Last Week at the Legislature
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Hi Friend,
We just completed week eleven of the Arizona legislature's 56th session, and the decisions made or not made there will affect all of us. It's my great honor to serve as your representative on the House Education, Appropriations, and Sub-Appropriations Committee on Budgeting and Finance. Here's a recap of what happened last week and a preview of next week.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov
House Floor Votes This Past Week
Action picked up on the floor this week as we considered some of the Senate bills and finished up with a few House bills as well. Here's how I voted on some of them - and why.
HB2061 (Biasiucci) food; municipal tax; exemption
This bill would prohibit cities from charging tax on groceries. While the City of Phoenix does not have a grocery tax, many municipalities depend on that source of revenue for essential services including police, fire, community centers our seniors depend upon and other vital services. One of many Arizona mayors who oppose this bill that would reduce their income by $206 million annually explained that this will force them to increase taxes or fees in other areas, so this is not a solution. Also, low-income Arizonans, the ones who would stand most to benefit from this tax cut, already are exempt from grocery tax when they use the federal SNAP program. This bill is one in a long history of legislation sponsored by the current one-seat Republican majority that pre-empts city control. It's easy for state leaders to play with city revenue, but it's not appropriate for us to make cuts that affect their budgets, especially so severely. I believe we should respect local control since in this case, cities are the ones closest to the people and problem. I voted NO. However, it passed 31-29.
SB1049 (Kavanaugh) homeowners' associations; Betsy Ross flag
Over the years, Mr. Kavanaugh has successfully sponsored several bills that pre-empt homeowner association rules. This is the latest in a number of them that names a specific flag that HOA's must allow residents to display. Rep Salman ran an "All Flags Matter" amendment which I supported, but it was defeated along party lines. I voted NO because I believe it's a violation of people's free speech rights for the legislature to choose which flag they can fly. The bill passed 31-29.
HCR2030 (Terech) ratification; equal rights amendment (ERA)
This week, on the 51st anniversary of the date that the ERA was first placed before state legislatures for confirmation, Rep Nancy Gutierrez moved that the Arizona House consider HCR2030 to do what 38 other state legislatures have already done: ratify the ERA. The one-seat Republican majority immediately made a substitute motion, but not before we as Democrats demanded a roll call vote. Thank you to Rep Patty Contreras, the champion we selected this year who spoke eloquently on behalf of our support for the ERA. I voted YES because it's long past time that women's equal rights are guaranteed in the US Constitution. The motion was defeated 31-29.
SB1024 (Kavanaugh) public rights-of-way; unlawful acts
This bill would make it a crime for anyone to set up a tent, tarp, box, or similar object on public roads, streets, or sidewalks punishable by a $250 fine. I really agonized over this vote. I hear - and agree with my many constituents and businesses who are understandably at wits end with the increasing number of unsheltered people living on our streets. For a long time, we all were able to look the other way, ignoring the need for mental health services, addiction treatment, and affordable housing. We can't do that anymore. In the meantime, we should be doing everything we can to keep our streets safe and sanitary. That's why I voted yes, and the bill passed 33-27. However ultimately, this bill doesn't solve anything. Violent criminals living on the street should absolutely stand trial and be sent to jail if found guilty. But many people living on the street are not violent criminals, do not have the means to pay such a fine -- and we don't have the constitutional right - nor do we have enough space in our jails to house non-violent offenders. If we don't want people living on our streets, we have to do a better job of creating homeless shelters, services, and affordable housing.
SB1585 (Miranda) homelessness; rights; eviction; housing; appropriation
Following our vote on SB1024, I learned that SB1585 is on its way to us from the Senate. I believe that this bill offers more effective ways to address this important issue. It requires the Departments of Economic Security, the AZ Dept of Housing, and the AZ Dept of Administration to provide affordable housing grants, pilot programs, rental assistance, and eviction prevention. It also establishes a Homeless Shelter & Services Fund to provide grants to counties, cities, towns, tribes, and non-profits for programs that provide shelter and services to people experiencing homelessness. You can learn more about this bill by reading the Fact Sheet here. We should be voting on it in the next couple of weeks. SB1024 may come up for reconsideration, and I'm considering changing my vote to NO and instead voting yes on SB1585. I would appreciate hearing from you about these two bills. You can email me here.
Phoenix Wants Your Input on a Revolutionary Bus Rapid Transit Program Design
I had the privilege of getting a personal presentation about the status of Phoenix' new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) development this past week. City voters already approved this mass transit expansion in 2015, and the department is working hard to ensure they have public feedback from all of us as they create the design. It will involve dedicated bus lanes and bus priority at intersections. I hope you'll weigh in!
The public is invited to attend public meetings and outreach events to learn about and provide feedback on the Bus Rapid Transit program through April 21, 2023.
The City of Phoenix Bus Rapid Transit program is beginning its second phase of community outreach related to the design of the City's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor – 35th Avenue from Cheryl Ave near Metro Center and Van Buren Street.
To continue engaging the community in the development of this corridor, the Phoenix BRT Program will host 4 events in March and April 2023. Everyone is welcome!
Additionally, there will be an online survey for the public to provide feedback.
The in-person public meeting will be open-house style with various project team members available to provide information and answer questions. The public will have an opportunity to learn more about BRT and the next steps - including potential design options.
The public's input is highly requested as community feedback will help guide the development of BRT along this corridor. To learn more, Visit the MeetPhoenixBRT.com, the BRT Online Meeting and take our survey now through April 21!
In-Person Public Meetings | 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.Tuesday, March 28 at Trinity United Methodist Church – 3104 W Glendale Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051
Virtual Public Meeting | Tuesday, April 4 at 6 p.m. For English, join link: bit.ly/pbrt-en. OR Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 OR join Webinar at 2484 734 7295 (Webinar password: PBRT (7278 from phones). For Spanish join the Audio Channel by phone: +1-408-418-9388 OR join the Webinar at 2480 516 7308 (Webinar password: PBRT (7278 from phones)
Pop-Up/Outreach Event Tuesday, April 11, 2 p.m. Southwest corner of Metro Parkway West and Mission Lane (at Metro Transit Center)
Pop-up/Outreach Event Thursday, April 13, 2 p.m. 302 N 1st Avenue (at Central Station Transit Center)
For more information, go to MeetPhoenixBRT.com or contact kelly.murray@phoenix.gov
Phoenix BRT Corridor – 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street Map
Next Week
Bills in My Committees
Our House Education Committee Agenda this coming week includes SB1040, Senator Kavanaugh's bill to ban transgender people from using the appropriate restroom in public schools. A constituent wrote eloquently to me about this legislation: "There is no problem for this bill to solve. Trans people are not causing problems in restrooms. We never have. We just have bodily functions like everyone else. Our existence in a restroom is no more an invasion of other’s privacy than is anyone else in that space. We just need to pee, and want to maintain some dignity about it. This is a mean-spirited bill meant to hurt innocent people." I agree. WE should not be making laws that demonize this small minority of already vulnerable students, yet they have become the whipping post for culture war bills like this. I will be a strong NO. You can watch the proceedings at
https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?clientID=6361162879&eventID=2023031130
While I do not sit on the House Commerce Committee, our bill to protect condo homeowners will now be a striker amendment on SB1198 on this Tuesday's agenda. This is a stripped down version of my original bill HB2780 which was defeated in House Commerce a few weeks ago after attorneys for the billionaire private equity firm testified against it. This version simply ensures that Arizona condo homeowners (most of whom are on fixed incomes) would be paid a fair market price for their property, so they at least have the funds to relocate. You can watch the proceedings online at https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?clientID=6361162879&eventID=2023031131
Click here for this week's Ed Report from Save Our Schools to learn more about the really bad education bills that will be in committee this week and how to contact committee members as well as your legislators to oppose them.
"Arizona’s got a problem. Despite obvious economic woes, over $200 million in unbudgeted ESA voucher costs, and Ducey’s ruinous flat tax going into effect, Republican lawmakers are doubling down on massive tax cuts that will further defund our public schools.....
"...Use our one-click email tool to tell lawmakers you want Arizona’s realeducation needs prioritized once and for all: bit.ly/prioritizepubliced
Click here for this week's Civic Engagement Beyond Voting Weekly Report to learn about bills on every issue that will be in committee this week and how to take action to support or oppose them.
"Last week for committees (we hope). This week’s agendas definitely have that “last chance” vibe: it feels like every bad idea we’ve seen this year is being dusted off and shoved through.
"Republican legislative leaders could still extend the committee deadline by yet another week, or more, but we don’t expect that."
Highlights of Last Week
Monday with Assyrian American Constituents
As the first day of Spring, it was the perfect time for the House to unanimously pass our constituent-led bipartisan resolution HCR2037 celebrating the Assyrian New Year. It marks the new year - a fresh start, spring! And this week we celebrate year 6773 on the Assyrian calendar. I was honored to get to sponsor this resolution working with 3 women Assyrian-American leaders - Ninorta Kasso, Dr Nahrain Bet Younadam, and Dr Ramina Jajoo-Findrich - 300 members of their community, and 44 Republican and Democrat sponsors.
Wednesday We Met with Educators at the Capitol
Thank you so much to all the educators who came to the Capitol two Wednesdays in a row to advocate for the public schools chosen by 92% of Arizona families for their children. We hear you - and we're with you!
Thursday I Meet with ABEC regarding the Addiction Crisis
Every two weeks Education Committee members are invited to have lunch with the Arizona Business & Education Coalition to discuss important issues. A big thank you to Dick Foreman, President & CEO of ABEC for making this possible. This past week the theme was "When Just Saying No Might Still Be the Best Way to Keep Drugs Out of Our Schools". Guest panelists Seth Leibsohn, Hugh Hallman, Steve Moak, and Jeff Taylor talked about ways they're planning to help PREVENT drugs including bath salts, fentanyl, methamphetamines, or the latest extremely dangerous drug known as tranq.
On Friday I visited Valley Life's Spring Festival
Valley Life provides care for people over 18 who live with Developmental Disabilities, whether that means they're in a wheelchair, dealing with dementia, or have other intellectual or physical disabilities. Many of them have no family, so the Valley Life folks become their family. I was so moved by the vital work this organization does with such great heart, Thank you so much to ValleyLife's President and CEO Cletus Thiebeau for his great and caring leadership. They receive grants from Thunderbirds Charities and the D-backs for special facilities, but depend upon Medicaid as well as state funds. The latest nonpartisan survey showed that we still underfund what is needed to care for these vulnerable people by $60 million per year. We must do better. Here, one of their staff members demonstrates equipment used to assist those who generally use a wheelchair to stand and be able to move from a standing position.
