No Arizona Schools Tested Their Emergency Plans Or Met State Minimum Standards

No Arizona Schools Tested Their Emergency Plans Or Met State Minimum Standards

By Staff Reporter |

None of Arizona’s schools have fully implemented and tested their emergency plans, nor did they fully meet the state’s minimum standards.

The Arizona Auditor General published a new report on Monday finding that no schools throughout the state met Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Minimum Standards. Those standards were developed jointly by the Arizona Departments of Education (ADE) and Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). The auditor general determined that some of the standards were “too vague, may be impractical, or lack a clear purpose,” therefore hindering adequate adherence. 

In its report, the auditor general found that most schools had fewer than half of EOP Minimum Standards, and some charter schools didn’t have any EOPs. 

“Most schools we visited had not provided emergency procedures training to all staff, including substitute teachers; had not conducted all required safety drills; and had not posted certain safety reference materials, which could affect their preparedness to respond to emergencies,” read the auditor general’s report summary. 

The auditor general determined that all schools needed increased outreach, guidance, and training on emergency planning. 

Schools don’t have the entire burden of change on them, however. The auditor general also determined that ADE and DEMA had greater responsibilities ahead of them to ensure improved EOP Minimum Standards compliance: ensuring charters know their responsibilities to develop EOPs, analyzing staffing and resources needed to initiate compliance monitoring processes, communicating the monitoring plan and authority resource needs to the governor and legislature, evaluating what additional guidance is needed for school compliance and providing necessary assistance, and completing a comprehensive standards review with stakeholder involvement and working with stakeholders to clarify emergency response agencies’ roles in EOP development.

While ADE agreed to the changes recommended by the auditor general, DEMA did not

In its response, DEMA said it didn’t have the opportunity to review the entire unredacted auditor general’s report, nor did it have an opportunity to review any of the EOPs the auditor general reviewed to reach its conclusion. The auditor general issued a response clarifying that the confidential draft report provided to DEMA only redacted those references concerning other entities unrelated to DEMA and its responsibilities, and that three other entities were given similarly-redacted reports. 

DEMA further asserted that state law didn’t authorize its agency to develop EOPs for every district or charter; rather, DEMA said that the State Board of Education and ADE bore statutory responsibility for supervising and regulating public school conduct. 

“Industry practice is to develop generalized planning standards which set a minimum threshold that allow each school district the flexibility to tailor their EOP to their unique circumstances or particular needs,” said DEMA. “As the primary agency responsible for enforcing standards with school districts, DEMA contends that it is ADE’s responsibility to inform districts of statutory requirements to adopt EOPs meeting the minimum standards. DEMA understands that ADE has full-time school safety and preparedness planners that can support this purpose and has an opportunity to communicate any additional resource needs to further effect this recommendation through their Audit response process.”

The auditor general’s response also addressed these refusals from DEMA, noting that it hadn’t required DEMA to develop school EOPs but rather evaluate whether additional outreach, guidance, and training would help schools better plan for safety emergencies. 

The Arizona State Board for Charter Schools also refused some of the auditor general’s recommendations. The charter board said that it agreed with the auditor general and the state on the importance of EOPs, but that it lacks the “resources or subject matter expertise” for monitoring and enforcing compliance with minimum EOP standards. 

“The Charter Board believes it is appropriate for a state-centralized review process to be established to monitor whether EOPs meet the required minimum standards. This process would ensure that both charter and district schools are held to the same standards of review and oversight,” said the board. “Furthermore, it would assign the responsibility of evaluating whether EOPs substantively meet the Minimum Standards to the appropriate agency—one with the necessary resources and expertise to effectively monitor compliance.”

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.

Arizona’s Next Spaceport Could Be In Yuma

Arizona’s Next Spaceport Could Be In Yuma

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizonans, treated with the spectacle of satellite launches from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara just over 500 miles away, may soon be able to enjoy the view from launches much closer to home in Yuma.

The Arizona city is reportedly working to bring another spaceport to Arizona, buoyed by interest from commercial launch companies seeking a new launch site, according to interim City Administrator Jay Simonton.

As reported by AZ Family, Simonton said “These smaller companies are needing to test their equipment. The market is dominated by the big guys so in Cape Canaveral, (Florida), and California, they can’t get time or space to launch.” He told the outlet that the spaceport would be geared toward providing services to these smaller firms who are effectively squeezed out from larger facilities on the coastlines of Florida, California and Texas.

“We’re talking about very small rockets to launch small commercial satellites for research,” he added.

“Yuma is an ideal location. We are really close to the Sea of Cortez and then we have the Pacific Ocean. It’s a perfect location to launch solar polar orbits. If this comes into fruition, all the launches would launch over the Sea of Cortez and over the Pacific Ocean,” said Simonton.

Yuma is also home to a robust aeronautical infrastructure and controlled airspace as the site of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, and the adjacent Barry M. Goldwater Range, managed jointly by the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Army.

The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp, received a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a land feasibility study to prove Yuma County’s ability to house a spaceport in early 2020.

According to the outlet Yuma estimates that the new spaceport, attracting firms from one of the fast growing industries in the world, would create more than 2,000 jobs and drive approximately $2 billion in growth.

“You bring in those high-tech operations, that brings in high-tech jobs and higher paying jobs,” Simonton said.

As it stands: Yuma is working to obtain an operating license from the Federal Aviation Administration and is seeking outside investors and grants to launch the spaceport’s development. The city was also selected as a finalist for a National Science Foundation Engines Program alongside 71 other teams including the Arizona cities Nogales, Sierra Vista, San Luis, and Somerton. As leader of the Southwest Regional Aerospace Innovation Alliance it could receive up to $160 million over 10 years toward building the spaceport.

Simonton also noted there is support from the project on the state level and cited support from Democrat Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly. “We’ve had discussions with our senator, Sen. (Mark) Kelly. He’s a former astronaut. He is very interested in this project and very supportive of that. He would love something like this to come to Arizona,” he told AZ Family.

In a post to X, Interorbital Systems announced that the firm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yuma “to conduct NEPTUNE orbital rocket launches from the new Arizona spaceport.”

Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls told KYMA that the development is a major step for a potential new industry in Yuma. “It changes the way one the world perceives us, but two the industries that to want to locate here, so those that are building rockets and those that are building that industry are going to want to be close to where the launches happen.”

Nicholls also stressed that the city would need to work closely with Mexico to make launches work saying, “We’ve got to communicate with them, let them know what we’re doing, make sure they’re comfortable with that because as I showed the council those rockets will be heading south over Mexico, over the Gulf of California and over the Pacific Ocean.”

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.

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority Directs Bond Funds Toward New Home Lending Option

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority Directs Bond Funds Toward New Home Lending Option

By Matthew Holloway |

A major infusion of public bond-funded dollars into Arizona’s first “nonprofit Green Bank,” the Sustainable Home Improvement Loans of Arizona (SHILA), was announced last week by the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA). The MCIDA was appointed by and answerable to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The $500,000 investment will reportedly be “focused on providing affordable financing solutions for low- and moderate-income homeowners.”

In a press release, Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman said of the decision, “Maricopa County is committed to fostering economic growth and supporting sustainable communities for all residents. By investing in SHILA, we are helping low- and moderate-income homeowners access affordable financing options for energy-efficient improvements that will lower their utility bills, renovate their homes, and improve their overall quality of life.

This partnership not only strengthens our local economy but also contributes to a more resilient and sustainable future for Maricopa County. We are excited to support SHILA’s work and the positive impact it will have in our community.”

SHILA, equipped with the infusion of funds from the MCIDA, will reportedly assist 425 Maricopa County residents with $5 million worth of energy efficiency projects within the next three years. These projects include homeowners upgrading their insulation, roofing, door, window, electrical, and HVAC upgrades to increase energy efficiency with the average project costing $12,000.

Ty Lorts, CEO of SHILA explained, “We are honored to receive this foundational investment from the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority. With their support, we can start making home improvement financing accessible for families who need it most. This funding will allow SHILA to begin transforming homes across Maricopa County, helping residents access a healthier living environment, lower utility bills, and have a greater quality of life.”

The MCIDA, founded in 1973 was created with the mandate to help “create and maintain jobs within Maricopa County and assists residents of the County to achieve a better standard of living and way of life.” But with a catch: it is to accomplish this with no government money involved. To that end, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ appointed Board of Directors issues revenue bonds which are exempted from Arizona State taxes and, if compliant with IRS code, can also be exempt from federal taxes. Through these bonds, the MCIDA’s projects are funded.

Since its founding, the MCIDA has issued over $12 billion in bonds and invested millions into expanding access to affordable housing.

Speaking with KJZZ, Lorts explained that the nonprofit licensed just six weeks ago is working to help support affordable housing with a different strategy as opposed to predatory lenders or banks with high HELOC and credit card interest rates. “As money gets paid back in, we’re able to grow the business to a point where we don’t need any more outside money; where we are serving the outside community not just over the next five years but over the next five generations,” Lorts said.

“We’re trying to keep people in their homes, so they don’t have to seek alternative housing; so they don’t lose the house they’ve been in for the last 30, 40 years,” he added.

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.

Sheriff Lamb To Join Federation For American Immigration Reform

Sheriff Lamb To Join Federation For American Immigration Reform

By Daniel Stefanski |

A prominent Arizona law enforcement official has joined a national immigration organization as an advisor.

Late last month, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) revealed that Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb would be joining its ranks as a Law Enforcement Advisor.

According to FAIR, Lamb “will spearhead FAIR’s law enforcement outreach efforts, engaging officers and agencies across the nation on immigration issues. He will help expand FAIR’s partnerships with local law enforcement and provide insight into the critical role these agencies play in addressing the challenges posed by illegal immigration. Sheriff Lamb will also serve as a media spokesperson and participate in FAIR’s podcasts to discuss current immigration issues.”

In a statement about his new role on a recent podcast episode, Lamb said, “I’m excited. I want to stay involved with the border stuff, want to stay involved in law enforcement, and what better opportunity to do it than right through FAIR?” 

“We are thrilled to have Sheriff Lamb bring his hands-on experience and deep understanding of the border crisis to FAIR,” said Julie Kirchner, executive director of FAIR. “His firsthand knowledge of the dangers and complexities local communities face due to mass illegal immigration makes him a valuable asset. Sheriff Lamb will play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to work with law enforcement agencies to develop practical solutions to illegal immigration.”

Lamb quickly shot to national prominence through his position as the Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, which has been a hotspot for illegal immigrant and cartel activity. Pinal County is positioned between the southern border with Mexico and Maricopa County, making it a significant thoroughfare for illegal activity. Sheriff Lamb has highlighted the issues his county and state have been facing due to the increasing dangers of illegal immigration, including by hosting groups of elected officials from all around the country, who tour locations that are frequented by drug smugglers looking to take their loads from the border away into the heartland of the country.

The law enforcement professional will be taking a break from public service after his term is complete at the end of this year. Lamb served eight years as county sheriff and had oversight of more than 600 employees. In a recent interview with a local publication, Lamb reflected on his time in office, saying, “We’re very proud of all those accomplishments. I think when people look at me they say, ‘well here’s this conservative sheriff,’ but they don’t realize that I’m actually working hard for reentry, helping people in jail, helping people in the community — even the border stuff, when we contact these people, we give them the most care, we treat them with respect. We understand their plight, coming to this country. They did it illegally, but we understand it.”

He added, “We have learned to really inject humanity into this profession, but I’m also not a pushover and I’m not going to let you push bad social ideas and agendas on me either. We’re going to stand true to what we believe in and we’re gonna do it while we protect everybody and their rights and we treat everybody really well.”

Republican Ross Teeple will replace Lamb as Pinal County Sheriff after winning the General Election with almost 64% of the vote. Teeple previously served as one of Lamb’s Lieutenant Sheriffs and earned the endorsement of his boss. He has served the people of Arizona and America for more than thirty years, starting in the United States Navy.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Sen. Kavanagh Celebrates Positive Effects Of His ‘Flagpole’ Bill

Sen. Kavanagh Celebrates Positive Effects Of His ‘Flagpole’ Bill

By Daniel Stefanski |

An Arizona lawmaker is championing the positive effects of one of his bills that went into effect this year.

Last week, state Senator John Kavanagh issued a statement about one of his bills from the most-recent legislative session, which had been signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs. This piece of legislation was SB 1016, which “allows a planned community association to adopt rules that limit a member’s number of wall mounted flagpole holders,” according to the overview provided by the Legislature. The bill “permits an Association to limit a member to two wall mounted flagpole holders.”

Kavanagh, a Republican shared an email from someone who had benefited from this law. That communication, in part, stated, “I finally now am able to honor both my country and my late husband’s service.” The longtime Arizona legislator explained, “That is a line from an email I received this month that reminded me even some of the ‘small’ bills I sponsor can have a significant impact on Arizonans. The picture on the right was taken on November 10, the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. My constituent, Joyce, was able to fly both patriotic flags outside her house after being denied by her HOA for the past six years, thanks to a bill I sponsored this year.”

Senator Kavanagh added, “State law previously stated that an HOA cannot prohibit the outdoor display of various types of patriotic flags, including the American flag, an official or replica of a flag of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, a first responders’ flag, and many others. However, I expanded on the law to allow for two of those flags to be flown at the same time. Every Arizonan should be able to freely show their support for our country, its military, and first responders without an HOA trying to stand in their way.”

SB 1016 passed the Arizona Senate with an overwhelmingly 24-4 vote in March (with two members not voting). It then surged out of the state House of Representatives the next month with a 42-13 tally (with four members not voting and one seat vacant). Governor Hobbs then signed the bill later that month.

In the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from the Arizona Homeowners Coalition signed in to support the bill.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Congresswoman Lesko: EPA’s Maricopa County Decision Is A Threat To National Security

Congresswoman Lesko: EPA’s Maricopa County Decision Is A Threat To National Security

By Staff Reporter |

A recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning Maricopa County may have been politically motivated and may pose a national security risk. 

The EPA decided earlier this week to reclassify Maricopa County to “serious” nonattainment status for its ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Congresswoman Debbie Lesko claimed that the EPA’s reclassification poses a national security risk in a Wednesday press release. The congresswoman argued that finalization of the reclassification ahead of a second Trump administration would jeopardize Arizona’s newly established semiconductor manufacturing.

“If the EPA continues its expedited schedule in a rush to make their reclassification effective before the Trump Administration takes office, it will negatively impact Arizona and national security,” said Lesko. “The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) was just awarded $6.6 Billion in CHIPS Act funding. This action by the EPA could jeopardize that funding and makes absolutely no sense.”

Lesko speculated in letters of appeal to the EPA and Commerce Department that the EPA was acting in a rushed response to undermine president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. 

“The reason for this [EPA] change is not clear to me, but I am concerned that this action was taken based upon the political reality of the upcoming administration change,” said Lesko. 

Lesko further argued the EPA was “premature” in its reclassification. Lesko referenced an understanding via communications with the EPA that the agency wouldn’t issue its decision until next May. 

Not only has the EPA acted prematurely, Lesko argued, but their expedited timeline works outside of the legal requirement to have a 180-day window for redesignation from Aug. 3, 2024, which would land on Jan. 30, 2025. The presidential inauguration takes place on Jan. 20, 2025. Lesko asked the EPA to honor its original May timeline. 

EPA Region 9 advised Maricopa County Air Quality that they would issue a Federal Register Notice containing an “expedited redesignation” within the coming weeks.

The redesignation would lower Maricopa County’s emissions threshold from 100 tons to 50 tons for major sources of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Lesko said these adjustments would jeopardize TSMC operations.

“TMSC’s new plant requires an air quality permit to proceed. The current major source threshold of 100 tons would allow TSMC to proceed without needing to acquire emission reduction credits (ERCs),” said Lesko. “However, a redesignation to serious nonattainment would impose the 50-ton threshold, which is currently unfeasible due to the shortage of available ERCs, thus potentially delaying or halting this key project.” 

Lesko cited further concerns that the expedited redesignation would harm the Maricopa County and Arizona economies by dissuading industry growth and recruitment for technology and advanced manufacturing. 

Maricopa County Air Quality issued a release earlier this year warning that the EPA would reclassify their ozone nonattainment from “moderate” to “serious” nonattainment prior to Feb. 3, 2025. 

The EPA included Maricopa County in its final rule, finding it in October as an area that failed to submit a plan addressing EPA ozone requirements for moderate nonattainment areas. The EPA reclassified Maricopa County from marginal to moderate in 2022, and gave the county until last January to submit its plan.

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.