Wayne Schutsky
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Wayne Schutsky
@wschutsky.bsky.social
510 followers 140 following 270 posts
1/3 of the Politics Desk @kjzzphoenix.bsky.social
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Arizona regulators scaled back a program operated by the state’s largest utility designed to encourage energy efficiency, arguing they were trimming ineffective initiatives and eliminating unnecessary expenses.
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Arizona utility regulators scale back APS energy efficiency incentives
Arizona regulators scaled back a program operated by the state’s largest utility designed to encourage energy efficiency, arguing they were trimming ineffective initiatives and eliminating unnecessary...
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December 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
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Arizona Attorney General's office tells me Trump admin threats to withhold SNAP funding to states, including AZ, that won't turn over beneficiary data are illegal due to court orders blocking the effort.
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Trump administration threatens to withhold SNAP funds from Arizona
The Trump administration is threatening to withhold SNAP funding from more than 20 states, including Arizona, that have refused to share data about residents who benefit from the food assistance progr...
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December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
I took a look at changes made to SNAP by the Big Beautiful Bill and how the government shutdown could provide a preview of how those changes will affect the food assistance ecosystem in AZ over the next few years.
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How the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' will impact Arizonans and the state's food banks
Even with SNAP funding restored, Arizona food banks may face an increased demand in the coming years due to changes made to the program by the Republican tax cut and spending package passed this year.
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December 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Wayne Schutsky
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A new lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks to void the name change of the Arizona Independent Party, arguing it will cause widespread voter confusion.
Lawsuit against Fontes seeks to reverse Arizona Independent Party name change
A new lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks to void the name change of the Arizona Independent Party, arguing it will cause widespread voter confusion.
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December 3, 2025 at 12:16 AM
wschutsky.bsky.social
Calling the alleged activity “more egregious than TikTok,” AZ AG Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against Temu, alleging the Chinese-owned online retailer company cheats consumers while illegally collecting their data.

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'More egregious than TikTok': Arizona AG files lawsuit against online retailer Temu
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against Temu, alleging the Chinese-owned online retailer company cheats consumers while illegally collecting their data.
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December 2, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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The Mesa Police Department arrested a longtime Valley activist on Tuesday morning as he was documenting federal immigration activities, leading to backlash from protesters and state officials.

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Mesa police arrest longtime activist who says he was observing federal immigration agents
The Mesa Police Department arrested a longtime Valley activist on Tuesday morning as he was documenting federal immigration activities, leading to backlash from protesters and state officials.
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November 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
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The Citizen Clean Elections Commission is calling on Sec of State Adrian Fontes to reverse a decision allowing one of the AZ's newest political parties to rebrand itself, arguing the new name will cause mass voter confusion.

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Clean Elections says Arizona Independent Party name change will lead to 'voter confusion'
The Citizen Clean Elections Commission is calling on Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to reverse a decision allowing one of the state’s newest political parties to rebrand itself, arguing the party’s ...
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November 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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At a conference of western governors in Arizona last week, the region’s energy future dominated the conversion as populations and the AI data center industry continue to grow and drive up demand.

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Western states face unprecedented energy, water demand driven by AI boom
At a conference of western governors in Arizona last week, the region’s energy future dominated the conversion as populations and the AI data center industry continue to grow and drive up demand.
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November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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Western governors, gathered for a conference in Paradise Valley, concentrated on the need to grow the American energy industry dramatically to meet the nation’s exploding demand for electricity.

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Western governors gathered in Arizona focus on rising electricity demand driven by AI data centers
Western governors, gathered for a conference in Paradise Valley, concentrated on the need to grow the American energy industry dramatically to meet the nation’s exploding demand for electricity.
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November 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
During his first countywide election, Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap’s office rejected ballots at a rate nearly three times as high as seen in recent elections, causing alarm for some county leaders.

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Ballot rejections nearly triple under Maricopa County recorder's new signature verification system
During his first countywide election, Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap’s office rejected ballots at a rate nearly three times as high as seen in recent elections, alarming some county leaders.
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November 20, 2025 at 8:44 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
Court records show that a group of Arizonans accused of using fraudulent documents to get an inmate out of prison 20 years early attempted to use a similar scheme to free a second inmate.
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2nd Arizona inmate attempted to order release using fake documents scheme, records show
Court records show that a group of Arizonans accused of using fraudulent documents to get an inmate out of prison 20 years early attempted to use a similar scheme to free a second inmate.
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November 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
I say this a lot privately to colleagues and for no reason whatsoever I’m going to say it here: access journalism is a cancer.
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 AM
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Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said a new deal to build Axon's HQ - and cancel a voter referendum - provides "finality." But plenty of questions remain about the future of the project.

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Scottsdale, Axon come to a compromise over headquarters and number of apartments
The Scottsdale City Council approved a new deal with Taser-maker Axon to cancel a citizen referendum that tried to send the company’s plans to build a new headquarters to voters.
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November 18, 2025 at 9:19 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
AG Mayes won't say whether she'll appeal decision sending fake electors case back to grand jury by Nov 21 deadline but she dismissed reports earlier this month inferring she was preparing to drop the case
"I guess I would caution folks against reading into my comments."
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Mayes faces Friday deadline to decide future of Arizona 'fake elector' case
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes faces an end-of-week deadline to decide whether to move forward with the criminal case she brought against Arizona’s so-called fake electors.
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November 17, 2025 at 8:17 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
A dispute between a Medicaid insurer Mercy Care and an autism therapy provider could leave hundreds of patients searching for new places to receive care next year, though I just found out Mercy Care delayed the end of the contract from January to March.

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Medicaid contract dispute threatens services for hundreds of Arizonans with autism
A dispute between an Arizona Medicaid insurer and a large autism therapy provider could leave hundreds of patients searching for new places to receive care next year.
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November 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
Congressman Andy Biggs said today he will vote to release the Epstein files when it comes up for a vote in the House.
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Biggs says he will vote to release the Epstein files
Congressman Andy Biggs says he will vote to release the Epstein files despite efforts by President Trump to keep lawmakers from forcing the Justice Department to disclose the records.
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November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
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With Congress making progress towards ending the government shutdown, Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva could be sworn into office at some point this week.
www.kjzz.org/elections/20...
House speaker signals he could finally swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva
With Congress making progress towards ending the government shutdown, Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva could be sworn into office at some point this week.
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November 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
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A West Valley school board member is suing her own district, claiming her fellow board members violated the law by censuring her over allegations that she “humiliated” employees and displayed other unprofessional behavior.

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West Valley school board member sues district over workplace harassment investigation
A West Valley school board member is suing her own district, claiming her fellow board members violated the law by censuring her over allegations that she “humiliated” employees and displayed other un...
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November 8, 2025 at 12:07 AM
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A judge rejected Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap's request to block an audit of the county's voting systems ordered by the Board of Supervisors. Story to come.
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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The new Arizona Independent Party is joining forces with a national group as both organizations attempt to create a viable third party option appealing to moderate and centrist voters.

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Arizona Independent Party partners with Andrew Yang's Forward Party to field candidates
The new Arizona Independent Party is joining forces with a national group as both organizations attempt to create a viable third party option appealing to moderate and centrist voters.
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November 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
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In Tuesday’s elections, voters considered requests from school districts across metro Phoenix to use local property taxes to increase budgets and fund new construction. Early returns show mixed results.
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Early returns show mixed results for school bonds and overrides across metro Phoenix
In yesterday’s elections, voters considered requests from school districts across the Valley to use local property taxes to increase budgets and fund new construction. Early returns show mixed results...
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November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
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The Maricopa Supervisors and Recorder Justin Heap agree that the county needs to audit its election systems, but they remain at odds over who should oversee the process. Here's the latest from the legal battle over control of the county's latest.

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Maricopa County supervisors, recorder go to court over election systems audit
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Recorder Justin Heap agree that the county needs to audit its election systems, but they remain at odds over who should oversee the process.
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November 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
wschutsky.bsky.social
Gov. Katie Hobbs says problems with Arizona's unemployment system are the result of federal funding cuts, not a new benefits tool launched by the state last month. But many people who rely on the system say otherwise.

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Hobbs: Federal cuts — not new tool — to blame for AZ unemployment benefits problems
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says problems with the state's unemployment system are the result of federal funding cuts, not a new benefits tool launched by the state last month. But many people who rely o...
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October 31, 2025 at 9:31 PM
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Arizona food banks are already seeing increased demand as the freeze on SNAP benefits nears, from Katherine Davis-Young
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Arizona food banks are already seeing increased demand as the freeze on SNAP benefits nears
Food stamps are about to run out for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans. That’s already having an impact on Arizona’s food banks.
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October 29, 2025 at 10:49 PM
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AZ AG Kris Mayes joined a lawsuit to force the Trump Administration to continue funding SNAP food assistance during the shutdown. And she wants Gov Hobbs and lawmakers to approve emergency funding in the meantime - but that doesn’t look likely.

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Arizona joins lawsuit challenging SNAP funding pause
Arizona has filed a lawsuit alongside two dozen other states in an attempt to force the Trump administration to continue funding the food assistance relied on by nearly 900,000 Arizonans.
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October 28, 2025 at 11:55 PM