The Arizona House voted on Wednesday to repeal the state’s total abortion ban in a close 32-28 vote. The repeal is now in the Senate’s hands.
Three Republicans joined Democrats to eradicate Arizona’s abortion ban: Tim Dunn, Matt Gress, Justin Wilmeth. The repeal would mean that another existing law restricting abortions after 15 weeks goes into effect.
The historic abortion ban predates Arizona’s statehood and lasted up until the Supreme Court’s codification of abortion in 1973 through Roe v. Wade.
House Speaker Ben Toma, congressional candidate for District 8, said in a press release that the vote was rushed, a grave error that would allow for the slaughter of unborn children for up to 15 weeks.
“It would have been prudent and responsible to allow the courts to decide the constitutionality of the pre-Roe law,” said Toma. “I feel compelled to reiterate my personal view that this decision to repeal the abortion ban in Arizona effectively means that we are allowing the murder of unborn children up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.”
Toma chided Democrats for a lack of decorum on the House floor, citing outbursts and personal attacks. The speaker also warned that the opposing party would continue to push for a wider window for abortions, all the way up to birth — effectively, infanticide.
“Democrats are pushing radicalism and will not relent until Arizona recognizes abortion on demand and abortion through 9 months of pregnancy,” said Toma.
🚨Statement from Arizona House Speaker @RepBenToma on today’s vote on HB 2677:
“I fervently disagree with my Democrat colleagues who advocate for extremism through unlimited, unrestricted, and unregulated abortions. Abortions are not healthcare. Abortion kills life. Abortion… pic.twitter.com/X7QsmWulzK
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 24, 2024
One of the three Republicans to join Democrats to repeal the abortion ban, Dunn, defended his vote in a press release insisting that he is pro-life, but that abortions should still be allowed in cases of rape and incest — situations for which the historic abortion ban didn’t grant exceptions. Dunn said his decision was the “most pro-life vote” possible.
“Should the pre-Roe law remain in effect, I firmly believe more lives will be lost over time. The public backlash would result in codifying disturbing and unlimited abortions in the Arizona Constitution, which is something that I cannot allow to happen,” said Dunn.
I hope you will join me in encouraging a culture of life, one that supports mothers, children, families and always stands for the unborn. pic.twitter.com/C6E6916vl5
Gress also issued a press release claiming he is pro-life. However, Gress didn’t go into details about how the abortion ban went too far. Rather, Gress lumped those supportive of total abortion bans and those supportive of unfettered abortion together as extremists.
“As someone who is both pro-life and the product of strong women in my life, I refuse to buy into the false notion pushed by the extremes on both sides of this issue that we cannot respect and protect women and defend new life at the same time,” said Gress.
Democratic lawmakers celebrated the vote. The author of the bill repealing the historic abortion ban, House Bill 2677, was Democratic Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.
The House narrowly rejected a motion to transmit the bill immediately to Governor Katie Hobbs, 30-30, should the Senate have returned the bill unamended. Gress was the sole Republican who joined his Democratic colleagues in voting for that motion.
Hobbs praised the abortion ban repeal, calling the law “archaic” and a threat to women’s lives. As Toma predicted, Hobbs indicated that the securing of abortions up to 15 weeks was only the beginning.
“I will do everything I can to stop harmful legislation that strips women’s control of their bodies. But there is much more to do,” said Hobbs. “I encourage each Arizonan to continue to speak out and fight for your reproductive freedoms.”
I’m thrilled the House has finally decided to do the right thing and repeal the archaic 1864 near-total abortion ban, which would have jailed doctors & threatened women’s lives.
It’s time for the Senate to follow suit and send the repeal to my desk. Immediately.
A bill to help educate Arizona students about the history of communism met its demise in the Governor’s Office.
On Tuesday, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2629, which would have “establishe[d] November 7 of each year as Victims of Communism Day and require[d] the State Board of Education to create a list of recommended resources for mandatory instruction on the topic in certain public school courses” – according to the Arizona House of Representatives’ summary. The bill was sponsored by House Speaker Ben Toma.
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE🚨 House Speaker @RepBenToma Condemns Governor Hobbs’ Veto of Bill Aimed at Educating Students on Communism’s Atrocities
“I find Governor Hobbs’ veto of HB 2629 both indefensible and personally offensive. Having lived under the oppressive regime of… pic.twitter.com/ry5invqvM8
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 3, 2024
In her veto letter back to the Speaker, Hobbs opined that his legislation was “too prescriptive in dictating instructional requirements to education professionals.” She pointed to a bill signed into law in 2022, which was sponsored by State Representative Nguyen, as the “appropriate process to modify academic content as it ensures that changes to standards are evaluated by experts in a holistic manner across grade levels, and the public is provided with ample opportunity for review and input.” The Democrat governor “strongly urge[d] the State Board of Education to take action to begin the process of updating the Social Studies Standards and address the issues covered in this legislation.”
Hobbs did promise to “proclaim this November 7 as Victims of Communism Day in sharing the spirit of this Legislation.”
Speaker Toma was outraged by the governor’s action. In a statement following the veto, he wrote, “I find Governor Hobbs’ veto of HB 2629 both indefensible and personally offensive. Having lived under the oppressive regime of communist Romania, I have firsthand knowledge of the devastating impact these ideologies have inflicted on billions worldwide. Communism’s legacy is marked by death, oppression, deprivation, economic suffering, and the shredding of all that binds families and communities together. It is a history that must be remembered and taught, not dismissed, ignored, or vetoed.”
My statement on Gov. Hobbs vetoing my bill to require students be taught about the evils of communism:
"I find Governor Hobbs' veto of HB 2629 both indefensible and personally offensive. Having lived under the oppressive regime of communist Romania, I have firsthand knowledge of…
Toma added, “The Governor’s veto and the limited bipartisan support for HB 2629 reflects a deeply concerning trend where the education of our students on fundamental historical truths is becoming a partisan issue. This should not be a matter of politics, but a matter of ensuring our future generations are well-informed, critical thinkers who appreciate the freedoms they have. Sadly, Governor Hobbs has denied Arizona students a crucial opportunity: to learn from the past and understand the sacrifices of those who suffered under communist regimes.”
The speaker concluded his statement by addressing Hobbs’ suggestions and promise, saying, “While I respect the Governor’s gesture to revise our state’s Social Studies Standards, I simply do not trust her administration’s ability or willingness to accurately reflect communism’s legacy. The academic requirements must be codified in statute, as my bill would have done.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona legislative Republicans are racking up a lengthy list of legal cases on behalf of the state.
Earlier this month, the Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus’ “X” account posted an update on the lawsuits that President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma have engaged in due, in large part, to the absence of the state’s Democrat attorney general. The collective voice for the Senate Republicans wrote, “Your Arizona Republican state lawmakers don’t shy away from joining legal battles when your freedoms, safety, and our democracy are on the line! We’ve joined a number of impactful cases and are now paving the way for other state legislatures to do the same.”
Your Arizona Republican state lawmakers don't shy away from joining legal battles when your freedoms, safety, and our democracy are on the line!
We've joined a number of impactful cases and are now paving the way for other state legislatures to do the same.
Per the Senate Republicans, the issues covered by the legal challenges include the following: election integrity, religious freedom, First Amendment rights, Second Amendment rights, the homeless crisis, keeping men out of women’s safe spaces, government overreach, and medical freedom.
There were several updates on cases that the Arizona Senate Republicans have weighed in on behalf of state residents. In AZ Senate v. Hobbs – a case involving a dispute over the governors’ retraction of agency director nominations – “oral arguments on cross motions for summary judgment is set for April 26, 2024.” Late last year, legislative Republicans sued Governor Katie Hobbs over this issue.
In Johnson v. City of Grants Pass – a case involving a challenge to a local government’s policy against a homeless encampment – “the U.S. Supreme Court accepted review of the case and set oral argument for April 22, 2024.” Legislative Republicans wrote an amicus brief to the nation’s high court in support of the City of Grants Pass’ position.
In a challenge over the constitutionality of Arizona’s Save Women’s Sports Act, “the Ninth Circuit [had] set oral argument in [the] appeal of the trial court’s preliminary injunction ruling for March 14, 2024.” Legislative Republicans had intervened in the case to help defend the law that was passed to protect the integrity of women’s sports.
In Murthy v. Missouri, “oral argument [was] scheduled at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 18, 2024.” The Legislature had joined with over a dozen states on an amicus brief in support of Missouri’s fight against the federal government over online censorship.
Not only have Arizona Republican legislators been active in intervening on cases that impact laws or interests of their state, but they have increasingly shown an appetite for joining briefs and letters that have been led by Republican state attorneys general around the country. While not unprecedented, those actions have been extremely rare in the past – until recently, when the Arizona Legislature, led by Petersen and Toma, have signed onto multiple actions in federal court. More of these efforts are expected as the year continues.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona legislative Republicans have come up with a new way to hold Democrat state officials accountable to the rule of law.
On Tuesday, the Arizona House Republicans Caucus announced that the House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight had been created. The new committee will “scrutinize the practices of the Arizona Attorney General and other state officials, specifically to investigate allegations of the abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and/or malfeasance.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE🚨 New House Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight Formed to Uphold Rule of Law, Deter Partisan Abuse and Weaponization of Public Offices
“The Arizona House of Representatives has an inherent obligation under the Arizona Constitution to conduct… pic.twitter.com/trbSZTNjtJ
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) March 26, 2024
According to the press release issued by Arizona House Republicans, the committee will be “tasked with developing recommendations for potential legislative action and other measures to promote the rule of law and deter partisan abuse and weaponization of the office of Arizona Attorney General or other state offices.”
House Speaker Ben Toma created the committee and released the following statement in conjunction with the legislative announcement: “The Arizona House of Representatives has an inherent obligation under the Arizona Constitution to conduct appropriate oversight of officers in the Executive branch to protect the rule of law and the separation of powers. I established this Committee because the public and members of the House have raised serious concerns suggesting that Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has engaged in a pattern of malfeasance in office. It is critical that this Committee fully investigate those allegations, thoroughly review Arizona laws, and solicit more information as necessary to advise the House on any and all appropriate measures that should be taken.”
The press release from the Speaker revealed that State Representative Jacqueline Parker would “serve as chairman of the committee.” Parker is also the chair of the Committee on Municipal Oversight and Elections; she will be maintaining that role.
In acknowledgement of her appointment, Parker said, “Attorney General Mayes has refused to defend state laws in court, harassed parents who have elected to use the ESA program to educate their children, threatened elected county officials with illegitimate prosecutions, and diverted funds and resources of her office to serve her own partisan purposes that are not authorized by the Legislature or state law. These are among the allegations that I expect the Ad Hoc Committee will thoroughly investigate.”
The five Republican State Representatives who will serve on this committee were already named: Parker, Austin Smith (Vice Chair), John Gillette, Neal Carter, and David Marshall. There are three vacancies for Democrats on the committee; those positions are expected to be named at a future date.
Representative Smith weighed in on his new assignment, writing, “As Vice Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight, it is imperative that the legislature exercise its constitutional authority as a check on the executive branch. We have heard from many concerned citizens that Kris Mayes recent behavior is unwarranted, weaponized and partisan. We will thoroughly investigate potential partisan activity in the Attorney Generals office for the protection of this Constitutional Republic.”
As Vice Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight, it is imperative that the legislature exercise its constitutional authority as a check on the executive branch.
We have heard from many concerned citizens that Kris Mayes recent behavior is unwarranted, weaponized… https://t.co/mDLTswsuwj
Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from enacting a new air quality rule.
“The Biden administration should be rewarding American businesses for being the most environmentally friendly in the world,” Petersen said. “Instead, they are doubling down on their left-wing agenda. This rule is bad for Arizona, its citizens and our small businesses.”
Petersen and Toma filed the suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Monday.
The EPA rule, titled “Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter,” creates “unattainable” environmental goals for Maricopa, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties, according to the news release.
The rule imposes strict regulations on fine particles within the air, also known as PM 2.5. Sources of PM 2.5 include smoke, vehicle exhaust, emissions from industrial facilities and energy sources, such as power plants.
Less than 20% of all coarse and fine particles combined come from power generation or other industrial activities. Wildfires are the largest source, accounting for 43% of all particulate matter in the air.
Petersen said the EPA should be focusing on mitigating wildfires, instead of imposing measures which economically harm Arizonans.
“This rule will create unnecessary hardships for job creators and hardworking Arizonans,” Petersen said. “It will detrimentally impact our power grid and create even more red tape for both small and large businesses. We have no choice but to ask the courts to provide relief from this tyrannical, arbitrary, and illegal move by the EPA.”
The United States already has some of the strictest air quality standards in the world, even more than the European Union. The Obama Administration first adopted them, and the Trump administration retained them.
But this new rule would be even more severe, causing new infrastructure construction that would improve safety and travel times for Arizonans to be halted and permits for new manufacturing facilities, especially in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima Counties, to be blocked.
Additionally, small businesses would be required to pay for expensive new equipment, and investments in new facilities will be sent to foreign countries with less stringent regulations, forcing jobs overseas and creating a greater reliance on adversary nations.
Up to eight additional counties within Arizona could be out of compliance, which could further threaten the state’s economic growth and prosperity.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
