by Jonathan Eberle | Mar 14, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers are advancing a series of bills aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and taxpayer protection. These measures tackle issues ranging from government spending on elections to school board meetings and travel, with a focus on ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and efficiently. With strong support from various groups, these bills reflect ongoing concerns about how taxpayer money is spent and how local government actions are conducted.
One of the most significant pieces of proposed legislation, HB2722, is backed by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and sponored by Rep. Neal Carter (R-LD15). The bill seeks to prevent taxpayers from indirectly subsidizing private businesses through government gifts. Specifically, it targets “gift clauses” in state and local government contracts, which some argue allow for inappropriate use of taxpayer funds to benefit private entities.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has been vocal about the need for stronger protections against such expenditures. The organization has stated that this bill is necessary to curb the growing trend of government spending on private corporations without clear public benefit.
“Taxpayers should not be used as a backdoor financing mechanism for private companies,” said Arizona Free Enterprise Club officials. “This bill is about ensuring that public dollars are spent in a way that directly benefits the public, not private interests.” If passed, this bill would create stricter guidelines on how public funds can be spent and would allow taxpayers to hold officials accountable when misused funds are discovered.
Another bill making its way through the Arizona legislature is SB1036, supported by the Goldwater Institute and sponosred by Sen. John Kavanagh (R-LD3). This bill targets government spending on influencing elections, a topic that has sparked considerable debate in recent years. SB1036 would create a private right of action for taxpayers, allowing individuals to sue if they believe government funds are being spent on efforts that influence an election. This would make it easier for citizens to challenge the use of taxpayer money in elections, particularly when the spending appears to be partisan or otherwise improper.
The Goldwater Institute has argued that taxpayers have a right to ensure their money isn’t used to sway political outcomes. According to a recent report by the organization, there have been multiple instances of local governments spending taxpayer funds to advocate for policies that align with political interests, which has raised concerns about government overreach.
“Governments should not be using taxpayer money to influence the political process,” said Goldwater Institute officials. “This bill provides taxpayers with the ability to stand up for their rights and ensure public resources are not misused.”
Another bill, HB2169, which was introduced by Representative Matthew Gress (R-LD4), seeks to address transparency within Arizona’s public school districts. The bill would require school board meetings to be held in public facilities within the district, ensuring that they are easily accessible to the communities they serve. Additionally, the bill mandates that school boards must receive public approval before engaging in out-of-state travel, making it more difficult for administrators to make costly decisions without community oversight.
This legislation gained near-unanimous support, with proponents arguing that it ensures greater accountability for how public schools operate and how funds are spent. Critics of the current system have pointed to examples of school board members using taxpayer money for luxury travel without clear, public approval or benefit. A notable incident involved a local school district that faced backlash after spending taxpayer funds on extravagant trips while simultaneously requesting additional funding from voters for educational needs.
“Public education is about serving the community,” said Representative Gress in a statement. “We need to make sure that the actions of school boards are always in the public interest. This bill strengthens public trust in our school systems.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 16, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona legislature has passed the combined SB 1011 / HB 2703, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk. SB 1011 and HB 2703 would streamline the state’s election day processes to dramatically speed up election results and bring frustrated voters same-day returns.
To achieve the desired result of a speedier and more precise election outcome, the bills cut off all ballot drop-offs at collection locations to the Friday prior to election day and require voters in Arizona’s most populous counties to confirm their address every election cycle to receive a ballot by mail. For more sparsely populated counties, this would be every four years.
Scot Mussi, President of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, celebrated the passage of the bill saying, “After one too many Election Nights (and weeks) of delayed results, Arizona legislators have done the right thing, crafting a bill that gives our state same-day results.”
He added, “Voters are exhausted of watching this slow-motion train wreck every November. Other states have same-day election results, and it is high time that Arizona enters the 21st Century in this regard. We call on Governor Katie Hobbs to sign this carefully crafted and negotiated bill into law.”
Following the passage of the bill in the State Senate, President Warren Petersen told Fox10, “After the election, we heard from our constituents who were extremely frustrated after waiting days and days to find out who won the election. The first bill to hit the Governor’s desk is a bill that will give us election results the night of the election.”
In a post to X, the AZGOP hailed the passage of the bill and demanded that Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs sign the bill writing, “GREAT NEWS FOR ARIZONA! Both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate have passed the bill that would give our voters SAME-DAY results in future elections. This is what the people of Arizona have asked for, and our legislators have delivered. Now, it’s up to @GovernorHobbs to listen to the voices of Arizonans who are tired of waiting days and days for the results of critical election races. Governor, leave your partisan politics outside your office and SIGN THE BILL!”
On Friday, the party account posted morning, afternoon and evening calling upon Hobbs to sign the bill and “Give Arizona same-day election results!”
As reported by Fox, Hobbs has voiced serious opposition to the bill, arguing that it makes it harder to vote by cutting off early drop-off and effectively shuttering the state’s Active Early Voting List. “Legislators are attempting to jam through a partisan bill that guts vote by mail and makes it harder to vote,” she claimed. “I offered common sense compromises to count votes faster, and they were rejected. I refuse to let extremists make it harder for Arizonans to vote.”
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 Daniel Stefanski | Jan 31, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Senate Republicans are wasting no time in getting down to business in a new legislative session.
In the recent newsletter published by Arizona Senate Republicans, two legislators reported on the progress made by the caucus in advancing priorities and bills in the first few weeks of the 57th Regular Session.
Senator Janae Shamp wrote, “Senate Republicans have hit the ground running this session, and I’m thrilled to share the 2025 Senate Majority Plan to guide our efforts! With Arizona’s future in mind, our agenda is built on three unshakable pillars: Securing Our Cities from the Front Door to the Border, Preserving the American Dream in Arizona, and Embracing Federalism and State Sovereignty. We stand on the threshold of possibility, entrusted with a majority that carries the hopes and expectations of every Arizonan.
Shamp added, “This session offers an opportunity to reaffirm the principles that have made Arizona a beacon of freedom and prosperity. As Senate Majority Leader, I am fully committed to advancing these priorities for the benefit of all Arizonans. By the power of the Republican-led Legislature, Arizonans can expect fiscal responsibility and commonsense bills to make it to the Governor’s desk this year. Together, we will remain unified in protecting the freedoms and constitutional rights of every citizen in Arizona.”
Senator Wendy Rogers reported on some of the key bills that her colleagues had already taken action on in various committees across the chamber. She said, “We’ve had a number of Senate bills pass out of their respective committees over the past two weeks. This is an important step in the legislative process because it allows the public and stakeholders to weigh in on legislation. As Chair of the Judiciary & Elections Committee, I’m happy to report SB 1011 passed and continues its journey through the Senate. This will provide voters results on election night, alleviating a lot of frustration and increasing confidence in the system.”
The northern Arizona lawmaker also shared the progress of three additional bills, saying, “My bill, SB 1015, passed out of Government Committee. This legislation prohibits a city, town, or county from imposing a tax or fee on the use of blockchain technology. Additionally, SB 1013 passed out of Government Committee. This bill requires a two-thirds vote of support from a local government before taxes and fees can be raised, or before new taxes can be imposed. In Senate Health Committee, SB 1076 passed and would provide newborn screening for early detection of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.”
Supporters says that despite a divided state government shared with Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, Senate Republicans have deftly managed to defend Arizona’s interests against the chief executive’s attempts to proliferate her radical agenda. They – and Arizona House Republicans – are being counted upon yet again to stand up to Hobbs and to advance key priorities that affect the state’s future.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 27, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Republicans in the Arizona Legislature are wasting no time to improve the state’s groundwater situation in this 57th Regular Session.
On Tuesday, the Arizona House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water gave a green light to House Concurrent Memorial 2003, which “states the Legislature’s interest in having the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Arizona State Land Department focus on increasing groundwater recharge through groundwater recharge infrastructure projects,” according to the overview provided by the State House of Representatives.
In a statement, State Representative Gail Griffin, the measure’s sponsor, said, “County supervisors, flood control districts, and natural resource conservation districts have the authority to construct stormwater detention basins and other constructive infrastructure that increase groundwater recharge. Local and county officials should push the Governor’s Department of Water Resources and State Land Department to develop these projects within their communities to increase local water supplies.”
Griffin added, “Over 95 percent of rainfall in the state evaporates before it can naturally recharge aquifers. Increasing the amount of natural recharge by only a few percentage points would increase the amount of local water supplies substantially. The solution to unleashing economic prosperity in rural Arizona through increased water supplies is investing in additional groundwater-stormwater recharge. Local communities have tools to address groundwater issues. We need to work together to utilize those tools to secure our long-term water supplies.”
The press release from the Arizona House Republicans Caucus shared that “projects like Horseshoe Draw Recharge Project in Cochise County and Hualapai Flood Control Project in Mohave County are examples of projects that increase local supplies without expanding the size of government or imposing top-down government regulations on rural industries.” There are “331 sites on state trust land that the agencies have identified as suitable for maximizing groundwater recharge.”
According to the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, Audubon Arizona / National Audubon Society, and Arizona Cotton Growers Association, signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter and CHISPA Arizona – A Program of League of Conservation Voters, signed in to oppose the legislation.
Republicans and Democrats will continue to do battle over water issues in this divided state government, as they have for the previous two years. Governor Katie Hobbs has been largely unwilling to adopt Republican policies on these matters, vetoing bills over the past two sessions that would have strengthened Arizona’s position on water conservation, management, and proliferation for current and future generations. The two sides still appear to be far apart on water issues as another legislative session heads into its second month.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 19, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans were excited to return to work at the state legislature for another year.
Earlier this week, the Arizona Legislature restarted its engines for the beginning of the 57th Regular Session, commencing the third year of a divided state government between Republicans in the House of Representatives and Senate and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs.
State Representative Quang Nguyen posted, “Getting ready for the opening day, AZ Legislature.”
Nguyen also said, “I look forward to this 2025 session as Chairman of Judiciary Committee. Nothing radical will survive my shredder.”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “Happy Opening Day Arizona!”
Representative Rachel Jones shared the oath of office with a picture of her being sworn into the new term: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of House Representative according to the best of my ability, so help me God.”
Senator Janae Shamp was honored with the position of her chamber’s Majority Leader, becoming the third female in that role in the state’s storied history. The X account for the Arizona Senate Republicans wrote, “Today, Senator Shamp made history as only the third female Majority Leader of the Arizona Senate! At the Senate Opening Day Ceremony, Majority Leader Shamp had the distinct honor of introducing State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, formerly known as Senate Majority Leader Yee from 2017-2019. Majority Leader Shamp joins the ranks of Kimberly Yee and the legendary Sandra Day O’Connor as just one of three women to serve as the Arizona Senate Majority Leader in Arizona history. This achievement marks a significant step forward for women in political leadership positions, setting the stage by inspiring future generations of women in leadership.”
State Treasurer Kimberly Yee shared praise for Shamp, saying, “It was an honor to recognize Senator Shamp as the 3rd female Senate Majority Leader in Arizona’s history. As the 2nd female Senate Majority Leader, I was honored to congratulate Leader Shamp on this accomplishment and offer her words of wisdom as she begins this important role.”
Senator Shawnna Bolick posted, “Earlier today, I took my oath to uphold our state’s and US Constitution and laws governing us against foreign and domestic enemies. It is an honor to serve my second term in the State Senate representing District 2. Thank you to everyone who helped us retain this legislative seat.”
Representative Michael Carbone added, “Honored to be sworn in as Majority Leader in the State House this past Monday, along with these fellow State Representatives and Senator. We’re ready to get to work!”
State Representative Michele Peña wrote, “I’m privileged and honored to have been sworn in last Monday to represent LD 23 for two more years. Thank you to my constituents, friends and family for your support. I’m ready to continue working hard for you.”
Representative Justin Olson stated, “It was an honor to be sworn in to the 57th Arizona State Legislature today! I look forward to serving my constituents while working to protect and preserve the conservative principles of our country’s founding. We are so blessed to live in a land where freedom reigns!”
These Republicans – and the others in their caucuses – will be counted upon to hold the line against their Democrat counterparts and Governor Katie Hobbs in, what will certainly be, another contentious installment of an Arizona state government.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
