by Matthew Holloway | Apr 29, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Precinct committeemen in Arizona’s Legislative District 7 have selected three nominees to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former State Representative David Marshall, according to the Republican Party of Arizona.
The nominees are Lynn Dewitt, a Taylor Town Councilmember, former Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen, and Tisha Carlisle, a Snowflake Realtor and founding president of the Northeast Arizona Republican Women. They were chosen by acclamation during a meeting of district precinct committeemen and will be submitted to the Navajo County Board of Supervisors for final consideration, the Arizona Republican Party said in a press release on Friday.
The vacancy was formally announced on April 15 in a letter from Marshall to Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29), and the Arizona Secretary of State notified the state party on April 20, triggering the statutory process for filling legislative vacancies.
Under ARS §41-1202, the political party of the departing legislator is responsible for nominating three qualified candidates from the same party and legislative district. Those nominees are then forwarded to the relevant county board of supervisors, which must appoint one of the three to serve the remainder of the term.
The nomination process must be completed within five business days of notification of the vacancy. The party coordinates with local legislative district leadership to organize the meeting of precinct committeemen and conduct the selection.
Following the vote, Sergio Arellano said the process was conducted in a “smooth and professional” manner and thanked local party officials and committeemen for their participation.
“Today, Navajo County Republicans showed what strong local leadership and grassroots engagement look like. I want to thank Chairwoman Lisa Green, the precinct committeemen, and everyone involved for conducting a smooth and professional process,” Arellano said. “Congratulations to Lynn Dewitt, Sylvia Allen, and Tisha Carlisle on being advanced to the Board of Supervisors. Navajo County continues to lead by example, and I’m proud of the work done here today.”
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors will now review the three nominees and appoint one to represent Legislative District 7 in the Arizona House of Representatives.
The appointee will serve for the remainder of the current legislative term.
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 Matthew Holloway | Apr 20, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Representative David Marshall Sr. (R-LD7) announced Wednesday that he will resign from the Arizona House of Representatives effective April 17, days after questions emerged about his appointment as the next Navajo County recorder.
Marshall submitted his resignation in a letter to House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) dated April 15. In the letter, Marshall said his decision was based on family considerations.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Marshall wrote. “After careful consideration, I have concluded that stepping down is in the best interest of my family.”
Marshall said serving in the Legislature has been “an honor and a privilege” and thanked his constituents, fellow lawmakers, staff, and House leadership.
“I remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will cooperate fully to support continuity of representation for the residents of Legislative District 7,” Marshall wrote.
Marshall’s resignation comes after the Navajo County Board of Supervisors appointed him to fill a vacancy in the county recorder’s office created by the resignation of former Recorder Timothy Jordan.
The appointment has drawn scrutiny because the Arizona Constitution states that lawmakers cannot hold other state, county, or municipal offices “during the term for which he shall have been elected.” Some legalobservers have argued that Marshall can accept the recorder position if he resigns from the Legislature, while others contend he would remain ineligible until the next legislative term begins in January 2027.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes told KJZZ that her office is reviewing whether the appointment violated the state constitution, though she declined to comment further while the matter is under review.
According to Axios, Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon told reporters that he had forgotten the particular statute but informed Marshall that his appointment could face a legal challenge.
Marshall is also running for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Under ARS §41-1202, Republican precinct committeemen from Legislative District 7 will nominate three qualified Republicans who live in the same district and county as Marshall. The Navajo County Board of Supervisors will then appoint one of those nominees to serve the remainder of his term.
Marshall served on the House Education Committee and Judiciary Committee and was chairman of the House Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee.
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 8, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona House Republicans on the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee have taken action to address skyrocketing gas prices and utility bills, passing a sweeping package of bills designed to lower fuel costs, enhance energy reliability, and defend ratepayers.
Under the leadership of Chairman Gail Griffin (R-LD19), the measures align with the House Republican Majority Plan’s core priorities of unleashing economic prosperity, promoting government efficiency, and protecting individual rights and liberties.
The legislation, which advanced on a party-line vote with Democrats in opposition, targets the challenges faced by Arizona families, particularly in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, where severe summer fuel blend requirements have driven up prices at the pump. By prioritizing affordability and reliable power, these bills aim to ease the financial burden on households amid rising energy demand.
“The cost of living for Arizona families, including gas and electricity, continues to increase, and Republicans are acting,” stated Chairman Griffin. “This package puts affordability first by lowering fuel costs, protecting ratepayers from higher utility bills, and making sure Arizona has dependable power as demand grows. The Majority Plan is clear: government should work to ease the cost burden on families, not make them worse.”
Bills Tackling High Gas Prices
- HB 2145 (Rep. Griffin): Amends motor fuel statutes to empower the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House to jointly request EPA fuel waivers during shortages if the Governor does not act, providing a defense against price surges.
- HB 2400 (Reps. Willoughby, R-LD13, and Biasiucci, R-LD30): Implements a seasonal suspension of the state’s 18-cent gas tax from May through September in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. The bill ensures local governments are reimbursed for lost highway revenue through allocations from the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund, including $27.588 million to counties, $39.93 million to cities and towns, and $5.082 million to larger municipalities. It also includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation and exempts the Department of Transportation from rulemaking for one year.
- HB 2696 (Rep. Willoughby): Directs the Arizona Commerce Authority to prioritize reducing fuel and gas prices as its primary objective for two years, expiring December 31, 2029. The authority must collaborate with the oil and gas industry to study repealing the cleaner-burning gasoline blend, building new pipelines, establishing a strategic reserve, and exploring in-state refineries, including reviving a proposed facility in Yuma County. Status updates will be provided to legislative committees, with a final report due by October 1, 2026.
- HB 2955 (Rep. Willoughby): Amends motor fuel standards to end the expensive summer fuel blend in populous counties, subject to EPA waiver under the Clean Air Act. It allows for gasoline compliant with ASTM D4814 and vapor pressure limits, addressing supply shortages and enabling lower-cost alternatives.
- HCM 2008 (Rep. Willoughby): A concurrent memorial urging Congress and the EPA to eliminate the federal gas tax on Arizona’s cleaner-burning gasoline in Maricopa and Pinal Counties from May to September or grant the EPA administrator emergency waiver authority for costlier blends. This recognizes Arizona’s progress toward National Ambient Air Quality Standards while highlighting the undue tax burden on specialized fuels.
Supporting these efforts are additional bills to promote long-term solutions:
- HB 2014 (Rep. Fink, R-LD27): Requires the Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Arizona Department of Agriculture to conduct air emissions modeling and feasibility studies on alternative gasoline blends, including federal reformulated, California phase 3, and conventional options. Reports must be published by September 30, 2027, with $100,000 appropriations each for modeling and studies.
- HB 2401 (Willoughby and Biasiucci): Mandates biennial reviews by ADEQ of fuel formulations available under federal standards, assessing air quality impacts in regulated areas, and submitting recommendations to the Department of Agriculture, the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Secretary of State by December 31 of each review year.
- HB 2428 (Griffin): Authorizes voluntary mobile emissions reduction credit programs, permitting emissions credits for nonroad engines under Clean Air Act guidelines, with permits issued by ADEQ for up to 20 years, supported by chambers of commerce, utilities, and Maricopa County.
“Today we heard from organizations with the time and resources to lobby against affordable prices for Arizona families, but not from the families paying more at the pump,” explained Majority Whip Julie Willoughby. “Working families cannot take time off to come to the Capitol and ask for relief; that is why we are here to help be their voices.”
“Eighteen cents a gallon may sound small to some, but it matters to families trying to make ends meet,” Willoughby added. “I will do everything in my power to deliver relief now while we continue working to fix the fuel blend and supply problems. Families need lower prices, not excuses.”
Bills Ensuring Energy Reliability and Ratepayer Protections
- HB 2331 (Reps. Marshall, R-LD7 and Heap, R-LD10): Renames and expands energy reliability statutes to require public power entities and service corporations to prioritize domestically produced fuels, minimize foreign reliance, and evaluate resources for affordability, reliability, and cleanliness. Defines “clean energy” to include low-emission sources like nuclear and natural gas, with reliable sources needing at least 50% capacity factor and rapid ramp-up capabilities. The bill emphasizes hydrocarbons and finds domestic sourcing essential for public health and safety.
- HB 2756 (Reps. Griffin and Blackman, R-LD7): Adds provisions for public power entities and electric corporations to report quarterly on new extra-high load factor customers, including interconnection requests and completions. These customers must be factored into load growth projections. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is directed to adopt rules on contracts, minimum billing, and pre-execution reviews to protect other ratepayers, excluding member-owned cooperatives. Requires cost-of-service studies within 180 days and an ACC workshop within 90 days to assess impacts on residential bills and potential new customer classes.
These bills now advance for further legislative consideration.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 17, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
State Representatives David Marshall (R-LD7) and Ralph Heap (R-LD10) introduced House Bill 2269, a measure to eliminate the state sales tax on electric and gas utility bills for Arizona residents and businesses.
The proposed legislation would suspend the state’s 5.6% sales tax on electricity and natural gas utilities until either $2.3 billion in cumulative tax relief has been provided to Arizonans or December 31, 2046—whichever comes first.
Once the $2.3 billion threshold is reached, the Legislature would then decide whether to extend, modify, or reinstate the exemption.
“People are getting crushed by rising costs, making it harder to live and do business in our state,” said Representative Marshall. “Almost everyone pays a local utility for electricity or gas. Eliminating the tax on this expense represents one of the most immediate and direct ways we can help working families keep costs affordable.”
The 5.6% tax on electricity and gas quietly adds up on monthly bills, leaving the average household paying more than $100 a year in utility tax—funds that could instead support necessities like groceries, housing, and childcare.
Representative Marshall highlighted a structural concern with the current system: “Taxing electric and gas utilities creates a perverse incentive for the government to support increased rate hikes. If rates go up, the state gets more money. That leads some to view rate increases as a source of potential funds for their liberal pet projects. That’s not right; it’s time to put the people of Arizona first.”
“While we’re unsure of any legal way to get ratepayers’ money back, there are things we can do to help reduce costs today,” Marshall continued. “In my opinion, the next best thing we can do is try to provide justice by eliminating taxes on electric and gas utilities moving forward. That’s why, over the next 20 years, we are proposing no state tax on utilities until every penny of the $2.3 billion that was wrongfully extracted from the Arizona ratepayer is metaphorically ‘paid back’ to hardworking families.”
He added, “This bill will save most residents between $100 and $120 per year, on average. Once the $2.3 billion threshold has been met, then the state can determine what it wants to do with the exemption from there, including whether to reassess the tax or extend the exemption even further.”
Representative Heap pointed to actions taken by the Arizona Corporation Commission as the basis for the bill’s $2.3 billion figure: “In 2006, Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes catered to outside special interests and adopted expensive renewable energy surcharges that cost ratepayers more than $2.3 billion over the last 20 years. This special interest slush fund also led to foreign-owned boondoggles like the Solana Generating Station, which Kris Mayes personally supported, and which cost ratepayers more than three times the above-market rate of power.”
“While repealing these mandates may help to prevent new costs,” Heap added, “it will do nothing to compensate customers for the unjust surcharges that Kris Mayes forced ratepayers to pay over the last 20 years.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Dec 4, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Eight Arizona state lawmakers have joined Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne in demanding immediate action to revise the Structured English Immersion (SEI) framework, warning that the current language, loaded with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ideology, violates state law, undermines classroom neutrality, and jeopardizes $866 million in federal education funds.
In a November 25 letter to the State Board of Education, Representatives Michele Peña (LD-23), David Marshall (LD-7), Michael Carbone (LD-25, Majority Leader), James Taylor (LD-29), Leo Biasiucci (LD-30), Lisa Fink (LD-27), and Senators Hildy Angius (LD-30) and Tim Dunn (LD-25), threw their full support behind the Arizona Department of Education’s (ADE) proposed revision.
The legislators accused universities and institutions of exploiting “vague and permissive language” to inject “ideological, divisive, and race-based content” into mandatory SEI coursework—material that has no place in research-based English language instruction.
The lawmakers cited constituent complaints that SEI courses, intended solely for neutral English acquisition methods under A.R.S. § 15-756.01, have instead become vessels for racialized theories that divide classrooms, distract educators, and shift instructional time away from statutory requirements.
The letter also highlighted a direct threat to federal funding. President Trump’s recent Executive Order explicitly prohibits the use of federal dollars for DEI programming. The existing SEI Endorsement Course Framework is not compliant, and keeping it as-is exposes Arizona to unnecessary and avoidable risk, the legislators warned, urging the Board to authorize ADE to open the rulemaking process immediately.
Superintendent Horne echoed the urgency in a statement released December 2, praising the legislative coalition. “I am very thankful to the eight lawmakers who sent a letter calling on the Board to start the process to revise Arizona’s teaching standards and remove DEI language,” Horne said. “This is essential not just because DEI language improperly emphasizes race over individual merit, but it threatens $866 million in federal education funds under the President’s recent Executive Order.”
He added, “Removing DEI terms from state teaching standards is the right thing to do. We must rid race-based ideology from the classroom and ensure teachers spend their time teaching math, science, language, history, and the arts. The support of these legislators is especially helpful to convey the importance and urgency of this task, and I urge my fellow board members not to further delay this process.”
The lawmakers criticized the Board’s decision to table the issue at its October 27 meeting and form a study committee, calling the move a delay tactic designed to slow or obstruct needed reforms. They insisted that the question before the Board was never about voting on specific changes but simply whether to begin the public stakeholder process to restore instructional neutrality and legal compliance.
ADE has prepared to launch the month-long rulemaking process covering teacher standards at Arizona’s three public universities. The State Board of Education is scheduled to revisit the proposal at its December 8, 2025, meeting.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
