Author: Neil Jones

Arizona Legislators Bash Biden over Student Loan Forgiveness

Neil Jones

Following President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that his administration would forgive federal student loan debt, Arizona’s legislators quickly bashed the policy, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), who called the action favoritism.

“You may ask, rightly, why you should pay your mortgage, rent or car payments? If some people get student loans written off, why can’t your mortgage or car loan be written off? I will not tolerate such inconsistent blatant favoritism. Either we all pay our debts or none do,” Gosar said. “There is no constitutional basis for any of these actions. The problem is not student loans. The problem is exorbitant college costs and useless college degrees.”

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Kari Lake Celebrates Momentum as New Poll Shows Her in Lead over Opponent Hobbs

Neil Jones

The Trafalgar Group recently unveiled new survey results involving the Arizona governor seat race, showing Trump-endorsed Kari Lake with a slight lead over her gubernatorial rival, Democrat Katie Hobbs.

“Katie Hobbs had every advantage heading into this race after she faced an easy primary. Instead, despite a tough GOP primary, Kari Lake has seized the lead before Labor Day,” said the Lake campaign in a press release. “Katie Hobbs is simply too much of a Biden-supporting liberal extremist for Arizona. Our campaign will only continue to build on this momentum as Republicans keep uniting around Kari Lake, and Arizonans learn more about her plans to put Arizona First, fix our economy and secure the border.”

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Gov. Doug Ducey Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Following the Loss of Pima County Constable

Neil Jones

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered state buildings to fly flags at half-staff Friday following a mass shooting in Tucson resulting in the loss of Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay.

“The loss of Constable Deborah Martinez is felt across our state,” Ducey said. “Whether it was serving in the U.S. Army or carrying out her duties as a constable for Pima County, she dedicated her life to helping others and her community. Constable Martinez was a Tucson native who will be remembered for the way she treated others with dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family, as well as those who also lost their lives in today’s tragic events.”

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New Report Shows the Economic Cost of the Opioid Crisis on Arizona

Neil Jones

A new report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI) shared how the growing opioid crisis has economically burdened Arizona.

“Federal border officials have been forced to reallocate scarce resources to the interdiction and processing of migrants since 2020. Failure to complete physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, combined with a lack of enforcement attention, has enabled sufficient flow of fentanyl into the United States to fill a demand shift created in part by the crackdown on mail-order and prescription drugs,” according to the CSI. “Last year, fatal overdoses in Arizona reached the highest level ever reported by DHS, and data suggests the national numbers will be worse this year.”

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Arizona Fills In over 3,000 Feet of the Yuma Border Wall Section

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) announced Wednesday that over 3,000 feet of previously open sections in Yuma’s border wall had been filled, celebrating that Arizona is doing what the federal government will not.

“Five wide open gaps in the border wall near Yuma neighborhoods and businesses are now closed off. In just 11 days, Arizona did the job the federal government has failed to do — and we showed them just how quickly and efficiently the border can be made more secure – if you want to,” said Ducey.

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Arizona State Senator to Visit Duncan and Offer Help to Town After Massive Flooding

Neil Jones

Arizona Sen. David Gowen (R-Sierra Vista) will visit the small town of Duncan in Greenlee County, which recently suffered from heavy flooding, to offer residents help and find solutions to prevent this kind of damage from occurring again in the future.

“I am thankful that no lives were lost during what must have been a terrifying experience and appreciate the assistance of local law enforcement, first responders and the neighbors that banded together to help each other out during this time of crisis,” Gowen said in a press release. “I look forward to visiting Duncan to serve as needed in the coming days.”

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Goldwater Institute Helps Uncover Free Speech Concerns at the University of Arizona

Neil Jones
University of Arizona

A recent report shared that there may be issues concerning free speech on the University of Arizona campus following the disclosure of bias complaint documents.

“Colleges throughout the country have set up anonymous reporting systems where students inform on their peers to campus authorities, creating social justice activists who blow the whistle on their classmates’ politically incorrect social media posts or professors who fail to use the most up-to-date ‘wokeisms,'” According to a press release from the GI. “Now, the Goldwater Institute has uncovered what the University of Arizona tried to hide: an Orwellian campus reporting apparatus that fosters a culture of fear over free speech.”

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Paul Gosar Introduces Resolution Directing Garland to Provide Congress Affidavit Relating to the Mar-a-Lago Raid

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) introduced a resolution of inquiry Tuesday directing U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide the House of Representatives with a copy of the affidavit related to the August 8th raid on former President Donald Trump’s residence.

“Attorney General Merrick Garland engaged in a blatant attempt to persecute a political adversary when he authorized the raid on the residence of former President Trump. Through this action, he has endangered, compromised, and undermined the justice system of the United States,” Gosar said. “The real reason that the Department of Justice is refusing to release the affidavit that supposedly justified the raid is because it was a political hit job and not justified. Attorney General Garland has lost the trust of the American people.”

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Kimberly Yee Pushes Back Against Company for Potential Antisemitic Behavior

Neil Jones

Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee (R) recently shared that she notified Morningstar Inc. that they have 30 days to prove they are not actively boycotting Israel and breaking Arizona law.

“As Treasurer, it is my duty to ensure that Arizona does not do business with companies that are attempting to undermine Israel’s economy and violate Arizona’s anti-BDS law,” Yee said. “I will not allow companies to promote policies that are antisemitic and discriminatory efforts against Israel, which is America’s longtime friend and ally, and a significant trade partner with Arizona.”

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Arizona Representative Presses Secretary Mayorkas for Allowing Illegal Immigrants to Fly on Commercial Airplanes Without Proper ID

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) recently pressed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and demanded answers regarding the department allowing illegal immigrants to fly on commercial airplanes without presenting acceptable identification.

“President Biden’s DHS is failing to adhere to its mission of ‘safeguard[ing] the American people, our homeland, and our values,'” Biggs said in a press release. “Transporting potentially tens of thousands of lawbreakers throughout the country—with virtually unknown backgrounds—is a national security risk and defies the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. It also incentivizes more illegal immigration to our country at a time when the border has already passed its breaking point.”

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Mark Brnovich Works to Protect the Best Interests of Native American Children

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) recently joined an effort to support the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), which helps a Native child’s ability to stay within their tribe.

“The greatest treasure of the Tribal Nations is their children,” Brnovich said in a press release. “The Indian Child Welfare Act works to protect the unique interests of these youngsters while promoting the stability and security of their tribes.”

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Arizona Free Enterprise Club Endorses Proposition 132 So Arizonans Can ‘Protect Their Wallets’

Neil Jones

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC) shared its full support for prop 132, which is set to appear on the November ballot and would require a 60 percent majority vote of the people on any ballot measure that seeks to raise taxes.

“Today’s tax increase may not affect you, but tomorrow’s most certainly will. Allowing 51% of the population (who probably don’t have to pay the tax increase) to vote to tax the other 49% that do have to pay it, is wrong. And eventually, you will be in the minority,” said AFEC President Scot Mussi.

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Blake Masters Speaks on the Importance of Officials Connecting with the Community as RNC Opens Hispanic Community Center in Tucson

Neil Jones

The Republican National Committee opened a new Hispanic Community Center in Tucson, Arizona, and Republican Senate nominee Blake Masters, who appeared at the center’s opening, spoke with The Arizona Sun Times via the phone about the importance of connecting with the community.

“I think people are looking, now more than ever, for their elected officials and their servant leaders to be accessible and to have a place where you can learn more and talk to like-minded people in the community and talk about issues. I think the Republican Party’s doing great, you know, with initiatives like this, with this center and others to hopefully be permanent fixtures. I don’t want this to be something we pop up around election time and then go away,” Masters said.

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YouTube Censors Conservative Show Featuring Kari Lake

Neil Jones

Arizona Republican Gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake recently spoke on the popular Conservative show “Louder With Crowder,” but YouTube has struck down the episode.

“Tech tyrants are censoring @scrowder for something we talked about on his show last week,” Lake Tweeted. “Who knows what it was & who cares–this is wrong. IT IS UNAMERICAN. We the people must denounce censorship in any form.”

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Phoenix Police Seize Hundreds of ‘Crime Guns’ in Crackdown Operation

Neil Jones

The Phoenix Police Department (PHXPD) announced that after roughly a month after the launch of “Operation Gun Crime Crackdown” (OGCC), officers seized hundreds of crime guns to reduce gun violence in the city.

“The results of this targeted effort are a great example of how working with our law enforcement partners can enhance the great work the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department do every day,” said Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.

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Arizona to Lose 21 Percent of Its Colorado River Supply as Feds Announce Water Cut

Neil Jones

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and Central Arizona Project (CAP) released a joint statement addressing the recent news from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) that Arizona will have a fifth of its water supply from the Colorado River System cut in 2023. 

“It is unacceptable for Arizona to continue to carry a disproportionate burden of reductions for the benefit of others who have not contributed,” said ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke and CAP General Manager Ted Cooke. “Arizona is committed to work toward a comprehensive plan that assures protection of the system through equitable contributions from all water users.”

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Arizona Leaders Respond to CBP’s July Southern Border Encounter Statistics

Neil Jones

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently shared the total number of encounters at the southern border in July, and several of Arizona’s leaders have spoken on the new numbers, including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (r-AZ-04).

“For the seventeenth straight month, more than 150,000 illegal aliens crossed the southern border including [nearly] 200,000 illegal aliens in July 2022. Since Biden and the open border democrats took over in January 2021, they have facilitated an invasion of our sovereign borders of more than 4.2 million illegal aliens. Included in this invasion are terrorists – over five dozen documented so far, drug traffickers, sex traffickers and common criminals,” Gosar said.

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U.S. Senate Hopeful Blake Masters: Mark Kelly Should Go Back to Space

Neil Jones

PHOENIX, Arizona – Arizona Senate Republican nominee Blake Masters spoke at the recent “Unite and Win” rally in Phoenix, hosted by Turning Point Action, telling Arizonans it is time to get Mark Kelly (D-AZ) out of office.

“You know what, hey, we can respect that he [Mark Kelly] used to be an astronaut,” Masters said. “I’m sure he was really great at it. Doing all the experiments in space or whatever it is that astronauts do nowadays. Let him do that. Because here on earth, he’s failing. Here on earth, we have some big problems. Here on earth, we have massive inflation. Here on earth, in Arizona, there’s an invasion at our southern border.”

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Charlie Kirk Calls Arizona the ‘Battleground That Can Determine the Future of America’

Neil Jones

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk spoke at an Arizona rally Sunday, telling the people that this is the battleground state that can determine the future of America.

“You live in the state that is now the battleground, 50-50, hundreds of millions of Democrat dollars are coming into this state because as Arizona goes, America goes,” Kirk said. “You live in the place where everything you do matters. You live in the state, where if America is going to survive as a Constitutional Republic, separation of powers, independent judiciary, respect for the unborn, protection of our children. It’s all going to happen here.”

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Rep. Paul Gosar Slams Biden on One-Year Anniversary of Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar released a statement slamming President Joe Biden’s botched operation to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan on the first anniversary of the incident.

“One year ago today, Joe Biden, and his incompetent woke military leadership, made the disastrous decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and surrender over $80 billion in equipment to the Taliban,” Gosar said. “I mourn for the thousands of our soldiers who died valiantly in a two decade military campaign that was mishandled from the start by poor leadership.”

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Gov. Ron DeSantis to Kari Lake: Florida Will Send National Guard Troops to Help Secure Southern Border

Neil Jones

PHOENIX, Arizona – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke to a theater full of onlookers in downtown Phoenix Sunday at a Turning Point Action rally to support local Trump-endorsed nominees like Kari Lake and Blake Masters. Mentioning Florida would be willing to help Lake secure the border if she gets elected.

“What I’ve told Kari Lake, I said ‘look, if you’re willing to put people on that border, and keep ’em [illegal immigrants] from coming in to begin with, I’ll send National Guard to help with that,” said DeSantis.

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Kari Lake Unveils Plan to Fix Arizona’s Homeless Crisis

Neil Jones

Arizona Republican Gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake recently held a press conference at a Phoenix homeless camp covering the homeless crisis the state is facing and her policies to do something about it if elected as Arizona’s next governor.

“I’ve covered our homeless crisis for many, many years, and nothing seems to get done,” Lake said at the opening of her conference. “We’ve got our hard-earned tax money going to create parks to keep our cities up, and we can’t even use our parks anymore. We can’t walk our streets anymore because we’re afraid. Not to mention it is cruel to allow this chronic homelessness to continue on.”

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Arizona Representatives React to House Passing the Inflation Reduction Act

Neil Jones

Arizona Representatives, including Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), all recently released statements slamming the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as it passed the U.S. House Friday and will move on to President Joe Biden.

“President Biden and congressional Democrats are so out of touch with everyday Americans that they just pushed through a massive tax and spending bill that will increase taxes, gasoline prices, and utility rates all while making the lives of Americans worse,” Lesko said. “I won’t do that to the American people and that is why I voted no.”

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Gov. Doug Ducey Issues Executive Order to Fill Gaps in Southern Border Wall

Neil Jones

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) issued an executive order Friday to fill a 1,000-foot gap in the Yuma sector of the southern border wall.

“Arizona has had enough,” Ducey said. “We can’t wait any longer. The Biden administration’s lack of urgency on border security is a dereliction of duty. For the last two years, Arizona has made every attempt to work with Washington to address the crisis on our border. Time and time again we’ve stepped in to clean up their mess. Arizonans can’t wait any longer for the federal government to deliver on their delayed promises.”

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Phoenix Residents Sue City over Handling of Homeless Population

Neil Jones

Phoenix City councilman Sal DiCiccio shared that a group of Arizona home and business owners recently filed a complaint against the City of Phoenix over its handling of the homeless population.

“Phoenix has long pushed homeless into Neighborhoods. People are fed up and taking matters into their own hands,” tweeted Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio. “If Phoenix is allowed to push this problem into their neighborhood, your neighborhood will be next.”

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Nation’s Oldest Pro-Life Organization Endorses Blake Masters for U.S. Senate

Neil Jones

The Arizona Republican Senate nominee Blake Masters recently received an endorsement from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), a long-standing pro-life organization.

“National Right to Life is pleased to endorse Blake Masters for election to the U.S. Senate,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “Blake Masters has what it takes to flip the Arizona Senate seat, and he will be a strong defender of the right to life in the Senate.”

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The America Rising PAC Shares What Arizonans Should Know About Mark Kelly Going into the November General Election

Neil Jones

The America Rising PAC (ARPAC), a group dedicated to exposing the truth about Democrats, recently shared critical information regarding current Senator Mark Kelly (D) for Arizonans to know before the General Election in November.

“Contrary to his rhetoric on the campaign trail, Mark Kelly has been nothing but a rubber stamp for Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer’s devastating agenda,” shared ARPAC Press Secretary Whitney Robertson with the Sun Times via email. “If Arizonans are looking for a Senator who will actually put the people over politics, it’s time to send Kelly packing.”

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Mark Brnovich Enters Arizona in a Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) recently announced that Arizona is joining a nationwide Anti-Robocall Task Force (ARTF) with 50 attorneys general to investigate telecommunication companies responsible for bringing in foreign robocalls to the United States.

“Foreign robocalls have become a threat to our privacy and security, and they need to be stopped,” Brnovich said in a press release. “Our bipartisan coalition seeks to end these illegal and unwanted calls and ensure that offenders are held accountable.”

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Attorney General Mark Brnovich Finds No Evidence of Deceased Voters in 2020 Election

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) sent a letter to State Senate President Karen Fann (R-Prescott) Monday, stating that after reviewing allegations of deceased voters participating in the 2020 election are insufficient.

“This specific complaint alleged that 282 individuals who were deceased prior to October 5, 2020, voted in the November 3, 2020 general election,” Brnovich said in his letter. “Our agents investigated all individuals that Cyber Ninjas reported as dead, and many were surprised to learn they were allegedly deceased.”

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Gary Restaino Appoints a District Elections Officer for the Upcoming Primary Election in Arizona

Neil Jones

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino announced last week that Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Lokey was appointed as the district election officer for Arizona in connection with the approaching Tuesday primary election.

“Election Day is an opportunity for Arizona’s citizens to make their voices heard,” Restaino said. “The Department of Justice has strong partnerships with the highly professional and dedicated election officials throughout the state. Together we can do our very best to ensure that every eligible voter who chooses to vote can do so easily and efficiently, without interference or discrimination.”

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Paul Gosar Slams New Democrat Inflation Reduction Act as ‘More Wasteful Spending’

Neil Jones

Arizona Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) last week blasted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a revival of President Joe Biden’s (D) “Build Back Better” (BBB) economic bill, saying the contents of the bill will not accomplish what the title promotes.
“Families can’t afford gas and groceries, yet democrats want to raise taxes and spends billions more of your hard-earned money. Instead of addressing the root cause of the recession: out-of-control government spending, Joe Biden and democrats are now doubling down on their Far-Left Socialist policies that put us into this inflationary death spiral,” Gosar said.

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Customs and Border Patrol to Fill Holes in the U.S. Southern Border Wall Near Yuma

Neil Jones

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (D) gave U.S. Customs and Border Protection the authorization to execute the Yuma Morelos Dam Project and close four gaps along the border wall.

“These projects address operational impacts, as well as immediate life and safety risks, and will be funded with DHS’s Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations,” according to a DHS statement.

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New Poll Shows Kari Lake in Lead with the Primary Election Only Days Away

Neil Jones

Only days out from the Arizona Primary Election, a new poll from Arizona-based OH Predictive Insights (OHPI) shows leaders emerging in several GOP races across the state, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

“The inter-party battle of the GOP is about to hit its climax and the data indicates Lake is in a commanding position,” said Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research. “In these final weeks of the race, Lake’s campaign is like Katniss Everdeen – the girl on fire.”

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Recent Report Reveals How Public School Spending in Arizona Surged During Pandemic

Neil Jones

The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute recently shared that a report from Matt Beienburg, Goldwater’s Director of Education Policy, reveals how spending surged in Arizona’s Public School system, but not for the actual needs of students.

“The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in an era of unprecedented spending on public K-12 schools, yet available evidence suggests that the bonanza of federal spending was almost entirely avoidable and that much of it will likely serve a very different purpose than the one originally sold to policymakers and the public,” according to Goldwater Institute.

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Mark Brnovich Files Lawsuit Against Biden Administration over ATF Rulemaking That May Impede Second Amendment Rights

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich recently filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Acting Director of the ATF over a rulemaking that seeks to regulate firearm parts and transaction records.

“The ATF is attempting to overshoot the authority granted to it by Congress,” Brnovich said in a press release. “The rulemakings are unconstitutional, impractical, and would likely put a large number of parts manufacturers out of business.”

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Mark Brnovich Files Lawsuit Against the USDA over Regulations That Threaten Nutritional Assistance for Schools

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Monday, which aims to stop the department’s recent guidance that makes a school’s nutritional assistance dependent on its gender policies.

“USDA Choice applies to beef at the market, not to our children’s restrooms,” Brnovich said in a press release. “This threat of the Biden administration to withhold nutritional assistance for students whose schools do not submit to its extreme agenda is unlawful and despicable.”

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Andy Biggs Votes Against Legislation That Prohibits Assault Weapons

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs recently announced he voted against House Rule (HR) 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2022, which aims to prevent the sale, import, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon.

“Rather than address the bona fide root causes of mass shooting violence–including the destruction of the American family unit, mental health, or bureaucratic hurdles for law-abiding gun-owners–Democrats exploited the heightened emotions of a grieving nation to push through their radical, anti-Second Amendment agenda,” Biggs said. “This legislation is a reactionary move that will not reduce violent crime or the likelihood of mass shootings.”

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Goldwater Institute Grills the University of Arizona After Refusal to Release Public Records of ‘Bias Reporting’ on Campus

Neil Jones

The Arizona-based Goldwater Institute this week contacted the University of Arizona (UA), demanding it grants a reporter’s public record request for copies of complaints filed under UA’s Bias Education & Support Team (BEST).

“College campuses should be places of free and open exchange, where students can respectfully discuss opposing viewpoints and think critically about the major issues of the day. But instead, progressives are using bias response teams to implement their own, illiberal agenda across the country,” wrote Goldwater Institute Legal Programs Manager Kamron Kompani.

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Paul Gosar Continues to Receive Congressional Support to End the COVID-19 National Emergency

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) recently shared that his effort to end the COVID-19 national emergency is gaining continuous support from fellow Congressional members.

“Americans should never again be forced to endure government-imposed lockdowns, mandatory vaccinations and masking and school closings,” Gosar said in an update. “After more than two years, momentum is building and Congress is getting closer to finally moving beyond the overbearing, reckless, and irresponsible COVID-19 national emergency.”

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Kari Lake Shares Support for Coconino County as Arizona Officials Lend a Hand Preventing Flash-Flood Damages

Neil Jones

In response to the flash flood emergencies faced by residents in parts of Coconino County, the Kari Lake Campaign shared a statement of support with the Arizona Sun Times via email.

“Flooding in rural areas represents a huge and unnecessary risk for residents. Kari Lake has already committed to providing increased funding for infrastructure improvements- including flood control measures – in rural areas to reduce the risks as much as possible, and will take an active role whenever disaster does strike,” shared the Kari Lake Campaign Communications Director Ross Trumble.

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Debbie Lesko Requests Department of Energy Change Energy Efficiency Requirements Deadline to Ease Burdens for Arizona Builders

Neil Jones

Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) recently sent a letter to the Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, requesting she delay the deadline for implementing minimum efficiency performance requirements for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in the south to give Arizona builders a buffer period.

“The Biden Administration has instituted an unworkable timeline for its new HVAC efficiency requirements that will harm Arizona builders,” Lesko said in a press release. “This deadline does not allow for a buffer period for builders to install existing and in-stock HVAC systems while they wait for the compliant systems to arrive, which will halt current construction projects. I am urging the Biden Administration to change the deadline to provide builders with the time they need to implement these new requirements.”

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Mark Brnovich Announces $4.5 Million in Funding for Treating Opioid Addiction and Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) announced Thursday that the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) had awarded $4,500,000 in grant funding to three counties across Arizona to help treat those with opioid addiction or mental health issues in the criminal justice system.

“Our primary goal with these grants is to increase inmate screening and treatment for underlying substance abuse and mental health conditions,” Brnovich said in a press release. “Effectively addressing opioid disorders will ultimately reduce recidivism rates among treated offenders.”

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Doug Ducey Responds to East Coast Mayors Requesting Aid for Increase in Immigrants, ‘Welcome to Our World’

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) recently responded to statements made by mayors from Eastern America, including New York City’s (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams (D), who have requested help after an influx of immigrants from the Southern border.

“President Biden created the crisis at the border — he’s failed to respond to calls for action and refuses to even visit the border, so we’re bringing the issue a little closer to home for him,” Ducey tweeted.

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Arizona Representative Lauds Enactment of Sponsored Legislation Which Aims to Improve Rural Ambulance Services and Protect Parental Rights

Neil Jones

Arizona State Representative Judy Burges (R-AZ-01) lauded the enactment of two pieces on Tuesday of legislation she sponsored, one of which seeks to improve ambulance services for people who live in rural areas.

“State [statutes] regulating ambulance services, which were largely written in the 1970s and 80s, simply did not meet today’s needs,” Burges said in a press release. “Inadequate coverage of ambulance services and longer response times, as experienced in rural areas, put human lives at risk. This new law provides much-needed reform to improve ambulance services and response.”

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Arizona Mother Fights Prosecution by Department of Child Safety to Defend Right to Due Process

Neil Jones

An Arizona mother, Sarra L., filed a lawsuit Wednesday, jointly represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) and the Goldwater Institute, against the Arizona Department of Child Safety (AZDHS) to protect her right to due process and clear her name.

“Due process and the separation of powers should have protected Sarra from the Department of Child Safety’s abusive prosecution. DCS has a track record of ignoring due process that should protect innocent parties from severe punishment,” said Adi Dynar, an attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation. “Sarra is seeking to right the wrong done to her and prevent other parents from facing a similar fate in the future.”

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Mark Brnovich Seeks Execution Warrant for Arizona Death Row Inmate Murray Hooper

Neil Jones

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) filed a notice at the Arizona Supreme Court Tuesday, declaring the state’s intent to seek an execution warrant for death row inmate Murray Hooper.

“Our state recognizes that those who commit the most heinous crimes deserve the ultimate punishment,” Brnovich said. “It is the appropriate response, and we must faithfully carry out the court-ordered sentences for the victims, their families, and our communities.”

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Andy Biggs Introduces Legislation to Prevent the Biden Administration from Using Federal Funds to Impose Woke Ideology Abroad

Neil Jones

Arizona Representative Andy Biggs introduced legislation Tuesday called the Stop Imposing Woke Ideology Abroad Act, which seeks to prohibit federal funding for the State Department’s Equity Action Plan (EAP).

“Using taxpayer dollars to fund the Biden Administration’s woke programs abroad is a complete misuse of federal funding and further strains our relationships with countries abroad,” Biggs said in a press release. “This legislation ensures we protect American interests and curb the Biden Administration’s detached social agenda abroad.”

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Arizona Restaurant Association Says Business Owners Face Struggles During Record Inflation

Neil Jones

Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA), told The Arizona Sun Times on Tuesday that local businesses in the state are struggling under inflation.

“For us [the ARA], it’s really two-fold. It’s not only inflation and what that means to supply chain issues, but it’s also gas prices. There’s a direct correlation between restaurant frequency and the increase in gas prices,” Chucri said.

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Pinal County Voters Will Receive a Second, ‘Municipal Only’ Ballot After 63K Early Ballots Were Sent Out with Errors

Neil Jones

In seven municipalities across Pinal County, voters received an early ballot with errors related to city and town elections, and officials recently held a live meeting to discuss what voters should expect from new municipal-only ballots.

“Effective now, impacted voters can go to their local voting site and they can pick up the municipal only ballot, or if you are on the active early voter list, this will automatically be sent to your residence,” said Pinal County Attorney General Kent Volkmer in the meeting recorded by Fox News. “I cannot stress this enough. If you live in any of the seven impacted municipalities, you must fill out both of these ballots.”

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