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AZ Legislative Update 10-07-2022

AZ State Capitol Building image, From Wikimedia Commons

Arizona’s expanded Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program went into effect last month after an effort to block it fell short of the signatures required. The news caused an increase in applications for the program, and the state extended the deadline to allow more people to apply. The end of the challenge to ESA expansion settles an ongoing disagreement between legislative Republicans and Democrats, and some lawmakers hope it could create an opportunity for talks about the state’s spending cap for schools. That’s still a distant possibility, however, as legislators are focused on the elections and still do not agree on the details of changes to the school spending limit.

An unexpected combination of political leaders are calling for a special session on abortion, as well, after a judge’s ruling reinstated a pre-statehood ban on all abortions. A new lawsuit filed this week seeks to overturn the court ruling; another judge already declined to suspend it. The Governor has not signaled an interest in calling a special session to address the issue, though, saying it should be left to the courts now.

Unless there is a special session this year, Arizona’s newest legislator will not get the chance to cast even one vote before he leaves office. Representative Devin Del Palacio (D-Avondale) was appointed by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to fill the seat vacated by Representative Diego Espinoza, but he’s not running for another term. He will serve in the House just until the new legislature is sworn in next January.

 

In the News

Representative Regina Cobb is frustrated by political polarization. These school psychologists are helping teachers help students. A legislative oversight committee had big questions for the Department of Child Safety.

 

On the Bright Side…

Leeloo won the race.

Posted:  7 October, 2022
Author: Susie Cannata
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