A leading small business advocacy organization has presented several Arizona lawmakers with its top award.
Earlier this summer, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) presented a handful of Arizona legislators with its Guardian of Small Business Award. The individuals recognized with the award were as follows:
Speaker of the House Ben Toma
Representative David Livingston
Representative Travis Grantham
Senate President Warren Petersen
Senator J.D. Mesnard
Senator T.J. Shope
“These six lawmakers have gone above and beyond on behalf of Main Street Arizonans,” NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich said. “In this difficult economy, where costs continue to go up and open positions remain unfilled, it’s incumbent on lawmakers to not make it more difficult to own and operate a small business here in Arizona. Our members are grateful for each of these lawmakers’ commitment to free enterprise and sound policy.”
NFIB presented the award to Petersen in August.
Arizona State Director @chad_heinrich caught up with Senate President Warren Petersen today to present him with NFIB’s prestigious Guardian of Small Business Award in recognition of his steadfast support for Arizona small businesses. Thank you for your support @votewarren! pic.twitter.com/ugnYrkGgU0
In recognition of his devoted work on small business issues Arizona State Director @chad_heinrich recently presented State Senator T.J. Shope with NFIB’s respected Guardian of Small Business Award. Thank you for your support @TJShope! pic.twitter.com/5H2YJhAqBo
Arizona State Director @chad_heinrich recently presented State Senator J.D. Mesnard with NFIB's coveted Guardian of Small Business Award. Thank you for your resolute advocacy on tax and other small business issues @JDMesnard! pic.twitter.com/sFNbNnLR2f
NFIB presented the award to Toma earlier this month.
AZ Speaker of the House Ben Toma @RepBenToma consistently keeps the needs of small businesses top-of-mind. Today AZ State Director @chad_heinrich presented him with the Guardian of Small Business Award. Thank you for supporting #SmallBusiness through your work at the Capitol! pic.twitter.com/6wXxGektGe
Toma responded to the award, stating, “Thank you. It is a great honor to be recognized by those dedicated to protecting and promoting small businesses.”
Thank you. It is a great honor to be recognized by those dedicated to protecting and promoting small businesses. https://t.co/4go2aRFZSg
According to its website, “NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
One of the lawmakers responsible for the state’s historic income and small business tax reduction law is key to maintaining Republican control of the Arizona Senate.
State Senator J.D. Mesnard is running for re-election to Arizona Legislative District 13, which covers Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes in the East Valley of the Phoenix-metro area. Mesnard first entered the state legislature in January 2011 in the Arizona House of Representatives, and he served eight years in that chamber, including two years as the Speaker of the House. In November 2018, after being termed out of the House, Mesnard won his election to the state Senate.
Over his time in the Arizona Legislature, Mesnard has proven himself to be one of the top fiscal responsibility hawks in either chamber. On his campaign website, he addresses his thoughts on this issue, writing, “I support keeping taxes as low as possible, and we can’t have low taxes with reckless government spending. The fact is, the more government spends, the more we pay for it in higher taxes and/or saddle future generations with unsustainable debt. That doesn’t mean that all government spending is bad. For instance, funding public safety, a quality education system, and infrastructure are all necessary public goods. But I also believe that state government should follow the same financial guidelines that any responsible individual or family would follow: spend only what’s necessary, don’t rack up debt, invest in your learning, save for the future, and when times get tough, find responsible ways to trim.”
In 2021, Mesnard was responsible for a historic tax reform proposal that made its way through the Arizona Legislature and into law – SB 1828. This legislation ushered in a flat tax on individual incomes of Arizonans.
Mesnard was also the author of SB 1783, which lowered taxes on small businesses. The bill passed the state legislature and was signed by then-Republican Governor Doug Ducey.
After signing the bill into law in July 2021, Ducey recognized Mesnard for his efforts, when he said, “This tax cut will keep Arizona competitive for small businesses already operating here and new businesses flocking here every day. After a year as tough as the last, we should not be raising taxes on our small businesses — we should be cutting their taxes. That’s exactly what Senate Bill 1783 does. Arizona has now passed the largest tax cut in state history and will have the lowest flat tax in the country. My thanks go out to Senator J.D. Mesnard and Representative Ben Toma for their leadership on this issue.”
Mesnard added, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and integral to the future success of our state. Small businesses should be able to grow and reinvest in themselves without being forced to pay astronomical taxes. Rather, government should get out of the way so that they can thrive. That’s why I’m so grateful for the support of Governor Ducey and my colleagues in the Legislature.”
Two staunch free-market advocates Tim Phillips (President of Americans for Prosperity) and Grover Norquist (President of Americans for Tax Reform) wrote a piece in Newsweek, praising the accomplished feat of the Arizona Legislature, spearheaded by Mesnard, and Ducey. They stated, “Arizona, on the other hand, provides a good example: lower the tax rates to let people keep more of what they earn and invest in what they care about most. Limit government spending to grow no faster than the incomes of the citizens who pay the taxes. Create a magnet for job-creating investment and hardworking Americans who simply wish to be left alone to work hard, take care of their families and support their communities.”
Phillips and Norquist put the finishing flourish on their thoughts by saying, “The Arizona reform is a positive model and one that should be followed by other states and the federal government.”
When the Arizona Supreme Court gave the green light for these tax reforms to go into effect in a highly anticipated ruling, Arizona Free Enterprise President Scot Mussi said, “Today’s decision from the Arizona Supreme Court is a big win for taxpayers in our state. The legislature passed historic tax cuts last year that benefit all Arizona taxpayers. It’s time for Invest in Arizona and out-of-state special interest groups to accept this reality and stop making a farce of the referendum process.”
Mesnard touted the progress of his historic legislation in a campaign newsletter in January 2023, saying, “The historic tax reform that I championed in 2021 is now in effect for income earned this year – a full year ahead of schedule thanks to strong government revenues. Valued at more than $2 billion, this reform reduced individual tax rates to 2.5%, resulting in a tax cut for every single Arizona family and Arizona having the lowest flat tax in the nation.”
The east valley lawmaker added, “Depending on your tax decisions, if you choose to lower your withholding rates this year, you will be able to keep more of your own hard-earned dollars with each paycheck that hits your checking account. That will help take some of the edge off sticker shock at the grocery store.”
According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 13 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 1.6% vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in the past nine statewide elections. In those contests, Republicans have won five times, compared to four for Democrats.
Mesnard will be facing off against Democrat nominee, Sharon Winters, in the November General Election. On his website, Mesnard asks voters to give him another term in the state senate, writing, “Now we face historic economic challenges that require someone with the right experience and a track record of success to navigate. That’s why I need your vote. Let me continue using my diverse background, which includes husband (to a registered nurse), father, professor and small business owner, with master’s degrees in business and public administration, to keep delivering results for you.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
A lawmaker who has seen his share of competitive election contests is key to maintaining Republican control of the Arizona State Senate.
State Senator J.D. Mesnard is running for re-election to Arizona Legislative District 13, which covers Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes in the East Valley of the Phoenix-metro area. Mesnard first entered the state legislature in January 2011 in the Arizona House of Representatives, and he served eight years in that chamber, including two years as the Speaker of the House. In November 2018, after being termed out of the House, Mesnard won his election to the state Senate.
While Mesnard has spent considerable time in the Arizona Legislature, his interests and passions are well rounded and give him insights into his work for the people of his district. His campaign website informs readers that his “compassion for those less fortunate – who struggle in places outside of the greatest country on earth – led him to help establish Voices of the World, a non-profit Christian charity whose mission includes providing humanitarian aid to the poor and destitute of the world.” He serves as the Treasurer and one of the Board Members of this organization, which is based in Queen Creek.
The leadership board of Voices of the World, per information provided on its website, “is made up completely of volunteers who have a heart to see missionaries sent and supported to all corners of the world.” The organization appears to focus on the African country of Mozambique, for the health care challenges faced by citizens in its capital, Maputo, sharing that there is an “urgent need for a healthcare approach that not only addresses medical needs but also fosters a compassionate, supportive environment to help patients and their families cope with the immense physical and emotional burdens of cancer.”
Back in 2013, the organization was instrumental in opening Casa Ahava (“Home of Love”) in Maputo. The house, “is a 19 bed home which is open to Mozambican men and women who journey alone with cancer, especially those who are in late stages.”
The East Valley lawmaker’s compassionate side extends to some of his efforts at the state legislature. On his website, Mesnard writes that he “believe[s] in helping and protecting the vulnerable in our society, whether its women who’ve faced domestic violence, children who’ve been abused, veterans who are trying to return to the workforce, seniors who’ve been exploited, or animals who’ve been mistreated.” He assures voters that he “will continue to take on the challenge of tackling these and other issues as long as I serve in the Legislature.”
Mesnard highlights two bills he wrote in office to illustrate his commitment to the promises he is making to his longtime constituents. The first is HB 2001, which was passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed by then-Governor Doug Ducey in 2016, to “modif[y] the statute governing the unlawful distribution of images that depict nudity or sexual activities.” Among several provisions of the legislation, HB 2001 “makes it unlawful to intentionally disclose an image of another person if the person is identifiable from either the image itself or information displayed with the image, and: the person is in a state of nudity or engaged in specific sexual acts, the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, and the image is disclosed with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the person.”
HB 2001 passed the Arizona House with a 58-0 vote (with one member not voting and one seat vacant), and the Senate with a 29-0 vote (with one member not voting).
Before the bill sailed through the state House and Senate, Mesnard commented on the purpose of his proposal, saying, “For folks, mostly guys, who are using technology to hurt ex-girlfriends, we really need to put a stop to it. It’s not okay to use things done in a trusting relationship to hurt them. This can damage them personally and professionally. It follows them the rest of their lives.”
The other bill that Mesnard features on this website page is HB 2302, which was passed by the legislature and signed by then-Governor Jan Brewer in 2011, to “require the Secretary of State to establish an Address Confidentiality Program to protect the residential addresses of victims of domestic violence sexual offenses and stalking.” This legislation was passed by the Arizona Senate with a 27-0 vote (with three members not voting), and by the House with a 57-0 tally (with three members not voting).
According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, Legislative District 13 is one of the most competitive in the state, with a 1.6% vote spread between Republicans and Democrats in the past nine statewide elections. In those contests, Republicans have won five times, compared to four for Democrats.
Mesnard will be facing off against Democrat nominee, Sharon Winters, in the November General Election.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
The father of State Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-LD13), Daniel Mesnard, remains in critical condition after his twin-engine plane malfunctioned and crashed in Georgia.
The crash paralyzed the elder Mesnard from the waist down. His passenger and longtime friend, Timothy Fiser, died from his injuries despite initial reports reflecting his condition as stable. The crashed plane was a Velocity Twin model certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last November.
On Monday, the senator issued a statement that his father remains critically injured and in need of funding to recover the plane. Without recovering the plane, the FAA won’t be able to complete its investigation to determine the malfunction that caused the plane to crash. The senator petitioned for financial aid through GoFundMe.
“The longer the plane sits there in the marsh the more it disintegrates and the prospect of losing the data contained in the plane and engines becomes very real,” said Mesnard.
All, my family is facing a devastating situation ATM. In short, my dad miraculously survived a plane crash but was critically injured & we need help RE the plane. Pls see my statement about it on this GoFundMe page & help share it. Grateful for any help. https://t.co/CMGLOhWgAM
The elder Mesnard had served as a pilot for decades: 21 years as an Air Force fighter pilot, 35 years as a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines, and owner of a charter plane business for the last three years.
According to Sen. Mesnard, his father prevented the plane from flipping by pulling a “fighter pilot manuever” to regain control, and then directed the plane to crash-land into the bank of a marsh in a tree clearing rather than the surrounding forest to avoid a potential fuel tank explosion.
The senator also relayed that the plane ejected his father and Fisher despite both wearing seatbelts. The younger Mesnard thanked those first responders who braved the marsh to rescue his father and family friend.
“We are so grateful for their herculean efforts to get to my dad and Tim – including wading through waist-deep mud and ignoring the prospect of snakes and alligators,” said Mesnard.
About 15 minutes before crashing, the elder Mesnard had stopped at the Kaolin Field Airport in Sandersville, Georgia to refuel.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), obtained by WDRW, revealed that a Kaolin Field Airport mechanic had cleared the plane for flight a day before and the day of the crash. Also according to the report, a local police officer heard the plane “change pitch” mid-flight before “banking right” and “descend[ing] quickly.”
As of that report obtained last week, the FAA and NTSB were going to investigate. According to Sen. Mesnard, the FAA hasn’t been able to get access to the plane due to its remote location and difficult terrain.
The Mesnards require $23,000 to recover the plane and conduct an investigation. As of press time, the GoFundMe has raised over $14,000.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
For years, Arizona has been a target of out-of-state special interest groups that want to put their radical ideas in our state. The process usually goes something like this.
Liberal groups from outside Arizona take an issue that is unpopular with the electorate, like tax hikes.
They come in and hire an army of paid circulators to flood the streets of Phoenix and Tucson to collect their signatures—hardly bothering with the rest of the state.
Bad policy and sweeping reforms are placed on our ballots with only a small fraction of the state’s support.
One of the most recent examples of this was Prop 208, which narrowly passed in 2020. Out-of-state teachers’ unions spent more than $30 million over four years in their effort to buy the largest tax hike in history—lying to Arizona voters to get signatures and lying to get the slimmest of majorities to approve it. Had it not been for the court system killing Prop 208 once and for all, Arizona would be a high tax state today.
Now, a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Arizona Senator J.D. Mesnard would put a stop to this abuse…
