by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 27, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
One of Arizona’s statewide Republicans is making a critical appointment to a commission.
Last week, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced that she had made her inaugural appointment to the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Yee’s selection was Linda Gray, a former state senator. This selection would replace Commissioner Amy Chan.
In a statement that accompanied her press release, Yee said, “I am proud to appoint the Honorable Linda Gray to the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Former Senator Gray knows the Clean Elections laws well and will serve with integrity to promote public confidence in the Arizona political process.”
The Republican treasurer added, “Today, I informed Governor Hobbs that with my appointments, and her two Democrat appointments, we can ensure there is a collaborative effort to support the non-partisan mission of the Clean Elections Commission. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, it is imperative that this Commission is fully and lawfully appointed.”
Earlier that day, Yee sent a letter to Hobbs, detailing her proposition to appoint three out of the five members – two Republicans and one Independent – to serve on the Commission. Yee justified her plans from A.R.S. § 16-955(D), which, as the Treasurer wrote in her communication, “requires the political parties to alternate in making these appointment selections.” Treasurer Yee asserted that since Hobbs had “made the most recent appointment in 2017 during (her) tenure as the Senate Minority Leader,” (she is) now entitled to appoint three out of the next five selections as the highest-ranking Republican elected official in Arizona.”
Treasurer Yee alerted the governor that “the highest-ranking Democrat elected official” would “have three selections in the next five-year cycle that begins in 2029.”
According to the Citizens Clean Elections Act, each member of the Commission is limited to one five-year term. Yee highlighted that this term for the current commissioners has expired, “leaving all five appointed positions de facto vacant.”
Yee also proposed that both she and Hobbs “independently appoint all of our respective selections before the February 1, 2024, deadline rather than going back and forth.”
The governor does not appear to have made any comments about the process of appointing members to the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, nor about Yee’s proposals. Yee offered to facilitate a meeting between the two if Hobbs wished “to discuss this matter further.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 27, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s top business organization is speaking out against a closure of two significant border crossings in Texas.
Last week week, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a statement on “X” after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced its suspension of rail operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, due to the massive influx of illegal immigration all along the southern border. In the press release sharing the news, CBP stated that it was “taking additional actions to surge personnel and address (the) concerning development (of) a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains.”
The Chamber’s “X” account said, “Rail crossing closures in Texas affect commerce border-wide, including here in AZ. We’re in a busy shipping/shopping season. We’ve already seen how Lukeville’s closure has affected cross-border commerce. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security should protect our supply chains and reverse these closures.”
In an opinion piece published in the Chamber Business News, AZ Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden, along with the President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, Glen Hamer, warned of the negative business and economic consequences of the increasing number of closures at the border, calling these actions “unacceptable.” The two men wrote that these closures “damage cross-border trade….cause shipping delays and cost increases, which get passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices on store shelves….make travel more difficult for folks who want to visit friends and family or simply run errands, and … cut off small businesses from their customers.”
Seiden and Hamer gave four recommendations at the end of their piece, including one for the government to prioritize “processing of legitimate trade and travel over migrants with dubious amnesty claims.”
Over the past few months, the border crisis has deteriorated considerably, forcing the Biden Administration to take rather unprecedented measures in a frenzied attempt to mitigate public perception of the massive influx of illegal immigrants into the country. One of those actions was the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry, which is the main thoroughfare to the popular tourist destination of Rocky Point, forcing families or commerce operators to detour hours to the east or west. A local business owner recently told an Arizona outlet that, in the aftermath of the closure, Rocky Point “was like a little ghost town,” noting that “local business, restaurants, hotels, rentals, everything has declined.”
With no end in sight to the historic wave of illegal immigration, and no word on whether the Lukeville, Eagle Pass, and El Paso border operations will be reopened for business, many are wondering when and where the next major economic disruption will take place as the government searches for answers to solve this crisis.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 26, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The U.S. government obtained a guilty plea in its prosecution over a case of fentanyl possession across the southern border.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced that Nathan Hernandez, a 20-year-old from Yuma, had “pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.” The Office revealed that Hernandez would be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi, who was appointed by President Donald J. Trump, on March 25, 2024. This conviction, per the government’s information, “carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.”
According to the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “Hernandez admitted that on November 3, 2023, he entered the United States through the San Luis Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona, with 115.04 pounds of fentanyl pills hidden in a non-factory compartment of his 2020 Dodge Ram.” The young man also confessed that “he possessed the fentanyl with the intent to deliver it to another person.”
Data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission in 2021 showed that 86.3 percent of fentanyl drug trafficking convictions were U.S. citizens, while 8.9 percent of convictions were illegal immigrants and 4.3% for legal non-citizens. The vast majority of fentanyl seizures occur at ports of entry or vehicle check points – 91 percent. However, with the overwhelming number of ‘gotaways’ and the strategic abilities of cartels and smugglers to evade detection with their loads, the amount of illicit drugs escaping detection wouldn’t likely be known to government officials.
In 2022, The Washington Post published an article about the proliferation of fentanyl from Mexico to the United States, citing estimations from unnamed federal drug agents that “they are seizing 5 to 10 percent of the drugs coming from Mexico – if that much.” The article also stated that “agents say it has been nearly impossible to stop fentanyl trafficking” at the border.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 26, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona sheriffs are standing with the State of Israel and members of the Jewish community in the United States.
Last week, leaders from the Arizona Sheriff’s Association sent an open letter to communicate their support for members of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
The letter, signed by Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes and Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse, stated that they “stand against the recent spate of antisemitic criminal acts,” adding their commitment “to defend the places of worship Jews frequent and investigate any threats against members of the Jewish community.”
In their letter, Rhodes and Clouse wrote that they sit in daily horror due to the “senseless violence of the terrorist organization Hamas on the citizens of Israel – Jews and non-Jews alike.” They asserted that “the war in Israel and Gaza has given rise to crimes targeting Jews across the United States,” and declared that “antisemitic attacks won’t be tolerated here in Arizona.”
The sheriffs also said that “Israel’s right to defend itself isn’t up for debate.” They expressed hope that the world would “see a safer Middle East where Israel and its neighbors live in peace and prosperity” after the conclusion of the ongoing war.
As they closed their letter, the two Arizona officials encouraged “all law enforcement across the country” to “rise to the moment to support Jewish communities targeted by people looking to commit evil acts based on religious hatred.”
Antisemitism has seen an increase in the United States – even before the noticeable crescendo of actions and rhetoric after the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. According to a report from the Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Anti-Defamation League, there was “a sharp rise in the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States and other countries” in 2022. The United States was credited with 3,697 of these incidents, compared to 2,717 in 2021 – over a thirty-five percent increase year-over-year.
However, since the October 7th massacre, the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States has grown exponentially. The Anti-Defamation League “recorded a total of 2,031 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 7, up from 465 incidents during the same period in 2022, representing a 337-percent increase year-over-year.”
Earlier this month, the Prescott City Council unanimously adopted a resolution that, in part, “called upon Prescott law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times.” This action followed an earlier resolution from the Arizona State Legislature’s Republican leaders, who “called on Arizona’s officials in the Executive branch to hold accountable any individuals who engage in any acts of terrorism supporting Hamas,” prohibited by state laws.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 23, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Christmas cheer was shared in Glendale with over 5,000 children and their families last weekend, as part of an annual event to give gifts to those in need.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers and Councilman Ian Hugh helped host the “Toy Joy” event, arranged by the nonprofits Alpha Nation and their partner AZ Goods at the Glendale Civic Center. The event took place over the course of four hours last Sunday.
Weiers expressed gratitude for the two organizations’ efforts in his weekly newsletter.
“The volunteers from Alpha Nation are truly remarkable. The motto of Glendale is ‘improving the lives of the people we serve every day,’” said Weiers. “The members of Alpha Nation and their partner organization, AZ Goods, embodied that principle.”
Goodwill was abundant this year: children were able to choose from tens of thousands of toys.
Among the Christmas toys were hundreds of bikes, board games, dolls, and the ever-popular Baby Yoda toy. In addition to the gifts, children were entertained with festivities like face painting and games.
The event almost didn’t happen this year; it was up to Glendale leadership to help save Christmas. The previous location used for the festivities was unavailable. The city stepped up by securing a promotional spot, engaging in mass advertising, and securing a venue for the event.
In a promotional video, Alpha Nation CEO Veronica Barraza said that their aim is to bring joy to the children of Glendale.
“It feels good to do it; it’s bringing back happy faces to those kids that really need it,” said Barraza.
Also present were Glendale’s fire and police departments. Those first responders assisted in ensuring a healthy and safe event occurred. Additionally, the Arizona Rangers provided oversight of the toy delivery for distribution.
Weiers said that the Christmas festivity was just one manifestation of his duty to improve the lives of his constituents, especially in the present economic time.
“We all know families that are struggling with daily life right now. We know the expectations of children during the holiday season are high, making the stress level on parents and guardians even higher,” said Weiers. “Because I have dedicated my life to improving the lives of the people I serve, it only seemed natural to accept the challenge of making this event happen.”
The mayor encouraged Glendale residents and fellow Arizonans to get involved in the good doings of Alpha Nation and AZ Goods.
“The public private partnership we developed with AZ Goods and their nonprofit partner, Alpha Nation, through this event changed lives and I encourage each and every one of you to learn more about these organizations,” said Weiers. “I cannot thank everyone who was involved in this event enough. Each and every one of you exemplified the reason for the season. Thank you.”
AZ Goods was established in 2020 through a partnership between Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa and the national nonprofit organization Good360. AZ Goods distributes donated goods currently to over 100 nonprofits.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 23, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Although former President Donald Trump will be on Arizona ballots come March, he may not be eligible to run.
In a historic and narrow ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that former President Donald Trump isn’t eligible for office under Section Three of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits insurrectionists, rebels, or sympathizers from running for office.
The court issued a stay on its decision until either Jan. 4 or the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case, whichever comes sooner.
Arizona’s Republican leaders decried the court ruling online, while Democratic leaders largely remained silent.
Arizona House Speaker and congressional candidate Ben Toma (R-LD08) called the ruling an “abomination to the rule of law,” noting that Trump was convicted of no crime.
“This is a gross politicization of the Justice System and the Supreme Court should intervene to reinstate him on the Colorado ballot,” said Toma.
In a series of tweets, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) called the ruling “election interference” and speculated that the ruling had suspicious timing, given the historic low approval rating awarded to President Joe Biden recently. Crane accused the Democratic Party of fearing a Trump-Biden faceoff.
“At the end of the day, the left fears a return of President Trump because it would be a return to peace through strength,” said Crane. “He threatens to end their forever wars abroad, their open borders at home, and their government control over YOU.”
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) called the decision “insane” and “the ultimate attack on democracy.”
“Democrat-appointed Colorado judges rule in favor of group saying they want to protect democracy by throwing @realDonaldTrump off ballot when the act of throwing Trump off ballot is the ultimate attack on democracy!” said Lesko.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) saud the court decision was based on political, not legal reasoning.
“The [Democrats] know they can’t beat Trump, so they remove him and disenfranchise the voters of CO,” said Gosar. “A new low for our country. SCOTUS must end this election interference madness.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
