2024 Ballot Measures - Part 1
Happy Labor Day!
September 2, 2024
Hi Friend,
As I work to represent my LD2 neighbors, I remain focused on listening to your priorities. So, I've been having some great conversations with many of you at your doors.
One thing that I continue to hear from you is how wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. I hear you!
Today as it seems that only the rich keep getting richer, Labor Day reminds me how important it is that working families get to share in the prosperity they're helping to build.
It's easy to forget the pivotal role that workers and the labor movement played in not only creating our nation's infrastructure but also in building the middle class. It was our worker unions that eliminated child labor, created the 40-hour work week, and improved working conditions.
Arizona's economy is growing like gangbusters with new jobs in manufacturing and much-needed infrastructure improvements. In fact, the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Investment Act is providing more than $7.7 billion with over 620 specific projects to fuel that economic growth.
As a rule, the jobs created by this infusion of federal dollars incentivize employers to pay workers a fair wage.
Unfortunately, though, at a time when people at the bottom of the economic ladder are too often being left behind, the one-seat Republican majority has pushed forward a measure to the ballot that would literally REDUCE the minimum wage for tipped workers.
Read on to learn more about Prop 138 as well as about Prop 139 - two of the 13 measures that will be on your ballot so that you can have a say this fall.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468
Prop 138: Reduce minimum wage for tipped workers
Thank you to Civic Engagement Beyond Voting's Melinda Merkel Iyer for this explanation of Prop 138 which will be on your ballot this fall. There will be 13 ballot measures for you to consider this year. You can find her summaries of all ballot propositions at this link. I'll also be drawing from them in coming newsletters.
Summary. Prop 138 asks voters to amend the Arizona Constitution to create a sub-minimum hourly wage for tipped employees that is up to 25% lower than the current minimum wage, as long as they make at least $2/hr over minimum wage once tips are included.
Hurts tipped workers. Current state law already allows restaurants to pay tipped workers $3/hr less than minimum wage, assuming that workers will get up to minimum wage with workers' tips. With the current minimum wage set at $14.35, that would bring hourly wages down to $10.76 for tipped employees, less than the $11.35 per hour they currently receive. There is no question but that change would financially benefit the restaurants. Unbelievably, the lawmakers behind this measure have dubbed it the "Tipped Workers Protection Act."
Backed by restaurant industry lobbyists. Prop 138 was pushed through the legislature by lobbyists for the restaurant industry, who also oppose minimum wage and sick leave protections for restaurant staff. The Arizona Restaurant Association even created a fake grassroots organization to lobby for the measure.
Lawsuits. Opponents of Prop 138 filed a lawsuit claiming that the title of the ballot measure is misleading, as it does nothing to protect tipped workers, making it unconstitutional. A Superior Court judge rejected the suit; an appeal is pending.
I urge a NO vote on Prop 138.
A mandated reduced wage doesn't belong in our state constitution.
Prop 139 : Right to Abortion Access
Last week on August 26, Women's Equality Day commemorated the 1920 victory for women's right to vote in the United States. It seems an especially appropriate time to lift up the right of women to make decisions about their own reproductive healthcare.
I was proud to help collect signatures for this citizen initiative to protect our most personal reproductive healthcare decisions.
My younger son and daughter-in-law struggled for years to have a child, so were overjoyed when IVF helped them become pregnant, and then heartbroken when they learned the fetus couldn’t live past birth. Thank goodness they were able to have a safe abortion with no state legislator looking over their shoulders to blame, judge, fine, or even jail them. That abortion allowed them to eventually have two beautiful daughters. The first they named Kaira, meaning in God’s time. They named their younger daughter Amara Luz, meaning love and light.
People should have the fundamental freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without government intrusion into personal, complicated, and even life-threatening situations.
So, while I was proud to help repeal Arizona’s antiquated 1864 total ban on abortion that captured the world’s attention this past year, the basic freedom to make our own healthcare decisions should not be left up to what party holds a majority in the state legislature.
That’s why I support the Arizonans for Abortion Access citizen initiative that will be on our ballots this fall. By voting yes, citizens can add an amendment to our state constitution protecting this fundamental freedom from politicians and their games.
I urge a YES vote on Prop 139.
This measure would ensure our daughters have the same rights we had by amending the state Constitution to guarantee a fundamental right to receive abortion care. Embedding this right in the state Constitution will ensure that future legislatures can't further restrict abortion care without getting voter approval.
Local School District Bond Elections
On Election Day, Nov 5, we will also see crucially important bond elections from the Glendale Union High School and the Deer Valley Unified School Districts.
These carefully planned proposals minimize the impact on taxpayers while providing crucial support to schools that the legislature has been underfunding for years.
Learn more about the Deer Valley Bond & Override proposal here
Learn more about the Glendale Union High School District's Bond proposal here.
Sign up here! https://www.mobilize.us/ld2democrats2024/event/675763/
Invite a Friend to Meet Us!
Host a House Party
Introduce Us to Your Neighbors
My running mate Stephanie Simacek, our district manager Mary Fortney and I are always enormously grateful to friends who are hosting House parties to tell their neighbors about what's at stake in this election, and then encourage them to be like you and vote, donate, and even volunteer. Please host a house party where you can introduce your neighbors to us! Find out more about hosting by emailing Mary.
Pick Up Your Yard Signs!
We have yard signs!! Show your support for Schwiebert & Simacek - Pick up our yard signs at our office today!
Then plant them and see our support grow in your neighborhood.!
1524 W. Bell Rd (behind the Discount Tire)
Get Ready for the General Election Nov 5
Be sure to visit BeBallotReady.Vote to verify your voter registration information for the crucial upcoming General Election on Tuesday, November 5.
You will be prompted to log in to your Voter Dashboard by entering information you already know. Once in, you can change your address, registration status, and political party, or join (or un-join) the Active Early Voting List so that your ballot will be mailed to you (or not).
About 90% of AZ voters are now on the Active Early Voting List, including me. If you want to go to the polls on Election Day, just take your completed ballot to any polling location, skip the line., and drop it in the official secured container.
Get Notified When Your Ballot is Received
Do you receive text notifications like I do from Maricopa County Elections when your ballot is sent, then received, and then counted?
If you don't already receive them, it's easy to sign up. Just text JOIN to 628-683, or visit BallotStatus.Maricopa.Vote.
If you're not signed up to receive an early ballot for the general election you can still do so until October 25.
LD2 North Phoenix
Community Builders
Nominate Your Favorite Local Business!
I'm so grateful to the many people and local businesses who make our community such a unique and thriving place. 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. (LD2 extends roughly between Thunderbird and the 303, 32nd Street to 43rd Avenue.). Nominate your favorite local business here https://ld2northphoenixcommunitybuilder.com/
Thank you Peace Cream!
15414 N. 19th Ave (just north of Greenway at the north end of the Sugar & Lace Bakery shopping center)
We had a wonderful visit to Peace Cream where they serve not only ice cream (my favorite food!) but also crepes, waffles, and other sweets. Owners Andrew and Arielle Valles explained that they actually bought the place from a former Russian soldier who emigrated to Arizona, who opened Peace Cream because he wanted to bring more peace and joy to the world. The Valles felt the same way. So after he'd spent many years as a firefighter in Northern Arizona, he and his family came to Phoenix, bought the business, and do indeed bring greater positive energy to our community. Their friendly service and delicious offerings absolutely do that. Thank you for making our corner of the world a better and more delicious place, Andrew and Arielle! Everyone, be sure to stop by and enjoy a sweet treat!
Support Our Community !
Thank you to everyone from our campaign who donated school supplies for students in the Deer Valley Unified School District! Stephanie Simacek and I were honored to deliver those supplies to Superintendent Curtis Finch at Deer Valley Middle School. We also got to visit Ann E’s closet where donors provide food, clothing and other supplies for students and families in need. I love our generous community!
Donation Drive for the Singletons!
The Singletons is a homegrown, Arizona-based, nonprofit devoted to meeting the needs of single-parent families battling cancer by providing strength, hope, resources, and community. You can learn more about this program at https://thesingletonsaz.org/
We are collecting household items to donate to their Bare Necessities program, including:
Toilet Paper
Laundry Detergent
Paper Towels
Cleaning Supplies
You can also make a cash donation to support the organization's food delivery program at https://thesingletonsaz.networkforgood.com/projects/158189-singletons-sustained-support
Drop off donations to the LD2 Office at 1514 W Bell Rd, Suite 6, Phoenix, 85027 during office hours, or bring them when you come to canvass!
Life Doesn’t Stop Because of a Cancer Diagnosis!
Single parents with cancer find themselves in an unimaginable position. Now more than ever, discovering life’s little rainbows is essential for lifting spirits during these unsettling times. We want to be the sunlight shining through dark clouds creating those rainbows for families.
Join Our Campaign!
Thank you, Volunteer Mary-Jeanne Fincher
Mary-Jeanne and I first met in 2017 when we formed Desert Progressives Indivisible to turn our angst about attacks on our public schools, healthcare, and more into action. I'm so proud to have had her partnership then and ever since as we've worked together to knock on doors in North Phoenix and listen to the people of our communities.
Yes, it's hot, but canvassing is the best way to help make sure we're listening to our neighbors - and winning for all Arizonans. Be like Mary-Jeanne and come help us earn the votes of our community for the AZ State Senate.
Stephanie Simacek and I want to thank all the volunteers who have worked on our campaign so far. Join us on Saturday, September 21 from 12:30-2:30 pm at our Bell Road office.
Sign up here! https://www.mobilize.us/ld2democrats2024/event/675779/
Our Legislative District Will Determine the Direction of our State & Nation
We need YOU to help elect an Arizona legislature focused on the real issues we face like the teacher, affordable housing, and water shortage crises; keeping our families safe from gun violence; and reducing healthcare and other costs. Turning out voters for LD2 will help elect Democrats all the way up the ballot
Be a part of history by volunteering for our campaign today!
Join a Community Canvass. We're knocking on doors so we can listen to fellow voters about what's important to them. We want to elect listeners like Stephanie Simacek to the State House and me to the Senate who will truly represent our community 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! We need everyone's help to pay for the staff, literature, and other advertising that are essential to winning these very competitive races.
Visit OUR LD 2 Campaign office at 1524 W. Bell Road (behind the Discount Tire, next to the Liberty Tax office). Come help us make phone calls, write postcards, and/or launch a canvass!
Or, pick up a yard sign!