Currently, much of the action in the Arizona Legislature is happening behind closed doors. There are at least 78 bills that are very worrisome and that could make their way to a floor vote in either the House or the Senate (and then proceed to the Governor for signature) at any time. We may only get a day’s notice so be alert and stay tuned.
Here is the contact information for our Legislators:
SENATE:
LD 6 – Wendy Rogers 602-926-3042
LD 7 – Jamescita Peshlakai 602-926-3160
President Karen Fann 602-926-5874
Majority Ldr Rick Gray 602-926-5413
HOUSE:
LD 6 – Walt Blackman 602-926-3043
LD 6 – Brenda Barton 602-926-3421
LD 7 – Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren 602-926-3069
LD 7 – Myron Tsosie 602-926-3157
Speaker Russell Bowers 602-926-3128
Majority Ldr Ben Toma 602-926-3298
CONTACT THE GOVERNOR AS BILLS MOVE TO HIM TO SIGN
IT IS BEST TO CALL HIS OFFICE TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION – 602-542-4331.
IF YOU TWEET – SEND YOUR OPPOSITION VIA TWITTER – @DOUGDUCEY
(He hates to get Tweets it seems!!)
CALL OR TWEET THE GOVERNOR
SB1456 – OPPOSE – EDUCATION – The bill sets up a double opt-in mandate that would require parents to give explicit permission for their students to learn about LGBTQ+ figures like Harvey Milk, historical events like Stonewall Riots, or any other discussion that touched on sexuality or sexual orientation – effectively erasing LGBTQ+ people from literature, history and the arts. CONTACT THE GOVERNOR TO ASK HIM TO NOT SIGN THIS BILL WHICH IS NOTHING SHORT OF CODIFIED BIGOTRY!!
CONTACT OUR SENATORS
SB1457 – OPPOSE – WOMEN’S RIGHTS – Already failed in floor vote in the Senate it is being pushed yet again – The bill explicitly gives fetuses in all stages of development the same rights and privileges as a living US citizen, and turns doctors into felons subject to a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison. CONTACT OUR SENATORS PLUS Senator Pace (LD 25) – , 602-926-5760.
CONTACT OUR LEGISLATORS DIRECTLY ON THESE BILLS ASAP!!
SB1486 – SUPPORT – PUBLIC SAFETY – Would legalize test strips to detect fentanyl in drugs. This bill will help to save lives
HB2309 – OPPOSE – FIRST AMENDMENT – Would create a new felony offense, “violent or disorderly assembly”. This bill is just another way to throw the book at peaceful protesters. The police would be the ones to determine that an assembly was “violent or disorderly” – many of last year’s BLM protests were declared unlawful by police. Clearly intended to penalize peaceful protests for topics like BLM!!
SB1452 – OPPOSE – EDUCATION – Huge expansion of the Educational Scholarship Assistance program – AZ Voucher program – to about 2/3 of all Arizona school children. This allows money to be taken from public education and used for private schooling. Would drain the Prop 208 funds!!
HB2248 – OPPOSE – ENVIRONMENT – Would prohibit Arizona Corporation Commission from adopting or enforcing any policy, decision or rule that directly or indirectly regulates critical electrical generation resources used or acquired by public service corporations without express legislative authorization!!
HB2551 – OPPOSE – RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP – Would allow people to bring guns into libraries, community centers, public pools, state museums, the DMV, government offices, block parties, marches and street fairs!!
SB1713 – OPPOSE – VOTING RIGHTS – Requires voter ID on affidavit for each early ballot that is sent it.
SB1106 – OPPOSE – VOTING RIGHTS – Would make registering someone to vote in AZ who has no “intent to remain” in the state a class 6 felony – clearly aimed at college students or new residents who are not sure how long they might be here.
BUDGET
There is another $800 million available in new revenue – making total new money available $5.1 Billion!!
Lobby Legislators to Specifically Support :
- Approve No tax cuts to the wealthy AND no Flat Tax giveaway!!!!
- Fund Healthy Forest Initiative with $24 Million
- Fund Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) with $5.0 Million
- Fund Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (AQARF) with $18 Million
- Fund the Heritage Fund for AZ parks with $10 Million
- Fund the General Stream Adjudications (long running law suit to determine whohas the right to how much water among AZ rivers and streams) with $2.9 Million
- Fund the Arizona Water Protection Fund with $1.0 Million