Arizona has not yet opted into a new tax credit to provide school choice funds for families, and the Trump administration is urging Gov. Katie Hobbs to join.
Linda McMahon, education secretary for the Department of Education (ED), chastised the governor during a touring event and press conference at the East Valley Institute of Technology on Tuesday.
Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) — the Republican nominee for governor — and House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) were present with McMahon.
The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, signed into law through the One Big Beautiful Bill last year, enables individuals to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit up to $1,700 for contributing to approved K-12 scholarship-granting organizations.
ED defines qualifying scholarship granting organizations as those nonprofits that use contribution funds to provide scholarships for education-related services at both private and public schools. These nonprofits must use at least 90% of income on scholarships for educational choice options for K-12 students.
At the Tuesday event, McMahon accused Hobbs of denying Arizona students and their parents the access to “real” educational freedom.
“Governor Hobbs has vetoed three measures that would have allowed Arizona to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, holding Arizona families back from accessing these powerful opportunities expanding across the country,” said McMahon. “This is what real empowerment looks like, giving parents the freedom to choose the path that best serves their child, instead of forcing every student into a rigid, one-size-fits-all system.”
Hobbs must opt in and submit a certified list of scholarship granting organizations by Jan. 1, 2027, for Arizona to participate in the inaugural year of the program.
Even if Hobbs does not opt Arizona into the program, Arizona residents may still claim the tax credit. Instead of their credit going to Arizona students, however, those contributions will go to eligible students elsewhere in participating states.
Hobbs explained in her veto of SB 1142 that she wouldn’t opt Arizona into the program until the Trump administration issues regulatory guidance for it. She compared the tax credit program to the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, the state’s universal school choice program.
A bipartisan coalition of 30 states have opted into the federal education tax credit program so far: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
New York announced in May it would opt into the program but has not finalized that opt-in.
Four states have declined to join: Hawaii, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oregon. Similar to Hobbs, the governor of Wisconsin vetoed legislation to opt into the program.
13 states and Washington, D.C. have yet to announce a decision: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Rep. Biggs, who is looking to unseat Hobbs this November, published a press release criticizing Hobbs’ refusal to allow Arizona to join the program.
“Because of her failure, Arizona students will miss out on scholarship dollars that could help pay for tuition, tutoring, technology, special education services, and other educational needs,” said Biggs. “Arizonans should not have to watch their tax dollars create educational opportunities for students in other states simply because their governor refuses to participate.”
McMahon also addressed a Scottsdale audience in a “Great American Comeback Tour” event hosted by the America First Policy Institute. The Republican nominee for Congressional District 1, Jay Feely, also participated in the panel.
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A Tempe school employee was arrested last weekend for alleged voyeurism involving security footage of minors for sexual gratification.
Antony Nikai Cruz, 28, is accused of downloading surveillance footage of girls ages 13 to 15 years old changing in a makeshift locker room amid renovations at Corona del Sol High School.
Cruz is facing one felony count of voyeurism for sexual gratification; his bond was set at $100,000.
Cruz was not a teacher, according to Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) officials. While the district didn’t disclose what Cruz’s employment entailed in interviews with the media, TUHSD governing board records reflect that Cruz’s latest employment title was a surveillance officer for the district office, and that he has been with the district since at least the 2022-2023 school year.
Other board records reflect that Cruz provided more than security services for the district.
Records reflect that Cruz coached freshman wrestling at Marcos de Niza High School in 2024.
Records also reflect that Cruz worked as a safety and security officer at various times at Marcos de Niza High School, Mountain Pointe High School, Corona del Sol High School, and Desert Vista High School.
Governing board records further reflect the following for Cruz’s employment history with TUHSD:
July 1, 2024: worked extra duty at Corona del Sol High School
July 26, 2024: worked extra duty to provide security for an event at Corona del Sol High School
September 9, 2024: worked extra duty to provide security for an event at Desert Vista High School
November 4, 2024: worked extra duty to coach freshman wrestling at Marcos de Niza High School
May 1, 2025: worked extra duty at Marcos de Niza High School
May 21, 2025: worked extra duty at Desert Vista High School
June 24, 2026: employment changed from 1.0 safety and security officer at Marcos de Niza High School to 1.0 surveillance officer at the district office, effective July 1, 2026
July 1, 2026: worked extra duty as a safety and security officer at Mountain Pointe High School
The district placed Cruz on administrative leave the day prior to his arrest. He has since been terminated.
According to court records, Cruz was discovered to have downloaded the makeshift locker room footage during a security supervisor audit of security system activity late last week. Court records claim Cruz downloaded the footage in July.
That audit reportedly revealed that the camera download history indicated security footage had been exported to external drives, and the security system’s cloud storage history indicated access by an IP address believed to belong to Cruz’s household.
That TUHSD security supervisor contacted the Tempe Police Department about his findings. Police arrested Cruz at his home in south Phoenix on Saturday.
TUHSD issued a statement assuring the public that they believe the security footage was isolated to one camera on campus. TUHSD has also clarified that the existence of security cameras in the makeshift locker room was not standard, stating that the district doesn’t have cameras in classrooms, regular locker rooms, or other designated changing areas.
The investigation into Cruz is ongoing.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is moving forward with plans to establish two new colleges focused on law and skilled trades as the university begins another record-breaking year.
GCU announced this week that it expects to serve approximately 141,000 students during the 2026-2027 academic year, representing a 6% increase from the previous year.
The university said the growth comes as it works to expand its academic offerings and respond to workforce demands in Arizona and across the country.
The planned College of Law and College of Construction and Industrial Technologies would become GCU’s 11th and 12th colleges.
“At a time when higher education is facing enormous disruption and uncertainty, GCU continues to grow because students and families are looking for something different,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “They want a quality education grounded in Christian worldview principles that prepares them for a meaningful career, but they also want to be part of a community that helps them grow as people and understand the purpose behind their work.”
“Whether a student wants to become a lawyer, an engineer, an electrician, a nurse, a pastor, a teacher or a construction professional, we believe all work is sacred and has purpose,” he added.
A record 141,000 students are expected to delve into their studies at GCU in the 2026-27 academic year! GCU has also announced plans to establish the College of Law and the College of Construction and Industrial Technologies. Read more: https://t.co/I2vuoH5k5v
GCU is moving forward with plans to establish a College of Law that would incorporate a Christian worldview into its curriculum while emphasizing Constitutional law, free-market principles, and the rule of law.
The proposed law school has not yet received all of the necessary approvals. Its establishment remains subject to approval or accreditation from the Arizona Supreme Court justices, the Higher Learning Commission, the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education, and the American Bar Association.
If those approvals are obtained, GCU said it would welcome its first law students as early as fall 2027 or spring 2028.
If the program ultimately receives American Bar Association accreditation, GCU would become the third ABA-accredited law school in Arizona, joining Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.
The university is currently conducting final interviews for the founding dean of the College of Law and expects to make a selection in the coming weeks.
“The legal profession plays a critical role in preserving the institutions and principles that make a free society possible,” Mueller said. “We believe there is an opportunity to create a law school that produces outstanding attorneys while also grounding students in a Christian worldview, a deep understanding of the Constitution and an appreciation for the principles of free markets, individual liberty and the rule of law.”
The proposed college would expand GCU’s focus beyond undergraduate education and provide students with a pathway into the legal profession while emphasizing service and leadership.
GCU is also preparing to launch its College of Construction and Industrial Technologies (CCIT), which will focus on workforce development and skilled trades.
The college is designed to offer multiple pathways into the workforce, ranging from short-term credentials and apprenticeships to bachelor’s degrees and eventually graduate-level education.
GCU said the goal is to allow students to enter the workforce after completing shorter-term programs and potentially return later to pursue additional education while already employed.
“For decades, students have been told they had to choose between college or the trades,” Mueller said. “CCIT is unique in that we offer both — an opportunity to experience life on a major college campus while also getting instruction specifically devoted to manufacturing, electrical work, micro-chip technology and construction. Those students might enter the workforce immediately after completing short-term credentials or an apprenticeship, then return later with a job in hand to pursue a four-year degree.”
The college will focus on fields including manufacturing, electrical work, microchip technology, and construction.
GCU mentioned it is working with companies including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Amkor, Lux Precision Manufacturing, Benchmark, and McCarthy Building Companies as part of its workforce-development efforts.
The partnerships are intended to help address labor shortages by combining academic instruction with hands-on technical training.
Mueller said Arizona’s continued growth in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and construction has created demand for workers at multiple levels, including engineers, technicians, electricians, machinists, and construction professionals.
“Arizona is attracting billions of dollars in investment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, construction and other industrial sectors,” Mueller said. “Those investments are creating significant demand not only for engineers and other professionals with four-year degrees, but also for thousands of highly skilled technicians, electricians, machinists, construction professionals and other tradespeople.”
The expansion comes as GCU prepares for another record enrollment year.
The university projects approximately 141,000 students for the 2026-27 academic year, including more than 24,000 students on its Phoenix campus and approximately 117,000 online students.
GCU said fully admissible students entering its Phoenix campus in 2025 had an average GPA of 3.6, while the Honors College reported an average weighted incoming GPA of 4.1.
The Honors College now has more than 3,400 students.
The university currently offers approximately 400 degrees, emphases, and certificates across 12 colleges.
As GCU expands its academic offerings, university officials said the two proposed colleges are intended to address different areas of eduction while supporting the same broader goal, preparing students for careers and encouraging them to contribute to their communities.
“America has historically been a nation of builders, and we want to help bring that back,” added Mueller. “These are high-skilled, in-demand, good-paying professions that can provide tremendous opportunities for students and their families while strengthening the communities and economy around them.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs is calling for a statewide ban on Flock automated license plate reader cameras, putting him at odds with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who said she trusts individual law enforcement agencies to decide whether they want to use the surveillance technology.
The disagreement came during a public safety forum hosted by the Arizona Police Association on Tuesday at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus.
Biggs and Hobbs answered questions separately and did not share the stage, with both candidates addressing issues including border security, police funding, and automated license plate readers (ALPRs).
According to Fox 10, the forum was intended to allow voters and Arizona law enforcement officials to hear each candidate’s position on public safety issues ahead of the November gubernatorial election.
Biggs said he would ban Flock cameras throughout Arizona if elected governor.
This isn’t a partisan issue, but it’s a clear difference between me and Katie Hobbs.
We can find ways to support law enforcement without putting our civil liberties in danger. https://t.co/POoqxvCiaU
Hobbs took a different position. According to KTAR News, Hobbs claimed she trusts individual law enforcement agencies to determine whether they want to use surveillance technology such as Flock cameras.
The disagreement came as several Arizona cities and police departments have recently suspended, investigated, or terminated their use of Flock cameras following concerns over the potential misuse of the technology.
The debate over Flock cameras gained new significance on Wednesday when the City of Tempe announced it had shut down its entire network of Flock automated license plate readers and would terminate its contract with the company.
Tempe has turned off its Flock automated license plate reader system and will end its contract with the company. The cameras are no longer collecting license plate data, and Tempe will not seek another company to replace the system.
The city previously ended automatic data sharing from its Flock cameras earlier this month.
Although the city said its own audits did not uncover improper use of the system, officials said recent incidents involving other Arizona law enforcement agencies raised concerns about the potential for misuse.
A Chandler police officer recently resigned after admitting to improperly using the department’s Flock system to locate a family member. The city subsequently discontinued its 40-camera Flock system and said it would not renew its current agreement with the company.
In Apache Junction, former officer Joshua McDaniel also resigned after an investigation found that he had used the Flock system to search for his wife’s vehicle. Two dispatchers who assisted with the search were also disciplined.
Goodyear has also launched a criminal investigation after an internal-affairs audit identified potential misuse of its Flock system by an officer. That officer was placed on administrative leave and had access to department computer systems restricted.
Surprise initially suspended its Flock system after an audit identified an anomaly and placed an officer on administrative leave. The city then canceled its Flock contract and requested that the company’s equipment be removed.
However, the officer was cleared of wrongdoing on after investigators determined the apparent anomaly was caused by a technical issue rather than improper use.
The Surprise Police Department has concluded a formal Professional Standards Unit investigation into an anomaly found during a routine audit of its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, fully clearing the involved police officer of any system misuse.
Sedona, Flagstaff, South Tucson, Pinal County, and Cave Creek have also ended or announced plans to end their Flock contracts within the last year.
With Flock cameras becoming an increasingly controversial issue across Arizona, the technology is expected to draw further debate at the state Capitol during the upcoming legislative session.
Lawmakers have already attempted to establish statewide regulations governing automated license plate readers, with several proposals introduced and debated earlier this year.
Senator Kevin Payne (R-LD27) introduced SB 1111, which sought to establish statewide requirements for ALPR use, including restrictions on data access, mandatory training, and regular audits.
The bill advanced through the Senate but ultimately did not become law.
Senator Mark Finchem (R-LD11) introduced SB 1138, which also sought to establish restrictions on ALPR use, including requirements governing access, training, and data retention. The bill was later amended into an unrelated measure.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16) is accusing Attorney General Kris Mayes of providing political cover for Governor Katie Hobbs after Mayes declined to prosecute the governor following a two-year investigation into alleged pay-to-play activity involving Sunshine Residential Homes.
Shope is also challenging Mayes to publicly support legislation aimed at increasing transparency around political contributions and state contracts, measures he said her office has previously declined to support.
Last week, Mayes announced that her office found insufficient evidence to establish that political contributions made by Sunshine Residential Homes and individuals connected to the company were exchanged for rate increases approved by the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).
The attorney general’s decision does not close the matter entirely. A separate investigation being led by the Arizona Auditor General, with assistance from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, remains ongoing.
The Arizona House of Representatives has also commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations.
Shope originally requested the investigation in 2024 after Sunshine Residential Homes and individuals associated with the company made combined political contributions of $580,840 benefitting Hobbs, her inaugural fund, her legal defense fund, and the Arizona Democratic Party, according to the senator’s office.
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: President Pro Tem Shope Condemns AG Mayes' Election-Year Cover for Governor Hobbs' Pay-to-Play Scandal
Sunshine founder Simon Kottoor and his wife Elizabeth also contributed to Hobbs’ campaigns. Kottoor even served on Hobbs’ inaugural committee and became a gold-level sponsor of her inauguration.
Sunshine initially sought a DCS rate increase in December 2022 but was denied in February 2023. The company reapplied several months later and received a mid-contract increase in May 2023. Its rate was subsequently increased again during its April 2024 contract renewal, making it the state’s highest paid group-home provider per child.
Internal DCS communications that surfaced during the controversy also acknowledged Sunshine’s political connections and discussed keeping the company’s special rate increase from competitors.
Despite the scrutiny, Hobbs did not agree to an interview with investigators. Instead she provided two written statements through her attorneys.
Shope said Mayes’ decision is particularly concerning because he previously introduced legislation intended to address the types of conflicts raised by the Sunshine investigation.
“For two years, Kris Mayes had every opportunity to support meaningful pay-to-play reforms, and she chose silence,” Shope said. “She allowed Hobbs to avoid questioning, ignored the growing trail of political contributions, and then cleared her fellow Democrat after a two-year investigation. Only after the Legislature adjourned did Mayes suddenly discover that reform was necessary. That’s not leadership. It’s political damage control.”
Shope sponsored SB 1612 in 2025, legislation that would have required companies seeking state contracts or certain grants to disclose political contributions and other items of value connected to the governor, political committees, and affiliated organizations.
The bill also included requirements for state agencies to retain records used in evaluating contract proposals.
Hobbs vetoed the bill.
Shope introduced similar legislation again this year through SB 1186. The bill retained requirements for companies seeking state contracts or grants to disclose political contributions and for state agencies to preserve records used to evaluate contract proposals.
Hobbs again vetoed the measure in June, amid the continuing investigation into Sunshine Residential Homes.
“Katie Hobbs took the political money, her administration approved the rate increases, she refused to answer investigators’ questions, and then she vetoed the reforms designed to prevent this from happening again,” added Shope. “Now her political ally wants Arizonans to believe the matter is closed. It isn’t.”
Mayes has called for legislative action following her decision not to prosecute Hobbs, saying changes to state law are needed to address potential conflicts involving political contributions and government contracting.
Shope said he plans to bring his legislation back during the next legislative session and intends to challenge Mayes to publicly testify in support of the reforms she is now calling for.
“If Mayes is sincere, she can endorse the legislation, appear before lawmakers, and demand that Hobbs sign it,” continued Shope. “If she refuses, Arizonans will know her call for reform was nothing more than election-year cover for the governor. The other investigations must continue without interference, and their complete findings must be made public,” Shope concluded.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
One Republican is competing against two Democrats for two seats in the highly competitive Arizona House of Representatives race in Legislative District 9.
Bradley (Brad) Bettencourt is facing off against Democratic incumbent Lorena Austin and Democratic newcomer Jacob Martinez. Bettencourt fell right in the middle of the pack for voter turnout in the primary election. Austin received about 11,200 votes, Martinez received about 9,300 votes, and Bettencourt received about 10,400 votes.
Bettencourt believes his banking career and budgeting prowess — which he says are evidenced by his role in fixing over $1.5 million in budget errors at his Dobson Ranch community — can bring the Arizona budget off life support and onto the path of recovery.
“I’m running because the numbers have to add up: for our state budget and for the families who live here,” said Bettencourt in a recent news release. “I stepped up when my own community of 5,000 homes discovered more than a million and a half dollars in budget errors and helped get the finances back on track. Arizona families are dealing with rising prices while paychecks struggle to keep up. They deserve a representative who will bring practical solutions, not games or extremes.”
Along with the budget, Bettencourt has his eye on strengthening approaches to the biggest issues facing the state today: water security, housing affordability, educational outcomes and choice, legal immigration, and border security.
Bettencourt generally advises more aggressive government action on Colorado River negotiations, cuts to bureaucratic red tape that impact housing, border security, legal immigration pathways, first responder funding, increased penalties on certain crimes like fentanyl distribution, regular infrastructure improvements, and tax cuts to incentivize family growth.
As for the other priorities, Bettencourt proposed government actions that support the individual freedom to act, like protecting educational choice and increasing educational outcomes through competitive teacher pay and expansions of career preparation pathways for students, and opposing new restrictions or burdens on lawful gun ownership.
Bettencourt is an Arizona native that resided in other states and traveled through Latin America before returning to the Valley. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University, and has previously resided in southern Arizona, where he worked for a bank in Yuma and Nogales.
So far, Bettencourt has been outraised by his Democratic opponents.
His campaign has raised more than $64,000, out of which $29,000 has come from himself.
The other top single donors to his campaign are the Freedom Club PAC, which gave $2,500; Michelle Masters, who gave $2,000; Gary Golka, who gave $1,000; the NFIB Arizona PAC, which gave $1,000; Veronica Law, who gave $1,000; and Don Tapia, who gave $1,000.
Austin has raised more than $104,000. Her top 10 donors are:
AFSCME People, $11,000
Elizabeth Simons, $5,500
Western States Regional Council of Carpenters Legislative Improvement Committee, $5,500
The Next 50 PAC, $5,500
Ross Boucher, $5,400
Jane Fonda Climate PAC, $5,000
Peter Francis, $3,000
Climate Cabinet PAC, $2,500
Int’l Ass’n of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 359 PAC, or SMART PAC, $2,500
Arizona Education Association Fund for Public Education, formerly AZ PAC, $2,000
Martinez has also raised a similar amount at more than $100,000. His top 10 donors are very similar to Austin’s top 10:
AFSCME People, $11,000
Western States Regional Council of Carpenters Legislative Improvement Committee, $5,500
Joseph Rich, $5,500
The Next 50 PAC, $5,500
Jane Fonda Climate PAC, $5,000
Ross Boucher, $3,500
Int’l Ass’n of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers Local 359 PAC, or SMART PAC, $2,500
Climate Cabinet PAC, $2,500
Ironworkers Local 75 PAC, $2,000
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 99 PAC, $2,000
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
