Last Week at the Legislature
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Hi Friend,
If you're new here, welcome!* It's truly an honor to represent our community in the State House. Thank you for the opportunity to work for and report back to you.
After the fourth break this spring, our state legislature returned to session this past Monday and Tuesday, only to recess again until July 31. However, the current Republican majority has announced that no more legislation will be heard this year. I believe we should end the session, or "sine die" to save taxpayer money, but we're now going on the longest, costliest legislative session ever.
Arizonans deserve better than this very partisan legislature. Please read on for a wrap-up of this two-day work week and for MY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov
*To see my previous newsletters, just go to my website and scroll to the bottom of the home page.
Few Democratic Bills Even Got a Vote
Unlike legislative rules in other states whether they have Republican or Democratic majorities, the current Republican majorities in the Arizona State House (31-29) and Senate (16-14) set rules that prevent the vast majority of Democrat-sponsored bills from even being heard in committee.
There are so many important issues. I will provide a summary first. A more complete report that includes specific bills can be found at the bottom of the newsletter. Click Here to jump to that section.
My Summary on Important Issues
Good News on Water for Rio Verde
I voted YES on SB1432, to help pass the bipartisan bill to address the water crisis in Rio Verde. Unfortunately, a loophole in Arizona law remains, which allows homes to be built in areas without a reliable water source, so this problem can happen again. We must work together to close this loophole AND ensure every Arizonan has the clean water they deserve - including Native Americans who continue to be without water.
But Right-Wing Extremists Continue to Block Vital Policies Like...
Improving Our Roads, Freeways and Transit
This week extremist Republicans threw out years of meticulous bipartisan planning by over 30 Maricopa County mayors, tribes and other leaders to improve Arizona’s transportation issues. Thankfully, cities are vowing to find a way to gather enough signatures to put a proposal on the ballot in 2024.
Addressing Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Arizona is currently 270,000 housing units short of what we need just for current residents - to say nothing of the numbers of people relocating here. Yet sadly, again, Republican extremists prevented bipartisan bills to help provide more affordable housing options from even coming to the floor for a vote.
And They Prioritize...
Undercutting 1.1 Million AZ Public School Students
The short-term gains for public schools in next year's budget, have been overshadowed by the projected $900 million unaccountable universal ESA voucher annual drain on our General Fund.
Fiscally Irresponsible Policies
In addition to the universal ESA voucher debacle that's expected to cost $250 million more than budgeted for next year, as former Gov Ducey's tax cuts for the wealthiest Arizonans take effect, the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) now estimates that next year's revenue intake for Arizona will fall $175 million short of the budget we passed. Yet the Republican majority continues to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
Attacking Our Democracy
Unfortunately, extremist Republicans continue to pass bills that attack our democracy and work to undercut the people’s faith in these well established processes.
MY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
I'm proud to announce that I'm running for the State Senate in 2024 to continue to help bring common sense to our legislature.
I ran for office to work together to make sure that every Arizonan gets their chance to thrive. Unfortunately, the current one-seat Republican majority is being run by extremists who consistently stoke culture wars to divide us and prioritize the wealthy and corporations over everyday families and local business owners. We need a new majority that listens to members of both parties and the needs of all Arizonans.
We're just two seats away from that new majority in both the State Senate and State House. With your help, we can do this! I invite you to help us get there by making a contribution here today - and emailing Mary Fortney to volunteer for our campaign here.
Every Month I Hold a Zoom Town Hall
I want to listen to your concerns - and answer your questions about what's happening in your legislature. Please join us! Register Here
Join our LD 2 Dems Meeting on Wednesday, June 21
Frustrated with Arizona politics? Learn more about how you can make a difference, wherever you live in Arizona. Legislative District 2 is a purple district that is pivotal to changing the majority in Arizona. I'm excited that Sarah Liguori of the Arizona Community Foundation will be joining us to present information about the affordable housing and homelessness crisis and how we can help! Don't miss it!
You can find all the details to join in person or on Zoom here
Highlights from This Month
June 2
12 News Interview
I was pleased to be included in an interview by 12 News about my role in helping to recognize the Assyrian American New Year this session. You can view the piece here
Visiting UMOM New Day Center
To learn more about how we can address the increasing crisis around people experiencing homelessness, I've been visiting organizations that have long been focused on the issue. Thank you to UMOM CEO Jackson Founder for the visit at their Day Center near 48th Street and Van Buren If you know of someone experiencing homelessness, help them call 211. Women and families will likely be directed to UMOM. Learn more about themhere
Ending Gun Violence Event with the Phoenix Mercury
We need common sense solutions to the growing gun violence epidemic that takes too many lives. Thank you to the Phoenix Mercury for helping us raise awareness at a recent game. It was also a chance to have some fun with colleagues Representative Laura Terech and Representative Stacy Travers and friends Adam Metzendorf and Sally Jo Bannow.
June 7
Visiting Washington DC
My colleague and fellow member of the Teacher Caucus, Representative Jennifer Pawlik, were excited to visit Washington DC on our way to a bipartisan Women in Government conference in Maryland. Congressman Greg Stanton's office helped set up a guided tour of The White House and then the Capitol, and we also managed to squeeze in a visit to the National Archives Museum to see the original Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights and so much. What an inspiring visit!
Bipartisan Women in Government Conference
What a great opportunity to meet with women state legislators from around the country. Not only did we hear great presentations on healthcare policies to better meet the needs of all constituents, but got to share with each other bills we've successfully passed, or ask for advice on those we're working on.
It was also encouraging to hear from legislators who shared that every bill that's introduced gets a hearing whether the Democrats or Republicans are in the majority. Let's do that! It's certainly a far cry from how the Arizona Republican majority runs our legislature!
Visiting the Maryland State House
It was amazing to visit this State House, the oldest in the nation still in legislative use. This was where General George Washington resigned his commission before the Continental Congress in December 1783, and where Congress ratified the treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War in January 1784. Since this was also the Capitol of the United States from November 16, 1783 to August 13, 1784, it's where the call was issued for the Constitutional Convention. On our visit, the delegation of Maryland legislators attending the Women in Government conference welcomed us to the new chamber built around 1902.
Visiting Annapolis
We had limited time to visit the charming, arts-centered small town of Annapolis, but we loved what we did get to see. That included the Banneker-Douglas Museum preserving Maryland's African American Heritage and Art. Out front is a towering statue of Aramintha (Harriet Tubman) who led so many enslaved people in Maryland to freedom in the North. Right next door we visited one of the first African-American Episcopal Church built in 1874. It has included worshippers from Frederick Douglass to Rosa Parks to Thurgood Marshall, and we could feel the presence of them all as we entered the church which is now used also as an art gallery.
June 15
The Arizona Dreamer Monarchs in Action Visit
Thank you so much to Karina Ruiz De Diaz and her inspiring group for coming to visit me in my office. Even just ensuring that everyone can get a driver's license, whatever their immigration status, would go far to ensure the safety and security for all of us.
Next Week
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:
"This week, Paradise Valley Unified School District declared it will likely be forced to shutter schools, due in large part to the impacts of unchecked universal ESA vouchers. We predict this will be the first of many such announcements. And while the state collectively gasped over the ADE’s $900 million voucher price tag announcement last week, the real issue here is what these school closures mean for our kids and communities."
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:
"It’s official: Arizona is now living through the longest legislative session in state history. Both the House and the Senate are adjourned until 1:15 PM on July 31 — that’s their fifth extended recess this session, and this time it’s for almost seven weeks....
Republican legislative leadership says they’re sticking around to allow the Senate to hold confirmation hearings on Gov. Hobbs’ appointees. That line smells like BS; they’ve had months to hold those hearings. We put far more stock in the rumors that Senate Republicans in particular want some perceived leverage over Gov. Hobbs, or at least an ability to respond to any actions she takes over what should be the interim.
Toma also told press he doesn't plan to schedule votes on any more bills this session. We hope that holds — though we’ve already heard that, when the legislature reconvenes on July 31, Ken Bennett will try yet again to resurrect his twice-failed ballot images bill."
Details on Last Week’s Bills
Good News on Water for Rio Verde
SB 1432 I voted YES, and the House passed this bipartisan bill 40-20 to address the water crisis in Rio Verde. Homeowners in that far northeast part of the Valley have been without running water since January 1. Thank you to my colleagues Rep Laura Terech and Rep Alex Kolodin for their six months of hard bipartisan work creating a framework to get Rio Verde residents the water they need. The bill creates a standpipe district and directs Scottsdale to bridge the supply of water to Rio Verde for the next three years until a private company (likely EPCOR) can take over.
Unfortunately, sponsors weren't able to close the loophole in Arizona law that allows homes to be built in an area without a reliable water source, so we MUST prioritize fixing that loophole next session or this same problem will continue elsewhere. In the meantime, tribal communities have rightfully pointed out that thousands of indigenous Arizonans also deserve access to running water. We must work together to ensure every Arizonan has the clean water they deserve.
Right-Wing Extremists Block Vital Policies
for Everyday Arizonans
In the two days the legislature met this week, most of the bills we heard ignored the needs of everyday Arizonans. Here are some examples of important bipartisan legislation left unheard.
Improving Our Roads, Freeways and Transit
SB1246 Even after the months of compromises that extremist Republicans forced upon the Maricopa County Association of Governments, this last-minute transportation bill further compromised the county plan into an unworkable proposal. It would cost the state hundreds of federal dollars and fail to meet the needs of families and businesses.
I was deeply disappointed to see the Republican majority throw out over five years of meticulous bipartisan planning by over 30 Maricopa County mayors, tribes and other leaders who unanimously agreed on the 400E Valley-wide 20-year transportation plan to put before voters. Also, why is Maricopa the only county required to get approval from the state legislature to put a proposal on the ballot for voters to decide?
The County proposal was simply a continuation of the 1/2 cent sales tax enacted forty years ago which helped build the 101, 202 and increased transit - and continues to be vital to ensuring we have the infrastructure we need as one of the fastest growing regions in the country. It is supported by Chambers, business leaders, and others. Instead, with their partisan games, the one-seat Republican majority is putting our economy - as well as our roads into gridlock. I voted NO, but it passed along party lines in the House and is headed to the Governor's desk where cities are urging a veto. This is an urgent issue because current funding ends in 2025. So, cities are vowing to find a way to gather enough signatures to put a proposal on the ballot in 2024.
Addressing Affordable Housing & Homelessness
1161 & 1163: After months of negotiation, legislators and the League of Cities and Towns came to an agreement on these vital bills. The lack of housing supply is driving skyrocketing rent and home prices, and the numbers are staggering. Arizona is currently 270,000 housing units short of what we need just for current residents - to say nothing of the numbers of people relocating here. It would cost $70 Billion to build the units we need right now, something that no Housing Trust Fund or federal/ state affordable housing programs can begin to cover.
Seniors on fixed incomes are the fastest growing group of those becoming homeless. It’s also an economic nightmare for our state. Unless we act now to create more affordable housing, Arizona stands to lose $35.6 Billion in wages and GDP due to lost economic activity each year because we don't have places people can afford to live.
1161 would have allowed more dense housing along light rail if at least 20% of units were built as permanent affordable housing for working families. while exempting single-family neighborhoods and historic districts.
1163 would have legalized single-residential occupancies for senior living AND legalized casitas while allowing cities to ban them from being used as short term rentals.
Yet sadly, Republican extremists prevented these bi-partisan bills from even coming to the floor for a vote, leaving hundreds of thousands of everyday Arizonans from young people to seniors, without affordable housing options.
Instead, Right-Wing Extremists Prioritize...
Undercutting 1.1 Million AZ Public School Students
The short-term gains for public schools in next year's budget, have been overshadowed by the projected $900 million unaccountable universal ESA voucher annual drain on our General Fund. That money could otherwise provide $300,000 for every public school in Arizona to hire more teachers and special ed specialists, reduce class size, provide vital learning materials and more.
Instead, the universal ESA voucher scheme is subsidizing tuition for people whose children have never attended a public school while putting the special needs students for whom ESA's were originally intended at the back of the line.
I will serve on a Universal ESA Voucher Ad Hoc committee where my colleague Rep. Nancy Gutierrez and I plan to raise these and other concerns.
This week 2786 was prioritized for a vote and passed over the objections of the Teacher Caucus, including me, and all other Democrats. It 's yet another attack on teachers already in desperately short supply social emotional learning (SEL) and teaching empathy which have been proven to be essential to helping students learn.
Professional development programs are vetted by school districts and principals and are grounded in best practices that help students learn. Like doctors, teachers should be treated as the respected professionals they are in our community. We don't demand that parents be informed of every workshop attended by doctors. We shouldn't do so for teachers either.
Fiscally Irresponsible Policies
In addition to the universal ESA voucher debacle that's expected to cost $250 million more than budgeted for next year, as former Gov Ducey's tax cuts for the wealthiest Arizonans take effect, the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) now estimates that next year's revenue intake for Arizona will fall $175 million short of the budget we passed. Even so, this past week, the legislature passed:
2809 would subsidize manufacturing corporations when they build roads and water treatment plants they need. It would cap their TPT credit at $200 million, but I believe we should all pay our fair share toward our community's vital needs like rural firefighters, education, caregivers, and infrastructure. But while just one of these enormous corporations paid $6 Billion to investors in 2022 from their profits, they have a negative tax rate. AZ taxpayers paid these corporations more than the corporations PAID in taxes in 2022. In fact, 70% of corporations in Arizona pay only the $50 filing fee in annual state taxes. Why are everyday Arizonans continuing to pay more in taxes each year than billion dollar corporations? I voted NO, but it passed 38-20.
Attacking Our Democracy
2722 Would allow counties to count ballots by hand. As my colleague Rep Oscar De Los Santos pointed out, with Arizona's lengthy ballots, often containing dozens of races and millions of voters, hand counts are just not practical. The failed Cyber Ninjas audit of the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County illustrates the problems with a hand count. They would create huge delays in election results, and are highly unreliable. I voted NO, but it passed 31-29 along party lines.
1596 Would remove a county’s current authority to use a voting center in place of a specifically-designated polling place, instead only permitting voting centers in addition to specifically-designated polling places. Counties expressed several concerns including staffing difficulties, confusion for voters, and the fact that current policies permit different counties the flexibility they need to serve their unique communities. I voted NO, but it passed along party lines.
SCR1015 Works around the governor to send a measure directly to the ballot that would require a proportionate number of signatures from each legislative district to even put an initiative on the ballot. That means just one out of the 30 legislative district could block a statewide measure. The legislature itself doesn’t have to abide by the same logic as this bill requires. I voted NO, but it passed 31-29 along party lines. It's going to be a very long ballot in 2024.