by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 1, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislative Republicans have come up with a new way to hold Democrat state officials accountable to the rule of law.
On Tuesday, the Arizona House Republicans Caucus announced that the House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight had been created. The new committee will “scrutinize the practices of the Arizona Attorney General and other state officials, specifically to investigate allegations of the abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and/or malfeasance.”
According to the press release issued by Arizona House Republicans, the committee will be “tasked with developing recommendations for potential legislative action and other measures to promote the rule of law and deter partisan abuse and weaponization of the office of Arizona Attorney General or other state offices.”
House Speaker Ben Toma created the committee and released the following statement in conjunction with the legislative announcement: “The Arizona House of Representatives has an inherent obligation under the Arizona Constitution to conduct appropriate oversight of officers in the Executive branch to protect the rule of law and the separation of powers. I established this Committee because the public and members of the House have raised serious concerns suggesting that Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has engaged in a pattern of malfeasance in office. It is critical that this Committee fully investigate those allegations, thoroughly review Arizona laws, and solicit more information as necessary to advise the House on any and all appropriate measures that should be taken.”
The press release from the Speaker revealed that State Representative Jacqueline Parker would “serve as chairman of the committee.” Parker is also the chair of the Committee on Municipal Oversight and Elections; she will be maintaining that role.
In acknowledgement of her appointment, Parker said, “Attorney General Mayes has refused to defend state laws in court, harassed parents who have elected to use the ESA program to educate their children, threatened elected county officials with illegitimate prosecutions, and diverted funds and resources of her office to serve her own partisan purposes that are not authorized by the Legislature or state law. These are among the allegations that I expect the Ad Hoc Committee will thoroughly investigate.”
The five Republican State Representatives who will serve on this committee were already named: Parker, Austin Smith (Vice Chair), John Gillette, Neal Carter, and David Marshall. There are three vacancies for Democrats on the committee; those positions are expected to be named at a future date.
Representative Smith weighed in on his new assignment, writing, “As Vice Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight, it is imperative that the legislature exercise its constitutional authority as a check on the executive branch. We have heard from many concerned citizens that Kris Mayes recent behavior is unwarranted, weaponized and partisan. We will thoroughly investigate potential partisan activity in the Attorney Generals office for the protection of this Constitutional Republic.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 1, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
An Arizona Republican State Senator is pushing back against a new regulation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Last week, Senator Shawnna Bolick added her name to a letter addressed to Members of the U.S. Congress over the SEC’s “radical climate agenda rule that would require most public companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions in order to be listed on American stock exchanges.” The letter was sent by a coalition of leaders under the umbrella of Advancing American Freedom.
On her “X” account, Bolick wrote, “It is always an honor to push back against Biden’s job killing policies.”
The signers of the letter requested legislators to “use all of the legislative powers at your disposal to strike down the SEC’s climate disclosure rule, including defunding the rule via the appropriations process and overturning it through the Congressional Review Act resolution effort being led by Congressman Bill Huizenga and Senator Tim Scott.”
In the letter, the coalition of organization heads highlighted that “American investors are concerned with financial returns and increasing shareholder value, not advancing an ideological climate agenda that stifles American innovation through mountains of paperwork and endless red tape for the American businesses that keep our economy strong.”
They noted that almost two dozen states have challenged the rule from the SEC. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who led one of the lawsuits, said, “Biden’s radical climate mandate is the most outrageous act of overreach we’ve seen from the Securities and Exchange Commission since Biden took office. The SEC is supposed to prevent people from getting ripped off, not force an illegal climate mandate that is far outside of their wheelhouse. His climate mandate will only saddle businesses with costly red tape, threaten our supply chain, and devastate Iowa family farms.”
The Arizona Senate Democrats Caucus “X” account took aim at Bolick’s involvement in the letter, posting, “Just to clarify Senator Bolick, which policy are you pushing back against? Historically low unemployment, under 4% for two full years. Nearly 15 million new jobs added under President Biden. Inflation is down nearly 2/3 from its peak. In 2023, the economy grew 3.1%.”
Additional signers of the letter included leaders from Americans for Tax Reform, Americans for Prosperity, Consumers’ Research, American Commitment, 60 Plus Association, National Taxpayers Union, American Energy Institute, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Job Creators Network, and several others.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 1, 2024 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the City of Phoenix are hoping for another extended postseason run from the boys of summer in 2024.
Just before the D-Backs kicked off their new season, Arizona State University’s Seidman Research Institute conducted a study to find the economic impact of the home team’s 2023 postseason run. The study found that the economic windfall was $107.6 million.
The study revealed that there were 336,370 individuals who attended D-Backs home playoff games during the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, the National League Championship Series against the Phillies, and the World Series against the Rangers. Most of those fans resided in the Valley, but outside of the City of Phoenix (63.4%). 21.3% of the attendees traveled from another state to watch baseball in the desert.
Bars and restaurants in downtown Phoenix observed a substantial economic boon during the D-Backs surprising playoff run. According to the analysis of the study from Downtown Phoenix Inc, “Sales at bars and restaurants Downtown were up 30.7% during home playoff games compared to non-playoff game nights,” and “17.8% of playoff game ticket holders visited a Downtown bar or restaurant before entering Chase Field and 28.2% visited a Downtown bar or restaurant post-game.”
Due to the increased number of out-of-town travelers to the City and State, hotels in the area also experienced an economic fortune. Downtown Phoenix Inc analysis stated that “total hotel revenue for seven home playoff games played at Chase Field was $625,422 more than the average daily collection for the 25 non-playoff game nights in October 2023.”
Both Downtown Phoenix Inc. and the City of Phoenix’s Community & Economic Development Department commissioned the study from the university research institute.
The Arizona Diamondbacks opened their season on Thursday, March 28, winning their first game in historic and decisive fashion, 16-1. The team started the 2024 campaign with a record payroll, thanks, in large part, to the extended 2023 postseason run. They hope to reciprocate that effort yet again later this fall, giving the team and its surrounding partners another windfall in October and November.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Mar 31, 2024 | Education, News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
A Flagstaff elementary school posted fliers for an LGBT “name change clinic” at its elementary school.
DeMiguel Elementary School in the Flagstaff Unified School District advertised one•n•ten’s legal name change clinic, which offers to help minors change their legal name for their “transition,” the Daily Signal reported.
“Are you a trans or gender nonconforming individual and need help legally changing your name?” the poster says. “We are collaborating with One-N-Ten and the Northern Arizona law firm of Aspey Watkins & Diesel, PLLC to host a hybrid (virtual & in-person) Name Change Clinic, with 1-1 legal consultation!”
LGBT youth organization one•n•ten provides LGBT programs to minors as young as 11 years old. One•n•ten “envisions a world where all LGBTQ youth and young adults are embraced for who they are, actively engaged in their communities, and empowered to lead.”
Programs at one•n•ten include “SexFYI!,” a monthly sexual health program for ages 14 – 17 and 18 – 24 “that is inclusive of their body, gender identity and sexual orientation, including fluidity therein.”
In a Feb. 26 meeting, the district also proposed “updating” the verbiage in official district policies from “boy/girl” to “people,” allowing students to attend sex education classes designed for the opposite sex, and updating curriculum to be more “inclusive” of gender-fluid ideology.
School board president Christine Fredericks responded to parental complaints, saying “Bring it on.” She told parents she would “never apologize for being inclusive.”
Peoria Unified School District Governing Board member Heather Rooks posted on X that Fredericks’ indifference about parental rights should inspire Arizonans to prevent her reelection.
“Parents, it’s time to “Bring it on” in November,” she said. “Vote these people out!”
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 30, 2024 | Economy, News
By Staff Reporter |
Inflation hasn’t discouraged Americans from spending to celebrate the upcoming Easter holiday. Analysts project a spending total surpassing $22 billion, with consumers explaining to them that Easter is an important tradition.
Despite record inflation and consumer goods increasing in price by more than double over the past several years, it appears that Americans still feel the holiday of hope and new life is worth the expense.
The projections come from the annual survey by the National Retail Federation (NFR) and Prosper Insights & Analytics (PIA). In a press release, NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay explained that Easter maintained its positive meaning for Americans.
“Each year, Americans look forward to the celebration of Easter and the renewal of time and traditions with loved ones,” said Shay.
NRF surveys date back to 2003. This year’s survey spanned about 8,400 adult consumers from March 1 to 6 with a margin of error plus one or minus 1.1 percent. A majority of Americans (81 percent) said they would celebrate Easter.
64 percent of consumers told survey analysts that they remain inspired to shop for Easter-related items because it’s tradition for them. The next-highest popular reason concerned spending time with family or friends (32 percent), while a close third (29 percent) shopped to capitalize on sales and promotions.
These projections account for food, clothing, and gifts in general. Respondents said they would spend an average of $177 per person. Unsurprisingly, the top-reported expenditures were equally candy and food, followed by general gifts, then clothing, then decorations.
Last year’s Easter shoppers set the record high at $24 billion, with about $190 spent per person.
Back in 2007, shoppers spent $14.5 billion. The 2008 recession did cause a decline in Easter shopping for several years; it wouldn’t be until 2011 that Americans would surpass 2007 Easter spending.
The annual survey also gauged how consumers planned to spend their Easter weekend. 57 percent mentioned cooking a holiday meal, 53 percent mentioned visiting friends and family, and 43 percent mentioned going to church. Only half of households with children planned to conduct an Easter egg hunt at home.
Discount stores were top of the list for Easter shopping destinations (53 percent), followed by department stores (40 percent), online retail (33 percent), local/small businesses (22 percent), and specialty stores (20 percent).
There were those surveyed who shared that they would not be celebrating Easter. 55 percent of that demographic said they would still take advantage of Easter sales, but would spend much less per person, around $20. The capture of their market has to do with how stores advertise and curate a shopping experience, explained PIA Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist in the NRF press release.
“The overall shopping experience itself also plays a role in purchasing behavior,” said Rist. “This year almost one-quarter of consumers said they were inspired to shop for Easter items from store displays and decorations as well as exclusive or seasonal products.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Mar 30, 2024 | News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enacting a new air quality rule.
“The Biden administration should be rewarding American businesses for being the most environmentally friendly in the world,” Petersen said. “Instead, they are doubling down on their left-wing agenda. This rule is bad for Arizona, its citizens and our small businesses.”
Petersen and Toma filed the suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Monday.
The EPA rule, titled “Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter,” creates “unattainable” environmental goals for Maricopa, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties, according to the news release.
The rule imposes strict regulations on fine particles within the air, also known as PM 2.5. Sources of PM 2.5 include smoke, vehicle exhaust, emissions from industrial facilities and energy sources, such as power plants.
Less than 20% of all coarse and fine particles combined come from power generation or other industrial activities. Wildfires are the largest source, accounting for 43% of all particulate matter in the air.
Petersen said the EPA should be focusing on mitigating wildfires, instead of imposing measures which economically harm Arizonans.
“This rule will create unnecessary hardships for job creators and hardworking Arizonans,” Petersen said. “It will detrimentally impact our power grid and create even more red tape for both small and large businesses. We have no choice but to ask the courts to provide relief from this tyrannical, arbitrary, and illegal move by the EPA.”
The United States already has some of the strictest air quality standards in the world, even more than the European Union. The Obama Administration first adopted them, and the Trump administration retained them.
But this new rule would be even more severe, causing new infrastructure construction that would improve safety and travel times for Arizonans to be halted and permits for new manufacturing facilities, especially in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima Counties, to be blocked.
Additionally, small businesses would be required to pay for expensive new equipment, and investments in new facilities will be sent to foreign countries with less stringent regulations, forcing jobs overseas and creating a greater reliance on adversary nations.
Up to eight additional counties within Arizona could be out of compliance, which could further threaten the state’s economic growth and prosperity.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
