AZ Legislative Update - November 19, 2021
Ready or not, Arizona lawmakers have begun introducing bills for the 2022 legislative session. While the session won’t officially start until January 10, the early introduction of bills allows legislators to get their ideas on the record well in advance of committee hearings next year. Just a few bills are available so far, but the disagreement has already begun: The first substantive bill of the year revives a controversial discussion on election recounts that did not pass the Senate last year.
The start of bill introductions did not stop the ongoing trend of legislative resignations, and another House seat opened this week when Representative Diego Rodriguez (D-Laveen) resigned to focus on his campaign in the crowded race for Arizona Attorney General. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint a Democrat to fill the remaining year on his term in the legislature.
County leaders from around the state are working to fill other House vacancies from earlier resignations before the new legislative session begins. Today, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to appoint a new legislator to fill former Representative Becky Nutt’s seat.
It’s not just empty seats that are shaking things up at the Capitol: Growing tension between current lawmakers highlights the sharp divides that remain within the Senate Republican caucus. Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) renewed her public frustration with Senate President Karen Fann’s (R-Prescott) leadership and announced her resignation from another key committee assignment in protest. Senator Paul Boyer (R-Glendale) has made it clear that he won’t always align with his caucus next year, either. Next year’s election cycle will further divide lawmakers from both political parties, as they run against each other for statewide office or support opposing candidates.
These political hurdles will ensure the 2022 legislative session is an interesting one.
In the coming weeks, lawmakers will be working on the policy priorities they hope to enact next year. Study committees will meet to compile their recommendations for new laws on a variety of complex topics, and legislative attorneys will draft hundreds of bills for lawmakers with big ideas for statutory changes.
Senate Announces New Committee Assignments
Two former House members who moved to Senate seats this summer have their new committee assignments. Senator Raquel Terán (D-Phoenix) will serve on the Appropriations, Commerce, and Health & Human Services Committees; Senator Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D-Tucson) will be on Finance, Judiciary, and Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committees.
The House has not yet provided committee assignments to its newest members.
Budget Update: Economists Forecast Surplus
Arizona’s bank account balances keep growing at a rapid rate and according to the latest details from legislative economists, the state budget already has a $2.4 billion surplus. Approximately $1.7 billion of the surplus is one-time money from short-term sources, but another $700 million is projected to continue beyond this fiscal year.
The economists point to a variety of reasons for the booming budget numbers: Arizonans’ income grew last year, and they’re spending more of the money they saved during the pandemic. Corporate profits mean higher corporate income tax payments, and the federal government extended its pandemic-related funding for the state’s Medicaid programs.
Many factors could change these estimates. Ongoing legal challenges could impact education funding, and a citizen referral could put the state’s recent income tax cuts on hold until voters decide whether to enact them. The numbers show reason for optimism, though, and Arizona’s unemployment rate dropped again this month.
In the Elections
Voters will not be asked whether to enact the legislature’s creation of a new tax rate. Cyber Ninjas is still fighting court orders to turn over records related to the Senate’s ballot recount. Governor Ducey knows how he wants to frame the debate about whether to enact income tax cuts.
In the Courts
The Arizona Attorney General found a new forum for his challenge to federal vaccine requirements after a federal judge ruled against his earlier lawsuit against the mandate. An appeals court heard arguments in a case about Arizona’s civil forfeiture laws. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry Director defended the state’s prison health care in a court hearing. A federal court will consider whether Arizona’s system for arranging names on ballots is fair. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge is considering whether the Arizona Constitution allows voters to challenge the legislature’s tax cuts.
In the News
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) wants a special legislative session to address COVID-19 vaccine policies. Political leaders from both sides of the aisle celebrated the life of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods. Drug overdose deaths grew in Arizona last year. Funding for family caregivers is still available. A jury sided with a former Arizona Senate staff member who claimed she experienced discrimination, and the ruling is a hot topic in the Democratic race for Governor. Legislative ethics policies are back in the headlines. Arizona is talking to its neighbors about the Colorado River. The Senate’s ballot recount disrupted some political alliances in Arizona. Governor Ducey is directing $100 million in federal funds to improve broadband access. A lot of people want to be a Maricopa County Supervisor.
On the Bright Side...
Wrinkle ran.