by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 4, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislative Republicans are requesting the state’s governor to take action to protect water and wastewater systems from cyberattacks.
On Tuesday, the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus called on Governor Katie Hobbs “to take swift action to protect Arizona’s critical infrastructure from adversary nations seeking to unleash harm on the United States.”
The demand from the lawmakers follows a letter from the White House to state governors, warning of “the impending threat of cyberattacks.”
In that letter, which was signed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the White House identified two of those “recent and ongoing” threats. The first was from “threat actors affiliated with the Iranian Government Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.” This threat, according to the letter, has “carried out malicious cyberattacks against United States critical infrastructure entities, including drinking water systems.”
The second threat was from “The People’s Republic of China state-sponsored cyber group known as Volt Typhoon.” This adversary, per the letter, “has compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems, including drinking water, in the United States and its territories.”
Senate President Warren Petersen issued a statement in conjunction with his Caucus’ call to the governor, saying, “Water is vital to lives and livelihoods. It’s concerning the Governor has yet to share any information with the Legislature, or the public, on this matter. What’s even more concerning is at a recent stakeholder meeting on a completely separate issue, a representative from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs expressed to our lawmakers no knowledge of this warning from the White House.”
According to the Administration’s communication, these cyberattacks “have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water, as well as impose significant costs on affected communities.”
Petersen also shared his thoughts on what the governor should do in order to protect the state from these cyberattacks. He wrote, “I encourage her to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our citizens by taking steps to protect Arizona’s critical infrastructure from enemy nations who are a known threat to our state and country. This includes signing our legislation crafted specifically to mitigate these threats, such as SB 1403, SB 1340, and SB 1123.”
SB 1403, sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp, would “make it generally unlawful for specified foreign principals to purchase, own, acquire by grant or devise or have any other interest in (hold) real property” – according to the Arizona House overview.
SB 1340, sponsored by Senator Frank Carroll, would “prohibit a publicly managed fund from holding an investment in a foreign adversary, a state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary, a company domiciled within a foreign adversary, or any other entity owned by or domiciled in a foreign adversary; or investing or depositing public monies in a bank that is domiciled in, or has a principal place of business in, a foreign adversary” – according to the summary from the Arizona House.
SB 1123, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers, would “prohibit a business or governmental entity in Arizona from entering into an agreement involving critical infrastructure if certain criteria apply.”
The letter from the Biden Administration officials requested the help of state governors “to ensure that all water systems in your state comprehensively assess their current cybersecurity practices to identify any significant vulnerabilities, deploy practices and controls to reduce cybersecurity risks where needed, and exercise plans to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a cyber incident.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 3, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, (D-Ariz), announced his cancer diagnosis on Tuesday.
The District 7 congressman, 76, issued a press release on his illness the day after April Fool’s Day. Grijalva didn’t disclose the specifics of his diagnosis, such as whether it was fatal. The congressman clarified that he would maintain his seat through treatment, which he has already begun.
“This diagnosis has been difficult to process, but I am confident in the vigorous course of treatment that my medical team has developed, and I’ve begun my journey to fight this cancer,” said Grijalva.
Grijalva discovered his cancer after seeking medical treatment for a persistent cough, initially diagnosed as pneumonia.
Grijalva was first elected to Congress in 2003, and has held his seat since then. The congressman serves as the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, and also sits on the Education and Labor Committee.
Grijalva is also the chair emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and maintains membership with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
During his 20 years in Congress, Grijalva has introduced 344 bills, 10 of which became law:
HR 4881, the Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act, directing the Department of the Interior to take tribally owned lands in Pima County into trust for the benefit of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, and made into part of the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. The act allows gaming on the land taken into this trust.
HR 2030, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act, requiring the Department of the Interior to carry out the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan submitted to Congress on March 19, 2019, by Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
HR 507, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Trust Land Act, holds in trust for the tribe all right, title, and interest of the U.S. in and to approximately 20 acres of federal land from two parcels, one of which was owned by the Tucson Unified School District. The lands held in trust under this act prohibit gaming, as well as the forfeiture or abandonment of any water rights from these lands.
HR 3319, allowing the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the requirements for membership in that tribe. The tribe expanded its membership with the perks of federal services and benefits to any with Pascua Yaqui blood enrolled by the tribe.
HR 3739, amending the Arizona Water Settlements Act to modify the requirements for the statement of findings. The amendment makes the Arizona Water Rights Settlement effective as of the date the Secretary of the Interior publishes in the Federal Register a statement of findings that specified conditions apply. These conditions included the judgment and decree attached to the Tohono O’odham settlement agreement approved in state court.
HR 5857, naming a USPS facility in Tucson as the “Morris K. ‘Mo’ Udall Post Office Building.”
HR 1075, designating a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona as the “Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry.”
HR 794, the Colorado River Indian Reservation Boundary Correction Act, declared the reservation boundaries to be defined by the Robbins Survey of 1875 and the Harrington Resurvey of 1912. These surveys included 16,000 acres known as the La Paz lands. The act reversed a 1915 executive order excluding those lands from the survey. The land within this trust was exempted from gaming.
HR 327, allowing binding arbitration clauses to be included in all contracts affecting land within the Gila River Indian Community Reservation.
HR 326, amending the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to adjust the boundary of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and for other purposes.
Over the past few years, the long-serving congressman has made headlines for his consistent dismissal of the border crisis as an issue. Grijalva most recently skipped out on a hearing to address the border in his district. The hearing was arranged by the subcommittee of the committee in which he serves as a ranking member.
Grijalva disregarded the border hearing as an ulterior means of scapegoating immigrants.
The congressman also praised President Joe Biden’s administration following the president’s State of the Union, especially in regard to the border.
“Trump and Republicans remain fixated on the southern border and chose to block bipartisan immigration reform for the sake of campaign politics,” said Grijalva. “It’s clear the American people have benefitted from the leadership of President Biden and his commitment to defending the freedoms and values essential to American democracy.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 3, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Many current or aspiring public servants submitted signatures to make the ballot for the upcoming 2024 election in Arizona.
Over the past weeks, men and women running for office across all jurisdictions in Arizona finalized their petition signature gathering and turned in their offerings to meet the deadline.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, a Republican, announced that she had turned in 8,941 signatures. She said, “Your dedication and enthusiasm have truly blown me away, and I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support from our community. It’s because of amazing folks like you that I get to keep fighting the good fight—upholding the rule of law and keeping our communities safe in Maricopa County.”
State Senator Justine Wadsack, a Republican revealed that she had filed 1,381 signatures. She wrote, “I have officially qualified for the 2024 ballot! We collected more than twice the required signatures & maxed out the verified Equal! Thanks to my PC’s hard work, we had another year of organic circulation & not a single paid signature!”
Justin Heap, a Republican running for Maricopa County Recorder, shared that he had acquired over 8,000 signatures in fewer than 30 days since he entered that race. Heap said, “I’m humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of support from voters across the County.”
Kevin Volk, a Democrat attempting to win a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 17, filed 2,138 signatures in his quest to win an election. He shared that he “was able to meet many of the people who signed at their homes, [and that] the rest signed thanks to an incredible grassroots volunteer effort.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope thanked the 1,000+ people who signed his petition for reelection to the chamber in Legislative District 16. He stated that he “won’t let you down in our fight to keep our Arizona values at the State Senate!”
Ylenia Aguilar, a Democrat challenger for the Arizona Corporation Commission, filed her signatures to qualify for the ballot. She noted the support of individuals around the state who assisted her with this campaign achievement, writing, “This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible dedication & hard work of our volunteers.”
Two other Democrats running for the Arizona Corporation Commission also turned in their signatures in March – Jonathon Hill and Joshua Polacheck.
Mark Stewart, a Republican running for Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in District One, proudly unveiled his signature totals, which amounted to over 2,300 after a second batch. He thanked his “dedicated volunteers for [their] tireless efforts in gathering thousands of signatures, and [his] family for their unwavering patience and support.”
Shane Krauser, a candidate for the open position for Gilbert Mayor, also announced that he had filed enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The Arizona Primary Election will be on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Winners of their respective party elections will move on to the pivotal General Election in November, which will have huge implications for the state and the nation.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 3, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A Republican-led bill to help protect the Arizona electric grid from a lethal threat was recently signed into law.
Late last month, Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1301, which “requires electricity producers in Arizona to take steps to secure a continuous supply of electricity regarding the threat of an electromagnetic pulse” – according to the purpose from the State Senate. The proposal was sponsored by Senator David Farnsworth.
In a statement to mark the successful conclusion of his legislation, Farnsworth said, “A few years ago, I was made aware of the danger of electromagnetic pulse. This phenomenon occurs as a burst of electromagnetic energy that can shut down all our electricity in a matter of seconds. That means all transportation, forms of communication, refrigeration, etc., needed to live and operate as a society, will cease to exist. This can occur as a result of a natural event in the form of a solar storm, or a man-made weapon such as a nuclear bomb or electromechanical device.”
The Republican Senator added, “If you want to know more about this phenomenon, I recommend watching a documentary called Grid Down, Power Up, which further explains these dangers and possible solutions.”
The bill unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water with a 7-0 vote in February. It was then cleared by the full Senate chamber that same month with a 29-0 vote (with one member not voting). After being transmitted to the State House of Representatives, the legislation was approved by the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water in March with a 9-1 vote. It then sailed past the final legislative hurdle, passing the full House chamber with a 48-8 vote (with three members not voting and one seat vacant).
Senators Shawnna Bolick, Sonny Borrelli, Wendy Rogers, Justine Wadsack, and Representative Seth Blattman were co-sponsors of the bill.
SB 1301 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.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 2, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislative Republicans are racking up a lengthy list of legal cases on behalf of the state.
Earlier this month, the Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus’ “X” account posted an update on the lawsuits that President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma have engaged in due, in large part, to the absence of the state’s Democrat attorney general. The collective voice for the Senate Republicans wrote, “Your Arizona Republican state lawmakers don’t shy away from joining legal battles when your freedoms, safety, and our democracy are on the line! We’ve joined a number of impactful cases and are now paving the way for other state legislatures to do the same.”
Per the Senate Republicans, the issues covered by the legal challenges include the following: election integrity, religious freedom, First Amendment rights, Second Amendment rights, the homeless crisis, keeping men out of women’s safe spaces, government overreach, and medical freedom.
There were several updates on cases that the Arizona Senate Republicans have weighed in on behalf of state residents. In AZ Senate v. Hobbs – a case involving a dispute over the governors’ retraction of agency director nominations – “oral arguments on cross motions for summary judgment is set for April 26, 2024.” Late last year, legislative Republicans sued Governor Katie Hobbs over this issue.
In Johnson v. City of Grants Pass – a case involving a challenge to a local government’s policy against a homeless encampment – “the U.S. Supreme Court accepted review of the case and set oral argument for April 22, 2024.” Legislative Republicans wrote an amicus brief to the nation’s high court in support of the City of Grants Pass’ position.
In a challenge over the constitutionality of Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act, “the Ninth Circuit [had] set oral argument in [the] appeal of the trial court’s preliminary injunction ruling for March 14, 2024.” Legislative Republicans had intervened in the case to help defend the law that was passed to protect the integrity of women’s sports.
In Murthy v. Missouri, “oral argument [was] scheduled at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 18, 2024.” The Legislature had joined with over a dozen states on an amicus brief in support of Missouri’s fight against the federal government over online censorship.
Not only have Arizona Republican legislators been active in intervening on cases that impact laws or interests of their state, but they have increasingly shown an appetite for joining briefs and letters that have been led by Republican state attorneys general around the country. While not unprecedented, those actions have been extremely rare in the past – until recently, when the Arizona Legislature, led by Petersen and Toma, have signed onto multiple actions in federal court. More of these efforts are expected as the year continues.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Apr 2, 2024 | News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
A Phoenix police officer was shot several times on March 29 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Police detectives are investigating the shooting of the officer, a husband and father who has been with the department for seven years.
Maricopa County Attorney General Rachel Mitchell said she is praying for the officer.
“Praying for the swift and complete healing of the officer,” she said on X.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego did not comment on the shooting.
Multiple suspects attempted an armed robbery of a vehicle in a parking lot when a Phoenix Police Department officer, working in an off-duty capacity at a nearby business, was notified.
After the officer approached the area, at least one of the suspects, armed with a handgun, began to fire in the direction of the officer.
The officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He did not fire his firearm during this incident. The suspects left the area before additional officers arrived.
The officer remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigators are continuing to search the area where the incident occurred for surveillance videos from nearby businesses. Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident are urged to reach out to police.
Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan has a message for the suspects.
“I’m going to encourage the folks who were involved in this incident to turn themselves in,” Sullivan said at a news briefing Saturday morning. “We will not rest, we will not stop until we hold them to account for their crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
