by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 4, 2024 | Economy, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A longtime Arizona state legislator is highlighting the financial distress of many of his constituents.
Last week, State Senator J.D. Mesnard commented on the misery inflicted on Arizonans by inflation over the past four years of the Biden-Harris Administration. In the Senate Republicans’ weekly newsletter, Mesnard said, “I’ve heard from citizens across Arizona just how difficult it’s become to make ends meet over the past four years, and a new report reveals the financial pain families are enduring under the Harris-Biden Administration. According to the Common Sense Institute’s Arizona Inflation Misery Index, the average Arizonan must spend $9,996 more per year, while the average household must spend $24,972 more per year just to maintain the same quality of life enjoyed in 2019.”
Mesnard added, “I, along with my Republican colleagues at the Legislature, fundamentally believe government should not tax our citizens more than necessary to support core services. This notion is even more important during massive inflation, which is why I’m pleased Arizona Republicans banded together to implement the largest tax cut in state history for our citizens. Every income taxpayer is currently benefiting from a 2.5% flat tax, and I’m looking forward to doing more for our taxpayers next session.”
The Republican lawmaker 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.
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 is facing a tough challenge from Democrat nominee, Sharon Winters, in the upcoming 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.”
The winner of the state legislative contest could be vital to determining party control of the chamber in the next session. Arizona Republicans enjoy very narrow margins in both the state House and Senate.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Oct 19, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Democrat Nicholas Gonzales, a House candidate for legislative district 13, was convicted for filing a false report to law enforcement.
Gonzales falsely reported his son as missing to police in 2021 during a planned custody swap, according to court records obtained by the Arizona Republic. That false report occurred about a month after Gonzales was found to be in contempt of court.
Gonzales claimed to police that his son was not at the designated meeting point for parenting time and that he didn’t know his son’s location. However, text messages obtained by officers revealed that Gonzales had arranged for the grandmother to pick up his son. Gonzales later admitted in court that he knew this to be the truth.
For filing a false claim about his son being missing, Gonzales was convicted of false reporting to law enforcement and received a suspended sentence.
The 2021 false report was part of a struggle with his ex-wife, Kurstie Ortiz, over their son dating back to 2012. Court records indicated that Gonzales would make threats to Ortiz, and that Gonzales’ son expressed fears over Gonzales finding out about his communication with his mother while spending time with Gonzales.
For years, Gonzales owed thousands in child support as well. Ortiz’s attorney told the Arizona Republic that he still has yet to pay the over $12,000 in lawyers’ fees he was ordered to pay her in 2021. Gonzales did reportedly pay a portion of the $6,500 in unpaid child support.
In that court order, the Maricopa County Superior Court found Gonzales in contempt for refusing to follow the parenting plan as well as failing to pay child support.
Gonzales’ past clearly doesn’t outweigh the Arizona Democratic Party’s need to secure a Democratic majority in the legislature.
Governor Katie Hobbs held an event over the weekend encouraging turnout for Gonzales and other candidates. Hobbs’ campaign manager denied that Hobbs had any knowledge of the troubles with Gonzales’ custody dispute.
Gonzales issued the following statement after details of his divorce records went public:
“When I became a father at 18 years old, I made a promise to my child that I would be a present and active part of his life. Though my relationship with his mother ultimately ended, I remained committed to being a part of his life and upbringing. I have always been transparent about the challenges I faced as a young parent and while navigating the family court system was at times frustrating, I am proud of the progress made and that his mother and I are amicably co-parenting. Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our child, which includes raising him in a healthy and respectful environment. I am saddened that this difficult period of my family’s life is being used in an attempt to discredit my campaign but these tactics are typical from the Republican Party, which holds no standards or boundaries. I am proud of the father and man I am today and know that voters will see through this clear attempt to undermine my ability to lead in office.”
Ortiz denied Gonzales’ claim that the two are “amicably co-parenting” their son, saying that it wasn’t true.
Gonzales and Brandy Reese are the two Democratic candidates in the race, looking to fill the seat vacated by Jennifer Pawlik and unseat Republican Julie Willoughby (the named replacement for Liz Harris, who was expelled last year). Another Republican candidate, Jeff Weninger, is also running.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Sep 6, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A Phoenix-area nurse and mother is key to Arizona Republicans’ chances to hang onto control of the state House of Representatives.
Julie Willoughby is running for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 13, covering several east valley communities. Willoughby is a first-time officeholder in the state legislature, having been appointed to serve in the chamber by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in May 2023. She is a mother of two and an Emergency Room trauma nurse who also makes time to serve in her church.
On her campaign website, Willoughby makes the case for voters to return her to the state House for another term in office. She writes, “By asking for your vote, I am asking you to believe in me; to put your faith in me. So I think it’s important that I share my ‘Why.’ My husband Brice and I have two wonderful children. We are like many of you – a happy growing family living in the present but with a careful eye on the future. We moved our family to Chandler over 5 years ago because it offered everything we wanted for our family – lots of young active parents, safe communities, and plenty of parks all wrapped up in a lovely, family-friendly vibe. We were thrilled to be part of such a wonderful city!”
The Republican legislator continued, “Once we got settled in, we started considering the bigger questions. How do we ensure our family’s safety? How do we safeguard our access to the best possible education for our children? How do we protect our family business so that it continues to flourish and grow? These important questions and many others led Brice and I to a discussion about how we could become more vocal and involved. Always avid voters, we were keenly aware that every vote counts, but what about the things that don’t end up on a ballot? How can we raise our voice for ALL issues that impact our family and so many others?”
Willoughby added, “After much discussion, soul-searching and prayer, the answer was crystal clear to both of us – we would run for the legislature, to protect the future of our family and yours. Brice and I have no doubt that this is the path God had planned for us all along, and we couldn’t be more excited to enter this new chapter of public service.”
Since entering the legislature in May 2023, Willoughby has been extremely active and focused on solutions for the men and women she represents in the easy valley of the Phoenix-metro area. Last year, Willoughby announced that she had “spearheaded the expansion of the Arizona Resource Equity & Access Coordination Hub (AZ REACH), a pioneering program that facilitates the seamless transfer of medical patients, providing critical support to hospitals across the state.”
Willoughby’s release revealed that the AZ REACH Program “has been instrumental in facilitating the seamless transfer of over 4,000 patients, with an impressive acceptance rate exceeding 90 percent,” adding that “the program streamlines the transfer process by facilitating calls for placement, connecting practitioners, and following through on placement progress, allowing referring facility team members to focus on care.” AZ REACH started in December 2022.
In a statement about this positive development, Representative Willoughby said, “As a nurse, I know that the AZ REACH program helps save practitioners time and patients’ lives. With the introduction of AZ STEP, we are taking a monumental step towards improving patient care, throughput, and access to specialty services, particularly in our smaller rural hospitals. During peak times, it’s imperative that clinical staff can focus on patients’ needs without being burdened by transfer logistics. AZ STEP will bridge this gap further, ensuring patients receive the care they require.”
The freshman lawmaker also issued a press release in September 2023 to announce that she had secured $2.25 million in the state budget “intended to support the efforts of the Chandler Police Department in their fight against Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).” The release informed readers that the funding would “empower law enforcement to employ cutting-edge technology and enhance critical investigative capabilities in their pursuit of justice,” adding that the support would “combat heinous offenses that not only impact our state but resonate across the nation.”
In a statement accompanying her announcement about ICAC, Willoughby said, “Backing those dedicated to upholding the safety and security of our community, and especially our children, is a cornerstone of my commitment as a state representative. This funding will equip the Chandler Police Department with advanced technology and resources dedicated to combatting Internet Crimes Against Children and other high priority criminal cases, safeguarding our communities and preserving the innocence of our youth. By investing in this critical area, we are taking a significant step forward in ensuring a safer Arizona for all.”
Earlier this year, Willoughby sponsored HB 2183, which would have “entitle[d] parents with the right to receive from a healthcare entity equivalent access to any electronic portal or other healthcare delivery platform for their minor child.” According to Willoughby’s press release, her bill would have increased the protections afforded to parents in the Arizona parents’ bill of rights by “guaranteeing parents’ equal access to healthcare delivery platforms like online medical portals to care for their minor children.”
Unfortunately for parental rights in Arizona, Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed the proposal when it reached her desk, writing, “The measure as written could put the health and safety of vulnerable Arizonans at risk.”
Willoughby was greatly disappointed by the governor’s action. After the veto, she said, “I am deeply dismayed by Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto HB 2183. This was important legislation designed to assist Arizona families, particularly those with children suffering from chronic diseases, access vital medical records, which are often required for arranging specialty follow-up appointments, surgeries, or consultations with out-of-state specialists. The governor’s veto means that families will continue to face unnecessary hurdles in obtaining the critical information they need, precisely when they need it most, especially during urgent health crises. This decision not only undermines the welfare of vulnerable families but also impedes their access to necessary healthcare information.”
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.
Willoughby is running alongside former legislator Jeff Weninger for the two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives in the district. The two Republicans are facing off against Democrats Nicholas Gonzales and Brandy Reese in November’s General Election in what figures to be an exciting showdown for the right to represent the constituents of Legislative District 13.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Aug 26, 2024 | Economy, News
By Staff Reporter |
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.
by Daniel Stefanski | Aug 8, 2024 | News
By Staff Repoter |
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.
