Latest news with #Biasiucci
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Arizona Becomes 5th State to Ban Funding for China-Linked Organ Transplants
Arizona has signed into law a bill to combat the Chinese communist regime's practice of forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, joining four other states that have similar laws in place to counter the abuse. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs The law will come into effect in the summer, as Arizona law stipulates that signed bills become effective 90 days after the end of the current legislative session. State Rep. Leo Biasiucci, the bill's lead sponsor, said he was encouraged to see his state on board to counter forced organ harvesting. For individuals and their families who have been targeted by the abuse, he hopes the news can bring them some solace, he told The Epoch Times. A similar bill, also led by Biasiucci, was Related Stories 4/15/2025 4/2/2025 Biasiucci separated the 2024 bill into two pieces of legislation—organ harvesting and genetic sequencing–and introduced them earlier this year. Hobbs vetoed the genetic sequencing bill ( Currently, there are two bills in Congress addressing the issue. On May 7, the House The House also The forced organ harvesting industry saw a boom starting from 2000, as the regime began a full-scale campaign to persecute the spiritual discipline In 2019, the Biasiucci said he found it heartening to see Congress moving on the issue. And soon, he said, other states will follow suit. It was 'a long time coming,' he said. 'It's crazy to think this is happening in the year 2025, so I think it took a little bit of time for people to understand this is real.' But 'once people realize exactly what the CCP's doing, you cannot turn a blind eye,' he added. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, in a 'Chinese nationals who are physicians and students, coerced or indoctrinated, approved by the Chinese Communist Party to leave the country, have been admitted to U.S. colleges, universities and medical schools and internship/residency programs, where they are taught science, absorb medical knowledge, and learn to perform procedures,' the associated said. Biasiucci shared concerns about U.S. universities training Chinese doctors who would go back to China and perform organ transplant surgeries, potentially becoming complicit in the abuse. In a 2022 Biasiucci said that a major reason he decided to sponsor the bill is that he wants to bring awareness to people in Arizona and beyond. 'To think that people are being imprisoned, and their organs are being used for the organ trade in countries like China … I don't think a lot of people even believe that it's really happening,' he said. He hopes the bill can help 'get the information out' and shine a light on how bad the situation really is, he said. 'Once you get something like this through, that opens the door to making more change,' he said. Stopping health insurance coverage will be a first step, he said, adding that he will keep trying to 'chip away at more and more parts' and 'do everything we can to put an end to this.' 'This is the right thing to do,' he said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arizona GOP wants to limit taxes on groceries. The proposal could be on your ballot soon
A bill aimed at making essential foods cheaper by limiting a tax on groceries is steps away from clearing the Arizona Legislature and heading to voters for approval. House Concurrent Resolution 2021 initially faced intense pushback from some smaller municipalities after local leaders said the loss of revenue would impact public safety and the services they can provide. However, changes to the bill appear to have brought some of the most staunch critics onboard. Touted by legislators as a way to help struggling families, it comes after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a similar food tax bill in 2023. She opposed the bill, saying as local leaders initially did this year, that it had the potential to cut services and increase property taxes. This time around, GOP lawmakers will avoid Hobbs' veto pen by sending the measure to the November 2026 ballot for final approval. 'I don't believe that we should be taxing essential foods like eggs, milk and meat when these are the things that every family needs to survive,' said Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu. The bill originally sought to exempt food intended for home consumption from being taxed. After amendments from Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria, and Biasiucci, the bill now seeks to put limits on future food taxes. Towns that have a food tax rate at 2% or more can keep the tax but are prohibited from increasing it. Communities whose food tax comes in at lower than the 2% rate and those that do not currently have a food tax could seek voter permission to increase that levy, but that tax rate must not go above 2% of the tax base. Under the proposal, any adoption or increase in the tax must not occur before June 30, 2027. Biasiucci said his bill addresses the issue of fairness, noting that people on food stamps do not pay taxes on these types of food items, and those who do not qualify for food stamps shouldn't pay the tax either. 'Are we now saying that just because you don't qualify for food stamps even though you might be struggling, you have to pay a tax on these items but people on food stamps do not?' he said. 'For me this is about having fairness across the whole spectrum … if these are determined to be essential foods for a reason — which they are — everybody should be treated equally.' Mayors from rural municipalities who were originally against the bill say they approve of the amendments. According to public data provided by the Department of Revenue, 70 of Arizona's 91 incorporated cities and towns taxed food for home consumption in Fiscal Year 2024. Mayors of Bisbee and Benson opposed the original bill, but say they support the amendments of the current bill advancing through the Senate. Benson Mayor Joe Konrad applauded legislators for listening to local leaders. "This now gives us the opportunity to seek out alternative revenue streams and attack the food tax in a responsible manner that does not jeopardize our budget," Konrad said. He added that the city's overarching goal is to reduce the food tax rate and eventually eliminate it. The city of Globe, a mining community southeast of Phoenix, said it would have lost $1.4 million if the food tax went away. Globe Mayor Al Gameros said that while he supports the bill as it is written, he was concerned about the state Legislature weighing in on municipal issues. "It is discouraging that every year we are dealing with an overreach of control from our state Legislatures on how we run and tax our individual cities," Gameros said. "Yes, it looks good at the state level that taxes are cut, but it puts the burden on our local taxpayers to make up the difference." This year, Biasiucci also sponsored a bill on nutrition assistance benefits and soda. House Bill 2165 seeks to prohibit the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase soda. The bill passed the House Feb. 26 and is advancing through the Senate. GOP legislators tout the bill as an effort to ensure taxpayer dollars support nutritious food choices. Reach the reporter at The Republic's coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republicans want voters to limit taxes on groceries
Axios
21-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Capitol Roundup: Arizona lawmakers tackle MAHA-inspired bills
Local legislation inspired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" movement is one step away from Gov. Katie Hobbs' desk. Why it matters: Arizona is poised to ban schools from serving or selling "ultraprocessed" foods, though parents could still send their kids to school with foods containing those additives. The big picture: The bill targets foods containing ingredients such as potassium bromate, titanium dioxide and red dye 3 and 40. Bill sponsor Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, said studies have shown the ingredients have negative health effects. He noted in his testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday that many of these ingredients are banned in European countries. Meanwhile, the Biden administration moved to ban red dye 3 in January. Driving the news: The Senate health committee on Wednesday passed the bill unanimously. If the full Senate approves, it'll go to Hobbs. Democrats' unanimous support for the Republican-sponsored legislation bodes well for its chances of getting signed. Zoom in: The Lake Havasu Unified School District in February adopted the same ban on ultraprocessed foods for its eight schools. Board president David Rose told Axios that school board members in other Arizona districts and from other states had contacted him about their interest in passing similar policies. Of course, individual district bans will be a moot point if Biasiucci's bill is signed into law. The other side: The committee on Wednesday approved another MAHA-inspired bill from Biasiucci that would bar Arizonans from using food stamps to buy soda. It passed on a party-line vote and hasn't received any Democratic support. "We want to make sure that people who are struggling are getting only the best possible foods," Biasiucci said. "I think soda's the right start." Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, said the bill reminded her of past legislation she felt was intended to shame food stamp recipients. In other legislative news this week: 🎒 Hobbs signed her second bill of the session, amending a mandatory instruction law on the 9/11 terrorist attacks, limiting it to grades 7-12. Sen. JD Mesnard, R-Chandler, told Axios he sponsored the bill after 9/11 curriculum was included last year in his 5-year-old daughter's class. 💰 House Republicans bashed Hobbs over request to move money in the Department of Child Safety (DCS) budget to cover a $6.5 million shortfall for group homes for children. In the wake of that request and a dispute over developmental disabilities funding, House Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Goodyear, created a new Executive Budget Mismanagement committee 🐈 🐈 On a bipartisan vote, the Senate approved a bill to strengthen Arizona's laws against animal cruelty. 🏨 Hotels would have to under a bill approved Wednesday on a party-line vote in the Senate Government Committee. What's next: The deadline for House and Senate committees to hear bills from the opposite chamber is next Friday, so expect a busy week at the Capitol.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP lawmakers scheduled to speak at ‘Galactic Federation' conspiracy event
Illustration by Moor Studio | Getty Images Two Republican state lawmakers are set to speak at a convention for a fringe conspiracy theory that claims extraterrestrials are helping shape national and global policy. Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, and Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu, are listed as speakers at 'Quantum Summit 2' which will take place March 8 and 9 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The event is being put on by a group of individuals who believe in the NESARA/GESARA conspiracy theory. In its most basic form, NESARA/GESARA is a conspiracy theory that revolves around a proposed piece of economic reforms from the 1990s called the National Economic Security and Recovery Act that conspiracy theorists believe was enacted in secret by President Bill Clinton but was covered up by the U.S. Supreme Court via a gag order and suppressed by the 9/11 attacks, which were orchestrated by President George W. Bush. GESARA refers to a supposed global version of the economic reforms that adherents similarly believe were instituted and then hidden. In the early 2000s, the conspiracy theory gained popularity in the early internet days as Shaini Goodwin, calling herself the 'Dove of Oneness,' made bold predictions about NESARA and world events with dubious claims of 'insider knowledge.' Goodwin is a 'graduate' of a new-age school whose leader often goes on homophobic and antisemitic rants that has been teaming up with QAnon. It is also tied to the NXIVM cult that was investigated for sex crimes and much more. The conspiracy theory has regained traction in recent years as QAnon adherents have flocked to it due to its many similarities. NESARA/GESARA has often also been called the 'grandfather' of the QAnon conspiracy movement. Goodwin initially promoted it as part of a larger scam that defrauded investors of millions of dollars, with promises of the erasure of all debts and the eventual abolishment of the Internal Revenue Services. Believers often also claim that extraterrestrials have been in communication with them or leaders within the movement and are working to promote the NESARA/GESARA agenda. A promotional video for the Cape Canaveral event that Finchem and Biasiucci will speak at mentions discussions around encouraging the U.S. Space Force to work with the 'Galactic Federation.' Fichem, Biasiucci and Republican leadership in the state House of Representatives and Senate did not respond to requests for comment, including if they are aware of the beliefs of NESARA/GESARA. The topics to be covered at the summit include: cryptocurrency 'collaboration between Space Force and the Galactic Federation' flat earth theories 'the hidden realms of the inner Earth' 'Antarctica's mysteries and strategic importance' transforming the United States' food supply to 'super organic standards' chemtrail conspiracy theories The event includes a litany of speakers with conspiratorial ties and beliefs, from UFOs to a man who claimed that he was the original author of The Matrix movie, a claim that was rejected in court. Biasiucci and Finchem are not strangers to conspiracy conventions. In 2021, both spoke at a QAnon convention full of conspiracy theories and antisemitic propaganda. It is unclear what Finchem and Biasiucci are scheduled to speak about at Quantum Summit 2. Finchem has also fundraised with QAnon adherents and had major support from the QAnon community during his failed bid for statewide office in 2022. The event costs $432 for general admission, $185 for the 'Gala Dinner' and $532 for a VIP ticket. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Fox News
06-02-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Ban of harmful school lunch ingredients urged by MAHA supporters with new law proposal
A bill in Arizona is seeking to make school lunches healthy again by banning ultra-processed food. House Bill 2164, titled the Arizona Healthy Schools Act, was introduced by Representative Leo Biasiucci and inspired by RFK Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. The bill would ban any food that contains potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes 5 and 6, blue dyes 1 and 2, green dye 3, and red dyes 3 and 40. "The legislature finds that ultra-processed, industrially manufactured, nutrient-depleted food with synthetic additives is undernourishing minors at public schools and contributing to childhood obesity," the bill reads. Adding, "Any taxpayer-funded meal or snack program offered to minors at public schools in this state should be nutritious and made primarily of whole, minimally processed plant or animal products." On Tuesday, a "Cut the Chemicals" press conference was held at the Arizona Department of Education (AZDE) hosted by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. At the presser, Rep. Biasiucci, along with wellness advocates and supporters of the bill, gathered to share the importance of advancing the bill in Arizona. Biasiucci told Fox News Digital that the idea for the bill was sparked while in Italy visiting his family last summer. "[I] realized that even after eating pizza, pasta, bread, cheese and ice cream almost daily, I still felt great. I started to then look at the ingredients in the foods and noticed they didn't have all the dyes and chemicals we had in our foods," said Biasiucci. He added, "Sometimes, these foods even came from companies that provide the same product in both the United States and in Europe. It was at that moment I knew I had to do something." Biasiucci said the "Make America Healthy Again" movement has absolutely impacted his legislative agenda, and that the support of this bill has been incredible. Calley Means, an advocate for healthcare reform, focusing on the intersection of food, policy and chronic disease, said these food colorings are crude oil. "They are unambiguously connected to mass behavioral and neurological issues for kids. These are not allowed in any other developed country in the world…we have a food industry that's addicting kids and rigging lives," said Means. Means added, "from the food industry standpoint, the largest fast food restaurant in America is school lunches." From 2017 to March 2020, 22.2% of adolescents 12–19 were diagnosed with obesity, according to the CDC. And from 2015 to 2018, 28.2% of teens were diagnosed with prediabetes, according to JAMA Pediatrics. Diana Diaz-Harrison, Arizona Autism Charter Schools executive director and an autism mom, saiit is sad for her to see what is currently served as school lunches. "I honestly don't feel good about feeding the kids that lunch and that breakfast every single day because it is honestly something that I myself would not eat, nor would I give my child," said Diaz-Harrison. Actor and comedian Rob Schneider was also in attendance at the press conference. For more Health articles, visit "We can get the farmer's market and get the chefs to help, and we want to encourage the schools and the parents [to] get involved. It can be a community thing where it leaves the schools, and then it becomes part of the parents, becomes part of the lifestyle," said Schneider. Schneider added, "I got two kids here in Arizona, and I love this state. And the passion here today was fantastic." HB 2164 will head to the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives for a full House vote.
