Tag: Governor Katie Hobbs

Maricopa County Joins List of Arizona Governmental Entities Banning TikTok on Official Devices

Neil Jones

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (MCBOS) voted unanimously Wednesday to ban the popular social media app TikTok from being used by government-owned and leased devices, citing cyber security concerns as the driving reason.

“We know social media companies gather loads of personal information on users to better customize the content they serve. And we know TikTok is not alone in doing this. But there are national security and privacy concerns when TikTok’s interests interfere with the best interests of Maricopa County’s residents,” said MCBOS Member Thomas Galvin in a statement to reporters.

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Arizona State Senator Disappointed After Hobbs Vetoes Another of His Bills

Neil Jones

State Senator Anthony Kern (R-Glendale) released a statement Tuesday, disagreeing with Governor Katie Hobbs’s (D) decision to veto his Senate Bill aimed at balancing power between the legislative and executive branches of government.

“The Legislature is tasked with deciding major questions of statewide policy. SB 1255 would have recognized that duty by giving the Legislature final approval over costly bureaucratic agency rulemaking before rules go into effect and economically impact Arizonans,” Kern said.

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State Lawmakers Urge Gov. Hobbs to Protect Arizona’s Water Supply from the Colorado River

Neil Jones

A group of Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Gail Griffin (R-Hereford), Lupe Diaz (R-Benson), and Senator Sine Kerr (R-Buckeye), sent Governor Katie Hobbs (D) a letter Friday, demanding that she stick up for Arizona’s water future and defend access to the Colorado River.

“Under the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation’s (“BOR”) Action Alternative 1 for allocating cuts on the Colorado River, which allocates cuts based strictly on the seniority of rights, Arizona’s citizens that rely on the Central Arizona Project will see dramatic reductions, potentially cutting them off from the Colorado River completely,” the legislators wrote. “With our state’s population and economic prosperity on the line, protecting our state’s share of the Colorado River from the looming risk of complete disconnection is paramount.”

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Republican State Representative Applauds Increased Access to Childcare Coming to Arizona

Neil Jones

Arizona State Representative Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) released a statement Friday applauding the new executive rulemaking from Governor Katie Hobbs (D) that aims to increase access to childcare services in the state.

“This policy is designed to expand opportunities for Arizona’s working families and provide more options for their children when they are not in school,” Gress said. “Given the lack of providers for school-age children, it is crucial that we increase the supply of childcare centers to better serve our communities. For parents that qualify for federal subsidy, this effort will help ensure that parents can continue to work and provide for their families. I applaud the Governor for taking action on this important issue.”

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Republican State Senator Celebrates Multiple Freedom and Government Transparency-Centered Bills Becoming Law

Neil Jones

Arizona State Senator John Kavanaugh (R-Fountain Hills) released his weekly update video Monday, sharing that several of the bills he sponsored have been signed by Governor Katie Hobbs (D). Among these is a bill ensuring Arizonans can fly the Betsy Ross flag.

“I have been in a perpetual with rogue, draconian Homeowners Associations [HOA] throughout my 17 years in the Legislature. I’ve had to pass laws to protect constituents from unreasonable actions by them,” Kavanaugh said. “This session’s unreasonable HOA action was one HOA banned people from flying the Betsy Ross flag. Now that’s the first flag of the United States.”

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Arizona Homemade Food Bill Receives National Support While Senate Democrats Appear to Backtrack

Neil Jones

Support for HB 2509, sponsored by Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert), to receive a veto override has reached nationwide, as the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) sent Arizona Legislative leaders a message Sunday sharing their support for this bill.

“By signing this bill, the Governor [Katie Hobbs (D)] had an opportunity to support the Hispanic community and personal freedom that should be accessible to everyone. Our community should not fear legal repercussions for selling their homemade foods and we urge Arizona Legislators to do what is right and override her veto,” wrote the NHCSL President, New Jersey Senator Nellie Pou (D-Paterson).

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State Representative Urges Katie Hobbs to Help Create New International Trade Offices

Neil Jones

Arizona State Representative David Cook (R-Globe) shared Friday that he sent a letter to Governor Katie Hobbs (D), asking for her aid in establishing a new trade office in Sonora, Mexico.

“Arizona should act now to increase its competitive positioning in the global arena on topics such as the semiconductor industry, secured supply chains, and clean energy programs,” Cook wrote. “These topics have national security connotations that are crucial for Arizona’s sustainable economic development and our own border security in our region.”

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetoes More Bills Including Election Policies and School Safety

Neil Jones

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs revealed another batch of legislative actions Tuesday, including four more vetoes for Republican-led legislation.

“Katie Hobbs just vetoed my bill that would have affirmed that courts are to interpret election laws in the interests of transparency – insane,” shared State Representative Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale).

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Center for Arizona Policy Urges Gov. Katie Hobbs to Sign Anti-Infanticide Bill

Neil Jones

The Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) is urging Governor Katie Hobbs to sign Senate Bill (SB) 1600, sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), which aims to protect all children born alive.

“Withholding reasonable care to a living newborn just because doctors don’t expect her to live long is, indeed, heartless and cruel. @GovernorHobbs can prevent this evil by signing SB 1600,” CAP tweeted.

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Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell Files Brief in Favor of Capital Punishment Opposed by Katie Hobbs

Neil Jones

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell (R) filed an amicus curiae brief to the Arizona Supreme Court (ASC) Tuesday, stating her belief that Governor Katie Hobbs cannot refuse to execute death row inmate Aaron Gunches, 51.

“As County Attorney, I took an oath to uphold the US Constitution and the constitution and laws of the State of Arizona. These recognize that both the victim and the accused have rights. Our brief recognizes and supports the right of victims to a ‘prompt and final conclusion of the case,'” Mitchell said regarding the filing.

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