by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 14, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A Republican lawmaker is taking steps to help Arizona’s power supply during the hot summer months.
This week, Arizona State Senator Frank Carroll announced that SB 1309, which he had sponsored, had been approved by the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water. This bill would “ensure Arizonans have a reliable power supply during the scorching summer months in the desert and the freezing winter months in the high country.”
The bill would require “the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to ensure that any changes made to an electric power grid are capable of producing enough electricity to meet the demand for power in the summer and winter months,” and “a power generation resource mix that avoids both blackouts and brownouts unrelated to severe weather conditions or power quality incidents.”
In a statement that accompanied the announcement, Carroll said, “Because radical Democrats have adopted an extremist environmental agenda, Americans are suffering the consequences during preventable power outages that are endangering lives in the middle of heat waves and dramatic cold spells. Could you imagine if residents in Metro Phoenix experienced a long-lasting power outage when temperatures surge past 110 degrees for days on end?”
Senator Carroll added, “I sponsored SB 1309 to prevent the chaos associated with blackouts, as we’ve seen in states like California, when dangerous green agendas are adopted. We all want a cleaner environment, but not at the potential cost of human life. This commonsense measure will ensure Arizonans’ air conditioners, heaters, lights, and other basic necessities have the power to operate when we need them to.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak System, a representative from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club endorsed the proposal; while representatives from the Climate Cabinet Action, Advanced Energy Economy, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association, and CHISPA ARIZONA – A Program of League of Conservation Voters, signed into oppose the legislation.
SB 1309 will soon be considered by the full chamber of the Arizona Senate.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 27, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona Republican leader instrumental in delivering her state for the 47th President of the United States is reportedly running for re-election for chair of her party.
Earlier this month, Garrett Archer, a journalist with ABC15 News, revealed that Gina Swoboda, the current chair of the Republican Party of Arizona, would be running for re-election to her post in January, and that she would be supported by President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The news quickly spread among Arizona Republicans, and several expressed their delight with this reported decision. Arizona Senate President Pro-Tempore T.J. Shope posted, “She has Donald Trump’s support and she has my support! Let’s all rally behind Gina Swoboda for AZGOP Chair!!!”
State Representative Teressa Martinez wrote, “Gina Swoboda has done an amazing job and I absolutely back her for Chairwoman of the AZGOP!”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp added, “The Boss knows she is the best woman for the job! And so does Arizona! Looking forward to winning 2026 with Gina Swoboda as the State Party Chair!”
State Senators Wendy Rogers and Frank Carroll also weighed in with their support for Swoboda’s candidacy.
Swoboda was unexpectedly pressed into action as chair of state Republican party in January after a vacancy occurred. After quickly securing the endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump, Swoboda had no trouble sailing to victory in the snap election among state committeemen. Her top priority as chair was to re-deliver Arizona’s electoral votes for Trump in November, which she did last month for the General Election.
On Election Night, Swoboda issued a statement of victory after seeing a number of positive results around her state, writing, “This victory is a testament to the grit and determination of Arizonans who believe in the American Dream. We focused on what matters – keeping families safe, bringing down the cost of living, securing our border, and reviving American greatness. We have sent a clear message to Washington: Arizona is red, and when we unite, WE WIN!”
One night later, after her state was called for Trump, Swoboda posted, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help elect 45/47. Thank you for believing in me Donald Trump. Thank you AZGOP for allowing me to make history with our beautiful State 48.”
When Trump visited Tempe in late October, he made sure to address Swoboda’s tireless work to help turn out the votes for him and other Republicans across the state, saying, “This woman has done a job […] especially early voting, and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. Gina Swoboda, great job – thank you!”
Under Swoboda’s leadership, Trump won Arizona with a greater margin than he did in 2016; Republicans expanded their majorities in the state House and Senate; incumbent Republican U.S. Congressmen held their seats; Republicans swept the three statewide Arizona Corporation Commission positions, and a key border security measure sailed to victory.
Swoboda’s reported intent to run for re-election for AZGOP chair would likely set up a match-up with State Representative Cory McGarr, who announced his decision to run for the party’s top post earlier this month after losing his seat in the Arizona Legislature. Former Republican candidate for Arizona Governor and U.S. Senate, Kari Lake, thanked McGarr “for getting in this race.”
The AZGOP chair for the next election cycle in 2026 will be critical for Republican efforts to take back major statewide offices – Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Arizona Republicans will have the chance to decide who is the best fit to lead them forward when they reconvene in the new year at the annual AZGOP meeting in Phoenix.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Fresh off their successful efforts to keep a majority in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Republicans voted to keep their chamber’s leader for another term in office.
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen won reelection from his colleagues in the chamber. Petersen faced a brief challenge from another member, but earlier that day, it was reported that the incumbent president would have a clear field to the nomination.
In a statement after his victory, Petersen said, “My esteemed colleagues of the AZ Senate have re-elected me by acclimation as Senate President. I am grateful for their confidence. The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Petersen added, “With our expanded majority we will make sure our communities are safe and that our kids have the best educational opportunities possible. We will continue to lower taxes and eliminate government waste. We will work with the Trump administration to make sure our border is safe. We will secure our water supplies and our elections.”
Senator Janae Shamp was elected as the Majority Leader, and Senator Frank Carroll as the Majority Whip.
Shamp wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust The Republican Majority Caucus has placed in me to lead the Arizona State Senate. Together, we will work toward policies that strengthen Arizona, promote opportunity for all, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and personal responsibility. We will move forward with a united vision, grounded in our shared values, and with a commitment to serving the people of Arizona with integrity and purpose.”
Both Petersen and Shamp are two of the most conservative members of the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Shamp has a 93% lifetime score, and Petersen has a 94% score. Senator Carroll also checked in with a 96% score in the 2024 legislative session.
The leadership elections for Republicans in the Arizona Senate this month marked a drastic change from two years ago, when Petersen faced large uncertainty due to races that had not been called yet and a very competitive challenge for the role of the chamber’s President. Since winning that election and becoming Senate President, though, Petersen has staked a claim to his leadership responsibilities, He has united his caucus in deft opposition to Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ radical agenda, managed to advance some conservative priorities in the face of a bitterly divided Arizona government, and joined state and national efforts to defend several laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen also spent much of his time in the lead-up to the November General Election campaigning for vulnerable and new members of his conference, earning even more goodwill among Republicans. Despite vicious attempts from local and national Democrats to overturn control of the state legislature, Petersen’s efforts to keep the majority paid off in a big way as Republicans expanded their majority after votes across the state were eventually tabulated.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Oct 27, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanksi |
Two Arizona Republicans are challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) increased regulation on energy policies affecting many Americans and Arizonans.
Last week, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma joined a coalition of states and private parties in an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Nebraska v. Environmental Protection Agency. The petitioners are challenging the EPA’s final rule, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3.”
According to the press release issued by the State Senate Republican Caucus, this newly enacted standard by the EPA would “require by 2032 nearly 70% of all new vehicles and 25% of all new semitrucks or similar heavy-duty vehicles sold in the United States to be electric, guaranteeing to raise the costs of everything Arizonans purchase, and without adequate charging infrastructure in place or the necessary power grid capacity to accommodate the transition.”
In the brief, the coalition argues that “under the Major Questions Doctrine, EPA lacks statutory authority to effectively mandate electric vehicles,” that “EPA lacks statutory authority to set standards that can be met only by averaging in electric vehicles,” and that “EPA’s rule is arbitrary and capricious.”
“Our federal government does not have the power to mandate electric vehicles, and their actions show just how out of touch the Biden-Harris Administration is by creating costly policies that will inflict more financial pain on our citizens who have already been burned by skyrocketing costs over the past three-and-a-half years,” said Senate President Warren Petersen. “The EPA egregiously overstepped its authority with these arbitrary rules, and the negative impact of forcing industries that every American consumer depends on, to make unreasonable and unattainable changes, will be detrimental to our economy. The Arizona Legislature will continue to hold this Administration accountable and defend our citizens from this big government negligence.”
“Hardworking Americans are hurting enough as it is from soaring inflation caused by the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Senator Frank Carroll, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology & Missing Children. “The last thing we need is for this Administration to prioritize expensive and scientifically baseless polices all in the name of a radical climate change agenda from Democrats that imposes unattainable goals, which will lead to soaring consumer prices. The average working-class citizen or trucking business will cripple under these mandates and the cost of just about every basic essential will increase exponentially.”
The coalition writes, “As in West Virginia, EPA cannot unilaterally reshape the energy and transportation sectors by reimagining its statutory authority. Heavy-duty vehicles transport city commuters, move consumer goods across the country, remove refuse, and harvest our food. The question of whether and how internal-combustion-engine heavy-duty vehicles should be phased out in favor of electric vehicles is hugely consequential: It involves millions of jobs, the restructuring of entire industries, and the Nation’s energy independence. If the federal government is going to require that major shift, then a Congress accountable to the American public must say so. It has not.”
Over the past two years, Petersen and Toma have led a prolific defense of state and federal laws against the Democrat administrations in both the Arizona Governor’s Office and the White House. The lawmakers have long had their sights on the Biden Administration’s environmental and energy policies that have threatened to overhaul the country’s systems.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Oct 9, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Elected officials from around Arizona solemnly marked the first anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
One year ago, Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists, who took advantage of completely unsuspecting communities to inflict horrific harms and devastation on innocent men, women, and children.
Ben Toma, the Arizona Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced that he had “issued a legislative proclamation declaring October 7, 2024, as a Day of Observance to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel.” Speaker Toma said, “The people of Arizona share in the grief of those affected by the attack and stand in solidarity with Israel as they continue to defend their nation and strive for peace.”
Toma’s proclamation encouraged all Arizonans, including his fellow lawmakers, “to observe a moment a silence on this day to honor those whose lives were lost and to stand in unity with those who remain in captivity.”
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs posted, “One year ago today, Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel took away the hopes and dreams of innocent people forever. My heart is with the families who mourn, the hostages who should be home, and the entire country of Israel as they pray and grieve.”
Attorney General Kris Mayes added, “On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas committed horrifying acts of violence, killing and kidnapping Israelis, sowing fear and agony in Jewish communities around the world. Together we must stand firm against all forms of hatred and commit to building a world that values dialogue over division, working toward a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.”
State Senator Frank Carroll wrote, “On this solemn day, my heart breaks for the Israelis who’ve suffered such horrifying acts of evil by Hamas and Iran, as well as for the hostages who are still enduring torturous conditions… We must stand united against this evil and support a permanent end to the war happening in the Middle East. I urge all Arizonans to speak out against the injustices our Jewish friends are experiencing and to condemn all antisemitic acts in the strongest sense. May the good Lord protect our world from the Iranian-directed terrorists who are attempting to spread death and destruction upon the innocent.”
State Representative Alma Hernandez stated, “Oct 7, 2023 The longest and most painful year for many of us. It was the day we realized who our real friends were, and it was the day I lost a lot of hope in humanity. May we never forget the innocent lives taken from us and the 101 hostages 13 of them women still being held by Hamas terrorist.”
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said, “Today we remember the one-year anniversary of the attack on Israel. I pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages taken that day as well as for the families whose loved ones were killed.”
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck gave the following comment to AZ Free News: “Shortly after the October 7 attacks, I saw the places and heard the witness accounts of what took place. I will never forget the barbarity of the enemies of Israel. The Bible says that there is a time for peace and a time for war. I pray for the peace of Israel and know they must win the war against terrorists so they can have security. America needs to know that Israel’s fight is our fight. It is a fight for dignity and human rights. That is why I proudly fly the flag of Israel and support American leaders who understand that Israel’s cause is our cause.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
