Latest news with #QuangNguyen
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona Legislators Are Immune From Traffic Tickets During Session. A New Proposal Wants To Change That.
Under Arizona's Constitution, state legislators are immune from traffic tickets during and around legislative sessions. But after several legislators used the law to get away with reckless speeding, a new proposal is looking to change the law. The resolution, HCR2053, would amend the part of the Arizona Constitution that gives lawmakers immunity "from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace," by adding "and all traffic violations" to the list. If approved by the very legislators it targets, the proposal would go before Arizona voters in the 2026 election. "Elected officials should not have special privileges that allow them to break the law without accountability," said state Rep. Quang Nguyen (R–Prescott Valley) in a February press release. "The people we serve are expected to follow traffic laws, and legislators should be no different. If a lawmaker is caught speeding, running a red light, or committing any other traffic violation, they should face the same consequences as everyone else." Under the current status quo, legislators have used their immunity to get out of a range of legal issues. According to The Washington Post, state Sen. Mark Finchem (R–Prescott) used the law to get out of a ticket for driving 18 mph over the speed limit in January. Last year, another state Senator invoked the law to try to avoid a citation for driving more than 71 mph in a 35 mph zone. Once the legislative session ended, she was charged with criminal excessive speeding. While the measure seems like common sense, it's unclear whether it will pass. The bill passed the House 37-20 earlier this month and now heads to the Senate. "There's no way it will ever be repealed," former state Rep. Paul Mosley (R–Lake Havasu City)—who himself used the constitutional immunity provision to get out of multiple speeding tickets—told the Post. "It's kind of like a perk or a benefit. That's like saying to legislators, 'Hey, will you take a pay cut?'" While supporters argue that this kind of immunity prevents law enforcement from retaliating against state legislators, in practice, it allows legislators to escape basic accountability under the law. "The only justifiable reason that I can think of is that they fear prosecutors would be using speeding tickets to try to get lawmakers to do what they want them to do," Paul Bender, an Arizona State University law professor, told the Post. "I'm not aware of that happening." The post Arizona Legislators Are Immune From Traffic Tickets During Session. A New Proposal Wants To Change That. appeared first on
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Border state could invest eye-popping amount to crack down on immigration-related crimes
Arizona could see a boost in border security funding in this year's state budget, Fox News Digital has learned. The state House of Representatives recently passed legislation in hopes of raising the budget meant to crack down on border-related crimes to $50 million, which would be a significant hike from the $17 million allotted last year. "We are expanding funding to give law enforcement the resources they need to fight border-related crime. This $50 million proposal is a direct investment in public safety and reinforces the House Republican Majority's commitment to securing our communities. We certainly don't want a California-style justice system that lets criminals off the hook while law-abiding citizens pay the price," Republican state Rep. Quang Nguyen told Fox News Digital in a statement. World Leader Agrees With Vance That Mass Migration Is Threat To 'Daily Life' Budget negotiations usually take place between the Republican legislative leadership and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' office throughout the session. The governor's office indicated that border security funding increases could be on the table for the final proposal, even if it's not that exact amount. "The department shall use the monies to fund local law enforcement officer positions for border drug interdiction to deter and apprehend any individuals who are charged with drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal immigration, and other border-related crimes," the legislation itself states. Read On The Fox News App Click Here For More Immigration Coverage Her executive budget proposal already includes an increase of roughly $6 million to the fund. "The Governor's Executive Budget dedicates $23 million to the same fund. The final amount will be negotiated in the budget. And she does not consider that $23 million number a cap," Christian Slater, a spokesperson for Hobbs, told Fox News Digital in a statement. Past bipartisan agreements on border security funding are mostly tied to efforts to thwart the flow of drugs such as meth and fentanyl into the state and nationwide, and Arizona authorities regularly conduct seizures independent of the federal government. Top Arizona Election Official Eyes Bid For Border Congressional Seat After House Democrat Dies The bill passed the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security on Monday along party lines. Part of the suggested increase has to do with the fate of Prop. 314, a law passed by voters in November that makes crossing into Arizona illegally a state crime on top of already being a federal one. However, the provision is already held up in federal court because of Texas Senate Bill 4, so it's unknown whether it will be legally enforceable, according to Courthouse News Service. On the campaign trail, the proposition was frequently criticized as an unfunded mandate that could lead to the racial profiling of Arizonans, regardless of their immigration status. It passed with over 60% support. Border State Lawmaker Reveals What 'Drastic' Changes Can Be Solidified With Major Congressional Action "This bill, I believe, is not the right use of our state payer dollars. Instead of using state dollars for duplicate efforts that the federal government should be paying for, we should address the real priorities impacting Arizonans here at home every day," Democratic state Rep. Mariana Sandoval said in opposition to the bill on March 5, when the House vote took place. State Rep. Kevin Volk, the only Democrat to vote in favor of the bill in the House, said he promised on the campaign trail to "increase funding to help secure our border." Migrant encounters at the southern border have significantly decreased since President Donald Trump took office in January, which included vast policy changes, including the end of the CBP One app and sending troops to the article source: Border state could invest eye-popping amount to crack down on immigration-related crimes
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislative immunity: Proposed bill could change Arizona's constitution
The Brief Arizona Rep. Quang Nguyen is working to rid the state's constitution of "legislative immunity" through HCR 2053. The section of the constitution reads, in part, "Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace …" Rep. Nguyen says she feels lawmakers should live under the same laws all residents live under, calling it "common sense." PHOENIX - If passed, a new bill would amend the Arizona constitution, putting an end to lawmakers getting breaks on speeding tickets. We're learning more about how this bill, HCR 2053, would remove some privileges awarded to our elected officials. What they're saying Arizona Rep. Quang Nguyen, a Republican who represents the Prescott area, wants to amend Arizona's constitution. On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the judiciary committee passed a bill to end legislative immunity for traffic violations. "I represent people. Why is there an exception for me when I speed or make an illegal left turn," Rep. Nguyen said. Currently, lawmakers are immune from civil traffic violations while the legislature is in session. This bill would change that. "I think it's common sense," Rep. Nguyen said. "We need to represent the people and live under the same laws." Rep. Nguyen says this is a common sense move and not in response to recent examples of legislative immunity. Dig deeper Section 6 of Arizona's constitution reads, "Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session." In January, an Arizona DPS Trooper pulled over Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman for allegedly speeding on U.S. 60. DPS said the trooper recognized Hoffman and didn't give him a ticket, which is in accordance with the Arizona constitution. Also, last month, Rep. Mark Finchem invoked his legislative immunity to get out of a speeding ticket near Prescott. Rep. Nguyen feels legislative immunity for traffic violations is misused. "I represent LD-1. 250,000 people. I should be able to live like them and not above the law," she said. If passed by the full legislature, the bill would go to the ballot in 2026 for voters to decide. "I think this is going to be overwhelmingly supported by the public," Rep. Nguyen said.
