Last Week at the Legislature
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Hi Friend,
Welcome to Last Week at the Legislature, my weekly report to you on what's happening in your State House, what I'm doing, and how I voted. It's an honor to serve you. Please contact me anytime.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468
Bipartisan Emergency Fix Ensures AZ Presidential Votes Will Count
On Thursday, every Democrat and most Republicans voted yes to make sure that military and overseas voters will get their 2024 ballots on time, and Arizona will deliver its 11 electoral votes in the upcoming presidential elections – even in the event of a recount. The new law was needed because of a 2022 measure that makes recounts much more likely. This week's bill will move up Arizona's 2024 primary election date and adjust the five-day ballot curing period with new processes to ensure as many eligible votes as possible can be counted.
This supermajority was needed to pass the critical negotiated fixes with an emergency clause so county recorders and elections officials can implement the changes immediately. The measure passed first in the House by a vote of 56-2 with all Democrats voting yes. In the Senate, the bill passed 24-2.
“From the moment negotiations began we had the simple request that the fix to this issue must not be weaponized to harm voters, and today I can confidently say that we have been successful,” Senate Democratic Leader Mitzi Epstein stated. “I applaud the work of Senator Priya Sundareshan and our staff that made sure this hard-fought bipartisan solution made it across the finish line. This is a moment of celebration because collaboration works. Arizonans have asked time and again for us to find common-sense bipartisan solutions to the state’s biggest problems and we have delivered.”
"Our goal was a clean fix, and this bill comes very close. It's not perfect, but it is a true bi-partisan compromise that will protect voters and help keep our elections free, fair, and secure," said House Democratic Leader Lupe Contreras. "I'm proud of the work our members did to keep this plan alive and moving forward, including Representative Laura Terech who was instrumental to our success."
Please Come Meet Us Next Sunday!
Sunday, Feb 18, 1-3 pm
Lookout Mountain Area - RSVP for address
I hope you'll join me and my friend Stephanie Simacek, Deer Valley School Board member and candidate for the Arizona State House this November. Just RSVP here and our staff will email you the exact address the day before the party.
My HB2861 in the News
My bill HB2861 to protect condo owners from being forced out of their homes at lowball prices by out of state corporations is on the agenda for this Tuesday's Commerce committee at 2 pm.
I've been working on this bill with constituents in our district from Cordillera Condominiums for the past two years, and ABC15 featured us in the news this week.
I urge you to contact Commerce committee members to urge them to vote YES and send it to the House floor.
House Education Committee
It's an honor to be part of the Democratic Teacher Caucus serving on the House Education committee that meets Tuesday afternoons. We're all former - or current teachers, including Rep Jennifer Pawlik, Rep Laura Terech, Rep Nancy Gutierrez, and me. A list of all House Education Committee members can be found here.
This week we considered these bills
HB2400 school safety program; proposals (Gress-R) This bill contains Superintendent Horne's mandate to put an armed School Resource Officer (SRO) on every school campus. However, since schools have been unable to fill those positions, he is proposing that School Safety Officers (SSO's), or recently retired law enforcement officers be authorized to serve.I expressed my concern that, while SROs can absolutely be a part of creating a climate of safety, if we’re not investing in counselors or school psychologists, we’re missing an important opportunity for prevention," Ultimately, I voted yes, and the bill passed unanimously out of committee.
HB2501 community college districts; county removal (Biasiucci-R) This bill took the concerns of one LaPaz county supervisor who believes they are not receiving their fair share of services from Arizona Western College (AWC) in Yuma. As the smaller of the two counties, La Paz is represented by 2 of the 5 board positions, and received not only facilities in LaPaz County, but also training programs for first responders and others, as well as dual enrollment classes for their high school students. Though BOTH counties would be affected by a split, the bill allows ONLY La Paz County voters to decide whether to separate. Because this would leave LaPaz County residents without a community college, does not provide a plan for how they could receive post-high school training, and because only one of the three supervisors supports the bill, I voted NO. However, it passed along party lines.
House Appropriations Committee
DPS & the Department of Corrections
The House Appropriations Committee meets every Wednesday afternoon after the Floor Session. In addition to the bills on our agenda for this past week, we also heard from Department of Public Safety Director Jeff Glover and also Dr. Ryan Thornell, Director of Corrections.
Much of Director Glover's presentation focused on the Governor's proposed SAFE program to provide more support for security the border and stopping the flow of fentanyl. They are administering funds to local sheriffs based on their needs.
Director Thornell's presentation focused on the federal injunction he inherited when he took over the department last year. As a result of the longtime legislative majority's failure to properly care for the health as well as safety of Arizona's 35,000+ incarcerated people across the state,, federal judges found us in violation of prisoners' constitutional rights and have imposed stiff penalties.
Sub-Approps on Budgetary Funding Formulas (BFF)
EARLY LITERACY
This past Thursday morning our Sub Approps committee first heard from the Helios Education Foundation, Read On Arizona and the Arizona Department of Education regarding federal and nonprofit monies that have been used successfully to improve reading and comprehension for students K-3.
Reading proficiency by third grade is one of the major benchmarks for a successful life. However, recent data shows approximately 41% of third grade students scored proficient or highly proficient on an English Language arts assessment. Scores were lower for Latinos (30%) and low-income background students (27%).
The groups' shared goal is 72% of Arizona's third graders at reading proficiency by 2030. That's part of the Arizona Education Progress Meter, a framework for education excellence in our state. Their long-term vision is 90% reading at grade level by 2040.
Make your Voice Heard Next Week!
To learn what's coming up THIS week so you can make your voice heard in YOUR State House and Senate, I highly recommend subscribing to weekly newsletters from the nonpartisan Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. (CEBV) You can read it and subscribe here.
Read the Save Our School Arizona's weekly newsletter here. This week's edition includes important information about the two out of the many bills that will be heard in committee this week in the Senate. These bills are designed to help ensure the exploding ESA Voucher program includes simple measures to make sure private schools are safe for students, protect parents' rights, and ensure taxpayer accountability. . You can read and subscribe to the Save Our Schools newsletter here.
Important Issues We're Discussing
WATER
This week at our Wednesday Water Wise Lunch and Learn we heard from Arizona Municipal Water Users' Association, (AMWUA), The ten cities in the association provide water to 3.7 million residents. That's more than half of the state's population. but they only use 11% of Arizona's water.
That's a huge responsibility. We should be working with AMWUA and others to strengthen, not weaken our 100 Year Assured Water Supply Program.
Black History Month
Thursday was the 22nd Annual African Legislative Day. We heard from this year’s organizer, this inspiring day included Rep Quanta Crews who led us all in “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” and Tempe School District Board member Berdetta Hodge, the first black woman elected in Tempe. I also loved connecting with Elohim Clark who’s athletic apparel company sponsors Apollo , Cortez and other high school basketball teams. Our very own Phil Knight!
PARENT & STUDENT DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Wednesday was Parent and Student Day at the Capitol featuring some of our outstanding public schools. It was great to visit with folks from the Laveen School District, home to the best schools in Laveen.
I also enjoyed meeting with students and their advisor from Tanque Verde High Schools' Mock Trial group. Congratulations to all students in our outstanding public school programs.
SCHOOL COUNSELOR WEEK
I was proud to stand with the other members of our Dem Teacher Caucus to recognize the important contributions of school counselors and other mental health professionals in our schools. They play an integral role in helping students succeed.
THE ARTS
The arts - music, theater, and more not only enrich our lives and create a sense of community, but they're also an important economic driver that benefits all of us.
As a co-founder of Theater Works in 1986, I'm especially proud of Chris Hamby, Theater Works' latest amazing Arts Director. He was just named as an Arts Hero by On Media magazine. He's truly captured our original vision for Theater Works to be a place where everyone has a place to belong and contribute while at the same time creating high quality, innovative and inspiring theater. Thank you to Jim & Jill Mapstead for opening their home in LD2 last Friday night for some outstanding music and connection at a "Friend Raiser". Check out TW's spectacular season at TheaterWorks.org.
Nominate a Community Builder!
As a lifelong member of our community, I'm so grateful to the many people and local businesses who make it such a great place to live. That's why I'm excited to be partnering with the Bell Road Business Alliance and Stoke Interactive to recognize many of the local Community Builders in our neighborhood.
We need YOU to make this happen, though! Check out our website at LD2NPCB.com to learn more about past recipients and nominate your favorite locally owned businesses or nonprofits in LD2 to thank them for the vital role they play in making our community the safe, thriving, unique place it is.
Save the Date!
LD2 Democrats of North Phoenix
Wednesday February 21, 6:30 pm
NEW LOCATION!!
Aspire Innovation Center, 20402 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Do you want a state government that prioritizes
Paying our children's educators better
Addressing the water, affordable housing, and climate change crises
Protecting our freedom to vote by mail or in person
Ensuring we can make our own reproductive healthcare decisions without politicians' interference
Don't let the current legislative majority's culture wars make you lose hope. Join like-minded folks committed to electing a new majority of state legislators who will focus on addressing the vital priorities that all Arizonans share. In 2024, our legislative district is likely to be the one that decides whether we get a new direction for our state.
The LD2 Dems offer hybrid meetings on the third Wednesday of each month where we hear from advocacy groups and candidates about how each one of us can make a difference . RSVP for the zoom link -or get directions here to join us in person!
Our wonderful LD2 State House candidate, Stephanie Simacek, and I will both be speaking about why we agreed to make the commitment to serve our community in the state legislature.
Be Part of the Team To Win for Everyday Arizonans
Volunteer For Our Campaign
We're already hard at work contacting voters in our community about what's at stake in the race for our Legislative District 2 House and Senate seats: a new majority that's listening and working for everyday Arizonans. But no one can do it alone.
The two most important things to do right now are
Join a Community Canvass. We're knocking doors and getting petition signatures to qualify for the ballot as we listen to fellow voters who want a legislature committed to addressing our shared priorities. Use this link to find a day and time that works for you. We'll buddy you up with someone experienced. We need door knockers and drivers.
Donate to our campaign. We need everyone's help to pay for the staff, literature, and other advertising that are essential to winning this competitive race.