As the Republican-led Arizona Legislature and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs inch closer toward a deadline for the next budget, one state lawmaker is setting the record straight on the status of negotiations.
On Monday, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen issued a press release, outlining the budget negotiations saga throughout this legislative session.
Petersen began with the passage of the budget by Senate Republicans on February 1: “Back on February 1, Senate Republicans passed a budget proposal that would have provided certainty to our citizens and state agencies. The budget maintained current funding levels and operations in state government to assure schools would remain open, health services would continue, roads would be maintained, public safety would be funded, and so forth. Every Democrat voted against the proposal. Subsequently, on February 16, the Governor called it a “do nothing budget” and vetoed the plan. The fact of the matter is the budget did a lot. Included in this budget was not only funding for the next fiscal year, but supplemental funding for several state agencies. Consequently, those agencies will soon run out of money prior to the next fiscal year.”
The Senate President did not hold back when summing up the governor’s decision to veto this budget, saying, “A reasonable governor would have signed the budget and negotiated how to spend the surplus funds separately. A wise governor would have, at a minimum, line itemed everything except for the current year supplemental funding, ensuring that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona’s K-12 public schools, and the Arizona State Hospital system had enough money to make it through the next few months. Chalk it up to inexperience. Her senseless veto means all are at risk.”
As the release continues, it remains apparent how much Arizona Republicans have sought to bridge the gaps with their colleagues from the other side of the political aisle – and Governor Hobbs: “Despite Hobbs’ error, Republicans immediately began to build a new budget. On March 2, the Senate Appropriations Chairman emailed all members of the Senate, requesting a list of their priorities for consideration in a new budget proposal. Room was included for reasonable requests from both Republicans and Democrats. The Republicans provided their priorities within a matter of days. Their reasonable, non-partisan priorities have been included in the budget. The Democrats provided no response until March 16, when the Minority Leader stated her Caucus would not provide their feedback for a month. Despite the lack of cooperation and leadership from the Democrat Caucus, President Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma met with the Governor on March 20 to agree on ground rules to accomplish a second bipartisan budget proposal. Since then, frequent meetings have taken place with the Governor’s office to come up with a consensus on how to best appropriate funds. The Governor’s priorities are being negotiated, as are the Republicans’ priorities. Unfortunately, the Democrats have still not provided their requests.”
Petersen issued a direct warning about the state of the state’s finances, writing: “”We are, just weeks away from some government agencies running out of funding because legislative Democrats are stalling. I’m confident we would have already passed a budget had the Democrats spent the last seven weeks negotiating the budget with us, in good faith.”
Last week, after a slew of vetoes from her office, Hobbs attempted to justify her contention with the Republicans in the Legislature, stating, “I promised to deliver sanity, not chaos in the governor’s office and I am delivering. I will gladly work with anybody who will be a partner in addressing the real problems Arizonans face, but I refuse to play political games with our state government. I’m proud of the bipartisan accomplishments we have achieved and encourage leaders in our legislature to continue to come together and pass real solutions that will grow jobs, build roads and bridges, invest in education, and deal with our water crisis.”
I promised to deliver sanity, not chaos in the governor’s office and I am delivering. I will gladly work with anybody who will be a partner in addressing the real problems Arizonans face, but I refuse to play political games with our state government.
The city of Flagstaff is looking to designate Juneteenth and Native American Heritage Day as two official city holidays this year.
Flagstaff’s Commission on Diversity Awareness reported during last week’s meeting that they would be working with the Indigenous Commission to establish the two holidays.
City officials noted that the city would be aligning with the Biden administration’s initiative, with bipartisan support from Congress, declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth occurs on June 19, in recognition of the declaration freeing Texan slaves on June 19, 1865.
In his first proclamation recognizing Juneteenth, President Joe Biden said that slavery has left a legacy of “systemic racism, inequality, and inhumanity,” and that the nation owed it to Black Americans to commit to equitable work.
“In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans,” stated Biden. “And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.”
A similar call to action was issued earlier this month by foremost diversity, equity, and inclusion pundit, Ibram Kendi, at a keynote speech arranged by Arizona State University (ASU). Kendi advocated for an authoritarian rule by anti-racist elite, a proposal that ASU later commended in a write-up of the speaking event.
“In order to create a society whereby we have policies and practices that are equitable and just and fair — and provide equal opportunity for all, and institutions that are built on those policies — we don’t necessarily need to create a critical mass of Americans who are anti-racist,” said Kendi. “We just need enough people who can get into positions of power, who will then institute [anti-racist] policies and practices.”
Flagstaff’s proposed Native American Heritage Day — slated to occur on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving — would replace their former recognition of the day, eponymously named “Day After Thanksgiving.”
The federal government already designated Black Friday as Native American Heritage Day. The concept arose from a resolution by former Democratic California Rep. Joe Baca and was signed by Former President George Bush in 2008.
“[Congress] encourages the people of the United States, as well as Federal, State, and local governments, and interested groups and organizations to observe Native American Heritage Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, including activities relating to—the historical status of Native American tribal governments as well as the present day status of Native Americans; the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native Americans; and the rich Native American cultural legacy that all Americans enjoy today,” read the resolution.
The city has regularly celebrated November as “Native American Heritage Month” annually.
Last night, Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy proclaimed November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month!
Members of the community are encouraged to learn about and appreciate the history, heritage, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples of this great land. pic.twitter.com/VKgeyAkuAc
Flagstaff hasn’t been the only city to modify its holidays as of late. Last week, Phoenix City Council approved a resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day over Columbus Day this year. The city’s move aligned with the Biden administration’s annual declaration of the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Arizona legislative Democrats are facing increasing pressure over Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ shocking decision to veto an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill – and an upcoming vote this week to override that veto in both chambers.
On Sunday, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) wrote a letter to Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma, announcing their support for HB 2509 and for legislators’ “efforts to override the Governor’s veto.”
Last week, Governor Hobbs vetoed HB 2509, sponsored by Representative Travis Grantham, which deals with the sale and food preparation of cottage food – and now known as the Tamale Bill.
In her veto letter to the Arizona Legislature, Hobbs explained the reasoning behind her decision, writing, “This bill would significantly increase the risk of food-borne illness by expanding the ability of cottage food vendors to sell high-risk foods. It fails to establish sufficient minimum standards for inspection or certification of home-based food businesses, and could limit the ability of ADHS to investigate food-borne disease outbreaks. Nor does it provide a strong enough mechanism to ensure home kitchens are free of hazardous chemicals, rodent or insect infestation, or that equipment and storage of temperature-sensitive foods are adequate.”
Hobbs’ veto immediately drew bipartisan outrage, and legislative leaders plotted the path forward for veto overrides for this proposal. HB 2509 garnered 52 votes when it first passed the Arizona House, and 26 votes in the Senate – which amended the bill and sent it back to the House. The bill then obtained final clearance from the House with 45 votes before being transmitted to the Governor’s Office.
In her letter to the Arizona Legislature, NHCSL President Nellie Pou wrote, “For many Hispanic populations, selling homemade food is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation. Many low-income Americans need it to supplement their income in the face of disparities. It is a way to break the cycle of poverty. Today’s homemade food producers are tomorrow’s restaurant or nationwide prepared foods business owners….In Arizona this is especially important due to the significant Hispanic population and even more important to those who qualify under DACA or asylum seekers who have limited options when it comes to work.”
The NHCSL President did not hold back on Hobbs’ veto of this bill, saying, “By signing this bill, the Governor had an opportunity to support the Hispanic community and personal freedom that should be accessible to everyone. Our community should not fear legal repercussions for selling their homemade foods and we urge Arizona Legislators to do what is right and override her veto.”
🚨 BREAKING🚨 The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators voted today to support the efforts to override Gov. Hobbs's veto on HB2509 for the reasons listed below. Various members of this organization have introduced this legislation it is not a political power struggle ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6DMdsXFyTQ
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) April 23, 2023
As of now, it does not appear like the Legislature has enough votes to override the Governor’s veto on HB 2509. Even after providing a significant number of votes in both the House and Senate to send this legislature to Hobbs’ desk in the first place, Democrats have been reticent to sign on to the attempts to reverse the governor’s decision. Last week, the Senate Democratic Caucus issued a joint statement from its leadership team, announcing that “Senate Democrats will not be providing the required votes needed to override Governor Hobbs’ veto of HB 2509.”
The Senate Democratic leadership team added, “The bill, which we recognize has some benefits, also has some concerns brought forward by health advocates after the final vote. Our promise to Arizona is that we work to enact the best policy to protect consumers and sellers. As a Caucus, we stand ready to work with stakeholders to craft a bill, which could still be considered this session if Republican Leadership demonstrated that it is serious about addressing this issue. We were elected to solve the problems that are facing Arizonans daily, not to engage in political power struggles. It is our duty to serve the people and ensure that their voices are heard, and we are committed to fulfilling this responsibility with the utmost sincerity and diligence.”
— Arizona Senate Democrats (@AZSenateDems) April 21, 2023
The change of heart from some Senate Democrats who previously voted for the bill has not been lost on other neutral observers. Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts wrote Monday that she doesn’t buy the statement released by the Senate Democrats’ leadership team, saying, “Senate Democrats’ change of heart on the tamale bill isn’t about protecting the people from imagined illness. It is all about protecting a governor from embarrassment.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Just days after a powerful Arizona government watchdog group threatened possible legal action, the City of Phoenix repealed a controversial ordinance that had passed the previous month.
On Wednesday, the Phoenix City Council voted to repeal the prevailing wage ordinance, 6-3, after a change of two councilmembers. Councilmembers Kesha Hodge Washington, Jim Waring, Ann O’Brien, Kevin Robinson, Debra Stark, and Mayor Kate Gallego voted for the repeal; while Councilmembers Yassamin Ansari, Laura Pastor, and Betty Guardado voted to maintain the ordinance.
After the vote, Mayor Gallego took to Twitter to explain her decision, writing, “Workers deserve a living wage – and we can deliver that through a robust, public process that doesn’t put the city in legal and financial jeopardy. That’s why I voted with a majority of Council to direct city staff to find legally viable ways to increase wages on city projects. I believe in doing things the right way, not the fast way, and that’s what we decided to do today. I am optimistic that we will find a path forward for better pay for construction workers while, at the same time, put sound policy on the books that survives legal challenges.”
Workers deserve a living wage—and we can deliver that through a robust, public process that doesn’t put the city in legal and financial jeopardy. That’s why I voted with a majority of Council to direct city staff to find legally viable ways to increase wages on city projects.
The Goldwater Institute, which had sent a letter to the Council earlier in the month, championed the news out of Phoenix. John Thorpe, a staff attorney with Goldwater, stated, “Yesterday’s repeal is good news for businesses, their employees, and all taxpayers – and it’s a reminder that Goldwater will never stop fighting to hold government accountable and to defend Americans’ economic freedom from burdensome, counterproductive regulations.”
It's a VICTORY for small businesses, minorities, younger workers, and taxpayers! 🎉
The Phoenix City Council repealed its illegal “prevailing wage” ordinance—a mandate that restricts small businesses and imposes burdensome requirements: https://t.co/47D3oNbsI8
Thorpe wrote that the ‘Prevailing Wage Ordinance for City Projects’ law, “introduced on short notice with almost no chance for public scrutiny from anyone it would impact, required businesses that contract with the city for construction projects costing more than $250,000 to follow a slew of new requirements: they would have had to provide their employees with wages and benefits based on complicated formulas produced by the federal government, keep painstaking records, and comply with a host of other rules and regulations. Worse still, all these regulations came with the risk of heavy fines and potentially crippling lawsuits, even for minor infractions.”
On March 21, three Phoenix City Councilmembers – Carlos Garcia, Betty Guardado, and Laura Pastor, sent a letter to City Manager Jeff Barton, requesting a Special Meeting the following day to consider the Prevailing Wage Ordinance for City Projects. The three councilmembers wrote, “We believe it is time for leadership to address the lack of skilled construction workers needed to fill the rising demand for labor in Phoenix. We know that areas of the country with prevailing wages for city projects have a greater supply of apprentices and pathways for young people to find and join a skilled trade. A prevailing wage ordinance for city projects will ensure that our development growth is matched with the skilled labor we urgently need when we invest in the growth of our communities.”
The next day, the Ordinance was approved by a vote of 5-4. Councilmembers Garcia, Guardado, Pastor, Sal DiCiccio, and Yassamin Ansari voted in favor of the Ordinance. Garcia and DiCiccio have since left the Phoenix City Council, being replaced by Kevin Robinson and Kesha Hodge Washington.
On April 13, the Goldwater Institute, representing the Arizona Builders Alliance and the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, sent a letter to the Phoenix City Council to “express serious concerns” about the Ordinance passed on March 22. Thorpe, writing again for Goldwater, informed the City that if “the enacted version of the ordinance regulates matters that are expressly pre-empted by state law, it exposes the City to a high risk of litigation.” Thorpe outlined that “when the Legislature enacts a law on a matter of statewide concern, that law pre-empts and overrides any conflicting municipal provision. In this instance, voter-approved state law dating back to 1984 expressly provides that ‘prevailing wage’ requirements for public works contractors are a matter of statewide concern and may not be imposed by municipalities.”
Thorpe also found “it troubling that this ordinance was enacted after providing the public barely twenty-four hours’ notice and without any meaningful input from the many stakeholders it will affect.” He also pointed out that “the final version (of the ordinance) enacted by the Council has not yet been made publicly available,” which he questioned the existence of “any legal authority the City possesses to withhold a duly enacted ordinance from public inspection.”
Democrat Senator Catherine Miranda also waded into the discussion on the City of Phoenix’s action in March, submitting a 1487 request to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on April 17, to “clarify the apparent conflict between two statutes and consequently determine whether Phoenix has the authority to enact prevailing wage at the municipal level.”
Before the new coalition voted to repeal the Prevailing Wage Ordinance, another Democrat Senator, Anna Hernandez, voiced her disapproval with Mayor Gallego’s pending action, tweeting, “(Mayor Gallego) is once again turning her back on our union brothers and sisters.” Hernandez also shared an excerpt from a questionnaire that Gallego filled out during her mayoral run, where she wrote, “At the end of the day, prevailing wage laws are good for working families in the city of Phoenix and I will do what I can to support the enforcement of federal prevailing wage law, and advocate for a reintroduction of Arizona’s state or city prevailing wage law.”
As expected, the agenda for today’s Phx City Council mtg added on the Repeal to Prevailing Wage. @MayorGallego opposes this ordinance and has now ensured that it will be repealed with her new council.
Leftist activists beat an effigy of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego during her annual address last week. The effigy was a piñata filled with candy; on the front was the mayor’s name, and on the back was written “Kate (Sinema) Gallego,” referencing controversial Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
The activists situated themselves outside of the venue for her State of the City address, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. They protested the evictions of the residents of several mobile home parks — Periwinkle, Las Casitas, and Weldon Court — as well as their general discontent with Gallego’s administration.
Fueling the activists’ discontent with Gallego was the city’s rejection of a proposal to rezone the contested properties last month. Instead, the city approved $2.5 million to help the displaced residents find new homes.
Two of the principal organizers behind the protest and the effigy beating were residents impacted by the evictions, Alondra Patricia Ruiz Vazquez and Salvador Reza. The protestors livestreamed the beating of Gallego’s likeness to Facebook. The protesters spoke and chanted mainly in Spanish.
“¡Pégale, pégale por la lucha, pégale!” chanted the protestors, which translates roughly to, “Hit it, hit it, for the fight, hit it!”
Members of Maricopa County Young Democrats were also present at the protest.
In a post following the protest, Reza responded to an alleged offense that Gallego took to the destruction of the effigy in her likeness. Reza said that the effigy was symbolic, and that she shouldn’t take offense to it.
“Breaking a piñata with the image of Kate Gallego is not only against her character flaws, but against the greed of large corporations and large universities that [are] not satisfied with what they have, lash out against vulnerable families who only ask for a home to live,” stated Reza. “Breaking a piñata is symbolic. However, losing a home is catastrophic and traumatic for the families who are living it firsthand. Neither the state’s $5,000 nor a handful of piñata candy will be able to compensate them. So, looking at things clearly, who has the most to lose? A politician offended by a piñata, or 150 families thrown with their belongings into the street.”
Symbolic violence against effigies of contested public figures has been a popular move for leftist activists over the past several weeks.
On Tuesday, rioters protesting an event featuring Daily Wire pundit Michael Knowles burned an effigy of him at the University of Pittsburgh.
A body dummy with a picture of Michael Knowles’ face on it has been lit on fire, about a half hour before Knowles is set to participate in an event on Pitt’s campus. Knowles said earlier this year that he believes “transgenderism” should be “eradicated.” @WTAEpic.twitter.com/l1k3TrEkDN
The Maricopa County Public Library is stocking up on controversial LGBTQ+ and anti-racist children’s books.
Children’s books put on display at the libraries included those that teach that systemic racism is real, and that LGBTQ+ lifestyles and ideologies are healthy and cause for celebration.
Several of the LGBTQ+ and anti-racist books offered were board books: thick, durable picture books intended for infants through children up to four years old.
The controversial children’s books included the “Pronoun Book,” “My Two Dads,” “I’m Not a Girl,” “Antiracist Baby,” “Me & My Dysphoria Monster,” “My Maddy, “Call Me Max,” “Sparkle Boy,” “Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and They” “10,000 Dresses,” “Jacob’s Room to Choose,” “Stella Brings the Family,” “Love Makes a Family,” “Lovely,” “Grandad’s Camper,” “What Riley Wore,” “My Rainbow,” “Prince & Knight,” “And Tango Makes Three,” “Mommy, Mama, and Me,” “Julian is a Mermaid,” “King & King,” “One Family,” “In Our Mothers’ House,” “Happy in Our Skin,” “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress,” “Jacob’s New Dress,” “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,” “Home at Last,” “This Day in June,” “Fred Gets Dressed,” “When Aidan Became a Brother,” “My Shape is Sam,” “Adventures With My Daddies,” “Papa, Daddy, 7 Riley,” “Except When They Don’t,” “Jack (Not Jackie),” “Mr. Watson’s Chickens,” “Old MacDonald Had a Baby,” “Rainbow: a First Book of Pride,” “One of a Kind, Like Me,” “Sam is My Sister,” “A Plan For Pops,” “From Archie to Zack,” “Bye Bye, Binary,” “My Shadow is Pink,” “It Feels Good to Be Yourself,” “The Truly Brave Princesses,” “The Bread Pet,” “Peanut Goes For the Gold,” and “Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights.”
LGBTQ and anti-racist children’s board books featured in a Maricopa County Public Library.
In “Call Me Max,” a little girl dressed like a boy scares another little girl as she enters the bathroom; her peer believes the little girl is actually a boy.
“When I went to the girls’ bathroom, a girl ran out,” read the book. “She thought I was a boy. I didn’t mean to scare her. But I liked that she thought I was a boy.”
In “Me & My Dysphoria Monster,” the protagonist grapples with his gender identity.
“Sometimes people are told they are a boy when actually that person knows they are a girl,” stated the book. “Or sometimes people are told they are a girl when they know they are a boy.”
The book then advises the reader that a “gender dysphoria monster” may visit, and warns that it “doesn’t like to be ignored.” The book teaches the reader that children who ignore this gender dysphoria monster will only result in it growing bigger, and that the only remedy for it is to identify as the opposite gender. The moment of triumph between the little boy and the “gender dysphoria monster” was when he was allowed to join the girls’ soccer team.
In “Antiracist Baby,” children are taught that they must see other people’s races rather than be “color-blind,” that not every race is treated equally in society, and that they should always be watching out for instances of racism. It also included depictions of same-sex couples, teaching that no lifestyles are better or worse.
Some of these controversial books were declared “award-winning” works at one point by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards. The award-granting organization has issued awards for LGBTQ+ works since 1971, but only began issuing awards to children’s and young adult books since 2010.
Awards were granted to: “10,000 Dresses” (2010), “Mommy, Mama, and Me” (2010), “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress” (2014), “This Day in June” (2014), “Julian Is a Mermaid” (2019), “When Aidan Became a Brother” (2020), and “Grandad’s Camper” (2022).
Some of the younger children’s books were given special recognition with their inclusion on the 2023 Rainbow Book List, organized by the ALA’s Rainbow Round Table. The list includes nearly 200 books discussing LGBTQ+ ideology published between 2021 to present.
“The importance of this list (and others like it) cannot be understated, especially in a time when we are seeing a record number of efforts to ban both materials and support for LGBTQIA+ young people and their families,” stated the ALA. “The suppression of these books is a detriment to all youth, and we cannot ignore the damage these challenges are having on the young people in our society.”
In addition to the ALA’s Stonewall Book Awards and Rainbow Book List, there’s the Walter Dean Myers Award and the Lambda Literary Award.
Click an image in the gallery below for more images:
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
