My Budget Priorities & Events in Our Community

June 2, 2024

Hi Friend,

Welcome to Last Week at the Legislature, my weekly report to you on what happened last week in your State House and how I'm representing our community.  A special welcome if you are new here! 

Since Republicans hold a one-seat majority in the State House and State Senate, their leaders determine the schedule as well as what bills are heard - or not heard. While they've kept us at recess again this past week, we'll meet again this Tuesday, June 4, when we are scheduled to be voting on a big omnibus water bill that covers several issues -  as well as HCR2060.  
HCR 2060 is Speaker Toma's unfunded mandate....

.....to require local police and law enforcement to jail  immigrants who they believe may have crossed the border illegally. While I absolutely agree that we need to address the border crisis,  I don't believe this bill does anything to secure the border, make any of us safer - or fix our broken immigration system. Business, faith, and community groups have rallied against the bill, pointing out that it will take us back to SB1070-era racial profiling, create another black eye for Arizona that is bad for business, and divert local law enforcement from the robberies and other crimes that should be the priority for our understaffed agencies. So far, those arguments have been to no avail.

It recently passed in the Senate along party lines when Senator Bennett supported it after the removal of provisions that would include DACA recipients in deportations. And it looks like it's on track to pass the House on Tuesday unless any Republicans join Democrats in voting NO.  You can share your opinion on this bill by contacting Republican representatives you'll find here.  Since the bill is an HCR, it is designed to go around the governor's veto. If it passes, it will join a long list of other referrals on the ballot for voters to decide this fall. 

In the meantime, I've been listening to many of you by visiting your doors and joining you at events to make our community a better, safer place for all of us. 

It's an honor to serve you in the Arizona legislature.  Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Judy

Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468

Budget Update

A few weeks ago, House and Senate Democrats met in small groups to share our priorities for the budget with the Governor.  This is an especially difficult year. As a result of a) Gov Ducey's tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest Arizonans that have just taken full effect this year, b) the almost $1 Billion in unbudgeted ESA vouchers, and c) pork like $15 Million for the Prescott Rodeo in last year’s budget, our state now faces a $1.8 Billion deficit that’s putting many Arizonans at risk.  So, our shared budget priorities include: 

1) caring for homebound people who need help with meals and basic care

2) helping to keep seniors on fixed incomes in their homes (Senior citizens are the fastest-growing segment of those experiencing homelessness)

3) ensuring people with disabilities have a place to live and job opportunities

4) providing behavioral health services to address the increasing number of people living on the street

5) maintaining funding for the arts that are so essential to jobs, tourism, and the economy- as well as our quality of life.

6) fulfilling our responsibility to the 90% of families who choose public schools that we currently fund at 49th in the nation. Our families, employers, and all of us who want a strong economy depend on ensuring that every student receives a quality education.

7) including an updated aggregate expenditure limit (AEL) for public schools in the budget so that schools can stay open next year. Without that update to the 1980-era formula, it doesn't matter what we allocate to schools because they won't be able to spend it - or stay open. 

8) funding community colleges programs to increase the number of badly needed healthcare and technology workers.  

9) increasing childcare funding to make up for the over $100 Million in federal funds expiring this year to ensure quality childcare and maintain our workforce.

What I'm Hearing from Leadership

Word is that with their one-vote majority, Republicans are content to make deep cuts to everything. They also continue to refuse any guardrails for the almost $1 Billion unbudgeted ESA Voucher program, or even to consider including the AEL in the budget. We persist. But....need YOUR help!

I urge you to email your priorities to Republican senators and representatives, as well as Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen.  

What I'm Hearing from You

Thank you to everyone who is contacting me about your priorities. I received what felt like record numbers of emails in May  Here's a sample of some of the top issues I'm hearing about from you and your neighbors.  Feel free to send me your priorities, too. 

Demand ESA Voucher Reform: 170 emails
Protect our Environment: 96 emails
Vote NO on HCR2060 - not a real solution to our country's broken immigration system: 47 emails
Protect ESA's - make no cuts or restrictions:  23 emails
Protect services for vulnerable seniors: 12 emails

On Wednesday, May 15, State House representatives voted on 15 bills, including the following.  You can find out more about the rest of the bills and how everyone voted here and here. (You'll just have to scroll down to click on individual bill numbers.)  Again, as you see, virtually all the bills are sponsored by Republicans.  

Democrats have proposed many great bills on behalf of constituents, but they almost never get this far under the one-seat majority in both chambers. Democratic members have been a part of amending many of these bills to make them better, however.  

HB2720 (Carbone-R) accessory dwelling units; requirements This bill would require a city of at least 75,000 people to allow for accessory dwelling units (ADUs or casitas) on any parcel of land or lot zoned for single-family homes. I wanted to vote YES on this bill because I  strongly agree that ADUs are an important way to increase affordable housing, especially for older family members or young adults.  However, because this bill allows the ADUs to be used as short-term rentals (if the owner occupies one of the residences), community members in Phoenix and other cities where short-term rentals have been destroying neighborhoods strongly objected to this bill. I voted NO because I agree with those concerns. Until the legislature rolls back the state pre-emption on cities so they can regulate their own short-term rental market, I don't think it's wise for us to allow statewide expansion for STRs (short-term rentals)  as this bill would do. However, it passed 35-22. Having been already approved in the Senate, it now goes to the Governor's desk for her signature or veto. 

HB2721 (Carbone-R) municipal zoning; middle housing. This bill requires a municipality with a population of 75,000 or more to authorize the development of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, or townhomes on all lots zoned for single-family use by January 1, 2026. I voted YES because we need more affordable housing and this "missing middle" housing is inherently less expensive than stand-alone houses. That's because the homes are generally smaller than a single-detached home on the same lot and the cost of land is split between a few households.. It passed  42-15 and now goes to the Governor's desk for her signature or veto. 

Last Week in LD2!

Save Our Schools Press Conference at the Capitol

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

I was proud to stand with parents, teachers, school board members, and students at the Save Our Schools Arizona press conference at the Capitol. While 90% of Arizona families choose public schools, the one-seat Republican majority continues to prioritize giving away almost $1 Billion in taxpayer dollars this year alone that goes primarily to discount coupons for affluent families to continue sending their children to private schools.

Parents are welcome to choose ANY Arizona school, but taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for this universal ESA voucher program that provides no guardrails against waste, fraud, and abuse. Yet, those same Republican legislators are not only blocking any guardrails while they keep our accountable, transparent, and quality public schools at 49th in funding in the nation but also robbing from other programs for the sick and elderly that are now at risk because of this fiscal irresponsibility. Shame on them. We all deserve so much better.

North Phoenix Chamber Celebration
Opening of Bear & the Honey Bakery & Coffee Bar

Thursday, May 30, 2024

It was so great to help the North Phoenix Chamber and our community celebrate the opening of Bear and the Honey Bakery and Coffee Bar on Thursday night at 7th St & T-Bird (in what was a former favorite, Aiello's). What a crowd - and a wonderful place with delicious sweet and savory food! Congratulations to owners Sam, Valeria, and Mo, and welcome to the neighborhood! You make our community a more delicious place! It was also great to see the great CEO of the North Phoenix Chamber Tom Argiro and to meet Kirk, co-owner of XOLO Tacos (SW corner of 7th St and Thunderbird), and new neighbors Eric and Boo, who are preparing to open their Lomi & Pop's ice cream food truck later this summer. Loved their free samples!!

Congratulations to the Taipei Chinese Cultural Summer Campers! At DVUSD's Goldwater High School

Friday, May 31, 2024

What an honor to be invited to join DVUSD Board Member Stephanie Simacek, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Phoenix City Council members Deb Stark and Ann O'Brien, and others at the graduation of the 28th anniversary of the award-winning Taipei Chinese Culture Summer Camp at Goldwater HS.  Big congrats to co-hosts Deer Valley USD (which is well known for its great Mandarin immersion program) and to longtime organizers Commissioner Lin Ling Lee and Chair Wen Chi Chiu, to all the teachers and volunteers - and to all the campers who performed Taiwanese dances and music they learned. It was not only fun but also learning about other cultures will help them be leaders in creating a more peaceful and respectful world. 

Community Day of Action
LD2 Office, 1524 W. Bell Rd

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Thank you so much to everyone who turned out to serve our community this weekend.  First, we helped our neighbor Thrive with a monthly trash clean-up along Bell Road.  Then, 15+ folks turned out to donate blood with Vitalant- and to learn about how easy it is to become an organ donor with Donate Life.

LD2 North Phoenix Community Builders

Nominate Your Favorite Local Business!
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.

Check out our website at LD2NPCB.com to learn more about past recipients and nominate your favorite locally-owned businesses or nonprofits in LD2. I'm honored to be a part of recognizing them in this way for the vital role they play in making our community the safe, thriving, unique place it is.

North Phoenix Community Builder Awardee
Thank you to Elevate Coffee at Norterra

Friday, May 24, 2024

Thank you to constituent Relph Ting for your nomination of one of your favorite local businesses for our LD2 North Phoenix Community Builder recognition. I was proud to present our Community Builder recognition to Elevate Coffee at Norterra founded 13 years ago by owners Paul Sorenson and Troy Halpern of Hope Church.  Not only do they build community by providing a family-friendly gathering place, hosting frequent concerts featuring local musicians, offering clothing, food, and gift drives to benefit people in need, and giving teachers 20% discounts, but they also have an international impact, too. Manager Matt Brien shared that 10% of every purchase goes to help provide clean water through Water4Kids. Check out Elevate Coffee here, and better still stop by for a delicious beverage, meal, or event!  Thank you all for making our LD 2 community a better place for us all!

Join Our Campaign!

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! 

1. 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. 

2. 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 NEW LD 2 Campaign office at 1524 W. Bell Road (behind the Discount Tire, next to the Liberty Tax office). You can still sign school board candidates and the access to abortion petitions there - or make phone calls - or write postcards. 

LD2 & 4 North Valley Summer Intern Program
Now through August 11

Thank you to all the 26 high school and college students who began their summer intern program to help elect the LD2 and LD4 candidates who will fight for their values like public education, reproductive rights, protecting our democracy, and caring for our environment.  They'll be talking to voters on the phone and at doors, volunteering for special projects, participating in a book study, and more. Thank you to the 4 Fellows  leading this group. I'm so impressed and proud to have all these emerging leaders on our team - and look forward to working together! 

Host a House Party
Introduce Us to Your Neighbors

Be like Libby and Ed Goff who hosted a House Party to tell their neighbors about what's at stake in this election, and then encourage them to be like you and donate or volunteer.  Thank you so much to the Goffs for the wonderful party they hosted on Sunday, June 2!

Invite your neighbors to subscribe to this newsletter by sending them this link. 
Paid for by Judy for AZ. Authorized by Judy Schwiebert