Another election-related bill was vetoed by Arizona’s Democrat Governor.
On Wednesday, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2393, which would have “require[d] political parties that choose to select a nominee for president by a vote that is open to the entire political party membership to provide a method of voting to uniformed services or overseas citizens and persons with disabilities.”
Governor Hobbs Vetoes Legislation Ensuring Voting Rights for Disabled and Overseas Military Members
“Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this bill is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Representative… pic.twitter.com/4OYIfAzP2q
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 11, 2024
In a letter provided to House Speaker Ben Toma, Hobbs explained the reason behind her veto, writing, “If the state were to change the manner in which political parties hold their own elections, it would be important to reflect bipartisan agreement.”
Republican State Representative Alexander Kolodin, the sponsor of the bill, was outraged by the governor’s action. He said, “Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this bill is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens. This action leaves a critical aspect of our state law ambiguous, failing to secure the voting rights of individuals with disabilities and our dedicated servicemembers. At a time when ensuring access to the democratic process should be of utmost importance, this veto represents a significant step backward. It’s as if the Governor believes maintaining a murky legal landscape is preferable to granting clear and equitable voting rights to all Arizonans. This isn’t just about policy – it’s about ensuring every voice is heard and valued in our democracy.”
The proposal first passed the Arizona House of Representatives in early February with a 31-24 vote (with two members not voting and three seats vacant). The Arizona Senate then amended the bill and approved that version with a 16-12 vote (with two members not voting) late last month. The House concurred with the Senate’s changes, voting 31-28 (with one member not voting) to transmit the legislation to the Governor’s Office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Legislation to strengthen border security against illicit drugs passed out of committee on Wednesday.
The House Committee on Homeland Security passed the Subterranean Border Defense Act, which was introduced by Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., and Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif. The bill awaits further action on the House Floor.
The bill would require annual reports to Congress on counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations.
“Effective border security is created by overlapping deterrents. My legislation would help ensure that Congress has the necessary data to forge another much-needed layer of defense—especially when the Biden Administration’s policies have left our country inexcusably vulnerable,” Crane said. “I’m grateful to Chairman Green for his support of this bill and for his distinguished leadership on the Committee.”
Illicit cross-border tunnels along the southwest border of the United States represent a significant and growing threat to national security, according to a news release from the congressman.
Law enforcement officials have discovered more than 140 tunnels that have breached the U.S. border since 1990. There has been an 80% increase in tunnel activity occurring since 2008.
House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green said the committee is committed to protecting America from cartels.
“Illicit cross-border tunnel operations are more evidence that vicious criminal cartels will stop at nothing to smuggle weapons, drugs, and illegal aliens into this country to our detriment, and for their profit,” Green said. “DHS must provide Congress with reporting on these operations annually, as well as the Border Patrol’s efforts to stop them, as these operations are a threat to all Americans.”
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday which would enable Gila County, Arizona to operate a veterans center on 232 acres in Young, Arizona.
Introduced by Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., the bill creates the first center of its kind in northern Arizona, providing resources and support to primarily rural veterans and their families.
This veterans center is so crucial for rural veterans in northern Arizona who selflessly served our nation,” Crane said. “I’m grateful to see my colleagues in the House recognize the significance of this land transfer.”
The federal government retains large amounts of land, limiting states’ ability to maintain, conserve, recreate, and responsibly produce on the lands within their own borders, according to Crane. Transferring ownership to Gila County would guard the property’s history and provide family housing, meeting and activity spaces, resource rooms, Veteran Ceremonial Grounds, and outdoor recreation.
“This was the first piece of legislation I introduced and is a testament to the significance of northern Arizona’s veterans,” Crane said. “Anytime Congress can vote on legislation that returns power to the states is a good thing.”
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and former Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., co-sponsored the bipartisan effort legislation last Congress.
Crane thanked the House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany for their leadership. Westerman said Congress must do all it can to thank veterans and their families for their sacrifice.
“The commonsense, bipartisan land transfer provided by H.R. 1829 will do just that by opening up new experiences to veterans in the area for recreation and recovery,” Westerman said. “A veteran himself, Representative Crane has led on these issues this Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to get this bill through the Senate and signed into law.”
Democratic Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Krysten Sinema introduced the bill in the Senate.
In the hearing, Crane asked Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline about the purpose of the veterans center.
Gila County Supervisor Woody Cline testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on the significant impacts and outstanding resources the center would provide for veterans and their families in the region. He said the site would be one of two in Arizona.
“It’s huge for our local community as well,” he said. “We have a local veteran community of about 100 people right there in that small town. And then right there between us and Payson, there’s roughly another 5,000-7,000 more right there. Having this accessible, not only to the local members, the state members, the national members, but also, we’re adjacent to the White Mountain Apache Tribe that is not very far away that has a number of veterans in that reservation as well that have been big supporters of this project. It means everything to these folks.”
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
Scottsdale parents and community members were approved to donate pro-American books to district schools.
The Scottsdale Unified School DIstrict (SUSD) governing board approved the books unanimously during Wednesday’s meeting. The selections will be part of a new “American Pride Library” program spread across SUSD’s 29 libraries. Grassroots activists who have been pushing for a cleanup of school curriculum celebrated the win.
Scottsdale United for Educational Integrity, the parent group leading the initiative, announced the win shortly after the board’s approval.
“We did it! Our American Pride Library donation of pro-American books has been approved 5-0 by the Scottsdale Unified governing board,” stated the group.
— Arizona Women of Action (@azwomenofaction) April 10, 2024
Among the approved books donated were selections from the popular Tuttle Twins franchise, and “A is for American Dream” by the Phoenix-based libertarian think tank, The Goldwater Institute.
In addition to the Goldwater Institute picture book, SUSD elementary schools will receive the two “America’s History” volumes from the Tuttle Twins franchise, as well as the following “Tuttle Twins” series: “Law,” “The Miraculous Pencil,” “The Creature from Jekyll Island,” “The Food Truck Fiasco,” “The Road to Serfdom,” “The Golden Rule,” “The Search for Atlas,” “Their Spectacular Show Business,” “The Fate of the Future,” “The Education Vacation,” “The Messed Up Market,” “The Leviathan Crisis,” and “The 12 Rules Bootcamp.”
Middle schools will receive both volumes of “America’s History,” as well as the following Tuttle Twins’ “Guide” series: “Logical Fallacies,” “Beware Your Bias,” “Inspiring Entrepreneurs,” “Modern Villains,” “True Conspiracies,” and “Courageous Heroes.”
High schools will receive both volumes of “America’s History,” as well as the following Tuttle Twins’ series: “The Hyperinflation Devastation,” “The Little Pink House,” “The Case of the Broken Window,” “The Play for Power,” “Guide to Logical Fallacies,” “Guide to Beware Your Bias,” “Guide to Inspiring Entrepreneurs,” “Guide to Modern Villains,” “Guide to True Conspiracies,” and “Guide to Courageous Heroes.”
The books were part of a pushback against the objected books available containing a variety of progressive, often explicit content addressing subjects like LGBTQ+ ideology and Critical Race Theory. These activist groups maintain a list of these objected books, which they characterize as “adult only.”
The Tuttle Twins company’s Education Outreach Coordinator, Andrea Ford, expressed support for the Scottsdale grassroots’ mission to improve SUSD’s library selections.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the teachers in SUSD and are excited to support them in building a freer society by providing materials to enhance critical thinking skills, knowledge of free market economy and entrepreneurship, and increasing proficiency in the history of our country,” said Ford. “Our goal at Tuttle Twins is to distribute our books to all schools in the nation and assist in bringing a new culture of liberty for our rising generation.”
“Conservative Circus” radio host James T. Harris also praised the grassroots for taking initiative in improving their schools’ libraries with “positive, wholesome books” that would build up the community and the nation as a whole.
“These parents, they came together, they took this issue into their own hands, and here they are presenting something positive,” said Harris.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Arizona legislative Republicans are calling on their leadership to send a border-related measure to the voters in November.
On March 28, a group of Arizona House Republicans signed a letter, requesting that Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen “convene a special committee hearing, whereby Texas-style border security legislation can be promptly advanced and placed on the ballot.”
Arizonans will not have the opportunity to vote on Texas-style border legislation unless leadership takes action. We are calling on them to do just that! pic.twitter.com/sSsXuNp74d
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) March 28, 2024
The members wrote that they “stand united with our brothers and sisters in the Senate in this body’s ongoing efforts to curb crimes against our citizens and prevent the ongoing invasion of this state.” They stated their resolve to “no longer allow continued cooperation with criminal international cartels, foreign countries, NGO’s, and the immigration industrial complex to make Arizona their staging ground and open-door funnel to destroy our Republic.”
According to the letter, the Republicans asserted their knowledge that “this Governor will not take action,” adding that Hobbs “has already vetoed several common-sense border security measures,” prompting the desire to act.
The next day, Representative Alexander Kolodin posted an update on his “X” account, sharing that he was “informed that the legislature will be having a ‘border day’ to introduce and hear ballot referrals before the end of session.”
Update, I am informed that the legislature will be having a "border day" to introduce and hear ballot referrals before the end of session! https://t.co/nhgYhrpiPi
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) March 29, 2024
Last month, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which was sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp. The bill would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
In her veto letter to Senate President Warren Petersen, Hobbs said, “This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel and the state judicial system. Further, this bill presents significant constitutional concerns and would be certain to mire the State in costly and protracted litigation.”
Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state. SB1231 does not secure our border. Instead, it demonizes our communities, hurts businesses and farmers, and burdens law enforcement and our judicial system.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) March 5, 2024
Shamp vowed that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis, saying, “The Republican-controlled Legislature will continue to prioritize closing our border and providing law enforcement with the tools they need. This veto is a slap in the face to them, Arizona’s victims of border-related crimes, and other citizens who will inevitably feel the wrath of this border invasion in one way, shape, or form at the hands of Hobbs and Biden.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs Blocks Senate Republican Bill Protecting Arizonans from Border-Related Crimes pic.twitter.com/pMgyTEiBgX
A Mexican national was sentenced to prison for leading a human smuggling operation.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash sentenced Martin Garcia-Velazquez to 90 months in federal prison “for his leadership role in a criminal conspiracy to transport and harbor at least 1,000 undocumented noncitizens over several years.” On September 20, 2023, Garcia-Velazquez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit.
According to the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Arizona, Garcia-Velazquez “admitted that he organized the transportation of undocumented noncitizens from the Mexico border to houses in and around Phoenix.” The announcement also revealed that Homeland Security Investigations agents “seized and forfeited from organization members over $1 million” – in addition to firearms, ammunition, and vehicles.
Garcia-Velazquez is 42 years-old. He comes from San Antonio, Michoacan, Mexico.
Other co-conspirators of the operation have been sentenced in federal court.
The investigation and prosecution resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation and Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The news bulletin from the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that OCDETF “identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.” The Office also shared that JTFA “was established to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
