by Staff Reporter | Aug 29, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The town of Gilbert has named a new Chief Digital Officer to oversee the Office of Digital Government (ODG), mired in controversy earlier this year over its speech-monitoring practices.
According to public records shared with AZ Free News, the town selected Kandice Kwan to take over for Dana Berchman, who resigned in February in relation to ODG’s monitoring and occasional punishment of employees’ online speech.
Under Berchman, ODG would contact various departmental leadership about employees’ online speech if it ran counter to progressive ideals (namely support for Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ ideology) or was critical of their department. Internal messaging from Berchman alluded that she maintained a dossier of town employees’ social media activity.
As reported, Berchman would post publicly and often her support of Democratic candidates and progressive issues such as abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage.
In response to the reporting on ODG’s practice, the town issued a statement (likely from ODG) defending the speech monitoring and restrictions.
“The town has been clear that we will not tolerate divisive, offensive, or culturally insensitive posts from employees purporting to represent the town,” said the public statement. “There is not further need to address the false claims from anyone, including disgruntled former employees.”
For nearly a decade, Kwan has worked for R&R Partners, an advertising, marketing, and public affairs firm. Among their clients are Avnet, Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, Ford, Facebook, Honeywell, Los Vegas Convention and Visitors Association, and Signature Aviation. Prior to that, Kwan worked as the digital marketing director for the Valley’s popular Fox Restaurant Concepts.
Based on her limited online footprint, it appears that Kwan’s political ideologies, like her predecessor, are left-leaning.
In the wake of the racial upheaval prompted by George Floyd’s death in 2020 and both physical and social attacks on Asians early on in the pandemic, Kwan implied in a 2021 article that white individuals needed to become better allies to minorities, such as acknowledging and becoming educated on biases.
“We’re asking to stand together to #stopasianhate. We’re asking you to stand #insolidarity with the AAPI community, the Black community and all other marginalized communities,” said Kwan.
Kwan supported prolonged shutdowns of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to her social media activity.
“[Governor Doug Ducey] is part of the reason of [sic] why we are having the ‘second wave’ due to opening businesses too early,” commented Kwan on a June 2020 news article. “Now, businesses are having to close proactively due to the spike in cases. Shame on you Governor Doug Ducey.”
Kwan will take over ODG on September 16, according to a letter from the town sent earlier this month.
Per that letter, Kwan’s starting salary will be $170,000, a decrease from Berchman’s $200,800. Under Berchman, ODG staff salaries amounted to over $1.15 million a year.
After resigning from ODG, Berchman launched her own marketing firm, Oh, hi! Communications. Berchman’s firm received endorsements from Arizona League of City and Towns deputy director Rene Guillen and former Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 26, 2024 | Economy, News
By Staff Reporter |
One of the lawmakers responsible for the state’s historic income and small business tax reduction law is key to maintaining Republican control of the Arizona Senate.
State Senator J.D. Mesnard is running for re-election to Arizona Legislative District 13, which covers Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes in the East Valley of the Phoenix-metro area. Mesnard first entered the state legislature in January 2011 in the Arizona House of Representatives, and he served eight years in that chamber, including two years as the Speaker of the House. In November 2018, after being termed out of the House, Mesnard won his election to the state Senate.
Over his time in the Arizona Legislature, Mesnard has proven himself to be one of the top fiscal responsibility hawks in either chamber. On his campaign website, he addresses his thoughts on this issue, writing, “I support keeping taxes as low as possible, and we can’t have low taxes with reckless government spending. The fact is, the more government spends, the more we pay for it in higher taxes and/or saddle future generations with unsustainable debt. That doesn’t mean that all government spending is bad. For instance, funding public safety, a quality education system, and infrastructure are all necessary public goods. But I also believe that state government should follow the same financial guidelines that any responsible individual or family would follow: spend only what’s necessary, don’t rack up debt, invest in your learning, save for the future, and when times get tough, find responsible ways to trim.”
In 2021, Mesnard was responsible for a historic tax reform proposal that made its way through the Arizona Legislature and into law – SB 1828. This legislation ushered in a flat tax on individual incomes of Arizonans.
Mesnard was also the author of SB 1783, which lowered taxes on small businesses. The bill passed the state legislature and was signed by then-Republican Governor Doug Ducey.
After signing the bill into law in July 2021, Ducey recognized Mesnard for his efforts, when he said, “This tax cut will keep Arizona competitive for small businesses already operating here and new businesses flocking here every day. After a year as tough as the last, we should not be raising taxes on our small businesses — we should be cutting their taxes. That’s exactly what Senate Bill 1783 does. Arizona has now passed the largest tax cut in state history and will have the lowest flat tax in the country. My thanks go out to Senator J.D. Mesnard and Representative Ben Toma for their leadership on this issue.”
Mesnard added, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and integral to the future success of our state. Small businesses should be able to grow and reinvest in themselves without being forced to pay astronomical taxes. Rather, government should get out of the way so that they can thrive. That’s why I’m so grateful for the support of Governor Ducey and my colleagues in the Legislature.”
Two staunch free-market advocates Tim Phillips (President of Americans for Prosperity) and Grover Norquist (President of Americans for Tax Reform) wrote a piece in Newsweek, praising the accomplished feat of the Arizona Legislature, spearheaded by Mesnard, and Ducey. They stated, “Arizona, on the other hand, provides a good example: lower the tax rates to let people keep more of what they earn and invest in what they care about most. Limit government spending to grow no faster than the incomes of the citizens who pay the taxes. Create a magnet for job-creating investment and hardworking Americans who simply wish to be left alone to work hard, take care of their families and support their communities.”
Phillips and Norquist put the finishing flourish on their thoughts by saying, “The Arizona reform is a positive model and one that should be followed by other states and the federal government.”
When the Arizona Supreme Court gave the green light for these tax reforms to go into effect in a highly anticipated ruling, Arizona Free Enterprise President Scot Mussi said, “Today’s decision from the Arizona Supreme Court is a big win for taxpayers in our state. The legislature passed historic tax cuts last year that benefit all Arizona taxpayers. It’s time for Invest in Arizona and out-of-state special interest groups to accept this reality and stop making a farce of the referendum process.”
Mesnard touted the progress of his historic legislation in a campaign newsletter in January 2023, saying, “The historic tax reform that I championed in 2021 is now in effect for income earned this year – a full year ahead of schedule thanks to strong government revenues. Valued at more than $2 billion, this reform reduced individual tax rates to 2.5%, resulting in a tax cut for every single Arizona family and Arizona having the lowest flat tax in the nation.”
The east valley lawmaker added, “Depending on your tax decisions, if you choose to lower your withholding rates this year, you will be able to keep more of your own hard-earned dollars with each paycheck that hits your checking account. That will help take some of the edge off sticker shock at the grocery store.”
According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 13 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 1.6% vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in the past nine statewide elections. In those contests, Republicans have won five times, compared to four for Democrats.
Mesnard will be facing off against Democrat nominee, Sharon Winters, in the November General Election. On his website, Mesnard asks voters to give him another term in the state senate, writing, “Now we face historic economic challenges that require someone with the right experience and a track record of success to navigate. That’s why I need your vote. Let me continue using my diverse background, which includes husband (to a registered nurse), father, professor and small business owner, with master’s degrees in business and public administration, to keep delivering results for you.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 25, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Arizona’s requirement for proof of citizenship when registering to vote, in part.
In a response issued Thursday to an emergency stay application from Arizona House and Senate GOP leadership, the Supreme Court narrowly overruled the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals order against Arizona’s law requiring proof of citizenship for state voter registration forms.
Federal law doesn’t require proof of citizenship in order to vote in federal elections. The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that the National Voting Rights Act (NVRA) prohibits Arizona from requiring proof of citizenship from voters registering with the federal voter registration form.
The order granted the application for stay in part and denied it in part, allowing the state to temporarily enforce its law denying voter registrations lacking proof of citizenship, even for federal elections, pending a court ruling.
“The district court’s May 2, 2024 judgment is stayed only to the extent it enjoins enforcement of Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-121.01(C) (2023) pending disposition of the appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and disposition of a petition for a writ of certiorari, if any such writ is timely sought. Should certiorari be denied, this stay shall terminate automatically. In the event certiorari is granted, the stay shall terminate upon the sending down of the judgment of this Court. The application is denied as to Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 16-121.01(E) and 16-127(A).”
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch said they would grant the application in full, while Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they would deny it in full.
Earlier this month, and less than two weeks after an initial ruling, the Ninth Circuit reversed another panel within the court allowing the law to go into effect.
The Ninth Circuit said that the requirement of proof of citizenship would “upset the status quo” by altering voter registration rules too close to this year’s elections, an “injustice” for both voters and election officials.
The court also said that the proof of citizenship requirement improperly conflicted with the Elections Procedures Manual.
“All Arizonans must now navigate an arcane web of shifting and confusing rules that will without a doubt dissuade some who are otherwise eligible and willing from exercising the fundamental right to vote,” said the court.
Per the Secretary of State’s latest estimates, there are over 40,000 federal-only voters in the state.
In a partial statement, Arizona Senate Republicans said the partial order was a major victory. The caucus said they would issue an official statement at a later date.
“The order reverses the liberally-biased Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from August 1, which momentarily blocked our laws intended to safeguard against those living in our country illegally from influencing the outcome of our elections,” said the Arizona Senate Republicans. “Only US citizens should have the privilege of casting a ballot!”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 24, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A man wanted for multiple offenses was arrested Thursday over threatening to assassinate Donald Trump during his visit.
Ronald Lee Syvrud, 66, had multiple active warrants: failing to register as a sex offender, a DUI and failure to appear, and a hit and run. Syvrud was added to Wisconsin’s sex offender registry over 20 years ago for sexual assault of a child. Adding to those crimes, Syvrud has been arrested for issuing several threats against Trump.
Under the name “Rudy Lee,” Syvrud posted on Facebook that he planned to shoot Trump with a revolver while the presidential candidate traveled through Cochise County as part of his two-day visit.
The Post Millennial discovered the one post and Syvrud’s several aliased social media accounts, but the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office said in its press release that there was another post containing a threat. Syvrud’s Facebook profile has since been deleted.
“Trump is going through here tomorrow and going to Naco, AZ to the port of entry to Mexico. There’s a bar right there called the Gay 90s. Noooo. It’s not a gay bar. Dawn and I will be there early. I bought a scope for my 44 revolver. Unlike that dweeb that missed. I won’t. Maybe I’m joking. Or am I. Wink, wink.”
In earlier posts, Syvrud said he’d wished Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, hadn’t missed. Syvrud would later claim the assassination was faked.
“I give the shooter an A- for effort. Would have gotten an A+ if he succeeded,” said Syvrud. “By the way, the kid was a registered Republican. Got to love it.”
The only reason Trump didn’t die from Crooks’ shot at last month’s rally was because he turned his head for an instant to look up at a screen by the crowd. One of the rally attendees died from a gunshot wound, and two others besides Trump were injured.
It remains unclear why the rooftop on which Crooks lied with a perfect line of sight to Trump wasn’t secured during the rally.
Earlier this week, Trump hosted his first outdoor rally since the attempt on his life. The presidential candidate spoke behind bulletproof glass.
Syvrud’s other political posts focused on his dislike for the Republican Party as a whole.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) apprehended Syvrud within hours of notifying the public that they were looking for him.
CCSO had issued a statement on Tuesday that Syvrud was apprehended without incident.
“As part of the operations plan in place for the visit of candidate Donald Trump on today’s date, locating this subject was a priority. Intelligence developed led to a possible location in the St. David area and multiple units deployed to the location,” stated CCSO. “At approximately 2:16 pm, units on the scene observed the suspect traveling outside of the identified location, and a felony stop was conducted. Syvrud was taken into custody without further incident at approximately 2:30 pm.”
Trump’s Thursday visit consisted of a press conference at the border in Cochise County. Trump told reporters that he wasn’t made aware of the assassination threat prior to his heading to Arizona, let alone his Thursday outing along the border.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 24, 2024 | Economy, News
By Staff Reporter |
Another one of Arizona’s middle-of-the-road legislative districts may be represented by a liberal after November’s General Election if enough Democrats and left-leaning independents have their say.
Judy Schwiebert, a Democrat, is running for the Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 2. Schwiebert currently serves as a State Representative for the district. She announced for the seat in June 2023, saying that “we need people who will work together to focus on the toughest challenges facing Arizonans including our teacher, affordable housing, and water shortage crises.”
Schwiebert posted more than 1,600 signatures at the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office earlier this spring to qualify for the ballot.
The Democrat legislator has been endorsed by several left-leaning organizations, including National Organization for Women Arizona PAC, Arizona Education Association, Moms Demand Action, Save Our Schools Arizona, Arizona List, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Emily’s List, Moms Fed Up, and Human Rights Campaign PAC.
Schwiebert has been a vote for her party’s efforts to stand against border security measures. In 2021, she voted against HCR 2029, which commended the courage of the United States Border Patrol and recognized the role they play in safeguarding Arizona and the U.S. She also co-sponsored HB 2604 in 2023, which would permit the Arizona Department of Transportation to issue a driver’s license or nonoperating ID to a person without legal status in the United States.
This year, she voted against SCR 1042, which proclaimed the legislature’s support for the people and government of Texas in its effort to secure our nation’s southern border.” More recently, Schwiebert refused to support a legislative effort to refer a border security measure to the ballot in this November’s General Election – HCR 2060, voting against the bill when it was considered by her chamber. The proposal, if passed by voters in the fall, would empower local law enforcement to better secure their communities from the increasing calamities from the border crisis.
It’s not just border issues where Schwiebert is showing her true, liberal colors; it’s also the economy where she is demonstrating an inability to moderate to her district’s desires. In 2021, Schwiebert voted no on HB 2113, which would have increased the 25% of allowed charitable deductions in accordance with the average annual change in the metropolitan Phoenix CPI. In 2022, she voted against HCM 2004, which urged Congress to oppose the reporting requirements included in the Biden administration tax increase proposal.
Also in 2022, Schwiebert opposed HB 2389 as one of nine members to vote against changing the time period from one year to six months for an agency that the legislature has granted a one-time rulemaking exemption to review a rule adopted by an agency to determine whether the rule should be amended or repealed. That same year, she voted against creating a TPT exemption for the sale of all machinery and equipment, including off-highway vehicles, utilized for commercial agricultural purposes.
This year, Schwiebert opposed SB 1370, which was coined “the lemonade stand bill.” This legislation exempted a minor or a person who has not graduated from high school from the requirement to obtain a TPT license and pay TPT, use tax, and local excise taxes, if the person’s business gross proceeds of sales or gross income is less than $10,000 per calendar year.
Schwiebert’s leftist leanings didn’t stop with the border and economy. She has a number of votes and bill sponsorships that show her being in lockstep with the Democrats on some of their most radical ideas. In 2023, she co-sponsored HB 2653, which would have established that “restaurants and other food service establishments in the state may only serve water and disposable straws to customers on request.” She also co-sponsored HB 2068, which would have repealed the designation of school sports by biological sex.
Additionally in 2023, Schwiebert voted no on SB 1028, which would have prohibited a person or business from engaging in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the performance could be viewed by a minor. In this most-recent legislative session (2024), she voted against HB 2591, which would have prohibited a public power entity or public service corporation from entering into contract with a person or company that uses forced labor or oppressive child labor.
Arizona Legislative District 2 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 3.8% vote spread in the past nine statewide elections. It is very winnable for Republicans, however, as the party has emerged victorious in six out of those nine elections. The district covers a large portion of northcentral Phoenix.
Schwiebert ran unopposed in the July primary election for Democrats. She is facing off against the winner of the district’s Republican primary contest for state senator, incumbent Shawnna Bolick.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
