by Staff Reporter | Feb 28, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona House passed a bill, HB 2762, requiring food labels to disclose cultivated cell use with near-unanimous consent.
Cultivated cells are animal-derived stem cells grown within a lab into a meat alternative substance, or “lab-grown meat.” Unlike real meat, lab-grown meat doesn’t contain components like blood vessels, connective tissue, fat, or muscle fibers and therefore lacks naturally occurring essential nutrients that exist in real meat like iron, collagen, and taurine.
HB 2762, or the Andy Groseta Act, would require lab-grown meat to have the phrases “cell-cultivated” or “cell-cultured” on their packaging. Groseta was the former president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, and the Yavapai Cattle Growers Association.
State Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-LD1) declared in a press release that Arizona families have a right to transparency when it comes to their food.
“Arizona families should not have to decode fine print or marketing claims to know what they are buying,” said Nguyen. “If a food product is derived from cultivated cells, the label should say so plainly and directly. HB 2762 protects consumers from confusion at the grocery store and supports our ranchers and farmers who raise and grow real food under clear standards.”
Three Democratic lawmakers voted against the bill: Minority Whip Quanta Crews (D-LD26) and Reps. Brian Garcia (D-LD8) and Consuelo Hernandez (D-LD21). None explained their vote.
Five consumer products containing cultivated cells have completed premarket consultations with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the first of which was completed in November 2022. Premarket consultations evaluate food safety prior to their release on the market. Three of these products within that stage of premarket consultations are made with chicken cells, one from pork fat cells, and one from salmon cells.
The FDA and Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) established a formal agreement on their regulatory approach to lab-grown meat in 2019. The FDA oversees the collection, banking, and growth and differentiation stages of cells used to create lab-grown meat. FSIS oversees the cell harvesting, production, and labeling stages.
A similar bill that passed the House last year was held in the Senate.
Chairman Lupe Diaz (R-LD19) advised in the bill’s committee hearing last month that Republican leadership is also looking at banning cultivated cell products.
Democrats who voted against the bill in committee ended up voting for the bill on the House floor: Reps. Mae Peshlakai (D-LD6), Mariana Sandoval (D-LD23), and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-LD21).
Sandoval said the bill was “a solution looking for a problem.” Sandoval said Arizona should leave food labeling decisions up to the federal government.
“State-specific mandates risk confusion, federal preemption, and unnecessary barriers to innovation,” said Sandoval.
Not only did Sandoval end up voting for the bill, she introduced the adopted amendment to clarify its language. Originally the bill would have required lab-grown meat to have the following disclosure on labels: “This food product is derived from cultivated cells.” Sandoval’s amendment provided two alternative shortened disclosures: “cell-cultivated” or “cell-cultured.”
Stakeholders against the bill include Sprouts, the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, Arizona Retailers Association, and Good Food Institute. Those for the bill included the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association and Arizona Farm and Ranch Group.
Good Food Institute’s lobbyist Sam Richard said during the committee hearing that they support transparency and labeling for consumers, but argued the current bill limits companies’ access to the Arizona market since the legislation is Arizona-specific and not a national requirement.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Feb 28, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As the 2026 Cactus League Spring Training season kicks off, bringing fifteen Major League Baseball teams to ten stadiums across the Valley, a comprehensive new analysis from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) highlights the significant economic benefits of this annual tradition.
The report estimates that the season, running from February 20 through March 24 with 225 scheduled games, will generate between $210 and $953 million in GDP for Arizona, driven primarily by new spending from out-of-state visitors.
“Spring training is when Arizona’s tourism industry truly steps up to the plate,” wrote Katie Ratlief, Executive Director of CSI. “Each February and March, fans from across the country bring new spending into our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses — supporting jobs, generating tax revenue, and driving measurable economic growth.”
According to the CSI and Cactus League, an estimated 1.8 million fans are expected to flock to venues all over the Valley. About 65% of attendees are projected to come from outside Arizona, injecting fresh dollars into the state’s economy.
Out-of-state visitors—including fans, players, coaches, team staff, and their companions—are anticipated to spend between $210 million and $590 million directly on categories such as lodging, restaurants and bars, groceries, in-state transportation, and game tickets. Key spending breakdowns include:
- Hotels: $74 million to $335 million
- Restaurants and bars: $46 million to $105 million
- Groceries: $23 million to $52 million
- Transportation: $10 million to $45 million
- Game Tickets: Approximately $52 million
This direct spending is expected to ripple through the economy, resulting in:
- Total business sales output: $341 million to $1.6 billion
- GDP Boost: $210 million to $953 million
- Personal income increase: $46 million to $556 million
- Disposable personal income boost: Up to $486 million
- Jobs supported statewide: 668 to 9,697
The report notes that, for the first time, favorable conditions—including strong attendance and potentially higher per-visitor spending—could push the overall economic impact beyond the $1 billion mark this year.
The influx is also projected to generate between $12 million and $33 million in additional State Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT)—Arizona’s equivalent of sales tax—providing a further boost to state and local coffers.
“Arizona’s strong policy environment and world-class quality of life make it possible to attract major recurring events like the Cactus League,” added Ratlief, “and it is a big part of why tourism is a consistent and powerful contributor to our state’s economy.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 28, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Arizona issued a policy statement this week urging state lawmakers to prioritize tax certainty for small businesses in the upcoming legislative session.
In a press release, NFIB Arizona urged Arizona policymakers to “take action and align Arizona’s income tax code with the small business provisions that are permanent in federal law,” and consider tax policy changes this year. The group argued that stable and predictable tax policy is essential for small businesses to plan, invest, and grow.
NFIB Arizona also highlighted concerns about potential tax increases and shifting tax policy, emphasizing that uncertainty in state taxes could discourage investment and expansion by small businesses across Arizona. The organization represents thousands of small business owners in the state.
In its release, NFIB Arizona pointed to the Arizona House and Senate GOP plan to protect taxpayers during the filing season, stating that lawmakers should avoid policies that could lead to higher costs or an unstable tax environment for small business operators.
“It’s good to hear that the legislative majority has the back of small business and will not allow for a surprise tax increase for the 2025 tax year,” NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich said in a statement. “That’s great for 2025, which is in the books.”
He added, “Small businesses are actively operating in 2026 without having the certainty needed to make investments now. We will continue to urge lawmakers to take action and align Arizona’s income tax code with the small business provisions that are permanent in federal law so that Main Street can operate and grow their businesses with certainty.”
NFIB Arizona’s statement follows an ongoing debacle at the Arizona State Capitol over the state’s conformity with 2025 federal tax changes between the Republican-led legislature and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs. Hobbs vetoed a Republican bill, HB 2785, which would have brought Arizona’s income tax law into full conformity with the federal Internal Revenue Code on Feb. 12. The group said tax certainty would help small businesses make long-term hiring and investment decisions.
At the time, the NFIB wrote in a statement, “Twice, the Legislature has taken responsible action to protect hardworking Arizonans from tax uncertainty. Twice, Governor Hobbs has chosen political gamesmanship instead—turning something as mundane as tax conformity into a partisan game.”
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 | Feb 27, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona Senate approved legislation to facilitate coordination between law enforcement and federal immigration agents.
SB 1055 passed 16-11, with all Republicans in support and all Democrats against.
The bill requires law enforcement to notify either Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately following the arrest of an individual who is discovered to be an illegal alien.
The bill sponsor, Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), says this will give law enforcement the sense of security they deserve to appropriately process individuals with deportation orders. Rogers said her legislation was necessary to support safe neighborhoods and consistent enforcement within public safety.
“When someone is under arrest and unlawfully present in our country, law enforcement should never have to hesitate, second-guess, or worry about whether doing the right thing will jeopardize their career,” said Rogers. “For too long, unclear policies and political pressure have created confusion that undermines public safety and puts officers in an impossible position.”
Given the partisan nature of the bill, it’s highly likely the legislation will die under Gov. Katie Hobbs’ veto pen should it pass the House.
The first to speak against the bill during Monday’s floor vote was Assistant Minority Leader Catherine Miranda (D-LD11). She said the bill wasn’t needed. Miranda discouraged the idea that Arizona law enforcement needs to support ICE in deportation proceedings, since ICE agents were “terrorizing” communities across the nation.
“[SB1055 is] unnecessary and strives to increase fear in communities and empowers all law enforcement to act as ICE agents,” said Miranda.
During the committee hearing on the bill last month, Miranda said she carries all of her sensitive personal documents in her car — her birth certificate, Social Security card, and passport — just in case law enforcement questions her citizenship.
Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales (D-LD20) claimed the bill would cause racial profiling.
“Our communities are already, you know, not feeling well, not wanting to go to work, school, or otherwise because of what is happening in our communities with the federal immigration process that’s happening in and around our communities,” said Gonzales.
Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-LD24) called it an “anti-public safety bill” and “cruel.” Ortiz said the detainment facilities were “death camps.” She opposed the concept of deporting illegal aliens
“It is going to invite a violent, armed paramilitary force to have more unnecessary interactions with our communities,” said Ortiz. “ICE out of Arizona, ICE out of our communities.”
Similarly, Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-LD8) said ICE was too dangerous and relying on poorly trained and violent forces.
Majority Leader John Kavanagh (R-LD3) said it was effective government to have local law enforcement cooperating with federal law enforcement. Kavanagh lamented the likely veto from Hobbs.
“People who are accused of being here illegally need to be brought to justice,” said Kavanagh. “We shouldn’t be trying to hamper [the lawful execution of our laws].”
Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-LD15) reminded his colleagues across the aisle that the bill impacts individuals who were already arrested for committing a crime and in custody.
“It’s absurd that you would not want the criminals who come over illegally removed from this country. Apparently it’s just lawlessness run amok in this chamber. We are hearing [Democrats] advocate for not turning over illegal alien criminals to federal immigration law enforcement,” said Hoffman.
As a response to Democratic lawmakers citing the Minnesota deaths of anti-ICE activists Alexi Pretti and Renee Good, Hoffman read off a handful of the names of individuals murdered by illegal aliens, which prompted an outburst from the audience.
Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan (D-LD18) dismissed Hoffman’s list of victims, saying all illegal aliens who committed those crimes were facing charges unlike the officers involved in the Pretti and Good deaths. Sundareshan took issue that individuals arrested for civil violations, not just criminal violations, may face deportation.
“In this country we are innocent until proven guilty,” said Sundareshan.
Sen. Mitzi Epstein (D-LD12) said this would allow “perfectly innocent” individuals to be arrested and attacked.
“ICE has become an agency of thugs who do not follow the law,” said Epstein. “I am afraid of ICE agents.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 27, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has sent a letter to Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap regarding preparations for in-person early voting for the upcoming July Primary Election, urging cooperation to ensure sufficient voting locations, staff, and equipment are in place.
In a joint statement dated Feb. 24, 2026, Board Chair Kate Brophy McGee and Vice Chair Debbie Lesko said the board delivered the letter to Recorder Heap now that his office “oversees that important function.”
The supervisors emphasized that “big decisions need to be made in short order” to guarantee that in-person early voting is adequately staffed and resourced for the 27-day early voting period prescribed by state law.
The letter requests that Heap provide the “same level of service that Maricopa County voters have come to expect in past years, when the Board oversaw in-person early voting.” The supervisors wrote that this includes a “large number of sites spread out evenly and fairly across our county” during the early voting period.
Brophy McGee and Lesko also asked whether the recorder would collaborate with the board’s elections department, which they described as “staffed, resourced, and experienced in this area.”
According to the Board’s Feb. 24 statement, the letter followed a court filing by Recorder Heap in which he indicated he was willing to cooperate on logistical issues. Supervisors also said they had sent a staff-level communication outlining key decisions that must be made to meet statutory deadlines.
The board approved a requested $550,000 budget increase for the Recorder’s Office, earmarked for signature verification efforts. “Signature verification is under the complete and total control of the recorder,” Brophy McGee stated in a press release on Wednesday regarding the $550,000 increase. “While we have questions about the recorder’s new process, we will proceed with the recorder’s budget requests to ensure sufficient resources are in place by the 2026 primary. Our top goal is fair and secure elections.”
The supervisors gave Heap until Friday to respond to the board’s letter so that preparations can proceed in advance of statutory deadlines for the July Primary. The statement concludes that if the recorder does not respond, the board will assume he can manage in-person early voting “without our help.”
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 Ethan Faverino | Feb 27, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s February decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which held that the International Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Chairman David Schweikert (AZ-01) issued a statement encouraging a shift toward a more stable and growth-oriented tax framework.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court invalidated sweeping tariffs imposed under IEEPA, concluding that the statute does not grant the executive branch authority to levy import duties. The Court reaffirmed that Congress holds constitutional authority over tariffs and taxation, rejecting arguments that IEEPA’s provisions governing economic measures during national emergencies extend to imposing duties.
Chairman Schweikert emphasized the broader implications for America’s tax system amid rising federal spending. “As our nation’s spending continues to grow, we must be honest about the math,” he stated. “To sustain essential programs and protect our fiscal health, we need a tax system that produces stable, predictable receipts without stifling growth. Today’s ruling underscores the uncertainty in our current tax framework, uncertainty that limits investment, hiring, and innovation.”
Schweikert advocated for transitioning to a border-adjusted, destination-based cash flow tax (DBCFT) as a superior alternative to tariffs for promoting domestic production and economic competitiveness. “To bring greater stability and competitiveness to our economy, and address tax arbitrage arising from other countries’ tax policies, I believe the U.S. should move toward a border-adjusted, destination-based cash flow tax. In line with the goals of tariffs, a DBCFT supports U.S.-based production and American workers. But tariffs distort markets and reduce overall output. A destination-based cash flow tax achieves these same objectives through a more economically rational, growth-oriented framework.”
He highlighted key advantages of the DBCFT, including immediate deductions for business investments to encourage reinvestment and growth, taxation based on where goods are consumed rather than where they are produced, and border adjustments that tax imports while exempting exports.
This approach, Schweikert noted, discourages offshoring, provides businesses with predictability for long-term planning, and helps ensure stable tax revenues to support increasing federal expenditures.
“I will be holding a hearing on this important topic in the coming weeks,” he added. “America’s long-term prosperity hinges on our ability to keep U.S. companies competitive both at home and globally. A destination-based cash flow tax strengthens that foundation.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
