by Staff Reporter | Apr 30, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona Republican Party’s former treasurer and GOP candidate for the 2026 state treasurer’s race warned lawmakers against Governor Hobbs’ nominee for the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI).
In a letter to Arizona state senators, state treasurer candidate Elijah Norton said that Hobbs’ DIFI nominee, Barbara Richardson, not only displayed troubling behavior during her two Director Nominations (DINO) committee hearings but had a poor performance record as director of DIFI. Norton owns multiple insurance and insurance-related businesses regulated by DIFI — some of which he says have been targeted by Richardson in the past.
Norton alleged that Richardson retaliated against him for testifying before DINO against her by asking the agency she formerly led — the Nevada Department of Insurance (NDI) — to investigate him. Norton said that one week after his DINO testimony, his company received an email from NDI demanding an National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) biographical affidavit.
“I believe that Ms. Richardson contacted a mid-level sympathetic bureaucrat in her old office and asked them to do this in retaliation for the well-documented part I played in bringing several issues to light that resulted in her failing the DINO confirmation vote,” said Norton.
Norton further attested that one day after he went public to Arizona lawmakers and political leaders about the NDI request he believed was prompted by Richardson, NDI called him to retract their request and ask instead for his Social Security number — information which NDI has had on file for over a decade, per Norton.
“The person on the phone sounded very nervous, and it appeared to me they were trying to ‘cover their tracks,’” said Norton.
According to Norton, this retaliation wasn’t new to him — or others. Norton also alleged Richardson targeted not only him but Barry Goldwater Jr. (son of late Senator Barry Goldwater) in the past with “regulatory retaliation.” According to Norton, Richardson banned him from calling the NDI while she was the Nevada Insurance Commissioner because he challenged a certain regulation. Goldwater Jr. allegedly faced similar problems after he voiced his opposition to Richardson to Arizona Senate leadership.
“[I] pushed back on a ridiculous minor change on a form that was going to cost my company over $10,000 and over 100 hours of time due to one of her unreasonable bureaucrats wanting me to underline one immaterial sentence — that would require me resubmitting the form to all of the various states. The requested change wasn’t even contained in the statute, rather the bureaucrat relied on the ‘promulgation clause’ (resembling the way she abused SERFF in Arizona),” stated Norton. “She retaliated by sending me a letter saying I was ‘banned’ from calling the Nevada DOI (despite paying them over $1,000 per year in regulatory fees), simply because I pushed back against an unreasonable regulation – violating my constitutional rights. This is the only time in my entire career this has occurred before and since.”
Norton also alleged Nevada lost its NAIC accreditation under Richardson, but available records reflect the state maintained its accreditation.
Norton also revisited key points of concern raised by Republican lawmakers over Richardson’s time as DIFI director during the first DINO hearing last month. Hobbs appointed Richardson to the DIFI position in March 2023.
In the first DINO hearing, Richardson was questioned about her service as chairwoman to a NAIC committee which considered variable insurance pricing based on race. The committee dissolved a day before her first DINO hearing last month.
That first hearing also revealed that, under Richardson’s directorship, System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing (SERFF) abuse occurred, significant increases to licensing times piled on, and services rendered decreased continually — of note, DIFI was found to have restricted its licensing hotline to voicemail only at certain times under Richardson’s tenure.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 30, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers have taken new steps to crack down on fraud in the state’s sober living home industry, with legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll officially signed into law recently.
The new measure, SB 1308, strengthens the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) authority over sober living homes — facilities that provide housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Under the law, DHS will now have enhanced powers to license, oversee, inspect, and penalize sober living homes that fail to comply with state and local regulations.
In recent years, Arizona has seen a surge in concerns surrounding sober living homes, many of which have operated without formal state oversight. Advocacy groups, city leaders, and recovery organizations have reported instances of fraud and abuse, raising alarms about the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable residents. Critics have also warned that lax oversight has allowed unscrupulous operators to exploit government-funded health care programs, leading to the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“At long last, the state of Arizona has taken meaningful action to protect vulnerable individuals seeking refuge and recovery,” Carroll said in a statement following the bill’s signing. “Over the years, there have been many frightening stories about fraud and abuse at these homes thanks to the lack of regulation and licensing. This new law will protect the men and women residing at these homes, put bad actors on notice, and end the gravy train of taxpayer funds to those attempting to exploit the system for financial gain.”
Several cities and towns across Arizona backed the legislation, citing the urgent need for reform. Sober living homes have historically played a crucial role in the broader recovery ecosystem, offering safe, drug-free environments to individuals transitioning out of treatment programs. However, without clear regulatory standards, some facilities have drawn scrutiny for inadequate living conditions, improper billing practices, and even allegations of patient brokering — the illegal practice of referring patients to facilities in exchange for kickbacks.
SB 1308 aims to close regulatory loopholes by setting clear licensing requirements and enforcement mechanisms. Supporters of the legislation argue it will help restore trust in sober living homes and ensure taxpayer resources are used appropriately to support genuine recovery efforts. The new law takes effect later this year.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 30, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) announced on Monday that he will co-lead the Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act with Rep. Nick Begich (AK-At Large). The legislation looks to amend the Help America Vote Act by banning the “confusing and disenfranchising voting scheme” practice of Ranked Choice Voting nationwide.
Hamadeh’s press release explained that Ranked Choice Voting, also sold-as instant-runoff voting as, is a “flawed process,” which “allows for a majority party to be split between preferred candidates, thus allowing the minority candidate a pathway to victory- which would never occur in a regular election.” Under the system, voters are able to sequentially rank each candidate. If none of the candidates claims a majority on the first round, the votes are redistributed based on the voters’ second choices and so-on down the line until a majority emerges, essentially eliminating the possibility of a plurality vote winning an election.
In the text of the proposed bill, it states simply, “A State may not carry out any election for Federal office using a system of ranked choice voting under which each voter ranks the candidates for the office in the order of the voter’s preference.’’
Rep. Hamadeh said in a statement, “The same Democrat pawns who support allowing non-citizen voting without voter ID and same day voter registration also want to turn our democracy into a rank choice voting scheme. Their motives are clear – they do not want to help Americans vote – they only want to help corrupt politicians win.”
He added, “In Arizona, we see tremendous amounts of liberal out-of-state dollars pour into our state every year to try to alter our election processes. Fortunately, our citizens see through the lies of expensive glossy mailings and reject Ranked Choice Voting.”
In a corresponding statement, Rep. Begich said, “The nation does not need more uncertainty and confusion injected into the federal election process. ‘One person, one vote’ is a proven tried-and-true method that is easy to understand, easy to audit, and quick to report. Experiments with our national election systems risk disenfranchisement of voters and lead to outcomes that do not represent the true will of the American people.”
Ranked Choice voting is currently the law of the land in Alaska, and Begich is intimately familiar with its problems. According to The Alaska Beacon, his own race went to a second round, despite his taking 8,000 more votes than his opponent in the first round with164,117 votes total. Alaska voted to keep the system in place by a narrow margin for Ballot Measure 2, barely defeating reforms to kill the practice by 664 votes. In a 2023 op-ed, Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Fellow Hans von Spakovsky called Ranked Choice Voting “a confusing, chaotic ‘reform.’” Spakovsky warned, “It fundamentally changes the election process, effectively disenfranchises voters, and allows marginal candidates not supported by a majority of voters to be elected.
“It is a confusing and opaque process that robs voters of the ability to re-educate and re-examine the top two vote-getting candidates in a run-off election when one candidate does not initially win a majority, and it diminishes the ability of voters to make informed, knowledgeable choices of who would best represent them.“
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers have taken swift action to strengthen emergency mental health services for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1163 into law earlier this month, a measure designed to allow U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) peace officers to directly assist veterans in crisis.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee Chairman David Gowan (R-LD19), grants VA peace officers the authority to take veterans into custody if they have probable cause to believe the individual is a danger to themselves or others due to a mental health disorder. Police officers may also apply for written or telephonic emergency admission evaluations, a legal requirement before an individual can be hospitalized for psychiatric care.
“It’s our duty to support the veterans who have served our country, and one way we can do so is by immediately providing the best possible care when they face mental health challenges,” Gowan said in a statement. He emphasized that the new law would help prevent tragedies by allowing veterans to access emergency services more quickly, without delays caused by waiting for civilian emergency personnel or navigating complicated legal processes.
The bill was approved overwhelmingly by both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives, reflecting bipartisan agreement on the need to improve veteran mental health care. Gowan also credited Cpl. Charles Stalter, a veterans advocate, for bringing the issue to lawmakers’ attention.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD affects between 11% and 20% of veterans who served in operations such as Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Mental health crises among veterans have been a growing concern nationally, with the VA reporting an average of 17 veteran suicides per day in 2021.
Under previous Arizona law, VA peace officers lacked the specific legal authority to initiate emergency mental health holds, even when faced with an obvious crisis. SB 1163 closes that gap, aligning Arizona with several other states that have empowered VA officers to take immediate action in mental health emergencies on VA property.
Supporters say the emergency designation for the bill — allowing it to take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature — was necessary given the urgency of the mental health needs among the veteran population.
“This commonsense legislation ensures veterans won’t have to wait for help,” Gowan said. “It will save lives.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services and the Department of Veterans’ Services are expected to assist with implementation and coordination with VA facilities statewide.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
In a bipartisan show of gratitude, the Arizona House of Representatives honored Major General Kerry L. Muehlenbeck last week for her decades of service to the state and nation. The ceremony, held on the House floor, also marked a new effort to support Arizona National Guard members currently deployed overseas.
Republican Representative Walt Blackman (R-LD7), a U.S. Army combat veteran and Chairman of the House Government Committee, led the recognition. Lawmakers from both parties signed a tribute to Muehlenbeck, who recently retired after more than 30 years of service, including her tenure as Commanding General of the Arizona National Guard and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
“Major General Muehlenbeck embodies everything we strive for in public service—courage, integrity, and a relentless commitment to those she leads,” Blackman said during remarks. “We thank her for her service and the legacy she’s leaving behind—a Guard that’s more prepared and more capable than ever.”
Muehlenbeck made history as the first woman to command the Arizona National Guard. House members praised her leadership through key operations such as border security missions, wildfire suppression efforts, and pandemic response initiatives. They also highlighted her parallel career in legal services and education.
The tribute ceremony was accompanied by a large donation drive to benefit deployed service members. Representative Teresa Martinez (R-LD16) organized the collection of snacks, hygiene items, and personal care products, with contributions coming from House members, staff, and their families.
“We’re grateful to Representative Martinez for organizing this drive to support our men and women in uniform,” said Blackman. “The Guard follows leaders like General Muehlenbeck into some of the toughest assignments. This is one small way for us to send a piece of home to those currently serving abroad.”
Photos posted by the Arizona House GOP on X showed the House members presenting Muehlenbeck with the signed tribute while standing before a large display of care packages. The event drew praise online for its bipartisan spirit and for spotlighting the service and sacrifice of both senior military leaders and rank-and-file troops.
The tribute was signed by Representatives Walt Blackman, Teresa Martinez, Nick Kupper, Dave Marshall, John Gillette, Stacey Travers, Aaron Márquez, and Mae Peshlakai. A copy of the tribute, photos of the ceremony, and images of the donated supplies were made publicly available following the event.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 29, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne offered criticism of the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) governing board for rejecting the urgent request of two of its high schools’ employees and administrators to place armed security officers on campus. Horne said that the decision is an “error” that is placing these schools, their students, and faculty at risk.
In a press conference Thursday, alongside three current and former educators of PXU, Horne called upon the board to reconsider its decision and authorize the deployment of armed officers at Betty Fairfax and Carl Hayden High Schools.
Horne told reporters, “The governing board made a mistake by rejecting the wishes of its district administrators and the two principals of these schools. Board members do not have to show up on campus every school day and deal with safety problems, but teachers, students and staff do. They know how bad the situation has become. Principals at these two schools requested armed officers through the state’s School Safety program that the Department of Education agreed to pay for them. The board should have respected the wishes of its own educators.”
The superintendent added, “Should the unthinkable happen and an armed maniac kills students at a school as we have seen in other states, the parents of those students would never forgive those responsible for failing to provide protection for the school.”
In the March decision, the board voted 5-2 to reject state funding to place an officer to be shared between the schools. The funding would have used excess funds under the Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety Program to hire a police officer, and the position would have been funded through June 2026. Neither school presently has an assigned officer on campus.
Phoenix Union students protested the presence of police on campus in 2020, demanding their removal. The district chose not to renew its contract with Phoenix PD shortly after, only moving to bring in School Resource Officers in 2023. There are two School Resource Officers (SROs) employed by PXU assigned to other schools full-time and four “school safety officers,” off-duty law enforcement officers assigned to schools without SROs.
Speaking at the press conference, Horne sought to make “a respectful request” of the PXU Governing Board saying, “The school board should give some thought to the safety (of teachers and administrators).”
The educators who joined Horne, Retired PXU teacher Mark Williams, Susan Groff, a National Board-Certified Teacher, and Pamela Kelley, M. Ed., suggested that the existing coverage of PXU is insufficient.
Williams said, “Superintendent Tom Horne is attempting to protect students and staff by an ever-increasing threat of violence because some parents are failing to parent, and the school board is bending to a very few but vocal community about not having their children around police officers. One should ask ‘why’?”
Groff highlighted the positive impact the presence of SROs has saying, “As a retired teacher and longtime resident of this community, I have seen firsthand the positive impact School Resource Officers have in our high schools. Their presence not only enhances safety but fosters trust and support among student and staff.”
In addition to the call for officers, Kelley suggested more action is needed: “All Phoenix Union High School District Schools need metal detectors and School Resource Officers (SROs) for the safety and security of the students, staff, and visitors.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
