Mayes Secures Broadband Agreement

Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes announced a recent settlement with Frontier Communications and Verizon to secure their investment in broadband infrastructure in Navajo and Apache Counties.

The terms of the agreement with the companies include $8 million to expand and enhance phone and internet service in the area, with half ($4 million) going toward connecting homes, businesses, and public institutions directly to high-speed fiber.

Another $2 million will be invested specifically in improving fiber reliability... READ MORE

Senator Ruben Gallego: Poor people shouldn’t die because they can’t afford healthcare. That’s why 60 years ago we created Medicaid. But Republicans just gutted it to fund tax cuts for billionaires. This fight isn't over.

Representative Andy Biggs: Jerome Powell is a political operative blinded by Trump Derangement Syndrome. It’s time for him to go. End the Fed.

Representative Eli Crane: Recently, @DHSgov announced $2.6 billion in federal grant funding to assist with disaster response and mitigation efforts. I encourage all local, state, and tribal authorities to explore this proactive opportunity. #AZ02

Representative Juan Ciscomani: Got a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work that keeps @QuikTrip running in Tucson—thank you to the team for letting me jump behind the counter and experience a day in your shoes. Your dedication to our community doesn’t go unnoticed.

Representative Abe Hamadeh: As a member of @HouseVetAffairs, Congressman Hamadeh thanks President Trump for signing this bipartisan bill, which will assist our veterans facing financial hardships and help them stay in their homes.

Representative Greg Stanton: Saying the quiet part out loud: the Trump Administration wants privatize Social Security. This is a threat to all Arizonans who’ve paid into the system their entire lives so they can retire with dignity.

Mayes Announces Settlement to Secure Broadband Investment in Navajo, Apache Counties— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich

USCIS Announces Plan to Deny Birthright Citizenship After Court Block— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Although the Trump administration's executive order that would end birthright citizenship is currently blocked by multiple federal court rulings, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has prepared implementation plans for potential future enforcement.

Tucson Schools Cut Student Testing in Half After Parent and Teacher Pressure— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— This year, students in the Tucson Unified School District will take a lot fewer tests after the school board authorized a fundamental change of the district's testing processes. The modifications, which cut testing by roughly half for some students, follow petitions signed by over 1,200 educators and parents calling for reform.

Kelly Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Regulating AI Use in Election Administration— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has reintroduced a bipartisan bill to set standards on the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in election administration.

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

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.

The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres