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AZ Legislative Update 5-28-2021

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A high-profile tug-of-war over political ideals played out at the Arizona Capitol this week, highlighting the Republican majority’s sharply divided views. There was no compromise or happy ending, and the week ended with a legislative session – and political alliances – in limbo.

The week began with optimism, as Republican leaders introduced the budget they’d negotiated with Governor Ducey’s office and prepared to wrap up the legislative session. The budget proposal spends a total of $12.8 billion in the next fiscal year, including many of Governor Ducey’s budget priorities and investments some legislative Republicans had requested. It directs more funding to special

education programs, state universities, and community colleges. It invests in new school buildings, prioritizes hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation and road-building projects around the state, pays down state debt, and increases salaries for some state employees.

It also includes significant tax changes that would cut taxes by an estimated $2.9 billion over the next three years. The details of those cuts, however, sparked passionate disagreement. Many legislative Republicans support the tax plan, which they believe will spur more economic growth. Others believe the cuts are too big or will impact city budgets too much. Some object to the budget’s targeted tax credits designed to benefit specific industries. A small coalition of conservative Republicans had no problem with the tax cuts but objected to the level of spending and refused to vote for the budget unless it prohibited school districts from requiring students to wear masks.

Democrats, who were never included in budget negotiations, say they cannot support the tax cuts and believe the state should invest its current revenue surplus in other priorities and programs. They also disagreed with many of the policies wrapped into the budget, including changes to Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ authority.

As tension built and the necessary votes were increasingly out of reach, Republican leaders used the escape chute they invented last year as they faced the growing uncertainty of a global pandemic: They suspended the session and went home.

This is not a normal part of the legislative process. Most years, budget negotiations intensify until an agreement falls into place; the legislature works long hours to pass a budget and wrap up work on the remaining bills before adjourning until the next year.

The procedural move used to suspend the session, both this year and last, is deliberately vague. It gives great authority to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, the only individuals who can determine when the session will reconvene. Though the motion says the legislature will return on June 10, the Speaker and President can call the legislature back to work at any time with 24 hours’ notice before or after that date. It requires public notice when the legislature reconvenes but does not specify where or how that notice must be given, and it does not require coordination with the Governor or Democratic legislative leaders. Governor Ducey was out of town this week and has not commented on the legislature’s decision to hit “pause” on their work.

Republicans say they are not giving up and will continue to talk with their colleagues about an amended version of the budget that can pass. Those negotiations will occur behind closed doors as the public waits for a sign that legislators are ready to enact a financial plan before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Legislators Debate Pay Increases, Early Ballot Procedures

Before they adjourned, legislators advanced almost 40 bills this week. Many passed with bipartisan support – including funding for medical marijuana research, changes to alcohol delivery requirements, shelter beds for homeless seniors in western Maricopa County, and new oversight for the Arizona State Hospital.

Other bills were more divisive and passed on narrow margins – including new requirements for political party representatives at polling places, a prohibition against sending an early ballot to someone who hasn’t requested one, changes to the definition of human remains, and new authority for legislators to seek a legal review of a U.S. President’s executive order.

Legislators advanced bills to raise their pay and increase evaluation of the signatures on early ballots.

The Senate narrowly approved a ban on local government training that presents any form of blame or judgment based on race, ethnicity, or sex, but failed to pass guidance on how teachers must present controversial topics. Senators also voted down new laws on marijuana sponsorships and advertisements. The House failed to pass more stringent voter identification requirements for early ballots.

Priority Bills

This week, Governor Ducey signed HB 2123 (pupil suspensions and expulsions; schools), which limits when students up to 4th grade can be expelled or suspended.

What’s Next?

Legislators are in a holding pattern as they wait for the Senate President and House Speaker to call them back to the Capitol to finish the session. Apart from the budget, there are approximately 100 bills that could advance to a final vote before the legislature adjourns for the year.

Arizona’s New Laws

Governor Ducey signed ten bills into law this week – including disclosure requirements on campaign signs and new options for overdose and disease prevention programs. He has signed 381 new laws this year and vetoed five; another 28 bills await his action.

In the Election

Ballot counting continued at the Arizona State Fairgrounds this week, and the Cyber Ninjas got a different IT partner. Leaders of the effort say they’re on track to finish by the end of June, but the Senate might start another recount. Maricopa County officials prepared to sue the Senate about some claims their contractors have made.

This week, Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) jumped into the race to be the next Secretary of State; she will run against Representative Mark Finchem (R-Oro Valley), who announced his candidacy earlier this year.

Click here for a list of the potential candidates running for election in 2022 with a political party, and click here for the potential candidates who are independent of a political party.  

In the News

The U.S. Census Bureau says Arizona’s per-pupil spending is 49th in the nation. The Arizona Together Initiative directed $550,000 to mental health services. The former U.S. Surgeon General thinks Arizona handled COVID-19 well. The Arizona Corporation Commission took a step toward new rules on clean energy. Arizona’s small businesses faced big challenges during the pandemic. Arizona updated its crisis care standards to address complaints. Governor Ducey kept his role as leader of the Republican Governors Association. These lawyers want the federal government to investigate religious rights in Arizona prisons, and these legislators want the state to investigate the prisons’ kitchens. This survey gauged Arizonans’ experiences with travel, hunger, and telehealth. Former Governor Jan Brewer (R) has some thoughts about the legislature’s budget proposal. Warnings about groundwater are drawing renewed attention to water policy. The federal government approved Arizona’s new gaming agreements.

On the Bright Side…

This school hatched a new tradition.

Posted:  11 June, 2021
Author: Susie Cannata
Read more from Susie Cannata

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