matter-of-factly, “Only traitors are against the SAVE Act!”
At the end of June, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) released a report making the case for the SAVE Act.
The report points out: “There is ample evidence that noncitizens are voting in U.S. elections:
- A 2014 study that analyzed the 2008 and 2010 elections concluded that not only had noncitizens illegally voted in U.S. elections but also that the votes of noncitizens likely determined the outcome in certain races.
- In states like Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia, noncitizens have recently been removed from the voting rolls – and many of those noncitizens had voted.
- The Arizona Secretary of State website is currently falsely promoting the idea that individuals who fail to present proof of citizenship when registering will ‘be eligible to vote in federal elections.'”
The report calling for the passage of the SAVE Act concludes, “The evidence is overwhelming. Many noncitizens are able to obtain a Social Security Number. Over the past three years, the Biden Administration’s policies have encouraged illegal immigration and aided a large number of noncitizens in obtaining an SSN. Loopholes in federal law could allow noncitizens to register to vote. An SSN alone is ineffective to prevent noncitizen registration and noncitizen voting. Noncitizens have been illegally voting in federal elections and have, according to one study, even affected the outcome of elections. Noncitizen voting is a threat to election integrity. Congress must pass the SAVE Act to close the loopholes that have allowed noncitizen voting, to enhance election security, to reduce the risk of foreign election interference, and to restore Americans’ confidence in U.S. elections.”
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.
