For anyone who has lived in Yuma, the sound of military aircraft overhead isn’t unusual. It’s part of daily life.
So perhaps it is fitting that an effort to significantly expand property tax relief for Arizona’s disabled veterans has roots here.
The reforms, championed by Rep. Michael Carbone, whose Legislative District 25 includes portions of Yuma and Maricopa counties, have unfolded over multiple legislative sessions. They significantly expand Arizona’s property tax benefits for disabled veterans, with additional changes taking effect in tax year 2027.
But the story didn’t begin at the Capitol. It began with his constituents.
Yuma resident and military veteran Josh Pembleton wrote the original constituent proposal and brought it to Carbone about two years ago. Fellow veteran Josh Wright also provided his thoughts and perspective as the idea developed.
“That makes me so proud, because it came from our citizens,” Carbone said.
Pembleton said the idea grew from conversations with veterans frustrated by Arizona’s existing property tax exemption system. Income restrictions and other requirements meant too few veterans were benefiting from the policies already in place.
He began looking at what other states were doing and saw an opportunity for Arizona to do better.
“I think it is more than fair to provide a benefit to those that have sustained lifelong injuries while providing service to our great country,” Pembleton said. “If the VA recognizes these veterans in reference to disability rating, we should too.”
Barry Todd, also a veteran, was part of the effort, listening to disabled veterans across Arizona about where the system was falling short.
“Our goal was never political,” Todd said. “We simply wanted the law to reflect the sacrifices veterans made and remove barriers that kept them from receiving benefits they had earned.”
That persistence eventually paid off.
Arizona now provides a full property tax exemption on the primary residence of qualifying veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Veterans with service-connected disability ratings from 10% through 90% can receive property tax relief prorated proportionally according to their disability rating.
The reforms also removed the previous property-assessment ceiling for disabled veterans and provide protections for qualifying surviving spouses. Beginning in tax year 2027, disabled veterans and their surviving spouses will no longer be subject to the household income limits that previously prevented many from qualifying.
For Carbone, the changes represent a dramatic improvement in Arizona’s treatment of veterans.
“The thing that makes me the happiest is going from one of the worst to one of the best now,” Carbone said. “We want you to stay here in Arizona. And it is the right thing to do.”
House Republicans describe the resulting program as one of the most generous veteran property tax benefits in the nation. For those who helped push the reforms forward, the goal is to lead from the front while honoring veterans and making Arizona a place where they can afford to put down roots after their military careers.
Passing legislation, however, is only part of the job. Arizona’s county assessors now have to make it work.
Yuma County Assessor Stevie Seale said his office will be prepared to help local veterans navigate the new benefit when implementation begins.
“Starting in January 2027, Yuma County will be ready to implement this new law and make the process as clear and straightforward as possible for our veterans,” Seale said. “The Legislature got this right. This was an issue I advocated for while running for assessor, and it’s rewarding to see it become a reality and provide this benefit to those who have served our country.”
Veterans seeking the exemption will work through their local county assessor, putting those offices on the front line of turning the statewide reform into a tangible benefit for veterans and their families.
For Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, the effort fits a community where supporting military families and veterans is part of its identity.
“Yuma is a community that takes a lot of pride in our military and veteran presence,” Nicholls said. “We want Arizona to serve as our veterans’ home after they retire. We welcome them here in Arizona and in Yuma.”
That commitment has earned national recognition. Yuma was named a 2025 Great American Defense Community, one of only three communities nationwide selected that year.
As a Yuma resident of eight years and the wife of an active-duty Marine now in his 21st year of service, I’ve seen that relationship firsthand. Here, military service isn’t something observed from a distance. It is woven into everyday life.
That’s also why this story is about more than property taxes.
Veterans who choose Arizona after leaving the military become our community members. Helping them build their next chapter here honors their service while strengthening the communities they join.
And maybe that is the best part of this story.
A Yuma veteran saw a problem and wrote a proposal. Other veterans lent their voices. Their state representative listened and carried the issue to the Capitol. Lawmakers acted. Now local officials will help deliver the benefit.
Years from now, most Arizonans probably won’t remember the bill numbers.
But disabled veterans and their families may remember something far more important: Arizona made it easier for them to remain in the place they chose to call home.
And behind that statewide change is a story with roots in a community where military service has never been an abstract idea.
Arizona House Republicans are calling on Gov. Katie Hobbs to pursue a federal data-sharing agreement intended to help investigators identify Medicaid and other public-benefit fraud by finding connections between government benefit payments and complex business records.
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25) and House Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Selina Bliss (R-LD1) issued the request Monday following the Justice Department’s announcement of new cooperation agreements with several southeastern states.
✅House Republicans Call on Governor Hobbs to Join Federal Anti-Fraud Data-Sharing Partnership Six states have already agreed to help federal investigators uncover fraud
“Arizona families work hard and pay their taxes, and they have every right to expect that not one dollar of… pic.twitter.com/y0L8vKPchx
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) August 3, 2026
The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division announced the agreements July 30 as part of a wider federal-state initiative involving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Secretaries of state from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina entered data-sharing agreements giving the division access to publicly available corporate-registration and public-benefit payment information held by their agencies. State treasurers from Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina also joined the agreements.
Federal investigators plan to use the data to identify patterns connecting business entities with public-benefit payments and trace financial activity through shell companies, layered business structures, and related entities. The department encouraged other states to pursue similar partnerships.
“Arizona families work hard and pay their taxes, and they have every right to expect that not one dollar of their money ends up in the pocket of a fraudster,” Carbone said. “Six states have already signed up to help catch the criminals stealing from taxpayers and from the people these programs are supposed to serve. There is no good reason Arizona should not be next, and no good reason for Governor Hobbs to wait.”
“Arizona’s most vulnerable families should not pay the price for fraud and inaction,” he added. “Arizona taxpayers have already lost billions of dollars, and the Justice Department has given states a practical way to identify suspicious payments and business connections earlier. Governor Hobbs should begin the process today.”
Carbone proposed that Arizona begin with a two- or three-year memorandum of understanding that would preserve state control over the information and allow officials to evaluate the partnership’s results.
“Every dollar siphoned off by fraudsters is a dollar that does not reach an Arizona family who needs it,” Bliss said. “We have seen billions lost to sober living scams and phantom behavioral health clinics right here in our state, and Arizona has been named one of the riskiest states in the country for this kind of abuse.”
The Republican lawmakers did not specify which Arizona agencies would enter the agreement or which categories of public-benefit information would be shared.
Unlike the participating states, Arizona’s Secretary of State’s Office does not register corporations or limited liability companies. Those records are maintained by the independently elected Arizona Corporation Commission, while public-benefit payment information is held by executive agencies including AHCCCS and the Department of Economic Security.
The request comes as Hobbs remains under investigation over allegations involving Sunshine Residential Homes, a Department of Child Safety (DCS) contractor. Sunshine donated $300,000 to the Arizona Democratic Party and $100,000 to Hobbs’ inaugural fund before DCS approved a 30% rate increase, though no other group homes received rate increases and over a dozen contracts were terminated.
Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office has sought an interview with Hobbs as part of its ongoing criminal investigation, while the Arizona House has retained outside counsel to conduct a separate inquiry. Hobbs has denied wrongdoing and maintained that she did not influence the contracting decision. As of July 30, no date had been set for her interview with investigators. KJZZ reported that Mayes expects to make an announcement regarding the investigation before the November 3 election.
The Justice Department established a West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force in April covering Arizona, Nevada, and the Northern District of California. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said federal investigators and prosecutors had disrupted fraud schemes representing more than $1 billion in Arizona alone.
In announcing the strike force, the Justice Department cited the prosecution of two wound-graft company owners in a $1.2 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme and the indictment of Farrukh Jarar Ali, a Pakistani national accused of directing an approximately $650 million fraud operation involving at least 41 Arizona substance-abuse treatment clinics.
Federal prosecutors allege Ali’s company helped enroll clinics as providers with AHCCCS before submitting approximately $650 million in fraudulent claims for services that were unnecessary, substandard, or never provided. AHCCCS paid approximately $564 million on the claims, according to the Justice Department.
Hobbs’ administration has separately promoted Arizona’s existing efforts to prevent Medicaid fraud. In May, the governor’s office said the state’s enforcement campaign had targeted as much as $2.5 billion in suspected fraud, produced more than 364 payment suspensions based on credible allegations, and contributed to more than 100 indictments. AHCCCS also began deploying the Alivia 360 analytics platform this summer to identify potential improper claims before payment.
Carbone said the federal agreement could add another investigative tool by allowing authorities to identify suspicious connections between public payments and corporate records earlier.
“Arizona has already paid an enormous price for fraud,” Carbone said. “Governor Hobbs can act now to help prevent the next scandal. If she chooses to leave Arizona on the sidelines, she should explain why.”
Arizona House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25) has endorsed Congressman Andy Biggs for Governor, praising his proven ability to unite lawmakers and advance conservative priorities through collaboration with the Legislature.
Carbone, who represents Maricopa County’s West Valley, becomes the 44th current or former state legislator to publicly back Biggs and the first member of State House leadership to do so.
“We need conservative leadership ready to work with the Legislature and advance policies that bring down the cost of living on Arizonans so our state can prosper,” stated Carbone. “Andy Biggs is the best choice to do that from day one as Governor. He understands the legislative process at the Capitol and knows what it takes to make our state thrive. He’ll be a great advocate for the West Valley and for all of Arizona as Governor.”
Carbone also joins the growing list of West Valley elected officials supporting Biggs, including U.S. Congressman Abe Hamadeh, Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko, Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp, and Arizona State Representatives Nick Kupper, Lisa Fink, Michele Peña, David Livingston, and Beverly Pingerelli.
“Majority Leader Carbone has been a champion for thoughtful conservative policies, like expanding our nuclear capabilities to bring utility costs down and supporting pro-growth policies for our Arizona small businesses,” said Congressman Biggs. “Our campaign is focused on building out our support amongst Republican leaders and voters with a positive vision that brings our party together. With less than three weeks until ballots go out for the Republican primary election, we are well prepared for a victory on July 21st before defeating Katie Hobbs in November.”
Biggs has consistently maintained a commanding lead in the Republican primary field, according to multiple independent polls conducted since September 2025. A survey by NextGen Polling found Biggs ahead by 42%, while Emerson College showed him leading by 33%. GrayHouse reported a 24% advantage and Pulse Decision likewise found Biggs leading by 24%.
The most recent poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, lists Biggs leading the Republican primary field by 30%. The study, conducted May 5-7, 2026, among 996 registered voters in Arizona including 375 registers Republicans, shows Biggs rising to 48% — up from 40% in February.
Biggs leads across key GOP demographics, including:
Men: 50% Biggs – 21% Schweikert
Women: 46% – 15%
Voters Aged 65+: 57% – 17%
Conservatives: 52% – 16%
Trump Supporters: 55% – 16%
Hispanic Republicans: 57% – 9%
Biggs is the only candidate in the Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary endorsed by both President Trump and the late Charlie Kirk. Additional high-profile support includes endorsements from Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk, Arizona Congressmen Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Maricopa County Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart.
Biggs has also secured backing from influential conservative organizations including Turning Point Action, Moms for America Action, and Gun Owners of America-Arizona Chapter. Law enforcement support includes former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, the Arizona Law Enforcement Association, and the Arizona Council of Prisons Locals.
Rep. Biggs leads all Republican gubernatorial candidates in fundraising, with $2.7 million raised and $1.1 million cash on hand, an advantage of more than 10:1 over his closest primary competitor. He has set multiple personal funding records throughout the 2026 cycle.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona House Republicans are raising concerns about Governor Katie Hobbs’ recently released state energy plan, arguing it prioritizes solar development and government programs over housing availability and energy affordability.
In a press release, the Arizona House Republican Caucus said the plan advances policies that emphasize utility-scale solar projects, expanded renewable energy deployment, and the use of state-owned land for energy infrastructure.
The criticism follows the rollout of the governor’s broader energy strategy, which includes 31 recommendations developed by the Arizona Energy Promise Task Force to address rising energy demand, data center growth, and utility costs across the state.
According to House Republicans, the plan promotes solar development on state land, including areas near existing communities, rooftop solar installations on government buildings, and participation in virtual power plant programs.
Republican lawmakers cautioned that these proposals could affect the availability of land for residential development. Citing data from the Common Sense Institute, they noted that the Hobbs administration has “identified land closest to existing residential areas as ‘best’ for solar development,” adding that approximately 276,000 acres of state land within 10 miles of incorporated cities and towns could support up to 200,000 housing units.
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25) said the administration’s plan emphasizes renewable energy projects and related investments while raising concerns about impacts on housing supply and costs to taxpayers.
He explained in a statement, “Hobbs is calling this an all-of-the-above energy plan. It’s not. It’s a solar-heavy political plan that puts green industry insiders ahead of taxpayers, pushes utility-scale solar onto state land that could support badly needed housing, and says nothing about lowering gas prices for Arizona families. When Hobbs says ‘all of the above,’ what she means is more wind and solar.”
The governor’s office has described the energy plan as part of a broader effort to address affordability and reliability while bringing together stakeholders from utilities, industry, and government.
In separate announcements, the Hobbs administration has highlighted programs focused on lowering energy costs, including efficiency upgrades and rebate initiatives designed to reduce utility bills for Arizona households.
Carbone criticized Hobbs’ energy plan, stating, “You cannot claim to have an energy plan for Arizona while ignoring gasoline prices, fuel supply, and the infrastructure needed to keep this state moving. This report does not confront boutique fuel problems, does not address refinery or pipeline capacity, and does not even include the industry that supplies the fuel Arizona families and businesses rely on every day. That is not all of the above. That is selective politics dressed up as policy.”
He added, “Her report is long on politics and short on answers. It does not lower costs. It does not increase housing supply. It does not put taxpayers first. House Republicans are focused on affordability, reliability, and policies that serve Arizona families, not a narrow political agenda.”
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Goldwater Institute hosted a delegation of Missouri policymakers in Phoenix to discuss economic competitiveness, innovation, and pro-growth policy, according to a joint release.
The meeting focused on Arizona’s approach to building a competitive environment for emerging industries and long-term economic growth.
The discussion followed the Chamber’s recent launch of its AZ AI Leadership Initiative, which aims to strengthen Arizona’s position in emerging technologies and the broader digital economy.
Arizona has seen rapid expansion in AI and data center infrastructure, driven by growing demand for computing power and cloud services. Major investments from companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is constructing advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities in Phoenix, along with large-scale data center developments by Google and Meta Platforms in Mesa, and Amazon Web Services in Goodyear, have helped position the state as an emerging hub for both semiconductor production and AI-related computing capacity.
Participants included legislative leaders, policy experts, and representatives from the Arizona Commerce Authority, who shared insights into the state’s policy framework and economic development strategies.
A big part of the conversation: how states are thinking about AI and the broader digital economy.
“Arizona’s growth didn’t happen by accident,” said Courtney Coolidge, executive vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “It reflects deliberate policy choices that prioritize certainty, competitiveness, and a regulatory environment where businesses can invest, innovate, and scale.”
Arizona lawmakers participating in the meeting included House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29), Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25), Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-LD13), Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R-LD2), chair of the House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee, Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16), and Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll (R-LD28).
“Arizona has made a conscious decision to lead on innovation rather than wait for other states to set the pace,” Montenegro said. “That kind of alignment and forward-looking policy environment allows industries to grow and scale here.”
Lawmakers and policy leaders highlighted sectors including advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies as areas where Arizona has seen sustained growth.
“Arizona’s success in attracting major investment is tied directly to our focus on advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, and supply chain strength,” Carbone said.
Weninger pointed to Arizona’s regulatory and tax structure as a factor in business investment.
“Companies are looking for certainty,” Weninger said. “Arizona’s predictable regulatory environment and competitive tax structure give businesses the confidence to invest and expand.”
Participants also discussed the role of infrastructure, water policy, and land use in supporting statewide growth. “We’ve been intentional about making sure economic development isn’t concentrated in one region,” Shope said.
Carroll said Arizona’s approach to economic development has positioned the state for continued expansion, particularly in emerging industries.
Wilmeth emphasized the importance of flexibility in regulating new technologies. “We’ve taken a thoughtful approach to emerging technologies by avoiding premature regulation,” he said.
Victor Riches, president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute, said policy certainty and deregulation remain key factors in supporting innovation.
“As emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, policy certainty and deregulation matter more than ever,” Riches said. “Arizona needs to ensure an environment where innovation can move forward.”
The Missouri delegation included state senators and policy advisors, including Sen. Travis Fitzwater, Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, Sen. Karla May, Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, Sen. Jamie Burger, policy advisor to Gov. Mike Kehoe, Johnathan Shifflett, and representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Karen Buschmann, and Jared Hankinson.
The meeting explored how elements of Arizona’s economic policy framework could be adapted in other states and how interstate collaboration could support broader economic growth.
