by Corinne Murdock | Nov 3, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Gov. Katie Hobbs is now taking credit for the family tax rebate she opposed initially — and had a state agency break the law in doing so, according to legislative leaders.
Hobbs championed the tax rebate on Tuesday with several surprise links crediting herself for the Arizona Families Tax Rebate Program, including an Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) application page for the program displaying her headshot. In a video and press release, Hobbs indicated that she played a major role in passing and had always fully supported the initiative.
“I made a promise that when I took office, I would take every opportunity I had to make it easier for Arizonans to provide for their families,” said Hobbs. “I’m so pleased to be able to deliver this relief.”
However, the webpage and promotional material in concert with Hobbs’ announcement runs afoul of the law on the rebate.
“[N]o letter relating to the Arizona families tax rebate issued under this section shall be sent from the governor’s office, be sent on the governor’s letterhead, or reference the governor’s office,” read SB 1734.
Sen. President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) and House Speaker Ben Toma (R-LD27) issued a cease and desist letter to ADOR over Hobbs’ announcement. The letter declared that the application page that Hobbs directed Arizonans to use was an impermissible detour and an illegal expenditure of public funds.
“While any violation of a controlling statute is troubling in its own right, the Department’s letter compounds an institutional insult with injury to Arizona taxpayers by unlawfully expending significant sums of public money to disseminate what is, in part, a political message,” stated the letter.
The budget did include a somewhat prophetic provision concerning Hobbs: a worry that the governor would subvert policy for political gain.
“Animating this provision was the Legislature’s concern that Governor Katie Hobbs would subvert a commonsense policy measure into a self-serving political stunt on the taxpayers’ dime,” stated the cease and desist letter. “[T]he Department impermissibly misdirected rebate recipients on a detour through the Governor’s curated, self-promotional online platform. This is clear violation of Arizona law.”
State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-LD15), chairman of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, lamented that ADOR would be on the hook for Hobbs’ public relations display.
“The sad reality exposed by this situation is that Katie Hobbs doesn’t care about anyone other than herself. She tried to play fast and loose with the law, as she so often does, and forced Director Woods to violate it,” said Hoffman. “Thanks to Hobbs, he is now personally liable for $2M+ in illegally spent funds, a 20 percent penalty, court costs, and attorneys’ fees. And with a statute of limitations of 5 years, Katie has given Director Woods the gift of many sleepless nights for years to come.”
Hoffman advised other government agencies to take heed of ADOR’s alleged mistake by resisting pressure from the governor to act and by keeping receipts for everything the governor and her office may request.
Concerning Hobbs taking credit for the program, State Sen. President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16) indicated in a response post that she wanted “no part” of it. Shope said credit was due to the Arizona Freedom Caucus.
“I know the Governor wanted no part of this tax rebate but thankfully, the @AZSenateGOP & @AZHouseGOP caucuses, led by the @AZFreedomCaucus, stood strong and demanded it be part of the State Budget,” said Shope.
State Rep. Austin Smith responded that no House or Senate Democrats contributed to the tax rebate package initiated by the Arizona Freedom Caucus.
Hobbs’ spokesman, Christian Slater, told Capitol Media Services that the governor had supported the tax rebate by signing the budget, despite her initial opposition to the program.
The Sen. Republican Caucus similarly criticized Hobbs for failing to ascribe credit to those who came up with and fought for the rebate.
“You’re a little late to the party,” said the caucus. “Glad you love Republican policies as much as we do. They really do make our state a better place to live, work, and play.”
Sam Stone, “Breaking Battle” radio show host and former Phoenix City Council candidate, called Hobbs’ 180 on the program “pathetic.”
The Arizona Families Tax Rebate Program entitles Arizona taxpayers with dependent children a single payment of up to $750. Approximately 750,000 Arizona families may be eligible.
The rebate metes out to $250 per dependent under the age of 17 and $100 per dependent over the age of 17 as claimed on 2021 returns. A taxpayer can’t claim more than three dependents, regardless of age.
Eligible taxpayers are those who: filed a full-year resident personal income tax return for the 2021 tax year; claimed at least one dependent tax credit for the 2021 tax return; filed the 2021 tax year Arizona personal income tax return as the only taxpayer on a single, married filing separate, or Head of Household return, or as the primary or first-listed taxpayer if filed jointly; and had at least $1 in Arizona personal income tax liability in tax year 2021, 2020, or 2019.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by AZ Free Enterprise Club | Oct 30, 2023 | Opinion
By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |
Following in the footsteps of his predecessor (now-Governor Katie Hobbs), Secretary of State Adrian Fontes appears determined to implement an Election Procedures Manual (EPM) that is ripe with unlawful provisions. The EPM is used by election officials throughout the state as the rulebook to conduct and run elections, so it is critically important that every provision in the manual strictly adheres to state law.
Now, fresh off an important legal win over the illegal signature verification process in the EPM, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, along with the Thomas More Society, is suing Fontes once again—this time over unstaffed ballot drop boxes…
An Illegal Method of Voting
Arizona law establishes four different methods for secure early voting. According to A.R.S. § 16-548(A), an early ballot shall either be:
- Delivered to the officer in charge of elections, typically the county recorder.
- Mailed to the officer in charge of elections, typically the county recorder.
- Deposited by the voter at any polling place in the county.
- Deposited by the voter’s agent (family member, household member, caregiver) at any polling place in the county.
Did you catch that? Nowhere in the law does it allow for the use of unstaffed drop boxes. In fact, if you read through Fontes’ EPM, you’ll notice something…
>>> CONTINUE READING >>>
by Daniel Stefanski | Oct 28, 2023 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A new council is renewing a political feud between Arizona’s Democrat Governor and a prominent state senator.
After Governor Katie Hobbs announced that she had established the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Council and the Disability Community Advisory Council, Senator Jake Hoffman released a blistering statement against her latest action.
Hobbs made her announcement, citing her “commitment to building an Arizona for everyone.” She shared that the DEIA Council, “whose membership will mirror Arizona’s diversity, will work with state agencies to promote equity within the government, as well as deliver fair, community-centered services to traditionally underserved groups.” The governor also stated that the Disability Community Advisory Council would “meet with the Office of Outreach & Engagement and (her) quarterly to exchange the Disability Community’s priorities and keep the communication lines open between us.”
The first-year governor burnished her motivations behind the Councils’ creations, saying, “Diversity is Arizona’s greatest strength, and I’m proud to honor it by assembling these two councils. I look forward to working with them to uplift everyone.”
Senator Hoffman was quick to respond to the governor’s announcement, issuing a press release to accuse Hobbs of breaking Arizona State law with her “latest stunt.” His release pointed to a new Arizona law, A.R.S. 41-1494, which “prohibits this state, or any of its agencies, from using public monies for any training that ‘presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex,’ which is a foundational concept of diversity, equity and inclusion theory.”
Hoffman warned Arizonans of the dangers of the expected efforts of this fledgling Council, writing, “I championed legislation in 2021 to prevent exactly what Katie Hobbs is trying to do. Not only may the state not spend any funds on this type of training, but it cannot require state employees to be subject to this type of indoctrination. Taxpayer dollars should never be used for anything other than public good. Diversity, equity, and inclusion training is divisive and racist progressive propaganda. It will harm our good-faith efforts to serve our citizens. It will also harm the culture of a hard work ethic established within our state agencies that rewards individuals based on qualifications, experience, and merit, not skin color.”
The East Valley lawmaker added, “Instead of focusing on the real issues hurting our Arizona citizens, like soaring inflation, outrageous gas prices, a major housing shortage, water security, and a border crisis threatening the safety of our communities, Katie Hobbs is attempting to once again appeal to her radical left supporters by pushing woke garbage down the throats of our public employees through her creation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Council. This move is an obvious cover for her racist past of not only nominating an antisemitic to lead the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, but also for her wrongful firing of a black state employee that ended up costing Arizona taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.”
The release from Senator Hoffman encouraged State of Arizona government employees to file complaints if they experienced “this propaganda being presented or enforced” in their workplaces. He gave readers the link to the Arizona Ombudsman Citizens’ Aide and his legislative email for their quick references.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Oct 27, 2023 | Education, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona State Board of Education is welcoming a new member.
On Monday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs appointed Anna Tovar to the State Board of Education.
Tovar is a current member of the Arizona Corporation Commission. She previously served on the Tolleson City Council, including as Vice Mayor before being elected as Mayor. Tovar also served for several years in the Arizona Legislature, where she quickly ascended to leadership for the Democrat Party in both chambers.
“I have been a champion of the public school system my entire career. I started out as a kindergarten teacher in the Tolleson Elementary School District and I believe strong public schools are critical for the future of Arizona,” said Anna Tovar. “I thank Governor Hobbs for the opportunity to serve on the State Board of Education. I am excited to get to work for our students, parents, and educators.”
“Anna’s perspective as an educator and dedicated public servant makes her the ideal person to join the State Board of Education,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “With her leadership and experience as an educator and mentor, I’m confident that the Board will be well positioned to protect public education and ensure every Arizona student has the tools they need to thrive.”
A spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Education told AZ Free News, “Superintendent Horne is looking forward to having a productive working relationship with Board Member Tovar.”
As the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Horne is a member of the eleven-person State Board of Education. Other members include Dr. Daniel P. Corr (President), Katherine Haley (Vice President), Jason S. Catanese, Dr. Jacqui Clay, Jennifer Clark, Dr. Scott Hagerman, Julia Meyerson, Karla Phillips-Krivickas, and Dr. Robert C. Robbins.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Oct 23, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has agreed to take up a case that would have an impact on Gov. Katie Hobbs’ past censorship activities.
The case, Murthy v. Missouri, focuses on the alleged coordinated campaign by government officials and social media companies to suppress and censor certain speech on major public issues, specifically the COVID-19 lab leak theory, pandemic lockdowns, vaccine side effects, election fraud, and the Hunter Biden laptop story. Hobbs, while secretary of state and during her gubernatorial campaign, coordinated with social media companies to remove certain speech online.
Hobbs’ then-chief of staff and former assistant secretary of state, Allie Bones, said in a statement prior to Hobbs’ inauguration that it was the job of governments to purge the public square of perceived misinformation and disinformation.
“One of the ways we [make sure that voters are informed] is by working to counter disinformation online that can confuse voters,” stated Bones. “This is yet another example of conspiracy theorists trying to create chaos and confusion by casting doubt on our election system. It’s unfair to Arizona voters and it’s harmful to our democracy.”
Although SCOTUS accepted consideration of Murthy v. Missouri, they didn’t accept a lower court’s injunction preventing government officials from continuing their coordination with social media companies to moderate online speech. Justices John Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson together granted the Biden administration’s petition to remove the injunction, effectively permitting the government to engage in censorship online.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the SCOTUS majority’s suspension of the injunction was “disturbing,” and that any censorship of private speech is antithetical to democracy. Alito dismissed the Biden administration’s argument that an injunction against coordinating with social media companies to control citizens’ speech was the same as preventing government officials from speaking on a matter.
“The injunction applies only when the Government crosses the line and begins to coerce or control others’ exercise of their free-speech rights,” said Alito. “Does the Government think that the First Amendment allows Executive Branch officials to engage in such conduct? Does it have plans for this to occur between now and the time when the case is decided?”
Alito further declared that SCOTUS had effectively ruled to allow the Biden administration to continue with its First Amendment violations identified by the lower courts.
“At this time in the history of our country, what the Court has done, I fear, will be seen by some as giving the Government a green light to use heavy-handed tactics to skew the presentation of views on the medium that increasingly dominates the dissemination of news,” said Alito. “That is most unfortunate.”
Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch joined Alito in his dissent.
Gov. Hobbs issued an emergency heat declaration with an expired enforcement date the day after additional emails revealing her coordinated censorship efforts were released. Hobbs dismissed the emails as a “sideshow,” but didn’t deny allegations of maintaining unscrupulous relationships with major social media companies.
Hobbs’ past coordination with social media companies prompted the House to establish an interim ad hoc committee on Oversight, Accountability, and Big Tech. The committee first convened in September and met once more earlier this month.
While SCOTUS contemplates the case, Hobbs already has defense provided by the state’s chief legal officer.
In August, Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a 21-state coalition of Democratic attorneys general opposing the then-active federal injunction. Mayes declared that control over free speech is paramount to public safety, implying that governmental interest in safety outweighs the constitutional right of free speech.
“Social media companies and government officials must have open communication in order to ensure the safety of Americans online,” said Mayes. “A pillar of the U.S. government is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens. The lower court’s decision impedes on this protection and means federal, state and local officials cannot contact social media companies about dangerous online content.”
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
