Arizona Governor Approves Controversial Axon Headquarters Project
In a move that bypasses a public referendum, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed a bill allowing Taser manufacturer Axon to proceed with building its new headquarters in Scottsdale. The decision has sparked ongoing opposition from local activists who are determined to challenge the development.
Initially, the Scottsdale City Council had given the green light to Axon’s ambitious development plan, which encompasses a hotel and approximately 2,000 residential units. However, the number of apartments became a point of contention, prompting critics to gather enough signatures to put the project to a vote in 2026.
In response, Axon lobbied for legislative intervention, resulting in the passage of SB 1543. Governor Hobbs endorsed the bill, effectively nullifying the planned public vote.
Governor Hobbs has previously praised Axon, noting its longstanding roots in Scottsdale and the economic benefits of its corporate campus. “They are creating jobs, and not only that, they are now helping to address the affordable housing crisis by using the state land that they bought to build housing to house their workforce,” she remarked days prior to the bill’s approval.
Despite the legislative victory for Axon, Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky and former Councilman Bob Littlefield, who spearheaded the petition effort, are considering legal avenues to contest the decision.
Opponents argue that the newly enacted law conflicts with a state constitutional provision that prohibits laws crafted for the benefit of a specific individual or entity. “I stand with the people of Scottsdale in opposition to the legislature’s unconstitutional overreach,” Borowsky said on Facebook. “The city is evaluating all legal remedies in response.”
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