by Ethan Faverino | Mar 6, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
In response to recent controversies surrounding state contract awards under Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration, the Arizona Senate has approved legislation to strengthen oversight, prevent potential political favoritism, and protect taxpayer funds.
SB 1186 introduces mandatory disclosure requirements for companies applying for state contracts via Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or seeking certain state grants.
Under the bill, applicants must report any “thing of value” provided within the preceding five years. This includes anything given—directly or indirectly—by the company, its officers, directors, or their family members to the Governor; entities controlled by the Governor (such as campaign committees, joint fundraising committees, or inaugural funds); or organizations advocating for the Governor’s election or opposing their opponents, including political committees or nonprofits that make independent expenditures.
These disclosure obligations extend to companies currently holding state contracts, promoting ongoing transparency during the term of taxpayer-funded agreements. The bill also amends procurement record retention rules by prohibiting the destruction of notes taken during RFP evaluations. If such notes are destroyed in violation of the provision, related contracts awarded after the effective date may be resolicited.
The legislation addresses documented concerns from high-profile cases, including the Sunshine Residential Homes controversy—where the group home operator received a significant rate increase from the Department of Child Safety following substantial political donations tied to Governor Hobbs—and issues with a multibillion-dollar Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Medicaid contract award.
In the latter, an administrative law judge highlighted serious flaws in proposal evaluation, scoring, fairness, and record-keeping, prompting questions about the integrity of the state’s procurement practices.
“What we have seen under the Hobbs administration exposed serious weaknesses in how state contracts are awarded and monitored,” stated bill sponsor President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16). “When billions of taxpayer dollars are involved, transparency cannot come after the fact. The public deserves to know who is seeking state contracts, what relationships exist, and whether decisions are being made fairly before money goes out the door. This legislation closes those gaps by requiring disclosures upfront, preserving critical records, and creating clear accountability standards so Arizonans can have confidence that contracts are awarded based on merit, not political connections.”
Supporters argue that SB 1186 modernizes oversight by focusing on pre-award transparency, in contrast to post-award reporting proposals. The bill amends Title 41 of the A.R.S., adding sections on disclosures for contracts and grants while strengthening record retention in procurement.
The measure now heads to the Arizona House for further consideration.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 6, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals, including copper, on Tuesday.
The measure, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act (H.R. 755), would align federal definitions used by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior for materials considered critical to national security, manufacturing, and energy infrastructure. The legislation passed the House unanimously.
Currently, the Department of Energy maintains a list of “critical materials,” while the U.S. Geological Survey within the Department of the Interior maintains a separate list of “critical minerals.” Because the lists differ, certain materials do not qualify for federal incentives, financing opportunities, or streamlined permitting available to resources designated as critical minerals.
The legislation would align the two federal lists, allowing materials identified by the Department of Energy to receive the same recognition and benefits granted to those listed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
According to Ciscomani’s office, the policy change is intended to provide greater clarity for federal agencies and industry while accelerating domestic mining and processing projects.
“America should never have to depend on adversaries for the materials that power our economy and national defense,” Ciscomani said in a statement announcing the bill’s passage. “With today’s passage of the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, we are streamlining permitting, attracting investment, and unlocking Arizona’s vast mineral resources — especially copper — to strengthen our supply chains and our security.”
The legislation was introduced with bipartisan support and has backing from industry groups, including the Copper Development Association, National Mining Association, National Electric Manufacturers Association, and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
“Accessing critical minerals and materials is essential for our national security and energy grid. Government red tape should not be a barrier to development and innovation,” said Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03), a co-sponsor of the bill. “Whether something is a ‘critical mineral’ according to the Interior Department or a ‘critical material’ according to the Energy Department, the federal government should treat all as critical resources. I’m glad my commonsense, bipartisan bill is one step closer to providing the clarity that both industry and federal agencies need.”
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The National Republican Congressional Committee also issued a statement following the vote, saying the legislation would reduce regulatory barriers affecting critical minerals important to the U.S. energy grid, national security, and Arizona’s economy.
NRCC Spokesman Ben Petersen credited Rep. Ciscomani, stating, “Representative Juan Ciscomani continues working to grow Arizona’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and lower energy costs. Getting things done has made Representative Ciscomani the most-effective and most-bipartisan Member of Congress from Arizona.”
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 Staff Reporter | Mar 6, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizonans are among the top three in the country when it comes to spending the highest proportion of their income on housing and utilities.
Arizonans spend nearly 18 percent of their income on housing and utilities according to a new study. That makes Arizona rank second in the nation, after Florida and before Hawaii.
Although Arizona had lower per capita spending on housing, Arizonans were found to spend more when considering their lower average personal income (about $65,800).
The ranking came from a study conducted by What Are The Best, a product comparison platform. The study relied on per capita housing and utility expenditure data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
After Hawaii, the states with the highest percent of income spent on housing were, in order: South Carolina, Delaware, Maine, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Vermont.
What Are The Best founder Albert Richer said in a press release that Arizona lacked the high incomes to offset the higher housing costs, unlike certain other states.
“For residents in states like Florida and Arizona, nearly a fifth of their income goes toward keeping a roof over their heads,” said Richer. “Some states with high housing costs, like Colorado, have high enough incomes to offset the impact, while other states with more modest housing costs still see residents struggling because of lower incomes.”
Arizona’s neighbors all rank far lower in terms of percent of income spent on housing. Colorado ranked 7th (16.3 percent), Nevada ranked 9th (15.7 percent) New Mexico ranked 12th (15.2 percent), California ranked 15th (14.8 percent of income), and Utah ranked 17th (14.7 percent).
Housing costs in Arizona hit record highs last year. An analysis by Redfin Real Estate of median sale prices earlier this year found that prices ranged from $218,500 for bottom tier, to $463,500 for mid-tier, and $2.5 million for luxury tier. These price ranges were higher than housing costs nationwide: $125,300 for bottom tier, $375,000 for mid-tier, and $1.3 million for luxury tier.
Redfin’s estimate of the median household income for home buyers in Arizona was $96,300 — higher than the median household income nationwide of around $88,000.
Data from real estate marketplace company Zillow, compiled by Stacker, found that homes in the many of the main cities concentrated in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area often run higher than those medians provided by Redfin. This dataset covered 30 cities, towns, and communities across areas within or near Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler area, Flagstaff, Tucson, Prescott Valley and Prescott, Nogales, and Show Low.
The town of Paradise Valley, which sits in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area, ranks as having the highest typical home value in the state: over $3.3 million. The lowest typical home value in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area was Wickenburg, with a typical home value of $508,400.
The lowest-ranking town on that list overall was in the Flagstaff area, Happy Jack, which had a typical home value of over $493,000.
Lawmakers have proposed several approaches to mitigating housing availability and affordability.
A bill to cap corporate ownership of homes (HB 2325) in the state died on Monday after Republican leadership tabled it instead of giving it a committee hearing.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 5, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Biggs for Arizona campaign has announced that it has filed more than 20,000 ballot nomination signatures with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office—nearly three times the minimum required for Republican candidates. The strong showing should ensure Congressman Andy Biggs will qualify for the July 2026 Republican primary ballot for governor.
The filing marks the highest number of nomination signatures submitted by any candidate for any office in 2026 to date, underscoring the campaign’s strong grassroots momentum.
Rep. Biggs has emerged as the only current Republican candidate leading in polls for the GOP primary, consistently holding double-digit advantages over his opponents in third-party surveys conducted since September 2025. Polls from GrayHouse, Emerson College, and Pulse Decision show him ahead by 41, 42, and 28 points, respectively—all with three Republican candidates in the field—and he has not trailed any current primary opponent in any published poll.
“Cindy and I are incredibly grateful for every volunteer and supporter who stepped up to help us collect over 20,000 signatures in support of our campaign,” stated Congressman Andy Biggs, announcing his 20K ballot qualification signatures. “It’s a testament to the grassroots nature of our campaign that we hit this monumental number without the need for paid canvassers or digital advertising for signatures. Arizonans are tired of the weak and ineffective Katie Hobbs and are ready for a leader to restore the American Dream in our state. We’ve got a lot of work to do as a campaign, but we’re very excited to hit this first major milestone.”
Rep. Biggs stands as the only candidate in the Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary endorsed by both President Trump and the late Charlie Kirk. He has also secured endorsements from Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk, Arizona Congressmen Eli Crane (R-AZ02) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ09), Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart, as well as 33 current and former state legislators.
Financially, Rep. Biggs has demonstrated consistent momentum throughout 2025, setting multiple personal fundraising records in Q2, Q3, and Q4. He leads all Republican gubernatorial candidates in the cycle with $1.9 million raised and $782,000 cash on hand.
Congressman Eli Crane praised the effort, saying, “From the first day of the campaign, Congressman Biggs and his supporters have done a great job of taking their message of Restoring the American Dream to voters across Arizona. The rural Arizonans I represent are supporting Congressman Biggs because he’s a man of principle that will get things done for our state without compromising his conservative values. He’s the best choice to defeat Katie Hobbs in November, and I urge all Republicans to unite behind his campaign now.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 5, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona House Republicans announced the passage of legislation known as “Cade’s Law,” a measure aimed at making it a felony for adults to encourage minors to die by suicide through online communications.
The legislation, House Bill 2665, would amend Arizona’s manslaughter statute to include situations in which an adult knowingly provides advice, encouragement, or directed communication that a minor later uses to die by suicide. Under the bill, an adult who intentionally sends such communications with knowledge that the minor intends to die by suicide could be charged with manslaughter, a Class 2 felony under Arizona law.
The measure was introduced by State Representative Pamela Carter (R-LD4) and has been referred to as “Cade’s Law—If You See Something, Say Something.” According to House Republicans, the proposal seeks to address situations in which adults deliberately target minors online with messages encouraging self-harm or suicide.
HB 2665 expands existing law, which already classifies intentionally providing the physical means for another person to die by suicide as manslaughter. The proposed changes add provisions specifically covering online advice, encouragement, or communications directed at minors.
“Two years ago, I met with the mother of Cade Keller, a talented 16-year-old who loved welding and had just started at Mesa Community College,” Carter explained in a statement. “On March 12, 2022, Cade posted on Instagram that he planned to take his life and shared it with peers. No one called 911. Cade’s mom found him the next morning after he died by suicide. Arizona law already punishes providing the physical means, but it has left a gap when an adult uses targeted online messages to push a child toward suicide. Cade’s Law closes that gap. If you are 18 or older and you knowingly encourage a minor who intends to die by suicide, you should face serious criminal consequences. Kids in crisis need help immediately, not spectators and not online predators.”
Carter identified the bill as the companion to HB 2666, which, if enacted, would punish the sexual extortion of minors online.
The bill defines “directed communication” to include verbal, written, or electronic messages sent through platforms such as social media, text messaging, or other online services that are specifically addressed to or clearly directed at a minor.
The language specifies that general discussions about suicide or mental health, artistic expression, or public commentary not directed at a specific minor would not be included. If enacted, the law would apply to individuals aged 18 or older who intentionally provide such advice or encouragement to minors.
HB 2665 will now proceed to the Arizona State Senate for further consideration.
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 Matthew Holloway | Mar 5, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Common Sense Institute (CSI) announced that President Pro Tempore of the Arizona Senate, Sen. T.J. Shope (R-LD16), will receive the 2026 Visionary for the Future Award at its annual Free Enterprise Summit.
CSI described the award in a March 2 press release as recognizing leaders who demonstrate innovation, bridge-building, and principled leadership in addressing public policy challenges in Arizona, and who define complex issues and advance practical, data-informed solutions aimed at strengthening long-term opportunity and prosperity.
Shope was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012 and served in that chamber through 2021, including as Speaker pro Tempore. He was elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2020 and assumed office in January 2021.
Shope holds roles on key legislative committees, including Natural Resources, Energy and Water; Health and Human Services; Director Nominations; Elections, and Rules.
In its announcement, CSI said Shope has built a record of “pragmatic policymaking focused on agriculture, water, commerce, education, and natural resources,” through his legislative work and committee service.
“Senator Shope exemplifies thoughtful, solutions-oriented leadership,” said Katie Ratlief, Executive Director of CSI. “He has consistently demonstrated that durable economic growth requires collaboration and a commitment to policy grounded in facts.” CSI’s announcement said that Shope’s work reflects the innovation and common-sense approach that the award is intended to honor.
Shope is also a small business owner and community figure in Coolidge, Arizona. According to his legislative profile and campaign materials, he co-owns his family’s longstanding supermarket business and has long been active in local civic life prior to his legislative service.
The Visionary for the Future Award will be presented during the Free Enterprise Summit, where CSI also recognizes leaders in business, government, and economic policy. Information about the summit and registration is available on the Common Sense Institute’s website.
CSI’s mission is to provide nonpartisan, evidence-based research on public policy issues affecting Arizona’s economy and promote informed dialogue on economic opportunity and prosperity. The organization’s work spans topics including workforce, education, housing, infrastructure, and state budget analysis.
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.
