The House Government and Elections Committee passed two bills prohibiting government entities from requiring masks or COVID-19 vaccines. The first bill, HB2498, prohibits governments from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for any Arizonan; The second bill, HB2453, would eliminate all governmental authority to require masks or face coverings on their premises, with an exception carved out for areas with workplace safety and infection control measures unrelated to COVID-19. For both bills, “government entities” are defined as those who receive and use tax revenues.
Both bills were introduced by Queen Creek Republicans: State Representatives Jake Hoffman and Neal Carter, respectively. HB2498 passed 7-5 along party lines, with State Representative Alma Hernandez (D-Tucson) abstaining her vote. HB2453 passed more narrowly, 7-6 along party lines.
State Representative Sarah Liguori (D-Phoenix) argued during Wednesday’s committee that the vaccine prevents individuals from spreading COVID-19; Hoffman, the vice chairman, rebutted that simply wasn’t the case. Liguori argued, based on a definition from ushistory.org, that governments provide everyday behavior parameters, well-being, and happiness for citizens. Hoffman responded that the definition wasn’t at all aligned with the U.S. Constitution.
“I honestly don’t give a rat’s ass what ushistory.org says,” said Hoffman. “We exist to protect the rights of our citizens. One of their own rights is to choose their own bodily decisions. It’s their right to choose whether or not a vaccine is injected into them.”
A male legislator chimed in to say Hoffman’s argument aligned with pro-abortion arguments; Hoffman rebutted that wasn’t true because a baby’s life was at stake.
Minority Leader Reginald Bolding (D-Laveen) insisted that the fact that vaccines don’t prevent individuals from catching or spreading COVID-19 was “unfounded.” He then characterized the bill as an overreach preventing individuals from obtaining the protections of a vaccine, though he didn’t clarify how this bill had any bearing on individuals choosing to get vaccinated voluntarily.
“If we have the ability to have a vaccine that would prevent individuals from becoming severely ill or losing their life, we should not be standing in the way of that. I believe this bill is an additional overreach,” said Bolding.
Hoffman reiterated that the American system of government doesn’t have a right to force its citizens to take a vaccine they don’t want to have.
“Our overture to the world on what sets this people apart from everywhere else: ‘We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” said Hoffman. “The choice of the governed. It is not in the American system that a government can tell them what to do, can force them to take a vaccine.”
As AZ Free News reported, Carter asserted that his bill, HB2453, would curb further exacerbations of the current hiring and employee shortages in addition to respecting the right of individuals to make their own health decisions.
During the committee meeting, Bolding called the bill “misplaced policy” by not allowing local governments to protect their citizens by requiring masks. State Representative John Fillmore (R-Apache Junction) responded that he feels bad that any individual would die from an infectious disease, but it saddened him greatly too that a whole society allowed the government to assume complete control over their lives.
“I was appalled that the churches did not rise in opposition when [the government] said that people could not go and pray to the gods of their choice and live out their lives, like they did during the Revolutionary War which sparked freedom in America the way that it did,” said Fillmore.
Liguori insisted that “the science” proved mask wearing prevented spread of COVID-19, and that masks weren’t a partisan issue.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Arizona businesses small and large are facing yet another challenge due to COVID-19.
FedEx announced a pause this week of its economy express freight services within the U.S. The reason? Too many staff members are unavailable for work as a result of the continuing spread of the Omicron-variant.
The shortages impact FedEx’s popular two-day and three-day freight services relied on by thousands of businesses every day. The effect is a further disruption in America’s manufacturing and retail supply chains which have derailed U.S. automakers and the aerospace industry for months.
Economy freight services are also vital for the delivery of medical equipment, commercial construction, and high-volume printing.
News of the FedEx decision comes just as the company is restarting international economy freight services shut down last month in response to staff shortages across its network.
Similar delivery impediments have hit UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, due in part to employee absences related to COVID-19 as well several extreme weather events across the country. As a result, delivery guarantees are currently suspended on some UPS domestic and worldwide services. In addition, some UPS customer facilities are closed.
“Severe weather conditions and the COVID-19 Omicron variant may impact operations and staffing in parts of the country,” according to a current UPS service alert. “Although we implement contingency plans to minimize service disruptions, delays to service may occur.”
Even regular residential and business mail delivery is being effected in some parts of the U.S.
“Postal Service Priority Mail® products and First-Class® packages may temporarily require more time to be delivered due to limited transportation availability as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” according to the USPS website. “Priority Mail’s two-day and three-day service commitments will be extended to three days and four days, respectively.”
It’s not just teachers influencing children on issues like sexuality and gender identity. Kristin Downing, a Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona troop leader in Tucson for over eight years, advocates heavily for gender identity rights for children. Downing has repeatedly helped fundraise and advocate for LGBTQ+ activist organizations with dedicated efforts to influence children such as the Trevor Project, Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA), and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Prior to volunteering with the Girl Scouts, Downing served five years as a children’s ministry leader with the Church of the Apostles.
On Wednesday, Downing addressed the House Government and Elections Committee that they passed, HB2294, which would require state documents to list an individual’s sex as either male or female. Downing explained that her 15-year-old daughter announced that she was non-binary at 12 years old, and was celebrated and praised by their entire community, including coaches, medical care providers, friends, family, and Downing’s fellow Girl Scout troop leaders.
Downing asserted that her daughter feels unsupported when state paperwork requires her to list her biological gender. She claimed that the same wouldn’t be true of “more welcoming states” like California — a state that recently allowed a 26-year-old male convicted of molesting a 10-year-old girl to serve out his prison sentence in a girl’s juvenile detention facility because he claimed he was a transgender female. Downing said her daughter’s excitement over the prospect of getting her driver’s license was dampened by the fact that she would be required to list her biological gender, and not be able to identify legally as “nonbinary.”
A judge gave a 26yo who molested 10yo girl in 2014 2-years in Juvenile facility. Judge: his hands are tied because LA County DA Gascon will not try the then 17yo as adult. James Tubbs does NOT have to register as sex offender. Could be 8-12 years if tried as adult. @KFIAM640pic.twitter.com/HBVcFdHFo7
Downing suggested allowing nonbinary adults and children to mark an “X” instead of acknowledging their gender as either male or female.
“It’s very difficult every time we have to start a new semester, or go to a new activity, we have to have a whole conversation ahead of time about my child’s pronouns,” said Downing.
On social media, Downing has expressed that those against transgenderism in any way are inciting harm. In a Facebook post, Downing characterized opposition to transgenderism as “violence.” She insisted that “kids should be allowed to be kids” by allowing them to use the bathroom or join the sports team of their choice, regardless of their biological sex.
“They shouldn’t have their existence debated. Nobody should. I’m so exhausted from this discussion that is happening on a national stage — the kids are watching, they hear it all, and you are harming them,” wrote Downing. “Trans and non-binary kids deserve the same rights and the same ability to be their damn selves as everyone else. So I guess that’s today’s post about the trans week of visibility. A bit of a rant, because this is all f*****g b******t and I’m so tired of trying to tiptoe around it and make room for people’s discomfort and feelings — let’s call it what it is — it’s bigotry and transphobia. It’s an act of violence against the trans community and our children. There shouldn’t be allowances made for that.”
Girl Scouts allows transgender girls to join troops on a case-by-case basis, so long as the boy “is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl.” They also sell rainbow LGBTQ pride “fun” patches to encourage girls to show their inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ community.
In 2019, Girl Scouts recognized a member as one of their National Gold Award Girl Scouts for that year, their highest award, because she started a now-defunct online magazine for children within the LGBTQ community. The publication, Gliterary Magazine, mainly showcased fanfiction-style works about children discussing their LGBTQ experiences.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
On Wednesday, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth issued a directive that commanders are to begin involuntary administrative separation proceedings against any regular Army soldier, reserve-component soldier serving on Title 10 active-duty, and cadet who has refused the COVID-19 vaccination order and does not have an approved or pending exemption request.
Wormuth’s Army Directive 2022-02 (Personnel Actions for Active Duty Soldiers Who Refuse the COVID-19 Vaccination Order and Accession Requirements for Unvaccinated Individuals) was announced by U.S. Army Public Affairs. It is based on claims that Army readiness is at risk due to soldiers who are not vaccinated.
The Army has not yet involuntarily separated any soldiers solely for refusing the order to be vaccinated, but the separation proceedings are to be conducted “as expeditiously as possible,” the announcement states.
“Army readiness depends on Soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars,” said Wormuth. “Unvaccinated Soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness.”
The announcement also reveals that as of Jan. 26, Army commanders have relieved a total of six regular Army leaders, including two battalion commanders. They have also issued 3,073 general officer written reprimands to soldiers for refusing the vaccination order.
One of the two exceptions addressed in Wormuth’s directive impacts soldiers who will complete their separation or retirement, or begin a transition leave, on or before July 1. They will be granted a temporary exemption so that they may complete their separations or retirements.
In addition, unvaccinated soldiers who have requested medical exemption or religious accommodations will also be temporarily exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement while their requests are reviewed.
However, unvaccinated service members, even if exempted, must continue to comply with COVID-19 screening and testing requirements and applicable safety standards. And they will face additional “counseling” with the goal of changing their minds.
“Army leaders will continue to counsel all unvaccinated individuals on the health benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” the announcement states.
There are also some financial hits described in the directive. Service members separated for being unvaccinated will not be eligible for involuntary separation pay. And they may be subject to recoupment of any unearned special or incentive pays.
According to the federal government, the unprecedented border crisis plaguing Arizona will likely only get worse this year. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials informedReuters that they’re preparing for up to 9,000 border arrests a day, topping last year’s daily average which was nearly 3,000 less apprehensions.
It is unclear how Border Patrol will handle the additional onslaught of illegal immigrants, as detention centers are already far overwhelmed. Last December, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reported record numbers of illegal immigrant encounters.
Governor Doug Ducey is attempting to sway federal lawmakers to increase border security personnel and resources to combat the current and now forecasted additional onslaught of illegal immigrants. As AZ Free News reported, a majority of Arizona law enforcement supports Ducey’s proposal to greatly increase border security. The governor’s office coordinated with other state leaders in drafting the federal legislation in the hopes that Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) will show their support.
Kelly may not be much help; he’s been the least outspoken on the border crisis of the two senators.
Even if legislation were to get past the House and Senate, President Joe Biden may object to the legislation. The last time that Biden posted about the border was in September; however, he wasn’t addressing the crisis. Biden chose to speak out about the treatment of the illegal Haitian immigrants, threatening investigation over debunked claims that border agents were whipping the aliens.
I'm heartbroken by the treatment of Haitian migrants at our border — and I acknowledge it is only the latest of many historic indignities that Haitians have faced. We will continue to offer assistance and investigate wrongdoing. I remain committed, as ever, to Haiti's future. pic.twitter.com/Cu1TlqF4EA
That isn’t to say the president hasn’t addressed issues of the border privately. Again, however, his concerns don’t reflect the crisis-level inundation of illegal immigrants, but instead their reception by the states. CNN claimed in a report this week that it obtained internal documents in which the Biden Administration threatened legal action against the state of Florida for threatening to revoke licenses to the shelters holding unaccompanied migrant children. Florida’s general counsel, Ryan Newman, claimed that the Biden Administration’s handling of the children was tantamount to a “human trafficking scheme.”
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
In honor of Black History Month, State Representative and congressional candidate Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) introduced a proclamation, HR2001, to assert that abortion was the leading cause of death for African Americans and that unborn African-American children have equal rights under the Constitution. Blackman asked for a moment of silence to honor the approximately 1,300 unborn African-American children whose lives would be lost to abortion that day, based on statistical rates of abortion.
“[Abortion is] something that’s not spoken about in our communities. It’s something that needs to be heard. It’s something that I’m very aggressively trying to fix in black communities, and it is a tragedy that this happens every single day in the black communities,” said Blackman.
In addition to the resolution, Blackman introduced a bill to abolish abortion in Arizona: “Abolition of Abortion in Arizona Act.”
I am proud to sponsor HB2265 Life starts at conception. ARS Title 13. Criminal Code 13-1105. First degree murder, A person causes the death of another person, including an unborn child, with premeditation. It’s time to abolish abortion in Arizona. https://t.co/kBKQP4iAuy
The legislator also asserted that Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger and its major supporters, like Hillary Clinton, are the “real racist[s]” and that abortion is “racial genocide.”
Margaret Sanger is the founder of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is responsible for the deaths of 19.4 million black babies since Roe v. Wade. Hillary Clinton received an achievement award in Sanger's name. WILL THE REAL RACIST STAND-UP. pic.twitter.com/tLX9tRidof
This not about your choice, it’s about abortion Is Racial Genocide! Government family planning programs designed for poor Blacks which emphasize birth control and abortion with the intent of limiting the Black population is genocide. pic.twitter.com/yZ2I2fDzUZ
State Representative Pam Powers Hannley (D-Tucson) issued an immediate response to the proclamation, noting that Blackman’s approach to Black History Month with an “anti-abortion manifesto” was “a little bit weird.” Blackman is a black legislator.
Powers Hannley claimed that Blackman wasn’t only blaming Planned Parenthood but the mothers of those aborted children. Powers Hannley further argued that the greater focus should be on the fathers, as well as encouraging citizens to make smarter choices concerning their sexual habits such as wearing protection or choosing their partners more wisely.
“How many of those women were raped? How many of those women were underage? How many of those women were already overwhelmed with the children that they have? And what about the fathers? It’s shocking to me that the Republicans constantly go after the women as if the women are solely responsible somehow for an unwanted pregnancy,” asserted Powers Hannley. “Fathers are the number-one line of defense against abortion.”
Powers Hannley then concluded with an argument that struck similar tones to those who advocate for abstinence, taking the bodily autonomy logic and applying it to abstaining from sex with certain partners or in certain situations.
“I thought that Blackman’s speech was insulting to women. Women have a choice over their bodies. I think they should make better choices, perhaps, with who they have sex with. And that goes for women of all ages, and all races, and all ethnicities,” said Powers Hannley. “If that guy is not to be there for you if you get pregnant, don’t have unprotected sex with him — come on! And guys, if you want to prevent abortions, wear a freaking condom. You have control over this. You can control it at the first step, rather than trying to regulate women’s bodies later.”
The full text of the resolution is reproduced below:
“Whereas, since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the United States Supreme Court, more than 54 million babies have been aborted in Planned Parenthood centers around the nation, having drastic personal, practical and political effects on communities and citizens. Every town, city, ethnicity, and age group has suffered from the tragic effects of this mostly surgical and sometimes medical procedure. The true toll of abortion may remain unknown and immeasurable because the data, for the most part, has not been collected or has been ignored by those responsible for its collection; and […] abortion impacts African Americans at a higher rate than any other population group, and more African-American babies are aborted than born alive. In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an Abortion Surveillance Report stating that, although African-American women make up 14 percent of the childbearing population, these women obtained 36 percent of all abortions. At a ratio of 474 abortions per 1,000 live births, African-American women have the highest ratio of any group in the country; and […] this alarming number equates to more than 1,300 African-American babies aborted every day in America. Of the more than 44 million abortions performed since the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, 19 million African-American babies have been aborted, yet African Americans comprise just under 13 percent of the United States population; and […] the impacts of abortion on African-American communities are hard to fathom. According to the Guttmacher Institute, which generally supports abortion, 360,000 African-American babies were aborted in 2011. CDC statistics for 2011 show that 287,072 African Americans died from all other causes, excluding abortion, making abortion the leading cause of death among African Americans. African-American women and community leaders should be outraged about the racial disparity when African-American women are targeted by Planned Parenthood. […] The Members of the House of Representatives recognize abortion as the leading cause of death among African Americans and express their sentiment that unborn African-American babies conceived by legal citizens of the United States are protected under the United States Constitution guaranteeing equal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.”
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
