Constituents of the seventh congressional district are calling on their congressman, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, to retire from office due to his failing to show up for key votes this session.
Per House Clerk records, Grijalva hasn’t cast a vote on legislation this session yet. His last vote was for Hakeem Jeffries for House Speaker at the start of this month.
Critics of Grijalva’s continued absence in the House pointed out how Grijalva urged former President Joe Biden to drop out of last year’s presidential race.
House Clerk records also show that Grijalva last cast votes in November 2024 during the second session of the last Congress. There were nearly 40 roll call votes taken that second session, during which Grijalva was registered as “not voting.”
Grijalva sat on the committees for Education and Workforce, and Natural Resources. The congressman stepped down from his leadership position in the latter last month. Grijalva entered Congress in 2003.
Grijalva’s lack of presence in Congress is attributable to his lung cancer diagnosis, which he announced last April. Despite undergoing cancer treatments, Grijalva committed to running another term — his final, he promised.
Last October, Cronkite News reported that Grijalva didn’t cast any votes since mid-February, several months before he announced his cancer diagnosis. Those missed votes amounted to over 300.
Altogether, Grijalva missed about 480 out of the 490 roll call votes from mid-February through last week. As Arizona Daily Star columnist and constituent Tim Steller pointed out, that amounts to 97 percent of voting opportunities missed.
For Star subscribers: Tucson's Rep. Raúl Grijalva asked Pres. Biden to drop out of his race in July. Now it's time for Grijalva, who has missed almost 500 votes since https://t.co/KI06gxtjBV
Grijalva told KOLD at the time that his failing to vote made no difference in Congress.
“They’re inconsequential because the Republicans are in charge and it’s the worst performing Congress in decades, if not a hundred years,” said Grijalva.
This session, Grijalva has missed out on 25 key votes on 19 pieces of legislation:
House Resolution 5: Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes
House Resolution 29: The Laken Riley Act
House Resolution 23: Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
House Resolution 192: Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act
House Resolution 152: Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act
House Resolution 153: Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act
House Resolution 28: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
House Resolution 164: POWER Act
House Resolution 144: Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act
House Resolution 33: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for the taxation of certain residents of Taiwan with income from sources within the United States
House Resolution 30: Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act
House Resolution 186: Hershel “Woody” Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
House Resolution 187: MAPWaters Act
House Resolution 53: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 471) the Fix Our Forests Act; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 5) the Laken Riley Act
House Resolution 165: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Senate Bill 5: Laken Riley Act
House Resolution 375: Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act
House Resolution 471: Fix Our Forests Act
House Resolution 21: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
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Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs announced on Saturday to the Arizona Republican Party’s 2025 Statutory Meeting that, following his “Statement of Interest” to run against Democrat incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs, he is formally running for Governor of Arizona.
Biggs addressed the body, which re-elected AZGOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda, and made the announcement. Footage shared to X by Activist Nico Delgado captured the moment when Biggs told meeting attendees, “I am jumping in formally to the race for governor in 2026. Thank you.”
BREAKING: Congressman Andy Biggs officially announces that he is running for Governor of Arizona pic.twitter.com/veM2R9n1Zy
“I am jumping in formally,” he said. “It is now time to Make Arizona Great Again,” according to AZ Capitol Times. The outlet noted that Biggs first asked the party leaders if he should get a haircut before asking if they would support his bid for the 9th Floor.
In a follow up post to X later in the day, Biggs wrote, “It’s time to Make Arizona Great Again! I am excited to be in the race for Governor and look forward to serving all Arizonans! Sign my petition at http://biggsforarizona.com!”
It’s time to Make Arizona Great Again! I am excited to be in the race for Governor and look forward to serving all Arizonans!
In an exclusive AZ Free News poll conducted by Data Orbital, Biggs is dominating early polling with 31.7%, a commanding 19.3 point lead over Karrin Taylor Robson. State Treasurer Kimberly Yee trailed with 7.4%
A new poll shows @repandybiggs with a big lead over other potential GOP opponents in the 2026 race for AZ governor. The results saw Biggs take an early polling lead with 31.7%, Taylor Robson who had 12.4% support, & Yee trailed with 7.4% support.https://t.co/jlR5VXRdlU
A subsequent poll released by NicoPAC covered 512 Registered Voters in Arizona “weighed for race, age and gender following a mix of voter registration data, past election data from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, and the ACS.” It saw Biggs take 58.5% with Taylor Robson dropping behind Yee at 8.8%, and the Arizona Treasurer climbing to double digits with 10.8%.
Biggs’ announcement was followed by Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk and was later supported by former his former congressional colleague Matt Gaetz.
In an interview with Steve Bannon’s War Room on Rumble prior to the formal announcement, Congressman Eli Crane also offered his tacit endorsement of Biggs telling Bannon, “I think Andy is the most conservative and probably the strongest member of the U.S. House. He was also President of the Senate in Arizona. He knows Arizona. He knows how the system works better than anybody. I don’t think anybody would do a better job. You know, he has my full support, and I know he has the support of the War Room Posse… I hope he pulls the trigger and goes all the way through with it.”
WATCH:
Former Arizona State Representative Austin Smith also shared his support in a lengthy post to X, writing in part that Arizonans “won’t have a revolving door of contract lobbyists on the 9th Floor deciding what legislation is signed and needs to be vetoed.”
Why @andybiggs4az is the right choice for Republicans in Arizona for 2026:
– effective, reliable and bonafide conservative vote in Congress.
– had the courage to vacate the chair during a do-nothing speakership.
Republicans in the Arizona Legislature are wasting no time to improve the state’s groundwater situation in this 57th Regular Session.
On Tuesday, the Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water gave a green light to House Concurrent Memorial 2003, which “states the Legislature’s interest in having the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Arizona State Land Department focus on increasing groundwater recharge through groundwater recharge infrastructure projects,” according to the overview provided by the State House of Representatives.
In a statement, State Representative Gail Griffin, the measure’s sponsor, said, “County supervisors, flood control districts, and natural resource conservation districts have the authority to construct stormwater detention basins and other constructive infrastructure that increase groundwater recharge. Local and county officials should push the Governor’s Department of Water Resources and State Land Department to develop these projects within their communities to increase local water supplies.”
Griffin added, “Over 95 percent of rainfall in the state evaporates before it can naturally recharge aquifers. Increasing the amount of natural recharge by only a few percentage points would increase the amount of local water supplies substantially. The solution to unleashing economic prosperity in rural Arizona through increased water supplies is investing in additional groundwater-stormwater recharge. Local communities have tools to address groundwater issues. We need to work together to utilize those tools to secure our long-term water supplies.”
The press release from the Arizona House Republicans Caucus shared that “projects like Horseshoe Draw Recharge Project in Cochise County and Hualapai Flood Control Project in Mohave County are examples of projects that increase local supplies without expanding the size of government or imposing top-down government regulations on rural industries.” There are “331 sites on state trust land that the agencies have identified as suitable for maximizing groundwater recharge.”
According to the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, Audubon Arizona / National Audubon Society, and Arizona Cotton Growers Association, signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter and CHISPA Arizona – A Program of League of Conservation Voters, signed in to oppose the legislation.
Republicans and Democrats will continue to do battle over water issues in this divided state government, as they have for the previous two years. Governor Katie Hobbs has been largely unwilling to adopt Republican policies on these matters, vetoing bills over the past two sessions that would have strengthened Arizona’s position on water conservation, management, and proliferation for current and future generations. The two sides still appear to be far apart on water issues as another legislative session heads into its second month.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
One Arizona legislator is attempting to ensure that students attending the state’s community colleges have what they need to succeed at school and with their future endeavors.
Last week, Senate Education Chairman David Farnsworth announced that he would be “launching a series of virtual workgroup meetings to examine the role community colleges play in workforce development and higher education.”
Farnsworth, a Republican, decided to enact these group discussions as a part of “his commitment to ensuring that state taxpayer dollars used to fund educational institutions are truly equipping students for success.”
In a statement that accompanied his announcement, Farnsworth said, “Arizona has transformed tremendously since I attended Mesa Community College as a student. I’m curious to find out whether our community college system still adequately prepares students for the real world today. Taxpayers should have confidence in knowing the funds community colleges are receiving from the State are translating into reliable pathways to upward economic mobility for those students who do not attend four-year universities.”
Senator Farnsworth added, “With the information I gather through these workgroup meetings, I hope to improve the community college system through potential legislation that will benefit all Arizona students.”
Those involved in the workgroups will work together to address three questions of significance for this industry. The first is, “What is the role of community colleges in the landscape of higher education in Arizona?” The second is, “What is the State of Arizona’s obligation to community colleges?” And the third is, “Do the current governance and funding models of community colleges support the answers to the questions above?”
Senator Farnsworth was just sworn into another term at the Arizona Legislature when it convened last Monday for the start of the 57th Regular Session. In addition to his position as the chairman of the Education Committee, Farnsworth serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and he is a member of the Government, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, and Ethics Committees.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
In a 5-2 vote last week, the Fountain Hills Town Council rejected the ‘Vision Zero Road Diet Plan,’ to be initiated through a Federal FY 2024 SS4A Grant Program applied for under former Mayor Ginny Dickey.
The grant is part of the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” despite its wide rejection by all but two House Republicans and a majority of GOP Senators. The grant would have launched a two-year long project with $240,000 in federal funds matched with $60,000 from the town, bringing the total taxpayer cost to $300,000, according to documentation prepared by Town Engineer David Janover.
The summary of the plan explains: “This grant aligns with the Town’s commitment to Vision Zero principles, aiming to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries while fostering safer, more accessible transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the grant is in direct accord with the Town’s 2022 Strategic Plan which notes a priority of ‘improving the public health, well-being, and safety of our town.’”
The plan purported to:
Identify areas for infrastructure improvements to enhance safety for all users.
Develop speed management strategies in high-risk areas.
Engage residents through public outreach to reflect community needs.
Address pedestrian accessibility and emergency route improvements.
Provide a framework for future safety improvements and grant applications.
Councilman Allen Skillicorn, joined by fellow councilors Gayle Earle, Rick Watts, Vice Mayor Hannah Toth, and Mayor Gerry Friedel, voted to reject the Resolution citing the plan’s inclusion of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies.
Councilwoman Earle asked pointedly during the Jan. 21st meeting, “How is this plan racially equitable? Climate change, how does that relate to streets?”
As noted by Earle, the text of the grant agreement included a page-and-a-half-long commitment to “Improve Racial Equity and Reduce Barriers to Opportunity,” in which the town provided a “supporting narrative.” It stated, “The Town of Fountain Hills is committed to addressing equity considerations as part of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan under the SS4A grant. While Fountain Hills is an affluent community, its neighboring community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, represents an underserved population. Recognizing the proximity and interconnectedness of these communities, the Town will actively engage with representatives from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to gather input on how Fountain Hills’ street and walking networks can better serve all users and improve regional equity.”
“Efforts will include:
Targeted Outreach: Collaborating with leaders and residents of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to understand how Fountain Hills’ transportation infrastructure impacts their access to opportunities and regional connections.
Community Engagement Workshops: Hosting inclusive sessions to gather feedback on specific barriers to safe walking, biking, and driving within Fountain Hills for residents traveling from or to the Nation.
Equity-Focused Improvements: Using feedback to identify opportunities for enhancing transportation safety and accessibility in Fountain Hills, such as improved pedestrian crossings, better wayfinding, and multimodal infrastructure.
This approach ensures the Town of Fountain Hills addresses equity and reduces barriers to opportunity within its jurisdiction while fostering a collaborative relationship with its neighboring community. By integrating these considerations into the Safety Action Plan, the Town demonstrates its commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all.”
Skillicorn condemned the plan saying, “This plan includes a commitment to gender equity, why? This plan mentions greenhouse gases seven times, mentions climate change nine times, mentions environmental justice thirteen times, and mentions equity twenty times. Our town and our nation have rejected wokeness and DEI. Today is a new era of common sense. This is not for our town.”
Last night Fountain Hills, AZ rejected woke DEI Road Diets 5-2. Earle, Friedel, Toth, Watts, and Skillicorn all voted to kill woke Vision Zero while both McMahon and Kalivianakis voted for road diets and transportation social justice. pic.twitter.com/QefGwvtSNl
— Skillicorn for Arizona🌵 🇺🇸 (@allenskillicorn) January 22, 2025
As referred to by Skillicorn, the grant agreement included a commitment to “prioritized climate change resilience and environmental justice.” It stated, “To address environmental justice, we have engaged with local communities, including those historically affected by environmental disparities, to understand their specific needs and concerns. This engagement informs our plan to incorporate shaded pathways, safe pedestrian areas, and accessible emergency routes, ensuring equitable access to cooler, walkable areas that mitigate urban heat island effects. Together, these actions reflect our commitment to climate adaptation and environmental justice, enhancing the well-being and resilience of all residents.”
Skillicorn followed with a motion to deny what he referred to in a statement to AZ Free News as the “Woke DEI Vision Zero Road Diet Plan.” Vice Mayor Hannah Toth seconded the motion observing, “Of course we want zero pedestrian injuries. My job is to find hidden meanings, often these are not so great in practice. Fifteen Minute Cities sound great but are not. Vision Zero is something I do not feel comfortable inviting into our town.”
The State of Arizona is fast-tracking a tax reduction policy through the legislature that became a staple of President Donald J. Trump’s campaign platform over the past year.
This week, the Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means passed HB 2081, which would exempt taxation on tipped wages from the state’s individual income tax.
State Representative Gail Griffin, a Republican who was the sponsor of this legislation, said, “I worked in the service industry years ago and understand the challenges tipped employees face. Tips are an expression of appreciation from customers for services provided. Tips are gifts and, in my opinion, should not be taxed. HB 2081 ensures that Arizonans who rely on tips to support themselves and their families can keep more of their hard-earned money. I’m grateful to Chairman Olson for making this the committee’s first bill for the session.”
Another Republican lawmaker, State Representative Neal Carter, added, “A key feature of a good taxation system is voluntary compliance and simplicity of administration. Tips are often paid in real time and in strange amounts. Taxing tips simply punishes the honest because strict compliance is difficult to achieve.”
As a candidate for President, Trump announced his plan for no federal taxes on tips back in June in the State of Nevada. Shortly after Trump’s announcement last summer, his Democrat opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, mirrored his proposal in an attempt to woo voters on the campaign stump. On Inauguration Day this week, the newly minted Commander in Chief riffed that he thought his campaign may have secured the State of Nevada’s electoral votes in the November General Election because of that promise.
A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research earlier this month showed that 54% of respondents would strongly or somewhat favor eliminating taxes on earnings from tips.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 2,277,900 waiters and waitresses across the country.
The bill passed the Arizona House committee along a party-line vote – 5-3, with one Democrat member absent.
According to the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, Arizona Licensed Beverage Association, and Fraternal Order of Police AZ State Lodge, signed in to support the bill. Representatives from Living United for Change in Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, and Rural Arizona Action opposed the legislation.
HB 2081 will soon make its way to the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives for a vote from the full chamber.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
