Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) has once again been ranked as Arizona’s most bipartisan member of Congress, earning an “A” grade and a 97.5 Bridge Score in the latest Bridge Grades report evaluating members of Congress.
The score, based on data through June 30 2026, places Ciscomani among the top 20 most bipartisan members of the entire House. His 97.5 score is more than double the House average of 44.9.
Bridge Grades, a nonpartisan project of the Mediators Foundation, evaluates members of Congress based on how collaboratively or divisively they govern.
The organization uses third-party data examining legislative records, bipartisan bill sponsorship and co-sponsorship, public statements, rhetoric, and other measures of congressional collaboration.
According to the organization, “bridgers” are lawmakers who build bipartisan consensus and coalitions, while “dividers” pursue more partisan approaches to governing.
For Ciscomani, the latest recognition marks the second consecutive time he has received an “A” grade from the Bridge Grades.
“Getting results for Arizona families means working with anyone willing to find solutions, regardless of party,” stated Ciscomani. “I was sent to Congress to deliver common-sense, lasting results for Arizonans, and I will keep fighting to deliver real, tangible outcomes for our local communities. This recognition again reflects the hard work of my team and our commitment to ensuring Southern Arizona has a seat at the table in Washington.”
Ciscomani’s bipartisan ranking comes alongside his record of legislative activity during the 119th Congress.
According to data cited by the congressman, he has introduced 32 bills, with 10 passing the House of Representatives, as well as bringing tens of millions of dollars in federal investment back into Arizona.
The congressman has also been recognized for his legislative effectiveness. The nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking previously ranked Ciscomani as the most effective member of Arizona’s congressional delegation during the 118th Congress.
As a member of the House Appropriations and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, Ciscomani has focused on issues including national security, veterans’ services, border security, Arizona’s water resources, and federal investments in local communities.
The latest Bridge Grades recognition adds another national bipartisan distinction to Ciscomani’s record as he prepares for another general election campaign in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District, where he faces Democratic nominee JoAnna Mendoza.
“Voters who want lower costs, safer communities and funding for local priorities trust Representative Juan Ciscomani to break through the D.C. noise and get results,” stated NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen. “But far-left lobbyist Joanna Mendoza would jeopardize Arizonans’ priorities for her extreme agenda, raising taxes and risking their safety.”
“Working down the aisle” has remained a central theme of Ciscomani’s congressional record with his office pointing to bipartisan legislation, federal funding for Arizona communities, and legislation addressing issues ranging from veterans and critical mineral to economic development.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Gov. Katie Hobbs says public education is woefully underfunded, but fiscal reporting indicates districts are flush with cash.
According to the latest Arizona Department of Education annual financial report, public school districts carried forward more than $8.3 billion in unspent funds from the 2024-25 fiscal year.
That is nearly equivalent to total appropriations that the state allocated for public education in the 2024-25 fiscal year: $8.9 billion, which goes beyond K-12 schools to include the Board of Regents, community colleges, and universities.
That $8.9 billion accounts for 55% of total appropriations out of the state’s general fund, which amounted to more than $16.2 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Within the $8.3 billion carried over from the 2024-25 fiscal year:
$1.6 billion for bond building
$1.3 billion for maintenance and operations
$1.2 billion for “other” funding
$941,000 for the Classroom Site Fund and Instructional Improvement Fund
$884,000 for unrestricted capital outlay
$708,000 for federal projects
$672,000 for bond principal deduction
$393,000 for debt service
$248,000 for food service
$150,000 for adjacent ways
$147,000 for school plant
$41,000 for state projects
The emergency deficiencies correction, building renewal, and new school facilities funds had negative balances of approximately $395,000, $19 million, and $33 million, respectively.
Last fall, the Common Sense Institute estimated that school districts hold more than $20 billion in combined cash reserves and underutilized real estate.
Public school district enrollment has declined steadily since 2008, more so in recent years after the state allowed universal enrollment for the ESA program in 2022.
Hobbs has advocated for lawmakers to revive Proposition 123, which would take around $300 million every year from the State Land Trust Permanent Fund and give it to education. $300 million is equivalent to a drop in the public education fund bucket: approximately 3% of what the state allocated from its general fund in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Hobbs credited Prop 123 as providing “critical funding” for districts and educators in her State of the State address earlier this year. The governor said the funding provided by the proposition curbed the budget shortfall and would enable teacher pay raises and prevent future tax hikes.
The governor and lawmakers have failed to reach a consensus on renewing Prop 123. The proposition expired in June 2025.
Teresa Leyba Ruiz, the Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction, wants to claw back another 3% from a potential funding source. As reported earlier this week, Ruiz proposed reverting the $350 million set aside in Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program funds back to public schools.
32% of educators reported having an external job and 21% of educators indicated additional paid responsibilities and a second job outside their school, according to a 2024 report by Hobbs’ Educator Retention Task Force issued in partnership with the Arizona State University Morrison Institute for Public Policy.
That same report identified inadequate salary, unpaid duties and hours, pay differences, and salary compression as issues impacting retention. The report estimated that only 16% of educators agreed that their salary was satisfactory and motivated them to stay in their professions.
A more recent poll of more than 9,300 educators during the 2025-26 school year by the Arizona Department of Education also found that teacher pay was one of the biggest sources of dissatisfaction for educators.
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The Joint Economic Committee released its Monthly Inflation Update for July 2026, showing that consumer prices continued to rise, while real earnings remained mostly steady during the month.
According to the report, the headline Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.07% from June to July and rose 3.36% over the previous year.
Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, increased 0.22% in July and was up 2.48% from July 2025.
Energy prices declined 1.48% in July but remained significantly higher than a year earlier, with energy price inflation increasing 14.73% over the past 12 months. Food prices increased 0.08% during July and were up 2.98% compared with July 2025.
CPI-U increased 0.07% in July & rose to 3.36% over the past year. Core CPI increased 0.22% & rose to 2.48% over the past year. Energy price inflation was down by 1.48% in July & was up 14.73% over the past year. Food price inflation rose 0.08% & was up 2.98% over the past year.…
— Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) August 12, 2026
Inflation also varied across the country. Annual headline CPI inflation was highest in the Northeast at 4.1%, followed by the Midwest at 3.5%. The South recorded annual inflation of 3.2%, while the West had the lowest rate among the four regions at 3.0%.
The inflation report comes less than a week after a disappointing jobs report that showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July. Economists had expected employers to add jobs during the month.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also sharply revised employment gains for May and June downward by a combined 103,000 jobs, providing a weaker picture of the labor market than previously reported.
The July employment report also showed an unemployment rate of 4.1%, down slightly from June. However, the decline was accompanied by a reduction in labor-force participation, while employment fell in areas including local government, education, and retail trade sectors. Healthcare continued to trend upward.
The combination of persistent inflation and signs of a weakening labor market leaves the Federal Reserve facing a difficult balancing act as it considers its next interest-rate decision.
The Federal Reserve previously voted 9-3 to maintain the benchmark interest rate, and the latest inflation and employment data could further reduce pressure on the central bank to raise rates at its September meeting.
While inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, the weaker-than-expected jobs numbers and downward revisions to previous employment gains could give policymakers additional reason to exercise caution.
The Federal Reserve will receive another round of inflation and employment data before its September meeting, giving policymakers a final set of economic data to consider as they weigh continued price pressures against growing signs of a cooling labor market.
The July report also examined changes in workers’ real earnings, which account for the effects of inflation. For all employees on private, non-farm payrolls, real average weekly earnings decreased 0.02% from June to July, while real average hourly earnings declined 0.09%.
Among production and nonsupervisory employees on private non-farm payrolls, real average weekly earnings increased 0.06% during the month. Real average hourly earnings for the group remained unchanged, with a net change of 0.00%.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) met with Huachuca City officials Tuesday to discuss a $1.3 million federal funding provision intended to replace the town fire department’s aging ladder-equipped fire engine.
The congressman visited Huachuca City this week and met with local leaders and fire personnel about the proposed purchase. The funding remains preliminary and has not been distributed to the town.
The provision appears in H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027. The House passed the bill 213-210 on June 4, and it was received by the Senate on June 8. Senate approval and enactment of the appropriations legislation are still required before the funding becomes available.
Grateful to see firsthand how the $1.3 million in federal funding I preliminarily secured will strengthen fire response in Huachuca City and across the region.
Proud to fight for this meaningful investment, which will bring a much-needed quint ladder truck and help keep #AZ06… pic.twitter.com/p5j5qGuHhg
— Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) August 12, 2026
Ciscomani’s Community Project Funding disclosure identifies Huachuca City as the intended recipient of $1.3 million for the “Community Fire Protection and Regional Mutual Aid Ladder Truck Acquisition Project.”
The money would replace an aging fire engine with a quint ladder truck equipped with a 78-foot Viper aerial. According to the disclosure, the apparatus would be used for fire suppression, rescue operations, and emergency response.
Huachuca City’s existing ladder-equipped engine dates to 2008 and is approaching the end of its service life. It is currently the department’s only apparatus equipped with a ladder. The town relies on grants and federal funding to finance large equipment purchases.
The proposed truck would be stationed in Huachuca City and made available for regional mutual-aid responses. Ciscomani’s disclosure states that the apparatus would also support emergency operations in Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, Whetstone, and unincorporated areas of Cochise County.
“This has different layers of purpose,” Ciscomani told KGUN while discussing the project’s regional role.
Huachuca City Mayor Johann Wallace said the purchase would give the department approximately 20 additional years of apparatus service and allow it to continue assisting other communities throughout Cochise County.
The Huachuca City proposal is among 20 fiscal year 2027 Community Project Funding requests supported by Ciscomani. His office announced in June that the fire-truck provision and two other projects in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District had been included in the House-passed agriculture appropriations bill.
According to a press release from Ciscomani’s office, the proposed funding for Huachuca City is included among a total of $7.3 million in FY2027 funding for Cochise County.
“As Arizona’s sole appropriator in either the House or Senate, I have made it my mission to be a relentless advocate for Southern Arizona by listening to the needs of our communities and fighting to bring those priorities to Washington,” Ciscomani said.
“Every Community Project Funding request I champion is driven by local leaders and the people they serve, ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested where they will have the greatest impact. These meaningful investments in Cochise County will improve and strengthen public safety by equipping our first responders with the tools necessary to do their job effectively, such as replacing an aging fire engine with a new quint ladder truck, to ensure that across Cochise County they are prepared to meet the moment when it matters most.”
H.R. 8646 remains pending in the Senate. The Huachuca City allocation will depend on the project remaining in the final appropriations legislation approved by Congress and signed into law.
A coalition of U.S. House Democrats have banded together to pledge against socialism, but none of Arizona’s Democrat congressional leaders signed on.
Reps. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03) have not signed the Promise to America, an organization pushing a pledge to align the Democratic Party around the principles of capitalism, safety, fiscal responsibility, effective government, common purpose, and patriotism.
The three congressional leaders have not publicly aligned with socialism, and are not known to be members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Stanton’s primary challenger, Kai Newkirk, was a self-identified democratic socialist.
However, top Democrats in Arizona appear to be looking to reclaim and redefine socialism. Gov. Katie Hobbs’ consultant Stacy Pearson, who has represented her campaign to the media, recently told KJZZ that all public goods qualified as socialism, and that Democrats needed to reclaim socialist ideology as their own.
“[W]hen politicians are arguing against socialism, they’re arguing against well-funded public education and good universities and public transportation and affordable housing,” said Pearson. “The Democrats need to get a hold of the word socialist like we did with abortion, and we stopped using weird pitter-patter words like ‘reproductive freedom’ and ‘reproductive rights.’ No, we’re really talking about a woman’s right to have an abortion when she needs one, period. And so I think we need to get a hold of the word again and remind people what it really means.”
The new pledge from U.S. House Democrats against socialism declares a belief in an economy driven by merit and hard work, secure borders and orderly immigration, a balanced budget, reduced bureaucracy, free speech, common political ground, and confidence rooted in patriotism.
“We are proud, not ashamed of America,” stated the pledge. “We believe America’s story is one of extraordinary achievement and unfinished work. We honor America’s strengths and exceptional character while striving to build a freer, stronger, more prosperous, and more perfect union.”
Ten congressional Democrats and five candidates have signed the pledge as of this report. Signatories hail from California, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas.
The pledge was developed by New York Rep. Tom Suozzi and California Rep. Adam Gray alongside a team of fellows following sizable wins from socialist candidates in the June primaries. The founding fellows were Felix Frisch, who serves as director; Mac Healey; Sarah Buchanan; Molly Uthoff; Aarynn Deleon; Chloe Stevelman; and Yenjay Hu.
Suozzi and Gray market themselves as the two Democrats to have successfully flipped districts that President Donald Trump won in the 2024 election cycle.
Promise to America appears to be aligned with the Welcome Party, which has an affiliated political action committee with millions in funding from the likes of LinkedIn cofounder and tech venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, former 21st century Fox CEO James Murdoch, and Walmart heir Samuel Walton.
Only one Democratic candidate from Arizona was listed as having signed the pledge: Marlene Galan Woods, who lost the Democratic nomination for the 1st congressional district seat to Amish Shah.
Candidates Jonathan Nez, 2nd congressional district; Elizabeth Lee, 5th congressional district; JoAnna Mendoza, 6th congressional district; Bernadette Greene-Placentia, 8th congressional district; and Dani Sterbinksy, 9th congressional district, also have not signed the pledge.
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A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ordered Arizona election officials Tuesday to rewrite the descriptive title and “yes” and “no” statements for Proposition 212. The judge found that the current version omits substantial changes to enforcement and government oversight and misleadingly describes Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program as a “school voucher program.”
Judge Julie Ann Mata enjoined Secretary of State Adrian Fontes from using the current language on the official ballot or in the publicity pamphlet. She also issued a writ directing Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes to revise the language in accordance with state law and her ruling.
The court left the exact wording to Fontes and Mayes under their statutory drafting and approval authority. Mata declined to order the state to adopt replacement language proposed by the plaintiffs and denied their request for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Daryl Groves and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) filed the case against Mayes and Fontes on July 28. Protect Education, Accountability Now, the political committee sponsoring Proposition 212, participated as a friend of the court in support of the challenged language. The defendants argued that the wording fairly summarized the measure and complied with A.R.S. § 19-125(D).
AFEC called the order a “major victory for Arizona school choice” and said, “Arizona voters deserve the truth.”
BREAKING NEWS: MAJOR VICTORY FOR ARIZONA SCHOOL CHOICE
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has won at the trial court in our lawsuit challenging the misleading ballot language drafted for Proposition 212: the union-backed initiative targeting Arizona’s ESA program.
Mata wrote that the court’s review addressed the accuracy of the ballot language and left the policy merits of Proposition 212 to voters.
The version posted by the Secretary of State before the ruling states that Proposition 212 would limit ESA eligibility to families earning $150,000 or less per year, with specified exceptions; prohibit spending on noneducational and luxury items; impose qualifications on tutors; require accreditation or testing for participating schools; and generally return unspent annual ESA allocations to the state.
The full initiative also gives the sponsoring committee or its designee standing to initiate or intervene in litigation to enforce or defend the measure. Mata found that authority to be a substantial change that the ballot title or description must disclose. She found that the existing phrase “other rules and restrictions” failed to adequately inform voters about it.
Mata also found that the “yes” statement omitted a substantial change to two existing statutory limits on government control or supervision of nonpublic schools and homeschools. Proposition 212 would amend those provisions to permit control or supervision provided elsewhere in the ESA chapter for schools and homeschools receiving ESA funds. The court did not rule on the constitutionality of that proposed change.
The judge separately found the phrase “school voucher program” misleading. She cited Arizona decisions that invalidated two voucher programs and later upheld the ESA program under a different legal structure. Mata wrote that using the phrase could lead voters to treat the legally distinct programs as equivalent.
The court rejected one of AFEC’s arguments. The group argued that describing the $150,000 income limit as “adjusted for inflation” could mislead voters because the initiative caps the annual adjustment at the lower of 2% or the change in the gross domestic product price deflator. Mata found the existing wording provided appropriate information and held that omitting the precise formula was not misleading.
In a separate decision, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Daniel Martin also ordered changes Tuesday to a separate piece of voter information concerning Proposition 212. The judge directed the Arizona Legislative Council to revise its analysis for the publicity pamphlet by Aug. 21.
Martin found the Council’s statement that the initiative committee would have “the power to sue the families and private schools that participate in the program for any violations of the proposition” sufficiently partisan to violate state law. He ordered the Council to strike or revise the language by Aug. 21. The Council’s adopted three-page analysis is governed by a separate law requiring an impartial explanation for the publicity pamphlet.
Mata’s case concerned the shorter ballot title and “yes” and “no” statements prepared by the Secretary of State and approved by the Attorney General.
Proposition 212’s ballot qualification remains the subject of separate litigation over petition circulators and signatures. That case, Clark v. Fontes, is a Goldwater Institute and AFEC-backed challenge to the initiative’s petition circulators and signatures. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David McDowell is expected to rule on the matter by the end of the week. The amended complaint seeks to prevent the initiative from appearing on the November ballot.
