by Terri Jo Neff | Jul 5, 2021 | News
By Terri Jo Neff |
One thing is certain about the landscape of Arizona politics – it will look much different after the 2022 general election due to a guaranteed change of governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and state treasurer.
There will also be several changes in the state legislature in 2022 as more lawmakers announce runs for state office, including Sen. David Livingston (R-LD22) who announced his candidacy last week for treasurer; Rep. Aaron Lieberman (D-LD27) who announced he is running for governor; and Rep. Shawnna Bolick (R-LD20) who has kicked off her campaign for secretary of state.
Bolick is seeking the Republican nomination against Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-LD23) and Rep. Mark Finchem (R-LD11) who previously kicked off campaigns for secretary of state to serve as Arizona’s top elections official and the first in line to succeed the governor in the event of death, resignation, or removal from office.
Other announced Republican candidates for secretary of state include Beau Lane, Remo Paul, and Wade Wilson. The Republican primary winner will likely take on either Rep. Reginald Bolding (D-LD27) or former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, both of whom publicly announced their candidacies in June. One other Democrat, Dennis Florian, is also running.
Lieberman hopes to move on from his seat in the House to become Arizona’s next governor. He will go up against current Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez Jr. in the primary, along with fellow Democrats Peggy Betzer, Steven Noon Jr., and Trista DiGenova-Chang.
The winner of the Democrats’ primary will take on the Republican nominee from a growing candidate list which now includes Steven Gaynor and former Rep. Matt Salmon, both of whom recently threw their hats in the ring.
Previously announced Republican candidates for governor include current State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, Board of Regents Secretary Karrin Taylor Robson, and former Phoenix-area news anchor Kari Lake. They are joined by Ameer El Bey, Kelly Garett, David Hoffman, Bryan Masche, Callie Morgan, Michael Pavlock Jr., Julian Tatka, and Paola Tulliani.
Four Libertarians -Robert Baxter, Barry Hess, Bill Moritzky, and Steve Remus- have also filed a statement of interest for the governorship.
With Yee not running again for state treasurer, Livingston is currently the only candidate who has filed a Statement of Interest for the office with the secretary of state.
But it is not only state races that are garnering lots of attention. Many eyes are on the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mark Kelly, a Democrat.
Kelly is expected retain his party’s nomination but whose name appears on the ballot for the Republican Party will be heavily contested, not only by Brnovich but also corporate executive Jim Lamon and retired Arizona Adjutant General Michael McGuire. In addition, Blake Masters -president of the Thiel Foundation- is rumored to be announcing his candidacy to challenge Kelly later this week.
Other Republicans already vying for the nomination are Wendy Acuna, Craig Brittain, David Buechel, Dan Butierez Sr., Ronald Coale, Eric Corbett, Mark Fisher, Kelly Garett, Vlad Hermann, Josh McElroy, Rob Paveza, Thomas Tripp, and Chad Yosick.
With Brnovich running for Congress, Andrew Gould recently resigned his seat on the Arizona Supreme Court to seek the Republican nomination. Gould will likely face Lacy Cooper and Tiffany Shedd in their party’s primary.
For the Democrat Party, former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes announced her candidacy for attorney general last month. She is expected to be joined in the primary by January Contreras and Diego Rodriguez. One Libertarian, Michael Kielsky, is also running for attorney general.
There are also several current state representatives who will be leaving the legislature to make runs for Congress in 2022. They include Walt Blackman (R-LD6) who is running for CD1 and Sen. Kirsten Engel (D-LD10) who is running against Rep. Randy Friese (D-LD9) for CD2.
by Terri Jo Neff | Jul 4, 2021 | News
By Terri Jo Neff |
Tucked here and there among the $12.8 billion budget package signed into law last week by Gov. Doug Ducey are numerous water-related funding opportunities for rural counties across Arizona.
Among the budget items in SB1823, the general appropriations bill, are allocations of $3 million for water project assistance grants to cities and towns that provide water in Navajo and Apache counties. Another $2 million of water project assistance grants are available to irrigation districts in Cochise and Graham counties.
Those funds are in addition to $160 million moved from the state’s general fund on June 30 to the Drought Mitigation Revolving Fund. Of that, up to $10 million may be used for grants which facilitate the forbearance of water deliveries by June 30, 2025, while another $10 million may be used for Arizona State Land Department grants related to water use.
Ducey also signed into law changes to Arizona’s tax code which allow water utilities regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to deduct contributions toward construction from their Arizona gross annual income. This can be particularly beneficial for companies which serve smaller communities where it can be difficult to spread out the cost of construction projects.
In addition, the Legislature passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Gail Griffin (R-LD14) to provide $40 million for the Water Supply Development Fund for assistance to water providers for improvements to water infrastructure and projects located in rural communities.
The ACC is encouraging owners and operators of small water utility companies which are regulated by the Commission to take advantage of the funding, which can go as high as $1 million per project, to improve their water systems and benefit customers. There is also an option of a $100,000 grant which does not require repayment.
Eligible water utility companies must serve at least 15 customers or at least 25 people for at least 60 days of the year, be located outside of an active management area, and be within a county with a population of less than 1.5 million people. The funding can be used for myriad purposes, including acquiring water or water rights; purchasing or refinancing debt related to water supply development projects; conveying, storing, or recovering water; reclaiming or reusing water; capturing or controlling stormwater; and replenishing groundwater.
Utilities can apply for the WSD Fund loans or grants to the Arizona Water Finance Authority.
“I encourage every regulated water utility that qualifies for these funds to take advantage of them as expediently as possible for the benefit of their customers,” ACC chair Lea Marquez Peterson said last week.
House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-LD25) acknowledged the importance of the water funding allocations in a post-budget signing statement, calling the funding for infrastructure projects a “key to securing Arizona’s future, and one of our highest priorities.”
by AZ Free News | Jul 3, 2021 | News
This week, the Department of the Air Force announced much anticipated plans to move Close Air Support (CAS) and rescue missions, including A-10 Thunderbolt II and HH-60 Pave Hawk weapons schools and test squadrons, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base beginning in fiscal year 2022.
The proposed plan would transfer rescue and attack missions, aircraft and personnel to Davis-Monthan AFB as part of the Air Force’s vision of making the base the Center of Excellence for CAS and rescue missions.
Moving the A-10 and HH-60 aircraft squadrons, one maintenance squadron and all the supporting personnel from Nellis AFB, Nevada will result in a small personnel increase at Davis-Monthan AFB.
The first phase of the proposed plan, released as part of the Department of the Air Force’s fiscal year 2022 budget request , is contingent on congressional approval of the retirement of 42 A-10 aircraft, 35 of which are at Davis-Monthan AFB. Retiring these aircraft will create the fiscal and manpower flexibility required to design and field the future force needed to meet combatant commander requirements. Retiring the older A-10s in 2022 would allow Davis-Monthan AFB to receive the new missions.
The A-10 Weapons Instructor Course and Test and Evaluation operations will transition in 2022. The HH-60 WIC, Test and combat-coded units to include the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 66th Rescue Squadron, 58th Rescue Squadron, the 34th Weapons Squadron, and the 855th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will move beginning in 2024.
The Air Force will complete the required environmental analysis before the moves.
The A-10 Thunderbolt Advanced Continuation Kitting wing replacement contract, which was awarded in August 2019, included the purchase of wings for 218 aircraft. The Air Force has invested $880 million in A-10 re-winging and avionics modernization efforts, enabling the fleet to fly well into the 2030s.
by AZ Free News | Jul 3, 2021 | News
On Friday, Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded a series of executive orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic. The governor said the orders were no longer needed because the Legislature put them into law.
The governor said some of the orders would remain in place until legislation takes effect in 90 days. Those include orders preventing cities, towns and counties from issuing orders for businesses that are more stringent than those Ducey issues. Other orders ending after new legislation takes effect are ones barring universities from requiring COVID-19 vaccines or masks for unvaccinated students.
The governor ordered:
Effective July 1, 2021, the following Executive Orders related to the public health emergency will be rescinded:
- Executive Order 2020-17 deferred requirements to renew state agency and board licenses that had an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 by six months from the expiration date, unless those requirements could be completed online. The timeframe for the deferrals lapsed on March 1, 2021.
- Executive Order 2020-28 was enacted to address critical demand for nursing home and long-term care facility staff, allowing caregiver trainees to utilize on-the-job training to meet a certification program. This policy was codified through legislation in 2020.
- Executive Order 2020-58 ensured cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays and co-insurance, for the COVID-19 vaccine are waived. This policy was codified by congress through the CARES Act.
- Executive Order 2021-04 required schools to return in-person, teacher-led instruction by March 15, 2020. In-person, teacher led instruction will continue to be required beyond the March 15, 2020 deadline.
Effective July 9, 2021, the following Executive Orders related to the public health emergency will be rescinded:
- Executive Orders 2020-08 & 2020-53 extended standard driver licenses that originally expired between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, in an effort to limit visits to the state Motor Vehicle division. An expiration deferral issued as a result of this order remains valid and in effect.
- Executive Order 2020-20 allowed pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications for up to 180 days, minimizing unnecessary trips to the doctor. With legislation expanding availability of telemedicine, obtaining refills is now more accessible.
- Executive Order 2020-25 allowed struggling Arizona restaurants to repackage and sell grocery items they have on hand, including items not normally packaged and labeled for resale. Arizona restaurants can now fully resume operations.
Effective September 29, 2021, the following Executive Orders related to the public health emergency will be rescinded upon enactment of legislation to codify the policies:
- Executive Order 2020-12 was a proactive and administrative measure to ensure consistent mitigation guidance across the state, and prohibited any county, city or town to issue an order, rule or regulation that restricts or prohibits any essential service.
- Executive Order 2021-05 lifted occupancy limits that were implemented due to COVID-19.
- Executive Order 2021-06 transitioned COVID-19 mitigation requirements for businesses to recommendations.
- Executive Order 2021-09 banned “vaccine passports” and prevented state and local governments from requiring Arizonans to provide their COVID-19 vaccination status to receive service or enter an area.
- Executive Order 2021-10 rescinded orders related to K-12 health guidance.
- Executive Order 2021-15 ensured students of public higher education institutions cannot be mandated to take the COVID-19 vaccine or submit COVID-19 vaccination documents, and prohibited mandatory testing and mask usage for students.
The following will be repealed on a date determined by the Arizona Department of Health Services:
- Executive Orders 2020-13, 2020-23, 2020-30, 2020-37, 2020-48, 2020-54, 2020-56, 2020-57, 2021-01, 2021-07, 2021-14, identified as Enhanced Surveillance Advisory Orders. The State Legislature provided authority to the Arizona Department of Health Services to continue requiring hospitals, testing laboratories and other health facilities to provide detailed information and data related to COVID-19.
by AZ Free News | Jul 2, 2021 | News
On Thursday, the National Federation of Independent Business released its monthly Jobs Report, which found that Arizona is well-positioned to beat its neighbors to full economic recovery.
“Early legislative action this year to enact COVID-19 liability protection for businesses followed by recently adopted, historic tax reforms for income and property taxpayers will feed the flames of optimism and build confidence in business owners–leading to more investment, hiring and growth of small businesses in Arizona,” said Chad Heinrich, Arizona state director for National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). “While small-business owners remain in a struggle to fill open jobs, in Arizona our small businesses are seeing the support that comes from having a pro-small-business Legislature as our elected officials wrap up business at the State Capitol.”
According to NFIB’s report, 46% of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, down two points from May but still above the 48-year historical average of 22%. Small business owners continue to struggle to find qualified workers for their open positions while raising compensation at a record high level.
A net 39% (seasonally adjusted) of owners reported raising compensation (up five points), a record high. A net 26% plan to raise compensation in the next three months (up four points), according to the report.
“In the busy summer season, many firms haven’t been able to hire enough workers to efficiently run their businesses, which has restricted sales and output,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “In June, we saw a record high percent of owners raising compensation to help attract needed employees and job creation plans also remain at record highs. Owners are doing everything they can to get back to a full, productive staff.”
According to NFIB, “the Jobs Report is a national snapshot not broken down by state. The results were based on 592 respondents to the June survey of a random sample of NFIB’s member firms, surveyed through 6/28/2021.”
by AZ Free News | Jul 2, 2021 | News
On Friday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, struck down California’s demand that nonprofit advocacy groups turn over confidential information about their donors. The 6-3 ruling in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta is considered a major victory for First Amendment advocates.
At issue was a dispute that began in 2014, when the Thomas More Law Center and the Americans for Prosperity Foundation went to federal court to challenge California’s rule.
“The case ends more than a decade of litigation that began when then-Attorney General Kamala Harris abruptly ended the practice that allowed nonprofits to turn in their annual reports with private information redacted, as a security measure. That had been allowed for many years, since if the Attorney General’s office ever actually needed such information, it could easily get it in many other ways—such as a subpoena or audit,” explains Timothy Sandefur of the Goldwater Institute in a blog post. “But in 2010, Harris ordered any nonprofit that collected money in California to hand over copies of their unredacted IRS paperwork. That information would be placed into a government database that Harris promised would be kept confidential. Of course, it wasn’t—a trial judge later found almost 2,000 instances in which Harris’s office allowed this information to be publicly circulated. (The Goldwater Institute received such a demand, but refused to disclose this information.)”
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion which reverses the 9th Circuit Court opinion.
In his blog post, Sandefur says the Court’s ruling “vindicates the privacy rights of millions of Americans who choose to contribute to nonprofit organizations that articulate the political, cultural, or religious values they hold dear. That choice is guaranteed by the First Amendment—yet many federal, state, and local officials continue to devote their powers to stripping donors of their privacy rights whenever they exercise that constitutional freedom. This is often done under the guise of “transparency,” but transparency is for government—privacy is for people. Today’s decision is a victory for the free speech rights of all Americans, whatever their ideological background—and we look forward to continuing the fight for freedom of speech and privacy at the federal, state, and local levels.”
