Rep. Debbie Lesko’s office showed off this year’s Christmas decorations available to them due to “Bidenflation”: a single, plain sign poking fun at historic inflation rates.
“Due to Bidenflation all we could afford was this crummy sign,” read the sign, with a classic depiction of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist begging for more food with an empty bowl of porridge, next to a picture of a Christmas hat-wearing Biden pointing at Twist with the caption “I did that!”
Lesko explained in a post that “Bidenflation” had a detrimental impact on her office’s tradition of decorating for Christmas.
“It’s a long-standing tradition that the second floor of Longworth is decorated for Christmas,” said Lesko. “My staff and I wanted to participate, but with Bidenflation who can afford it?”
It’s a long-standing tradition that the second floor of Longworth is decorated for Christmas. My staff and I wanted to participate, but with Bidenflation who can afford it? pic.twitter.com/IG0z5YVIXJ
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported last month that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of all items increased by 3.2 percent compared to last year, with food at about three percent higher, all other items at four percent higher, and energy down over five percent.
On Tuesday, the BLS confirmed a .1 percent increase in the CPI last month, noting that overall cost of living reflected in the shelter index offset the decline in the energy index.
The greatest increases occurred in the cost of meals eating out, medical care commodities (drugs, medical equipment, and supplies), and services less energy services including shelter and transportation.
Meals at home increased by 1.7 percent: cereals and bakery products increased by 3.4 percent; meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased by .1 percent; dairy and related products decreased by 1.4 percent, fruits and vegetables increased by .4 percent, nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials increased by 2.9 percent, and all other foods increased by 3.3 percent.
Eating out increased by 5.3 percent: full service meals and snacks increased by 4.3 percent, and limited services and meals increased by six percent.
Energy commodities decreased by 9.8 percent: gas decreased by 8.9 percent and fuel oil decreased by 24.8 percent. Energy services decreased by .1 percent: electricity increased by 3.4 percent, while utility gas decreased by 10.4 percent.
Commodities less food and energy commodities sustained their price levels: new vehicles increased by 1.3 percent, while used cars and trucks decreased by 3.8 percent; apparel increased by 1.1 percent; medical care commodities increased by five percent; alcoholic beverages increased by 2.9 percent; and tobacco and smoking products increased by 7.7 percent.
Services less energy services increased by 5.5 percent. Shelter increased by 6.5 percent, with rent of primary residence increased by 6.9 percent and owners’ equivalent rent of residences increased by 6.7 percent.
Transportation services increased by 10.1 percent: motor vehicle maintenance and repair increased by 8.5 percent, motor vehicle insurance increased by 19.2 percent, and airline fare decreased by 12.1 percent.
Medical care services decreased by .9 percent, with physicians’ services decreased by .7 percent and hospital services increased by 6.3 percent.
Under President Joe Biden, the CPI hit a four-decade high last June: a 9.1 percent increase.
Annual inflation rates under former President Donald Trump averaged out to 1.9 percent: 2.1 percent in 2017, 1.9 percent in 2018, 2.3 percent in 2019, and 1.4 percent in 2020. The average annual inflation rates under Biden — factoring in 2021, 2022, and the latest inflation rate from this year — sits at over 5.5 percent.
These increases translate to Arizonans having to spend tens of thousands of dollars more for everyday necessities on average.
A study released earlier this year found that the average Arizona household must spend over $13,300 more to maintain the same standard of living they had in January 2021 — the state with the third-highest averages, just after Utah and Colorado.
The Thanksgiving dinner table may have also looked different this year. This year’s annual American Farm Bureau reported an average cost of $61 for a basic 10-person Thanksgiving dinner, down three dollars from last year but still eight dollars higher than 2021.
The average gas price in Arizona is currently at about $3.30.
Biden administration officials indicated to reporters this week that they anticipate 2024 will bring a continued decline in inflation. The Federal Reserve didn’t modify interest rates on Wednesday; Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that they would cut them next year.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
This week, national Republican and Democrat candidates for President of the United States met the filing deadline to appear on a March 19th election ballot in the Grand Canyon State. Nine Republicans and seven Democrats will be on the ballot for voters of their respective parties to choose from.
The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, headlines the Republican side, which also includes fellow challengers Ron DeSantis (Governor of Florida), Nikki Haley (former Ambassador to the United Nations), Chris Christie (former Governor of New Jersey), and Vivek Ramaswamy (Entrepreneur).
President Joe Biden, the 46th American Commander in Chief, overshadows the field for his Democrat Party.
A fair number of candidates with significant name ID remain on the Republican side in addition to the former president, but the choices for Republicans will likely be whittled down to two candidates by the time March 19th rolls around – thanks to several primaries in states around the country before Arizona’s contest. In 2016, the last time the state hosted a competitive Republican preference election, Trump and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz were essentially the last two candidates standing in Arizona, even though more names were on the ballot.
Though there are more than three months remaining until the Arizona Presidential Preference Election, former President Trump appears to have a commanding lead over any of his Republican competitors. According to a November poll of the primary field by Noble Predictive Insights, Trump’s numbers in the November survey grew to 53% of the Republican electorate (up from 50% in July), while Governor Ron DeSantis lost three points (19% from 16%). Ambassador Nikki Haley doubled her standing from the July report, acquiring eight percent of the Arizona GOP field (from four percent in July). Vivek Ramaswamy remained at nine percent.
A recent AZ Free News voter poll conducted by Data Orbital also revelead that nearly 4.5 percent more of Arizona voters prefer former President Donald Trump over current President Joe Biden
The primaries and causes will soon start when the calendar turns to 2024, and candidates look to shore up the requisite number of delegates to win their party’s nomination. On Monday, January 15, Iowans will caucus to kick off the election schedule. New Hampshire will then follow on Tuesday, January 23. There will be 14 states holding primary elections on ‘Super Tuesday,’ March 5.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An unidentified man believed to be behind a string of back-to-back attempted kidnappings and sexual assault at the University of Arizona (UArizona) has yet to be apprehended.
So far, three female UArizona students have reported instances of being followed and/or attacked by the mystery man to police. The incidents occurred on Dec. 6, 7, and 11. The UArizona Police Department (UAPD) have partnered with the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD), FBI, and Marshal Service on the investigation.
In a press conference on Wednesday, TPD Assistant Chief Chris Dennison provided an update on their investigation. Although several victim reports indicate that one suspect was behind the attempted kidnappings and assault, Dennison didn’t rule out the possibility of multiple perpetrators.
Dennison confirmed that TPD is working with the victims to create a sketch of the suspect. Dennison explained that the FBI offered assistance with evidence processing and technology, OVPD has offered patrolling and augment resources, and the marshals offered surveillance assistance.
UAPD Chief Chris Olson said they were also partnering with safety aides and student community service officers to bolster its patrol presence. Olson recommended that students not walk alone, and to wear one instead of two headphones when walking to maintain situational awareness.
Olson further encouraged students to utilize UArizona’s SafeRide program, ridesharing services, the LiveSafe app, and, if necessary, a UAPD escort.
UArizona’s Counseling & Psych Services also offered itself as a resource, with survivor advocate Jess Glass Walsh speaking on behalf of the department. Walsh said that her department has assisted over 900 students in the last five years.
The first victim was followed at approximately 11 am last Wednesday, but not apprehended by the suspect near North Campbell Avenue and East 3rd Street.
The second victim was walking around 8th Street and Mountain Avenue last Thursday around 8 pm when the suspect jumped out of his car and grabbed her from behind. The suspect released the victim once she dropped to the ground and screamed. The suspect was described as wearing an orange fleece hoodie.
On Monday, the third victim reported that she was groped but not injured by the mystery man near East 7th Street and North Vine Avenue, just south of the UArizona campus. The man was wearing an orange shirt and jeans, but the victim didn’t notice a vehicle nearby.
UAPD described the suspect as a Hispanic-looking man with a close buzzcut around six feet tall and 30 to 40 years old. He reportedly drives a dark blue four-door hatchback or crossover vehicle with a dented front bumper, tinted windows, and an Arizona back license plate and no front license plate. The vehicle may be a Toyota Camry or Corolla.
UArizona officials warn students against walking alone, especially after dark, and have deployed additional patrolling officers to increase campus security. Law enforcement has also requested that members of the community register with TPD’s open camera registry to help track down the suspect.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers held a press conference to announce their plan to “ease the financial burden hitting hardworking Arizonans when they fill their gas tanks…by addressing fuel blend requirements in Arizona.”
The fuel blend issue at Arizona pumps has long been a point of contention between legislative Republicans and the Hobbs’ administration, leading to this proactive attempt at a solution on the lawmakers’ side. According to the press release issued by the State Senate Republican Caucus, “Arizona is required to provide drivers in Maricopa County a specific fuel blend for cooler season months and a different fuel blend specific for warmer season months.” The blend employed by the state during spring and summer is “Cleaner Burning Gas” (CBG) – a boutique blend dictated by statute and procured from outside the state, which can lead to shortages and higher prices for consumers filling up their tanks at critical times of the year.
Faced with this issue of a very limited set of approved fuel blends, Arizona legislative Republicans announced that they had “identified eight comparable blends” in their free-market proposal to allow “as many fuel blends as possible.”
“We believe the EPA can and should approve those blends for use, as they provide nearly identical clean air benefits as CBG,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “Providing multiple fuel options allows the market to compete during unexpected shortages and helps keep gas prices low for Arizona drivers.”
Senator Justine Wadsack, the bill’s sponsor, added, “The Legislature was not made aware of the shortage until after it had happened. As part of our plan, we’re proposing the Legislature be immediately notified if a waiver is requested by refineries, and that the Senate President and House Speaker are provided the authority to file a waiver request directly with the EPA. Hardworking Arizonans are struggling in this economy. Turning a blind eye to crippling gas prices is like throwing salt on their wounds. As lawmakers, we should do everything in our power to improve the lives of our citizens who elected us to represent them.”
The issues raised by Wadsack refer to previously induced information this year that the Governor’s Office was convinced by the EPA not to submit a waiver for an “alternative fuel type to provide an adequate supply for drivers and preventing a hike in gas prices,” despite oil companies warning state officials of significant refinery shutdowns and past Arizona Governors applying for and receiving that opportunity. According to Senate Republicans, “this catastrophe reduced the supply of the CBG (fuel blend).”
In an exclusive statement to AZ Free News, Representative Austin Smith said, “I applaud my fellow freedom caucus colleagues, Kolodin and Wadsack, for being the leaders on this issue. Every Arizonan, specifically in Maricopa County, has felt the pain at the pump under the Biden administration. Katie Hobbs could have led on this issue with requesting a waiver from the EPA, but failed to do so. As Vice Chairman of the House Energy committee, I look forward to seeing the proposals come forward this upcoming session. It’s the upmost importance to deliver real solutions to working Arizona families where we can.”
Earlier this year, Senator Jake Hoffman unleashed a blistering rebuke of Hobbs’ reported failure “to do the right thing by requesting this waiver to allow prices at the pump to drop.” Hoffman’s statement followed the aforementioned accounts of a letter that had been sent to Hobbs in March by independent petroleum refiner HF Sinclair, warning the state’s chief executive “of a critical supply shortage in Arizona due to an unexpected equipment failure stopping the production of CBG required by the Biden Administration in Maricopa County, as well as parts of Pinal and Yavapai Counties.”
At the time, Hoffman said, “Katie Hobbs’ incompetence as Arizona’s Governor continues to take center stage, and hardworking Arizonans are paying the price for it. The average price for a gallon of gas right now in Maricopa County is a full $1 higher than the national average. This is extra money that could help with groceries, medications and other necessities many of our taxpayers are having a difficult time affording because of the Biden Administration’s reckless policies leading to historic inflation.”
Senator Shawnna Bolick, who also attended the Wednesday press conference, told AZ Free News that “earlier this year, a proposed waiver that would have helped Arizonans save millions at the pump was rejected by an unelected government bureaucracy. During the critical supply shortage of CBG this spring it would have been invaluable to have this legislation to increase the availability of multiple gas blends instead of the current monopoly. It is time to remove unnecessary excessive red tape and open the market to competition to help Arizonans counter the Biden inflationary economy.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Attorney General Kris Mayes reaffirmed her pledge to never prosecute abortionists, regardless of state law.
Mayes made the remarks during a press conference following the Arizona Supreme Court oral arguments in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes on Tuesday. The attorney general said that other issues were more important to her, like prosecuting drug dealers giving fentanyl to minors.
“No, we will not be doing abortion prosecutions in Arizona while I’m attorney general, ever,” said Mayes. “We have much more important issues to decide and work on in this state.”
Earlier this summer, Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an executive order that took away all prosecutorial power from the 15 county attorneys concerning abortion law, and gave it to Mayes. That move effectively nullified the possibility for prosecutions of abortionists.
Mayes opted to not dispute the court of appeals ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes from last year, which determined that the 2022 law restricting abortions to 15 weeks’ gestation was to be implemented, and not the near-total abortion ban dating back to Arizona’s territorial days.
Instead, Mayes has backed efforts to expand abortion access in Arizona and other states.
On Wednesday, Mayes joined 10 other attorneys general to issue a statement of condemnation to the Texas Supreme Court. That court overturned an injunction on the state’s abortion ban awarded to a Texas woman seeking to abort her daughter.
Mayes claimed that the health and life of the Texas woman, Kate Cox, were at risk due to the Trisomy 18 diagnosis of her unborn child. Texas abortion law enables abortions in pregnancies that are considered life-threatening or presenting a risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Per Texas law, medical professionals determine which pregnancies qualify for that exception.
“No one should be forced to fight in court and leave their home state just to receive the health care they need,” read the statement. “As this case shows, abortion bans pose dangerous health and safety threats wherever they are enacted. Decisions about abortion care should be made between patients and their doctors, not politicians.”
I join my fellow attorneys general in condemning the Texas Supreme Court's decision to deny abortion access to Kate Cox, a pregnant woman whose health & life were at risk as a result of a lethal fetal diagnosis. She was forced to travel out of state to receive abortion care. pic.twitter.com/DltGxPuVAq
The Texas Supreme Court overturned the injunction because Cox’s doctor couldn’t declare that her pregnancy threatened Cox’s life or major bodily functions.
“A woman who meets the medical-necessity exception need not seek a court order to obtain an abortion. Under the law, it is a doctor who must decide that a woman is suffering from a life-threatening condition during a pregnancy, raising the necessity for an abortion to save her life or to prevent impairment of a major bodily function. The law leaves to physicians — not judges — both the discretion and the responsibility to exercise their reasonable medical judgment, given the unique facts and circumstances of each patient,” stated the court. “[Cox’s doctor] asked a court to pre-authorize the abortion yet she could not, or at least did not, attest to the court that Ms. Cox’s condition poses the risk the exception requires.”
In August, Mayes joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general to challenge Idaho’s ban on minors traveling to other states to obtain an abortion. In May, Mayes joined an amicus brief challenging a Texas ruling blocking federal approval of the controversial abortion drug mifepristone.
Since taking office, Mayes has encouraged major pharmacy chains to continue to offer mifepristone regardless of legal challenges.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
The president and CEO of Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), Bob Meyer, was recently named among the top 100 most influential figures in health care.
The recognition from Modern Healthcare comes not long after widespread controversy over the hospital’s practice of “gender-affirming care,” a euphemism for medical and surgical procedures to transition genders. Modern Healthcare selected Meyer for not only accomplishing clinical, operational, and financial goals, but for accomplishing progressive ideals through implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
In a press release, Meyer credited his recognition to PCH’s creation of new programs and centers — among which is the controversial Gender Support Program.
“This is a reflection of the tireless commitment of our thousands of colleagues who have dedicated themselves to creating nationally recognized programs and centers of excellence that give our patients hope and healing,” said Meyer. “For more than 20 years, my primary focus has been to grow Phoenix Children’s into the Southwest’s premier pediatric health system, and we will continue to expand access to the top-ranked pediatric healthcare our children need and deserve.”
Meyer joined PCH in 2003. It was under Meyer that PCH established its Gender Support Program around 2015, one of the only comprehensive gender transition programs for minors in the state. The program spun off a support group for families whose children underwent gender transition procedures: the Gender Proud Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC).
Due to laws passed in recent years outlawing gender transition surgeries, PCH limits its gender transition offerings to hormonal and therapy treatments; PCH refers patients elsewhere for surgical procedures.
PCH’s Gender Support Program, previously the “Gender Management Program,” conducts consultations for families on gender transitioning, the use of puberty blockers, and the use of hormonal replacement drugs; readiness evaluations for puberty suppression and cross-sex hormonal replacement drug usage by mental health providers; a staff psychologist-led weekly support group, as well as other mental supports; community advocacy, from speaking engagements to advocate for gender transitioning to assisting patients with legal name and gender marker changes on identifying documents; and media appearances to further advocate for gender ideology.
The program is affiliated with Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization. PCH also offers minors access to “affirming” gender transition procedures through its Homeless Youth Outreach Program, which applies to minors who are not only homeless but those considered “at risk” for becoming homeless due to their gender dysphoria.
One of the resources offered by the program through PCH’s Emily Center Family Health Library is its now-deleted Gender Support Program Resource Guide. AZ Free News was able to access an archived version of the resource page.
Program resources included links to this American Psychological Association (APA) article on transgenderism, the now-defunct “genderbread” website, the now-defunct Australian-based “Trans 101” website on gender diversity, this APA fact sheet on non-binary gender identities, this Advocates for Youth page advocating for transgenderism in minors, this Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) pronoun guide.
The program also included video and website resources explaining the medical and surgical interventions for child gender transitions. PCH relied on resources from the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of California at San Francisco’s Center of Excellence for Transgender Health resource to explain puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapies.
At the helm of the PCH program is its founder, Veenod Chulani. Their staff also includes pediatric endocrinologist Reeti Chawla, pediatric psychologist Joshua Kellison, and therapists Andrew Melina, Patrick Goodman, and Anne Marie Cardinal.
Last November, PCH hosted a session featuring Chulani and pediatrician Edith Allen to discuss PCH’s approach to treating gender dysphoria: “affirmative, culturally humble, trauma responsive, and strength-based.” PCH also focused on legislative and cultural efforts to resist gender transitions for minors.
Chulani has served as the medical director of quality of care and child safety for the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2016.
PCH projects that it will be the fourth-largest pediatric health care system nationally. PCH has just under 2,000 primary care providers and specialists covering just under 80 subspecialities. The hospital network opened a new campus in Glendale last month, preceded by an emergency center in Avondale over the summer.
The Gender Support Program is limited to PCH’s main campus.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
