An Arizona Legislative Republican solution to assist homebuilding in the state was signed into law.
Earlier this week, Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1162, which “establishes requirements relating to zoning ordinances and a housing needs assessment” – per the overview from the Arizona House of Representatives.
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Republicans Cut Local Government Red Tape to Speed Up Homebuilding and Lower Prices for Hardworking Arizonans pic.twitter.com/YwLWeTkwiD
According to the press release from the Arizona State Senate Republicans, the legislation “cuts the unnecessary government red tape, responsible for prolonging approvals on zoning applications needed for home construction to begin, by requiring local governments adhere to reasonable timelines to help expedite the homebuilding process in an effort to increase supply and lower prices.” It would also require “cities and towns to conduct and publish a housing needs study every five years to proactively assess current and anticipated demand for homes in order to swiftly respond to housing shortages.”
Senator Janae Shamp, the bill’s sponsor, cheered on the success of her proposal, writing, “Every hardworking citizen within the state of Arizona should be able to afford a home in a safe community. Unfortunately, the American dream of homeownership has become unattainable for many Arizonans over the past five years because of increased demand combined with irresponsible actions from local governments. Republicans at the Arizona Legislature are committed to solving Arizona’s housing shortage crisis, and this is just a small piece of the puzzle. Government helped create this problem, and we will continue to craft policy getting government out of the way so the free market can respond to our citizens’ needs.”
Shamp thanked one of her legislative partners in this specific effort and promised more action on behalf of Arizonans. She said, “I want to thank Representative Matt Gress for working on this legislation with me, and I look forward to taking additional action with Republican lawmakers to offset the crippling inflation Arizonans are struggling with under the Biden Administration.”
SB 1162 will go into effect 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns for the 2024 session.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction is standing up for an in-state university in a battle against the federal government.
This week, Arizona’s school’s chief, Tom Horne, sent a letter to Secretary Miguel Cardona of the U.S. Department of Education, urging the agency head to “change [his] position on Grand Canyon University (GCU) and come to a satisfactory resolution.”
Earlier this month, Cardona said of his department’s efforts over GCU: “Going after predatory schools preying on first generation students. They have flashy marketing materials, but the product is not worth the paper it is printed on. Increased enforcement budget to go after these folks and crack down. Levied largest fine in history against a school that lied about costs and terminated a school from Title IX. We are cracking down not only to shut them down, but to send a message not to prey on schools.”
Horne reminded Cardona of a 2023 letter that he had transmitted, asking for his department to “sit down with Grand Canyon University and work out any differences.” He explained that GCU was “a major ally to my effort to raise academics in Arizona schools, and any harm you do to them would do harm to my goal of academic excellence.” The Superintendent added that there was a “severe teacher shortage in Arizona, and the elimination of GCU would be a severe blow.”
In his latest letter, Horne informed the high-ranking cabinet member that “GCU reports that they have asked your department for evidence of intent and verified student complaints regarding the accusation your department is making, and you have refused to provide that information.”
As he wrapped up his letter, Horne wrote, “in the U.S., anyone accused of wrongdoing is presumed innocent and entitled to their day in court. For a Cabinet-level official, one who is sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution, your threat against GCU is contrary to those constitutional guarantees and unworthy of your position. It is unwarranted, unjust and the latest episode of harassment against this school by the federal government.”
The state school’s chief concluded by asserting that Cardona had, so far, “chosen to be unreasonable” in his approach and actions against GCU.
In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Education fined GCU $37.7 million, accusing the university of lying “to more than 7,500 former and current students about the cost of its doctoral programs over several years.” Richard Cordray, the Chief Operating Officer of the Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid, said, “Today, we are holding GCU accountable for its actions, protecting students and taxpayers, and upholding the integrity of the federal student aid programs.”
GCU responded to the recent comments by the U.S. Education Secretary, stating, “GCU has been asked repeatedly why it believes it is being targeted by federal agencies of the Biden Administration. Here’s what we can tell you: Mr. Cardona’s inflammatory comments make very clear the Department of Education’s intentions and their disdain for institutions that do not fit their ideological agenda. What’s also clear is that ED has no lawful grounds to carry out those intentions based on their disingenuous and factually unsupportable allegations.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A Republican State Senator is speaking out against the Arizona governor’s decision to veto one of his education-related bills.
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1151, which would have allowed state teachers or administrators in all schools to “read or post copies or excerpts of the Ten Commandments.”
Hobbs, in a veto letter to Senate President Warren Petersen, explained that she had “serious concerns about the constitutionality of this legislation,” adding that she also felt it “is also unnecessary.”
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Anthony Kern, expressed his outrage over the governor’s action, writing, “I’m appalled the state’s top elected official is abandoning God and the very foundation our country was built upon by not allowing teachers to expose their students to the morals and ethics outlined in the Ten Commandments. When you look at some of the garbage being forced on our children in the classroom, it’s no wonder rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth are at their highest levels ever recorded. When children are exposed to good, noble, honest, and righteous ideas, they are more prone to being better human beings with sound character, able to navigate life’s problems with grace, and have a greater chance of treating each other with respect and dignity throughout life. Sadly, Katie Hobbs’ veto is a prime example of Democrats’ efforts to push state-sponsored atheism while robbing Arizona’s children of the opportunity to flourish with a healthy moral compass.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, the proposal drew a significant amount of opposition, including representatives from the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents, Arizona Education Association, American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Save Our Schools Arizona, Arizona School Boards Association, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
SB 1151 had first passed the State Senate in February with a 16-12 vote (with two members not voting), before being approved in the State House earlier this month with a 31-28 tally (with one member not voting).
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona House voted on Wednesday to repeal the state’s total abortion ban in a close 32-28 vote. The repeal is now in the Senate’s hands.
Three Republicans joined Democrats to eradicate Arizona’s abortion ban: Tim Dunn, Matt Gress, Justin Wilmeth. The repeal would mean that another existing law restricting abortions after 15 weeks goes into effect.
The historic abortion ban predates Arizona’s statehood and lasted up until the Supreme Court’s codification of abortion in 1973 through Roe v. Wade.
House Speaker Ben Toma, congressional candidate for District 8, said in a press release that the vote was rushed, a grave error that would allow for the slaughter of unborn children for up to 15 weeks.
“It would have been prudent and responsible to allow the courts to decide the constitutionality of the pre-Roe law,” said Toma. “I feel compelled to reiterate my personal view that this decision to repeal the abortion ban in Arizona effectively means that we are allowing the murder of unborn children up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.”
Toma chided Democrats for a lack of decorum on the House floor, citing outbursts and personal attacks. The speaker also warned that the opposing party would continue to push for a wider window for abortions, all the way up to birth — effectively, infanticide.
“Democrats are pushing radicalism and will not relent until Arizona recognizes abortion on demand and abortion through 9 months of pregnancy,” said Toma.
🚨Statement from Arizona House Speaker @RepBenToma on today’s vote on HB 2677:
“I fervently disagree with my Democrat colleagues who advocate for extremism through unlimited, unrestricted, and unregulated abortions. Abortions are not healthcare. Abortion kills life. Abortion… pic.twitter.com/X7QsmWulzK
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 24, 2024
One of the three Republicans to join Democrats to repeal the abortion ban, Dunn, defended his vote in a press release insisting that he is pro-life, but that abortions should still be allowed in cases of rape and incest — situations for which the historic abortion ban didn’t grant exceptions. Dunn said his decision was the “most pro-life vote” possible.
“Should the pre-Roe law remain in effect, I firmly believe more lives will be lost over time. The public backlash would result in codifying disturbing and unlimited abortions in the Arizona Constitution, which is something that I cannot allow to happen,” said Dunn.
I hope you will join me in encouraging a culture of life, one that supports mothers, children, families and always stands for the unborn. pic.twitter.com/C6E6916vl5
Gress also issued a press release claiming he is pro-life. However, Gress didn’t go into details about how the abortion ban went too far. Rather, Gress lumped those supportive of total abortion bans and those supportive of unfettered abortion together as extremists.
“As someone who is both pro-life and the product of strong women in my life, I refuse to buy into the false notion pushed by the extremes on both sides of this issue that we cannot respect and protect women and defend new life at the same time,” said Gress.
Democratic lawmakers celebrated the vote. The author of the bill repealing the historic abortion ban, House Bill 2677, was Democratic Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.
The House narrowly rejected a motion to transmit the bill immediately to Governor Katie Hobbs, 30-30, should the Senate have returned the bill unamended. Gress was the sole Republican who joined his Democratic colleagues in voting for that motion.
Hobbs praised the abortion ban repeal, calling the law “archaic” and a threat to women’s lives. As Toma predicted, Hobbs indicated that the securing of abortions up to 15 weeks was only the beginning.
“I will do everything I can to stop harmful legislation that strips women’s control of their bodies. But there is much more to do,” said Hobbs. “I encourage each Arizonan to continue to speak out and fight for your reproductive freedoms.”
I’m thrilled the House has finally decided to do the right thing and repeal the archaic 1864 near-total abortion ban, which would have jailed doctors & threatened women’s lives.
It’s time for the Senate to follow suit and send the repeal to my desk. Immediately.
A Republican State Representative is being recognized for his leadership.
Last week, Arizona State Representative Quang Nguyen, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that he was “among a select group of Republican legislators nationwide chosen for GOPAC’s 2024 Class of Emerging Leaders, an honor which recognizes a member’s strong sense of service, purpose, and effective leadership in the State Legislature.”
State Representative Quang Nguyen Named Among Nation’s Emerging Leaders
“In my time as a legislator, I’ve dedicated myself to addressing the challenges that our state and communities face,” said Representative @QuangNguyenAZ. “I very much look forward this unique opportunity… pic.twitter.com/9CRYvcMS3J
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 16, 2024
In a statement to commemorate the news, Representative Nguyen said, “In my time as a legislator, I’ve dedicated myself to addressing the challenges that our state and communities face. I very much look forward to this unique opportunity presented with the Emerging Leaders Program and will seek to apply what I learn to my legislative efforts and serve the people of Arizona.”
According to the press release issued by Nguyen’s Office at the Arizona House of Representatives, the GOPAC Emerging Leaders Program “is an annual initiative designed to develop the next generation of Republican leadership. Candidates are nominated by their state’s legislative leaders and chosen by GOPAC for their potential to effect positive changes in their states and rise within Republicans ranks.”
Representative Nguyen serves Yavapai County in Legislative District 1.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
On Monday, the Arizona Superior Court declared a mistrial in the case of George Alan Kelly, 75, the rancher who shot and killed an illegal immigrant trespassing his property.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict in Kelly’s case (CR-23-0026). Judge Thomas Fink scheduled a status reading for next Monday, April 29, to allow the state to determine whether it would request a retrial.
Fink read aloud a note from the jurors insisting that further deliberations wouldn’t resolve their deadlock.
The Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office initially charged Kelly with first-degree murder for killing an illegal immigrant, 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, trespassing Kelly’s property in Nogales last January. Cuen-Buitimea had previously been convicted and deported several times. The attorney’s office later lowered the charge to second-degree murder.
According to court documents, discovery of Cuen-Buitimea’s remains occurred after Kelly had called law enforcement twice: once in the early afternoon to report illegal immigrants possibly firing shots on his property, and once that evening to report the discovery of Cuen-Buitimea’s remains. Cuen-Buitimea was found unarmed.
Kelly’s co-counsel, Kathy Lowthorp, told NewsNation post-verdict that the jury was 7-1 for a “not guilty” verdict. Only one juror believed that Kelly was guilty of second-degree murder. Their defense team unsuccessfully fought the mistrial ruling and supported extending jury deliberation. The prosecution supported the declaration of a mistrial.
The jurors opted to maintain their deadlock over a unanimous decision on either reckless manslaughter or negligent homicide, which Fink suggested.
The Arizona Superior Court posted all videos of the 18-day trial to their YouTube page; they have also posted relevant case documents to their website, which includes the minute entries outlining the main events in the trial. The trial began exactly a month ago.
During court proceedings, Kelly’s other co-counsel, Brenna Larkin, testified that Cuen-Buitimea was one among a group of five men trespassing his land with large backpacks and rifles. Larkin clarified that Kelly shot in the sky above the men to ward them off after hearing a shot fired, ostensibly by the group of men.
Larkin stated in closing arguments that Cuen-Buitimea posed a very real threat to Kelly and his wife.
“Long story short, this is simply not somebody who’s looking for the American dream,” said Larkin. “There’s no evidence that this person is here for those kinds of benign purposes.”
The prosecution’s key witness against Kelly — Daniel Ramirez, another in the group that trespassed Kelly’s land on that fateful day — has falsely told the court he had no prior drug-related convictions, though he was previously convicted of drug smuggling nearly a decade ago.
Kelly’s counsel further claimed that the prosecution had coached, editorialized, and mistranslated Ramirez’s testimony.
“It is particularly disturbing that the State either failed to review the witness’s criminal history prior to putting him on the stand, or the State concealed the witness’s criminal history,” stated Kelly’s counsel.
AP News reported that Nogales’ consul general of the Mexican consulate, Marcos Moreno Baez, waited with Cuen-Buitimea’s daughters on Monday after the verdict to meet with prosecutors.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
