by Matthew Holloway | Dec 17, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A new report from the Center for American Institutions (CAI) at Arizona State University (ASU) has revealed that faith-based organizations are playing an “integral role” in addressing housing and food insecurity, addiction, at-risk youth, and more.
The report on “Religion, Charity and American Life,” is entitled A Thousand Points of Light Still Shine and was compiled with survey and research data from the CAI with feedback from faith leaders Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., and Rabbi Pinchas Allouche.
In a press release, CAI wrote, “While often overlooked, volunteers from congregations of many faiths feed, clothe, and support our communities, according to the report. They collect and distribute food. They help with rent and utilities and point people to additional organizations that can assist. The authors of the study said it can be seen as a call to action and a reminder of the necessity to affirm the religious liberty necessary to make way for these institutions to do this life-sustaining support and outreach.”
The report noted that in the metro Phoenix area, Jewish Family and Children’s Services is known for providing treatment for illnesses, mental health problems, and drug abuse. It also assists people with food insecurity, offering nutritional assistance and even dental referrals. The Living Streams Church’s food pantry of Central Phoenix feeds approximately 5,000 people per year working Mondays through Thursdays. The Catholic St. Vincent de Paul conferences, small groups of volunteers within local parishes, conduct food deliveries to needy people within their parish boundaries.
A Jewish temple located in Phoenix doesn’t operate a food pantry but rather its members contribute their time and money to two nearby pre-existing food pantries. The CAI observed that other congregations, such as a Disciples of Christ Church in Phoenix, also contributed to nearby pantries.
Looking further, the report found that 86% of food pantries in Detroit, Michigan, that are found on findhelp.org are faith-based with many housed-on church property and run by volunteer staff. CAI also found that four of the seven “best” drug addiction treatment centers in the Detroit metro area, as reported by Addiction Resource, are also faith-based.
The report notes that the role played by faith-based groups in combating food insecurity is crucial.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of Americans are caught in a squeeze. As food prices skyrocketed, along with other basic needs like transportation, housing, and energy, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps) did not keep up. In a 2023 survey conducted by Feeding America, the largest American charity focused on food insecurity, 65 percent of food banks reported increasing demand. Food pantries, meanwhile, found that food inflation meant their contributions did not go as far as they did pre-pandemic, even as lines at their doors grew longer.”
The study also drew attention to the dangers of the heat to the homeless during Arizona summer finding, “Summer in Phoenix can be deadly without access to water and cooling. Alongside public hydration and cooling stations, faith-based groups go to homeless camps and distribute water and necessities. For example, St. Vincent de Paul has trucks that make the rounds to places where homeless people congregate to hand out water, food, and supplies. On a smaller scale, Sunnyslope Ministries of Hope distributes water in central Phoenix most every summer evening, along with personal care items and shoes. Also, in Phoenix, Young Single Adult groups from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) congregations take part in distributing aid to the homeless.”
Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, Founding Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tefillah, also contributed to the report writing, “Faith-based organizations are the lifeblood of America’s moral fabric, calling each of us to fulfill our God-given responsibility to heal the world. Through acts of goodness and kindness, we can restore faith in humanity and remind the world that light can dispel even the thickest darkness. This call to action can propel readers to reflect on how they, too, can contribute to making the world more divine through small yet powerful acts of goodness and kindness. It will also highlight the importance of treating each other with respect, as God’s children who are all part of God’s human family.”
The commission made four key recommendations based upon the collected data:
- Faith-based organizations need to do a better job of informing the general public of these programs. On a community level, faith-based organizations should consider creating a collective website to report on their activities.
- Greater media attention needs to be driven by individual churches, synagogues, temples, and faith-based charities to newspapers, the media, and social media about the stories of individuals who have benefited from their programs. Americans love success stories.
- Media itself should give more attention to the importance of faith-based charities and programs in their communities.
- Americans need a better understanding of religious liberty, as embodied in the First Amendment. This should begin in the classroom. State legislators and school boards should require that time be given in the classroom to the foundational concept of religious liberty in American life.
Professor Donald Critchlow, Director of the Center for American Institutions at ASU, explained, “Religion is under unprecedented attack on multiple fronts, with growing secularization, declining attendance, and hate-filled attacks on people of faith. And yet, as this report illustrates in vivid detail, volunteers from various religious congregations are still showing up for those most in need in their local communities.”
He added, “The irony is that while faith-based organizations are more active in our communities today than at any time in modern American history, these good works coincide with a rise in hate crimes.”
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 | Dec 17, 2024 | Education, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Amid an increased flurry of attacks on Arizona’s school choice opportunities, a prominent organization is countering with the facts.
Citizens For Free Enterprise responded to another derogatory statement about Arizona’s historic Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) azprogram from the state’s Democrat Governor, Katie Hobbs. Earlier this week, Hobbs posted, “ESAs are rife with waste, fraud and abuse, and this will only make it worse. This empowers bad actors who are spending taxpayer dollars on ski passes, luxury car driving lessons, and grand pianos. We need accountability and transparency for this almost billion dollar program.”
Hobbs was reacting to a recent news story about the Arizona Department of Education’s new policy to automatically approve a vast majority of outstanding reimbursement requests from parents in the program, which was announced by Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, at a Board of Education meeting.
The response from Citizens For Free Enterprise stated, “FACT CHECK: Arizona’s universal school choice program is a model of accountability, transparency, and security, according to CSI Institute Arizona. The over 83,000 Arizona families using ESAs just want the best for their children – and Katie Hobbs should stop attacking them.”
Others weighed in on the governor’s attack ahead of the 57th State Legislature, starting in January. State Representative Travis Grantham said, “I wish Democrats cared this much about government waste across the board. Why do they only care about it when it’s privatized and / or it gives the citizenry more choices?”
Fellow legislator Austin Smith added, “Not only was Katie Hobbs education agenda rejected; she lost seats in the house and senate. Bold move Cotton, let’s see if it pays off.”
Not everyone was opposed to Hobbs’ statement. Democrat State Representative Oscar De Los Santos replied, “From forging documents to scam taxpayers to abusing funds for luxury items, the private school voucher program is filled with waste, fraud, and abuse. Every Arizonan should be outraged. The DOGE committees should take a look at this disaster.”
Matthew Ladner, a school choice advocate, weighed in on De Los Santos’ statements, saying, “The waste, fraud and abuse in the ESA program is a small fraction of programs you support. If you’d like to eliminate all the programs with ESA level or higher abuse you will make Ron Paul a very happy man!”
In addition to its statement, Citizens For Free Enterprise shared a document of facts from the Common Sense Institute Arizona (CSI) to counter the myth that “ESA’s are subject to rampant fraud and abuse.” On that document, CSI highlighted that there was more than $2 billion of “Medicaid billing fraud in Arizona revealed by a single investigation into pandemic-era relaxed program standards,” and that “Arizona’s share of estimated pandemic-era fraudulent U.S. Unemployment Insurance payments” was $2.3 billion. On the flip side, according to CSI, “the sum-total of all specific, public allegations of ESA fraud …identified to-date, since universal eligibility expansion” was just around $650,000 – a far cry from the fraud in other state programs and handouts.
CSI concluded that “there are specific statutory requirements governing the use of ESA monies – including guidelines on permissible expenditures and a requirement that ADE conduct random and regular audits to ensure compliance. Within that framework, the program has been able to run well, especially compared to similar programs.”
While officials and organizations may have again successfully pushed back on Demcorats’ renewed, false detractions of the ESA program, Horne’s handling of this significant portion of the department he was entrusted to oversee continues to present major headaches for Republicans and school choice proponents. Since Horne’s first ESA Director, Christine Accurso, left the office last summer, he has been faced with a rising number of reimbursement requests and other issues that he has struggled to address with his team. Horne also capitulated to Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes earlier this year, when she challenged him about the lack of “curriculum” attached to certain requests, adding additional regulations for parents to comply with the attorney general’s threats. Horne’s backsliding here came after he had repeatedly stood up to Mayes and Hobbs’ saber-rattling against the school choice program.
Additionally, Horne recently blamed a number of external factors, including Arizona state legislators, for the skyrocketing number of unfulfilled reimbursement requests. In a November press conference, Horne noted a fix to the ESA program that allowed parents to bypass ClassWallet to obtain reimbursements, stating, “Somebody went to the Legislature last year and got them to pass a bill saying they could do it by reimbursement… We’ve asked the Legislature, in the future, ‘Please ask us before you pass something so we can tell you what the consequences will be.’”
While the program has continued to grow over the past two years, Arizona Education Department officials have failed to satisfactorily explain why the processes put in place by Accurso before her departure were unable to suffice for smooth management and processing of reimbursements and other factors of ESA program oversight and delivery going forward. Accurso was able to save the program from massive and glaring issues created by Horne’s Democrat predecessor, adding staff to her team and reducing the backlogs to almost nothing, while accounting for an exponential increase in students and families realizing the benefits of ESAs.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 16, 2024 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Funding Committee (PSFC) presented its findings last week and has recommended that it pursue a 20-year extension of the existing voter-approved tax rate of 1/5th of a cent, set to expire in 2027. It also recommended the expansion of various partnerships to address the funding needs of adult and juvenile correctional facilities, correctional healthcare, and other county programs.
According to a press release from the Board of Supervisors, Chairman Jack Sellers said, “Providing for public safety is a core function of our government, and how we fund those efforts should be transparent and open to public feedback. We established the PSFC to ensure a wide range of views are considered as we determine how to prioritize and pay for evolving public safety needs. I’m grateful for the committee’s diligent work and look forward to a thorough review of their recommendations.”
The committee, established in January, conducted a series of public hearings, toured existing jail facilities, and interviewed several figures within the system before brining its recommendations for long-term funding and other changes to several established policies.
The Board of Supervisors largely appeared to concur with the recommendation to extend the funding, with Supervisors Clint Hickman, Bill Gates, and Steve Gallardo voicing support. Hickman said, “The Jail Excise Tax brings in about $300 million in revenue per year and has been an effective way of funding our public safety needs as the county grows, at a low burden to the individual taxpayer.”
He added, “I agree with the committee’s recommendation that an extension of the tax, at the current rate, is the best way to make sure we continue to live in a safe community where people can thrive economically.”
The 165-page report detailed policy recommendations touching “Reentry, Community Services and Coordination, Programming and Courts, Capital, and Data and Long-Term Initiatives.”
The Committee explained:
“In the first category, they suggested pursuing partnerships for crime prevention and reentry, engaging with the state on Medicaid waivers for pre-trial and pre-release individuals, and engaging in efforts to strengthen the behavioral health system.
The second category focused on maintaining funding for probation and diversion programs, upholding treatment standards, coordinating Initial Appearance Hearings with the City of Phoenix, and discussing juvenile placement policies.”
In addition it recommended replacing outdated facilities, improving the county’s Intake, Transfer and Release facility, enhancing security at the Durango campus, and addressing shortages in the county’s correction workforce.
Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin noted, “The PSFC engaged with residents and key stakeholders honestly and openly over the past year, and now with their recommendations, we can move forward in a united manner to keep our streets safe and support our law enforcement officers.
Chaired by John Lewis, the former mayor of Gilbert and CEO of East Valley Partnership, the committee is composed of nine community members from fields ranging from law enforcement, correctional health, criminal justice, government, and business.
As noted by KTAR News, the Board of Supervisors may agree with the extension of the Jail Excise Tax, and could lobby for it, but it has very little choice in the matter. Ultimately Maricopa County cannot place it on the ballot. That power falls to the Arizona Legislature and the sitting governor to pass and sign into law.
Given the past disconnect between the Republican-dominated Arizona Legislature and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, it is uncertain how successful any effort to extend an existing tax would be, or how well received it would be by the voters.
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 | Dec 16, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizonans appear to be in a slightly better mood following the results of the 2024 General Election.
This past week, Noble Predictive Insights released the results of a recent survey in Arizona, showing “voters expressing a mix of hope and ongoing concerns about key state issues.”
Forty-four percent of respondents indicated that Arizona was on the “right track,” while fifty-six percent believed that their state was moving in the “wrong direction.”
Although those numbers show Arizona has much work to do to flip the outlook of its direction among voters, the numbers were improved from the last survey in August, when sixty percent of respondents thought their state was headed ‘south’ compared to forty percent who indicated that their state was tracking “northward.”
The survey – the Arizona Public Opinion Pulse (AZPOP) – took place between November 20-25 – approximately two weeks after the election.
“Republicans are optimistic and energized after Trump’s win while Democrats are discouraged – Gallego’s win was a victory for Democrats, but it wasn’t enough to improve their outlook,” said Mike Noble, NPI Founder & CEO. “But Arizona voters are pragmatic. They know that there is still work to be done in the state, and there is fertile ground for positive change – if leaders can rise to the occasion.”
The shift in the numbers comes largely courtesy of the two major political parties responding to the results of the election in November. From August to November, Republicans who believed that the state was headed in the right direction increased by twenty-two percent, while Democrats who thought Arizona was tracking in the wrong direction grew by seventeen percent.
While Republicans and Democrats had largely diametric reactions in the aftermath of the election, Independents were much more cautious in their opinions. From August to November, Independents’ optimism grew by three percent, while their pessimism decreased by three percent, according to the AZPOP.
Arizona Republicans are still reveling in many of their election victories from last month – chief among those being the overwhelming performance from President-elect Donald J. Trump in the Grand Canyon State, as he captured the state’s eleven electoral votes on his way to a commanding lead in the Electoral College over Democrat Kamala Harris. Republicans also expanded their narrow majorities in the state House and Senate, increased and retained control of key Maricopa County positions, swept the Arizona Corporation Commission races, and managed to pass a handful of ballot propositions, including one on border security to give local communities more resources and tools to better protect citizens.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 16, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An outgoing Arizona legislator is running for Republican Party Chair.
Last week, Republican State Representative Cory McGarr announced his candidacy for Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona (AZGOP).
In a statement posted to his X account, McGarr said, “Thanks to our Party’s incredible grassroots and the most robust ballot chase operation in the history of the Republic, Arizona delivered a resounding victory for President Donald Trump and Republicans at nearly every level of the ballot.”
McGarr added, “During these crucial first two years of the incoming Trump administration it is imperative that we have an AZGOP Chairman committed to the job and committed to ensuring President Trump has the support he needs and deserves in this critical swing state. If you entrust me with your vote for state party Chairman, I promise to further empower the grassroots, fearlessly advocate for the America First agenda, maintain our focus on doing more to secure our elections, grow our Republican numbers in the midterms, and most importantly FIRE KATIE HOBBS, KRIS MAYES AND ADRIAN FONTES.”
Former Arizona Republican Governor and Senate nominee, Kari Lake, reacted to the news, posting, “Cory is a grassroots legend and he will work tirelessly to achieve true Election Integrity in Arizona. Thanks for getting in this race, Cory McGarr.”
McGarr revealed that both Arizona National Committeeman, Jake Hoffman, and National Committeewoman, Liz Harris, supported his candidacy.
The one-term Republican legislator narrowly lost his seat, when Democrats ran a single-shot candidate in State House District 17. McGarr’s seatmate, Rachel Jones, finished second to Democrat Kevin Volk.
Representative McGarr’s entrance into the AZGOP race potentially sets up a match-up with incumbent chair, Gina Swoboda, who was pressed into duty at the beginning of this year when the position became vacant. Swoboda was responsible for raising money for the party and ensuring that President Trump and Republican candidates up and down the ballot achieved victory. Under her leadership, Trump won Arizona with a greater margin than he did in 2016; Republicans expanded their majorities in the state House and Senate; incumbent Republican U.S. Congressmen held their seats, and a key border security measure sailed to victory.
Swoboda was endorsed by President Donald J. Trump prior to her runaway win for chair in January’s AZGOP meeting. She made his victory in Arizona her primary mission, and was successful with her goal there.
As McGarr stated, the AZGOP chair for the next election cycle will be critical for Republican efforts to take back major statewide offices – Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Arizona Republicans will have the chance to decide who is the best fit to lead them forward when they reconvene in the new year at the annual AZGOP meeting in Phoenix.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 15, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
John R. Modlin, the Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector released a statement on Tuesday announcing that the Douglas Station Field Training Unit tracked, located, and apprehended three illegal immigrants west of Douglas, AZ. They were the most recent of over 1,600 illegal immigrants who were captured in the first week of December.
According to the posts on X and Facebook, “Douglas Station Field Training Unit tracked 3 migrants west of Douglas, AZ. As agents approached, 1 migrant ran, leaving behind a Guatemalan woman and her 5-year-old child. With the assistance of a USBP #K9, agents were able to apprehend the 17-year-old Mexican national.”
The 17-year-old Mexican national who fled was pictured in the post wearing carpet-like slips over his shoes designed to disguise his tracks, as well as desert camouflage leading to speculation that he may have been guiding the Guatemalan woman and child.
The apprehensions represented the third major interception in a matter of three days. Modlin’s office also posted imagery from the capture of five illegal immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico near SR-90 on December 1.
Another five illegal immigrants were arrested on Dec. 1st after the driver of the vehicle they were being smuggled in failed to yield on SR-85. Modlin’s office noted that “the occupants attempted to abscond into the desert but were quickly apprehended.”
In a post to X on Dec. 9, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens shared footage of a dramatic helicopter rescue from the Arizona desert explaining, “USBP agents in Tucson Sector, with local sheriff’s air support, rescued an injured migrant in Arizona’s rugged mountains. BORSTAR agents provided critical medical care before airlifting the individual to safety. This highlights the harsh journey migrants face and the heroic efforts of our agents.”
In reviewing the week, as of December 6th, Modlin reported his sector had made 1,600 apprehensions, leading to 171 federal criminal cases. They also seized 19 lbs. of methamphetamine, 9 lbs. of cocaine, 6.7 lbs. of Heroin, and $2,032. They stopped 18 human smuggling events and 7 Narcotics Events. And they made six rescues.
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.
