AZ Legislative Update 06-17-2022

The end of the state fiscal year is less than two weeks away, but the legislature did not make any obvious progress toward a state budget this week. Instead, legislators turned their attention to new legislation that would significantly alter the state’s education funding system.

Republicans in the House Ways & Means Committee approved two bills that would invest an additional $400 million in education programs, but only if the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program expands to include all Arizona students. Currently, ESA enrollment is limited to students with disabilities or those who meet other specific criteria.

Republicans believe the proposals will provide parents with more choices for educating their children; Democrats decry the investment in ESAs and the deliberate connection of ESA expansion and additional funding for public schools. ESA opponents pledged to ask voters to block the law from being implement if it passes.

It is unclear whether the bills can pass in their current form. Several Republicans have blocked ESA expansion in the past, and say they have concerns with the current proposals.

Lawmakers held floor sessions three days this week, advancing a few bills closer to the Governor’s desk. They voted to alter marijuana testing and dispensary oversight, require AHCCCS to report on serious mental illness, create a tax deduction for virtual currency losses, and prohibit anyone from videoing law enforcement actions from within eight feet.

The House created conference committees for bills that would govern the teaching of race and ethnicity in classrooms and require law enforcement to collect DNA from individuals arrested for a felony offense. The conference committees extend the process for these bills, allowing another opportunity to make additional changes.

What’s Next?

Lawmakers are feeling increasing pressure to enact a budget that will avert a shutdown of state government on July 1. Negotiations within the Republican caucus seem to be at an impasse, but there’s no sign that Republican leaders are having serious conversations about a bipartisan budget plan.

There are fewer than 100 bills still awaiting votes apart from the budget conversation. Some lawmakers hope to add new ideas before the end of the session, though, including a ban on underage access to drag shows.

Today is the 159th day of the legislative session, which is tied for the 10th longest session in Arizona.

In the Elections

Republican views on early voting have shifted. Emails from the Cyber Ninjas show more details on the Arizona Senate’s ballot recount. Some voters don’t know much about who’s running in this election, but they can watch recent debates and read about the candidates to learn more.

In the Courts

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that juror names can remain secret. The U.S. Supreme Court won’t consider the Arizona Attorney General’s challenge to federal immigration policy. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge said a lawsuit against Arizona’s funding for school facilities can advance. President Biden nominated prominent Arizona attorney Roopali Desai to serve on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the News

Governor Ducey took a sick day. There’s another ethics complaint about Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff). The Morrison Institute for Public Policy studied housing challenges in Arizona. Across the U.S., some governments are asking Medicaid to pay the rent. The federal government wants to reduce single-use plastics on public lands. Arizona’s unemployment rate is still lower than the national average.

On the Bright Side…

The Whisky War is over.