by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 12, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A bill designed to direct more tax revenue toward Arizona’s K-12 classrooms has been vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, prompting criticism from Republican lawmakers who say the measure would have strengthened public education funding.
SB 1050, sponsored by Senator Vince Leach (R-LD17), sought to amend the Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) program by prohibiting the abatement of school district-designated tax revenues. Under current law, cities and towns can lease government-owned property to private developers with reduced tax obligations, an incentive intended to promote commercial development.
The bill would have excluded school-related tax revenues from such incentives, allowing those funds to flow directly to local school districts instead of being waived under development agreements.
“This was a missed opportunity by the Governor,” said Leach. “She says she supports education funding, but her veto suggests otherwise.”
In her veto letter, Governor Hobbs explained that SB 1050 could “stunt Arizona’s economic development” by weakening a tool used by local governments to attract private investment. The GPLET program, though controversial, has been credited with revitalizing parts of urban Arizona by lowering upfront development costs in exchange for long-term gains.
Arizona schools continue to face funding pressures despite recent increases to the state’s education budget. Republican lawmakers have often pushed for reallocating existing tax revenues, while Democrats have generally sought new funding sources or changes to the state’s tax structure.
SB 1050 passed both legislative chambers before being vetoed, signaling at least some bipartisan concern about the balance between development incentives and education funding.
Senator Leach and other supporters of the bill may pursue similar legislation in future sessions or attempt a veto override, although success would require significant bipartisan support. Meanwhile, the broader debate over how to equitably fund Arizona’s public schools is likely to continue.
“This is about priorities,” Leach said. “We should be making sure our tax dollars are going to classrooms, not corporate subsidies.”
The Governor’s office has not indicated whether alternative proposals to increase school funding through tax reforms are in the works.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 11, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A bill sponsored by Arizona State Representative Leo Biasiucci (R-LD30) HB 2164 to ban several food dyes and toxic chemicals from foods served in Arizona schools passed the Arizona Senate unanimously on Tuesday. At the time, actor-turned-conservative activist Rob Schneider and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. were visiting the Capitol as part of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ tour.
Both Kennedy and Schneider joined Biasiucci at the Capitol in Phoenix with the Representative posting to X, “It was honor to have @SecKennedy visit the Arizona Legislature today as my bill to ban toxic food dyes from schools passed 28-0 in the Senate. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help him Make America Healthy Again!”
If signed into law, the bill would ban foods on school campuses which are deemed to be harmful. When the bill was announced in February, Biasiucci stood beside Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp (R-LD29) and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and explained the ban to include foods found to contain ingredients that scientific studies have found to be harmful to students health, including potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes 5 and 6, blue dyes 1 and 2, red dyes 3 and 40, and green dye 3.
“Our kids deserve better than artificial dyes and cheap fillers in their lunches. If we’re providing meals at school, they should be real, nutritious food—not the kind of processed junk that’s banned in other countries. This bill puts the health of Arizona’s children first, plain and simple,” Biasiucci said at the time.
Posting to X after the vote Schneider wrote, “Thank YOU to ALL the legislators in Arizona on BOTH sides of the aisle for putting the HEALTH of CHILDREN before partisan politics…”
“I would like to first thank the Democrats in the state legislature here for joining Republicans unanimously for doing what’s best for our children,” said Biasiucci. “This is not partisan, this is people, these are our children, these are the most important and precious members of our society, this is our future, this is everything. It really is a testament to this great state that we can get together and do something that is 100% positive for everyone in this state. A lot of kids this will be their only meal of the day… let’s get them the best things.”
During the proceedings, Kennedy told reporters, “It’s happening at the grassroots. People are saying we are not going to take it anymore. We are not going to be mass poisoned.”
Rep. Biasiucci added, “A lot of times you have to sacrifice your language, you have to make edits, make amendments to get it across the finish line. I wanted to get the bill across the finish line, because sometimes you need to have that impact, you need to make that change happen before the conversation continues in the future.”
Kennedy agreed saying, “Believe me, I would like to solve the entire processed food problem, but we’re not going to do that overnight. We’re going to do it in the next four years.”
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 | Apr 11, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) celebrated President Donald Trump’s Executive Order using emergency authority to keep the Cholla Power Plant in Navajo County in operation.
“While most politicians ignore the will of We the People, President Trump takes decisive action. By saving the Cholla Power Plant from imminent closure, hardworking Arizonans will maintain their jobs and livelihoods,” Rep. Crane said in a statement. “For years, radical environmentalists tried to destroy the once thriving coal industry. Under President Trump’s leadership, those days are officially over. This is a huge win for Navajo County, and I applaud the President and his team for delivering.”
In a statement signing the Executive order Trump said, “I am instructing Secretary Wright to save the Cholla coal plant in Arizona, which has been slated for destruction. We’re going to keep those coal miners on the job. We’re going to have that plant opening and burning beautiful, clean coal in a very short period of time.”
The text of the Executive order stated, “America’s coal resources are vast, with a current estimated value in the trillions of dollars and are more than capable of substantially contributing to American energy independence, with excess to export to support allies and our economic competitiveness.”
“Our nation’s beautiful clean coal resources will be critical to meeting the rise in electricity demand due to the resurgence of domestic manufacturing and the construction of artificial intelligence data-processing centers.”
The move by Trump was also praised by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren who shared a lengthy statement to X, saying in part, “Today marks a pivotal moment for energy policy in the United States. As President Trump signs an executive order aimed at revitalizing the coal industry, I want to emphasize the importance of including tribal nations like the Navajo Nation in this national conversation.”
Nygren added, “The harmful policies of the past have unfairly targeted coal, but those tides are turning. Last year, the U.S. produced over 1 billion tons of coal, and even now, we are producing more than 500 million tons annually. If the federal government is serious about increasing domestic energy production, enhancing permitting, and bolstering energy security, it must work in partnership with tribal nations. Together, we can strengthen local economies, generate revenue, and create good-paying jobs in historically underinvested areas like ours. For the Navajo Nation, coal is more than an export—it has powered our homes and our economy since the mid-20th century. Our people have depended on the royalties, wages, and tax revenues from this industry for generations. Coal has also remained a primary heating source for many Diné families.”
Speaking with AZCentral, APS, which owns the Cholla Power Plant stated, “APS stopped generating electricity at Cholla last month, in accordance with federal regulations and due to increasing costs that have made the plant uneconomical to operate.”
The utility said, “We plan to preserve the site for potential future-generation uses, including the possibility of nuclear power. At this time, APS has already procured reliable and cost-effective generation that will replace the energy previously generated by Cholla Power Plant.“
The contradictory statement leaves questions around whether the plant will resume operation in the immediate future.
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 | Apr 10, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona legislature passed a bill recognizing the existence of only two genders and defining sex-based terms.
The Senate passed HB 2062 on Tuesday along party lines.
The bill from State Rep. Lisa Fink established definitions for the two genders and all related gendered terms: “boy” defined as “a human male who has not yet reached adulthood”; “father” defined as “a male parent of a child or children as defined by law”; “female” defined as “an individual who has, naturally had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova”; “girl” defined as “a human female who has not yet reached adulthood”; “male” defined as “an individual who has, naturally had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces sperm for fertilization of female ova”; “man” defined as “an adult human of the male sex”; and “mother” defined as “a female parent of a child or children as defined by law.”
HB 2062 also defined “sex” to mean “a person’s biological sex, either male or female, at birth.”
Governor Katie Hobbs is unlikely to approve this bill. She vetoed similar legislation last year (SB 1628), writing in a brief explanation letter that she would not harm residents of the state.
“As I have said time and again, I will not sign legislation that attacks Arizonans,” wrote Hobbs.
Hobbs has declared that individuals become the gender they believe they are, as opposed to their biological sex.
The Independent Women’s Network (IWN) — a grassroots activist group heavily involved in preserving sports participation based on biological sex — launched a campaign to urge Hobbs to go back on her past stances on transgenderism and sign HB2062 into law. One of IWN’s most prominent ambassadors is Riley Barker (nee Gaines), the collegiate swimmer turned political activist after losing to Lia Thomas, a male swimmer who identifies as a female.
“Call upon Governor Hobbs to sign this common sense, pro-woman measure into law to prevent sex discrimination in Arizona,” stated IWN. “We cannot fight sex discrimination if we cannot define ‘sex.’”
Senate Democrats argued for the reality of transgenderism. State Sen. Analise Ortiz said that males who believe they are females should be viewed as such.
“This should terrify us because trans women and girls are already a vulnerable population and this would only make them more vulnerable,” said Ortiz. “The explicit goal is to erase trans people from public life, including causing them to lose their jobs. It is wrong. We just need to respect people for who they are.”
The bill passed out of the House in February, where it also passed along party lines.
State Rep. Stephanie Simacek called the reality of gender “narrow and outdated.”
State Rep. Lorena Austin cited “her lived experience” as a “nonbinary” and “gender nonconforming” to argue against the bill. Austin claimed Christians had no right to determine what constituted gender in the law.
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 10, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona has enacted a new law that aims to boost the state’s environmental health workforce and combat foodborne illness by making it easier for health professionals to become registered sanitarians.
HB 2145, sponsored by Representative Selina Bliss (R-LD1), was signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs following unanimous passage through the legislature. The bill shortens experience requirements and clarifies educational standards for those seeking to register as sanitarians in Arizona.
Under the new law, aspiring sanitarians can qualify for registration with three years (reduced from five) of experience as a sanitarian aide in a public health agency or related private sector role; three years (down from five) of full-time military duty in environmental health; or 30 semester hours of college credit in relevant subjects, including 22 hours in natural sciences (clarified from a general 30-hour natural science requirement).
“I have had food poisoning five times in my life, so I can testify that this is important!” Bliss posted on X. “This law addresses our workforce shortage to protect the public from food-borne illness.”
These updates aim to expand the pool of eligible candidates while maintaining rigorous standards for public health professionals.
Sanitarians play a critical role in public safety, conducting environmental health investigations, evaluating hazardous agents, ensuring compliance with public health regulations, and advising on disease prevention efforts. The Arizona Sanitarians’ Council sets the standards for registration and professional practice.
The need for reform became apparent as agencies across Arizona cited difficulties recruiting qualified professionals, especially in rural areas and during public health emergencies. Advocates for the bill said modernizing the law would help meet demand without compromising safety.
Environmental health staffing shortages are not unique to Arizona. Across the United States, state and local agencies have struggled to fill roles vital to preventing outbreaks and ensuring food safety. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained these systems, bringing renewed attention to public health infrastructure and prompting efforts to expand the workforce.
Arizona’s passage of HB 2145 signals a bipartisan acknowledgment of the need for proactive measures to strengthen the state’s public health readiness. The new law will take effect later this year.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 10, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will no longer penalize Arizona and other states for foreign air pollution affecting state levels.
The EPA decision follows local and statewide efforts by Arizona’s elected and grassroots leaders in recent years to toss this regulation.
Among those engaging with the EPA was the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC). The grassroots organization’s president, Scot Mussi, commended the EPA decision.
“Due to this regulation from the Biden Administration, Arizona was being forced to adopt radical control measures, like banning gasoline-powered vehicles, which still would have left our state short of meeting the ozone standard,” said Mussi. “Yet again, the left’s environmental policies have proven to be disastrous and unworkable. For the good of our state and country, we must never repeat these mandates.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced on Monday it would rescind the Guidance on the Preparation of Clean Air Act Section (CAA) 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions.
The EPA published a press release, also on Monday, detailing the changes to air pollution regulations. The rescinded guidance effectively penalized states for air pollution caused by other countries.
“This guidance made it unnecessarily difficult for states to demonstrate that foreign air pollution is harming Americans within their borders,” stated the EPA. “States should not be penalized for air pollution beyond their control, including pollution crossing international borders into the United States.”
In a statement, Zeldin said U.S. citizens shouldn’t be held responsible for other nations’ air pollution failures.
“Americans should not be harmed by other countries that do not have the same environmental standards we have in the United States,” said Zeldin. “Not only are we eliminating cumbersome red tape that placed an excessive burden on states to prove emissions were from an international source, but we are also helping states across our nation prosper while ensuring they continue to provide clean air for their residents.”
The EPA said it would work with state and local air agencies to secure regulatory relief under the rescinded guidance.
The guidance emerged in December 2020 during the last month of the first Trump administration. The guidance was intended to assist state, local, and tribal air agencies with developing a demonstration on how a nonattainment area would be able to attain or would have attained relevant National Ambient Air Quality Standard if not for other countries’ air pollution.
Last month, the EPA agreed to reconsider its determination that the Northern Wasatch Front in Utah failed to attain the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
This latest policy change aligns with the Trump administration’s designs for the EPA under Zeldin outlined in his Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. Zeldin declared in his announcement of the initiative that conservation was inherently a core principle of conservatism.
This initiative announced in February proposes five new pillars of guidance for the EPA’s work over the first 100 days and throughout the next four years, all centered around American independence and dominance: securing clean air, land, and water for all Americans; restoring American energy dominance; permitting reform, cooperative federalism, and cross-agency partnership; making the U.S. the artificial intelligence capital of the world; and protecting and bringing back American auto jobs.
In a joint press release issued on Monday, Maricopa County Chairman Thomas Galvin and Supervisor Debbie Lesko said they made the case in a meeting last month with the EPA of the difficulty for states to prove certain air pollution impacts. The stance from current county leadership marks a departure from past leadership, which advanced measures to meet EPA compliance on ozone standards.
“At that meeting, county leadership demonstrated how difficult it has been for states like Arizona to prove the impact of air pollution from international transport, and as a result, we risk more regulation,” said Galvin and Lesko. “As Administrator Zeldin said, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction for states looking to balance the need for clean air with the importance of economic development.”
Galvin and Lesko also thanked Senator Mark Kelly for providing assistance on the issue.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
