Last Week at the Legislature
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Hi Friend,
Welcome to Last Week at the Legislature, my weekly report to you on what's happening in your State House, what I'm doing, and how I voted.
As of this week, bills that haven't passed out of committee in their chamber of origin are now considered dead for the year. (That's about half of the 1760 bills introduced.) Now we begin "Crossover Week" when House bills go to the Senate, and Senate bills come to the House.
We'll spend the rest of the session hearing legislation from the other chamber, amending them, sending changes back for approval, and creating a budget. It will be highly unusual for any additional bills to be heard. Please continue reading to learn which of the bills I introduced on your behalf might have a future this session.
It's an honor to serve you. Please contact me anytime.
Judy
Representative Judy Schwiebert, LD2
jschwiebert@azleg.gov, JudySchwiebert.com, 602-935-0468
Which of My Bills Got a Hearing?
Since Republicans hold a one-seat majority in both chambers, they control every agenda. As a result we too often heard extremist bills like HCR2040, which stipulates that the government can't spend money telling you to eat bugs or limit the amount of clothing you can buy.
Meanwhile, as a member of the minority party, just one of the twelve bills I sponsored this year was given a hearing. And I was more fortunate than many other Democrats.
That bill was HB2861 to protect condo owners from out of state corporations who are pushing them out of their homes at lowball prices. Read more in "A Win for Arizona Condo Owners." I'm also continuing to work on an amendment to make the current Prop 123 proposal a bipartisan one that will increase salaries for all educators. You can see a full list of the bills I sponsored or co-sponsored here.
It can be very discouraging, but I continue to work hard to put forward bills that reflect the priorities of working families in Arizona. I was prime sponsor or co-sponsor for bills that would help address
The affordable housing shortage crisis (HB2557, HB2861, and HCR2033)
Rising prescription drug and other medical costs (HB2558 and HB2559, and HB2561)
Preventing cancer through genetic testing (HB2649) (I managed to schedule a meeting for my constituents who requested this bill and I to meet with House Health Chair Rep Steve Montenegro. Though we didn't get the bill on an agenda, there is still a possibility for a listening hearing.
The mental health crisis among young people ((HB2650)
Stopping bad actors in the sober living and behavioral health residential facilities from scamming victims as well as Arizona (HB2560)
The teacher shortage crisis by increasing teacher & staff salaries (HCR2044)
Ensuring student safety and protection of parent's rights, as well as accountability to taxpayers at all schools that receive state dollars (HB2862. I also co-sponsored HB2795, HB2687, HB2810 and others)
Making funding for school building repairs more fiscally responsible (HB2863)
Join Us This Week!
LD2 Democrats of North Phoenix
Wednesday February 21, 6:30 pm
NEW LOCATION!!
Aspire Innovation Center, 20402 N 15th Ave, Phoenix
Do you want a state government that prioritizes
Paying our children's educators better
Addressing the water, affordable housing, and climate change crises
Protecting our freedom to vote by mail or in person
Ensuring we can make our own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians
Don't let the current legislative majority's culture wars make you lose hope. Join like-minded folks committed to electing a new majority focused on addressing the vital priorities that Arizonans share. We're just one seat away from a new majority in both chambers, and our legislative district is pivotal.
Our wonderful LD2 State House candidate, Stephanie Simacek, and I will both be speaking about why we agreed to make the commitment to serve our community in the state legislature.
RSVP to join us via zoom or to get directions to join us in person!
A Win for Arizona Condo Owners
My bill (HB2861) to ensure that seniors receive fair market value for their condo homes when they are pushed out by out of state private equity corporations passed unanimously out of the Commerce committee last Tuesday. Thank you to my seat mate and co-sponsor Republican Rep Justin Wilmeth (who is also the chair of that committee) for putting it on the agenda!
Next steps will be to meet again with stakeholders this week, and hopefully get it assigned to the House Floor for a vote so it can be heard in the State Senate. Stay tuned.
I'm Named an Adult Education Champion
I was deeply honored this week to receive the Adult Education Champion Award from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education and Educate & Elevate.
After learning that AZ has over 700,000 working age adults who do not yet have a high school diploma, my first bill in my first year in the House was to increase support for community college and other adult education programs that would allow people to earn a high school equivalency diploma and industry credential at the same time.
These programs more than pay for themselves by allowing people to lift themselves out of poverty, become part of a strong workforce, and create a better economy for all of us. The stories of many of the Adult Ed students who attended our luncheon on Thursday were so moving. A special thank you to Sara Haghighi, Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, and other adult ed leaders across the state.
Sub-Approps: on Thursday:
The Economics of Child Care
Any working parent can tell you plenty about the insane cost of childcare these days. To make matters worse, federal pandemic emergency funding for childcare will expire this September.
That's why Gov Hobbs has proposed allocating $100 million in one-time state funds which will help draw down an additional $91 million annually from the federal government to assist with the high cost of childcare.
So when given the chance to select our topic for this week's Sub-Appropriations (BFF Committee) agenda, I chose the Economics of Child Care. A big thank you to experts Kelley Murphy from Children's Action Alliance; Chris Herbst, Professor of Public Policy at ASU's School of Public Affairs; Angela Rabago of First Things First; Ericka Mach of the Women's Foundation, and Shekesha Shelton ; for your presentations to us. Whether or not we have young children, we all benefit from quality childcare.
AZ Voters Demand Action on Short Term Rentals
I was honored to receive the support of a bipartisan grassroots group called Protect Our Communities in an AZCentral article this past week. They're fed up with the fact that Republican legislative leaders refuse to even hear any bills that would curb the way short term rentals have taken over their communities and contributed to skyrocketing rents.
Asked what happens next, group spokesperson Jennifer Tanner said Protect our Communities would work to identify political candidates supportive of regulating short-rent rentals and get them elected. She said the group is interested in "backing Democratic Rep. Judy Schwiebert for the Senate" (see my bill HCR2033). "Republican Leaders have underestimated the anger building up in towns across Arizona," Tanner said. "We believe that residents will choose saving their community over party loyalty."
"Yes, in God's Backyard"
I was proud to stand with the Valley Interfaith Project and a bipartisan group of legislators at our Thursday press conference to support Rep Marcelino Quinonez’ bill HB2815, (for which I'm a co-sponsor).
Valley rabbis, bishops, and ministers from several denominations spoke in support of this legislation nicknamed, "Yes in God's Backyard," because it would allow their churches to use their available property to build affordable housing. The bill will be heard in a special Appropriations committee meeting this Monday, Feb 19.
House Education Committee
This week we considered eight bills, and for the first time this session, the agenda included legislation proposed by Democrats.Here is a sample of how I voted. You can see a full list of bills and use the links there to see how we voted.
HB2218 (Terech-D) would prohibit schools from being able to suspend a student exclusively for being absent. As a co-sponsor, I voted YES, and it passed unanimously, 10-0.
HB2760 (A Hernandez-D) would create a study committee to examine how schools are implementing the Holocaust and genocide curriculum already mandated by the legislature. I voted YES, and it passed unanimously, 10-0.
House Appropriations Committee
We also considered eight bills in House Appropriations this week and again, for the first time this session the agenda included Democratic proposals. You can see the full list of bills here and use the links there to see how we voted.
HB2725 (Cook-R) would appropriate $605 Million to retire state debt from the Phoenix Convention Center and university lease-purchase capital financing agreements. While I generally agree with paying off debt, the state currently faces a more than $2 Billion deficit due to tax cuts and ESA vouchers for the wealthiest Arizonans. Vital programs that protect seniors and children, and that keep all of us safe are already on the chopping block. The chair couldn't tell me what he would cut in order to allow for this in the budget. I voted NO, and the bill failed 6-10. It may come back next week due to a legislative trick.
HB2743 (C Hernandez-D) would appropriate $400,000 for an Address Confidentiality Program administered by the Secretary of State to protect the identify of domestic violence victims and children who have had to move to get away from abusers. I voted YES, and the bill passed 15-0 (2 voted present).
Make your Voice Heard Next Week!
To learn what's coming up THIS week so you can make your voice heard in YOUR State House and Senate, I highly recommend subscribing to weekly newsletters from the nonpartisan Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. (CEBV) You can read it and subscribe here.
Read the Save Our School Arizona's weekly newsletter here.
This week's edition features information about Senator Christine Marsh's SB 1354 which would have provided sensible protections for students with special needs using an ESA voucher. However, Republicans defeated even this very basic protections for students.
Nominate a Community Builder!
As a lifelong member of our community, I'm so grateful to the many people and local businesses who make it such a great place to live. That's why I'm excited to be partnering with the Bell Road Business Alliance and Stoke Interactive to recognize many of the local Community Builders in our neighborhood.
We need YOU to make this happen, though! Check out our website at LD2NPCB.com to learn more about past recipients and nominate your favorite locally owned businesses or nonprofits in LD2 to thank them for the vital role they play in making our community the safe, thriving, unique place it is.
Be Part of the Team To Win for Everyday Arizonans
Volunteer For Our Campaign
We're already hard at work contacting voters in our community about what's at stake in the race for our Legislative District 2 House and Senate seats: a new majority that's listening and working for everyday Arizonans. But no one can do it alone.
The two most important things to do right now are
Join a Community Canvass. We're knocking doors and getting petition signatures to qualify for the ballot as we listen to fellow voters who want a legislature committed to addressing our shared priorities. Use this link to find a day and time that works for you. We'll buddy you up with someone experienced. We need door knockers and drivers.
Donate to our campaign. We need everyone's help to pay for the staff, literature, and other advertising that are essential to winning this competitive race.