The town council of Fountain Hills tabled a proposal for a policy prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) discrimination during its meeting on Tuesday.
The council overwhelmingly voted to table the proposal, 6-1, with Councilman Allen Skillicorn, the introducer of the policy item, being the sole vote for it. Vice Mayor Brenda Kalivianakis led a motion to suspend the proposal awaiting further guidance from the state legislature, who has similar legislation in the works currently.
Kalivianakis’ motion occurred after Hannah Toth expressed confusion over town members’ opposition to the policy, because it accomplished the main objective of DEI: preventing discrimination based on race, color, and ethnicity. Toth suggested tabling the policy to allow the state legislature to act on a similar bill.
Skillicorn warned that the state legislature was deadlocked due to Governor Katie Hobbs vetoing nearly all legislation containing Republican or conservative substance.
The policy would prohibit the town from hiring or contracting a DEI officer, as well as prohibit preferential treatment or discrimination against an individual on the basis of race or ethnicity as a condition of hiring, promoting, or contracting.
Further, the policy would prevent DEI teachings on affirming concepts like unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship, transgender ideology, microaggressions, group marginalization, antiracism, systemic oppression, social justice, intersectionality, neopronouns, heteronormativity, disparate impact, gender theory, and racial or sexual privilege.
In the agenda item for the policy, town staff clarified that the town had no plans to create an office of DEI administration, and that the town adheres to all state and federal nondiscrimination laws for hiring, promoting, disciplinary measure, and terminations.
The town further noted that it would be required to collect and report race or ethnicity and gender demographics to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since the number of town employees has exceeded 100.
Those who spoke against the policy included town council candidate Clayton Corey. Corey claimed DEI was “the right thing to do morally” that would contribute to the town’s financial and social well-being.
Among those who spoke in favor of the policy was Goldwater Institute’s Austin VanDerHeyden, who cautioned against DEI policies by citing the controversial Digital Government team within the town of Gilbert. The Goldwater Institute assisted in drafting the policy.
In a press release, Skillicorn condemned the tabling as opposition to DEI discrimination. Skillicorn described his fellow council members and those supportive of DEI discrimination as “cultural marxists.”
“Last night the cultural marxists won. We had the opportunity to prevent DEI discrimination,” said Skillicorn. “We had the opportunity to protect the taxpayers from woke bureaucrats. We let down the people of Arizona and Fountain Hills.”
Kalivianakis is a longtime Republican — a member of the Fountain Hills Republican Club and former Republican National Committee legal team member — and has generally been supportive of right-leaning policies on issues like free speech and support for Israel. Kalivianakis voted in favor of banning future mask and vaccine mandates last year.
So glad Tucker Carlson is back on Twitter. Infact, I'm very happy I'm on Twitter, I just set up an account with free speech on the horizon.
Emotions are high at the Arizona Legislature over the state’s near ban on abortions.
After the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the longtime statute governing (and outlawing) most abortions was, in fact, the effective law of the state, legislators sought to enact changes to that policy. Last week, a coalition of State House Democrats and Republican Representative Matthew Gress sought immediate floor consideration of HB 2677, which would repeal the controversial law in question – Section 13-3603. That bill had been sponsored by Democrat Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, who had attempted previously in the session to force a vote on this proposal.
Before the vote on the repeal, the House successfully recessed and then adjourned, ensuring that the near prohibition on abortions in Arizona remained intact for at least another week.
Democrats were furious at the events transpiring on the floor, turning their outrage on Gress, who they accused of supporting the call for recess. In unison, they shouted “Shame,” pointing in the freshman lawmaker’s and other Republicans’ direction as he turned to gaggle with members of the press.
Representative Gress claimed that “Arizonans want us to find common ground on the important issue of abortion. We must repeal the Territorial Ban and return to the more reasonable 15-week policy that protects women and new life.”
Arizonans want us to find common ground on the important issue of abortion.
We must repeal the Territorial Ban and return to the more reasonable 15-week policy that protects women and new life.
Gress not only attracted political anger from the left, but from his colleagues on the right. Fellow freshman legislator Alexander Kolodin unleashed his perception of the day’s happenings, writing, “Rep. Gress did not facilitate today’s Democrat takeover of the Arizona House, he led it. In breaking the rules he voted for, he put his Republican comrades in swing districts in the line of fire for the sake of his own political ambitions, betrayed the pro-life movement, and denied the body the opportunity for the deliberation and discussion due this sensitive topic.”
Rep. Gress did not facilitate today's Democrat takeover of the Arizona House, he led it. In breaking the rules he voted for, he put his Republican comrades in swing districts in the line of fire for the sake of his own political ambitions, betrayed the pro-life movement, and… https://t.co/0pLCNmKW4r
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) April 10, 2024
House Speaker Ben Toma was not happy with the scene that unfolded on his floor, releasing a statement against the actions of the Democrats. He said, “One thing is clear: Democrats are so eager to enshrine in our state constitution a right to kill unborn children up until birth with virtually no restrictions. Under the Democrats’ view, partial birth abortions would be allowed, and minors could get abortions on demand without parental consent or a court order. That’s not healthcare or reproductive care. The Democrats’ approach to this issue is unconscionable, it’s extreme, and Arizonans do not agree with such an unrestricted right to abortion that would jeopardize women’s health and safety.”
He added, “The issue of abortion and protecting the lives of the unborn is a very emotionally charged, complicated issue, one which many Arizonans and legislators fundamentally and ethically have firm beliefs. The Court’s 47-page ruling was released just yesterday, and we as an elected body are going to take the time needed to listen to our constituents and carefully consider appropriate actions, rather than rush legislation on a topic of this magnitude without a larger discussion. These are difficult conversations we all need to have, and we absolutely cannot have them when Democrat legislators act as uncivilly, and engage in appallingly childish behavior, as we saw on the House floor today. That’s not how we debate important issues down here and I find it completely unacceptable and disappointing. We who are elected to serve in the Arizona House of Representatives are expected to conduct ourselves with decorum and integrity. That’s not negotiable and something I will always uphold as Speaker of the House.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE🚨 Statement from Arizona House Speaker @RepBenToma:
“One thing is clear: Democrats are so eager to enshrine in our state constitution a right to kill unborn children up until birth with virtually no restrictions. Under the Democrats’ view, partial birth… pic.twitter.com/SYpKcfDyEx
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 10, 2024
Legislators will try again to repeal the near ban on abortions when they return on Wednesday. If they are successful, it would mark the first time in the state’s history that the Arizona Legislature “affirmatively created a right to, or independently authorized, elective abortion” – as pointed out by the State Supreme Court in its opinion last week. Should 13-3603 be repealed, the 15-week ban, which was signed into statute in 2022, would likely become the prevailing law of the state, allowing for abortions to occur up to that point in time.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A bill to strengthen Arizona homeowners’ property protections may be close to the Governor’s Office.
The Arizona Legislature is wrapping up consideration of SB 1129, which would “allow a property owner or the property owner’s authorized agent to request, from law enforcement, the immediate removal of a person who is unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling and outlines conditions that determine if a person is unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling; [and] deem that a person who fails or refuses to surrender possession of the property as directed by a law enforcement office is committing trespass” – according to the purpose from the Arizona Senate.
In a statement to support the legislation, Senator Wendy Rogers, the bill sponsor, said, “The issue of squatters taking over people’s homes is growing exponentially across the nation, including here in Arizona. People are scheming to take over homeowner’s properties, posing a threat to their safety and property rights. Arizonans are particularly vulnerable because of the number of snowbirds that leave their homes unoccupied for months at a time. Although we have trespassing laws, it’s often difficult to prove a person is unlawfully occupying a home and can result in a lengthy legal battle.”
Rogers added, “I introduced SB 1129 to combat this issue by allowing a homeowner to request law enforcement immediately remove that person from the property. It’s important to note, the bill was written to address strangers occupying a home, not someone who has lived in the home with the owner or with permission of the owner. Therefore, it protects against situations involving domestic violence. We must put an end to this criminal activity. This bill will soon make its way to the Governor’s desk, and I urge her to sign it.”
The bill first passed the Arizona Senate in February with a bipartisan 18-8 vote (with four members not voting). It was amended in the State House and passed with another bipartisan result, 39-19 (with two members not voting). SB 1129 was transmitted back to the State Senate for concurrence, where it remains for the present time.
Senators Farnsworth, Kavanagh, Kern, Shope, and Wadsack, and Representative Gillette joined Rogers as cosponsors of the legislation.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from the Manufactured Housing Communities of Arizona signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Arizona National Organization for Women, State Conference NAACP, and WM E Morris Institute for Justice indicated their opposition to the proposal.
Last week, legislators held a press conference outside of the Arizona Capitol to mark the progress of the bill and urge its enactment into state law.
Squatters taking over homes in Arizona and across the country is a growing issue.
It's a threat to Arizona citizen's safety and property rights. Republican lawmakers are working to put an end to it. ⬇️
A new poll in the 2024 presidential election shows Donald J. Trump beating Joseph R. Biden by six points in the all-important battleground state of Arizona.
The poll was conducted by Echelon Insights, which surveyed registered voters in Arizona between March 12-19.
According to The Hill, which collected 35 presidential match-up polls out of the Grand Canyon State, Trump holds a 4.4% average lead over the Democrat incumbent. Of those polls, Trump has enjoyed leads since one released in November 2023 by Stand for Children, where the two were tied at 42 percent. Also considering these polls, the last time Biden experienced a lead in Arizona was in June 2023, where a poll from Public Opinion Strategies showed him with a two percent advantage over Trump.
Arizona’s eleven electoral votes will be critical for the eventual pathway to the White House by either candidate. In 2016, Trump won Arizona by 3.5% over Hillary Clinton. In 2020, Biden won Arizona by a razor-thin margin of 0.3%.
Both political parties are especially motivated in a presidential year within the state, but even more so when they look at everything else at stake for the future. There’s an open U.S. Senate seat, control of the Arizona Legislature, and a plethora of ballot initiatives for voters to work through in the November General Election.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A bill to increase governance on cell phones in public schools was vetoed by Arizona’s Democrat governor.
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2793, which would have “require[d] each school district governing board and charter school governing body to prescribe and enforce policies and procedures that govern student access to the internet and limit student use of wireless communications devices during the school day.”
Governor Hobbs Vetoes Rep. Beverly Pingerelli’s #HB2793 to Keep Cellphones Out of the Classroom
“There is a growing body of research that clearly links the use of wireless devices like cell phones to increased negative social harms among our youth,” said Education Committee… pic.twitter.com/8IyLmfDCn3
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 12, 2024
In a statement to House Speaker Ben Toma, Hobbs said, “This legislation establishes an unnecessary mandate for an issue schools are already addressing.”
The sponsor of the proposal, State House Education Committee Chairwoman Beverly Pingerelli, expressed her disappointment over the governor’s action, saying, “There is a growing body of research that clearly links the use of wireless devices like cell phones to increased negative social harms among our youth. Arizona middle and high schools today are flooded with students glued to screens. It’s an epidemic that is impacting everything from teen depression and anxiety, increased childhood obesity, and decreased academic achievement.”
Pingerelli added, “As a former school board member, I believe in local solutions. This is why my legislation called on school boards to develop policies and procedures to limit the use of devices for students. It called for sensible solutions and reasonable exceptions. The goal is to have personal devices ‘away for the day’ so students can engage and learn. Today, schools feel powerless to enforce even mild restrictions. The results are evident on campuses everywhere.”
The bill first passed the State House in February with a 31-28 vote (with one seat vacant). After being transmitted to the State Senate, it passed earlier this month with a 16-13 vote (with one member not voting).
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents, Arizona School Administrators Association, and Arizona School Boards Association endorsed the legislation.
Chairwoman Pingerelli’s press release noted that legislative Democrats opposed her legislation “despite no formal opposition and not one person testifying against the bill.”
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne also weighed in on the news. He said, “Anyone with a minimum of empathy would empathize with teachers who try to teach while students are scrolling on their cell phones. Every instructional method is precious. A teacher should not have to put up with that interference with instruction.”
Horne added, “Cell phones have also become the major way in which students are bullied. It is enough that they get bullied on their cell phones when they’re away from school. It should not be happening while they are in school trying to learn, so that the bullying occurs 24 hours a day. To permit that bullying to go on 24 hours a day shows a lack of empathy for the students.”
The Republican schools’ chief shared the results of a recent poll in the state showing that 62.75% of respondent parents supported the increased regulations on their children’s cell phones in schools.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) parents and community members urged greater action from their district during last week’s board meeting after the arrest of a prominent basketball coach for child sex abuse.
The coach, 37-year-old Patrick Battillo, known by his superfan alias, “Mr. ORNG,” was arrested last week for soliciting minors for sexual content. The school where Battillo coached, Peoria High School, had run a background check on him prior to his coming on board.
Parental concerns have been on the rise due to the constant news of other educators arrested for child sex abuse outside the district over the past year, as well as the steady stream of Arizona State Board of Education cases involving sexual misconduct.
Last month, 53-year-old Estevan Carreon with Glendale Union High School District’s Independence High School, was arrested after secretly recording students while they undressed. Over the course of seven months, three female educators in various Buckeye schools were arrested for inappropriate contact with minors: 23-year-old Alyssa Todd, 42-year-old Jessica Kramer, and 24-year-old Diana Pirvu.
In January, 35-year-old Daniel Pineda with Dream City Christian School in Glendale was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a student.
Last week’s extensive community participation with PUSD was due in part to a call to action by SMART Schools, a subsidiary of the conservative activist group Arizona Women of Action. In a press release, the organization urged involvement to increase student safety.
Tamra Farah, SMART Families Network Director, urged the board to find ways to heighten collective vigilance to safeguard the students. Farah reminded the board that another educator, Erin Quigley, had agreed to the suspension of his teaching certification amid allegations of grooming and possibly sexually abusing students.
Rachel Barnett — Littleton Elementary School District board member, Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) Black Alliance Officer, secretary of the NAACP, and former PUSD employee and mother — said that she wasn’t at all surprised by child sex abuse cases coming out of PUSD due to its standard for handling reporting of such cases.
Barnett said that a female senior student at Peoria High School urged her to speak at last week’s meeting. She said that PUSD had a “startling history of covering up abuse,” citing a practice of barring teachers who contact the Department of Child Services (DCS) and law enforcement from testifying in court, let alone admitting they were the ones who reported the abuse to DCS.
“It troubles me to say that I am not at all surprised to hear what’s presently unfolding in this district,” said Barnett.
Barnett further alleged that administrators weren’t notifying parents of the sexual abuse cases. PUSD Board President Becky Proudfit directed several members of the board to follow up with Barnett.
Dr. Tara Armstead, former member of the Arizona Department of Education’s African American Advisory Council and former Litchfield Elementary School District board member, said that background checks weren’t enough to catch predators. Armstead encouraged the board to listen more to the students.
Seak Smith — founder and president of The Mom Army, a child advocacy organization — urged the district to recognize the child sex abuse incidents as part of a greater pandemic.
“We need to understand that predators and pedophiles go where they can have access to children, and we have to do better to safeguard children and protect them from predators,” said Smith.
Mark Del Maestro, a Vietnam War veteran, said that pedophiles like those arrested recently were “Satan’s marionettes.” Del Maestro compared the rising rates of child sex abuse to the rampant molestation in war-torn Vietnam.
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