Residents living in unincorporated communities across Arizona have a streamlined process for seeking to become a city or town, now that Gov. Doug Ducey has signed House Bill 2455 into law.
Under HB2455, the process will require those seeking incorporation to provide public notice at least six months prior to formally publishing a Petition to Incorporate. The requirements for making that notice are also detailed in the new legislation which Ducey signed April 6.
Another important change related to HB2455 is the ability to include “large areas of uninhabited, rural or farm land” into the incorporation plan under certain circumstances. But the biggest change is that those directly impacted by an incorporation plan can still object and be removed from the boundaries, but it is harder for them to outright kill the effort.
The change is intended to allow affected local qualified electors to vote on the proposed incorporation without having their interests overshadowed by others.
HB2455 was introduced by Rep. Neal Carter who represents parts of Gila and Pinal counties. He lives in San Tan Valley, where residents have tried three times in the last 12 years to incorporate the area which is home to nearly 97,000 people in northern Pinal County.
“Each time, the effort has failed without ever going to a ballot because of objections from outside interests,” Carter said after his bill was signed into law. “I believe people who live within a community should have a chance for their voices to be heard on matters of local governance. Any decision of whether a community becomes a town or city should be made by its residents, not by out of area interests.”
Carter was appointed last fall by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors to fill the remainder of Rep. Frank Pratt’s term following Pratt’s death. HB2455 was the first bill Carter introduced which the governor has signed into law.
HB2455 takes effect 90 days after the end of this legislative session.
Earlier this week, Sam Stone accused City of Phoenix officials of letting the vagrancy and homeless problem get out of control. And the former chief of staff for Councilman Sal DiCiccio suggested a drastic change is needed in how the community addresses the issue.
During an interview Monday with KFYI’s James T. Harris, Stone said Phoenix is “headed down the same path” as Seattle, Portland, and large cities in California, in part because officials here are following the same failed policies. “And when you do the same thing you’re going to get the same results,” he said.
The topic of homelessness came up after Harris recently took an informal tour of a massive downtown homeless camp. He later posted a video of what he witnessed along a several block area of downtown.
Harris told listeners Monday he was shocked by what he saw, and that it appears the homeless crisis will get worse without some major change.
“Unless you’ve been to downtown Phoenix lately you might not be aware of the growing homeless population in the Valley,” Harris said during his show. “There are so many of them…so many people – if you wanted to help them where would you put them?” he asked Stone.
The issue of homelessness is complex, Stone told Harris, and there are many unseen homeless people who are “sofa surfing” with friends and family or who live in their vehicle. Many of those are utilizing social services and other support networks to address their situation.
But Stone’s comments during the interview focused on a large percentage of Phoenix’s homeless population made up of citizens who cannot -or will not- take advantage of social services due to mental health issues or an addiction. As a result, they live on the streets, sometimes in makeshift homeless camps on large vacant lots but often on public parks and sideways, even residential alleys and private property.
The city, according to Stone, is failing to do anything about the problem of chronic street homelessness.
“What we’re doing – the same approach that has been done across the country – is enabling chronic street homelessness instead of treating it,” Stone said to Harris. “We’re making it easier and easier to live on the streets.”
Part of the problem, Stone said, is that an entrenched industry has built up around street homelessness, resulting in advocate who no longer push services as the number one priority. To change how chronic street homelessness is addressed would require an investment by the city, Stone acknowledged, including a temporary large facility -perhaps a tent city- and many more shelters than are available now.
“You’ve got to make it services first, you’ve got to push people, you’ve got to do some tough love,” Stone said. “People don’t want to talk about this but you’ve got to make it harder to live on the street than it is to go to treatment, period.”
Stone also contends liberals don’t see chronic homelessness as a problem and that advocates consider forcing homeless persons into a decision of whether “they want to pack up and move on” or get into treatment to be a negative.
“And it’s true, that’s a tough thing to say, but all of these policies they have from coast to coast are the same,” he explained. “Where we’ve seen success with this is in other countries where they say pure and simple ‘no you can’t live here on the street’ – we have a place for you and we’re going to give you treatment when you’re there.”
Stone added that the person is not given an option about the treatment “because someone who is drug addicted or has a mental health issue is not in a frame of mind to be able to make good decisions for themselves, period. So you make the decision for them.”
As to concerns about the rights of homeless persons suffering with addiction or mental health issues, Stone noted in many instances those same people would be declared by a court as incompetent to handle major financial decisions. In such situations, a judge would appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the person’s best interests.
But when it comes to leaving those same people to fend for themselves on the streets, Stone said homeless advocates often argue, ‘oh they’re qualified and mentally competent to say that they should remain on the street’ and not get treatment.
“It is absolutely wrong to me, it is immoral and inhumane, and it is total misplaced compassion from the Left,” he added.
Those traveling through Nogales, especially commercial vehicles coming from Mexico through the Mariposa Port of Entry, are the benefactors of a $134 million road project completed last month after years of planning.
State Route 189 dates back to 1956 and has provided Nogales with a connection to Interstate 19. In recent years, the 3.75-mile roadway has become a critical part of the CANAMEX International Trade Corridor, with close to 370,000 northbound trucks crossing the border at Nogales in 2021, carrying nearly $30 billion in goods.
Plans for the SR189 improvements were announced in 2018, calling for new traffic signals, better drainage, and widening more than three miles of roadway. But the showcase feature is two “flyover ramps” for use by commercial trucks and other vehicles to connect the Mariposa Port of Entry directly to Interstate 19.
Previously, those vehicles had to traverse local roadways, including a key intersection used by students and staff to access Nogales High School. The flyover ramps have eliminated the need for commercial trucks to stop multiple times between the border and I-19, greatly reducing travel time while improving safety.
Construction started in May 2020 with a $25 million legislative appropriation in addition to $25 million from a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) federal grant. Funds were also committed by the City of Nogales, Santa Cruz County, and ADOT.
Members of Gov. Doug Ducey’s Office, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the City of Nogales, Santa Cruz County, and various business and community leaders celebrated the opening of the upgraded SR189 last month.
“Arizona’s strong relationship with Mexico will only grow stronger with the improvement of SR 189,” Ducey said of the March 11 opening. “The project enhances public safety and commerce, attracting even more trade through our ports in Nogales.”
Ames Construction led the construction work for ADOT while Horrocks Engineers was the designer. According to Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack, the project exemplifies a commitment to improve transportation infrastructure and supply chains nationwide.
“The SR 189 project will improve air quality, traffic flow and safety for the region,” Pollack said. “We applaud ADOT for this major investment in Arizona’s future.”
The newly designed SR189 builds on a $250 million upgrade to the Mariposa Port of Entry back in 2014. Jamie Chamberlain, chairman of the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority, said the project impacts the entire Arizona-Mexico corridor.
“When you combine this investment with the investments made on the Mexican road from Mexico City to the border with Arizona, it makes us more competitive against those corridors that lead to California, New Mexico and Texas,” Chamberlain said.
SR180 is expected to be an important piece of the expansion of Interstate 11 to run from Nogales to Las Vegas approved as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015. The I-11 plan would also feed into Mexican Federal Highway 15D, allowing CANAMEX Corridor commercial traffic to bypass city streets in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora.
As politicians and pundits debate whether the Title 42 public health directive should end May 23 along the southwest border, the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector continue to risk their lives protecting the country.
That is the message from USBP Tucson Sector Chief John Modlin, who took to Twitter several times last week to demonstrate the efforts by his 3,700 agents and the dangers they face.
In one of his tweets, Modlin celebrated drone technology which led to a smuggling arrest near Douglas.
#Drone technology is highly effective! Douglas Station agents were guided by drone operators to a smuggling event near Douglas, AZ. A U.S. citizen smuggler discarded a stolen #firearm but was caught on camera. Good #teamwork resulted in four arrests and a recovered weapon. pic.twitter.com/bXn2vs5KBW
And on April 10, Modlin tweeted about an attack on one such agent who was patrolling near the border fence in Cochise County.
While #OnPatrol, a Douglas Station agent was met with several projectiles thrown from #Mexico. Thankfully, the agent was unharmed and the vehicle sustained only minor damage. Tucson Sector agents face many threats while they patrol the border. pic.twitter.com/1LzWyBNS41
Also on April 10, Modlin tweeted about a human smuggling arrest made by his agents from the Sector’s Willcox Station. According to Modlin. USBP agents pulled behind a vehicle near Benson when suddenly the driver pulled into a parking lot and entered a store.
The driver was arrested and seven undocumented non-U.S. citizens were apprehended. A firearm was also seized during the incident, Modlin noted.
USBP agents never know who they will encounter. Such as what happened Saturday when Tucson Sector Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) agents near Douglas arrested Antonio Hernandez-Lincona. According to Modlin, Hernandez-Lincona has “several prior convictions of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor” in California.
Modlin also tweeted on April 9 about the seizure of more than 18 pounds of deadly fentanyl at the Interstate 19 checkpoint.
Following a #K9 alert at the I-19 Checkpoint, #Nogales Station agents seized over 18 pounds of concealed fentanyl. With @DEAPHOENIXDiv assistance, the Mexican citizen driver faces criminal charges.
And on April 8, Modlin once again used Twitter to publicize the capture of nine migrants being smuggled in a pickup pulling a horse trailer.
A Douglas Station agent assisted @cc_sheriff with a #VehicleStop on SR-80. Four migrants in the #truck, and five migrants dangerously concealed in the trailer were discovered. The driver, a Mexican citizen, faces criminal charges. We are grateful for our law enforcement partners. pic.twitter.com/P8OigiUwDZ
Also last week, more than 50 adult Cuban nationals were encountered by USBP agents near Sasabe. There were also citizens from Guatemala and Nicaragua in the same group, Modlin reported.
Then on April 7, Modlin tweeted about the involvement of his agents in returning a rape suspect to Mexican authorities.
Tucson Sector agents apprehended three migrants in Douglas, AZ. Records revealed a Mexican citizen in the group had an active warrant for rape in Tamaulipas, #Mexico. With binational coordination, he was turned over to Mexican authorities at the port of entry. #HonorFirstpic.twitter.com/p5n4iiycqF
Earlier in the week, Modlin shared information about the arrest of Efrain Guillen-Olivas who faces criminal charges in the U.S. after illegally crossing the border near Naco.
Guillen-Olivas, a Mexican national, “has an extensive #criminal history, including felony #convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and sexual assault,” according to Modlin’s April 6 tweet.
Modlin also shared information on his Twitter account about the efforts of one of his agents to provide emergency medical care until a migrant could be airlifted to a hospital.
An #EMT certified Three Points Station agent jumped into action and provided treatment to a migrant in distress. The Guatemalan citizen was transported to a nearby hospital for further care. Tucson Sector currently has over 200 certified EMTs. #GreatWorkpic.twitter.com/ByDGq6vd2R
Tuition for the next academic school year is going up at Arizona State University for all students, while tuition hikes at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University will hit mostly new students, according to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).
On Thursday, the ABOR which oversee the state’s three public universities announced higher tuitions and housing costs for residents and non-residents during the 2022-23 school year. All except the UofA will also be increasing the cost of student meal plans.
“The board recognizes any increase in tuition has an impact on Arizona students and families, but we are pleased that the presidents’ proposals included only modest added costs in 2022-23,” ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson said of the hikes. “The proposals demonstrate the joint commitment of the presidents to prioritize Arizona, access and quality while shielding resident students to the greatest extent possible from extraordinary inflationary cost pressures.”
The ABOR’s announcement means existing and new resident students at ASU will be paying 2.5 percent more than this year’s tuition. That works out to $10,978 for undergrads who are Arizona residents and $12,014 for graduate in-state resident students
ASU students who are not residents of Arizona will experience a 4 percent tuition hike, while the ABOR approved a 5 percent hike for international students at ASU. Online students registered at ASU will also notice a 2 percent increase in the cost of each credit hour.
At the UofA, resident students currently in the Guaranteed Tuition Program will not see tuitions go up, but incoming freshman and undergrads whose tuition is not guaranteed will pay $11,535 per year, a two percent increase. UofA grad students who are residents will pay $12,348, which is also up 2 percent.
Non-resident new students and non-resident existing students who are not in one of UofA’s guarantee tuition program will see tuition rates jump 5.6 percent. Different tuition rate increases are being implemented for the UofA’s College of Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine students.
Meanwhile, incoming freshman and graduate students at NAU will be hit with a 3.5 percent tuition increase to $11,024 and $11,390 respectively. The rate boost applies to resident and non-resident students.
Undergraduate course fees at NAU will also be changing for the 2022-23 year. Meanwhile, international students at NAU will experience the biggest tuition hike among the three universities, with increases of 7.2 to 7.4 percent.
But that is not the only economic impact students at Arizona’s public universities will have to contend with for the 2022-23 school year. The ABOR has upped its housing costs between 3 and 3.5 percent at all three universities.
Any students seeking to utilize a university’s meal plan will also have to fork over more money during the next school year. In addition, ABOR also boosted some mandatory student fees.
According to the ABOR, a person must be able to prove “continuous physical presence in Arizona for at least 12 months immediately preceding the semester of application” to be eligible for resident tuition.
