AGP Executive Report

State Budget: Gov. Katie Hobbs signed an $18.3B bipartisan budget after lawmakers adjourned early, including $1.4B in tax cuts, 2.5% agency cuts, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives—while Prop. 123 funding still wasn’t included. Vouchers & Elections: Arizona Republicans are offering a narrower voucher deal to avoid a broader ballot fight, as two dueling ESA-related measures head toward a July 3 petition deadline. Voting Rules: A new Arizona ballot proposal would require photo ID for voting, including mail ballots, but critics say it leaves key details unclear. Colorado River: Utah and Wyoming warned Arizona and other basin states that pursuing litigation could cost them about $354M in conservation aid before the Sept. 30 deadline. Local Business/Tech: An Arizona local SEO firm expanded services to include Apple Maps advertising alongside Google Business Profile and Google Ads. Sports: Levi Wallace returned to Tucson High for his annual youth football camp, and the Diamondbacks fell 2-1 to the Reds as Noelvi Marte hit a late solo homer.

Election Integrity: Arizona’s Secure Elections Act cleared the Legislature and heads to voters, locking in citizen-only voting, ID requirements, limits on foreign election spending, and options like in-person ballot tabulation. School Vouchers: House Republicans are offering education advocates new limits on what can be bought with voucher funds, aiming to avoid a broader ballot fight. State Budget: Lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs are wrapping up an $18.3B budget deal that includes major tax relief and a data-center tax pause. Housing & Growth: A new Loop 303 expansion is set to break ground June 15, adding lanes to support West Valley commuting. Public Safety & Courts: A judge ordered Maricopa County supervisors to explain why they shouldn’t be held in contempt in an ongoing election-equipment dispute. Nancy Guthrie Search: Mexican volunteers resumed a search for Nancy Guthrie’s remains after an anonymous tip, while U.S. and Mexican authorities say there’s no confirmed evidence.

Arizona Budget: Arizona lawmakers finalized an $18.3B budget with sharp partisan fights, including Republicans pushing the full Trump tax package and Democrats warning of revenue cuts. Data Centers: The deal also includes a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, aiming to preserve about $57M while lawmakers debate who pays as electricity and water pressures grow. Local Economy & Research: Phoenix Bioscience Core is expanding its life-sciences footprint, while ASU researchers are getting national attention through a new PBS series with Miles O’Brien on heat and climate impacts. Immigration & Welfare: A new analysis finds non-citizen-headed households use means-tested welfare at much higher rates than U.S.-born households, with Arizona cited among states showing big gaps. Prediction Markets: The CFTC sued New Mexico over prediction market jurisdiction, escalating a fast-growing federal-versus-state fight. Elections & Voting: Maricopa County’s election equipment dispute flared again after surveillance video reignited tensions around the recorder’s office. Public Safety: Cochise County Search and Rescue helped rescue a stranded, dehydrated man from a cliff face.

Nancy Guthrie Search: A Mexico-based volunteer group says it received an anonymous tip that Guthrie’s remains were buried near the border in an area called “Mariposa,” prompting another search after earlier efforts found nothing; the Pima County Sheriff says his office is aware but has not been contacted by Mexican authorities. Health Care Oversight: A House committee voted to halt funding for CMS’s AI-driven WISeR prior-authorization pilot, citing concerns about patient access and provider burden, while lawmakers demand more reporting from CMS. Arizona Budget: Arizona’s $18.3B budget cleared the Legislature, including $1.4B in Trump tax cuts and a data center tax incentive moratorium, with universities facing $16M in cuts. Local Government & Daily Life: Phoenix lawmakers are weighing a bill that would block cities from charging businesses for abandoned shopping-cart returns, a policy aimed at shifting cleanup costs to retailers. Business & Community: Ripple Fiber is expanding into Pima County with plans for fiber service for more than 50,000 homes and businesses, while Peoria and Peoria Unified are offering free summer meals statewide.

Family Courts & Domestic Violence: Arizona’s HB 2995 (“Alec and Lydia Act”) cleared the House, requiring judges to prioritize child safety and domestic violence victims and limiting unsupervised/overnight visits for abusive parents unless they show they’re safe. State Budget & Corrections Oversight: Prison healthcare funding fell short of a court-ordered staffing requirement, and an Independent Corrections Oversight Office was left unfunded—raising fears reforms will stall. Local Control in Sedona: A push for Proposition 400 argues home rule is needed for Sedona’s visitor-driven infrastructure and public safety demands. Boats & Liability: New short-term boat rental platforms are outpacing rules; lawmakers are weighing a bill that would require liability insurance for peer-to-peer renters. Energy & Jobs: EDP Renewables and SRP finished the Flatland battery storage project in Coolidge, a major grid-reliability upgrade. World Cup Politics: With the tournament starting amid U.S.-Iran tensions, coverage highlights how geopolitics could shape match-day access and headlines. Arizona Elections: Key dates for the July 21 primary include June 22 voter registration and July 10 mail ballot requests.

World Cup Fallout: FIFA’s 2026 kickoff is arriving with a mess of off-field problems, from visa denials and entry delays to Iran warning it could halt matches over unauthorized flags or anti-team slogans. Arizona Housing & Cost Pressure: A Valley affordability example shows even a $140,000 household can only comfortably target a roughly $466,000 home—right around metro Phoenix’s median—highlighting why prices have stalled. Local Education: Mesa’s Jefferson Elementary posted major gains in English learner proficiency on AZELLA, with districtwide improvements as the English learner share rises. Semiconductor Expansion: Peoria approved a land deal to expand Amkor’s campus, but residents are pressing for answers on water use, chemicals, traffic, and emergency planning. Autonomous Freight: PepsiCo and Gatik announced driverless Class 8 trucking in Texas, Arizona and Arkansas, moving from testing to revenue routes. Public Safety: Arizona’s new law makes paying for sex a felony with mandatory jail time and adds funding for trafficking victims.

Autonomous Freight: PepsiCo and Gatik announced a driverless Class 8 trucking rollout on a fixed U.S. corridor that includes Texas, Arizona and Arkansas—pushing AI-powered freight from testing into revenue routes. World Cup Visa Fallout: Iran’s team landed in Mexico’s Tijuana after visa denials and match-day-only U.S. access added “a lot of tension,” while FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urged fans to “chill” and trust FIFA amid mounting entry problems. Maricopa Election Power Struggle: A dispute over alleged theft of ballot-counting equipment has escalated into a criminal investigation involving Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and the county board. Police Transparency Fight: The ACLU sued Phoenix over denied public-records requests tied to police use-of-force policies. Arizona Education & Health Policy: The Education Department admitted it violated a court order in Title IX cases, and Arizona’s budget talks left Prop 123’s education funding mechanism out of the deal. Local Governance: A Deer Valley school board member faced intense resignation demands after a Nazi salute incident.

Arizona Politics & Budget: Gov. Katie Hobbs and GOP leaders agreed on an $18.3 billion spending plan, preserving major tax cuts while dropping some of Hobbs’s proposed revenue-raising items. Water & Housing: A judge struck down Arizona Department of Water Resources “water tax” rules that forced homebuilders to show extra groundwater access, dealing another blow to the agency’s approach to groundwater regulation. Colorado River: The state faces a major share cut—about 77%—as negotiations stall over water allocation. Local Governance: Oro Valley launched a new tourism website and adopted a leisure travel management plan aimed at boosting events, sports tourism, and Steam Pump Ranch programming. Tech & Business: TSMC and Halo Vista are set to brief Anthem-area residents this week as Arizona’s semiconductor push expands. Workforce & Economy: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds half of Americans fear AI could put someone in their household out of work. Elections & Voting: A proposed USPS rule would require states to hand over voter lists to keep mail ballots flowing, setting up more court fights. Sports: The World Cup’s U.S. entry rules and ticket disputes keep fueling controversy as Iran’s fan access remains in limbo.

Arizona Budget Deal: Gov. Katie Hobbs and GOP leaders agreed on a revised nearly $18.3 billion spending plan, preserving about $450 million a year in tax cuts while rejecting or reshaping billions in GOP tax hikes and fees. Colorado River: Federal officials say the next river plan will be shorter-term, with new operational guidelines every two years as Lake Mead and Lake Powell conditions stay unstable. SNAP & Summer Meals: As SNAP participation drops and food banks get overwhelmed, Arizona schools are stepping in as a summer safety net for hungry kids. Public Safety & Courts: A judge cleared Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby to play despite NCAA gambling ineligibility, a ruling the NCAA says could destabilize college sports. Local Law Enforcement: Newly uncovered bodycam footage shows Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos questioned at Tucson International Airport after bringing an undeclared loaded gun through TSA. World Cup Visa Fight: Iran’s federation says the U.S. revoked its supporters’ ticket allocation days before kickoff, while DHS says the team can enter the day before each match. Environment: San Carlos Lake in Arizona is closed after a major fish kill, with officials warning of health risks from decomposing carcasses. Energy Policy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new coal capacity, including projects tied to Arizona’s power cooperative.

World Cup Fallout: Iran’s football federation says FIFA revoked its ticket allocation for the team’s three U.S. group games just days before kickoff, leaving supporters who already bought tickets stranded and escalating a broader Iran-U.S. dispute. Arizona Courts & Families: Arizona lawmakers are advancing a bill that would cap spousal maintenance at four years, limiting what judges can consider in divorce cases. Local Schools: Mesa Public Schools approved a temporary property tax levy to cover a $4.1 million revenue shortfall tied to lower assessed values and delinquent collections. Energy & Land Use: A rural Arizona nuclear bill would strip county zoning power over small modular reactors, with critics warning it could effectively open the door near data centers. Labor & Transit: Sun Tran workers voted 99% to authorize a strike ahead of contract talks, as the transit agency responds. Business & Tech: PepsiCo is expanding driverless freight trucking with autonomous deliveries of Doritos and other snacks, sparking new debate over jobs, safety, and regulation.

College Sports & Courts: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby won a temporary injunction against the NCAA after a judge said the NCAA can’t block him from playing this fall despite his gambling ineligibility ruling, with Sorsby set to miss the first two games under a judge-approved penalty while appeals loom. Energy & Local Control: Arizona lawmakers are moving to sidestep rural zoning rules for new nuclear generation, including fast-tracking small reactors near data centers and stripping county oversight in 13 rural counties. Agriculture & Biosecurity: The USDA issued guidance to Arizona ranchers as screwworm spreads in Texas, urging monitoring of feral swine and steps to reduce fly exposure. Utilities & Consumer Protections: San Tan Valley residents get summer power shutoff protections, but rules vary by provider—APS is covered by the state’s June-to-October ban while SRP’s approach differs. Elections & Voter Access: Arizona’s ballot pamphlet program lets voters and groups submit arguments for $75, with a June 24 deadline for the November mailer. Monsoon Safety: Arizona media outlets are gearing up for the 2026 monsoon with flash-flood warnings and guidance on where flooding hits hardest.

Semiconductor Workforce: The NSF and U.S. Commerce are expanding the CHIPS & Science Act’s National Network for Microelectronics Education, with Arizona’s Commerce Authority leading the new NNME Southwest node. Vaping Crackdown: Arizona lawmakers approved HB 4001 to curb youth nicotine sales, adding packaging limits, licensing, and repeat-seller penalties. World Cup Visa Fight: Iran’s team reached Mexico after U.S. visa disputes left some staff denied entry; the squad is set to fly in and out for U.S. match days. Local Immigration Shock: A Tempe eighth grader was detained by ICE after his mother’s arrest, sparking protests and questions about how a student ended up in a Texas detention center. Public Safety & Water: Queen Creek is expanding its use of treated reclaimed water for lakes and irrigation, while Phoenix-area officials continue responding to serious incidents, including a fatal South Mountain fall. Health Care Costs: Arizona’s Medicaid fraud case continues to draw attention as state spending and enforcement remain in the spotlight. Sports: The Cardinals’ QB situation may shift as Jacoby Brissett is reported to attend Arizona minicamp.

World Cup Visa Clash: Iran’s national team reached Tijuana, Mexico ahead of World Cup matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, but the diplomatic fight over U.S. visas is still roiling. Iran says some federation officials and support staff were denied entry or forced into match-day-only rules, while U.S. officials say players and “necessary support staff” were cleared and warn against embedding non-athletic personnel. Local Crime: In Mesa, federal agents arrested a shooting suspect after he allegedly fled a domestic-violence-related incident; authorities say he was stopped in Flagstaff and faces charges including drive-by shooting. Sports: The Diamondbacks avoided a sweep with a 5-1 win over the Nationals, sparked by Gabriel Moreno’s two-run homer. Business & Health: A Phoenix man pleaded guilty to selling illegal SARMs smuggled from China, with prosecutors saying the scheme brought in millions. Community Spotlight: An Arizona sports bar is drawing crowds by centering women’s sports, betting on momentum for girls and athletes.

Arizona Politics: A USA TODAY report spotlights Republicans running for governor in competitive states—including Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs—who challenged Trump’s 2020 loss, raising questions about how they’d handle election administration if elected. State Government: Arizona’s Legislature Week in Review highlights two major bills: HB4001 to crack down on underage nicotine sales and HB2749 to allow certain felony convictions to be reclassified as misdemeanors under strict conditions. Local Education: The EVIT transportation fight is escalating as multiple East Valley districts refuse to fund student rides to EVIT campuses; EVIT offered to cover half the cost, but districts say they need more details in an intergovernmental agreement. Tech & Business: TSMC CEO C.C. Wei says AI demand is surging but warns U.S. chip production won’t fix supply quickly, while criticizing RAM makers’ aggressive pricing. World News with Arizona ties: Iran’s World Cup participation is roiled by a visa dispute affecting some staff, with the team shifting its base to Mexico as the U.S.-Iran standoff spills into tournament logistics. Arizona Communities: Waymo is helping Boys & Girls Clubs interns in Chandler by providing free rides for teens during a workforce readiness study.

Iran World Cup Visa Fight: Iran’s team is heading to Mexico for training after the U.S. cleared players but left some senior staff without visas, with Tehran calling it “vindictive behavior” and saying FIFA should hold the U.S. accountable. War Powers: The House passed a War Powers Resolution that could force President Trump to step back from military action against Iran, with a narrow bipartisan vote. Arizona Housing & Property Rights: A new Arizona law aims to curb squatting by speeding up eviction timelines, targeting repeat “Goldilocks” style intrusions while preserving landlord-tenant rights. HOAs vs. Pets: An Arizona bill would limit how far homeowner associations can go in harassing dog owners. Public Safety & Health: BannerAir in Arizona is bringing antivenom to remote snake-bite patients via “flying ICU” helicopters. Arizona Environment: Navajo officials are reviewing a decades-old screwworm response plan after new cases were found in Texas. Local Transit: Tucson’s Sun Tran union is set to vote on strike authorization as safety concerns follow a stabbing on a bus.

Arizona Politics & Courts: Arizona AG Kris Mayes keeps pressing the “fake electors” fight after setbacks, with prosecutors seeking new grand jury action and appeals tied to voter-record access. Local Law Enforcement: Yuma-area officials allege a $36M AHCCCS fraud scheme involving a doctor and spouse, with claims volume described as “medically impossible.” Water & Growth: Tucson residents protest Beale Infrastructure’s data-center drilling, arguing groundwater safeguards and consent are missing. Business & Consumer: Trader Joe’s is coming to Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Phoenix, taking over former Joann space. World News With Arizona Links: Iran’s World Cup players received U.S. visas, but some staff still face uncertainty as the team shifted its base from Arizona to Tijuana. Economy: Americans are still spending despite higher prices, but savings are getting squeezed. Energy: Trump announces $700M for coal power projects, including funding tied to multiple states.