The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has gone viral for its videos depicting officers pulling over and ticketing left lane campers.
Their viral work has earned the sheriff’s office a certain level of appreciation from both Arizona and national viewers online and, in some cases, even from those who were pulled over for left lane camping.
In the latest viral video featuring Officer Frank Sloup, part of a series titled “Fridays With Frank,” one driver believed they were speeding, though they were, in fact, impeding the flow of traffic by driving too slow in the left lane.
“The left lane, per Arizona state law, is meant for passing,” said Sloup. “When cars are passing you on the right, you’re forcing them to make a dangerous move.”
That driver didn’t sound too unhappy to have been pulled over. He asked Sloup whether he was the viral officer on TikTok, and even asked for a picture. Sloup happily obliged.
“Are you the one that’s on TikTok? Can I have a picture?” asked the driver.
In the first vehicle pulled over, Sloup discovers that the driver was not only guilty of camping in the left lane, but of having a suspended license — despite having a passenger with a valid license capable of driving.
“That’s why you don’t know you can’t be in the left lane: it’s because you’re a terrible driver, and your license is suspended,” said Sloup.
Sheriff Mark Lamb won an Emmy Award for his office for his video compilation pulling over left lane campers. Despite the video’s popularity, Sloup criticized Lamb for only giving warnings on his traffic stops.
“He’s just nice and he talks to people and he’s all happy,” said Sloup.
Sloup also observed that the sound of traffic citation paper being written on and torn was hardly heard in Lamb’s vehicle.
“In Sheriff Lamb’s truck, you hear a lot about God, family, and freedom. You know what you don’t hear in Sheriff Lamb’s truck, is this sound,” said Sloup, as he tore a ticket.
Sloup’s latest viral video wasn’t his first. The PCSO has issued a number of videos, most recently last month with recognition from “Morning in America.” Sloup explained that the idea behind the video compilations emerged as a PSA following the passage of the hands-free driving law in 2021.
Arizona’s leading Republican lawmakers are again joining state attorneys general on another matter of national importance.
Last week, the Arizona State Senate Caucus revealed that President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma had joined an amicus brief to urge “the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a dangerous ruling out of Colorado” that had barred “former President Donald Trump from the GOP primary ballot in the 2024 presidential election.” The filing was led by the States of Indiana and West Virginia and joined by 25 additional states, as well as the Arizona Legislature.
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: President @votewarren Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Dangerous Ruling Threatening to Throw 2024 Presidential Election into Chaos ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/npHp2nBvor
In a statement that accompanied the announcement, Petersen said, “If the high court does not immediately act, we anticipate election chaos will ensue over former President Trump’s eligibility as a candidate. This is clearly a case of judicial activism and a violation of the separation of powers. Leftist bias and prejudice are on full display from the Colorado Supreme Court. These justices are only playing partisan games by recklessly feeding a false media narrative that seeks to disenfranchise voters. I’m confident the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down this dangerous attack on our democracy.”
Petersen’s news release called the Colorado State Supreme Court’s decision to bar Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution “an egregious abuse of power,” asserting that America’s governing document “reserves the power to determine the political question of what constitutes an ‘insurrection’ to Congress – not rogue courts.”
Shortly after the brief was transmitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the challenge was scheduled for arguments before the nation’s high court in early February.
The legislators’ sign-on to this brief marks the second time they have joined Republican attorneys general on their legal filings in 2024. At the start of the year, Senate Republicans shared that the Arizona Legislature had joined an amicus brief in federal court to help challenge California’s Assault Weapon Control Act. That brief was led by the attorneys general of Idaho, Iowa, and Montana, and co-signed by almost two dozen additional states.
In December, Petersen and Toma joined a public comment letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to address its newly proposed rule, Definition of “Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms.” That letter was led by the States of Kansas, Iowa, and Montana, and co-signed by 22 other attorneys general.
Over the past month, the two Republican legislative leaders have signaled a more aggressive shift in taking the reins from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to defend the law and Constitution. Attorneys general are not usually joined by outside parties on their amicus briefs, yet multiple coalitions of Republican state prosecutors have included Petersen and Toma on these major filings.
Both Majority Plans released by Senate and House Republicans preview their commitment to aggressively weigh in on state and federal litigation to defend the interests of Arizonans and uphold the rule of law. Senate Republicans wrote that they “firmly believe in the rule of law and will continue to defend state laws, especially when our Attorney General refuses to do so. We will also continue to seek appropriate relief through the courts to serve as a necessary check on abuses of executive authority at both the state and federal levels.” House Republicans added that “under the Biden administration, our constitutional rights and individual liberties are under daily threat…this complete disregard for the Constitution will not be tolerated. House Republicans will always protect rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
WalletHub, a personal-finance website, measured the gaps between black people and white people across 22 key indicators of equality in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data set includes median annual household income, standardized-test scores, and voter turnout.
Hawaii placed first for most racially integrated state, followed by Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington State. Other top ten states were Kentucky, Alaska, Delaware, Texas, Georgia, and Maryland.
“It’s encouraging to see that many of the states that were the most resistant to integration have made substantial progress toward racial equality in the past fifty years or so,” Wallethub analyst Cassandra Happe said in a news release. “In fact, four of the states that have made the most racial progress overall are actually now among the top 10 most integrated states, which shows that both people’s attitudes and government policies have changed dramatically.”
Arizona ranked highly in areas concerning equality in the labor force participation rate and health.
“It’s encouraging to see that many of the states that were the most resistant to integration have made substantial progress toward racial equality in the past fifty years or so,” Happe said. “In fact, four of the states that have made the most racial progress overall are actually now among the top 10 most integrated states, which shows that both people’s attitudes and government policies have changed dramatically.”
The Grand Canyon State’s total score from WalletHub was 73.86.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
Arizona legislative Republicans are warning against unilateral action from the state’s governor on water policy.
On Monday, Governor Katie Hobbs spent time in her second State of the State address to discuss the importance of water for Arizona and her past and future work on this front. Hobbs said, “Let us remember that water and drought do not care about party registration or job titles or whether you live in an urban or rural community. We can only protect our water supply by working together. I stand ready to work with you to pass legislation that makes the changes we need today – all to safeguard Arizona’s water for tomorrow. And those who have spent years refusing to act: if you don’t, I will.”
Let us always remember that water and drought do not care about party registration or job titles or whether you live in an urban or rural community. We can only protect our water supply by working together.#SOTS2024#HobbsSOTSpic.twitter.com/igssZ2Vck5
That last line earned the Democrat governor an ovation from her allies in the Arizona House chamber, yet a warning of legal repercussions from two powerful lawmakers who were listening to her words.
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope responded, “Yeah, I don’t think she has that type of authority to act alone but she seems willing to bend the State Constitution to her will pretty often so I’m sure she’ll try and I’m sure we’ll see her in court.”
Yeah, I don’t think she has that type of authority to act alone but she seems willing to bend the State Constitution to her will pretty often so I’m sure she’ll try and I’m sure we’ll see her in court. https://t.co/7J0V94YSoD
Shope’s colleague, Senate President Warren Petersen, added onto the comment, writing, “Kind of like when she broke the law by appointing 13 fake directors?”
Kind of like when she broke the law by appointing 13 fake directors? https://t.co/g0Osoixwj1
The future of Arizona’s water policy has always been a complex issue, but perhaps more so during the past year with a divided government and two parties with very distinct ideas about how to manage the vital resource. As the governor also mentioned in her State of the State address, she created a Water Policy Council during her first year in office “to analyze and recommend updates, revisions and additions to the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act (GMA) and related water legislation, which shall include without limitation, analysis and recommendations for groundwater management outside current Active Management Areas.” Hobbs referred to this council as “bipartisan,” though one prominent Republican, Senator Sine Kerr, resigned from her post in October, alleging that the Council was “nothing more than a forum to rubberstamp the progressive environmental goals of special interest groups,” and that “this community (of Arizona citizens and stakeholders) is not being provided with fair representation at the table.”
Along with Kerr, the Arizona Farm Bureau also announced its withdrawal from the Council that month, opining, “…the outcome of the greater Council appears to be pre-determined as essentially a cross between the seriously flawed attempts of the past and an AMA (Active Management Areas).”
Hobbs created unfavorable headlines for the future of Arizona’s water during summer 2023, when she held a press conference to announce the publication of the Phoenix Active Management Area Groundwater Model. At the press conference, she stated that the study’s results “show we need to take action once again,” and that if the state does nothing at this juncture, “we could face a four percent shortfall in groundwater supplies over the next 100 years.” The governor announced a pause on “approvals of new assured water supply determinations that rely on pumping groundwater, ensuring that we don’t add to any future deficit.”
Republicans were quick to push back against Hobbs’ interpretation of the model. Kerr asserted that the results from the model “show the GMA of 1980 is working as it should,” and that “the remaining 4% of unmet demand over 100 years can be achieved through non-groundwater sources.” Representative Austin Smith told AZ Free News that “we can’t be beating the drum about a housing crisis, and then in the same beat, kneecap the housing industry.” Petersen also weighed in, writing, “There is no need to stop homebuilding. Homes use the least amount of water.”
Both the Arizona Senate and House Republican Majority Plans for 2024 addressed the issue of water. Senate Republicans promised that, “unlike the work product of the Governor’s Water Policy Council,” their solutions would “be grounded in the consent of the governed, the collaborative buy-in of all water users, and the common goal of preserving the health of groundwater basins for future generations.” House Republicans vowed to “protect, prioritize, and secure water resources for our state’s future.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Maricopa County is in search of a new sheriff after Sheriff Paul Penzone officially resigned this week.
Penzone’s resignation comes just months before the election of a successor. Chief Deputy Sheriff Russ Skinner will serve as interim sheriff until the county board of supervisors can appoint a replacement, who will be a Democrat. In a press release, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers thanked Penzone for his tenure.
“I would like to thank Sheriff Penzone for going above and beyond to keep Maricopa County residents safe,” said Sellers. “In particular, I appreciate his collaboration on security matters related to elections.”
The Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications to appoint the next @mcsoaz Sheriff, who will serve in the role until voters elect a Sheriff this November. Applications will be accepted until January 19th. Learn more & see how to apply: https://t.co/LrW5Ubt7kRpic.twitter.com/jGRsHodivG
The sheriff isn’t headed for retirement. Blue Cross Blue Shield has hired Penzone to oversee the insurer giant’s charity initiatives and community programs, which will include allocating funds to seed programs.
Penzone first took on the role of county sheriff in 2016, when he ousted longtime Sheriff Joe Arpaio — now Fountain Hills mayoral candidate — with the help of millions from progressive dark money financier George Soros. Penzone’s race was the largest cash flow in a local race put out by Soros that year.
That well-financed race was Penzone’s second attempt to unseat Arpaio after an initial, unsuccessful bid in 2012.
Penzone announced his intent to resign last October.
On his last day, Friday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) posted a video featuring Penzone reciting former President Theodore Roosevelt’s monologue, “The Man in the Arena,” reflecting on his time as sheriff. Penzone didn’t attribute the monologue to Roosevelt.
“It is the men and women of MCSO who are in the arena,” said Penzone. “I hope that you express gratitude for them whenever you cross their paths, because their sacrifice and their work often goes unappreciated but it is the difference between living in a safe community or living in a space of fear.”
Penzone’s legacy included the establishment of identity-based community advisory boards, a K9 drug detection unit for jails, a motorcycle traffic enforcement fleet, deputy service aides for lower priority calls (like thefts, burglaries, and crashes), a tactical fugitive apprehension unit, two mental health services for MCSO staff, and the shutting down of Arpaio’s controversial Tent City jail program.
In place of that last program, Penzone established a substance abuse counseling program.
Reflecting on Sheriff Penzone’s tenure, we're sharing the impactful contributions he made since taking office in 2017.
8⃣: Under Sheriff Penzone, three community advisory boards were established to serve as liaisons between the Sheriff's Office & the diverse communities…
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen issued a press release, blasting his Democrat counterparts for “refusing to come to the table for budget negotiations.”
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senate Democrats Kick Off 2024 by Refusing to Come to the Table for Budget Negotiations
Petersen’s release revealed that the Senate Appropriations Chairman, John Kavanaugh, had transmitted two messages to Democrats – one on December 21, 2023, and the other on January 4, 2024. Those emails requested “input on which areas of government the Minority Caucus would prefer to reduce expenditures on, and which areas to prioritize continued funding for. According to Senate Republicans, not only have Kavanaugh’s emails gone without “response or acknowledgement,” but Petersen “was informed the Minority Leader is directing her Caucus not to engage with the Senate Appropriations Chairman on the budget.”
In a statement accompanying the news release, Petersen said, “It’s unfortunate we’re kicking off this legislative session with Senate Democrats playing games at the expense of our taxpayers. It’s time to be adults. We want all lawmakers to be at the table during budget negotiations, as the citizens of Arizona expect of their elected leaders, but we’ve heard nothing but crickets from the Minority Leader on her statutory obligation. We may have no other choice but to move forward without their input.”
The Senate Republican leader’s words hit a nerve with the chamber’s Democrats, who fired back through their “X” account, writing, “FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: it’s day 2 of session. You’ve moved forward on every other budget without Democrats, so this newest attempt at grandstanding falls flat. The state’s revenue picture has gotten worse month over month, so you know it’s not fiscally responsible to make budget decisions prior to the next Finance Advisory Committee meeting.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: it's day 2 of session.
You've moved forward on every other budget without Democrats, so this newest attempt at grandstanding falls flat. The state’s revenue picture has gotten worse month over month, so you know it’s not fiscally responsible to make… https://t.co/bVERhgqoOn
Senate Republicans corrected the record by reminding Democrats that they had “actually invited Democrats to the table last year as well.” The Republican Caucus shared an email from Kavanaugh from March 2, 2023, in which he extended an invitation to the Senate Minority Leader to “begin the process of discussing with you the budget priorities of the Senate Democratic Caucus.”
“You've moved forward on every other budget without Democrats”
🚨FACT CHECK: We actually invited Democrats to the table last year as well, but don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story. 😏 pic.twitter.com/Hql3FE1WOM
The early back-and-forth between the two political parties follows Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ second State of the State address, where she called on legislators to “find common ground” and to “work together to solve this gap.”
Both parties have vastly differing approaches to solving the state’s budget shortfall, though their rhetoric is somewhat similar at the start of the legislative session. In the Senate Republicans’ Majority Plan for 2024, they vowed to complete this mission “without irresponsibly tapping into the Rainy-Day Fund or using budget gimmicks,” promising instead to “use sound fiscal management strategies, like trimming unnecessary spending and prioritizing government’s top functions.” Hobbs stated that her soon-to-be-released budget would “rein in wasteful spending without sacrificing public safety and public education, establish guardrails on unaccountable programs without hurting hard-working families, and tighten our collective belts through increased efficiencies and innovation without gutting programs that support small businesses, seniors, and those in need.”
Last year, House and Senate Republicans approved a budget that was vetoed by Hobbs. Despite many partisan fights in the public eye between Republicans and the governor, Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma deftly managed a surprise budget compromise, in which their policy priorities remained largely intact. Hobbs will be under increased pressure this time around to extract more concessions from Republicans – especially over the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
