House Speaker Ben Toma Archives

Rep. Gillette Condemns ASU Lake Havasu Campus Closure

September 25, 2024 9:34 amOctober 2, 2024 11:44 am

Arizona State University (ASU) announced its decision to close its Lake Havasu campus in the summer of 2025, a move impacting 225 students and 20 staff members. This decision is part of a broader response to recent state budget cuts...

Heated Exchanges Mark Arizona Budget Aftermath

June 24, 2024 5:00 amNovember 21, 2024 7:45 am

Budget negotiations in Arizona were highly contentious this year, with lawmakers roundly condemning the process. Governor Katie Hobbs and Democrats negotiated with Speaker of the House Ben Toma (R-27) and Senate President Warren Peterson (R-14), with Hobbs ultimately signing. However,...

Hamadeh vs. Masters: Can the Real Polling Please Stand Up?

June 20, 2024 5:00 amJuly 1, 2024 7:37 am

Republicans Abe Hamadeh and Blake Masters, who respectively vied (unsuccessfully) for Arizona Attorney General and U.S. Senator in 2022, have turned the GOP race for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District into an epic slugfest. While other candidates like former Republican congressman...

Mayes Oppose State’s Proposed Opioid Settlement Use

June 19, 2024 5:00 amJuly 1, 2024 7:37 am

AG Kris Mayes is threatening to sue the Arizona legislature over an item in the newly passed 2024 budget authorizing the use of Federal opioid settlement funds to “backfill” prior-year deficits. At issue is the interpretation of the settlement’s Memorandum...

State Representative Ben Toma speaking with attendees at an event titled "Arizona Talks: Criminal Justice" hosted by Arizona Talks at the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Toma Sponsored ‘Secure the Border Act’ Set for Final Vote

June 4, 2024 12:29 pmJune 17, 2024 10:32 am

(The Center Square) – Arizona House lawmakers plan to vote on the “Secure the Border Act” ballot referral on Tuesday. House Concurrent Resolution 2060 would make it a state crime to cross into Arizona anywhere besides a legal point of...

Hobbs Vetoes ‘Victims of Communism’ Bill

April 4, 2024 10:43 amApril 4, 2024 11:34 am

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have increased educational standards on teaching about the history of communism. House Bill 2629 was sponsored by Speaker Ben Toma, and it would have made Nov. 7 “Victims of Communism” Day in...

State Representative Jacqueline Parker speaking with the media at a press conference for the Arizona Freedom Caucus at the Arizona Capitol building in Phoenix, Arizona.

Toma Creates Ad Hoc Committee on Executive Oversight

March 28, 2024 12:17 pm

Arizona’s House Speaker Ben Toma (R-27) is putting teeth into his rhetoric against abuse and weaponization by overzealous partisan politicos. On Monday, March 26, 2024, he announced the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of abuse of...