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Dear ,
I hope you and your family are doing well! Below, please find a few updates on my work last week for the residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District.
Scottsdale Rated As #1 Most Pet-Friendly City in the U.S.
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According to WalletHub’s “Most Pet-Friendly Cities (2024)”, I am delighted to announce that Scottsdale was ranked as the most pet-friendly city among the 100 most populated U.S. cities across the nation! The study was conducted based on a point system that included three main categories: outdoor pet-friendliness (25 possible points), pet budget (25 possible points), and pet health and wellness (50 possible points). Scottsdale scored a total of 68.7 points for all three categories. Phoenix secured its spot in the top 20, ranking #13! I'm beyond blessed to represent an area that prioritizes our furry friends, and I will continue to introduce meaningful legislation that speaks to my commitment to our most loyal companions.
Upcoming Mobile Office Hours with My District Office
After a hot summer, office hours have finally returned! My district casework team is here to assist residents of Arizona’s First Congressional District with applications and claims pertaining to federal benefits. Staff from my district office may be in your neighborhood to offer one-on-one casework assistance. Stop by the Juniper Public Library at 1825 W Union Hills Dr on Wednesday, August 21, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., or call my District Office at (480) 946-2411 for immediate assistance with the IRS, Passports, Medicare, Social Security, VA and other federal benefits.
Recognizing Some Amazing Citizens of AZ-01
A couple weeks back, I had the privilege of meeting with some innovative trailblazers – the team at Lucid Motors. Lucid Motors's manufacturing facilities in Casa Grande are projected to create approximately 15,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs annually by 2024. Lucid’s Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-1) is designed sustainably, incorporating energy-efficient processes focusing on reducing waste. Lucid’s AMP-1 is one of the most advanced EV manufacturing facilities in North America, featuring cutting-edge technology and processes. The facility includes a state-of-the-art powertrain manufacturing center, producing Lucid’s proprietary electric powertrains.
Furthermore, the facilities are expected to generate a projected economic output of $9 billion for the state of Arizona in 2024. It is estimated over a 20-year period, Lucid’s presence will contribute $32 billion in revenue to both Casa Grande and Pinal County. The company will put in over $700 million in capital investment into Arizona by the middle of the decade. Lucid also gives back to the community by collaborating with local educational institutions to provide training and development opportunities, fostering a skilled workforce.
It's safe to say Lucid Motors presence in Arizona is an example of the state’s growing role in the electric vehicle industry, bringing economic growth, technological advancements, and environmental benefits to the region. Thank you for having me!
Congressional Opportunities for Students in AZ-01
The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. The House of Representatives knows how crucial these skills are and wants to encourage students to engage in these fields. By encouraging and recognizing our nation’s young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills.
This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their apps by October 24. For more information and registration, please visit the official Congressional App Challenge website at CongressionalAppChallenge.us.
A Snapshot of Today's Inflation and Earnings, Per the July 2024 Consumer Price Index
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In July, headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation was 0.2 percent, with shelter “accounting for nearly 90 percent of the monthly increase,” at 0.4 percent. Over the past year, headline CPI inflation was 2.9 percent, the lowest level since March 2021. Core CPI inflation was 3.2 percent, its lowest level since April 2021.
Real average weekly earnings for all employees and production/nonsupervisory employees both decreased 0.2. According to the State Inflation Tracker created by the Joint Economic Committee Republican Staff, the average Arizona household would now need to spend an additional $1,178 each month or $14,140 per year to maintain the same consumption habits they had back in January 2021.
Did Your Family Escape the Arizona Heat This Summer?
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One of my favorite parts about the summer season is getting to see magnificent footage shared with me by residents of Arizona's First Congressional District from various trips and travels throughout these few months.
Shirley Clarkin and family visited the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She expressed her sincere gratitude for getting the opportunity to visit national parks. These photos are from Mount Rainier in Washington state. Shirley describes the visit as, "absolutely breathtaking beauty that is difficult to describe."
Do you have travel photos that I can highlight in my weekly newsletter? Email them to David.Schweikert@mail.house.gov with a brief description of your experience. I would love to hear about your travels and be able to share them with the rest of AZ-01.
What I'm Reading & Why It Matters
The Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act has big tech companies up in arms over its implications. S.B.1047 deters crucial AI innovation in the state of California, with Google claiming the state to be "one of the world’s least favorable jurisdictions for AI development and deployment.” Prominet AI researchers have expressed both support and dissent for the legislation, with "godfathers of AI" Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton in support, while "godmother of AI", Fei-Fei Li, opposes the bill. If passed, S.B.1047 would require developers of powerful AI tools to test whether they can enable attacks on public infrastructure; highly damaging cyber-attacks or mass casualty events; or can help create chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear weapons.
People who take GLP-1s like Ozempic experience a loss of appetite and fewer cravings for unhealthy food. This is bad news for the sales of soda, baked goods and salty snacks. A Morgan Stanley analysis predicts GLP-1s could reduce consumption of junk food by as much as 3 percent in the next decade. Major food companies have taken notice and have come up with creative solutions to adapt to the changing environment and demand. Nestle is looking into a GLP-1 friendly frozen food line called 'Vital Pursuits', which is expected to include items like protein-infused pasta and sandwiches. The Mattson food lab is also introducing a GLP-1 friendly chicken strip that is intended to be the chicken version of a cheese stick with higher protein.
Intelligence officials are warning the 2024 election could face an influx of fake news powered by artificial intelligence. A journal analysis of videos on Tik Tok has already found it happening. In the sea of political news and election memes on TikTok, the Journal found thousands of videos with political lies and hyperbole. The Journal found 91 accounts that made these videos from China, Nigeria, Iran and Vietnam. |