Congressional candidate Kirsten Engel took a picture with failed Soros-backed district attorney candidate Julie Gunnigle about two weeks before her campaign launch.
The pair were attending the 18th International State of the State hosted by the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR). Gunnigle ran on a campaign of major police defunding, a concept which Engel supported vocally following the 2020 BLM riots. Her police defunding proposals were echoed by her controversial campaign manager as well.
“What we need to do is shift where the money [for police] is going,” stated Engel.
Engel also encouraged her supporters to donate to the controversial Minnesota Freedom Fund, which earned national media attention for its practice of bailing out violent criminals. She also encouraged donations for Showing Up For Racial Justice, a group that published a toolkit on how communities could defund their local police.
Those past actions from Engel aligned with Gunnigle’s platform last year. Engel then spent time with Gunnigle on the campaign trail last year, despite Democratic leadership and advisors advising that candidates distance themselves from Gunnigle.
Gunnigle pledged to expunge marijuana-related criminal records; decriminalize hard drugs like heroin, crack, and meth; reduce incarceration rates; end cash bail; oppose the death penalty; fight elongated sentences for gang and weapons-related charges; establish mental health response services; and refuse prosecution for abortion offenses.
Gunnigle also campaigned alongside two public figures that mocked Blue Alerts: safety communications for countering law enforcement murders. The individuals were Chris Love, Planned Parenthood of Arizona board member, and Brianna Westbrook, Arizona Democratic Party vice chair.
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesman Ben Petersen said in a statement that Engel’s decision to keep company with Gunnigle was “terrifying,” adding that it revealed a disregard for public safety.
“Voters defeated Kirsten Engel and Julie Gunnigle’s extremely dangerous agenda of defunding the police and releasing violent criminals just five months ago, yet Engel is still palling around with Gunnigle,” said Petersen.
Democrats began distancing themselves from Gunnigle as Election Day neared. Attorney General Kris Mayes told voters during campaign debate last year that she disagreed with some of Gunnigle’s positions and wouldn’t endorse her. That marked a complete flip from two years ago, when Mayes endorsed Gunnigle’s first run for Maricopa County attorney.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, a Democrat, said at the time that Gunnigle’s platform concerned him.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Earlier this week, Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs continued her effort to break Arizona governors’ veto record, vetoing five bills sent to her from the state legislature.
The bills that Hobbs vetoed were HB 2552, HB 2675, HB 2754, SB 1236, and SB 1251.
Former Gov. Janet Napolitano set the record with 58 vetoes.
HB 2552, sponsored by Representative Austin Smith, would have prohibited “certain entities from using a voting method or nomination process that includes the ranking of candidates or allows candidates to be eliminated through multiple rounds of tabulation.” It also would have required “the person who receives the highest number of legal votes in an election to be declared elected.” Hobbs explained that “ranked choice voting is an election process that is used successfully elsewhere in the country.”
HB 2675, sponsored by Representative Steve Montenegro, would have declared “that drug cartels are terrorist organizations and required the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do everything within its authority to address the threat that drug cartels pose.” Governor Hobbs justified her veto of this bill by saying, “Labeling drug cartels as terrorist organizations to deploy state resources is not a real solution and is not a state function.”
HB 2754, sponsored by Representative Rachel Jones, would have included “nongovernmental organizations in the definition of an enterprise for purposes of criminal liability and subjected an enterprise to criminal liability for the offense of participating in a human smuggling organization.” In announcing her veto of this proposal, Hobbs said, “This bill has unintended consequences for organizations that support immigrants.”
SB 1236, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers, would have declared “the regulation of the imposition of a tax or fee on a person or entity running a node on block chain technology to be a matter of statewide concern and preempted further regulation by a city, town or county.” The Governor stated that “this bill broadly defines ‘blockchain technology’ and prevents local policymaking concerning an emergent and potentially energy-intensive economic activity.”
After Hobbs’ action, Senator Rogers tweeted: “Of course Hobbs blocked my bill…anything that encourages the free markets gets torpedoed.”
Of course Hobbs blocked my bill… anything that encourages the free market gets torpedoed. https://t.co/ZGmPdDKuzv
SB 1251, sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp, would have prohibited “a city, town or county from enacting any ordinance, resolution or policy that prohibits or restricts a person from using a working animal in lawful commerce or for an animal enterprise.” Hobbs wrote that “SB 1251 is a solution in search of a problem. As the bill sponsor stated, no Arizona city, town, or county restricts rodeos or the use of working animals for agricultural or ranching operations. There are also no pending policy proposals to do so anywhere in Arizona.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is urging the Biden administration to declare Arizona’s heat a federal emergency in an effort to unlock more federal funding and resources.
Gallego disclosed this effort during her city of the state address on Wednesday, “The Future of Phoenix.” Gallego called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to include “extreme heat” into its national emergency declarations categorization, which would qualify Arizona summers as a disaster.
“We need to meet the moment to support our most vulnerable. We need national action,” said Gallego. “I’m calling on FEMA to revise their declared disasters list to include extreme heat. Resources from pop-up shelters, to additional outreach to our vulnerable residents could help us successfully navigate unforgiving summers.”
If Phoenix is successful in its petition, federal assistance would likely come through something like a funding pathway established by the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018. That measure allowed six percent of federal disaster grants’ annual aggregate amount to go to pre-disaster hazard mitigation.
Phoenix has already rolled out projects designed to mitigate heat-related illnesses and deaths, such as “cool corridors,” areas with manufactured shade and drinking water access,” and “cool pavement,” which reflects rather than absorbs sunlight to keep the ground and air cool.
Gallego also urged state lawmakers to support Proposition 400, a county regional transportation tax to expand infrastructure. Gallego also urged voter approval of a general obligation bond: $500 million for public developments like parks and fire stations. Gallego said that the bond funding would allow the establishment of semiconductor and medical device development centers.
Gallego explained that the city’s main focuses included water conservation and restoration; federal funding to support infrastructure development, specifically public transit expansion; and investment into semiconductor facilities.
Gallego insisted that the city was handling the homeless crisis well, despite what the Maricopa County Superior Court said in a preliminary injunction handed down last month.
The mayor insisted that homelessness isn’t unique to Phoenix, but that Phoenix is unique in that it has a better approach for managing its homeless. Gallego talked at length about the city’s affordable housing initiatives, a focal point of their “housing first” approach that, in part, earned them the unfavorable court ruling last month.
“Homelessness is not unique to Phoenix,” said Gallego. “What is unique to Phoenix is that our city is putting every solution on the table to lift people out of homelessness.”
Gallego said it was her desire to create a city where her son would choose to live as an adult.
“Raising a six-year-old and running a city have more in common than you might expect,” said Gallego.
Welcome to #PHXSOTC23! Today’s theme is the #FutureIsPHX…because it’s true! During my speech, I’ll share updates on climate action, housing, and how we are embracing technology to make progress. Follow along!
Common themes of Gallego’s address were sustainability and equity efforts.
Gallego said that Phoenix surpassed its “zero waste” goal when it hosted the Super Bowl earlier this year. Gallego highlighted technology advancements in travel, such as Apple Watch check-ins at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and driverless electric cars roaming the downtown.
Gallego highlighted the city’s free tuition program, “Route to Relief,” similar to what later launched last September — both using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Gallego said that they would develop 50,000 affordable housing units, noting that they’ve already built or preserved 26,000 units. The mayor cited “critical, systemic inequities” as the root of housing issues. The city has also established a community land trust program with NewTown.
The mayor also cited their “eco-friendly” shipping containers turned into affordable housing. The city will also establish a housing complex of shipping container housing units. Gallego said that the city plans to issue 7,000 housing vouchers and managing over 5,000 housing units.
Phoenix also invested $10 million into mental health treatment for the underinsured and uninsured. In the first seven months of a newly launched pilot, behavioral health engagement teams to address the opioid crisis contacted 200 individuals and connected 57 individuals.
Gallego then said that stronger law enforcement and progressive ideals weren’t mutually exclusive.
“To those who say it is not possible: we can and will be both progressive and practical on policing,” said Gallego.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego: "It's possible to be both progressive and practical on policing." pic.twitter.com/2wECwoEbdG
On Wednesday, the Arizona House voted to expel State Rep. Liz Harris (R-LD13) over findings that she lied to the Ethics Committee. Harris’ seat is now vacant; her district’s Republican precinct committee members have five days to nominate three candidates to replace her.
House Speaker Ben Toma (R-LD27) introduced the resolution, HR 2003, to expel Harris.
The resolution passed 46 to 13. The 13 members who opposed Harris’ expulsion, including Harris herself, were Reps. Neal Carter (R-LD15), Joseph Chaplik (R-LD03), David Cook (R-LD07), Gail Griffin (R-LD19), Justin Heap (R-LD10), Rachel Jones (R-LD17), Alex Kolodin (R-LD03), Cory McGarr (R-LD17), Barbara Parker (R-LD10), Jacqueline Parker (R-LD15), Kevin Payne (R-LD27), and Austin Smith (R-LD29).
Seven of the 12 Arizona Freedom Caucus members voted against Harris’ expulsion.
Smith said that he felt that the voters should decide on how to handle Harris, not lawmakers.
I voted no on HR2003 expelling Liz Harris from the Arizona House of Representatives. I took an oath to defend the Constitution and do not take it lightly. It is up to the voters of LD13 to decide how they feel about Liz Harris’ actions, not politicians.
Amid a swarm of reporters on her way out of the capitol, Harris called the report “a lie,” and insisted that God knew the truth.
Issues with Harris arose after a February joint hearing on election integrity. Harris invited a woman to testify named Jacqueline Breger, who alleged a number of individuals engaged in criminal conduct including money laundering, drug trafficking and sales, public corruption, and public official bribery in addition to election fraud. Breger testified that these alleged crimes were overseen by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, most commonly referred to as the Mormon church, which included current Arizona legislators.
Following the joint hearing, State Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-LD21) filed a complaint against Harris. Stahl Hamilton alleged that Harris embarrassed the House and put it in disrepute, as well as violated House Rule 1, which prohibits impugning other members.
The House Ethics Committee convened twice last month to review the accusations against Harris. According to their report issued earlier this week, Breger inappropriately levied criminal allegations; Harris failed to comply with internal House deadlines on presentation material disclosure ahead of the joint hearing; and that Harris engaged in disorderly behavior in violation of House Rule 1.
“By her own admission, Representative Harris had obvious influence and significant control over the Joint Hearing as its organizer and facilitator,” stated the report. “[T]he totality of the evidence shows that Representative Harris used her elected position to provide Breger with a legislative platform as a substitute for criminal court.”
According to the committee report, Harris indicated in a text to Breger after the joint hearing that the hearing had played out according to their plan.
“It was all how it was intended to be,” wrote Harris.
The Ethics Committee also determined that Harris didn’t disavow Breger’s testimony and had eroded public trust with her actions. Harris also claimed to not have known Breger’s allegations ahead of the joint hearing; the committee report rejected that claim.
“Representative Harris violated the inherent obligation to protect the integrity of the House of Representatives and used her elected position to provide Ms. Breger with a legislative platform as a substitute for a criminal court,” stated the resolution.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Arizona continues to search for a housing solution for individuals already in-state – or yet to come to the state, and one state senator is working on legislation that could fix the issues towns and cities currently find themselves working through on this front.
On Tuesday, Senator Steve Kaiser issued a press release, announcing his efforts on “a series of bills aimed at increasing the Arizona housing supply by using free market principles to provide real tangible relief for young families and senior citizens struggling with soaring prices.”
Those bills (HB 2536, SB 1161, and SB 1163) would, according to Kaiser’s release, “cut the bureaucratic red tape that’s responsible for creating barriers and slowing home construction. More specifically, these bills would limit government control and speed up home-building timelines for cities and towns, while protecting public input and local zoning regulations. These bills would also provide the market with the necessary tools to create more single room occupancy housing for seniors, where tenants have a furnished bedroom with a shared kitchen and bathroom, as well as accessory dwelling units, like ‘mother-in-law suites’ or ‘casitas.’” The release stated that “these are easy solutions for those living on fixed incomes and struggling to keep a roof over their heads.”
In a statement for his release, Senator Kaiser explained his motivation in fighting for these proposals: “I’m determined to provide immediate relief for those struggling to make their rent payments or pursue the American dream of home ownership within the state of Arizona. After months of meetings and collaboration with stakeholders, developers, residents, local planning and zoning representatives, as well as my colleagues in the Legislature, I’m convinced the solutions to our housing crisis lie in deregulation without gimmicks or subsidies. We have an issue of supply and demand, and my proposals lean heavily on free market principles that will help increase inventory and drop prices.”
HB 2536, sponsored by House Speaker Ben Toma, would establish “residential zoning district regulations and limitations of residential housing design standards;” and it would modify “current municipal zoning and licensing time frame requirements.” It currently resides in the Arizona Senate.
SB 1161, sponsored by Senator Kaiser, would require “municipalities to allow by right the construction of low-income multifamily residential rental property;” and it would establish “municipal reporting requirements relating to housing needs.” It currently sits in the Arizona House.
SB 1163, also sponsored by Kaiser, would “create an at-risk permit relating to grading and earthmoving of property, provide zoning regulations relating to single-family residential uses, and establish municipal reporting requirements relating to housing needs.” It, too, waits in the Arizona House for future consideration.
Kaiser’s release conceded that these bills “will likely be amended further before final votes on the floor in the coming weeks.”
Some Democrats in the Legislature appear to be supporting of these proposals. Representative Analise Ortiz tweeted, “AZ Dems have an opportunity to walk our talk on housing policy by supporting SB 1161, SB 1163, & HB 2563. Let’s rollback decades of exclusionary zoning policies that segregate our communities, keep rents high, and benefit the wealthiest landowners most.”
AZ Dems have an opportunity to walk our talk on housing policy by supporting SB 1161, SB 1163, & HB 2536. Let’s rollback decades of exclusionary zoning policies that segregate our communities, keep rents high, and benefit the wealthiest landowners most. https://t.co/rrKjlEc05d
— Rep. Analise Ortiz (@AnaliseOrtiz_AZ) April 5, 2023
Senator Anna Hernandez also chimed in in support of these bills, writing, “Zoning reform is being addressed across the country and political spectrum. Rolling back exclusionary zoning is critical in achieving housing affordability. AZ has a chance to lead the way with SB 1161, SB 1163, HB 2536, and deliver solutions to our housing crisis.”
Zoning reform is being addressed across the country and political spectrum. Rolling back exclusionary zoning is critical in achieving housing affordability. AZ has a chance to lead the way with SB1161, SB1163, HB2536, and deliver solutions to our housing crisis. https://t.co/rRIht1WslH
— Senator Anna Hernandez (@ahernandezfor24) April 2, 2023
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Water has always been an issue for the desert, but drought conditions have put even more of a premium on this precious resource; and Arizona Republicans are stepping up to provide solutions for their constituents.
This week, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma formed the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Water Security. The purpose of this committee is “to convene and solicit information from water users, stakeholders, and the public regarding state solutions to address water security in Arizona.”
That information, which includes evidence and testimony, includes (1) the state’s existing and future water supplies; (2) methodologies and modeling used to quantify supplies; (3) opportunities and challenges associated with improving water storage and infrastructure; (4) the state’s regulatory and funding framework for augmentation, conservation, efficiency, recharge and reuse efforts; (5) public-private solutions to improve security; (6) the impact of water uncertainty across Arizona’s water users, industry sectors and property owners; and (7) and any other issue the Study Committee deems relevant to its investigation.”
Both Petersen and Toma issued statements with the announcement of this committee’s formation. Petersen said, “Water policy is dictated by statute. From the 1980s Groundwater Management Act to last year’s historic investment in WIFA, the Legislature has led and will continue to lead the water policy solutions that require legislative action to implement.”
And Toma stated, “The availability of water for the success of all industries in our state is critical to our economy. Strengthening our existing water resources while we secure our future water supply is a top priority as we work to achieve common-sense solutions for our state. We need to study all issues related to water carefully and work to identify any remaining issues that need to be resolved.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE🚨
House & Senate Leaders Announce Joint Legislative Water Committee to Strengthen Existing Water Supplies & Secure Our Water Future. 💧
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 11, 2023
Six members will be appointed by legislative leadership to serve on this committee: three out of the House of Representatives by the Speaker and three out of the Senate by the President. Senator Sine Kerr was first selected by Petersen, and Representative Gail Griffin by Toma. Both were named co-chairs of the committee.
Senator Kerr released the following statement after the news of her appointment to the committee: “Unlike other ‘top-down’ efforts, this Ad Hoc Committee on Water Security will enlist the participation of actual water users to find collaborative water management solutions. The Legislature will continue to be proactive and deliberative in balancing the realities of our water supply with the state’s economic objectives.”
Representative Griffin also provided a quote to accompany her appointment, saying, “Arizona must take an ‘all of the above’ approach to water and find a balance that protects private property rights while promoting the interests and economy of the state. This includes urban and rural, augmentation and conservation, and surface and groundwater, not to mention residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural users and property rights across all land types. I appreciate Speaker Toma for affording the opportunity to explore this issue and for making water a top priority in this legislative session.”
The Director of Communications for the Arizona Senate Republicans told AZ Free News that the Legislature would have the remaining appointments and the agenda for the first meeting by next week.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
