This round up was written by Joseph Kavetsky, a student at ASU studying civic and economic thought and leadership and political science. He is currently a reporter for Chamber Business News at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Kavetsky is originally from Huntington Beach, California.
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have clinched their respective party nominations, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2020 election. However, the political landscape has shifted since then, with dissatisfaction brewing over Biden's handling of issues, particularly on the border and the economy. Biden's support for Israel amidst calls for a ceasefire has also alienated segments of progressive supporters. Meanwhile, public opinion towards Trump appears to be in flux, with some viewing him more favorably now than before. Arizona is poised to play a pivotal role in the 2024 elections, solidifying its status as a swing state that has seen a rise in Democratic support, particularly among suburban voters.
Trump and Biden Clinch Nominations
Former President Donald Trump has secured the GOP nomination. The incumbent, Joe Biden, has secured the Democratic nomination.
This solidifies what most were expecting: a rematch of the 2020 election.
However, voters are frustrated with Biden’s performance on key issues and many of Biden’s supporters have left his camp due to his support for Israel, even amid calls for a ceasefire. And, according to new polling, some Americans have changed their minds on Trump. Whether this is a negative response to Biden’s policies or a positive feeling towards Trump is unclear.
Rep. Gress Responds to Hobbs’ Veto
Arizona State Representative Matt Gress (R-LD4) addressed concerns raised by Governor Katie Hobbs regarding his floor amendment to HB 2209, a bill passed by the House aimed at safeguarding Arizona businesses from federal overreach and unwarranted interference in workplace inspections and union activities.
In a letter directed to the Governor, Representative Gress elaborates on how the bill is specifically crafted to uphold Arizona’s right-to-work laws, shield businesses from undue financial and safety burdens, and uphold workplace security while resisting external pressures, including a proposed rule by the Biden Administration.
Other Relevant Headlines
TSMC set to receive $5 billion for Arizona fabs, report says (March 11, 2024) - “Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. may receive more than $5 billion in federal grants from the U.S. government to support its Arizona chipmaking facility, according to a recent Bloomberg report.”
Arizona elections chief who quit in a ballot-counting dispute just got a top state job (March 16, 2024) - “The former elections director for a rural Arizona county who resigned last year because of a flap over the hand-counting of ballots has been elevated to a top electoral post for the state. Lisa Marra left her job in southeastern Arizona’s largely Republican Cochise County last year after she refused to follow the directives of the area’s two GOP supervisors who wanted a hand count of ballots cast in the 2022 election. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, in recent days appointed Marra as the state’s elections director.”
SEC scales back climate rule in response to concerns from industry (March 12, 2024) - “Two years after proposing an expansive and expensive climate disclosure regulation for public corporations, the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6 adopted more narrow requirements amid concerns over potential legal disputes and recent court rulings, including one from the Supreme Court, that raised questions about the extent of the regulatory body's jurisdiction.”
Federal agency says subcontractors underpaid workers on Phoenix light rail project (March 16, 2024) - “The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $600,000 in back wages for workers who helped build an extension of the Valley Metro light rail system. Investigations of companies working for Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. — the project’s prime contractor — found violations of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act.”