AZ Legislative Update 03-18-2022
The legislature’s unintentional change to precinct elections continued to cast a shadow over the Capitol this week, as the pursuit of a solution drove a wedge between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans want to respond to the demands of their party’s local leaders, but they need strong bipartisan support to enact their fix to the precinct election laws in time for a deadline next month. Most House and Senate Democrats want to discuss other policy changes before they’ll support the corrections the Republicans are in a hurry to approve. Both legislative chambers are at an impasse, and frustration is growing. The courts might get involved in the discussion, as well: This week, the Arizona Republican Party asked a Yavapai County court to declare the legislature’s original change to precinct elections unconstitutional.
While House and Senate leaders tried to find a solution that satisfies precinct officials, lawmakers continued to vote on other bills.
Senate committees voted to reduce regulations over grey wolves, require schools to teach about 9/11, limit transfers of Colorado River water, put $1 million in the Arizona Water Protection Fund, and require the court to expand access to emergency orders of protection. House committees voted to audit the state’s adult protective services, criminalize social media extortion, and ask voters to create the office of Arizona Lieutenant Governor.
During floor votes, legislators found just enough votes to pass bills that expand public input on student instruction, increase the use of ballot recounts, reorganize oversight of Arizona’s AZ529 Education Savings Plan, and align vehicle license taxes with sales prices.
Longstanding fractions within the Senate Republican caucus grew deeper, as Senator Paul Boyer (R- Glendale) and Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) joined with their Democratic colleagues to kill a variety of proposed changes to election laws. A bipartisan group of lawmakers also voted down bills to require pharmacists to distribute prescribed off-label drug use during a public health emergency and expand the allowable use of deadly force for property owners.
Lawmakers found bipartisan support for bills to add funding to the State Parks Heritage Fund, criminalize hazing, expand postpartum care for AHCCCS patients, prohibit home insurers from discriminating against dog breeds, and allow Maricopa County voters to consider extending funding for transportation.
A bipartisan panel hosted a discussion on House Speaker Rusty Bowers’ (R-Mesa) bill to prohibit discrimination in housing and the workplace. The forum was convened to collect public input on the proposal; the panel did not hold a vote to move the bill forward in the legislative process.
What’s Next?
There are many rumors of a special legislative session focused on tax cuts, but it’s not clear when – or if – Governor Ducey will call the special session. Key Republican legislators have a plan to repeal the income cut they enacted last year – a proposal that could be on the November ballot after opponents successfully challenged the new law. Proponents of the tax cuts hope to reenact them, thereby overriding the citizen challenge and potentially adding new tax cuts, as well. It is not clear whether they have the support they would need from every legislative Republican to enact those changes.
In the meantime, most policy committees just have one more week to consider bills. They are scheduled to vote on more than 100 bills next week, but sponsors of the bills that aren’t on committee agendas are trying to find new ways to move their priorities toward the Governor’s desk.
In the Elections
Governor Ducey says the Arizona Republican Party’s effort to end early voting is “ill-conceived.” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) and Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) both oppose the effort, as well, but they still aren’t on the same side.
In the Courts
A Superior Court Judge struck down Proposition 208 – a decision that drew praise from Prop. 208 opponents and a renewed call for school funding from those who supported the initiative. The Arizona Supreme Court told the Cyber Ninjas that it wouldn’t waive penalties for failure to release public records.
In the News
Legislators mourned the loss of former Minority Leaders Robert McLendon and David Bradley. ongoing legal fight over inmate health care is in the headlines. Arizona students are facing mental health challenges. Governor Ducey doesn’t think the state should suspend its gas tax. Arizona didn’t follow other states’ COVID-19 vaccination trends. You can track how Arizona government uses your tax dollars. Everyone is talking about Daylight Saving Time.
On the Bright Side…
Weller found his happy place.