by Matthew Holloway | Sep 14, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A dozen Maricopa County libraries have removed more than 50 books on sex education and puberty from their children’s sections. The move follows complaints from parents and advocacy groups who said the books contained inappropriate material.
As previously reported by AZ Free News, the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) has been subject to increasing criticism from parents’ rights advocates like Arizona Women of Action (AZWOA) and EZAZ, who engaged with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) in June. The groups objected to books such as “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie H. Harris and “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson for the titles’ graphic depictions of sex and sexual behavior.
Responding to a petition launched by AZWOA, the BOS approved a pilot program at the Queen Creek Library, allowing parents to submit a form listing books their children may not check out.
According to AZCentral, the Board later directed the books to be relocated in response to the concerns brought to them. Due to the administrative nature of the move, a formal vote was not required. Supervisor Steve Gallardo, the board’s only Democrat, expressed objections to the outlet, saying, “Call it whatever you want … it’s wrong, and we shouldn’t be engaging in this.” Gallardo claimed that although he “agreed with some of the changes,” parents should be responsible for monitoring their children in the libraries.
Republican Supervisors Lesko, Stewart, and Brophy McGee supported the measure fully, stating that the measure is intended to:
- “Protect our youngest from their prying eyes and curiosity,” per Stewart.
- “Relocate questionable books into areas of the library that are less, or not, accessible to children,” according to Brophy-McGee.
- “Make sure that sexually explicit library books are out of the reach of minors,” as described by Lesko.
As reported by the Arizona Daily Independent, several books were brought to the BOS’s attention, though the complete list of inappropriate books is extensive. The AZWOA referred to a book rating site, ratedbooks.org, as well as a book list on Scottsdaleunites.com.
Merissa Hamilton of EZAZ later posted a list of egregious books found on MCLD shelves. Highlighted titles include “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health” by Robie H. Harris, which features cartoon-like drawings with sexually graphic information. “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson is also in question because it instructs children on how to engage in meetups for casual sexual encounters. Novels by Ellen Hopkins graphically depict sex, human trafficking, and abuse. These books may violate state statutes, including ARS 13-3506:
“It is unlawful for any person, with knowledge of the character of the item involved, to recklessly furnish, present, provide, make available, give, lend, show, advertise, or distribute to minors any item that is harmful to minors. C. A violation of this section is a Class 4 felony.”
These library books may also violate ARS 13-3507:
“A. It is unlawful for any person knowingly to place explicit sexual material upon public display or knowingly to fail to take prompt action to remove such a display from property in his possession or under his control after learning of its existence. B. A person who violates any provision of this section is a Class 6 felony.
The potential prompted citizens to consider bringing these books to the attention of the county’s sheriff and attorney’s offices.
County Manager Jen Pokorski told Republic reporters in June that the county is contemplating a new rule, a new “software solution” which would permit parents to restrict their children’s access to different books by category.
“I think the goal of the new software would be, the books that we’ve deemed — or that have illustrative pornography, will be off limits to children under a certain age,” Supervisor Mark Stewart explained. “And then anything that a parent would want to opt their child into, they’re welcome to sign up and do that.”
However, he did clarify, to the Arizona Republic, “I did not say that sex-ed books are illustrative pornography.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 13, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Growers Market, a composting business located in Laveen, will be shuttering its operations in South Phoenix as a direct result of legal action brought by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
According to a release from Maricopa County, the operators of Growers Market concluded an agreement with the Board that they be prohibited from operating the firm’s composting facility on the Laveen property involved in the legal complaint. The company also agreed to a series of strict stipulations imposed by the county that will result in the business’ operations being shut down rapidly and the composting material removed from the land.
As reported by ABC15, the facility, located near 27th Avenue and Dobbins, was first mentioned in a legal complaint against Growers Market on December 18th. According to the order obtained by ABC15, the court found the composting operation to be in violation of the property’s RU-43 zoning designation adding, “A composting operation is not authorized in that zoning designation without a special use permit. Defendants had neither applied for nor received a special use permit allowing the use of the Property for a composting operation. Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (MCZO) sections 501 & 503.”
The county issued a Notice and Order for the owners to comply with the zoning in August and issued a hearing summons in September for the violation. On November 8th the hearing officer issued a Judgment and Order finding the business in violation of zoning, and the order was not appealed.
In a statement released to the press, Supervisor Steve Gallardo, who represents District 5 where the property is located, said, “This settlement is a big win for Laveen community members. This business could have continued operating for months while we waited around for court hearings to be scheduled. Instead, we took complaints seriously, took action to hold this business responsible, and prioritized results.”
Under the terms of the court order, the business must vacate the property by no later than March 1st or face fines of $1,000 per day. Growers Market will be authorized to begin processing all material on the land until January 20 when grinding or screening of mulch material must cease and all related equipment must be removed from the property.
Until the property is cleared, the county advised, Growers Market is permitted to haul off remaining mulch and materials Monday though Friday between 7am and 5pm through the March 1st deadline but must submit to regular inspections and provide weekly progress reports to County officials.
“Look, I support small businesses and want to see them thrive,” Gallardo began. “But when their operations start to affect the health and well-being of local residents, we have to get involved and put an end to it. I’m thankful for the sense of closure this settlement provides so Laveen residents can get back to their normal lives.”
According to the order, the property is anticipated to be used as a tree farm after the cleanup is complete.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 16, 2024 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Funding Committee (PSFC) presented its findings last week and has recommended that it pursue a 20-year extension of the existing voter-approved tax rate of 1/5th of a cent, set to expire in 2027. It also recommended the expansion of various partnerships to address the funding needs of adult and juvenile correctional facilities, correctional healthcare, and other county programs.
According to a press release from the Board of Supervisors, Chairman Jack Sellers said, “Providing for public safety is a core function of our government, and how we fund those efforts should be transparent and open to public feedback. We established the PSFC to ensure a wide range of views are considered as we determine how to prioritize and pay for evolving public safety needs. I’m grateful for the committee’s diligent work and look forward to a thorough review of their recommendations.”
The committee, established in January, conducted a series of public hearings, toured existing jail facilities, and interviewed several figures within the system before brining its recommendations for long-term funding and other changes to several established policies.
The Board of Supervisors largely appeared to concur with the recommendation to extend the funding, with Supervisors Clint Hickman, Bill Gates, and Steve Gallardo voicing support. Hickman said, “The Jail Excise Tax brings in about $300 million in revenue per year and has been an effective way of funding our public safety needs as the county grows, at a low burden to the individual taxpayer.”
He added, “I agree with the committee’s recommendation that an extension of the tax, at the current rate, is the best way to make sure we continue to live in a safe community where people can thrive economically.”
The 165-page report detailed policy recommendations touching “Reentry, Community Services and Coordination, Programming and Courts, Capital, and Data and Long-Term Initiatives.”
The Committee explained:
“In the first category, they suggested pursuing partnerships for crime prevention and reentry, engaging with the state on Medicaid waivers for pre-trial and pre-release individuals, and engaging in efforts to strengthen the behavioral health system.
The second category focused on maintaining funding for probation and diversion programs, upholding treatment standards, coordinating Initial Appearance Hearings with the City of Phoenix, and discussing juvenile placement policies.”
In addition it recommended replacing outdated facilities, improving the county’s Intake, Transfer and Release facility, enhancing security at the Durango campus, and addressing shortages in the county’s correction workforce.
Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin noted, “The PSFC engaged with residents and key stakeholders honestly and openly over the past year, and now with their recommendations, we can move forward in a united manner to keep our streets safe and support our law enforcement officers.
Chaired by John Lewis, the former mayor of Gilbert and CEO of East Valley Partnership, the committee is composed of nine community members from fields ranging from law enforcement, correctional health, criminal justice, government, and business.
As noted by KTAR News, the Board of Supervisors may agree with the extension of the Jail Excise Tax, and could lobby for it, but it has very little choice in the matter. Ultimately Maricopa County cannot place it on the ballot. That power falls to the Arizona Legislature and the sitting governor to pass and sign into law.
Given the past disconnect between the Republican-dominated Arizona Legislature and Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs, it is uncertain how successful any effort to extend an existing tax would be, or how well received it would be by the voters.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jun 1, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A number of Arizona Republicans quickly reacted to the unprecedented verdict out of New York City against former President Donald J. Trump, while Democrats across the state largely retweeted sensational headlines.
The Arizona Senate Republicans Caucus “X” account wrote, “This is a dark day in American history. The justice system has been weaponized by the radical left to take out a political opponent. This is something you’d expect from a communist nation, not the greatest country mankind has ever seen.”
State Representative Joseph Chaplik, a Republican, posted, “Rigged Trial. Compromised Judge. The American people won’t put up with this and will re-elect Trump in a landslide.”
State Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope added, “I’ve never financially contributed to a presidential campaign until today. Arizona will be behind President Donald Trump this November and that’s the verdict that matters!”
Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, a Republican, commented, “When history is written, this will go down as one of the darkest days in American political history. The political prosecution of a former President for murky charges is a disgrace. Our democracy never contemplated lawfare as a political weapon and we cannot continue down this path.”
State Senator Wendy Rogers said, “Today marks a regrettable event in American history, as Democrats celebrated the conviction of the opposing party’s leader on charges based upon testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon.”
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, shared an infographic of jury’s decision for the former president, noting that “Today was a big win for the rule of law, election transparency, and our constitution.”
Many Democrats in the Arizona Legislature did not post their own comments and opinions about the verdict on their “X” accounts, though some of those members reposted news stories about the historic outcome from the Manhattan courtroom.
Both Republicans and Democrats in Arizona are closely watching the aftermath of this verdict with how tight the November General Election figures to be in the Grand Canyon State. Not only are Trump and President Joe Biden competing for the state’s eleven critical Electoral College votes, but Arizona showcases significant contests for the U.S. Senate, several ballot initiatives, and the State Legislature.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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