Much is on the line this election year & I’m encouraging all eligible Arizonans to vote & prioritize the issues that most affect our state & nation.

I will be voting for Republicans up & down the ballot in November — and both Donald Trump and Kari Lake have my endorsement.
1/ The border must be secured.
2/

https://twitter.com/billmelugin_/status/1820511695821066740

Today I congratulated Governor-elect Katie Hobbs on her victory in a hard-fought race and offered my full cooperation as she prepares to assume the leadership of the State of Arizona. My administration will work to make this transition as smooth and seamless as possible. Our duty is to ensure that Arizona’s 24th Governor and her team can hit the ground running and continue our state’s incredible momentum.

🆕

We issued an Executive Order directing the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs to immediately fill the gaps in the Yuma border wall. Arizona has had enough. We can’t wait any longer. The Biden administration’s lack of urgency on border security is a dereliction of duty. For the last two years, Arizona has made every attempt to work with Washington to address the crisis on our border.

The votes are counted, the races are settled, and the Arizona Republican primary is over.  Thank you to all who participated — it’s not easy subjecting yourself to the scrutiny of being a candidate these days. 1/ This is going to be an important election given the issues our state is facing and it’s important for Arizona Republicans to unite behind our slate of candidates. 2/

Arizona’s manufacturing industry is booming and our international trade is accelerating. Shared that Arizona exports have almost fully rebounded from the declines of the pandemic in today’s International State of the State. @pcfrarizona #pcfraz #isos17 1/ Arizona exports grew from $19.7 billion in 2020 to $24 billion in 2021, nearly matching record levels in 2019. 2/

Today, I signed S.B. 1138 and S.B. 1165, legislation to protect participation and fairness for female athletes, and to ensure that individuals undergoing irreversible gender reassignment surgery are of adult age. 1/ azgovernor.gov/governor/news/… This legislation is common-sense and narrowly-targeted to address these two specific issues ⁠— while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness as every individual in our society. 2/

There is no mask mandate in Arizona. Remember that when the Pima County Board of Supervisors takes up the issue. Local jurisdictions did not enforce the mask mandates they imposed, putting an unfair burden on businesses. 1/

kold.com/2021/12/18/pim… Arizona law clearly states businesses are NOT REQUIRED to enforce mask mandates that any city, town, county or other jurisdiction in this state established. 2/

azgovernor.gov/governor/news/…

Law enforcement professionals are working hard to stop the bad guys and protect our communities. However, instead of supporting their efforts and learning more about the realities of the border crisis, we’ve heard Secretary Mayorkas indefinitely canceled his trip to Yuma. 1/

https://twitter.com/USBPChiefYUM/status/1472943237027356673

The humanitarian and border crisis is very real — even if the Secretary wants to pretend it doesn’t exist. The brave and talented members of Yuma Border Patrol apprehended a potential terrorist who tried crossing through our southern border. 2/

It’s no secret that we’ve seen confidence erode in our election system in recent years. It’s not a problem exclusive to Arizona, and it didn’t start in the 2020 election cycle. 1/ There are some who simply do not trust election results. This is a problem, and it’s one that needs to be addressed. Elections are key to our democracy, and it should be a priority for everyone to listen to these concerns, and work to rebuild the trust of every voter. 2/

GILA BEND FLOODING UPDATE:

Throughout the weekend, the State worked with local first responders & emergency officials in response to the flash flooding. On Saturday, we directed the Department of Emergency & Military Affairs to stand up the State Emergency Operations Center. 1/ We’ve issued a Declaration of Emergency in response to dangerous flooding in the Town of Gila Bend, making up to $200,000 available for response and recovery efforts. 2/

This story is a damning look at the dangerously misguided border policies quietly being implemented by the Biden-Harris administration. They have turbocharged “catch and release” to unprecedented levels. This story lays it all out: 1/

https://twitter.com/axios/status/1420087351167094792

❌“About 50,000 migrants who crossed the southern border illegally have now been released in the United States without a court date”

❌“Although they are told to report to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office instead, just 13% have shown up so far, Axios has learned” 2/

It’s outrageous that the Biden-Harris administration is considering lifting Title 42 border COVID-19 restrictions on ILLEGAL immigration while they are extending restrictions on LEGAL border travel. Clearly, you can’t have it both ways. 1/

https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1417875283294699520

Apparently, the Biden-Harris DHS believes COVID-19 is a threat when it comes to legal travel, but not when it comes to illegal immigration. 2/

BREAKING: We’re investing $101.1 million in federal funding to launch the Visit Arizona Initiative ✈️🌵

This new program will:

✔️ Accelerate economic recovery
✔️ Bolster job creation
✔️ Regain visitation & visitor spending

@AZTourismNews 1/ Tourism is essential for Arizona's booming economy and job growth. When visitors from across the globe travel to our great state, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, buy our products and enjoy our recreational activities. 2/

This is bad policy, with no basis in public health. Even the Biden Administration has been more reasonable 1/

https://twitter.com/TJShopeforAZ/status/1404608029182480385

The vaccine works. But the vaccine is a choice. This policy is social engineering at its worst. Health policy should be based on science, not virtue signaling. In America, freedom wins. 2/

FIRE UPDATE:

State Legislative Leaders and I have agreed to invest $100 million to combat and prevent wildfires, equip firefighters and communities with the resources they need, and prepare for after effects such as flooding and mudslides. 1/ This special session will ensure our state is ready to combat this season’s wildfires and address potentially deadly after effects. The Legislature will convene tomorrow and is expected to vote on the proposal later this week. 2/

“The best social program is a job.” - President Ronald Reagan

Arizona is back to work!

Effective July 10th, Arizona will no longer be paying the $300/week federal supplement to unemployed workers, and instead we will be helping Arizonans get back to work. 1/ Return-To-Work Bonuses:

Arizona will set aside $300 million of federal resources to offer a one-time bonus of $2,000 to eligible individuals who return to the workforce and get a full-time job, while those who return part-time will receive $1,000. 2/

Today, I’m proud to sign #SB1453 to allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees, paving the way for Arizona’s current and future workforces and expanding opportunities for populations that are historically underrepresented in higher education. @PaulDBoyer @beckynutt3 1/ Arizona’s community colleges play a critical role in supporting students of all ages and equipping our workforce with skills and resources. 2/

TODAY: I issued an Executive Order to meet surging job demand and support job creators throughout Arizona as employment opportunities grow and the #COVID19 vaccine is available for anyone who wants it. 1/ Today’s Order rescinds a March 2020 Executive Order that waived the requirement that an individual receiving employment benefits must be actively looking for work in order to receive the benefits. 2/

ANNOUNCEMENT: Getting kids back in the classroom is one of the most important things we can do as we see #COVID19 cases drop and vaccinations underway. 1/ A majority of Arizona public schools are already open, and school leaders have demonstrated in-person instruction is possible to do safely. 2/

I am extremely disappointed in the Administration’s decision to cease progress on Arizona’s Resolution Copper Project, which is set to grow jobs and is estimated to create a direct and indirect economic impact of more than $1 billion to Arizona’s economy every year. 1/ An effective & predictable regulatory environment is a key factor in Arizona’s booming economy. In AZ, we follow what works. Undoing lengthy, comprehensive, & already-completed federal environmental studies on a whim with the changing of federal administrations doesn’t work. 2/

In America, we believe in the peaceful transition of power. It doesn't matter who you supported in the election — once the election is over, we put country before party. Never has it been more important than right now to observe these traditions for the whole world to see. 1/ I was honored to represent Arizona at the inauguration of President Trump in 2017, and I am honored to represent our state at the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies next week. President-elect Biden is assuming office at a critical time in our nation’s history, and I wish him well. 2/