by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 22, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to better look after the interests of Arizona’s children passed one chamber of the Arizona Legislature.
On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2079 “to streamline the guardian process and prioritize minors’ best interests [by] strengthen[ing] guardianship procedures, remov[ing] bureaucratic delays, and prioritiz[ing] stable homes for children.”
HB 2079 received an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 56-3 (with one member not voting) to ensure its passage over to the state Senate.
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bill’s progress, State Representative Walt Blackman, the legislation’s sponsor, said, “This bill is about one thing and one thing only: putting kids first. We won’t let politics or outdated legal hurdles prevent children from getting the care and stability they need. WE are ensuring that guardianship decisions are made swiftly, fairly, and in the best interest of the child – not based on bureaucracy or red tape.”
According to the press release that was issued by the Arizona House Republicans, the bill would do the following:
- “Ensur[e] guardianship decisions are made based on the child’s best interest, not legal loopholes.
- “Allow 16- and 17-year-olds without parental support to have a clearer pathway to guardianship.
- “Protect minors from unnecessary delays by permitting courts to extend temporary guardianships when needed.
- “Ensur[e] due diligence in locating a child’s living parent while prioritizing stability over red tape.”
Blackman added, “For too long, kids in Arizona have fallen through the cracks because of slow-moving legal procedures and unnecessary court delays. We need to be proactive in protecting and supporting them, not making them wait for a system that doesn’t always work in their favor.”
If signed into law, the bill would “also ensure that minors 16 and older, who are not part of an open dependency case, have a greater say in their future. By recognizing their unique circumstances, the bill allows courts to grant guardianship when no willing or able parent is present, preventing unnecessary hardships for vulnerable youth.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from Homeless Youth Connection signed in to support the proposal.
Last month, the bill was approved by the House Government Committee with a unanimous 7-0 vote.
HB 2079 will now be considered by the Arizona Senate in the next stop in its legislative journey.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 18, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to provide better support to Arizona families has cleared a legislative hurdle.
Last week, the Arizona House of Representatives Government Committee passed HB 2216 “to establish the Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program within the Arizona Department of Health Services. The bill was sponsored by State Representative Walt Blackman.
According to the release from Blackman, the proposal “advances efforts to provide real, practical support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies by funding nonprofit organizations that offer medical care, parenting education, adoption assistance, and essential resources like clothing, car seats, and housing support.” If signed into law, HB 2216 would “establish strict accountability measures, requiring annual audits and reports to ensure responsible use of grant funds; [and] prohibit funds from being used for political or religious purposes while ensuring all participating organizations protect client privacy in compliance with state and federal laws.”
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bill’s progress, Representative Blackman said, “HB 2216 helps make sure women and families have the resources they need to choose life and build a strong future. Too often, women facing unplanned pregnancies feel like they have nowhere to turn. This program sees they have access to real help – prenatal care, parenting classes, material support, and housing assistance – without pressure or political agendas. We’re putting Arizona families first by funding organizations that empower mothers and protect the most vulnerable among us.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chapter, Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, Camelback Family Planning, National Council of Jewish Women, Pro-Choice Arizona Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Arizona National Organization for Women (NOW), and American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, all signed in to oppose the bill.
HB 2216 passed the Senate Government Committee along party lines with a 4-3 vote. It will soon be considered by the full chamber of the Arizona House of Representatives.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 7, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A coalition of Arizona legislators are taking steps to improve the state’s wildfire mitigation efforts.
This week, State Representative Lupe Diaz, the Chairman of the House Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, updated constituents on the progress of bills in the Arizona Legislature, which are meant “to protect lives, property, and communities from the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires.”
Those bills include:
- HB 2201, which was sponsored by Representative Griffin. The bill “requires utilities to develop and submit biennial Wildfire Mitigation Plans, which include clearing hazardous vegetation around power lines to prevent utility-caused wildfires.”
- HB 2219, which was sponsored by Representative Marshall; HB 2395, HB 2398, and HB 2400, which were sponsored by Representative Blackman; and HB 2694, which was sponsored by Representative Griffin. These bills “allocate funding for fire contingency planning and wildland firefighting efforts in Arizona’s high-risk areas.”
- HB 2456, which was sponsored by Representative Marshall. This bill would “establish fire incident management grants to assist districts across the state.”
- HB 2577, which was sponsored by Representative Griffin. The bill “cuts red tape to give the State Forester more flexibility to protect communities.”
- HB 2639, which was sponsored by Representative Griffin. This bill “extends the ‘healthy forest’ tax incentive to encourage responsible forest thinning and prevent catastrophic fires.”
In a statement, Representative Diaz said, “Public safety is more than law enforcement and border security – it means defending our communities from preventable disasters. Arizona has seen what happens when wildfires are mismanaged in places like California. We refuse to let that happen here. Our plan prioritizes proactive fire mitigation efforts, responsible forest management, and ensuring that Arizonans are protected when disaster strikes.”
Diaz added, “Preventing wildfires means enacting responsible management before disaster strikes. We are working with state agencies, local officials, and private utilities to get boots on the ground, clear hazardous areas, and stop wildfires before they start. This is what leadership looks like, and it’s exactly what Arizonans expect from us.”
Governor Katie Hobbs did not mention plans to address wildfire mitigation efforts in her State of the State address to the Arizona Legislature at the beginning of the 57th Regular Session last month. Chairman Diaz’s release highlights that the Democrat governor’s “proposed budget offers zero funding for hazardous vegetation removal or forest thinning despite recognizing that wildland fire costs have been ‘much higher in recent years’ due to neglected forest maintenance.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Jan 15, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
As the Arizona Legislature revs into another session, one Republican member is looking to protect the state’s military veterans.
Last week, State Representative Walt Blackman introduced HB 2030 to “strengthen penalties for impersonating a veteran for personal gain.” According to Blackman’s press release, this legislation would “combat fraudulent claims of military service and protect the integrity of veteran status within Arizona,” making this proposal “the most comprehensive state-level response to stolen valor to date.”
In a statement that accompanied his release, Blackman said, “We cannot allow the honorable service and sacrifice of our military men and women to be undermined by deceitful actors. This legislation sends a clear message that Arizona will not tolerate stolen valor in any form. By holding individuals accountable for misrepresenting their military status for personal, political, or financial gain, we uphold the integrity of our veterans’ contributions and the trust of our citizens.”
Per Representative Blackman’s press release, the bill would “create strong deterrents against impersonating a veteran, targeting fraudulent activities such as:
- Claiming military service or awards to obtain employment, government contracts, or veterans benefits.
- Using false veteran status to gain votes, campaign contributions, or political advantages.
- Falsifying or altering military documents, combat-related badges or awards.
Penalties range from a Class 4 felony to a Class 2 felony for offenses involving high-value benefits. The bill also mandates the removal of public officials convicted under the law.”
The release also shared that the bill would “build on the federal Stolen Valor Act of 2013 by addressing gaps in federal law and expand protections at the state level, [using] Arizona’s authority under the 10th Amendment to focus on fraudulent conduct affecting state programs, elections, and institutions.”
Representative Blackman is a decorated United States Army veteran, serving twenty-one years in the military. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal for his service to the nation. Blackman is the Chairman of the House Committee on Government.
‘Veterans Issues’ was one of the priorities listed on Blackman’s campaign website. He wrote, “As a veteran myself, I am committed to addressing the unique challenges veterans face in Arizona and proving them with the necessary support and resources.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Terri Jo Neff | Jun 24, 2022 | News
By Terri Jo Neff |
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Friday that there is no federal constitutional right to have an abortion despite the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. And the reaction was swift across Arizona’s political sphere.
Many of the comments focused on what most saw as a faulty ruling issued by the SCOTUS nearly 50 years ago to carve out a right to an abortion under the U.S. Constitution. Among them was Gov. Doug Ducey, who used Twitter to express his thoughts on that aspect of the SCOTUS opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito.
Another elected official who took to Twitter was State Rep. Jacqueline Parker (R-Mesa) who retweeted an official statement released by U.S. Representative Andy Biggs.
State Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) gave thanks to the six Justices who provided “victory for the unborn and states rights.”
Also reacting to the decision was U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema who expressed concern that government will stand between healthcare decisions she said are best made between a woman, her family, and her doctors.
Sinema added that she will “continue working with anyone to protect women’s ability to make decisions about their futures.”
Others, like Maricopa County Attorney candidate Julie Gunnigle, immediately turned the ruling into a political battle cry.
Similarly, current Arizona Secretary of State and presumptive Democratic nominee for Governor, Katie Hobbs used the ruling as fodder for her campaign.
However, Matt Salmon, a Republican candidate for Governor, took a moment to somberly reflect on what he called “a historic moment for the millions of Americans who believe in the sanctity of life.” Salmon,
Meanwhile, the question now for Arizonans is what impact Friday’s ruling with have here. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a statement advising that he expects the state’s newest abortion law to take effect in about 90 days. It bans the medical procedure 15 weeks after conception.
