by Daniel Stefanski | May 25, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bipartisan bill to protect sex trafficking victims was recently signed into law by Arizona’s Governor.
This week, Governor Katie Hobbs signed HB 2623, which “removes the requirement that a prostitution offense be committed by a person before July 24, 2014 in order for the person to apply to have the conviction vacated due to the person’s status as a sex trafficking victim” – according to the overview from the Arizona House of Representatives.
According to the press release issued by state House Republicans, “under the previous law, victims of sex trafficking could apply to have their prostitution convictions vacated if they could prove that the conviction was a direct result of being trafficked. However, this was only appliable if the offense occurred before July 24, 2014. HB 2623 removes the date restriction, allowing victims to apply regardless of when the offense occurred.
State Representative Matt Gress, the sponsor of the legislation, issued a statement following the governor’s positive action on his bill, writing, “Not every victim of sex trafficking is ready or able to share their story at the time of their prosecution. Coming forward is often a long and difficult process. That’s why this new law is important for victims, ensuring they can seek justice and clear their names, no matter when their exploitation occurred.”
Gress added, “I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Sheri Lopez, founder of the non-profit organization Pearl at the Mailbox, a resource for victims of human trafficking. “Sheri testified before several legislative committees, bravely sharing her personal story to educate legislators about the present-day horrors of human trafficking. Her advocacy has been instrumental in bringing about this important legislative change, and her heart to help and heal other victims is an inspiration for us all.”
In February, the bill passed the Arizona House with a 57-0 tally (with two members not voting and one seat vacant). The Arizona Senate amended the proposal in April and approved of the latest version with a 26-1 vote (with three members not voting). The House then concurred with the Senate’s changes with a 57-0 vote (with three members not voting), before sending the legislation to the Governor’s Office for Hobbs’ decision.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Arizona Association of Counties, Middle Ground Prison Reform, Arizona National Organization for Women, and State Conference NAACP signed in to endorse the bill.
HB 2623 will go into effect 90 days following the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Apr 24, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
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.
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.
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.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Emotions are high at the Arizona Legislature over the state’s near ban on abortions.
After the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the longtime statute governing (and outlawing) most abortions was, in fact, the effective law of the state, legislators sought to enact changes to that policy. Last week, a coalition of State House Democrats and Republican Representative Matthew Gress sought immediate floor consideration of HB 2677, which would repeal the controversial law in question – Section 13-3603. That bill had been sponsored by Democrat Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, who had attempted previously in the session to force a vote on this proposal.
Before the vote on the repeal, the House successfully recessed and then adjourned, ensuring that the near prohibition on abortions in Arizona remained intact for at least another week.
Democrats were furious at the events transpiring on the floor, turning their outrage on Gress, who they accused of supporting the call for recess. In unison, they shouted “Shame,” pointing in the freshman lawmaker’s and other Republicans’ direction as he turned to gaggle with members of the press.
Representative Gress claimed that “Arizonans want us to find common ground on the important issue of abortion. We must repeal the Territorial Ban and return to the more reasonable 15-week policy that protects women and new life.”
Gress not only attracted political anger from the left, but from his colleagues on the right. Fellow freshman legislator Alexander Kolodin unleashed his perception of the day’s happenings, writing, “Rep. Gress did not facilitate today’s Democrat takeover of the Arizona House, he led it. In breaking the rules he voted for, he put his Republican comrades in swing districts in the line of fire for the sake of his own political ambitions, betrayed the pro-life movement, and denied the body the opportunity for the deliberation and discussion due this sensitive topic.”
House Speaker Ben Toma was not happy with the scene that unfolded on his floor, releasing a statement against the actions of the Democrats. He said, “One thing is clear: Democrats are so eager to enshrine in our state constitution a right to kill unborn children up until birth with virtually no restrictions. Under the Democrats’ view, partial birth abortions would be allowed, and minors could get abortions on demand without parental consent or a court order. That’s not healthcare or reproductive care. The Democrats’ approach to this issue is unconscionable, it’s extreme, and Arizonans do not agree with such an unrestricted right to abortion that would jeopardize women’s health and safety.”
He added, “The issue of abortion and protecting the lives of the unborn is a very emotionally charged, complicated issue, one which many Arizonans and legislators fundamentally and ethically have firm beliefs. The Court’s 47-page ruling was released just yesterday, and we as an elected body are going to take the time needed to listen to our constituents and carefully consider appropriate actions, rather than rush legislation on a topic of this magnitude without a larger discussion. These are difficult conversations we all need to have, and we absolutely cannot have them when Democrat legislators act as uncivilly, and engage in appallingly childish behavior, as we saw on the House floor today. That’s not how we debate important issues down here and I find it completely unacceptable and disappointing. We who are elected to serve in the Arizona House of Representatives are expected to conduct ourselves with decorum and integrity. That’s not negotiable and something I will always uphold as Speaker of the House.”
Legislators will try again to repeal the near ban on abortions when they return on Wednesday. If they are successful, it would mark the first time in the state’s history that the Arizona Legislature “affirmatively created a right to, or independently authorized, elective abortion” – as pointed out by the State Supreme Court in its opinion last week. Should 13-3603 be repealed, the 15-week ban, which was signed into statute in 2022, would likely become the prevailing law of the state, allowing for abortions to occur up to that point in time.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Mar 23, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to address Arizona’s homelessness crisis is advancing through the state legislature.
On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2782, which would “establish a new Homeless Shelter and Services Fund, create new criminal violations involving drugs in homeless service zones, [and] transfer $5,500,000 from the FY 2024 Housing Trust Fund deposit and $50,000,000 from the Consumer Remediation Subaccount” – according to the overview provided by the chamber.
The bill, which was sponsored by State Representative Matthew Gress, was approved along party lines, with a vote of 31-28 (with one member not voting).
Gress, a Republican, wrote, “Arizona’s homelessness crisis is among the worst in the country. Between 2013-2023, total homelessness has skyrocketed nearly 300%. Our voters want us to take decisive action, and it doesn’t involve building our way out of this challenge. We must fund adequate treatment for addiction and mental health, establish greater accountability for our providers and individuals living in the streets, and allow law enforcement to do their job and arrest people who break the law. HB 2782 advances all of these priorities.”
The second-year lawmaker encouraged bipartisan cooperation on his proposal, stating, “I thank my Arizona House Republican colleagues for their support in passing this legislation and welcome House and Senate Democrats to take another look at this bill.”
The Cicero Institute responded to the positive action from the Arizona House on the bill, posting, “Thanks to the leadership of Matthew Gress, HB 2782 passed the Arizona house today. This legislation will do immense good in helping reduce homelessness and getting individuals the assistance they need for substance abuse and mental health challenges.”
The legislation received a green light from the House Committee on Appropriations last month with a 9-7 partisan vote. One member was absent.
When HB 2782 was being considered in committee, the Arizona House Democrats Caucus’ “X” account attacked the bill, writing, “Rep. Matt Gress’s NIMBY bill to make homelessness in Arizona worse in now up in Appropriations. HB 2782 criminalizes homelessness and ties the hands of cities using successful solutions like providing hotel rooms for families transitioning from the streets.”
In that committee hearing, Democrat State Representative Judy Schwiebert blasted Gress’ efforts, saying, “I’m really disappointed to see this grandstanding by the sponsor. It doesn’t provide real solutions.”
Republican State Representatives Selina Bliss, Lupe Diaz, David Livingston, and Julie Willoughby joined as co-sponsors on the bill.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from QuikTrip and Cicero Action support the bill. Representatives from Living United for Change in Arizona, Native American Connections, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Chicanos Por La Causa Inc., American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Arizona Public Health Association, Phoenix Community Alliance, The Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Arizona Housing Coalition, National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chamber, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, League of Arizona Cities & Towns, and Vitalyst Health Foundation opposed the legislation.
HB 2782 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.
by Daniel Stefanski | Mar 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans and Democrats are warring over an amended bill in the state legislature that would serve to protect businesses against overreaching government bureaucrats.
On Friday, State Representative Matt Gress sent a letter to Governor Katie Hobbs over her “recent press release voicing opposition to [his] Floor amendment to H.B. 2209.” The bill, which was sponsored by Representative David Livingston, would “add certain responsibilities to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) relating to violations and inspections [and] continue the ICA for three years.”
The proposal passed out of the Arizona House Committee on Commerce with a 10-0 vote before meeting resistance from the chamber’s Democrats after an amendment from Gress. The Republican lawmaker’s amendment did the following:
- Includes a requirement for the determinations, penalties, and fines for labor violations to be considered, authorized, and determined by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of commissioners present and voting.
- Instructs the commissioners to consider whether a violation continues after the employer’s course of conduct has ceased.
- Prohibits the Director from allowing any individual to accompany an inspector when conducting inspections for the ICA unless the individual meets specified criteria as outlined.
House Democrats attacked the amendment, insinuating that it would “make Arizona workplaces a far more dangerous place to be.” The Caucus’ “X” account posted that Gress’ “meddling could result in federal OSHA taking over Arizona’s state workplace oversight responsibilities.”
The amended legislation narrowly passed the chamber with a 31-28 vote (with one seat vacant).
Gress’s amendment earned a response from the Area Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, T. Zachary Barnett, who wrote to the ICA Director, saying, “the impact of House Bill 2209 on the State Plan’s enforcement program would result in the Arizona State Plan not being ALAE [“as least as effective] with respect to who is permitted to participate in an Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) inspection.” Barnett requested “that these changes be omitted from Arizona’s legislation to avoid OSHA reaching an adverse ALAE determination with respect to the Arizona State Plan.”
In his letter to Hobbs, Gress pushed back on OSHA’s assertions, stating that the letter from the federal bureaucrat “does not provide any legitimate reason for opposing H.B. 2209.” Gress said that the amended bill “will prevent potential safety and financial liability from union organizers, outside agitators, and other third parties who may enter Arizona workplaces with accompanying state OSHA inspectors.” He added, “H.B. 2209 maintains the rights of workers to decide for themselves about union representation, protects Arizona businesses from excessive costs and injury claims and infringement upon their property rights, and promotes safety during worksite inspections.”
Gress then made eight arguments to support his amendment against the claims of OSHA and other detractors. Those were that “H.B. 2209 is consistent with 40 years of interpretation of federal law and seeks only to mitigate the harm from a union-backed expansion of OSHA practices proposed by the Biden Administration,” that “Mr. Barnett’s criticism of H.B. 2209’s definition of ‘authorized employee representative’ is baseless because H.B. 2209 mirrors federal law,” that “H.B. 2209 would enable businesses to protect their trade secrets if outsiders are allowed to accompany Arizona OSHA inspectors,” that “H.B. 2209 would enable businesses to preserve safety during inspections that include outsiders in the workplace,” that “H.B. 2209 will reduce abuses from unions, outsiders, and third parties using OSHA as a tactic in ‘corporate campaigns’ to punish businesses whose workers choose not to be represented by a union,” that “Mr. Barnett’s letter neglects to mention the process entailed for federal recognition of Arizona’s State OSHA plan,” that “it is inappropriate for Mr. Barnett to comment on the amendments to ARS 23-108.03 and ARS 23-408(M),” and that “Mr. Barnett’s letter is simply the latest attempt of OSHA’s repeated pattern of bureaucratic rivalry with the Arizona State OSHA plan.”
Gress ended his letter to the governor by urging her “not to be distracted, deterred, or intimidated by the unfounded opinions expressed in Mr. Barnett’s letter,” but “instead [to] stand with Arizona businesses in support of H.B. 2209 and encourage all legislators to vote in favor of H.B. 2209.”
H.B. 2209 now resides in the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
