A bill that would outlaw mandatory vaccinations or mask wearing cleared the Arizona Senate on Monday.
The measure would forbid the government — including public schools — from imposing any kind of mandate whether or not they’re on government property.
Democrat Sally Ann Gonzales was the only senator to explain her NO vote.
"We already have laws in the state of Arizona that already exempt people from getting vaccinated through medical, religious and personal belief exemptions, we already have those in place," she said. "And this is on top of that. It is unnecessary."
Gonzales said the measure is a health risk to those who are immuno-compromised.
The bill now goes back to the House. Republicans have justified the ban saying it’s a matter of personal freedom.
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A new audit finds the state Department of Corrections may have unlawfully spent more than $50 million from an opioid settlement. -
The city of Phoenix has launched a multilingual platform where residents can report concerns or incidents related to federal law enforcement activity within the city. The Federal Enforcement Complaint Reporting Portal is available at the Community Transparency Initiative webpage. -
State auditors identified a litany of issues with Arizona’s $1 billion school voucher program that they say could put public dollars at risk. -
The Pima County Board of Supervisors have decided not to remove Sheriff Chris Nanos over allegations he committed perjury, as well as his handling of personnel matters and financial records. -
U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego called on his fellow lawmakers to reform the nation’s immigration laws to protect long-time undocumented residents who were brought to the country as children.
