Last Week at the Legislature
Hi Friend,
It's truly an honor to represent our community in the State House. Thank you for the opportunity to work for and communicate back with you. I remain focused on helping to make our neighborhoods the kinds of places where everyone gets their chance to thrive.
This past week, your legislature met only on Monday, but it was a long day. Some members of the Republican majority apparently have vacation plans for the next few weeks, so rather than vote when the majority doesn't have all their members present (which they often need to pass their bills), leadership squeezed almost 100 bills onto the calendar for a vote on one day.
We were told that we will not resume any floor action until June 12, or when the Speaker and Senate President give us 24 hours notice.
In the meantime, read on to find out about some of those bills, as well as to learn about some inspiring teachers in our community who are making a difference for all of us.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov
Some of the 100 Bills We Considered Monday
This is just a sampling of bills we heard. They'd already been passed by the Senate, but we needed to vote on them in the House before sending them on to Governor Hobbs for her signature - or veto.
Education Bills
First, here are a couple of bills I was proud to support:
SB1013 Kavanagh. While the underlying bill changes nothing, after many of us stood up for community colleges during budget debate, Rep. Livingston attached an amendment to this bill to reduce the penalty for one year for community colleges that exceed the outdated expenditure limit. Especially at a time when employers are crying for qualified employees, these local colleges are a pipeline to the workforce. We need to raise the outdated limit. In the meantime this is a much-needed measure. I voted yes, and it passed 56-1.
SB 1400 Wadsack. This bill Includes noncredit workforce training in the calculation for a community college's reported full-time student equivalent enrollment, which is used to determine their state aid and expenditure limitation. I voted yes, and it passed 58-0.
I opposed these education bills:
HB2539 Pingerelli. This bill sets up a separate department within the Department of Education to promote school privatization. I voted NO, but it passed 31-27
SB1243 Mesnard. This bill Increases the individual income tax credit cap for contributions to Student Tuition Organizations further reducing state revenue needed for schools, roads, water, housing and more. It would triple the current cap amounts from $500 to $1456 for single individual and $1,000 to $2902 for a married couple filing jointly. It's just not fiscally responsible. I voted NO, but it passed 31-27.
SB1564 Kaiser. This bill permits nonpublic school students to participate in interscholastic activities at a public school. I voted no. Because Republican David Cook joined Democrats in voting NO on this bill, it failed 30-28
SB1001 Kavanagh. This insulting pronoun bill endangers vulnerable transgender youth by requiring parent permission before allowing school staff to respect the pronouns and names students request. I voted NO, but it passed 31-27.
SB1040 Kavanagh. This bill makes humiliating requirements for transgender youth to use the restroom that matches their gender at birth. This is one of many attacks we've seen on some of our most vulnerable students this session. We need to stop playing with these kids’ lives. I voted NO, but it passed 31-27.
Election Bills
I was proud to support the following bill because I believe it's a reasonable step to help continue to keep our elections safe.
SB1264 Mesnard. This bill prohibits elections officials from being members of a political action committee other than their own candidate committee. I voted yes and it passed 42-16.
I opposed these election bills that undercut our safe and secure elections. All of the Hoffman election bills failed when Republican David Cook joined Democrats in voting no.
SB 1140 Hoffman. Requires schools to provide space for polling places, closes schools on election days, and limits the use of voting centers which are widely used by voters because of their convenience. I voted NO, and it failed 30-28.
SB 1141 Hoffman. Requires a voter dropping off an early ballot to provide identification and attest in writing that they are allowed to drop off a household member's ballot. I voted no and it failed 29-28
Local Control
SB1131 Peterson. Pre-empts cities from collecting rental tax. This would cost cities $230 million per year with no guarantee that the monthly savings would go to renters, but would greatly impact services from public safety to city streets to libraries and parks. I voted NO, but it passed 35-23.
1268 Shamp. This bill establishes minority-rule by raising the threshold necessary for cities to annex land from 50% of property owners to a supermajority of 60%. I voted NO, and it passed 31-27
Culture War Bills
Rather than spending much needed time on issues like housing, transportation, water and other vital concerns, we voted on a number of bills prohibiting drag shows, none of which really changed laws already in place. However, they passed along party lines.
SB1323. Classifies a violation of the state prohibition on sexually explicit materials by an employee or independent contractor of a public school as a class 5 felony. I voted NO because it further promotes the falsehood that these materials are in our schools. I voted NO and it failed 30-28.
SB1694 Hoffman. Prohibits a public entity from requiring or spending public money on a diversity, equity, and inclusion program. I voted NO, and it failed 30-28.
Highlights of Last Week
And now for some good news
Thank you to School Connect!
A big thanks to my friend Deb Lupnacca for inviting me to School Connect's event for Desert Foothills feeder schools in the Washington Elementary District held at Sweetwater Elementary School last Monday. School Connect is an awesome organization that partners local businesses, faith groups and others with public schools so they can listen to school leaders and help meet the needs of students in the ways they need support. Learn more about how you can help at their website.
I Spoke This Week to....
Our Legislative District 2 Democrats who are already thinking ahead to how to elect more people to represent our shared values in the state legislature in 2024. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month. Come join us at our next meeting on June 21 at 6:30 pm - either in person or via zoom. Find out more here.
And to
Save Our Schools Arizona Network
at their meeting on Tuesday night at Shadow Rock Church. They are a wealth of information as well as opportunities for activism for people who believe in the vital role of public schools in making sure our community can thrive.
For a Breath of Fresh Air
It truly feeds my soul to visit schools in our legislative district to thank teachers as a part of Teacher Appreciation Week (Month!) We have many outstanding teachers in our community, but I asked principals to give me the names of just ONE at each of their schools. I was proud to name them last week on the House floor, and this week to continue delivering Certificates of Appreciation to them, along with a small plant from Summer Winds nursery, as a token of our community's thanks.
I featured many of them in last week's newsletter. Here are the folks I visited this week to express our appreciation.
Congratulations to Acacia Elementary School
Acacia has been awarded the A+ designation as a top Arizona school of excellence four times in the past dozen years, so they're A++++! They invited many of us including Mayor Kate Gallego and legislators like me to join in the celebration. Big congratulations to Principal Christine Hollingworth, Supt Paul Stanton, and all the staff, parents, students and their community!
All 800 students kicked off the incredible celebration by dancing to the song "What a Feeling!" They're awesome!
Washington Elementary School District
Acacia Elementary: Priscilla Andrade Perez
Thank you to Principal Christine Hollingsworth and to Mrs. Andrade who has been teaching 5th grade at Acacia for over 8 years. As a dedicated teacher, she maintains high expectations for all of her students, while being sure to also meet their social and emotional needs. Her students respect and trust her due to her kind and caring attitude. Mrs. Andrade also maintains constant communication with the parents of her students so she can help celebrate student success as well as giving ideas for parents on how to assist with anything their child may be struggling with. Her perseverance, care and commitment to her students make her an amazing teacher!
Glendale Union High School District
Greenway High School: Delta Apodaca
A big thanks to Principal Ed Barnes for celebrating Delta Apodaca, a GUHSD graduate who has been teaching for 26 years. Her dedication and love for working with students makes a difference in their lives as well as the lives of her colleagues and community. As an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher, Mrs. Apodaca teaches 60 students who speak 16 different languages, and creates an environment where her students report they feel safe to take risks, master content, have fun and feel supported in everything that they do. As an after-school coach she teaches character, goal setting and how to overcome the adversities of life. As a class sponsor, Delta helps students build memorable experiences for their peers by helping them organize and fundraise for prom. Delta truly models to her students that giving back to your community is what makes you special.
Thunderbird High School: Christina Irvine
Thank you to Principal Jason Latham for celebrating Christina Irvine who teaches both Math and English Learners. As a young 4th year energetic and hard working teacher she has excelled and was named Thunderbird’s Achievement Above all recipient this year. This is due to her exceptionally strong work ethic, intelligence, creativity and ability to work well with her colleagues. All of this has resulted in her students enjoying a higher level of success than they would have otherwise. Christina is a graduate of Thunderbird High School, so we are proud of her as a teacher and alumnus.
Deer Valley Unified School District
Paseo Hills Elementary School: Valerie Looney
I delivered most of the Teacher Appreciation Certificates to Deer Valley schools in our LD a couple weeks ago, but I caught up with Principal Jamie Hood and her nominee, 8th grade math teacher Mrs. Valerie Looney at their end-of-year assembly this past week. For 11 years, Ms. Looney has been dedicated to the students, staff, and community at Paseo Hills School. Year after year, she helps students grow and has received awards from DVUSD for her high student growth in math. She has served as a leader at Paseo Hills School for several years and is a role model for all. She is kind, caring, supportive, and approachable.
Mirage Elementary: Wendy Whitlock
Thank you to Principal Bobbi Cerro and Superintendent Curtis Finch for recognizing Mrs. Wendy Whitlock, a reading interventionist who helps students struggling with foundational skills by filling in the gaps, and providing the framework they need for a successful future. She helps these students see themselves as capable, competent and thriving. Mrs. Whitlock embodies servant leadership, and her selfless approach to her job is a model for all of us! She is a problem solver to the nth degree, She has mentored and coached teachers, been the safe haven for students who were struggling emotionally, and has even turned her classroom into an intervention room for our most vulnerable students, helping them with social, academic and behavioral concerns, helping them to change their own self-image, and turned them around. Mrs. Whitlock is one of a kind and is absolutely the heart and soul of Mirage.
Barry Goldwater High School: Kathy Morkert
Thank you to Principal Dr. Anita Stulc, and to Kathy Morkert, Special Education teacher who has a heart for students who need support. She approaches each encounter with a student with kindness and respect. There is no judgment when working with families and she shares daily her promise to find resources and information and she follows through. Ms. Morkert brings a wealth of knowledge of special education law and is a mentor, coach, teacher and a friend to all around her. She is professional and always brings solutions to the table. She is systems-oriented and a problem solver. She is a life long learner and has the heart of a champion!
Esperanza Elementary: Denise Torres
Thank you to Principal Melissa Sepuka and to Ms. Torres, a special education teacher they often call the "student whisperer"! Ms. Torres is a warm, caring educator who creates exciting engaging lessons. She collaborates daily with the general education teachers to ensure her students that need specially designed instruction will be successful. Students gravitate to her as she models her belief in educating the whole child daily. She is constantly reflecting and improving strategies to ensure all students are engaged learners both academically and social emotionally. Ms. Torres' impact reaches all aspects of their school as she can be found teaching in their 21st Century after school program, creating props for the school musical or assisting at various events such as Literacy Night. Ms. Torres is the epitome of the educator we need to assist all students in growing into independent adults.
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Palomino Primary School: Kristol Ferro
Thank you to Principal Stephen Lee for recognizing Krisol Ferro, 2nd grade master teacher at Palomino Primary School. She's a caring and patient master teacher who builds close knit classroom communities and has been consistently successful with some of their toughest students, As a collaborative teacher, she's always willing to help out members of her team and work toward making Palomino Primary a better school.
Palomino Intermediate School: Jamy Sunderland
Thank you to Principal Jenny Robles for recognizing Jamy Sunderland, 5th grade teacher at Palomino Intermediate School for her combination of high expectations and kindness toward her students. She embodies what Palomino Intermediate strives to be: supportive, caring and hard-working.
Vista Verde Middle School: Cassandra Chilton
Thank you to Principal Paul Ferrero for recognizing 7th grade science teacher Cassandra Chilton at Vista Verde Middle School that even as the largest Title 1 school in PV, her students are among the top scorers in science in the district. Ms. Chilton does an extraordinary job and goes above and beyond to always pitch and help around campus where needed as she is a great team player.
Campo Bello Elementary: Tammy Fish
Thank you to Tammy Fish, a wonderful 16 year veteran teacher at Campo Bello Elementary School who creates a safe and fun environment in her classroom and Principal Alyssa Orchard for her leadership. She says Ms. Fish is the teacher you hope your child has. She not only cares about students' academics but also focuses on students' well being. She builds strong relationships based on trust and respect that make her students eager to come to school each day. Ms. Fish's classroom is a safe place that supports her students and allows them to make mistakes and learn from them.
Hidden Hills Elementary: John Love
Thank you to Mr. John Love, a masterful self-contained special needs teacher and principal Dr. Drew Davis from Hidden Hills Elementary School for recognizing him. Mr. Love's masterful interaction with students creates a learning environment that is full of expectation, guidance, and positive reinforcement. His students not only learn appropriate academic content, but also the tools and strategies to successfully learn and grow in a classroom setting. His classroom family (as he refers to his students) has an extremely positive relationship with him, and his parents regularly proclaim their gratitude for all he does.
Eagle Ridge Elementary: Alexandra Bacon
Thank you to Alexandra Bacon, a beloved and masterful 6th grade teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary School - PVSchools and principal Katrina Dieck. Ms. Bacon knows the importance of cultivating a classroom culture that supports students both academically and emotionally. She sets high expectations for her students and holds them accountable. This is evident by her grade level team having some of the highest scores in all of the Title 1 schools in the district.
Echo Mountain Primary: Sara Pinchoff
Thank you to Sara Pinchoff, an amazing 25 year veteran teacher who now teaches 4th grade at Echo Mountain Primary School where she creates a welcome and exciting environment for her students, organizes the school talent show, teaches after school fitness and more - and Principal Kristi Williams.
Sunset Canyon Elementary: Stasia Stoffey
Thank you to Principal Jerry Withers and to Stasia Stoffey, Sunset Canyon Elementary School Math Specialist, Title 1 coordinator, testing coordinator, a member of the guiding coalition, executive board member for the teacher union building representative, and on the district MTSS implementation committee. She works tirelessly to ensure that students are developing the skills necessary to be productive adults. She supports teachers with best strategies for teaching math to all grade levels. Mrs. Stoffey is a model for all staff with her compassionate approach to supporting student and teacher learning.
Cactus View Elementary: Abby Stehlik McKennon
Thank you to Abby Stehlik McKennon, a life-changing 5th grade teacher in her first year at Cactus View Elementary School - PVSchools - and Principal Megan Cameron who’s dressed for getting 10 pies in the face from winning students. They helped raise $22,000 to build a new outdoor classroom. Abby makes her classroom a space that is inviting and warm. Her instruction is tailored to individual student needs and the lesson creation is meaningful. While working with her colleagues she is solutions-focused, offering a hand when and where she can. The difference she is making with her students is life-changing.
Click here for this week's Ed Report from Save Our Schools
Here's a portion of what you'll learn from Save Our Schools this week:
" BREAKING: 12 News is reporting that Attorney General Kris Mayes plans to open an investigation into potential wasteful spending and fraud in the ESA voucher program."
Click here for this week's Civic Engagement Beyond Voting Weekly Report
Here's a portion of what you'll learn from CEBV this week:
"Last week, the House plowed through a vast list of culture-war bills (see the May 15 Weekly for a full rundown). Many of those bills are now on Gov. Hobbs’ desk for her expected vetoes, though we were pleased to see a few didn’t make it there (see Spotlight below for those details).
"The official line is that they intend to use the time to hammer out deals on high-stakes transportation and housing bills. They plan to try to advance a handful of controversial housing bills that would attempt to address affordability by gutting zoning restrictions, and it’s widely expected that Gov. Hobbs and Republican lawmakers have cut a deal to renew Proposition 400 (a half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County to fund transportation infrastructure) that involves Hobbs giving in on a rental tax cut bill she previously vetoed. But an unknown number of lawmakers will also be away on vacation — and since it’s hard to pass legislation along partisan lines without all 31 Republican votes, the legislature does not plan to gavel back in until June 12."