by Hannah Bolick | Feb 27, 2025 | News
By Hannah Bolick (Guest Contributor) |
Commemorative bills are opportunities for legislators to highlight certain aspects of the state’s history and add some colorful trivia to legislation. Here in Arizona, the bolo tie is the state’s official neckwear, and the Colt Single Action Army Revolver is the official firearm. Over the last 113 years, the state has shaped a distinct identity and history—and lawmakers have continued to develop the southwestern state’s persona.
Just last year, Rep. Justin Wilmeth sponsored a bill to name Pluto the state’s official planet. Though the bill may seem silly at face value, he wrote it to highlight a little-known piece of Arizona history.
“Every state does this as a way to have some State pride, or to promote something that’s a part of the state’s history.” Wilmeth said. “That’s why I did Pluto, because it was discovered in Flagstaff in 1930 and that’s a huge, international news-making discovery, that happened back when Flagstaff probably had 8000 people in it. I think they’re [commemorative bills are] simple and harmless and fun and they spark some discussions and the whole process from drafting to getting assigned to getting through committee, to getting voted on once in each chamber, was roughly about an hour of time combined.”
Now, lawmakers are continuing to develop the state’s official persona by considering an iconic western salutation as the official greeting. Rep. Kevin Volk has introduced a bipartisan bill with very simple verbiage:
“HOWDY IS THE OFFICIAL STATE GREETING.”
“There still is an element to that cowboy culture in this state,” Wilmeth, a co-sponsor of the bill said. “When people come here from out of town, one of the first things they want to see is Old Town Scottsdale. Well, what is Old Town Scottsdale? It’s originally an old west cowboy town. They go to Cave Creek, they go to Buffalo Chip, and they see the rodeo. There’s still a lot of old west culture in this state, and I’ll always view Arizona as that.”
The difference between the two bills lies in their focus—one is rooted in concrete historical trivia, designating Pluto as Arizona’s state planet, while the other relies on a broader cultural argument for adopting “Howdy” as the official state greeting. This bill may have less support in the House, and has been met with criticism from some locals, who may call such legislation a waste of time.
“I love Arizona,” said sixth-generation Arizona native Philip Petersen. “I appreciate the show of Arizona culture. And so we do have a Wild West heritage. But I don’t think it’s the best use of time because the legislature only has so much time to take up different bills because they don’t meet year-round. I will also say, I very rarely heard anybody in Arizona say ‘Howdy.’ I’ve done work in 38 states. I’ve heard it a lot in Texas, and I’ve heard it a bit in New Mexico. I have not heard it at all in Arizona.”
So, what makes something a part of a state’s identity? How much significance does a firearm, drink, or salutation need to be considered an official mark of the state and to be worth an hour of lawmaker’s time? That’s up to legislators to decide.
Hannah Bolick is a guest contributor and student in ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 18, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A coalition of Arizona lawmakers have set their eyes on space.
Three Arizona legislators recently transmitted a letter of commitment to the Southwest Regional Aerospace Innovation Alliance’s pending application to the National Science Foundation (NSF) “for funding to develop Yuma as the nation’s next commercial and industrial spaceport.” The lawmakers were State Representatives Justin Wilmeth and Michele Peña, and Senator Tim Dunn.
According to the press release issued by the coalition, the “creation of a Yuma-based spaceport would strengthen national security, boost economic growth, and drive advancements in space exploration, generat[ing] $2 billion in annual economic activity, create thousands of jobs, and establish a strategic hub for commercial space launches and innovation.”
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the letter, Representative Wilmeth said, “With the new Trump administration prioritizing spaceflight and economic expansion, Arizona is ready to play a leading role. House Republicans urge state and federal officials to support the Alliance’s NSF application, ensuring long-term investment in space exploration and economic growth. Arizona has an opportunity to help drive American innovation and prosperity.”
Representative Peña added, “Yuma is the ideal location for the next spaceport, offering advantages unmatched by any costal alternative. With optimal weather, proximity to military and defense assets, pro-business policies, a skilled workforce, and exclusive launch directionality over the Sea of Cortex, it is the smartest and most efficient choice.”
Senator Dunn also weighed in, saying, “Yuma continues to be leaders in innovation. I ran the legislation several years ago and am proud to support this collaboration and encourage its selection.”
The letter highlights that Arizona passed HB 2423 in 2019 “to promote commercial space flight activities in Arizona ‘through the launch of stratospheric, suborbital and orbital missions’ and to ‘promote the creation of space infrastructure in Arizona to increase economic development.’”
The lawmakers also noted that just last year, the state legislature approved HB 2254 to “establish the Arizona Space Commission and Arizona Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund to support the development of emerging technologies in human space flight, the development of a skilled labor workforce for commercial spaceflight and space commerce, and the development of infrastructure for establishing and maintaining a spaceport in Arizona.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 17, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
One Arizona legislator is seeking to help veterans in his state.
Last week, Arizona State Representative Justin Wilmeth announced that he had introduced HB 2871 “to allocate $10 million for clinical research on ibogaine.” According to a press release issued by the Arizona House of Representatives Republican Caucus, ibogaine is “a promising potential treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – conditions that have severely affected many veterans returning from combat.”
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bill introduction, Wilmeth said, “Our military heroes put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, yet when they come home, too many are left suffering in silence. Traditional treatments have fallen short, and the reality is stark – veterans with TBI and PTSD are at an alarmingly high risk of suicide. Ibogaine treatment has shown incredible promise, and Arizona has an opportunity to take the lead in finding solutions that give these men and women real hope and real healing.”
Wilmeth added, “Veterans who sustained brain injuries in combat shouldn’t have to leave the country to access treatment that could change their lives. We owe it to our veterans to explore every option to help them have a full and healthy life. If this research can prove that ibogaine can truly heal the unseen wound of war, Arizona will be at the forefront of revolutionizing care for our warriors.”
The press release from the state lawmaker shared that “ibogaine, a plant-derived treatment with roots in West Africa, has drawn increasing attention for its potential to mitigate PTSD symptoms and neurological damage. Veterans, including Congressman Morgan Luttrell and retired SEAL Marcus Luttrell, have credited ibogaine with helping them recover from the physical and mental toll of combat. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has also emerged as a vocal advocate, calling ibogaine treatment a ‘lifeline’ for veterans.”
If signed into law, HB 2871 would “direct the Arizona Department of Health Services to award grants to a research institution with proven expertise in neurological studies to conduct a certified clinical study on the use of ibogaine for treating TBI and PTSD.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 10, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
With Arizona election results lagging yet again, Republicans are pointing to failed action from the state’s Democrat governor to help correct the holes in the system.
Once again, the Grand Canyon State is the focus of negative post-election attention due to the length of time required to tabulate outstanding ballots. Legislative Republicans have highlighted their efforts to improve efficiency and speed of vote counting, as well as Governor Katie Hobbs’ rejection of some of their past proposals.
In a press release on Friday, Senator J.D. Mesnard noted that one of his bills in 2023 would have “resolved the biggest contributor to the delay in final election results while establishing equal treatment of those coming to the polls on or near election day.” Hobbs vetoed this piece of legislation, SB 1595, which would have “required those who decide to hold on to their mailed ballots until after the Friday before election day to follow the same ID requirements as everyone else when dropping off their ballots.”
Senator Mesnard said, “Once again, Arizona is a laughingstock across the country for how long it’s taking our state to determine winners and losers in this election, an election with national implications. This chaos, confusion, frustration, and controversy is nothing new for us and easily could have been avoided this year had the Governor not vetoed SB 1595. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – ignoring this problem is a complete disservice to our voters who are taking their precious time to exercise their civic duty. It also continually puts us in the national spotlight, and not in a good way. We can’t just kick the can down the road every election cycle. My proposal was commonsense, practical to implement, fair to the voters, and would have made a real difference in tackling the lengthy timeline voters and candidates – and the nation – continue to complain about.”
Mesnard vowed to redouble his efforts to resolve the issues plaguing the state’s elections system, adding, “Senate Republicans will work again to send a bill like this to the Governor’s desk next session, and we hope she will do the right thing by signing it this time so we can finally move past this ongoing embarrassment.”
Hobbs failed to provide much of a reason for her veto of this bill in her customary letter to Senate President Warren Petersen in June 2023, writing, “This bill fails to meaningfully address the real challenges facing Arizona voters.”
Two days after this most recent Election Day, Petersen echoed Mesnard’s sentiments in a post on his X account, stating, “I have tried without success to shift us to the Florida model that has a Friday cutoff to drop off early ballots. Current delay is from counting the mail ballots dropped day of, which have to be signature verified. Maybe I can get enough support now to get it to the finish line.”
A handful of Republican legislators agreed with Petersen’s sentiments for the solution to Arizona’s issues. State Representative Selina Bliss said, “I sponsored this bill our last two sessions and the House Chair of the Elections Committee wouldn’t hear it. I will be sponsoring it again. So glad to have a Senate champion Warren Petersen to get this done!!”
Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope weighed in, saying, “Let’s put the bill to shift to the Florida model on Governor Hobbs desk!”
State Representative Justin Wilmeth added, “I’ll definitely support a shift to this model!”
Arizona Senator Wendy Rogers stated, “Yes, we have been TRYING and will PERSEVERE!”
It wasn’t just Republicans at the state legislature noting the issues facing Arizona elections. Laurie Roberts, a columnist at The Arizona Republic, wrote a piece this week entitled, “Why does it take Arizona so long to count votes? This problem is fixable.” Roberts wrote, “I think it’s time to put the early back in early ballots. If you want to vote on Election Day, then go vote the old-fashioned way – in person.” She also said, “…it’s just not realistic that nearly a quarter of a million people can drop off early ballots on Election Day, then expect to know who won a close race on election night. In a swing state, no less. As the world is watching (and, I suspect, wondering what the heck is wrong with Arizona). Fix it in January, please, Arizona legislators.”
Petersen publicly thanked Roberts for her piece and expressed hope that the right legislation would become law this next year. He noted, “Hopefully with your voice and the overwhelming support from AZ citizens it will pass and get signed by the governor.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Sep 23, 2024 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
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.
