by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Last week, Arizona lawmakers passed SB 1164, also known as the “AZ ICE Act.” The bill, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), seeks to strengthen cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement. It now awaits consideration by Governor Katie Hobbs.
The legislation, which passed the Arizona House along party lines with full Republican support, prohibits state and local government entities from enacting policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a process for enforcing compliance: if a city or county is suspected of violating the law, a complaint may be filed with the Arizona Attorney General, triggering an investigation under Arizona Revised Statutes §41-194.01—commonly referred to as a “1487 investigation.” Jurisdictions found in violation could have state-shared revenues withheld until they comply.
“I applaud my colleagues… for supporting this vital action to help safeguard our communities from dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” said Petersen. “It’s time for the Governor to put politics aside… and protect innocent men, women, and children.”
The AZ ICE Act prohibits state and local government agencies from blocking cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; authorizes the Arizona Attorney General to investigate and penalize non-compliant jurisdictions; requires county sheriffs and the Arizona Department of Corrections to honor immigration detainer requests; and it allows law enforcement agencies to enter into 287(g) agreements with the federal government, deputizing local officers to perform certain federal immigration enforcement duties.
The AZ ICE Act mirrors efforts in other states to support federal immigration enforcement amid ongoing national debates about border security and states’ roles in immigration policy. Proponents argue such measures are necessary to prevent the release of undocumented immigrants with criminal records and to ensure local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bill now heads to Governor Hobbs’ desk. If signed, the AZ ICE Act would take effect later this year. As the immigration debate continues, Arizona remains a key player in shaping the conversation on border policy, enforcement, and public safety.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 12, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A bill designed to direct more tax revenue toward Arizona’s K-12 classrooms has been vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, prompting criticism from Republican lawmakers who say the measure would have strengthened public education funding.
SB 1050, sponsored by Senator Vince Leach (R-LD17), sought to amend the Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) program by prohibiting the abatement of school district-designated tax revenues. Under current law, cities and towns can lease government-owned property to private developers with reduced tax obligations, an incentive intended to promote commercial development.
The bill would have excluded school-related tax revenues from such incentives, allowing those funds to flow directly to local school districts instead of being waived under development agreements.
“This was a missed opportunity by the Governor,” said Leach. “She says she supports education funding, but her veto suggests otherwise.”
In her veto letter, Governor Hobbs explained that SB 1050 could “stunt Arizona’s economic development” by weakening a tool used by local governments to attract private investment. The GPLET program, though controversial, has been credited with revitalizing parts of urban Arizona by lowering upfront development costs in exchange for long-term gains.
Arizona schools continue to face funding pressures despite recent increases to the state’s education budget. Republican lawmakers have often pushed for reallocating existing tax revenues, while Democrats have generally sought new funding sources or changes to the state’s tax structure.
SB 1050 passed both legislative chambers before being vetoed, signaling at least some bipartisan concern about the balance between development incentives and education funding.
Senator Leach and other supporters of the bill may pursue similar legislation in future sessions or attempt a veto override, although success would require significant bipartisan support. Meanwhile, the broader debate over how to equitably fund Arizona’s public schools is likely to continue.
“This is about priorities,” Leach said. “We should be making sure our tax dollars are going to classrooms, not corporate subsidies.”
The Governor’s office has not indicated whether alternative proposals to increase school funding through tax reforms are in the works.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 10, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona legislature passed a bill recognizing the existence of only two genders and defining sex-based terms.
The Senate passed HB 2062 on Tuesday along party lines.
The bill from State Rep. Lisa Fink established definitions for the two genders and all related gendered terms: “boy” defined as “a human male who has not yet reached adulthood”; “father” defined as “a male parent of a child or children as defined by law”; “female” defined as “an individual who has, naturally had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova”; “girl” defined as “a human female who has not yet reached adulthood”; “male” defined as “an individual who has, naturally had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces sperm for fertilization of female ova”; “man” defined as “an adult human of the male sex”; and “mother” defined as “a female parent of a child or children as defined by law.”
HB 2062 also defined “sex” to mean “a person’s biological sex, either male or female, at birth.”
Governor Katie Hobbs is unlikely to approve this bill. She vetoed similar legislation last year (SB 1628), writing in a brief explanation letter that she would not harm residents of the state.
“As I have said time and again, I will not sign legislation that attacks Arizonans,” wrote Hobbs.
Hobbs has declared that individuals become the gender they believe they are, as opposed to their biological sex.
The Independent Women’s Network (IWN) — a grassroots activist group heavily involved in preserving sports participation based on biological sex — launched a campaign to urge Hobbs to go back on her past stances on transgenderism and sign HB2062 into law. One of IWN’s most prominent ambassadors is Riley Barker (nee Gaines), the collegiate swimmer turned political activist after losing to Lia Thomas, a male swimmer who identifies as a female.
“Call upon Governor Hobbs to sign this common sense, pro-woman measure into law to prevent sex discrimination in Arizona,” stated IWN. “We cannot fight sex discrimination if we cannot define ‘sex.’”
Senate Democrats argued for the reality of transgenderism. State Sen. Analise Ortiz said that males who believe they are females should be viewed as such.
“This should terrify us because trans women and girls are already a vulnerable population and this would only make them more vulnerable,” said Ortiz. “The explicit goal is to erase trans people from public life, including causing them to lose their jobs. It is wrong. We just need to respect people for who they are.”
The bill passed out of the House in February, where it also passed along party lines.
State Rep. Stephanie Simacek called the reality of gender “narrow and outdated.”
State Rep. Lorena Austin cited “her lived experience” as a “nonbinary” and “gender nonconforming” to argue against the bill. Austin claimed Christians had no right to determine what constituted gender in the law.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 10, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona has enacted a new law that aims to boost the state’s environmental health workforce and combat foodborne illness by making it easier for health professionals to become registered sanitarians.
HB 2145, sponsored by Representative Selina Bliss (R-LD1), was signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs following unanimous passage through the legislature. The bill shortens experience requirements and clarifies educational standards for those seeking to register as sanitarians in Arizona.
Under the new law, aspiring sanitarians can qualify for registration with three years (reduced from five) of experience as a sanitarian aide in a public health agency or related private sector role; three years (down from five) of full-time military duty in environmental health; or 30 semester hours of college credit in relevant subjects, including 22 hours in natural sciences (clarified from a general 30-hour natural science requirement).
“I have had food poisoning five times in my life, so I can testify that this is important!” Bliss posted on X. “This law addresses our workforce shortage to protect the public from food-borne illness.”
These updates aim to expand the pool of eligible candidates while maintaining rigorous standards for public health professionals.
Sanitarians play a critical role in public safety, conducting environmental health investigations, evaluating hazardous agents, ensuring compliance with public health regulations, and advising on disease prevention efforts. The Arizona Sanitarians’ Council sets the standards for registration and professional practice.
The need for reform became apparent as agencies across Arizona cited difficulties recruiting qualified professionals, especially in rural areas and during public health emergencies. Advocates for the bill said modernizing the law would help meet demand without compromising safety.
Environmental health staffing shortages are not unique to Arizona. Across the United States, state and local agencies have struggled to fill roles vital to preventing outbreaks and ensuring food safety. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained these systems, bringing renewed attention to public health infrastructure and prompting efforts to expand the workforce.
Arizona’s passage of HB 2145 signals a bipartisan acknowledgment of the need for proactive measures to strengthen the state’s public health readiness. The new law will take effect later this year.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A set of brand new polls from Kreate Strategies, released on last week, shows that Arizona Republicans favor Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) in the upcoming 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election by approximately a 5-to-1 margin. In a potential General Election matchup, Biggs maintains a two-point advantage over incumbent Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs. Previous polling showed Biggs with a one-point advantage.
The polls, shared by Sean Noble, President of American Encore, queried 842 GOP likely voters for the Primary Election and 1,070 likely voters (39% Republican, 32% Democrat, 30% No Party Preference) for the General Election. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Noble wrote, “This poll is yet another indicator that Congressman Andy Biggs is the clear choice for Republicans to be their nominee against the failed policies of Governor Hobbs. It also shows that Biggs gives Republicans the best chance to defeat Governor Hobbs in November 2026.”
The polling revealed that Biggs holds a significant 54-point lead over fellow Republican contender Karrin Taylor Robson, 67% to 13%. He maintains a two-point lead over Hobbs 48% to 46% with 6% undecided. Conversely in the General Election polling Robson trails Hobbs 41% to 42% with 17% undecided.
Regarding favorability, the numbers around Biggs and Hobbs appear to have solidified along partisan lines with Hobbs showing 44% overall favorability and a 49% unfavorable view while Biggs holds a 49% favorability with only 33% of likely voters holding an unfavorable view. Robson’s favorability remains wide open but trending negative with 29% favorability, 44% unfavorable view, and 27% undecided.
Among Republicans specifically in the Primary race, Biggs holds an 86% favorability versus Robson who holds a 48% favorability.
In previous polling reported by AZ Free News in January and February, Congressman Biggs has consistently led the field in polls from Data Orbital, Kreate Strategies, and NicoPAC. He has seen the most movement in closing the gap with independent voters and increasing overall favorability.
Among Arizona voters top concerns are inflation, jobs, and costs with 27%, followed by immigration and border patrol with 21%, followed by quality of education and water policy with 9% and 8%, respectively. Among Republicans, immigration remains the top concern with 43% and 18% concerned with inflation, jobs, and cost of living.
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.
