This week, embattled Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order prohibiting Arizona state executive branch employees from using nonpublic government information to profit on prediction markets.
Hobbs’ designated nonpublic information as confidential in the executive order.
Recent media reports and federal indictments have revealed that government employees outside of Arizona have used nonpublic information to win millions of dollars wagering on government actions, including international military operations.
The executive order strictly forbids all executive branch employees from disclosing or using any nonpublic information to profit, avoid financial loss, or assist others in profiting from prediction markets. Any violation of the order may result in dismissal, other sanctions, and referral to law enforcement. To further safeguard operations, the order officially designates all nonpublic information obtained during public service that could be used for wagers as confidential.
In the Executive Order, Governor Hobbs also encourages other statewide elected officials, independent boards and commissions, and the judicial and legislative branches to adopt comparable policies for their employees.
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A.R.S. 38-504(B) states, “A public officer or employee shall not disclose or use … any information that is acquired by the officer or employee in the course of the officer’s or employee’s official duties and *that is declared confidential* by law.”
The EO closes a loophole by stating, “all nonpublic information obtained by Arizona State executive branch employees due to their public service … is hereby designated confidential.” Good on Hobbs, and good on us.
Now, what are the ramifications of declaring all that nonpublic information “confidential”? That’s a fair question. Will it be easier to hide other misdeeds from FOIA requests, for example? Only time – or a more inquisitive sourpuss than me – will tell.
Don’t do as I do, do as I say. Nancy who?
Nothing more than electioneering.
Totally unnecessary and have no impacts. This is pure virtue signaling.
Now that she has made millions why not! Oh, must be an election year.