DECEMBER 8, 2025

The Growing Debate Over Public Comment in Valley Cities

A recent trend is emerging across the Valley as local governments wrestle with how to handle public comment during meetings. Most notably, the Town of Fountain Hills recently voted 5–2 to limit public comment to agenda items only. The vote did not eliminate public participation altogether, but it did significantly narrow when and how residents can address their elected officials. Just last week, the City of Scottsdale moved public comment to the end of their meetings and there is a limit of 12 members of the public that can speak with a three minute limit for each.

According to the Fountain Hills Town Council, the change was driven by what they described as the abuse of public comment. On that point, I reluctantly agree that abuse has become a real issue. Across the Valley, there are individuals who use public comment not to raise legitimate concerns or offer constructive input, but to launch personal attacks against elected officials, promote conspiracy theories, or speak in ways that are often incoherent and disconnected from reality. I have personally witnessed this behavior at many meetings, most notably at the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. It is not uncommon to see organized groups distribute scripts to their followers, many of whom appear to have little understanding of what they are reading aloud. When new information is presented during a meeting, these scripted speakers are unable to adapt, resulting in the repeated dissemination of false or misleading information to both the public and the governing body.

That said, acknowledging abuse is not the same as justifying restrictions. While I understand the frustration faced by elected officials and staff, I do not support limiting public comment. Public comment is one of the last direct and accessible tools citizens have to speak directly to those who govern them. It is often the only opportunity for everyday residents—especially those who may not have political influence or access—to be heard. Weakening that right because of the actions of a disruptive few sets a dangerous precedent.

There is no easy solution to this problem. It is undeniably difficult for any public servant to repeatedly endure personal attacks, misinformation, and conspiracy-driven accusations during public meetings. You can only listen to the same false narratives for so long before reaching a breaking point. Still, the answer cannot be to silence or restrict the broader public. Transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement are cornerstones of local government, and once they are eroded, restoring them is far more difficult than protecting them in the first place.

As more cities consider changes to their public comment policies, this issue deserves serious public discussion. We must find a way to address disruptive behavior without sacrificing the fundamental right of citizens to speak before their government. The health of our local democracy depends on it.

Arizona Attorney General Weighs Legal Action Over ESA Reimbursement Policy - State Superintendent Tom Horne Responds

Kris Mayes, Arizona’s Attorney General, announced on December 2, 2025, that she is considering legal action against Tom Horne over his administration’s handling of the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

Given that we are approaching primary election season, the timing of this announcement raises immediate questions about political motivations. Many observers — including myself — can’t help but wonder whether this move is part of a broader pattern in which Mayes frequently targets Republicans.

What Sparked the Legal Threat

At the heart of the dispute is a December 2024 policy change by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), led by Horne, which automatically approved ESA reimbursements for purchases up to $2,000. Purchases over that threshold still require upfront audits. The auto-approval measure was instituted to address long delays families were experiencing as they waited for reimbursements.

However, media reports uncovered a number of questionable purchases approved under the relaxed policy, including drones, women’s underwear, jewelry, high-end shampoo and conditioner, and even a $999 Kenmore range oven.

These revelations triggered a public outcry and prompted Mayes to raise serious concerns about the misuse of taxpayer funds.

“There are very serious questions about whether allowing $2,000 to be spent on items like lingerie and diamond rings is a misuse of taxpayer dollars,” Mayes said at the December 2 press conference. She added that while her office is investigating potential mishandling of public funds, legal action remains a possibility. Earlier this year, she formally demanded that the department stop automatically approving under-$2,000 purchases.

Horne fired back, calling the Attorney General’s remarks misleading and hypocritical. He pointed out that his department has already referred roughly $158,000 in potentially misused funds to Mayes’ office for prosecution. According to Horne, Mayes declined to pursue those cases.

Horne also emphasized that the department has recovered or is in the process of recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars identified in improper ESA reimbursements. He defended the risk-based auditing system and noted that capacity constraints — the department reportedly still has only a dozen auditors — contributed to the decision to auto-approve smaller claims.

Broader Context: ESA Expansion and Its Consequences

The ESA program, originally established to support students with disabilities, was expanded in 2022 to allow any Arizona family with school-aged children to use voucher funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or approved educational expenses. That expansion dramatically increased participation — the program now serves around 92,000 students statewide.

Critics argue that this wide expansion is costing the state roughly $1 billion annually and has elevated the risk of misuse and fraud. Indeed, in 2025 a grand jury indicted two individuals in a case involving over $110,000 in fraudulent ESA claims.

Supporters of ESA, particularly families of disabled students, maintain that the voucher program remains a lifeline for children whose needs are not being met in the public-school system — but many believe tighter oversight, clearer audit protocols, and stronger guardrails are now necessary.

What’s Next

As tensions escalate, the Attorney General’s office is sending strong signals that investigation — and possibly a lawsuit — remains on the table. But the push-back from ADE and Horne raises a key question: is this a genuine effort to protect taxpayer dollars — or a politically timed move ahead of elections?

For now, the future of the ESA reimbursement policy remains uncertain. Stakeholders on both sides are watching closely, and the agency’s next steps could well shape the broader debate on school choice, public funding, and government accountability in Arizona.

My thoughts

Recent research into ESA expenditures shows that the average payout is now $9,896 per student annually, well above the $7,500 figure that Arizonans were originally told to expect. That nearly $2,400 increase per student raises legitimate fiscal concerns and underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability. I am a strong supporter of the ESA program and the choices it provides families. However, support for school choice must go hand in hand with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I believe there should be a reasonable cap per household, regardless of how many children are not enrolled in public school, and significantly stronger guardrails must be put in place to prevent abuse.

There is also a growing problem with the current “money follows the child” deadline. Some parents are reportedly claiming to homeschool, accepting ESA funds, providing little to no instruction, and then placing their children back into public schools after the funding deadline has passed. This shifts financial burden back onto already stretched school districts without the funding to properly support those returning students. That is not sustainable. It costs real money to educate our children, and public schools must not become the neglected fallback for students who, for whatever reason, cannot take advantage of ESAs. We must continue to support strong public schools so they can effectively compete with charter, private, and home-school options and remain a viable, high-quality choice for Arizona families.

Project Baccara: A Look at What Was Learned at the Line Siting Committee Who makes Recommendations to the Arizona Corporation Commission Hearing

Takanock LLC is proposing to build a new data center powered by natural gas generators known as Project Baccara in the West Valley on a county island bordered by Glendale, Surprise, and Luke Air Force Base. Because of its location near Luke, the project will require a military compatibility study as well as approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission. I attended part of the recent Line Site Committee hearing, I listened carefully to the sworn testimony presented. Every individual who testified was under oath, and a court reporter documented the proceedings, creating a formal transcript for the public record. The resumes of those presenting before the Committee were exceptionally impressive, beginning with Takanock founder Ken Davies. Davies was the Director of renewable Energy with Microsoft when Microsoft built the first and currently only data center with natural gas generation in the US. Craig McKesson Chief Commercial Officer for Takanock, and previously with T5 Data Centers, and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Many citizens who oppose this project continue to ask, why not build this further in the desert. One of the most important takeaways from the hearing was why this specific location was chosen. For starters, the property is already zoned heavy industrial, and significant infrastructure is already in place. Massive fiber lines exist due to the site’s proximity to Microsoft, along with existing high-transmission power lines and the close location to Electrical District 7. In addition, the project cannot move forward without explicit approval from Maricopa County which will reflect a compatibility determination from Luke Air Force base. If Project Baccara is not built on this site, it is likely that another similar heavy-industrial project will eventually be proposed based on the zoning alone.

During the hearing, it was explained that all power generated on site will be sold into the wholesale market, after which the project will purchase electricity back from ED7. With the West Valley growing at such a rapid pace, the existing infrastructure alone will not be sufficient for APS to meet the region’s increasing energy demands. This project will add much-needed power to the system at no cost to the ratepayer. In fact, most rate increases approved for APS are driven by the need to build additional infrastructure to keep up with growing electricity demand, which this project helps to address.

For context, data centers exist throughout the country, but only one currently operates with an attached natural gas power plant—located in Cheyenne, Wyoming—and Ken Davies was part of the team that built it during his time at Microsoft. Many who oppose data centers often cite concerns about power consumption and water usage; however, Takanock and Project Baccara have directly addressed these issues through having the natural gas generator on site and using a closed loop water system.

Data centers are not only coming to Phoenix. Nationally, Northern Virginia leads the country with the most megawatts (MW) with 4,934 MW of data center capacity. Phoenix currently has 804 MW, with 1,004 MW under construction and an additional 3,684 MW planned. West Virginia has 1,071 MW under construction and 5,446 MW planned, while the Dallas–Fort Worth region has capacity figures similar to Phoenix. Other major regions at the forefront of data center development include Atlanta, Chicago, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest.

Engineering details were also discussed. The turbines for Project Baccara have been purchased from Siemens, with delivery expected in December 2027. There will be 18 turbines total. The proposed construction start date is the third or fourth quarter of 2026. The data center itself will be cooled using air conditioning, while the turbines will require water though only on the hottest days of the year. Takanock is currently in discussions with existing industries in the area about potentially using recycled water to cool the turbines, which would further reduce the project’s overall water impact.

Public concerns about this project continue to focus on noise, water use, air quality, property values, and general safety. These concerns are understandable, and they deserve to be taken seriously. However, it is also important to acknowledge that this land is already zoned for heavy industrial use. This raises an important question: Will those who oppose Project Baccara accept any heavy-industrial project at this location? With the rapid growth occurring in the West Valley, additional energy generation will be required regardless. If this project does not move forward, it is very likely that another energy project will eventually be proposed for the same site.

Finally, it is worth noting that the Arizona Technology Council has come out strongly in support of Project Baccara. Their representative spoke publicly at the hearing about the growing data and energy demands in the West Valley and the importance of projects like this to support our modern, technology-dependent society.

At this time, after attending the hearing, reviewing the facts, and listening to sworn expert testimony, I continue to support Project Baccara. Data centers are a critical part of our national security, our economy, our infrastructure, and our daily lives. With strict state and county oversight of air quality, noise, and environmental standards, and with thoughtful planning and transparency, this project can move forward responsibly while helping meet the growing needs of the West Valley.

A Field Visit to a West Valley Data Center: What I Saw and Heard

On December 3rd at approximately 10:30 a.m., I took a field trip to the existing data center located on Citrus Road in Goodyear to see firsthand what a fully operating facility is like in a real-world setting. Directly across the street, cattle were grazing and lying peacefully in the field, enjoying the cool morning breeze. It was a striking contrast—modern high-tech infrastructure on one side of the road and quiet agricultural life on the other.

When I stepped out of my car, I intentionally paused to listen closely for any sound coming from inside the fenced perimeter of the data center. I heard nothing from the facility itself—no constant hum, no mechanical noise, no cooling system sounds. The only noise present was regular ambient sound and the cows occasionally mooing across the road. I then drove around to the opposite side of the building. There, I could clearly hear construction equipment operating on the neighboring property, but again, there was no audible noise coming from the data center itself.

After my admittedly amateur sound test at the operating facility, I drove to the proposed site for Project Baccara. It must have been a busy training day for Luke Air Force Base, because jets were flying overhead performing repeated touch-and-go exercises every few minutes. The proposed project site is bordered by Peoria Avenue, 143rd Avenue, Olive Avenue, and Bullard Avenue. The surrounding area is already heavily industrial, with countless warehouses, rail lines running along Olive, and frequent freight activity. While there are still a few remaining farms, scattered homes outside of subdivisions, and citrus sales in the area, the overall character of this location is clearly shifting toward industrial use.

Just north of the property are the Copper Canyon Ranch and Rancho Gabriela subdivisions. These neighborhoods sit across the street and are enclosed behind a wall, separated from the industrial corridor. This is a growing industrial zone, and the presence of numerous diesel trucks servicing the surrounding warehouses is already a daily reality for the area.

I truly understand and respect the concerns being raised by nearby residents—concerns about noise, safety, air quality, and quality of life are always valid and deserve to be heard. However, standing on this site and observing the existing land use and surrounding development, it is also clear that this area has already transitioned into an industrial corridor. In many ways, the horse has already left the barn.

My visit to the Goodyear data center reinforced an important point: a properly designed and operated data center can exist quietly within a broader industrial area without creating the kind of continuous noise many fear. Real-world observation matters, and what I personally experienced was a facility that blended into its environment far more quietly than expected.

My field trip would not be complete without touring a gas generation station. So I made a point to visit an operating natural gas generation facility to better understand the real-world impacts. I went to the Agua Fria Generating Station on Northern Avenue, which houses five combustion turbine generators with a total capacity of 722 megawatts. I walked along two sides of the property and listened carefully for operational noise. The only sound I heard from within the facility was a forklift moving pallets. Otherwise, there was only normal ambient noise. In fact, the traffic on the street was noticeably louder than anything coming from the plant itself. There were also residential homes located directly across the street from the facility, illustrating how closely this type of infrastructure can safely and quietly coexist with nearby neighborhoods.

In conclusion, the Takanock Project Baccara represents a carefully planned and forward-looking investment in the future of the West Valley. As our region continues to grow at an unprecedented pace and our reliance on technology only increases, the need for reliable, locally generated power is undeniable. Based on what I have seen firsthand and learned through sworn testimony and site visits, this project is designed to responsibly meet that demand while operating within strict regulatory oversight. Project Baccara will help ensure that the West Valley can continue to support innovation, growth, and the ever-evolving technologies that shape our daily lives.

On December 4, 2025 the Line Site Committee voted 8 - 1 to approve Takanock Project Baccara. This recommendation will go before the Arizona Corporation Commission early next year. The project will finish the approval process with Luke Air Force Base for their final determination by early nest year as well. Then the project will move to the P&Z Committee and finally the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors probably sometime next year.

Another Example of Why BNSF Must Be a Better Neighbor

I have said all along that BNSF Railway is not being a good neighbor — and this is yet another example that proves my point.

I live near 163rd Avenue and Grand Avenue in Surprise. Every day, I drive down 163rd and I always notice how pristine the medians are. They are beautifully maintained — free of weeds, well-manicured, and clear of trash. That is, until you reach the stretch just before BNSF’s railroad tracks near Grand Avenue.

There is a roughly 40-foot section of median that tells a completely different story. It is overgrown with weeds, filled with trash, and clearly neglected. Thousands of people drive past this spot every day. Many sit right next to it at the traffic light. Most don’t consciously notice it — until they do. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

I previously worked in property management, and that experience trained my eye. I notice the small details — burned-out light bulbs in restaurants, mismatched touch-up paint, curbs that need repainting. I’ve been noticing this median for years, and it is long past time that something was done about it.

Nick Haney, the City Council member who represents this area, is everything you could want in an elected official. He is responsive. He listens. And most importantly, he acts. As soon as he heard my concern, he got to work.

The City of Surprise is now in direct communication regarding this issue, and the plan moving forward is encouraging but not finalized. I am told if agreed, the City will maintain the medians, and BNSF will reimburse the City for that maintenance. This is great news — not just for this specific intersection, but for many other roadways in Surprise where medians fall on BNSF property and urgently need upkeep.

I think every city that has rail running through it should consider following in the footsteps of Surprise.

Here’s the bigger point:

If a private citizen allowed their yard to become this overgrown, they would be cited and fined. Cities enforce these standards every day — as they should. Railroads must be held to the same standard. Corporate property should not be exempt from basic community responsibility.

Clean, well-maintained roads are not just about aesthetics. They reflect pride, safety, and respect for the people who live and work here. Every entity that operates in our city — including BNSF — must do their part to keep Surprise looking like the beautiful community it is.

BNSF, it’s time to truly be a good neighbor.

PATRIOT HAPPY HOUR WITH FELLOW REPUBLICANS!

Join Us for Another Great Evening!

Don't forget about Patriot Happy Hour at State 48 in Surprise! Last month’s gathering was a fantastic success, with great food, drinks, and, most importantly, meaningful conversations with fellow conservatives. Let’s do it again!

 Where: State 48 Brewery - 13823 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374

 When: Wednesday, December 17th (different night due to holiday)

 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

**We will meet in the back room. There will be a sign directing you.**

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, get to know fellow PATRIOTS, and strengthen our local Republican community. Whether you're a seasoned PC, new to our LD, or simply want to make new friends everyone is welcome!

Bring a friend and join us for an evening of camaraderie, networking, and fun. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Patriot Happy Hour is always the last Wednesday of the month. (holiday effects this month's hh)

Stay Informed: Visit Patriotnheels for the Latest Updates

For those seeking the most current information on several developing stories, www.patriotnheels.com is the place to go. The site provides up-to-date coverage on BNSF, the unfolding details surrounding Project Baccara, and the latest news about Kelly Yu, along with much more. As these situations continue to evolve, having a reliable source for timely updates is essential. Visit Patriotnheels.com to stay informed and connected to the most recent developments.

DUE TO THE HOLIDAY MANY CLUBS AND LDS WILL NOT MEET - PLEASE CHECK FIRST