CEBV Weekly: January 15, 2024
Republicans fiddle as the budget burns
On Friday, the nonpartisan analysts at the Joint Legislative Budget Committee dropped a bombshell on the fledgling 2024 session with their forecast of a jaw-dropping $1.7 billion deficit over this year and next year. Arizona is facing skyrocketing expenses and plummeting revenues thanks to two Ducey-era boondoggles: a massive tax cut for the rich and a ballooning universal ESA voucher program.
Lawmakers now face the difficult task of balancing Arizona’s budget without slashing essential services like public education, public safety and health care, which were just beginning to recover from the massive cuts made during the Great Recession. (Fortunately, Gov. Hobbs has said she won’t allow those programs to be cut.) Finding new revenues will be difficult at best: in 1992, Arizona voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote before lawmakers can increase taxes or reduce tax credits, exemptions or deductions.
News coverage of this train wreck has been relentless. Media outlet after media outlet is pointing out (accurately) that when revenue plummets and expenses skyrocket, budgets become imbalanced. Meanwhile, the Republican lawmakers who passed these policies are struggling and failing to keep control of their narrative. Their verbal gymnastics have gotten increasingly desperate and outlandish.
The difficult task of balancing our state budget will become even harder if our legislative majority refuses to address the systemic problems they created. We foresee a looming crisis similar to that of the failed “Kansas experiment” and yet another cycle of “fiscal conservatives” cutting taxes in hopes of an economic boom that never arrives.
The nation is watching as today’s Arizona GOP drives our state’s budget into a crater, while the culpable lawmakers clutch their pearls and hyperventilate over the fiscally prudent alternative Gov. Hobbs is presenting. As journalist Jim Small points out, Gov. Hobbs is using her budget proposal to “show voters the Arizona she thinks is possible, and then let Republicans demonstrate exactly why it won’t happen” — teeing up a sea change for November.
⏰ If you have 20 minutes: Use Request to Speak to oppose bills in committee.
⏰⏰ If you have 30 minutes: Share the Weekly with one person who “doesn’t do politics.”
⏰⏰⏰ If you have 60 minutes: Join us on Zoom at 4pm on Sunday for our next CEBV Happy Hour. This week’s featured guest is Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo (District 5). Then, stay on for our Civics 101 presentation, a primer for state and local government focusing on the levels that impact our lives most directly: School Board, City or Town Council, and the Board of Supervisors. We’ll meet every Sunday at 4 PM through the end of session. Sign up in advance here.
This week’s crop of bills are pretty extreme. It’s important that you use RTS. We must ensure that our lawmakers, the media, and the official record all register our opposition. If we want to make it easy for Gov. Hobbs to veto these bills, we must make public distaste for them crystal clear. And we must help media understand public sentiment — this will help voters hold MAGA Republicans accountable for their actions in November.
Legislative floor sessions and committee hearings are cancelled on Monday due to the MLK holiday.
Tuesday
SB1003, sponsored by Wendy Rogers (R-7), would ban the use of photo radar. Numerous studies have found both speed and red-light cameras offer many safety benefits. Conspicuous, fixed cameras reduce traffic crashes and injuries by up to 35 percent. Nobody likes a ticket, but Arizona has had speed cameras since 1987 for good reason. Repealing photo radar will lead to more dangerous roads and more collisions. Gov. Hobbs vetoed this bill last year. Scheduled for Senate Transportation, Technology & Missing Children Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
SB1010, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would ban government from setting goals to reduce vehicle miles of travel. Reducing vehicle miles burns fewer fossil fuels and extends road life, which is good for the state. Based on an absurd conspiracy theory that believes the “world government” wants to limit people’s freedom of movement and advance a totalitarian agenda. (Yes, really.) Hoffman introduced the same bill last year, which failed to pass. Scheduled for Senate Transportation, Technology & Missing Children Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
SB1011, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would explicitly reject federal funding for biking and walking infrastructure, depriving Arizona communities of millions of available dollars. In 2017, Arizona received at least $18 million in federal funding for bike/ped work through the Transportation Alternatives program alone, only one of at least 14 potential federal funding programs for bike/ped safety projects. Hoffman introduced the same bill last year, which failed to pass. Scheduled for Senate Transportation, Technology & Missing Children Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
SCR1001, sponsored by Wendy Rogers (R-7), would ask voters to ban the use of photo radar. Because this measure would head directly to the ballot, Gov. Hobbs cannot veto it. See SB1003 (above) for information and talking points. Scheduled for Senate Transportation, Technology & Missing Children Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
SCR1002, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would ask voters to amend the state Constitution to ban government from trying to monitor or reduce vehicle miles of travel. See SB1010 (above) for information and talking points. Because this measure would head directly to the ballot, Gov. Hobbs cannot veto it. Hoffman introduced the same bill last year, which failed to pass. Scheduled for Senate Transportation, Technology & Missing Children Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
HB2086, sponsored by Laurin Hendrix (R-14), would repeal the requirement that candidates for election as county school superintendent hold a basic or standard certificate to teach in Arizona schools. Scheduled for House Education Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
HB2095, sponsored by Barbara Parker (R-10), would expand the school tuition organization (STO) voucher program to students in foster care. STOs, or "Arizona's first vouchers," are dollar-for-dollar tax credits to private schools that result in significantly less money for public schools. The bill is estimated to cost the state half a million dollars annually (these estimates historically run low). Since the STO voucher program's creation, Arizona’s general fund has lost out on over $2.1 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, our state's public school funding remains in the bottom 5 nationwide, even after recent investments. Gov. Hobbs vetoed this bill last year. Scheduled for House Education Committee, Tuesday. OPPOSE.
Wednesday
SB1005, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would ban the state, including public schools, from requiring "diversity, equity, and inclusion programs" for its employees, spending public funds on such programs, or setting policies to influence the composition of its workforce on the basis of race, sex, or color. Any employee required to participate could sue. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a philosophy designed to harness the differences, talents and unique qualities of all individuals; this bill pretends our differences don’t exist. When did living in a country that looks like the world, and intentionally making space for all different kinds of people, become a bad thing? Hoffman introduced the same bill last year, which failed to pass. Scheduled for Senate Government Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
SB1013, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would ban government from taking social or environmental values into consideration when investing. Driven by a panic that society will hold extremists accountable for their actions. One study says such efforts could cost Arizona millions. Scheduled for Senate Government Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
SB1014, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would ban financial institutions, insurers and credit reporting agencies from considering political affiliation, social or environmental values. Driven by a panic that society will hold extremists accountable for their actions. One study says such efforts could cost Arizona millions. Similar to a vetoed bill from last year. Scheduled for Senate Government Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
SB1022, sponsored by John Kavanagh (R-3), would force homeowner’s associations to allow the “Appeal to Heaven” flag. The flag has been embraced by Christian nationalists, extremists, and far-right hate groups like the Proud Boys and neo-Nazi groups. It has also appeared in the Arizona House lobby, at the Arizona Senate security desk, and on at least one state senator’s desk on the floor. Scheduled for Senate Government Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
SB1058, sponsored by JD Mesnard (R-13), would require Arizona students to pass a half-credit personal finance course, beginning with the class of 2028, in order to graduate from high school. Our students don’t need another graduation requirement (personal finance is already taught in high-school economics) and our educators definitely don’t need another unfunded mandate. Scheduled for Senate Education Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
HB2088, sponsored by Laurin Hendrix (R-14), would ban anyone who contributes to a bond or override campaign from bidding on a contract that is funded as a result of the bond or override. This bill would dramatically limit funding abilities for bonds and overrides, which many school districts rely on to meet their basic needs because the state has neglected its duty to adequately fund them. The same bill failed to pass last year. Scheduled for House Regulatory Affairs Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
HB2139, sponsored by Julie Willoughby (R-13), would make a minor patient’s medical records “not privileged or confidential,” and decrees that they may be disclosed to a parent or guardian as a matter of course unless the minor specifies otherwise in writing. This effectively would strip minors of their right to medical privacy, strip medical professionals of the right to exercise their professional judgment on when to divulge information, and put children being abused at significant risk. Scheduled for House Judiciary Committee, Wednesday. OPPOSE.
HB2143, sponsored by David Cook (R-7), would waive fees for driver licenses and state IDs for people experiencing homelessness. This good idea, long championed by former House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, deserves to become law. Scheduled for House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Wednesday. SUPPORT.
Thursday
SB1007, sponsored by Jake Hoffman (R-15), would put Arizona public school teachers (but not teachers at ESA-funded private schools) behind bars for up to two years if they so much as recommend a book to students that lawmakers consider too “sexually explicit.” This would attempt to build on a 2022 ban which has already essentially frozen the teaching of books like “The Color Purple,” “The Canterbury Tales” and “Atlas Shrugged,” preventing Arizona's students from getting a well-rounded education. State law already makes it a felony to show pornography to children. Hoffman introduced the same bill last year, which failed to pass. Scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee, Thursday. OPPOSE.
SB1017, sponsored by John Kavanagh (R-3), would allow the Arizona Department of Education to hire its own legal counsel separate from the state’s attorney general. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican, is suing Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes in an attempt to stop Arizona schools from using dual-language models to teach English Language Learners. Mayes has issued an opinion stating that dual-language models are permissible as the State Board of Education has approved them. Kavanagh said he filed the bill at Horne’s request. Horne should follow AG Mayes’ legal advice, not seek to spend more of our tax dollars going around her. Scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee, Thursday. OPPOSE.
2024 Session Timeline
Monday, 2/5 Bill introduction deadline
Friday, 2/16 Last day for a bill to get out of committees in its originating house
Monday, 2/19 Crossover Week begins (most committee hearings are suspended)
Friday, 3/22 Last day for a bill to get out of committees in its crossover house
(and the last day to use RTS until a budget drops)
Tuesday, 4/16 100th Day of Session (the stated end goal; can be changed) Flag this handy list of contact info, committee chairs and assignments, freshly updated for 2024.
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