By Daniel Stefanski | Arizona’s Attorney General is facing yet another instance of Republican opposition to her desire to sideline Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell in an investigation of the Governor’s Office. This week, State Representative David Livingston became the latest Arizona official to weigh in on the brewing scandal and investigation over the Governor’s Office’s alleged impropriety with taxpayer dollars, writing a letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes, demanding that she “immediately recuse [herself] from investigating the pay-to pay scandal, which involves substantial donat ..read more

By Daniel Stefanski | Another Arizona official has weighed in on the pending investigation of the Governor’s Office. On Monday, Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee sent a letter to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, requesting “that [she] investigate the allegations that have occurred in [her] jurisdiction.” With the transmission of the letter, Yee became the latest elected official to insert herself into the discussion about what happened and what to do next with the recent allegations of improper use of state taxpayer dollars from Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration. Less than a week ago ..read more

By Staff Reporter | Concerns have been raised over an alleged political alliance involving two Glendale City Council candidates — both Democrats, though the race is nonpartisan — one of which is an Arizona Democratic Party leader. Yucca District candidate Lupe Encinas and Cactus District candidate Lupe Conchas have grown close in the competitive race, according to those familiar with the race. Conchas is a progressive leader within the Arizona Democratic Party.  Rumors have circulated online that Encinas and Conchas would turn Glendale into a sanctuary city for illegal immigration. Neithe ..read more

By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club | There are plenty of problems with the Arizona Commerce Authority. Since its inception in 2011, criticisms were raised concerning its freewheeling powers to dole out taxpayer money with practically no legislative oversight and broad exemptions from important guardrails such as the prohibition of using outside counsel (rather than the Attorney General’s office.) These issues have resurfaced over the years in critical Auditor General reports that have highlighted the insufficient reporting and record keeping for the administration of grants and ..read more

By Staff Reporter | Over the last three years, the city of Phoenix spent over $180 million in its attempts to address its growing homeless population. New research from The Goldwater Institute suggests that the millions had little impact, if any, in reducing the rates of homelessness. The population grew 92 percent in Phoenix from 2018 to 2023, and 72 percent in Maricopa County from 2017 to 2023. Homeless population totals for 2021 weren’t collected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The growth became evident in certain areas, such as the downtown area unofficially ignored by police for m ..read more

By Daniel Stefanski | Arizona’s Republican Senate President is confident that a recently passed measure dealing with border security will survive legal scrutiny if passed by state voters in November. Over the weekend, State Senate President Warren Petersen issued a statement after the Arizona House of Representatives put the finishing touches on a ballot referral, HCR 2060, to help law enforcement better protect citizens from the dangerous effects of the porous border. Petersen said, “After Biden, our Governor, and Democrat lawmakers blocked all efforts to safeguard our citizens against the ra ..read more

By Matthew Holloway | On Sunday, June 2, authorities estimate that anywhere between two and three thousand Mexican nationals descended upon Phoenix and gathered beneath the scorching Arizona sun to vote. According to the Instituto Nacional Electoral, the Mexican government body charged with organizing the nation’s elections, only approximately 600 of those present at the Mexican Consulate Sunday were able to place their vote. A Spanish language outlet estimated the number to be up to 7,000. Cuitláhuac Osorio Technical secretary of the Executive Directorate of the Federal Register of Voters of ..read more

By Dr. Thomas Patterson | When the Supreme Court was debating the landmark Dobbs abortion case, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shouted threats (“you will reap the whirlwind…”) at them from the courthouse steps. Thus, the last doubt was obliterated that the unquestioned authority of the Court was under serious attack. An independent judiciary is the key to maintaining our constitutional republic. It is the reckoning mechanism which keeps us on track, muting the potential excesses of popular democracy. Americans once understood this and valued our judiciary, even when it sometimes wor ..read more

By Tamra Farah | The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) is seeking federal funds to renew the Mental Health Service Professionals (MHSP) Demonstration Grant through the Department of Education (ED). The grant would enable the district to expand its program for unlicensed behavioral health workers. The grant application includes assertions to garner sympathy and support, such as highlighting low student-to-behavioral health worker ratios, funding cuts, and increased student academic issues post-COVID. There is just one problem: the initiative is flawed and poorly justified when scrutini ..read more

By Daniel Stefanski | Government officials across different jurisdictions are attempting to lay claim to the investigation of the Arizona Governor’s Office over a recent media report that the Hobbs’ administration may have engaged in an improper, or unethical, or unlawful relationship with an organization receiving taxpayer dollars. Last week, after her Criminal Division head confirmed the existence of an inquiry, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes transmitted two letters to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Arizona Auditor General Lindsey Perry, over their respective Office’s plan ..read more