The Arizona House of Representatives continues to make inroads across the world.
Last week, members of the Arizona House of Representatives hosted a delegation from the Republic of Indonesia at the state capitol. According to the press release from the state House, the delegation from the foreign nation was comprised of 12 individuals and consisted of “elected officials, government representatives, and business leaders.” The release revealed that Rahayu Saraswati Dhirakanya Djojohadikusumo, “a recently elected member of the People’s Representative Council, Indonesia’s House of Representatives, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (GERINDRA),” led the delegation to Arizona.
House Speaker Ben Toma, Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, Representative Justin Wilmeth, and other legislators met the Indonesian delegation. Wilmeth, the Vice Chairman of the House International Trade Committee, issued a statement after the visit from the overseas group. He said, “It was a privilege to meet with the Indonesian delegation and exchange insights on potential trade and investment opportunities between Arizona and Indonesia. Through our discussions, it was evident that Arizona and Indonesia share a strong interest in fostering new opportunities in education, mining, and technology manufacturing. We look forward to exploring ways to strengthen our economic ties and foster mutually beneficial partnerships in the future.”
The Indonesian delegation’s visit to Arizona is another episode in a growing list of relationships that have been cultivated by the Arizona Legislature – particularly through this trade committee. The Committee has been active in traveling outside of the United States and welcoming delegations to its house (no pun intended).
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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.
Arizona may be one step closer to having a state planet.
On Monday, the State House of Representatives passed HB 2477, which “establishes Pluto as the state planet of Arizona.”
We in Arizona haven’t forgotten about you, Pluto. You were discovered in our grand state on this day back in 1930. And tomorrow, you’ll be one step closer to being Arizona’s state planet! #PlutoDay#HB2477@LowellObspic.twitter.com/MPHHbc7S1f
The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Justin Wilmeth, was approved by the full House of Representatives with a 52-0 vote. Seven members did not vote, and one seat was vacant.
Earlier this session, the proposal passed the House Government Committee with a bipartisan 8-1 vote.
“This is not just about designating a state symbol; it’s about recognizing Arizona’s pivotal role in advancing astronomical knowledge,” said Representative Wilmeth. “The discovery of Pluto at the Lowell Observatory is a testament to our state’s scientific legacy, and by designating Pluto as our state planet, we honor the curiosity and dedication of those who have expanded our cosmic horizons.”
According to the Arizona House of Representatives, other official state emblems include:
The Bola tie as the official state neckwear;
Lemonade as the official state drink;
Sonorasaurus as the official state dinosaur;
Wulfenite as the state mineral; and
The Arizona tree frog as the official state amphibian
HB 2477 now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Legislators have an opportunity this week to meet and greet with a Canadian delegation.
On Monday, Arizona State Representative David Cook announced that the Delegate General of Québec in Los Angeles, Mr. David Brulotte, would be visiting Arizona on Wednesday. Cook, the Chairman of the Arizona House International Trade Committee, also revealed there would be other Canadian business leaders and organizations comprising the delegation to the state.
According to the lawmaker’s release, “the visit from the Canadian delegation is the result of the successful recent Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Mission to Canada, demonstrating a commitment to fostering strong economic ties between Arizona and Canada.”
“We are honored to welcome Delegate General David Brulotte to Arizona,” said Chairman Cook. “This visit marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to strengthen the economic relationship between our state and Canada. We look forward to productive discussions and collaborative initiatives that will benefit both regions. The Arizona House Committee on International Trade remains dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages trade, investment, and international collaboration, and looks forward to continued progress in strengthening these ties.”
The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Representative Justin Wilmeth also weighed in on the forthcoming visit, saying, “The Arizona House Committee on International Trade is committed to facilitating trade and financial investment opportunities. We believe that this meeting with Mr. Brulotte is an important step in achieving our shared goals of increased cooperation and economic growth. We are excited to work together to build a brighter future for both Arizona and Québec.”
Earlier this year, Cook led a delegation of Arizona House members on a trade mission to Canada, with the goal of “strengthening the longstanding ties between Arizona and Canada, further enhancing economic collaboration, and paving the way for increased foreign direct investment (FDI).” The legislative members who were announced to be attending this trip were International Trade Committee Chairman David Cook (R-7), Vice Chairman Justin Wilmeth (R-2), and committee members Tim Dunn (R-25), Melody Hernandez (D-8), and Mariana Sandoval (D-23). Representative Michael Carbone (R-25) was also expected to join the delegation.
The objectives for September’s Canadian trip included “engaging with the US Embassy in Ottawa for a comprehensive trade brief and fostering discussions with economic development organizations from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and with the Ontario Legislature and economic leaders to explore trade and investment prospects.”
In April 2023, the bipartisan House International Trade Committee unanimously adopted a plan “for conducting international trade” – a notable feat, considering the partisan nature of many efforts at the Legislature during the 2023 session. The Committee shared that its objectives were “to strengthen bilateral ties with existing international partners, attract more foreign direct investment to a booming Arizona and extend Arizona’s international reach for enhanced captured value to sustain a robust growing economy.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
For over a decade, Arizona Legislative Republicans have not had to worry about a governor who may be inclined to use executive actions to unnecessarily regulate businesses around the state. They’re now advancing a bill to protect businesses in their districts from any new regulatory overreach that could be coming from the new Democrat Chief Executive on the Ninth Floor of Arizona’s Executive Tower.
This week, the Arizona House passed HB 2254, sponsored by Representative Justin Wilmeth. The bill “requires a proposed rule that will increase regulatory costs in excess of $500,000 within two years after implementation to be ratified by the Legislature,” according to the overview provided by the State House. 31 Republicans voted for the legislation, opposed by 27 Democrats. Two Democrats did not vote (Representatives Stacey Travers and Amish Shah).
Representative Wilmeth issued the following statement after his bill’s party-line passage in the House: “Burdensome regulations can lead to higher prices, fewer small businesses, and fewer jobs. HB 2254 says legislative approval would be required before high-cost rules could be implemented by the state. Executive agencies would have to get buy-in from the Legislature before they could move forward with major regulations. It will increase government accountability by strengthening oversight on unelected bureaucrats and help keep government regulations in check.”
✅House Approves Legislation by State Representative @JustinWilmethAZ to Restrict Regulatory Government Overreach.
Earlier last month, HB 2254 passed the House Government Committee with a partisan 5-4 vote and the House Rules Committee with a unanimous 8-0 vote.
Republican Legislators did not have to take precautions when it came to protecting Arizona businesses from the heavy and onerous hand of state government during the previous administration. Former Governor Doug Ducey led the way for the Grand Canyon State and the nation by “eliminat(ing) or improv(ing) over 3,365 regulations since 2015 – the equivalent of a $183 million tax cut.”
Representatives from the Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter, AZ Solar Energy Industries, and WM E Morris Institute for Justice opposed the bill’s passage through the House process. Stephen Shadegg from Americans for Prosperity Arizona supported this legislation.
HB 2254 now heads to the Arizona Senate. If it clears that chamber, it will await its fate at the hands of a governor who will have to decide whether to voluntarily allow a Republican-led legislature to hold her regulatory actions accountable to their oversight.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
