by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 7, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Many Arizona officials sent tributes for the passing of an inspirational leader of the state and nation.
Last week, former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor died at the age of 93. O’Connor grew up in Arizona and paved a way for women in the highest levels of government as she served in the Arizona Legislature and as a Judge on the Maricopa County Superior Court. Following this already historic rise, former President Ronald Reagan nominated O’Connor to the nation’s high court, where she would become the first female Justice on the bench.
“Sandra Day O’Connor was an impactful conservative and a trailblazer who displayed the epitome of a hardworking public servant, a dedicated mother, and inspired many women to pursue leadership roles within the legislative and judicial branches of government,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “She broke barriers throughout her career, becoming the first woman to serve as Majority Leader for Republicans at the Arizona State Senate and setting the stage for others to follow in her footsteps. The example she set on civil discourse is to be admired. We’re saddened by the loss of this icon, and our hearts go out to O’Connor’s family, but we take comfort in knowing she’ll have lasting positive impacts on our state and nation for generations to come.”
Senate Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “Very saddened to hear the news about fmr. United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor today. Before President Reagan nominated her to became the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, this legendary Arizonan was our state’s first female Senate Majority Leader, in charge of the State Senate’s Republican Caucus for two terms. I was honored to meet her on several occasions but the most recent was about a handful of years ago on the Floor of the AZ House of Representatives. We offer her family our condolences during this time.”
Governor Katie Hobbs communicated her own sentiments, writing, “Throughout her entire career, as an Arizona legislator, judge, and Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor embodied the humility and civility that is at the core of what it means to be a public servant. Justice O’Connor first broke barriers when she was elected the Arizona Senate Majority Leader, becoming the first woman to ever serve in that role in the United States. Her trailblazing career continued when she became the first woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court, where she was the decisive vote in some of the most critical court cases in our nation’s history. Justice O’Connor’s impact continued far beyond the bench, with a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and civil discourse, which is more important than ever. Her legacy will forever be ingrained in the fibers of our state and nation’s history. The hearts of every Arizonan are with her and her family today as we mourn the loss of a true trailblazer.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes stated, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. She set a powerful example of leadership for so many to follow. Even before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice O’Connor’s trailblazing leadership here in Arizona cemented her place in the history of our state. Her humble beginnings on the Lazy B Ranch near Duncan, Arizona was just the start. It was something I always admired about her: how she went from my own beloved rural Arizona, to the marbled halls of the Supreme Court. Justice O’Connor exemplified service leadership throughout her career: Arizona Assistant Attorney General, first woman State Senate majority leader in the country, Maricopa County Superior Court judge, Arizona Court of Appeals judge, and first woman Supreme Court Justice. An icon. My thoughts are with Justice O’Connor’s family and loved ones during this time.”
Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who followed in O’Connor’s footsteps as a state senate majority leader, said, “Sandra Day O’Connor was the 1st female Senate Majority Leader in Arizona in 1973. I became the 2nd female Senate Majority Leader 44 years later. She was a trailblazer, worked across the aisle and believed in civil discourse. She was an inspiration to me and women around the world.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 6, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Democratic and Republican leadership at all levels are calling on the Biden administration to reopen the Lukeville Port of Entry.
The state of the border in Lukeville consists of long lines of people, trash, and human waste. At night, the long lines are dotted with fires for warmth.
Reporters on the ground have noted the predominance of adult males seeking work, not asylum, among the illegal immigrant lineups. Those interviewed claim to have paid thousands for international transportation to the southern border.
The illegal immigrants are effectively being handled on a “catch and release” policy: transported further into the country, with admissions far outpacing deportations and court dates years out.
Arizona House Democrats issued a statement from State Rep. Mariana Sandoval (D-LD23), whose district contains the port of entry. Sandoval expressed alarm at the economic impact of the sudden and undefined closure.
“The federal government has significant resources and capabilities, and it should divert those resources from other regions — and from other states if necessary — to handle this temporary influx before it causes permanent economic damage to our Tribal, border communities and state,” said Sandoval. “This decision was not well thought out and does not take into account how important legal cross-border traffic is to the lives and livelihoods of all Arizonans.”
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers issued a press release on Tuesday on behalf of his town’s many residents and visitors who pass through the Lukeville port. Weiers called the closing “unforgivable.”
“At a time when so many of our small businesses, and entertainment hubs like Westgate normally benefit from tourists and the trade and commerce created by their visits, it is simply unforgivable that our government is neglecting border security, leaving merchants in a lurch,” said Weiers. “The Biden administration has allowed inflation to shoot through the roof, and now it is allowing illegal migration to do the same, causing great harm to many communities like mine and the hard-working people who call them home.”
Gov. Katie Hobbs, in a joint release with Sens. Mark Kelly (D) and Kyrsten Sinema (I), said that the Lukeville closure only posed further, unacceptable harms to the state’s economy and community safety.
“Arizona border communities are in crisis, and our men and women on the front lines do not have the resources they need,” said Hobbs.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) also requested the reopening of the Lukeville Port of Entry in a letter to President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Grijalva also requested other information pertaining to the status of his September letter regarding the influx of illegal immigrants, what the president plans to do to address the disparity between federal funding and the influx of illegal immigrants, and a progress update on the Southwest Border Coordination Center.
“This current situation is both unsustainable and a dereliction of federal responsibility,” said Grijalva.
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) said the Lukeville closure served as further evidence of the Biden administration’s lack of control of the border.
“It’s time to implement the laws on the books and deploy the National Guard to fully support our men and women along the border — not close ports of entry making matters worse,” said Ciscomani.
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 6, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Gov. Katie Hobbs isn’t planning on deploying the National Guard to the border anytime soon; she said that security is ultimately the federal government’s job.
Hobbs told The Center Square that since the border town of Lukeville hasn’t explicitly requested that assistance, she wouldn’t be giving it. Hobbs said that the Biden administration needed to be doing more to mitigate the border crisis.
“It’s not something that they’re asking for right now,” said Hobbs. “We need the federal government to step up and do its job and secure our border.”
On Monday, the illegal immigration surge prompted the Biden administration to announce closure of the Lukeville port of entry for legal travel. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a statement last Friday calling the ever-worsening border crisis an “evolving situation” that required taking personnel from the legal port of entry.
“In response to increased levels of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border, fueled by smugglers peddling disinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals, CBP is surging all available resources to expeditiously and safely process migrants,” said CBP.
Travelers were directed to cross the border through either the Nogales Port of Entry or the San Luis Port of Entry.
In response, Hobbs issued a joint statement with Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema complaining about the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis. The trio passed some of the blame across the aisle, implying that their Republican colleagues weren’t working with them well enough to “get something done” about the border.
“Partisan politicians who parrot talking points while watching the border further deteriorate must reject the echo chamber and work with us to get something done and keep our communities safe,” said the trio.
At any given time of day, hundreds of illegal immigrants — even up to around 1,000 — remain lined up along the U.S. side of the border, waiting for their processing and transportation to Lukeville or elsewhere.
The area has been admitting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants weekly as of late.
Hobbs wasn’t the only one as of late spurning state-led initiatives to mitigate the border crisis. Democratic lawmakers condemned a Texas bill authorizing state and local law enforcement to apprehend and arrest illegal immigrants. The legislators claimed that the Texas bill would result in racial profiling and familial breakups.
“This bill will undoubtably [sic] lead to widespread racial profiling and a circumvention of protections asylum seekers have under constitutional law and international obligations,” stated the lawmakers.
The Democratic lawmakers hosted a pro-illegal immigration activist effort, Todos Somos Texas (We Are All Texas), speaking in Spanish as well as English to make their case against border security. Todos Somos Texas is a coalition of multiple progressive groups including La Voz Demócrata de San Diego and Latinos Associated Together Informing Networking and Outreaching.
The controversial bill would restrict arrests from taking place at churches, medical facilities, and schools, but not college or university campuses.
A similar bill from Arizona was already rejected by the Supreme Court in 2012. Arizona v. U.S. determined that local law enforcement couldn’t arrest based on immigration status. Texas lawmakers backing the new law point out that, unlike the overturned Arizona law, the statute of limitations on misdemeanor crimes limits law enforcement to arresting those illegal immigrants who crossed recently — not those who have resided in the state for a long period of time.
Texas’ novel law may affect illegal immigrants from qualifying for an asylum claim, since criminal history serves as a disqualifier.
Texas’ bill would take effect in March 2024, upon signing by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to CBP as Customs and Border Patrol. The story has been corrected and now refers to CBP as Customs and Border Protection.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 6, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona Republican lawmaker is speaking out after the state’s Democrat governor eliminated a contract with a private prison contractor.
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration revealed that the state’s contract with Management & Training Corporation (MTC), a private prison contractor, would be terminating on December 31, 2023. According to the Governor’s Office, MTC “operates the Arizona State Prison – Marana, a minimum security prison with capacity for 500 male inmates.”
Both Hobbs and Ryan Thornell, the Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) expressed enthusiasm over the decision that was announced just days after the Thanksgiving holiday. Hobbs said, “I applaud Director Thornell for his good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Because of the Director’s leadership, we are cutting down on government waste and saving Arizona taxpayers $15 million over two years while improving public safety. I look forward to ADCRR’s continued work to build a correctional system that is efficient and effective, and keeps Arizonans safe.”
Thornell added, “This is more than just good fiscal sense. It’s about using the totality of ADCRR’s state resources more effectively. The ADCRR is able to absorb the inmates from ASP–Marana, into other prisons here in Arizona. So not only are we demonstrating significant savings, we’re demonstrating, with actions, our ability to be more efficient with the resources already provided to us. The ADCRR is as committed to supporting and developing staff, ensuring inmates have access to quality programming that lends itself to rehabilitation and public safety, as much as we are committed to improved fiscal management.”
The action wasn’t received well by at least one Republican at the State Legislature. Arizona State Senator Justine Wadsack issued a statement to call out the governor for her decision, asserting that the looming closure of the prison “is crushing the Community of Marana during the holidays.”
Wadsack said, “For nearly 30 years, ASP—Marana has been a positive aspect of the community. Through its educational and rehabilitation programs, as well as community services, the facility has helped both inmates and Marana residents. Shame on our Governor for giving them only a few weeks’ notice around the holidays. Although employees will have opportunities to transfer to another facility, many do not have the resources or financial means to relocate or make the long commute. My heart goes out to all the families who are impacted by how poorly this move was implemented. I’d also like to know what the plan is moving forward for the state-owned building that housed this facility.”
The freshman legislator also included a quote from Marana Mayor Ed Honea, who said, “This came as a real shock and really hurts our community. Half of these workers will be completely out of a job. Nearly 90 families were notified just days after Thanksgiving that they won’t have a job at the end of December. What do you tell them? You can’t buy your kids Christmas presents because you have to worry about keeping the lights on? If I was shutting down or merging a department in town, I would give notice three to four months in advance. This is entirely unacceptable.”
The Governor’s Office, perhaps anticipating political attacks over the loss of jobs for Marana, stated that “ADCRR will prioritize employment opportunities for ASP-Marana staff, at other prisons, including Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, the closest to the town of Marana.” Hobbs’ press release indicated that there were over 50 employees at the MTC facility.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Dec 5, 2023 | Economy, News
By Corinne Murdock |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) says that President Joe Biden’s energy policies are to blame for the burgeoning energy and national security crises.
Crane linked the crises to “idiotic” actions by the Biden administration, citing the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, ban on drilling on federal lands, and the resulting depletion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
“The Biden Admin has sabotaged American energy & compromised our national security,” said Crane. “Not to mention, these idiotic moves impose crippling costs on Americans.”
Gas prices in Arizona average about $3.40, a decline from last year’s average of $3.90. The national average was lower as of the latest federal data, at about $3.20. Arizona’s average gas price reached a record high last March, surpassing the previous high set in June 2008.
Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office by revoking the permit necessary for the pipeline’s completion through executive order. About a week later, Biden issued another executive order paving the way for a ban on new oil and gas leases on public lands and waters. That ban has not come to fruition, though the administration has added other burdens to the oil industry.
In July, the Biden administration announced new rules that would increase the cost that oil companies must pay to drill on public lands by over 16 percent — ending a century-long rate of about 12 percent — and end the renewal of unused permits.
When the Russo-Ukrainian conflict escalated last year with Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, the Biden administration began tapping into the SPR to mitigate the resulting rise in oil prices.
The strategy resulted in a 40-year record depletion of the reserve, at 180 million barrels. Last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported that it bought back nearly nine million barrels.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) monthly data, domestic crude oil production increased at a greater rate under Trump than the past two years under Biden.
Under Trump (thousand barrels):
- 2017 produced 3.4 million; by September produced 2.5 million
- 2018 produced 3.9 million; by September produced 2.9 million
- 2019 produced 4.4 million; by September produced 3.3 million
- 2020 produced 4.1 million; by September produced 3.1 million
From 2017 to 2018, there were over 581,000 more barrels produced. From 2018 to 2019, there were over 496,000 more barrels produced. 2020 marked a decline, with about 351,000 less barrels produced. The first three months of 2020, prior to the pandemic’s likely impact, reflected record productions of crude oil that were higher than the first three months of this year’s production levels.
Under Biden (thousand barrels):
- 2021 produced 4.1 million; by September produced 3 million
- 2022 produced 4.3 million; by September produced 3.2 million
- Amount in 2023 produced so far (as of September): nearly 3.5 million
From 2021 to 2022, there were 234,000 more barrels produced. So far this year, there have been about 281,000 more barrels produced.
The Biden administration has made clear its commitment to swapping oil for total electrification. Their goal aligns with a globalist commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Over the weekend, the Biden administration announced a new rule to reduce methane emissions from oil producers.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 5, 2023 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Another economic boon is coming to Arizona.
On Thursday, it was announced that Amkor Technology would be bringing a multi-billion-dollar campus to Peoria in the next few years. The company will be partnering with Apple to package and test silicon.
The new Amkor campus is expected be a $2 billion investment and create 2,000 jobs. The Peoria City Council will have to approve the development agreement in 2024.
The Chief Operating Officer for Apple, Jeff Williams, also noted the announcement in a press release for his company. Williams said, “Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’ll continue to expand our investment here in the United States. Apple silicon has unlocked new levels of performance for our users, enabling them to do things they could never do before, and we are thrilled that Apple silicon will soon be produced and packaged in Arizona.”
Governor Katie Hobbs weighed in on the news for her state, stating that this project would “be one of the most significant semiconductor investments in the U.S.” and that it would “solidify our state’s leadership in the semiconductor industry – reshoring an essential part of our supply chain to the United States.”
“Expansion of a US semiconductor supply chain is underway, and as the largest US-headquartered advanced packaging company, we are excited to lead the charge in bolstering America’s advanced packaging capabilities,” said Giel Rutten, Amkor’s president and chief executive officer. “Semiconductor companies, foundries, and other supply chain partners understand the need to strategically broaden their geographic footprint. The announcement of our new advanced packaging and test facility in Arizona is a clear signal of our intent to help our customers ensure resilient supply chains and be a part of a strong American semiconductor ecosystem.”
According to Amkor’s press release, the company has “secured approximately 55 acres of land with intent to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing campus with more than 500,000 square feet of clean room space.”
The announcement from Amkor follows a years-in-the-making project for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) construction of a facility in north Phoenix, just outside of Peoria. TSMC’s investment is $40 billion and is expected to create thousands of additional jobs for the area. The facility is expected to start production of the semiconductor chips, that will be then tested and packaged by Amkor, in 2025, providing the company fills its quota of workers.
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck welcomed the announcement from Amkor and Apple, saying, “It is no secret that our nation is reshoring its advanced manufacturing industries. We are proud of Peoria’s global leadership in this movement, and the significant capital investment and quality jobs that it brings to our community. This tremendous announcement is a credit to the City Council’s commitment to economic development, and staff’s hard work and dedication on this project.”
This facility won’t likely be the last significant business and investment coming to Beck’s city. The Mayor’s TYR Tactical is one of Peoria’s largest employers, and he used that experience to shape his economic development vision for Peoria’s future. He campaigned on the construction of a city owned airport “that will create thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact” for Peoria, as well as the “creation of culture that is not only Pro Business but moves at the speed and efficiency of business.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
