The Association has been actively attempting to lobby lawmakers and the Governor’s Office to bring attention to this public safety issue. Earlier in February, President Jeff Hawkins posted a picture of his meeting with State Senator Frank Carroll, where they “discussed the issues that our members are dealing with.”
We met with Senator Carroll and discussed the issues that our members are dealing with. We also marked a dubious first, the Highway Patrol is now under 500 Troopers. We've dropped below critical staffing levels. We need help. #azleg#budgetdiscussions#paypublicsafetypic.twitter.com/3yEKAR9O8s
Hawkins also met with State Representative Hendrix to have “a frank conversation about how many vacancies the agency currently has and [the] dire need to fill them before the situation gets worse.”
President Hawkins had productive meeting with Representative Hendrix. They had a frank conversation about how many vacancies the agency currently has and our dire need to fill them before the situation get worse. #azleg#budgetdiscussions#paypublicsafetypic.twitter.com/rWPXt5jnCW
Not only are the number of troopers at DPS understaffed, but the number of dispatchers are suffering as well.
Earlier this session, the Association expressed displeasure in the budget released by the state’s governor – particularly with the lack of attention to solving the crisis over DPS vacancies. The “X” account for the Arizona Troopers Association stated, “We are very disappointed Governor Hobbs’ budget won’t do anything to solve the looming crisis AZDPS faces. Historic vacancies are getting worse. Either we spend the money to get a fully staffed highway patrol or face public safety disasters in the future.”
We are very disappointed @GovernorHobbs budget won't do anything to solve the looming crisis AZDPS faces. Historic vacancies are getting worse. Either we spend the money to get a fully staffed highway patrol or face public safety disasters in the future. #azleg#fundpublicsafetypic.twitter.com/SF9QBycgFG
The Arizona State Troopers Association endorsed a bill, SB 1175, that would “appropriate an unspecified amount from the state General Fund to the Department of Public Safety in FY 2025 to pay the cost of stand-by for peace officers employed by DPS.”
This bill easily passed the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, Public Safety and Border Security (6-1) and narrowly passed the Appropriations Committee (5-4 – with one member not voting).
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police (Arizona State Lodge) and the Arizona Police Association indicated their support for the bill. There were no individuals or organizations signed in to oppose the proposal.
Senator David Gowan, a Republican, is the sponsor of SB 1175.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Former boxing champion Mike Tyson recently launched a middle and high school in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy is a Cognia Accredited Micro-School in Arizona for grades six to 12.
The world Champion boxer, entertainer, and entrepreneur partnered with the Foundations Academies School System and undefeated MMA fighter Daniel Puder to start the school.
“It’s important to me that I am able to share my life experiences to inspire the next generation,” Tyson said. “This new educational institution will build core values that I am honored and grateful to be part of the Arizona community. I was thrilled to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony and meeting some of the students.”
The price of tuition is covered through the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) and internal school scholarships.
Since late 2022, all Arizona students have been eligible for an ESA as a K-12 student or as a preschool student with a disability. Families with qualifying students enrolled in the ESA program can use their ESA funds for expenses including educational services, education providers, curriculum, and other educational expenses.
Tyson’s school aims to “redefine learning by combining innovation, financial literacy, mentorship, and community engagement.” The academy will provide quality education and opportunities for personal growth to every youth regardless of their academic challenges, ethnicity, or socio-economic status, the Feb. 15 news release says.
“As a society, we get to build our youths for the next generation,” Puder said. “We are so blessed to have Mike Tyson part of our school system. He inspires our students.”
To enroll their child, parents can contact (480) 448-5181.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
The gender support plan, filled out by school staff, caregivers, and students, allows schools to hide students’ identification as transgender from their parents.
The purpose of the document is to “create shared understandings about the ways in which the student’s authentic gender will be accounted for and supported at school.”
The district’s plan to support a minor’s transgender status despite parent support or knowledge appears to be in direct violation of the Arizona Parents’ Bill of Rights, which states that parents have the “right to make all health care decisions for the minor child.”
The form asks for the name the student uses, the name on their birth certificate, their gender identity, and so-called assigned sex at birth.
The “Parent/Guardian Involvement” section on the form measures parent knowledge of their child’s “gender status.” The form asks if parents are aware of the child’s gender status, then offers a scale of 1 to 10 to denote the student’s parents’ level of support.
“If support level is low, what considerations must be accounted for in implementing this plan?” the form asks.
The “Student Safety” section of the form establishes a “go to adult” at the child’s school, and asks “if this person is not available, what should the student do?”
In the “Privacy: Names, Pronouns and Students Records” section, the plan asks, “How will instances be handled in which the incorrect name or pronoun are used by staff members?”
The document asks for the “name/gender marker” on the student’s identity documents and entered into the Student Information System, as well as the name and pronouns to be used when referring to the student.
The form asks about what adjustments need to be made to protect the student’s privacy and who will be the point person for ensuring the adjustments are made.
Scottsdale also uses the document to denote what bathroom the student will use and where they will change clothes, demonstrating that the district would allow biological male students to share rooms, bathrooms, and changing rooms with females.
“What are the expectations regarding rooming for any overnight trip?” the form asks.
The district, which educates 22,000 students, also suggests that biological male student athletes would be allowed to play in girls’ sports.
“In what extracurricular activities or programs will the student be participating (sports, theater, clubs, etc.)?” asks Scottsdale Unified School District.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
Late last month, the Arizona State House Judiciary Committee approved, HB 2435, which was sponsored by Speaker Ben Toma. The bill would “require a person who is convicted of a third or subsequent organized retail theft offense to be sentenced as a category two repetitive offender in certain circumstances,” according to the overview provided by the chamber.
HB 2435 passed the committee along partisan voting lines – 6-3, with all Republicans voting to affirm the legislation.
Before the committee’s vote, Toma hosted a press conference outside of the state capitol with Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who announced her strong endorsement of the legislation. Mitchell took to the platform “X” to share an update from the event, writing, “Thank you, Rep. Ben Toma, for your help in combatting Organized Retail Crime. If you plan to commit this crime, plan to stay. In Maricopa County, we will prosecute retail theft!”
Thank you, @RepBenToma, for your help in combatting Organized Retail Crime. If you plan to commit this crime, plan to stay.
— Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell (@Rachel1Mitchell) January 31, 2024
Toma added, “California may tolerate lawlessness, but my bill, HB 2435, will tell criminals that they’ll pay a heavy price for stealing. A big shout out to Rachel Mitchell and AZ Retailers for working with me on this important legislation!”
California may tolerate lawlessness, but my bill, HB2435, will tell criminals that they’ll pay a heavy price for stealing.
In the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from Quiktrip, AZ Retailers Association, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Arizona, AZ Food Marketing Alliance, AZ Association of Counties, and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce registered their support for the bill. Representatives from the AZ National Organization for Women, State Conference NAACP, Rural Arizona Action, ACLU of Arizona, and AZ Attorneys for Criminal Justice signed in to oppose the proposal.
The efforts to augment penalties for these organized retail theft crimes continue the state’s already strong reputation on this front. Arizona has an Organized Retail Crime Task Force, which commenced under former Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s administration and is housed in the State Attorney General’s Office.
In December 2021, Brnovich wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, warning would-be criminals of his office’s efforts to investigate and prosecute these offenses – especially in the wake of the lawlessness in Arizona’s neighboring state to the west. He wrote, “As Arizona’s attorney general, I have refused to capitulate to the lawless mob…We expect our efforts will deter such theft and hope our task force becomes a model for California and other states.”
Current Attorney General Kris Mayes has continued to combat these crimes, including over the just-completed Christmas holiday. In December, her office announced that it had “seized thousands of cloned gift cards and other merchandise in partnership with the Arizona Retailers Association and with the help of law enforcement partners.” Mayes’ coalition also arrested eight people “as part of an alleged scheme to defraud retailers and consumers.” The first-term attorney general said, “The successful seizure of thousands of cloned cards and the arrest of several individuals reflects my office’s unwavering dedication to stopping organized retail theft across Arizona.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell also has a strong presence against organized retail theft. In 2023, her office announced that it had made 354 bookings over these crimes, which was the most in the county since 2020. Additionally, in November 2023, Mitchell started a ‘Safe Shopping’ Campaign “to stop this fast-growing category of lawlessness.” Mitchell said, “Here’s what I say to the thieves who commit these crimes: we will find you, you will be arrested, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office gives three tips to Arizonans to help them experience ‘safe shopping.’ Those include:
Be patient with retailers. While it might take an extra minute to get an item (decongestants, for example) from behind a locked display, it’s worth it. Know you’re doing your part to keep prices low and keep crooks at bay.
Never engage with thieves. If you’re suspicious, reach out to a store manager. Never confront a thief on your own.
Keep your personal items locked up. If you carry a handbag, keep it closed and close to you. If you leave purchases in your car between shopping stops, make sure that vehicle is locked up tight.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Wyoming was the state with the largest increase in auto loan debt, followed by South Dakota, Texas, Delaware, Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Florida, Alaska, and tenth, Arizona.
“Wyoming residents have a very high average auto loan balance, at $22,104, and reached that number after increasing their average by nearly 1.9% between Q3 2023 and Q4 2023,” John Kiernan, editor of WalletHub, said. “Wyoming residents pay out a whopping $543 per month toward their auto loan debt, on average.”
The states with the smallest increase included Ohio, Nevada, Oregon, West Virginia, Michigan, Connecticut, Montana, Utah, Missouri, and Rhode Island.
Kiernan said from Q3 2023 to Q4 2023, residents of most states either had a less than 1% increase in their average auto loan balance or saw a decrease in the average.
“A few states had more dramatic increases, as high as around 3%, which suggests that people in some states are more affected by inflation in car prices or are biting off more than they can chew when it comes to loans,” Kiernan said.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
