Montenegro Announces 2nd Session Staff

State Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro (R-29) has announced the new House Majority Policy Staff set for the second Arizona Legislative session beginning in late September.

Three of the new staff members have been promoted to new positions, including Joel Hobbins, Trinity Preest, and Noah Brunson-Osborne. Gina Swoboda, head of the Arizona Republican Party, is the latest member, while Kelsey Jahntz is the only returning member from the first session.

Hobbins is set to become the Policy Advisor for the Health & Human Services Committee... READ MORE

Governor Katie Hobbs: Alfredo Gutierrez was a trailblazer for justice whose voice shaped Arizona for decades. From leading student protests to championing migrant rights, his work opened doors for countless families. As a leader in the State Senate, Alfredo shaped state policy and was pivotal in the creation and development of critical agencies like DES and AHCCCS that have assisted countless Arizonans. I was honored to work with him to advance opportunities for all Arizonans. His legacy will continue to guide us for years to come. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes: Repealing the EPA’s Endangerment Finding is a reckless and willful denial of reality. Ignoring science won’t make climate change go away. It won’t prevent wildfires. It won’t fill our reservoirs or reverse the record-breaking droughts plaguing states like Arizona.

State Representative Nick Kupper: I was watching a 1983 episode of The Price is Right this morning & the models had written a sign saying “support the ERA”. I wonder what those women think of the people currently supporting the ERA who are also pushing men to be women & take all their rights. The 80s were a simpler time.

State Representative Quang Nguyen: I’m speaking at the next Women For Gun Rights-AZ Meeting on Thursday, July 31st at 6:pm-8:pm at the Bobby Q’s on the I-17. The topic will be on why the right to keep and bear arms is vital to individual liberties. Please come out if you can. Thank you for the invitation, @GunFreedomRadio @infanzon

Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart: @MaricopaCounty LIBRARY UPDATE: Protecting Kids from Inappropriate Content All juvenile sexual health books have been relocated from the children’s section to the adult section Our Parental Control Pilot Program is now active at all county libraries We’re exploring software options that require parental opt-in for certain youth checkouts A new unattended minor policy is under review Thank you to the community members who raised this important concern. @azwomenofaction I'm proud of the steps my colleagues and I have taken to ensure our libraries remain safe, age-appropriate spaces for children. @ThomasGalvin @DebbieLesko @KateMcGeeAZ @Steve_Gallardo

Montenegro Announces New House Majority Policy Staff for Second Session— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich

Hamadeh Discusses New Bill to Tighten Non-Military Overseas Voting— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) discussed a new bill he intends to introduce during a recent appearance on James T. Harris' Conservative Circus radio show aimed at tightening laws surrounding American expats voting.

Ciscomani Introduces Bill Improving Land Stewardship Around Military Bases— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) has introduced legislation aimed at improving stewardship of the land surrounding domestic U.S. military bases.

Gaza Faces 'Worst-Case Scenario' Famine as Death Toll Exceeds 60,000— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— With the number of Palestinian deaths surpassing 60,000 since the start of the war, international food security experts issued their most serious warning yet regarding Gaza's hunger crisis, stating that the "worst-case scenario of famine" is occurring.

Stanton Argues Against ICE Blocks Congressional Access to Arizona Detention Center— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Congressman Greg Stanton was trying to visit a detention center in Arizona when federal immigration officials refused him admission, which raised concerns about monitoring duties and federal law compliance.

Marshall Announces Public Meeting for Wildfire Season— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— State Representative David Marshall (R-7) is announcing a public meeting of the Arizona House Fire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee in Payson at the Gila Community College as wildfire season escalates.

Hamadeh's Edith Nourse Rogers Bill Passes Committee— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— On Friday, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs passed Representative Abe Hamadeh's (R-AZ) Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act, which he celebrated in a statement.

Fontes Receives Criticism for Handling Iranian Cyberattack Alone, Requests Funding for Security Purposes— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— The controversial decision made by Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to handle a suspected Iranian cyberattack on the state's elections website without involving federal authorities has drawn increasing criticism. Recently justifying the decision by claiming that it was required to prevent political exploitation of the security breach.

'South Park' Sparks Controversy Causing White House to Speak Out— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— The White House released an official response after an episode of Comedy Central's long-running animated series "South Park" that criticized President Donald Trump when the show's 27th season debuted Wednesday night.

Kelly, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill Letting Canadian Tourists Stay in US Longer— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Rick Scott (R-FL) are introducing a bipartisan bill that extends tourist visas for Canadian citizens, incentivizing tourism and contributing to local economies.

The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres