Arizona Republican legislative leaders are backing Congressman Andy Biggs’ proposed $19 billion plan to expand water supplies and accelerate infrastructure projects throughout the Colorado River Basin.
The Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act, introduced by Biggs (R-AZ-05) last week, would authorize funding for water augmentation, desalination, storage, treatment, recharge, and conveyance projects across the seven Basin states.
The goal of the legislation I introduced this week is simple: add new water, strengthen the Basin, and protect the farms, communities, and military installations that depend on the Colorado River.
My bill offers a path forward by investing in new water, modernizing critical…
Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29), and several Republican committee leaders have announced their support for the proposal, arguing that Arizona needs to focus on developing additional water supplies as uncertainty continues over the Colorado River.
“Arizona can’t make it rain or snow, but we can take action to secure our water future,” said Petersen.
Petersen said state lawmakers worked with Biggs to ensure Arizona priorities were incorporated into the federal proposal.
“Arizona has known for years that shortages could put the Central Arizona Project at risk, Petersen said. “Valuable time to develop alternative supplies has already been lost, and we cannot afford to lose any more. That’s why we worked with Congressman Biggs to make sure Arizona’s priorities helped shape this federal plan.”
One of the bill’s central provisions would establish a $5 billion Colorado River Basin Water Augmentation Program for projects that increase, store, treat, or transport water.
States, tribes, municipalities, utilities, nonprofit organizations, and private entities could seek funding under the program.
The federal government would provide $2 for every $1 in non-federal funding, with priority given to projects that increase available water supplies, benefit multiple states, address municipal water needs, or reduce dependence on the Colorado River.
Montenegro said the proposal represents a shift from negotiations over how existing Colorado River supplies should be divided toward projects intended to increase available water.
“Congressman Biggs has put forward a serious proposal that addresses the problem Arizona should have started preparing for years ago: we need more water,” Montenegro said. “For too long, the discussion has centered on how to divide a declining supply. This legislation takes a better approach by removing unnecessary federal delays and putting real resources behind projects that can increase supply. Long-term water augmentation is the path forward.”
✅Arizona Republicans Applaud Federal Legislation to Expand Colorado River Water Supplies Biggs’ plan would speed new water projects, direct $19 billion in supply and infrastructure, and restore the Yuma Desalting Plant
The proposal would also change the federal permitting process for qualifying water projects. Agencies would have 30 days to determine whether an application is complete and 180 days to make a final decision, with a limited 90-day extension.
Certain qualifying projects would also be exempt from review under the National Environmental Policy Act while remaining subject to other applicable federal requirements.
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16), who chairs the Senate Natural Resource Committee, said increasing the Basin’s overall supply should be part of the long-term response to Colorado River shortages.
“Our job is to make sure Arizona families and businesses have reliable water without driving up costs,” said Shope. “We cannot solve a water shortage by arguing over smaller and smaller shares of the river. We need to make the pie bigger, and this bill gives Arizona and the other Basin states practical ways to bring more water into the system.”
Another major component of the legislation involves the Yuma Desalting Plant.
The bill would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to restore the plant to operational status within 180 days and authorize $1 billion for restoration, operation, modernization, and expansion.
According to a press release from the Legislature, treating agricultural drainage water at the facility could help meet U.S. treaty obligations to Mexico while preserving an equivalent amount of Colorado River water in the system.
An additional $1 billion would be authorized to support seawater desalination facilities that could be used toward U.S. treaty obligations, potentially reducing the amount of Colorado River water delivered from the United States.
House Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter (R-LD15) said the provisions are intended to focus on developing additional sources rather than relying solely on managing existing supplies.
“We need to stop trading paper around and start bringing new, real wet water into the state. Congressman Biggs’ plan prioritizes just that,” Carter said. “Instead of focusing on scarcity, as Governor Hobbs has done by instituting water-use moratoriums and vetoing bills designed to authorize access to new water, Biggs’ bill plans for prosperity and abundance through the development of new water sources.”
The proposal would additionally authorize $12 billion for federal water infrastructure projects throughout the Basin, including potential water capture projects in California, augmentation and storage projects serving Arizona and Nevada, and infrastructure and forest restoration projects in the Upper Basin.
According to the legislation and the Arizona Legislature’s summary, the proposal would preserve existing Colorado River entitlements and state water priorities and would not modify state water rights, interstate compacts, or the Arizona v. California decree.
House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee Chairwoman Gail Griffin (R-LD19) called expanding the water supply a priority that should receive support across party lines.
“Expanding water supply should be a bipartisan priority,” Griffin said. “We need a long-term solution that protects the Colorado River system and works for everyone who depends on it. House and Senate Republicans support Congressman Biggs’ legislation and will continue working on state policies that protect existing residents, increase supply, and support rural economies.”
Biggs introduced the legislation to confront long-term questions over Colorado River operations and water availability. His office has characterized the proposal as an effort to supplement conservation and allocation negotiations with projects designed to add or preserve water supplies throughout the system.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Glendale resident Joshua James Lozano, 42, fainted in court after learning that he may spend life in prison for the charges against him.
Lozano faces 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the Maricopa County Superior Court (case number: CR2026-135393-001).
Lozano was charged with 10 counts of distributing, transporting, exhibiting, receiving, selling, purchasing, electronically transmitting, possessing, or exchanging any visual depiction in which a minor is engaged in exploitative exhibition or other sexual conduct.
The judge found that probable cause was present for all 10 counts.
Maricopa County deputy county attorney Ashley Stetson appeared on behalf of the state of Arizona. Stetson said the state recommended sentencing of 10 years on each count, and requested the sentences be served consecutively — or, 100 years.
“He is, in effect, looking at a life sentence,” said Stetson. “The state has concern for the community, specifically minors in the community. It does appear based on the state’s reading of the form that he may have been talking online with underaged minors.”
Moments after Stetson proposed that punishment, Lozano collapsed. His fall temporarily caused court proceedings to halt and required emergency medical assistance, though moments after his fall, Lozano returned to a seated position with minimal assistance.
Court documents reflect that authorities arrested Lozano after receiving tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The organization reported receiving multiple CyberTips from Lozano’s internet service provider between April and May that alleged that Lozano had accessed sexual exploitation materials involving minors.
Lozano has resided in Glendale for the past eight years with his wife of six years. Glendale police arrested Lozano last week after investigators traced the illicit online activity to Lozano.
NCMEC operates a CyberTipline which collects tips from the public and electronic service providers regarding suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, and unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child.
In 2025, NCMEC reported receiving more than 21 million reports to its CyberTipline.
Lozano worked as a cleaner for Banner Del Webb Hospital in Sun City. Court records also reflected that Lozano was arrested in the past for driving under the influence and on a suspended license.
Republican lawmakers in Arizona have prioritized securing stricter laws to protect children from online exploitation and harsher punishments for adults who exploit children.
Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), the Republican nominee for governor, has been advocating for bipartisan support of legislation addressing child exploitation occurring online. The new legislation addresses violent online terror networks, or child sextortion cells, which coerce and exploit children into committing torturous or sexually exploitative acts including self-harm, suicide, and animal abuse.
Similar to the proposed sentencing Loranzo faces, the proposed congressional measure would punish violators with up to 10 years in prison, or up to life in prison if the child dies as a result of the coercion or extortion.
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A new study from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) found that household inflation has been lower this presidential term than the last.
The JEC published a data brief on Thursday that reflected that the average household faced $2,881 less in additional costs from rising prices during the first 20 months of President Donald Trump’s second term — from January 2025 through August 2026 — than the first 20 months of former President Joe Biden’s term — from January 2021 through August 2022.
That cost difference amounts to an average reduction of nearly 41%.
“The comparison does not mean prices declined during President Trump’s second term,” stated the JEC. “Rather, the analysis finds that the cumulative increase in household costs was substantially smaller than during the comparable period under President Biden.”
During the first 20 months of Biden, the average American household experienced $7,081 in additional costs. Arizona was above this average. The average Arizona household experienced $8,427 in additional costs during that same time frame.
During the first 20 months of Trump, the average American household experienced $4,200 in additional costs. Arizona was below this average. The average Arizona household experienced $4,000 in additional costs during that same time frame, a reduction of $4,427 from the prior administration.
In Arizona, that cost difference between administrations amounts to an average reduction of nearly 52%.
In December 2025, the White House released an analysis reflecting that states experienced a difference in year-over-year inflation based on the political affiliations of their leadership. Conservative-leaning states experienced an overall average 2.5% inflation rate, whereas liberal-leaning states experienced an overall average 3% inflation rate.
Conservative states experienced an average 3.4% year-over-year inflation rate for housing, 2.5% for food and beverage, 3.5% for energy, and 0.7% for transportation, compared to liberal states experiences of 3.6% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% for food and beverage, 5.2% for energy, and 2.5% for transportation.
The consistent rates of heightened inflation rates under liberal governance remained true when distinguishing states based on the political affiliations of the governor and legislature, and state control.
States led by conservative governors experienced 2.3% year-over-year inflation rate overall, 3.2% inflation rate for housing, 2.4% inflation rate for food and beverage, 2.9% inflation rate for energy, and 0.6% inflation rate for transportation.
States led by liberal governors experienced a 3% inflation rate overall, 3.7% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% inflation rate for food and beverage, 5.3% inflation rate for energy, and 2.1% inflation rate for transportation.
States with conservative legislatures experienced a 2.4% inflation rate overall, 3.3% inflation rate for housing, 2.4% inflation rate for food and beverage, 2.9% inflation rate for energy, and 0.6% inflation rate for transportation.
States with liberal legislatures experienced a 3% inflation rate overall, 3.6% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% inflation rate for food and beverage, 5.1% inflation rate for energy, and 2.5% inflation rate for transportation.
States in which the legislature had neither a conservative or liberal majority experienced a 3.1% inflation rate overall, 4.5% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% inflation rate for food and beverage, 7.7% inflation rate for energy, and 0.9% inflation rate for transportation.
States defined as under conservative control experienced a 2.3% inflation rate overall, 3.3% inflation rate for housing, 2.4% inflation rate for food and beverage, 2.9% inflation rate for energy, and 0.6% inflation rate for transportation.
States defined as under liberal control experienced a 3% inflation rate overall, 3.6% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% inflation rate for food and beverage, 5.4% inflation rate for energy, and 2.7% inflation rate for transportation.
States defined as under neither conservative nor liberal control experienced a 2.8% inflation rate overall, 3.8% inflation rate for housing, 2.7% inflation rate for food and beverage, 4.7% inflation rate for energy, and 0.7% inflation rate for transportation.
Arizona was defined as having a conservative affiliation. The state experienced a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.6% overall, 1.8% for housing, 2.6% for food and beverage, 2.3% for energy, and 1.4% for transportation.
The city of Phoenix was also included as a major metro area for that analysis, but it was defined based on the state’s assigned affiliation of “conservative.” The city experienced a year-over-year inflation rate of 1.4% overall, -0.1% for housing, 1.1% for food and beverage, 6.7% for energy, and 0.8% for transportation.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Democratic state Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-LD24) endorsed Republican Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) for attorney general Friday, backing him over incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen’s campaign announced the endorsement on X, presenting it as evidence of support for his candidacy across party lines.
“I’m a legislator and Democrat, and I’m supporting Warren Petersen for Attorney General,” said Hernandez. “The Attorney General must keep our families safe, protect our students, and stand up for our schools — and Warren Petersen is the only candidate for the job.”
“As a lifelong Democrat and public school advocate, I’m voting for the only candidate that can protect our community,” Hernandez added.
Hernandez’s public education work includes service on the Cartwright School District Governing Board, where she has served since 2003.
Hernandez is set to leave the Legislature in January after finishing third in July’s four-candidate Democratic primary for the two House seats in LD24. The Legislative District 24 Democratic Party had previously censured her, citing her votes with Republicans and earlier endorsements of Republican candidates, including former Gov. Doug Ducey and former Secretary of State Michele Reagan. Hernandez’s endorsement of Petersen follows that history of crossing party lines.
Hernandez also sponsored HB 4109, legislation known as “Michael’s Law.” The measure would have required school districts to adopt public safety policies addressing life-threatening violence, threats involving weapons, parental notification, and contact with law enforcement.
HB 4109 passed the Arizona House in April but was held in the Senate.
Petersen said his working relationship with Hernandez showed that officeholders from opposing parties can cooperate on issues affecting their constituents.
“Throughout my time in the Legislature, I’ve been privileged to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle,” Petersen said. “Lydia Hernandez and I may be from different parties, but we know how to work together in the best interest of the people we represent.”
“That kind of cooperation is often missing from our political discourse today,” he continued. “As Attorney General, I will bring that same approach to the office to uphold our laws and protect Arizonans, not put political allies above the rule of law.”
Petersen thanked Hernandez for her support and said he looked forward to working with her on school and community safety.
The Petersen campaign said Hernandez joins a coalition of supporters that includes law enforcement officials, business representatives, rural leaders, and community advocates.
Arizona’s general election is scheduled for Nov. 3. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5, and early voting begins Oct. 7.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will continue to have a federal court monitor for the time being.
Arizona District Court Judge G. Murray Snow ruled last week that MCSO still needs federal oversight to prevent racial profiling by its officers, namely during traffic stops.
Snow based his denial on the department’s elevated rate of investigations and arrests of Hispanic individuals.
Snow said that MCSO hadn’t provided compelling evidence that it wouldn’t impose higher rates of searches and arrests and longer stops for Hispanic drivers.
“[There is] significant, probative evidence that racial bias may continue to affect MCSO’s traffic stop operations,” stated Snow. “To be clear, evidence of racial disparities does not, by itself, establish intentional racial discrimination. Nor must MCSO eliminate every statistical disparity before it can establish that prospective enforcement of the First Order is no longer warranted. But further explanation is needed.”
MCSO first received a court monitor 13 years ago following a lawsuit alleging unconstitutional racial profiling amid immigration enforcement operations that took place under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Local and state leaders have petitioned for an end to the monitor, citing the cost to taxpayers: nearly $350 million to date.
Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), the Republican nominee for governor, issued a statement saying the ruling had “disturbed” him. Biggs claimed the court monitor had exacerbated existing deputy attrition and recruitment challenges.
“The monitor’s continued existence in our county and propensity for moving the goalposts from his original charge exploits taxpayers and undermines the brave work of law enforcement,” said Biggs. “This most-recent ruling underscores the need for the Senate to pass my Monitor Accountability Act, which sets common-sense and clear rules for courts’ use of federal monitors. I stand with the people and law enforcement officers of Maricopa County!”
Congress is considering the Monitor Accountability Act: legislation from Biggs that would reform federal standards governing court-appointed monitors. The House passed the bill in May, and it is currently before the Senate.
The legislation would impose a five-year term limit on court monitors and prohibit reappointments under the same court order, bar successive monitors from the same law firm or employer, cap monitor compensation fees, require public comment on court monitors prior to appointment, limit monitorship extension to cases exhibiting insubstantial and unsustained compliance, and reassign cases after six years.
The legislation would be retroactive, meaning MCSO would have the monitor and judge on its case replaced.
MCSO Sheriff Jerry Sheridan told KTAR that the judge’s order had provided him with enough structure to make him optimistic for a future relief effort.
“The positive thing that I got out of it: he recognized that there are many paragraphs the sheriff’s office is in compliance with,” said Sheridan.
MCSO issued a statement expressing disappointment with the court ruling but, like Sheridan, acknowledging a silver lining.
“We are disappointed by the Court’s decision because we believe MCSO has implemented durable remedies for violations that occurred 19 years and three administrations ago,” said MCSO. “At the same time, we are encouraged that the Court has provided a framework on eliminating portions of the Order that are no longer necessary and focusing compliance efforts on the remaining issues to be addressed. This will allow MCSO to focus its resources on achieving full and effective compliance with the remaining requirements. MCSO looks forward to working with the Parties on this process.”
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Legislation cosponsored by Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) that would establish a permanent fraud enforcement division within the U.S. Department of Justice passed the House last week.
The House approved H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026, in a 352-72 vote.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN), would formally establish the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Justice Department and place it under the leadership of an assistant attorney general appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Hamadeh is one of four cosponsors of the legislation, alongside Reps. Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02), Harriet Hageman (R-WY-At Large), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07).
“I want to thank my colleagues for passing this critical legislation,” said Hamadeh. “The criminals, who have created the need for this enforcement effort, have not only stolen taxpayer dollars, but have victimized the most vulnerable in our society by depleting the resources allocated for their needs.”
The legislation would give the division responsibility for leading DOJ efforts to investigate, prosecute, and remedy fraud affecting the federal government, federally funded programs, and U.S. citizens.
The division would also oversee multi-district and multi-agency fraud investigations, assist U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with fraud-related cases, coordinate with federal agencies to identify organized fraud schemes, and develop national fraud enforcement priorities.
Under the bill, the assistant attorney general leading the division could also propose legislative and regulatory changes intended to address vulnerabilities that allow fraud to occur and advise the attorney general and deputy attorney general on significant fraud investigations and prosecutions.
The Justice Department established the National Fraud Enforcement Division earlier this year as part of a broader federal effort to combat fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memorandum in April directing the division to coordinate with agencies administering benefit programs and with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement.
The House legislation would give the division a statutory basis rather than leaving its existence solely to executive branch action.
Hamadeh pointed to a recently announced Arizona Medicaid fraud case as an example of the type of alleged fraud federal authorities are targeting.
Federal prosecutors announced in early September that a Peoria man was charged with health care fraud and money laundering after allegedly billing the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) more than $33 million between May 2022 and May 2023.
This week, an Arizona man was charged with fraudulently billing AHCCCS more than $33 million in a single year. He targeted American Indian Health Care Program enrollees and spent the money on property and luxury items.
That money was meant for people who need care, not a…
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Maurice Marcell Williams, 48, owned and operated a behavioral treatment provider and allegedly submitted claims to AHCCCS for services that were never provided.
Prosecutors allege Williams targeted members enrolled in the American Indian Health Care Program.
Although more than $33 million was billed, federal prosecutors said AHCCCS actually paid approximately $19.7 million on the allegedly fraudulent claims.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of two residential properties, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and brokerage accounts.
Williams has been charged but not convicted.
Hamadeh said the case demonstrated how fraud involving federal benefit programs can affect resources intended for vulnerable populations.
“He specifically targeted AHCCCS enrollees who were covered under the American Indian Health Care Program,” said Hamadeh. “He exploited vulnerable people to buy expensive property and luxury items. These federal funds are finite, so not only did he target a vulnerable population, but his thievery also serves to weaken the crucial safety net Americans need for education, medical care, retirement, and more.”
The DOJ says the National Fraud Enforcement Division uses data-driven investigative methods and coordinates with government agencies and law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute fraud.
Its work also supports the Trump administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
H.R. 9576 was introduced by Finstad on July 2. Following Wednesday’s House Passage, the legislation would need Senate approval before it could be sent to the President.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
