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It’s Time to Let Innovation Heal
In my recent floor speech, I spoke about the urgent need to bring health care policy into the 21st century. Technologies like AI diagnostics and wearable monitors can detect illness earlier, treat patients more accurately, lower healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes
These tools already exist, but outdated laws and reimbursement rules keep them out of reach. If we want to improve care, and protect programs like Medicare, we need to stop blocking innovation and start embracing it.
The technology is ready. Congress needs to catch up. Every year we wait is another year of higher costs and missed opportunities. Let’s choose progress over protectionism
H.R.1 Delivers Tax Relief for AZ-01
I wanted to take a moment to share five important wins in H.R.1 that will directly benefit our community:
- Bigger deduction for seniors: Starting in 2025, taxpayers 65+ can claim an extra $6,000 each ($12,000 for qualifying couples), helping up to 88% of seniors avoid federal income tax.
- No tax on tips and overtime: Workers under $150,000 ($300,000 for couples) can deduct up to $25,000 in tips and $25,000 in overtime through 2028.
- Higher SALT deduction: Cap raised to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000, easing the burden of state and local taxes.
- Auto-loan interest deduction: Up to $10,000 annually for U.S.-made vehicle purchases from 2025–2028.
- Immediate R&D expensing: Restores full, same-year deductions for research and development, boosting local businesses and innovation.
These wins put more money back into the pockets of AZ-01 families, seniors, and small business owners.
Recognizing Amazing Constituents of AZ-01
It was a pleasure to recognize the success of Adultcare Assistance Homecare at their recent Ribbon Cutting with the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. I commend them for their dedication to senior citizens in our community. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment the Adultcare Assistance Homecare team!
Back to School in AZ-01
School is starting up again across the district. Like many of you, my family is in back-to-school mode. Whether your kids are just starting out or heading into their senior year, I am wishing you and your family a great start to the school year. I hope it is a smooth transition and a year full of learning, growth, and maybe even a little quiet once the backpacks are out the door.
It is also a good time to keep safety in mind. The American Red Cross and road safety experts recommend slowing down in school zones, staying alert near crosswalks, and reminding children about safe walking and biking practices. A little preparation can help make sure everyone has a safe start to the year.
Read more school safety tips from the Red Cross
JEC Update
I want to provide you with some critical insights from the Joint Economic Committee's July National Employment and June National Expenditures Updates.
In July, total nonfarm payroll increased by 73,000, reflecting a private sector gain of 83,000 jobs and a decline of 10,000 in government employment, driven by a 12,000 decrease at the federal level. The unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage points to 4.2 percent. The labor force participation rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.2 percent.
Turning to consumer and income data, the headline Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.28 percent month-over-month and 2.58 percent year-over-year. Core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 0.26 percent month-over-month and 2.79 percent year-over-year. Headline personal income increased by 0.28 percent ($71.4 billion) while real disposable personal income per capita decreased by 0.06 percent.
The Joint Economic Committee releases fiscal updates on a regular basis, and you can receive these updates by registering HERE.
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