1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I urge you to veto Senate Bill 1010, which would rename the 78-mile Loop 202 as the "Charlie Kirk Loop 202." This legislation, which passed the Senate on a party-line 16-12 vote, bypasses established procedures and honors someone whose public record was defined by divisive rhetoric rather than bringing communities together. Arizona has clear policies for highway naming that exist for good reason. The Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names requires a five-year waiting period after death to avoid political controversy and allow historical perspective. SB1010 completely circumvents this neutral review process, politicizing what should be a deliberative decision about who deserves such prominent public recognition. During Senate debate, constituents made clear their concerns about honoring someone whose legacy includes promoting hatred and division. Sen. Mitzi Epstein read messages from Arizonans expressing that highway honors should be reserved for those who unite communities. Sen. Kiana Sears offered a reasonable compromise in committee to name Loop 202 the "Freedom of Speech Highway" instead, which would honor the principle without the controversy. That compromise was rejected. The Loop 202 serves hundreds of thousands of Arizona drivers daily. A highway name should represent values that all Arizonans can respect, not become a permanent monument to political division. Kirk's public record included misogynistic and racist statements that do not reflect Arizona's values or deserve this level of state recognition. The standard naming process exists precisely to prevent rushed, politically motivated decisions like this one. I ask that you veto SB1010 and allow the established review process to work as intended. Arizona's highways should honor those who genuinely brought people together and served the entire community, not just one political faction.