Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) says “Bidenomics” is to blame for the surging gas prices in his district, the fifth congressional district.
According to Biggs, “Bidenomics” includes a “war on domestic energy,” meaning the oil and gas industry.
The average gas price in Arizona, per AAA, sits at about $4 per gallon, a steady rise from prices over the last month but a slight decline from the average last year, when prices hit about $4.30 a gallon.
Arizona’s averages have consistently sat higher than the national averages over the past year.
“Biden’s war on domestic energy hits Americans in the pocketbook. Gas is over $4.00/gallon in my district!” said Biggs. “Arizonans are suffering thanks to Bidenomics.”
Biden's war on domestic energy hits Americans in the pocketbook.
The highest-ever recorded average for gas prices in Arizona was nearly $5.40 in the summer of 2022.
AAA has attributed the recent steady rise in gas prices to the increase in oil prices. Crude oil hit over $10 per barrel earlier this year, attributed to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and increased conflicts in the Middle East.
The Biden administration has reportedly urged Ukraine to cease its attacks on Russian oil refineries, out of concern for rising gas prices. However, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed those requests from U.S. officials, telling The Washington Post that the U.S. lacks authority to dictate his military strategy.
“We used our drones. Nobody can say to us you can’t,” said Zelensky.
Mapping of gas prices nationwide reflects a trend for prices to be highest around the West Coast, lowest around the midsection of the country, and slightly higher again around the East Coast.
Another factor for the upward surge in gas prices relates to the Biden administration’s increased pressures on oil and gas production — such as the plan announced last fall to scale back leasing for offshore oil and gas drilling — in an attempt to increase American reliance and support for “clean energy” alternatives.
Biden campaigned on the promise to abolish the oil industry, and “end fossil fuel.” His first executive order laid some of the framework to fulfill that promise, such as imposing a moratorium on certain oil and natural gas leasing activities, and directing agencies to revise fuel and emissions standards for vehicles.
On Thursday, the Biden administration announced $20 billion in grants to private companies for clean energy initiatives.
On Wednesday, the Department of Energy canceled two purchases to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Agency officials indicated a desire to avoid buying back oil above its target price of $79 per barrel, since the cost per barrel is around $87.
The Biden administration has depleted the SPR by about 45 percent.
Last month, the Biden administration announced stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles such as freight trucks and buses. Available technologies to meet their new emissions standards include the advanced internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
In January, the White House paused permitting on liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
The Arizona House of Representatives has a new member.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors selected Deborah Nardozzi for the vacancy in the State House for Legislative District 8. Nardozzi was the second appointment in the district this year from the Board after two resignations.
Today, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Deborah Nardozzi to fill the Arizona House of Representatives vacancy in Legislative District 8. Read more about Representative Nardozzi and the appointment process here: https://t.co/XR87fHIzqipic.twitter.com/nghdmN6Xen
“Arizona law requires us to appoint a person from the same political party as the person who previously vacated the office. We did so today,” said Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin. “I wish Deborah Nardozzi well in her endeavor to represent Legislative District 8 at the State Capitol.”
In a statement following her appointment from the Board, Nardozzi said, “It is an honor to be chosen as the next Representative for Arizona Legislative District 8, and I am committed to serving our community with integrity and an unwavering dedication to advocating for the needs of our constituents.”
Previously, Nardozzi served as the Democrats’ Chair for Legislative District 24, and she has been a small business owner for 15 years.
— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) April 3, 2024
State Representative Lupe Contreras, the House Democratic Leader, added, “Deborah Nardozzi has been committed to the success of other Democratic candidates and issues for several years, in addition to her impressive small business career. Now we are thrilled to have her deep well of experience as part of our team for the remainder of the year, and for a very important part of our session. Our caucus is 29 strong as we head into budget negotiations that will impact the lives of everyone in our state.”
Representative Nardozzi was sworn into the Arizona House of Representatives on Thursday.
Welcome to the House Representative Deborah Nardozzi! Sworn in and hitting the ground running! pic.twitter.com/CCXSGGY5Cd
— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) April 4, 2024
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A bill to improve health care in Arizona is on its way to the Governor’s Office.
On Thursday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2764, which would “require the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish rules for a licensure subclass for assisted living facilities wishing to provide memory care services” – according to the overview from the chamber. The bill was sponsored by State Representative Tim Dunn.
✅FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE✅ Arizona Legislature Passes Representative @TimDunn_AZ's #HB2764 to Enhance Memory Care Services
“The memory care patient population continues to rise in Arizona, and our state needs to be a leader in providing high-quality services. HB 2764 ensures that… pic.twitter.com/nRP1I0OZz9
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 4, 2024
“The memory care patient population continues to rise in Arizona, and our state needs to be a leader in providing high-quality services,” said Representative Dunn. “HB 2764 ensures that individuals with memory care needs receive the highest standard of compassionate and competent care. It establishes training requirements for memory care services and, importantly, will help cut down on bad actors in the industry. I look forward to Governor Hobbs signing the bill so we can implement these necessary reforms and improvements and raise the standard of care and protection that our most vulnerable citizens deserve.”
In February, the proposal passed the House with a 49-10 vote (with one vacant seat). On Wednesday, the Senate passed an amended version of the bill with a 18-7 vote (with five members not voting). After the legislation was transmitted back for concurrence, the House approved the final piece with a 59-0 vote (with one member not voting).
According to the press release from the Arizona House of Representatives, the bill included the following key provisions:
The establishment of minimum memory care services training standards for staff and contractors, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide specialized care to residents with dementia and other memory-related conditions.
The creation of the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee to evaluate and recommend improvements in care.
An increase in civil penalties for non-compliance with health care statutes.
Prohibits bad actor facilities from hiding or erasing violation history.
Requires employers to ensure staff isn’t on the Adult Protective Services registry which lists persons who have abused or neglected a vulnerable adult.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter, Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Public Health Association, Arizona Hospital & Healthcare Association, Health System Alliance of Arizona, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Arizona Chronic Care Together, and Right Care Foundation, Inc., indicated their support for the bill. Representatives from the Arizona Assisted Living Federation of America, Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association, Arizona Health Care Association, and LeadingAge Association signed in as neutral on the proposal.
The Arizona House Democrats’ Caucus “X” account shared a picture of former State Representative Jennifer Longdon in the chamber to watch the bill receive its final stamp of approval. The account added that “this reform to standards and requirements for licensing health care institutions was borne out of the Ad Hoc Committee on Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults [that Dunn and Longdon] both shared,” and “that committee was formed after the Hacienda Healthcare abuse scandal of 2019.”
Former Representative @JenLongdon returned to the chamber to witness the passage of HB 2764, along with GOP sponsor Tim Dunn. This reform to standards and requirements for licensing health care institutions was borne out of the Ad Hoc Committee on Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable… pic.twitter.com/TBwUlvpgR8
— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) April 4, 2024
HB 2764 now awaits action from Governor Katie Hobbs.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
What was supposed to be a three-way challenge for incumbent Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers has turned into a one-on-one contest with recently resigned Councilman Jamie Aldama. The third candidate was failed former state lawmaker Paul Boyer, who had a long and contentious relationship with the Glendale mayor and the city of Glendale. However, Boyer ultimately came up short of the signatures required to file for office and did not meet the April 1st deadline.
That makes the July 30th primary a winner take all event that promises to offer the citizens of Glendale two very different visions for the city. As mayor, Weiers has overseen the resurgence of this West Valley city, and a dramatic improvement in its economy, its bond rating, and its job base. The city regularly reports on companies and developments that have chosen Glendale or existing companies that are expanding.
While Weiers has been mayor, the city has hosted a number of national events, including two Super Bowls, and after this week, its second NCAA Final Four men’s basketball championship.
Aldama’s pitch is more nuanced, because after nearly a decade on the City Council he wants to take credit for the good things in the city, while simultaneously trying to convince voters that the city council is divided and failing in its job. This is a difficult tightrope for him to walk, say consultants, and supporters of the mayor point out that many of the projects and policies that have made Glendale successful are items that Aldama voted against, and those votes that contributed to the success of the city that Aldama voted for and could campaign on, were also championed by the mayor himself.
Aldama supporters believe the city would be better off if it embraced more of the left-leaning policies of cities like Phoenix, which has a Democratic mayor, like Aldama is trying to be. And Aldama himself has been very aggressive in campaigning as a Democrat and soliciting Democrat votes and support, even though city races are nonpartisan and those sorts of partisan appeals are generally frowned upon.
Campaign finance reports will be filed soon and will give more insight into the race and the prospects for the two candidates, but as with mayoral elections every four years, Glendale voters are once again in for a ride.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Flagstaff schools are gearing to update their sex ed curriculum with material introducing gender ideology.
Gender ideology topics, such as gender identity and transgenderism, would be introduced to Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) students as young as the fifth grade, per the district’s ongoing review of its Social/Sexual Health Curriculum for grades 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
The district last updated their sex ed curriculum in 2006. As the existing curriculum is nearly 20 years old, the curriculum doesn’t include any discussions of gender ideology; rather, the curriculum clearly distinguishes sex education content between the two genders.
A sexual health educator brought in by the district to advise on the curriculum updates — Sydney Tolchinsky with Coconino County Health and Human Services — told the district in a meeting earlier this year that fifth graders could be transgender and not speaking openly about it. That’s why, Tolchinsky advised district officials, schools should leave it up to the students to pick which classroom they attend to receive their sex education.
Under the existing curriculum, sex education classes for grades 5 and 7 occur in gender-segregated classrooms. Coeducational classes don’t occur until grades 9 and 11.
🧵 on Flagstaff Unified School District (DM us if this is your district)
Listen to this @FlagstaffUSD1 sex education meeting regarding sex-ed for 5th graders.
— Arizona Women of Action (@azwomenofaction) April 3, 2024
Tolchinsky further advised the district to get rid of gender-based distinctions in lessons in order to be inclusive of transgender students, such as saying “people who have periods” rather than teaching students that only biological females have periods.
“What we’ve started doing is just not having different lessons, we just have the same lesson in both rooms to be really inclusive of all genders, and trying to change our language, instead of saying ‘girls have periods and boys don’t,’ saying ‘people with a uterus are going to have periods most likely and people without a uterus won’t,’” said Tolchinsky. “Sometimes that might mean a boy might have a period and girls might not have a period for a lot of reasons.”
Failing to have a menstrual period as a biological female is a condition known as “amenorrhoea.” Unless a female is pregnant, breastfeeding, experiencing menopause, or underwent surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries, amenorrhea is a sign of a condition warranting medical attention.
Common causes of amenorrhea include major hormone disruptions caused by emotional stress, extreme weight loss, excessive exercise, or reproductive disorders. Untreated, amenorrhea can present many health risks: reduced fertility, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, increased risk of early onset osteoporosis, and premature menopause and aging.
For males, phallic bleeding may indicate a variety of medical conditions: physical trauma, balanitis, prostatitis, urinary tract infection, ruptured blood vessels, infection, a reaction to medications, or even cancer.
Under Tolchinsky’s suggested teachings, students may believe that conditions like amenorrhea or phallic bleeding are normal and not a cause for concern.
FUSD Assistant Superintendent Lance Huffman agreed with Tolchinsky that gender-neutral language eliminating gender differences would be beneficial.
“We might want to shift to ‘people’ language rather than just boys and girls so some people get periods or people with a uterus may and people with a penis will not,” said Huffman.
Arizona doesn’t require schools to teach sex ed at any level. However, the state does require parents to “opt in” with written permission for all grade levels. Should parents opt out, each individual school provides alternative instruction.
In 2021, the legislature approved a bill requiring, in part, parental consent for discussions of gender ideology in sex ed. Then-Governor Doug Ducey vetoed the legislation, critiquing the bill language as “overly broad and vague,” which the governor said would cause misinterpretations by schools and inhibit child abuse prevention education in early grades.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Newly introduced legislation would allow opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol to be eligible for an FDA breakthrough therapy designation in order to expedite the development and review of treatments.
U.S. Representative David Schweikert introduced the Substance Therapy Designation Act on April 1. The bill aims to ensure that the designation process for such treatments receives an even further fast-track.
“In the month of March alone, the United States Border Patrol has seized almost 15,000 pounds of controlled substances,” Schweikert said. “With the Substance Therapy Designation Act, I hope to be able to save more children that are falling victim to the continuing influx of these illicit drugs. This bill speaks to my continuing fixation of making our brothers and sisters healthier, while at the same time, promoting the safety and treatment from these addictive substances.”
Schweikert proposed the bill in response to Arizona’s increase in fentanyl coming across its border with Mexico illegally under the Biden administration’s border crisis. In the Nogales sector, Customs and Border Protection reported that it has seized over 8.5 million fentanyl pills since December 2023.
The total cost for opioid-related hospitalizations was $2.2 billion in 2022, a report from the Arizona Department of Health Services shows. Fentanyl is reportedly the most common component in many Arizona opioid overdoses. An average of three people die per day from fentanyl overdoses in Maricopa County.
Schweikert’s bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to grant priority review to substance abuse treatments and a fast-track designation to opioid, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol treatments.
A number of treatments for substance abuse therapy are undergoing clinical trials. The first vaccine to combat cocaine addiction was formulated at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil.
A research team at the University of Houston plans to start manufacturing a clinical-grade vaccine that targets fentanyl after trials conducted with immunized rats succeeded. The vaccine blocks fentanyl from entering the brain.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
