by Matthew Holloway | Oct 11, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sharply rebuked Gov. Katie Hobbs’ announcement of her 2026 reelection campaign, accusing her of fiscal mismanagement that turned a $2.5 billion surplus into a $1.4 billion deficit.
Hobbs launched her bid for a second term on Wednesday in a two-minute video posted to X, where she emphasized her administration’s focus on education, public safety, and housing affordability.
“Arizona is a place of hard work, hope and determination,” Hobbs said. “That’s why I’m running for reelection — to continue putting your family first.”
Ducey, a Republican who preceded Hobbs in office, responded hours later on X, quoting Hobbs’ video and writing: “This dishonesty isn’t surprising given the current struggles on the 9th floor. When I left office, I turned over a $2.5B SURPLUS to Katie Hobbs. She blew it all AND created that $1.4B deficit in only a year. AZ didn’t have a revenue problem, Hobbs had a spending problem.”
The exchange between the former and current governors highlights Arizona’s ongoing budget tensions. Hobbs inherited the surplus from Ducey in January 2023, but the state faced a projected $1.4 billion shortfall for fiscal year 2025. According to a report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI), that shortfall was mainly driven by increased spending and not the state’s adoption of a flat income tax rate of 2.5% or the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.
The GOP-led Arizona legislature approved a $16.1 billion budget in June 2024, following a major budget battle that addressed the deficit by incorporating spending cuts and one-time adjustments. Hobbs signed the measure, though Republican critics, including House Speaker Ben Toma, have described her fiscal approach as unsustainable.
Reactions to Ducey’s post were polarized. A few users defended Hobbs, claiming Ducey’s tax cuts and ESA expansions as root causes of the shortfall. Others echoed his criticisms. A few, urged Ducey to support GOP challengers in the 2026 gubernatorial race, like U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs. The vast majority offered critiques of the former Governor.
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 Staff Reporter | Oct 11, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva says her district deserves representation, though she was silent on the absence of her father, the late Raúl Grijalva, from office.
The younger Grijalva has yet to be sworn in. She says Republicans are to blame for their refusal to agree to Democrats’ desired Obamacare continuations to lift the ongoing government shutdown.
“Speaker Johnson continues to make excuses but all the while southern Arizona still does not have a voice in Washington,” said Grijlava.
Senator Ruben Gallego also blamed House Speaker Mike Johnson and the rest of his Republican colleagues for Grijalva not being sworn in, claiming Johnson was telling “lies” to the public.
Contrary to Grijalva’s characterization of the situation, Grijalva can’t be sworn in because the statewide certification has yet to take place.
Grijalva’s desire to secure representation for her district is also a newfound one. She had little to say during the final years of her father’s term.
The late Grijalva missed most votes from last year and this year amid a lung cancer battle that would ultimately claim his life in March at 77 years old. The longtime Democrat had held his seat for 20 years when he announced his lung cancer diagnosis in 2023.
The late Grijalva missed nearly all votes (about 97 percent of votes) this and the last session before his passing. The only vote he took this session was for Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for House Speaker at the start of session. He defended his absence with the claim his vote wouldn’t have any impact in a Republican-controlled 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 at the time.
Tucson residents were quick to point out the successor Grijalva’s hypocrisy.
“A lung cancer diagnosis in April 2024 led Grijalva to miss most of his votes in the House of Representatives throughout the year and into 2025,” said one user. “[You] didn’t say a damn word.”
Grijalva couldn’t be sworn in sooner than next Tuesday, anyways, because that’s when the statewide canvass is scheduled.
Arizona Secretary of State and fellow Democrat Adrian Fontes issued a press release on that point. The deadline to file an election contest, also, will not occur until October 20.
Next Tuesday is also the earliest date the Senate will reconvene to possibly agree on a continuing resolution to cease the government shutdown.
Debbie Lesko, Maricopa County Supervisor and former congresswoman, reminded the public that she wasn’t sworn in until the House began its session that year, in 2018.
“[This is] what’s happening with Grijalva,” said Lesko. “The Democrats and media are making a big deal over nothing.”
Congress had its longest shutdown on record from December 2018 to January 2019. The shutdown has lasted for over a week now.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 11, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona State Senator David Farnsworth, chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Transportation Committee, is doubling down on his commitment to improving Arizona’s transportation network, emphasizing both immediate roadway repairs and longer-term investments in next-generation infrastructure.
Farnsworth noted that Arizona’s rapid population growth is putting added strain on highways and local roads, making safety and upkeep a pressing priority. His plan, he said, reflects a blend of conservative fiscal principles and forward-looking technology, designed to strengthen connectivity across the state while preparing for future mobility needs.
A central component of that vision is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — a developing technology that uses electric aircraft, sometimes called “air taxis,” capable of vertical takeoff and landing for short-distance travel. Advocates say AAM could ease traffic congestion, expand emergency response capabilities, and connect rural communities more effectively. Farnsworth has supported legislative work on AAM since 2024, with an eye toward balancing innovation with public safety and regulatory clarity.
Other states are already moving toward implementation. For example, Archer Aviation is slated to provide official air taxi services for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Farnsworth said Arizona must be proactive in keeping pace with such developments.
The senator also pointed to autonomous vehicle testing in Arizona, particularly self-driving ground taxis, as a model for how advanced technology can be integrated into daily life. Together with AAM, he said, these tools represent the next chapter of transportation policy.
“The work begins by repairing what is broken, followed by building what comes next,” Farnsworth said. “Advanced Air Mobility and autonomous vehicles are no longer concepts of the future—they are active technologies with real-world applications. My job is to ensure Arizona stays ahead of the curve, not behind it.”
Farnsworth stressed that his focus remains on practical investments and collaboration with communities, technology leaders, and policymakers. His goal, he said, is a transportation system that is modernized, fiscally responsible, and designed to serve Arizona residents well into the future.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Oct 10, 2025 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
A school social worker “gone rogue,” who resigned to avoid firing in 2023, claimed she had the approval of a governing board member.
Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) investigated and ultimately released a now-former Peoria Flex Academy social worker, Allyson Jamee Ross, for treating students and taking them off campus without parental consent, according to records obtained and first reported on by the Arizona Daily Independent.
Ross worked in PUSD from around 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, Ross worked with the Child Protective Services and foster care systems in both Arizona and Virginia.
Ross defended her actions — which included taking students to doctors appointments and serving as their health advocates, helping a student plan to run away from home, taking a pregnant student to a Wiccan for consultation, and assisting a student with securing a birth control prescription — as necessary, comparing parents to “wolves” when describing their involvement.
“Our students don’t have the parents or guidance to teach them those skills,” said Ross. “I will be in the wrong, but I will never send a student away because I don’t have a consent form.”
Ross claimed she acted with the approval of her boss, Peoria Flex Academy Principal Cybill Jacob, and PUSD governing board member Melissa Ewing.
“She [Jacobs] knows exactly what I’m doing with students every single week. She knows very well, and even brags to Melissa [Board Member] about how her social worker goes so above and beyond and does all these great things like taking them to doctor’s appointments, food stamps, social security, etc.,” said Ross in an interview with investigators. “It was completely supported by everyone, driving students in personal vehicles. The van is never available, always broken, stolen catalytic converter, or always in the shop.”
Ross also violated district policy by transporting them regularly in a personal vehicle. School leaders attempted to resolve Ross’ infractions through trainings and meetings before turning her over for an investigation that concluded with giving her the option to voluntarily resign or face punishment.
PUSD didn’t file a statement of charges against Ross since she voluntarily resigned and voluntarily surrendered her social worker certificate.
PUSD also reported Ross to the Arizona State Board of Education.
PUSD Board President Heather Rooks shared the report on Ross. Ewing admonished Rooks for sharing the article and the detail of her alleged knowledge of the incident publicly.
“I had no knowledge of this happening and never would have supported this. You could have placed a phone call to me to ask me that as we sit on the same board. We have sat together for almost 3 years. We have both heard the same information both in public and in executive session,” said Ewing. “As President of the Board, you could have asked that this be reviewed in executive session – oh wait you did, despite it happening 2 years ago. All 5 board members heard the same information.”
State Senate candidate Anthony Kern (also a former state lawmaker) said that this incident justified the opposition he and other Republican lawmakers share over having social workers on school campuses.
“[Social workers] are tools of the deranged Democrats,” said Kern. “Get your children out of public schools. Sign up for an ESA account.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 10, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona House Republican leaders are demanding answers after learning that the Chief Medical Officer of the state’s Medicaid program, AHCCCS, has been serving with an expired medical license.
According to records from the Arizona Medical Board, Dr. Theresa Costales, a psychiatrist appointed as Chief Medical Officer in January 2025, failed to renew her license, which was due April 9. The statutory grace period ended on August 9, leaving the license fully expired. Despite this, Dr. Costales continues to advise on state health policies that impact more than 2 million Arizonans.
House Speaker Steve Montenegro called the lapse “a failure of oversight” by Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration. “A lapse like this should never happen in a healthcare agency responsible for millions of people,” he said. “The public deserves accountability when even the most basic standards aren’t met.”
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone echoed the concern, noting that license verification is a simple process. “Any citizen can look this up in minutes. That it slipped through the cracks at the highest level of medical leadership is completely unacceptable.”
House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, who is also a healthcare professional, questioned whether key policy decisions were made without proper credentials in place. “You cannot have a Chief Medical Officer without an active license—it’s that simple,” she said. She raised particular concern about the recent rollout of the controversial Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) assessment tool, asking whether decisions tied to the program were made under expired authority.
Republican leaders also pointed to other state agencies, such as the Department of Corrections, that explicitly require valid medical licenses for their top medical positions. They argue AHCCCS should be held to the same standard, given its role in overseeing care for vulnerable populations.
Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter said the situation undermines public confidence. “Governor Hobbs’ administration has failed once again to ensure competence and accountability in state government. This isn’t a small oversight—it undermines trust in one of Arizona’s largest healthcare agencies.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 10, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The ongoing disagreement between the City of Scottsdale and Axon Enterprise, Inc. has taken on a new dimension after the city issued a clarification of its position on last week. Regardless of whether the controversial “Axon Bill,” SB 1543, remains in effect, the city stated that Scottsdale City Code Section 2-5 requires a referendum to be placed on the ballot at the next general election, scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
In a statement issued October 3rd, the city stated that the timetable for a referendum could be shortened, noting, “The city could, if directed by the City Council, place that referendum question on a city election ballot before Nov. 3, 2026, by calling a Spring 2026 Special Election or placing the item on the Aug. 4, 2026, primary election ballot.”
Responding to the enactment of SB 1543 in April, the City Council voted to authorize filing a notice of claim/notice of unconstitutionality in a special meeting on September 12th. The claim filed on September 15th serves as formal notice to the State of Arizona that potential legal action from the city may follow. As reported by AZ Free News at the time, SB 1543 strips residents in cities of certain sizes, including Scottsdale, of their ability to challenge zoning decisions through ballot initiatives. The law applies retroactively and nullified a referendum effort by nearly 27,000 Scottsdale residents who had petitioned to challenge a city council-approved expansion of Axon’s Scottsdale headquarters, which included almost 2,000 multifamily residential units, over 400 hotel rooms, and approximately 47,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
City leaders pleaded with Governor Katie Hobbs to veto the bill, citing local concerns over increased traffic and infrastructure strain. They wrote in their plea, “These are not abstract issues—they impact the daily lives of our residents.”
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky and the City Council warned that SB 1543 “undermines the principles of local control that are foundational to Scottsdale’s governance,” adding that it “sets a dangerous precedent.”
Borowsky told KTAR 92.3 host Mike Broomhead last week that, before “going to the state legislature,” Axon was negotiating with the city, and the 2000-apartment plan could have been reduced to 750. She added, “Let me be clear, I’m opposed to that high density of housing units,” referring to the initial 2,000 unit plan, but added there are three members of the council who are “vehemently” opposed to negotiation.
Public Affairs Supervisor Holly Peralta wrote, “The City Council’s vote did not authorize litigation, but that step could be taken by a separate Council action in the future.” She further added that a political action committee filed suit against the state and the city regarding Senate Bill 1543.
The lawsuit filed by Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions, or TAAAZE, claims that SB1543 violates both the “special laws” ban in the Arizona Constitution, as well as the right of referendum enshrined there.
Alexis Danneman, a Perkins Coie, LLP, partner and lead counsel for TAAAZE, said in a statement. “This lawsuit is about two of our State Constitution’s most important principles. First, it’s about the right of Arizona voters to hold referenda and vote directly on legislation passed by their city councils but with which they disagree. Second, it’s about the Constitution’s ban on so-called ‘special laws,’ like the Axon Bill, that confer special privileges and benefits on a specific company or group. The Axon bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor is the very definition of special interest legislation and it is illegal in the state of Arizona.”
As a separate matter, the city is “evaluating that lawsuit,” according to Peralta.
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.
