by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 5, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A veteran Arizona Member of Congress is reprising his role as leader of a key subcommittee.
Last week, U.S. Representative Andy Biggs announced that he would be serving another term in office as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance for the 119th Congress. According to a press release issued from Biggs’ office, this appointment marks “his third term as the Subcommittee’s highest ranking Republican.”
In a statement to accompany the release, Congressman Biggs said, “It’s an honor to serve once again as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance. We’ve worked diligently to expose the radical Biden-Harris regime’s weaponization of federal law enforcement agencies against law-abiding Americans and soft-on-crime and illegal alien policies that made our communities more dangerous. The American people demand change from the inside out, and the Subcommittee is ready to get back to work in January.”
Biggs added, “The Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee wouldn’t be the workhorse we are without my colleagues and staff. I look forward to working alongside Chairman Jordan, members of the Subcommittee, and President Trump to advance policies that will make American communities safe once again.”
The east valley Republican was sworn into his fifth term in the U.S. House when the 119th Congress convened on Friday, January 3, 2025. Since entering office in 2017, Biggs has proved himself to be one of President Donald J. Trump’s fiercest defenders, while staking out one of the most conservative legislative records in his chamber. He will be a key member of the caucus to watch over the next two years as his party seeks to navigate a razor-thin majority in the House to send key pieces of legislation to the White House.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 4, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Democrats are targeting three incumbent congressional Republicans for defeat in the next election.
In December, House Majority PAC (HMP) released its list of initial seats around the country that it was looking to flip for the 2026 General Election. In that list, three Arizona congressional Republicans were included: David Schweikert, Eli Crane, and Juan Ciscomani.
The memo from HMP largely blamed the failure to recapture the U.S. House of Representatives on President Donald J. Trump’s greater-than-anticipated victory across the country, writing, “Unfortunately, Trump’s lead in the 2024 popular vote created incredibly tough headwinds for our candidates, and we faced a national environment that trended towards 6% more Republican than 2020. In spite of these challenges and clear disappointments, House Democrats significantly overperformed the top of the ticket and the political environment – all thanks to our quality candidates and your help.”
The HMP memo added that, “Headed into the midterms with lessons learned from 2024, HMP is today launching a 2026 Recruitment Fund – which will allow us to recruit and prepare potential candidates earlier than ever…We must ensure Democratic campaigns are set up for success – and that comes through conducting qualitative and quantitative research to develop specific messaging and strategies for individual races.”
Though Democrats poured many resources into attempts to flip seemingly vulnerable seats in Arizona, they came up short with Crane, Schweikert, and Ciscomani, who all held their own against the vaunted opposition. Schweikert and Ciscomani will always have to be wary of strong Democrat challenges to their incumbency due to the partisan makeup of their congressional districts. Both those members have proven extremely hardy to their political realities, focusing on commonsense solutions to problems and outstanding constituent services to help convince voters that they deserve another term in office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 4, 2025 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona renters and landlords alike will get to breathe a sigh of relief this month when the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), applied by cities to rental payments every single month, is eliminated. While the cities that will no longer enjoy this source of tax revenue and lobbying groups like the League of Arizona Cities and Towns cry foul, local Republicans who pushed for the reform and the renters who pay it are celebrating.
Seventy-five cities across the state charge TPT on rentals ranging from 1.5% to 4%. Depending on rental rates, this could mean monthly savings of about $20-$50 per month based on estimates.
In a statement posted to X in November, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen touted the tax elimination writing, “Its happening. Renters are about to get relief from the rental tax repeal passed by the Republican led legislature. The rental tax repeal was an important part of our majority plan to deliver inflation relief. To get the governors signature we had to delay the effective date to Jan 1 2025. Many people said the Dems would take the majority and put the tax back in place. Fortunately for renters we held the Senate and the House. Here is an email from a property manager letting the tenants know their rent will be going down.”
Jake Beeson of Beehive Property Management told AZFamily, “It’s going to mean quite a bit for some tenants. We work with the Community Housing Partnership as one of our clients, which has low-income housing, and those rents are between $900 and 1,000 a month. So for a low-income family to have a 2% discount every month doesn’t sound like a lot, but if you’re paying $900 in rent every month, that’s $18. $18 is a whole month of discounted lunches at your kid’s school.”
The outlet noted that the rates in the valley can range from 2% in Mesa to 2.3% in Phoenix or 3% in Cave Creek. Some cities charge as much as 4%.
But not everyone sees the rental tax relief as a positive. Lee Grafstrom, a tax policy expert with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns told Fox10, “You’re not cutting any of the services that citizens are requesting and requiring, so, we still have to do all the same amount of work. We just have this much less money to do it.”
He stressed that cities could find themselves in budget shortfalls, expecting a combined loss of $230 million in tax revenue annually.
“We have to find a way to either cut services or make up that shortfall,” Grafstrom told Fox10. “This is a minor piece of a solution to a much larger problem, in terms of housing affordability.”
The League said in a statement, “Cities and towns across the state are facing a loss of over $230 million in their budgets, which support essential services like police, fire, parks, and more. Without state funding to make up for these losses, local governments will be forced to make tough decisions to balance their budgets, such as cutting jobs and services or raising local taxes—both unpopular choices. Local leaders are working to address these challenges before the repeal takes effect in January.”
The additional savings could see renters parlay the funds into more goods and services to offset inflation, which still tolls heavily on Arizona residents.
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 | Jan 4, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Congresswoman Debbie Lesko’s eight-year tenure in the House of Representatives recently came to close. As she prepares to take office as a Maricopa County Supervisor, she shared a series of congressional speeches from her colleagues in the House congratulating her on her retirement and recounting her legislative accomplishments.
In an op-ed published by AZ Free News, Lesko looked back on her time in Congress noting her time various committees including Judiciary, Homeland Security, Rules, and Science, Space, and Technology. She also reflected on her time serving on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee along with the Homeland Security Subcommittee and the controversial Select Subcommittee on COVID-19.
Lesko wrote, “I strive to conduct myself honorably and in accordance with the desires of my district, and I will continue as long as I am in office. I will carry with me the memories of my service in the People’s House as long as I live. I appreciate all who have helped me to this point, and I will always be proud to be the U.S. Congresswoman from Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. May God continue to bless our great nation.”
From Christmas Eve through the weekend several members of Congress took the podium to address Lesko’s retirement including Rep. Virginia Cox (R-NC), who highlighted her as “one of the kindest and most forgiving people I’ve ever met in my life.” She added that Lesko forgave her, becoming emotional as she wished the Congresswoman well.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) quipped that she initially met Lesko in a nail salon, eliciting laughs from her fellow Congress members. She noted that she never saw the Arizona Congresswoman “in a bad mood.” Fischbach alluded to Lesko’s upcoming service on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors saying, “I think that the people of Arizona and your county are going to be so incredibly well served, and you will do a wonderful job for them.”
Praise also came from members of the Arizona Congressional delegation with Rep. Juan Ciscomani telling the House that Lesko “is a conservative,” but is “just not angry about it.”
Congressman Andy Biggs told the gathered members that he first heard of Lesko when she served on a school board. He credited her with courage during her work on pension reform in the Arizona legislature. Biggs also joked at the reduction in staff that Lesko now faces, saying she’ll have just “one and a half staffers,” in her new role before being overcome with emotion.
Rep. David Schweikert echoed the sentiment of Ciscomani when he exclaimed, “Look, one of the magic things about Debbie Lesko is that she has proven, you can be conservative and not be angry about it! You can actually be joyful and kind and sweet and just a decent human being!” He stressed Lesko’s calm demeanor in contrast to his anger at times and remarked on her avoiding traveling with a laptop for a “stack of paper” on regular flights to and from Washington, D.C. He quipped, “They do make these things called laptops…”
Noting that Maricopa County is the fourth most populated county in the nation, Schweikert recalled his time as County Treasurer and added that he missed “those day when you could actually do things.”
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 Daniel Stefanski | Jan 3, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona Congressman is cheering on a recent court decision involving the sale of border wall material by the outgoing presidential administration.
U.S. Representative Eli Crane marked a judicial opinion from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas in The General Land Office of the State of Texas v. Biden. The case involves a challenge to the Biden administration’s efforts to sell unused border wall materials ahead of President-Elect Donald J. Trump taking office on January 20, 2025. The ruling from Judge Drew B. Tipton granted the plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction.
Crane responded to the legal outcome, writing, “Solid victory. Thanks to President Trump, our border will be secure again. Arizonans can’t wait.”
President-Elect Trump, who had desired the courts to weigh in against the Biden administration’s actions, said, “BREAKING: In a major, crucial WIN for America, and our National Security, a Federal Judge in Texas, based on papers we filed just a few days ago, has PROHIBITED the Biden Administration from selling any materials designated for the Border Wall, that has been wrecked by Biden and his cronies, and which I am going to rebuild in order to protect our Country from violent migrant crime, fentanyl smuggling, sex trafficking, terror attacks, and other heinous, Nation ending disasters.”
Trump added, “The Judge has also ordered an investigation into the illegal selling of the materials, which will expose just how corrupt and anti-American Radical Democrats are. I am honored to be joined in this vital case by the Great States of Texas and Missouri, and applaud Judge Drew Tipton for doing the right thing for our Country. We have to protect our Borders, and Save America. MAGA!”
“We have successfully blocked the Biden Administration from disposing of any further border wall materials before President Trump takes office,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “This follows our major victory forcing Biden to build the wall, and we will hold his Administration accountable for illegally subverting our Nation’s border security until their very last day in power, especially where their actions are clearly motivated by a desire to thwart President-elect Trump’s immigration agenda.”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, who has been eyeing a potential run for state Attorney General in 2026, noted the District Court opinion, saying, “Conservative AGs matter.”
The court ruling followed a shocking report by The Daily Wire, which revealed that “Biden is racing to auction off unused border wall materials weeks before Trump takes office.” These materials were left over from the first Trump administration, when President Biden halted construction on the wall spanning parts of the southern border in various border states as one of his earliest actions in the White House in early 2021.
Trump said at the time, “The (Biden) administration is trying to sell it for five cents on the dollar – knowing that we’re getting ready to put it up.” Trump added that “what they’re doing is really an act – it’s almost a criminal act.”
Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey responded to the news, saying, “Right here in AZ, Joe Biden is attempting a last-ditch effort to keep America’s borders open by selling off materials the Trump Admin will use to finish the wall. This decision from President Biden is reckless, will make Arizonans less safe, and should be reversed – immediately.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 3, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Scottsdale residents have raised 26,000 signatures in a petition for the Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE). They are demanding a public referendum on the zoning approval of a proposed apartment development near the headquarters of Axon at Hayden Road and the Loop 101.
The proposal only required 15,000 signatures to put the plan for approximately 1,900 multifamily units on the ballot, as reported by the Arizona Daily Independent. Former Scottsdale city councilman Bob Littlefield hand carried the petition signatures to city council while festively dressed up as Santa Claus. Reportedly, the costume was for a prior event. Littlefield is chairman of Protect Our Scottsdale, a phrase adopted by TAAAZE.
Littlefield told the outlet that Axon had deployed “blockers” whom he accused of harassing petitioners and pushing out mass-text campaigns maligning TAAAZE as a “radical agenda.”
In a post to X, he offered a rebuke writing, “Radical agenda? Really? When did trying to stop the biggest apartment proposal in Scottsdale history, when we have thousands of water-guzzling, traffic-clogging and view-destroying apartments already approved, become a ‘radical agenda?’ Fortunately, Axon’s blocking efforts have failed to slow down our signature gathering efforts. I believe this is because Scottsdale residents, who I have found to be the most politically savvy citizens in Arizona, already know three things:
1. The Axon apartment proposal is a bad deal for Scottsdale residents.
2. This bad deal was forced on Scottsdale residents by a lame duck Council majority, most of whom had been soundly defeated in the last election.
3. The Axon apartment proposal is exactly what voters resoundingly said in the last four elections they do not want.”
Vice Mayor Barry Graham and Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield voted against the measure, but were overruled with Graham chastising the outgoing members for exerting their last moments of control against the voters will.
“The irony isn’t lost: approving the most apartments in Scottsdale’s history while imposing a plan to punish you with higher taxes & fees to reduce your trash output by 90% and ration your water and utilities,” said Graham. AZ Free News reported in mid-November that the Scottsdale City Council was largely ousted in the 2024 Election, resulting in a largely lame-duck session that filled its final weeks on “slamming through” controversial agenda items including the apartment complex, avarious appointments to citizens’ commissions, and the city’s sustainability plan.
Incoming councilman Adam Kwasman reassured voters in a post to X, “We will do all we can to reverse the damage done.”
If the petition is approved, it would appear on the 2026 ballot for a city-wide referendum.
Axon CEO Rick Smith reportedly warned in earlier interviews that should Axon face opposition to the development plan, then the law-enforcement equipment manufacturer would seek to relocated its headquarters out of Arizona to Atlanta or Seattle.
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.
