PHOENIX – On Friday, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, expressing his concerns regarding the impacts of the global Microsoft/CrowdStrike outage on Ports of Entry. “During this unprecedented event, it is of paramount national security and economic concern that our Ports are able to operate smoothly,” Rep. Gallego wrote . “Although backup systems have allowed Ports to remain open, delays are still a cause for concern, in addition to any vulnerabilities that may arise.” In order to ensure that our Ports remain secure and efficient even in these unusual circumstances, Rep. Gallego posed the following questions:

• How are the impacts of this software failure being alleviated at Ports of Entry?
• What additional resources do Ports need for maintenance of operations?
• Is CrowdStrike providing any additional resources to assist in security and processing efforts, including on-the-ground support to repair impacted systems and devices?

“Arizona’s Ports of Entry play a critical role in our economy, security, and the day-to-day lives of many Arizonans,” Rep. Gallego concludes. “I stand ready to assist you in providing for their continued secure and efficient operation.” Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona State Representative Alex Kolodin reminds the public and media about the upcoming legislative town hall on the critical issue of water conservation and augmentation, titled “The War for Water: Why It Matters, and How to Win It.” This special event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 1 of the Mountain View Park Community Center, located at 8625 East Mountain View Road in Scottsdale.   Event Details Date:                       Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Time:                       6:00 p.m. Location:                 Mountain View Park Community Center, Room 1 8625 East Mountain View Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258   Featured Participants

• State Representative Alex Kolodin
• Tyler Francis, District and Association Council Member, Salt River Project
• Mark Lewis, VP Engineering, Water Resource Institute
• Regina Cobb, Former State Representative
• Amanda Monize, Board Member, Central Arizona Water Conservation District

  Special Guest Emcee James T. Harris, Morning Host at 550 KFYI (Phoenix) and 790 KNST (Tucson)   Members of the public and news media are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event to discuss Arizona’s water future and strategies for securing our water resources.   For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed at: www.youtube.com/@arizonacapitoltv . A recording of the event will also be available the following day at: www.azleg.gov/archivedmeetings .

Former lawmaker Vince Leach is running a new round of ad attacks against his LD17 GOP primary opponent, Wadsack, based on a recent speeding citation that she called “political persecution.” She was pulled over in March for driving 71 MPH in a 35 zone, the Tucson Sentinel reported, but was not cited at the time because of legislative immunity. She immediately identified herself as “Senator Justine Wadsack” and told the officer she was rushing to get home because she only had four miles of charge left on her Tesla. After her legislative immunity expired at the end of session in June, an officer called her to schedule a time for her to sign the citation, which she refused. She called the speeding citation “political persecution” and became upset when the officer called her “Mrs.Wadsack” instead of “Senator Wadsack,” according to the Sentinel reporting, which was based on a police report and body cam footage. “I think it is an affront to the voters and public to think that somebody at the state legislature would use that (a Senator title) to forgo a ticket,” Leach told our reporter. He said the Tucson police did what they should by waiting to cite her until after legislative immunity ended, but that she should take accountability now. “Justine Wadsack thinks she’s special,” Leach’s most recent ad against Wadsack said, alongside an audio clip of her introducing herself as a Senator. “That’s her trying to use her office to dodge a speeding ticket.” Leach said that being sworn in does not give you the authority to use your title the way she had. “I pick up the phone and say, hi I’m Vince, that's the way I've been since day one that I was a representative,” Leach said. The news story also brought into question Wadsack’s residency, which Leach challenged in 2022. The article also pointed out that she was stopped outside LD17, just a few blocks from where she owns a home with her husband, and 19 miles from her listed residence in the district. Wadsack did not respond to our reporter’s inquiry by our deadline.

On Tuesday, July 23, ADOT will bring back its popular Safety Message Contest for its eighth year. The contest allows the public to submit their own traffic safety message suggestions and vote on their favorites from a pool of 10-12 finalists ADOT selects. The two messages with the most votes will be crowned the winners and displayed on overhead message boards statewide. On July 23, a news release with more information will be shared.   ADOT representatives will be available for interviews at ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, where the Dynamic Message Signs are programmed. Visuals will include a wall of monitors with feeds from ADOT’s highway camera system.  Please RSVP or let ADOT Communications know if you are interested in attending by emailing [email protected] . Event details: What: ADOT launches Safety Message Contest Who: Interviews with ADOT representatives in the Traffic Operations Center When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 Where: 2302 W Durango St, Phoenix, AZ 85009

Washington, D.C. – Today, CHC BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda Sánchez released the following statement on President Biden’s decision not to run for re-election and Vice President Harris’ candidacy for president:

“I want to thank President Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as president of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” said Chairwoman Linda Sánchez.  “Throughout his term, we’ve seen historic accomplishments from rebuilding our economy and infrastructure, leading our nation’s comeback from a global pandemic, and lifting up millions of Americans, especially Latino working-class families. President Biden’s tenure will be remembered for his accomplishments that stand among the best in history. “As we look ahead, we know that these accomplishments would not have been possible without Vice President Kamala Harris and CHC BOLD PAC is proud to endorse her for president. This administration has led with working families in mind and shown an unwavering commitment to Latinos. There is so much work left to do and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Make no mistake, Latinos nationwide will bear the brunt of the consequences of a Trump second presidency, just like they did in the past. BOLD PAC will remain laser focused on doing what it takes to ensure that Trump remains a one-term president. Vice President Harris is the leader we stand behind at this critical moment.  “BOLD PAC will continue to focus on ensuring that the Latino community understands the stakes in this election – our rights, our freedoms, and our very democracy are on the line. BOLD PAC is investing in targeted outreach so that Latino voters mobilize for Democrats up and down the ballot this cycle and power Vice President Kamala Harris to victory. We look forward to mobilizing our community to support her and to build on the accomplishments of the past four years. Pa’lante!”

PHOENIX –  President Joe Biden announced he would step aside and “stand down” from the presidential race. While we are in a historic moment of some uncertainty, one thing is clear: this country could be four months away from potential authoritarianism. Former President Donald Trump vowed to be a dictator on day one. That outcome would be a nightmare. President Biden’s election in 2020 was in defense of our Democracy, and the defeat of a tyrant. In 2024, we must rally behind the Democratic nominee in defense of our democracy and our communities once again!  To provide quick clarity at this moment, LUCHA’s member-led Endorsement Committee swiftly voted unanimously to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid for President, and joined President Biden in endorsing her campaign. LUCHA members spoke clearly that they wanted to be a part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to elect our first female, Asian-American, and just 2nd Black president. The mandate for us is clear: this election is about defeating fascism – unity will be required, and we must rally around VP Harris. And the LUCHA members look forward to electing her in November. “This is a time of extreme consequence. Not only is our democracy on the line, but so are our communities in Arizona, who already endured a Trump presidency once before. But we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to coalesce and unite behind a daughter of immigrants, a Black and South Asian woman to become our next president,” said Alejandra Gomez Executive Director of LUCHA. “Kamala Harris will effectively prosecute the case against a wannabe dictator who vilifies immigrants, and communities of color for his political gain. This is a call to action to rally behind Vice President Harris in defense of our Democracy.”  Let it be known, President Biden led this country through a deadly pandemic, and enacted an ambitious domestic agenda that made historic investments, lowered prescription drugs for seniors, expanded access to healthcare, and has forgiven billions in student loans for millions of Americans, passing additional protections for undocumented immigrants, and capping rent increases at 5 percent. LUCHA members know Kamala will be an extension of that leadership and want her to continue to build on that legacy for all Americans and we will work tirelessly to elect Harris as our President. “Now is the time to deploy resources and scale our programs. There is no time to wait,” Gomez said. “We must act immediately to defeat authoritarianism and elect Kamala Harris as our next President.”

PHOENIX (July 22, 2024) – Jury service phone scams are on the rise. Don’t be a victim!   Over the last couple months, the Superior Court Jury Office has received an uptick of phone calls from Maricopa County residents reporting that they received phone calls from fraudsters demanding they pay fines and fees for missing jury service. In many cases, the scammer threatened jail time for not paying jury fines via a prepaid gift card.  “The scams are very sophisticated and believable. The fraudsters may pose as law enforcement, even going as far as using the identities of actual officers and changing their caller IDs to make the scam more believable,” Jury Administrator Matthew Martin said. “To protect yourself, just remember that the jury office will never call individuals demanding payment for any reason. Fines and fees associated with missing jury service can only be ordered by a judge in court.”   If targeted by a jury scam, write down the phone number of the caller and then call police. Do not give the caller any personal information or agree to provide any payment. When in doubt, a person may verify their jury service status by calling the jury office at 602-506-5879.   “If someone were to miss jury service the Court would issue a failure to appear notice through the U.S. Mail, and potential jurors are asked to reschedule jury service for a later date,” Martin said.   According to FBI data, U.S. residents lost an estimated $1.3 billion last year in scams like this one, with fraudsters pretending to be from the government or “tech support.” In 2023 in Arizona, victims lost $324.4 million – one of the top states for losses. Nationwide, victims are of all ages, with only 40% of those taken in by fraudsters reported as being age 60 or older, according to the FBI.   Jury Service is a vital component of the American justice system. The United States and Arizona constitutions guarantee the right of trial by jury. Therefore, all Maricopa County residents who are 18 years and older, a U.S. citizen and never been convicted of a felony or have had their civil rights restored are obligated to serve on a jury.  Citizens over 75 years of age may be excused from jury service by written request. Also, anyone who appeared for jury service is exempt from serving for 18 months.   To learn more about jury service and how to respond to a jury summons in Maricopa County, please visit: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/jury/ .

JLBC published fiscal notes last week for all the upcoming ballot initiatives that will appear on the ballot in November. Only three propositions had notes that included an analysis more substantive than a minimal impact or costs that couldn’t be determined. Prop 138, the tipped workers referral that would allow employers to pay up to 25% less than the state’s minimum wage, could have an effect on individual income tax, corporate income tax, sales tax collection and participation in public assistance programs, although JLBC analysts were unable to estimate specific impacts. Local governments could also be impacted since the urban revenue sharing formula distributes 18% of income taxes collected two years prior to cities and towns, meaning less revenue if income taxes from tipped workers decrease due to lower wages. Another proposition JLBC included an analysis for is Prop I-02, the “One Fair Wage Act.” If passed, the act would increase the hourly minimum wage by $1 in 2025 and by another $1 in 2026. Minimum wage is $14.35 an hour although employers can pay up to $3 less to tipped employees as long as their wages and tips at least equal minimum wage. The initiative also proposes to remove the allowance for employers to pay less than minimum wage to tipped workers. JLBC predicts a rise in product prices, reduction in labor costs, or substituting capital for labor through automation, which could result in a “decline in both employment and business activity.” “Some businesses may pass along the cost of the wage increase to their customers. However, other businesses may absorb the higher labor cost stemming from the minimum wage increase without raising prices,” analysts wrote in the fiscal note. Prop 314 also has a substantial fiscal note. The measure is the Republican border ballot measure modeled after Texas’ SB 4 that would allow law enforcement to arrest people if there’s evidence someone has crossed the border illegally. The Dept. of Public Safety estimates its annual costs under the proposition would be $3.8 million based on its 1,800 contracts. Overall, the department estimated an additional $41 million the state would need to pay for apprehension costs. Toma and other Republicans say the referral would net positive because the fiscal note also includes an estimate from the Federation for American Immigration Reform that Arizona spends $3.2 billion annually from unlawful entry into the state.

WASHINGTON – Today, following U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s testimony before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) released this statement: “The attempted assassination of President Trump and the tragic death of Corey Comperatore should never have happened. As head of the Secret Service, Director Cheatle has the solemn responsibility to protect our nation’s leaders, and she has failed,” said Rep. Gallego. “The American people need to know how this happened, but today Director Cheatle refused to answer even the most basic questions about the attack and continued to dodge any accountability. She must resign.” The day after the assassination attempt, Rep. Gallego sent a letter to Director Cheatle calling for accountability and demanding answers regarding the security failure. He also called for the Secret Service to begin providing protection for Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.