For years, Arizona was governed by Republican majorities in the state legislature—with Republicans also holding the Governor’s and Attorney General’s offices. During that time, we transformed Arizona into one of the most enviable and prosperous states in the nation: a booming economy, a hot jobs market, a flat income tax, strong support for law and order, and universal school choice.
That all changed in 2023 when Katie Hobbs and Kris Mayes—both Democrats—took over the Governor’s and Attorney General’s offices. Since then, they’ve worked to impose a radical agenda and remake Arizona in the image of California. If not for the slim Republican majorities in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, Hobbs and Mayes would have quickly succeeded.
As the leader of the Senate Republicans, it has been my honor to work with my colleagues to defend Arizona values and push forward conservative priorities. Despite divided government, we’ve used every tool in our toolbox to not only stop the radical left’s agendas, but to also lead. In doing so, we have set the standard for other states dealing with divided government. Here are just a few of the top victories we’ve secured on behalf of Arizonans.
Fully Funded and Protected Universal School Choice
Over the past two decades, Arizona has led the nation in enacting school choice, giving all families the freedom to choose the education that best fits their children. We dramatically increased K-12 funding (now approximately $13,000 per student) during this time, investing heavily in and safeguarding all forms of education across the state—district, charter, home school, online, and empowerment scholarship accounts. The left only wants to give you one choice to educate your child. Both Hobbs and Mayes have prioritized the dismantling of the apparatuses that let parents decide where their children go to school.
I believe educational freedom is a foundation of the American Dream. Families shouldn’t be trapped in failing schools based on their zip code; rather, they should have the right to choose the educational institutions that work best for their sons and daughters. Unfortunately, Hobbs and Mayes have repeatedly rejected this belief to the detriment of our state’s future.
Under my leadership at the legislature, we stopped them. School choice remains fully funded and protected—even in this divided government. Fighting for parental empowerment and school choice has been one of the most consequential and rewarding endeavors of my time as Senate President. I believe that we are rescuing an entire generation of Arizonans from the grip of a broken education system.
Tax Cuts for Arizonans
One of our top priorities has been to return money to Arizona taxpayers. Despite repeated attempts by Hobbs to block us, we’ve delivered real tax relief. We eliminated the rental tax in Arizona, saving families and renters hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Charging a rental tax is bad policy, and now these revenues will stay in the pockets of the people who need them the most.
Republican lawmakers forced the governor to sign additional bills that cut taxes for hard-working Arizonans. We raised the state’s business personal property tax exemption, reducing burdens on small business owners. We banned municipal excise taxes on residential leases, relieving tenants of additional tax liability and helping lower housing costs. And we passed the Arizona Families Tax Rebate to return funds directly to eligible families.
At a time when families are feeling squeezed, we’re doing what government should—getting out of the way and letting our hardworking taxpayers keep more of what they earn. These tax cuts are the result of smart, conservative leadership that puts everyday Arizonans first. This is the same pro-growth, American First approach that President Trump is delivering for our nation, and we’re proud to carry that torch here in the Grand Canyon State.
Fully Vetted Agency Directors
One of the most consequential powers of any governor is the ability to nominate and install agency directors, who do the bidding of their chief executive. These individuals wield enormous influence over how state government functions, and under Hobbs, many of her nominees have been extreme, unqualified, or relatively unknown to the public. That’s why one of my first actions as Senate President was to create accountability through a formal vetting process for the governor’s nominees. The purpose was to ensure the individuals chosen to lead integral government agencies were competent and aligned with Arizona values. Despite resistance from the governor, we succeeded. We held her nominees to high standards and protected Arizona from the consequences of unchecked political appointments.
End of DOJ Investigation into Phoenix Police Department
Over the past several years, the Phoenix Police Department was the target of a blatantly politicized witch hunt by President Biden’s Department of Justice. They twisted facts and law in a backhanded attempt to hijack another police department and bring it under the control of the federal government. After I contacted the Trump administration and met with several of the President’s top officials, the White House and DOJ ended this rampage against the men and women in blue from the Phoenix Police Department. The announcement from the Trump administration was complete vindication, and it removed the handcuffs off our law enforcement so that they may do their jobs to keep the City of Phoenix and our citizens safe from criminals seeking to cause harm.
Divided government is messy. The path forward isn’t always easy or clear. But through consensus building, unity, discipline, determination, and bold conservative leadership, we’ve proven in Arizona that progress is possible—even in the toughest of times. The rewards of this hard work are immense for those entrusted with leaving our state and nation in a better place for future generations of Americans. I hope that our efforts in Arizona have not only preserved our rich heritage of conservative values, but inspired other warriors around the country to follow in our footsteps.
Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14.
The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) is considering multiple policy revisions on reduced uses of force.
In all, PPD will act on five policies impacting the usage of spit socks, handheld irritants (oleoresin capsicum and Mark-9 canister sprays, which are pepper sprays, and the MK-3 Repuls Spray, a chemical spray), Tasers, impact weapons (expandable batons), and less lethal launchers (PepperBall launchers, 40mm Launcher, 37mm Launcher).
PPD says its goals in modifying these reduced use of force policies are to ensure trained officers deploy these tools, and that officers modify their use of these tools when faced with certain medical aid considerations.
Spit socks won’t be applied to individuals actively vomiting, exhibiting signs of medical distress, or having had direct or indirect contact with pepper spray. Officers may only apply one spit sock at a time to an individual, and only when two or more officers are present.
The updated policy on handheld irritants also prohibits officers from using pepper spray within three feet, and recommends against deploying chemical spray directly into the eyes. It also requires the immediate handcuffing of the individual sprayed.
Police Assistants (PAs) may carry pepper spray, since they lack authorization to arrest or restrain individuals. PAs aren’t sworn police officers; they handle calls for service not requiring the presence of sworn police officers.
As for the updated policy on Tasers, officers may not use them on females known to be pregnant or visibly pregnant, the elderly, juveniles, handcuffed arrestees, and very thin individuals.
The policy would also set limits on ranges of deployment, and the preferred targets.
Similarly, PPD set forth targeting and distance guidelines for less lethal launchers. The various launchers also come with their own restrictions on which officers may use them based on training.
Impact weapons (batons) would be carried at officer discretion and carrying officers must be trained.
The deadline for public input and comments is Friday, Oct. 31.
REMINDER: Phoenix PD is seeking public input on five policy revisions. Please visit https://t.co/qGmDZg70mN for a copy of the proposed revisions. The public is invited and encouraged to review the policy and submit feedback. The public input and comment period ends this Friday. pic.twitter.com/4jMOha2JMV
Earlier this year, PPD implemented a new use of force policy which contained similar, controversial adjectives — “necessary” and “proportional” — as these proposed policies.
Law enforcement experts questioned the vagueness and ambiguity of the descriptors in policy meant to empower officers to action. The word “reasonable” was traditionally relied upon, which critics say was more than enough.
These developments are the latest progression of PPD’s “less-than-lethal” program, which rolled out in 2021 across two precincts. The initial tools used were the 40mm launcher and pepper ball systems.
By 2022, PPD rolled out the program to all city precincts, launched new deescalation training modules, and revised its use of force policy to include the additives of “necessary” and “proportional” to “reasonable,” as well as the duties to intervene and provide medical assistance.
Additionally, PPD launched a pilot program for use of force investigations and evaluations.
In 2023, PPD expanded the less-than-lethal program to include 400 new tools and additional training.
Even with these efforts to revert to alternative weapons and deterrents for use of force, some fatalities have occurred. In January, PPD shot hard plastic projectiles at a wanted felon, Turrell Clay, who was evading police on a roof and had been armed. Clay came down off the roof after being shot by the less-than-lethal projectiles several times; he later died at the hospital during surgery after complaining of chest pains.
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Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is urging the Phoenix Union High School District to reverse its decision to reject armed officers on campus following a violent knife fight between two female students at Carl Hayden High School.
The altercation, reported by the Phoenix Police Department, occurred just after 9 a.m last Monday. Officers responded to reports of a physical fight during which one student struck another with the handle of a closed-blade pocketknife.
The student with the pocketknife was referred to the Juvenile Court Center and faces one count of aggravated assault. The injured student received treatment for minor injuries, and the incident remains under investigation. Horne emphasized the critical need for armed officers, stating, “The safety of students, teachers, and staff members at schools is not negotiable, and a knife fight on the Carl Hayden campus Monday shows the dangers are increasing. This needs to stop immediately. The Phoenix Union governing board needs to reverse a terrible decision they made earlier this year when they rejected requests from the leadership of both Carl Hayden and Betty Fairfax high schools for armed officers on campus.”
“Yesterday, Phoenix Police reported that two female Carl Hayden students were in a knife fight that resulted in injuries,” Horne added. “This proves the need for armed officers and demonstrates the utter lack of concern by the members of the Phoenix Union government board who rejected the request for officers that had been endorsed by the two schools and district administration. It was an outrageous dereliction of responsibility, and the board needs to reconsider this matter immediately.”
The incident at Carl Hayden High School is part of a broader pattern of safety concerns within the Phoenix Union High School District. Earlier this year, a tragic stabbing at Maryvale High School resulted in the death of a 16-year-old student, prompting scrutiny of campus security protocols.
Phoenix Union Governing Board member Jeremiah Cota requested reconsideration of the board’s earlier vote back in August 2025, but again, the Phoenix Union board voted to deny state-funded officers. Cota tweeted, “There will be NO school resource officers agenda item at the Phoenix Union next board meeting. The Board President has refused my calls for improving school safety once again. Shameful for this district to put anti-law enforcement politics before student and staff safety.”
There will be NO school resource officers agenda item at the @PhoenixUnion next board meeting.
The Board President has refused my calls for improving school safety once again.
Shameful for this district to put anti law enforcement politics before student and staff safety. pic.twitter.com/AgBddrV0Vc
The Phoenix Police Department held a solemn ceremony to unveil a historical marker dedicated to Officer Zane Coolidge, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.
On September 3, 2024, Officer Zane Coolidge, a dedicated and courageous member of the Phoenix Police Department, was shot while responding to a call regarding an attempted vehicle break-in near 16th Street and McDowell Road.
Despite the heroic efforts of medical personnel, Officer Coolidge succumbed to his injuries three days later on September 6, 2024.
Officer Coolidge, a five-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, was known for his compassion, bravery, and dedication to public safety. As a native of Phoenix, he joined the force with a call of duty to protect his hometown.
In addition to serving the community as a police officer, he also served as a field training officer for the Mountain View Precinct, where he was a great example and mentor to young officers.
The historical marker, the 43rd of its kind in Phoenix, is part of the city’s initiative to honor police officers and firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community.
The sign is intended to serve as a lasting tribute to Officer Coolidge’s legacy and a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An alleged altercation with pro-life advocates in June has led to renewed concerns regarding Dr. Ronald Yunis, a Phoenix physician who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a class six felony, after being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2019.
Civic action group Red State Reform stated that the “alleged pattern of violence raises public safety concerns.”
Sharing a video of the June altercation, documentation of the prior firearm incident, and Medical Board findings, the group raised questions about the doctor’s accountability and presented the alleged pattern of behavior:
“Dr. Ronald Yunis, a local physician, was recently captured on video allegedly assaulting a peaceful protester on June 3, 2025. Despite eyewitness testimony and clear video evidence showing what appears to be an unprovoked physical assault—which under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 13-1203) could constitute probable cause for arrest—and notwithstanding his prior conviction involving a firearm, the Phoenix Police Department did not place him under arrest at the scene.
“Instead, officers issued only a citation requiring him to appear in court. The Phoenix City Prosecutor’s Office has since declined to pursue even misdemeanor assault charges, and the case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could still be re-filed.”
Phoenix abortionist Ronald Yunis punched a peaceful sidewalk counselor this week. Targeting a Christian who was lawfully pleading for life and sharing the gospel outside his abortion mill. A police investigation is underway! pic.twitter.com/z69xSaETy8
A witness to the incident, James Baird of P24 Ministries, said in a statement, “No one should be above the law — especially when patient and community safety are at stake.”
The organization added that “while there was an allegation that the victim may have trespassed, there is no justification under Arizona law for the use of physical force without imminent threat or danger. Both the video and eyewitness testimony corroborate that the protester neither threatened nor committed any violence against Dr. Yunis.”
In the 2019 incident, Yunis was captured on body-worn camera footage by a pro-life protester visibly pointing a gun at them from his vehicle. In a similar circumstance to the June incident, the Phoenix Police Department initially declined to arrest Yunis.
Red State Reform noted that “it was only after the video footage was posted online and sparked numerous public complaints that an arrest was made seven days later, resulting in Dr. Yunis pleading guilty to disorderly conduct, a class 6 felony.”
WATCH: 2019 Incident
Yunis was later stripped of his Medicare billing privileges until 2031 after he allegedly failed to report the felony conviction as required by law and served two years of probation.
According to Health and Human Services documentation, the Doctor claimed, “his criminal attorney assured him that conviction pursuant to the plea agreement would not be considered a felony because it was an undesignated offense and would not be reported to any regulatory body.”
Red State Reform observed, “The Administrative Law Judge found that Dr. Yunis failed to report his felony as required by federal law, exhibited reckless disregard for those around him, and demonstrated an inability to exercise sound judgment. As a result, Dr. Yunis was barred from reenrolling in Medicare through 2031, underscoring serious concerns about his professional conduct and reliability.”
In October 2023, Dr. Yunis was brought before the Arizona Medical Board in a response to the 2019 incident as well as other complaints, including “multiple reports of unprofessional interactions between Respondent and nursing staff occurring between 2018 and 2019,” and “review of Respondent’s care and treatment of five obstetrical patients (MR, CB, BL, GCU, and KB) identified by the Hospital’s investigation.“
The Board found as “Conclusions of Law,” that “the conduct and circumstances described in MD-19-1001A and MD-20-0925A above constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to A.R.S. § 32-1401(27)(r) (‘Committing any conduct or practice that is or might be harmful or dangerous to the health of the patient or the public.’)”
An appeal by Dr. Yunis was denied by the Board two months later.
In a statement, Red State Reform Vice President Daryl Groves summarized his concerns regarding the non-prosecution of Dr. Yunis for the alleged June altercation, saying, “The public deserves to know that everyone is held to the same standard under the law.”
