CEBV Weekly: May 20, 2024
Focusing on the wrong thing. Built of lies and confusion. And, a list of all the ballot measures that are still alive.
The 2024 legislative session shambles on, presenting us with our newest emergency, a pair of brand-new, extreme and harmful ballot measures. Legislative Republicans, led by their furthest-right flank, are pushing these ill-considered, hastily written measures forward with little concern for the grievous harms they would inflict.
Other elected officials, from county attorneys to elections professionals, along with members of the general public, are doing their utmost to fight the measures and keep them off our November ballot.
And in all this maelstrom of infighting, guess what else has all but ground to a complete halt? That’s right, lawmakers’ only constitutionally mandated responsibility: the state budget that is due by June 30.
Arizona is in this predicament thanks to the right-wing Republican lawmakers who control our state Capitol, comprising the most extreme legislative majority Arizona has perhaps ever had. It’s remarkable to us that just a few dozen people can cause so much harm. The fact that these blockheads have dragged the entire state of Arizona into this unnecessary dumpster fire — not to mention how much precious time and energy advocates are spending trying to fight our way out of it — is a powerful testament to how desperately Arizona needs a new, more reasonable state legislature.
HCR2056, The Early Voting Attack
Now that we have language for anti-early voting ballot measure HCR2056, let’s break it down:
Makes it harder to vote. Republicans pushing the measure are not being shy about the fact that it is purposely designed to make it harder for Arizonans to vote. Yes, they are actually saying this, and trying to sell it as a good thing. Bill sponsor and election denier Wendy Rogers (R-7) says HCR2056 is necessary because the “convenience and comfort” of Arizona’s vote-by-mail system, which is a nationally recognized model, comes “at the expense of faith and trust in the vote.”
Built on their own election lies. In other words, the same people who have spent years trying to convince voters Arizona’s elections were stolen — there are more of them here in Arizona than in any other state legislature — are now using the very lies they created and spread to justify restricting our freedom to vote.
Restricts ballot drop-off & emergency voting. Voters would no longer be able to swing by a polling place on Election Day, drop off their ballot and go; HCR2056 would require them to stand in line and show ID. In-person voting on the weekend before the election would be throttled back to just one location in each county. This could mean a long drive for voters, especially in rural areas.
Disenfranchises rural voters. Not everyone can simply walk out their front door and put a ballot in a mailbox. For voters in Pima County, northern Arizona and the Navajo Nation, for example, mail delivery delays can range from 5-10 days, meaning the “27-day window” to vote an early ballot could in reality be just 7 days. Removing another 4 days from that window with HCR2056 could be the difference that causes these ballots to go uncounted.
Unfunded mandate. HCR2056 would force eight of Arizona's 15 counties to purchase two on-site tabulators each, find new voting locations that can handle those tabulators (they’re huge, which means a need for larger locations), and hire extra staff to run them. Counties are already struggling to find enough locations and staff.
Built for confusion. Right now, voters can drop off their family’s early ballots, but HCR2056 says each voter dropping off a ballot must show ID. This means husbands and grandmas across Arizona could see their ballots go uncounted. What’s more, HCR2056 replaces the words “voting centers” in state law with “polling places,” an apparent move to get rid of voting centers (something Rogers and other legislative Republicans have been trying to do for several years). HCR2056 is even confusing for elections professionals: the job description of an elections director vs. a county recorder is currently very clear in statute, but this appears to be written to require both to be present at early voting locations for all 27 days of early voting.
Ignoring election experts. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Arizona Association of Counties representative Jen Marson said those writing the resolution failed to discuss the measure with them before introducing it. Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly said 13 of Arizona’s 15 recorders are opposed to the measure, which “will create longer delays and disenfranchise voters.” Fontes said the legislation is “not fully cooked” and that he doesn’t “think the voters deserve to see something like this.” And Marson warned lawmakers, “This has been [county election officials’] go-to-the-mat issue for years."
What’s next. HCR2056 will likely head to the full Senate for a floor vote on Wednesday, May 22. Former Secretary of State and perennial MAGA thorn Ken Bennett (R-1) has said he won’t support it on the floor in its current form, leading to hopes the measure may stall. Regardless of what the Senate does, the House can’t pass it until June 4; they’re adjourned until then, we’re told because some Republicans are on vacation.
HCR2060, the “Brown People Scary” Bill
The power of a single vote. Speaking of thorns, the Senate adjourned last week without passing HCR2060. Bennett is refusing to support that bill in its current form, too: he’s especially opposed to the mean-spirited provision that would deport DACA recipients if the federal government or a judge overturns the program. This conflicts with demands from his MAGA colleagues, many of whom believe removing the provision is tantamount to codifying protections for Dreamers — something most Arizonans overwhelmingly support — into state law.
Dialing it back. Bennett also thinks it’s important to narrow HCR2060 to its purported focus of only the border, rather than the “internal show me your papers stuff” that allows local police to stop and question people anywhere in Arizona simply for having brown skin. And he wants the bill to return undocumented migrants to their country of origin, not the country through which they entered Arizona. When questioned as to whether the bill goes far enough, he responded simply, "Not every bill can solve every problem."
Unbelievable. Let’s just pause for a moment and contemplate the fact that 1) just one person stands between our state and this incredibly damaging bill making it onto our ballots, and 2) just one person in Arizona’s entire Republican legislative caucus has the common sense and integrity to do so.
Is it possible? Bennett is certain he can get some of these changes made, saying, “Most of my caucus is agreeing with me and they’re going to support amendments next Wednesday to take [the DACA piece] out.” But he concedes requiring local police to actually witness a border crossing in order to act “might be a harder sell.” Legislative staff is drafting amendments, but those will not be heard until next week, so it is unclear whether Bennett’s issues will get resolved.
Hurry up and wait. As with HCR2056, even if HCR2060 does pass out of the Senate, it won’t get a hearing in the House until June 4 because several Republicans are on vacation.
⏰ If you have 5 minutes: Use Request to Speak to oppose the striker to HCR2056.
⏰⏰ If you have 10 minutes: Contact Sen. Ken Bennett (R-1) to thank him for insisting that any border bill that makes it to our ballots be reasonable and to ask him to hold firm on HCR2060: 602-926-5874 / kbennett@azleg.gov.
⏰⏰⏰ If you have 20 minutes: Contact your own senator and representatives (or legislative leadership) to oppose HCR2060. This bill has split firmly along party lines, so if you’re contacting Republicans, remind them that HCR2060 is too extreme, that it’s cost them support from longtime business allies, and that it may ultimately cost them majority rule in November. If you’re contacting Democrats, thank them for their fiscal conservatism and basic human decency, and for upholding the US Constitution.
⏰⏰⏰⏰ If you have 30 minutes: Contact Gov. Hobbs and your own lawmakers (or legislative leadership of either party) and ask them to fight for a state budget that does something about our out-of-control ESA voucher problem this year. Save Our Schools Arizona has a handy tool that makes this easy.
⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰ If you have 45 minutes: Arizona desperately needs a different legislature. Find the competitive legislative district nearest you1, then sign up to volunteer for, or donate to, the candidates that best represent your values.
⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰⏰ If you have 60 minutes: Join us on Zoom at 4pm on Sunday for our next CEBV Happy Hour conversation. This week we’ll feature capstone presentations from our first CEBV-Y youth cohort! We’ll meet every Sunday at 4 PM through the end of session. Sign up here.
The Arizona Supreme Court has granted Attorney General Kris Mayes' request to stay enforcement of the draconian 1864 abortion ban for another 90 days. Once the 45-day non-enforcement window after the Supreme Court issues its final mandate is taken into account, the earliest the 1864 ban can go into effect is Sept 26, according to the AG's Office.
If the Legislature adjourns at the end of June after passing a budget, the Civil War-era ban may not go into effect at all — but that is by no means guaranteed.
This past week, Gov. Hobbs exercised her power to protect Arizonans from the following harmful, CEBV-opposed legislation.
Vetoed:
HB2095, Parker (R-10), would have expanded 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. Since the STO voucher program's creation, Arizona’s general fund has lost out on over $2.6 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, our state's public school funding remains 49th nationwide. Gov. Hobbs vetoed a similar bill last year. Vetoed 5/17. OPPOSE.
By popular demand, here’s an updated list of all the ballot referral measures that remain alive in 2024. Contact your representatives (for SCRs) and senator (for HCRs) to ask them to oppose these referrals.
SCR1007, Carroll (R-28), bans state agencies and public schools from signing contracts with companies unless they agree not to "discriminate" against gun manufacturers. This would create new hurdles in everything from building facilities to purchasing supplies. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1012, Kern (R-27), would ban Arizona agencies from creating any rules that would increase regulatory costs by more than $500,000 over 5 years after implementation. The Legislature would instead be required to enact legislation to ratify the proposed rule into law. This shortsighted measure would kneecap the proper functioning of government, including its ability to regulate unaccountable, wasteful spending such as that of Arizona's universal ESA voucher program. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1015, Kern (R-27), and HCR2040, Smith (R-29), are a pair of identical, incredibly broad measures that would ban Arizona, its cities and counties, and its state universities and community colleges from promoting a laundry list of actions based on culture-war conspiracy theories (such as eating insects or limiting how many articles of clothing a person may buy or own). SCR1015 awaits a final Senate vote; HCR2040 awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1020, Mesnard (R-13), would change the Arizona Constitution to automatically extend the previous year’s state budget if lawmakers fail to pass one in time. This would remove the only real motivation for lawmakers to work together and avoid shutting down our state. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1023, Mesnard (R-13), would change the Arizona Constitution to require that cities and school districts hold their elections on general election days only. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1027, Mesnard (R-13), and HCR2047, Gress (R-4), would create a new version of Prop 123 that restricts funds to “eligible teachers” only, rather than the many and varied needs of public schools. The issue is rumored to be intended for budget negotiations. SCR1027 awaits a Senate floor vote; HCR2047 awaits a House floor vote. OPPOSE.
SCR1034, Hoffman (R-15), and HCR2048, Smith (R-29), would ask voters to set the actual salary schedule for Prop 123, directing funds to classroom teachers only and banning schools from reducing teacher salaries even if the legislature fails to fund them.HCR2048 also hits districts and charters with $5k/day penalties if they fail to increase teacher pay. SCR1034 is ready for a Senate floor vote; HCR2048 awaits a House floor vote. OPPOSE.
SCR1036, Wadsack (R-17), would put an end to “at-large” city council members. The bill would change the Arizona Constitution to require that only voters who live in a certain city district be eligible to vote for that district’s council members. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1040, Mesnard (R-13), would change the Arizona Constitution to create a sub-minimum hourly wage for tipped employees of up to 25% less than statutory minimum wage. Unbelievably, it’s dubbed the "Tipped Workers Protection Act." Awaits a House floor vote. OPPOSE.
SCR1041, Mesnard (R-13), would change the Arizona Constitution to allow anyone to sue to knock a citizen initiative off the ballot on grounds that it is not constitutional. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
SCR1044, Gowan (R-19), would change the Arizona Constitution to make judges in Arizona’s most populous counties appointed until the mandatory retirement age of 70 instead of retained by the voters every 4 to 6 years. The measure is written retroactively, so if voters pass it, the entire judicial retention slate for November would be thrown out, and all the judges would stay in office. Awaits House Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2032, Jones (R-17), would ban voting centers and limit precinct size to 1,000 voters. Awaits a Senate floor vote. OPPOSE.
HCR2038, Montenegro (R-29), would ask voters to declare that drug cartels are terrorist organizations, cluttering up our ballot for no good reason. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2049, Carter (R-15), would ban government from setting goals to reduce vehicle miles of travel. Based on an absurd conspiracy theory that believes the “world government” wants to limit people’s freedom of movement. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2050, Griffin (R-19), would change the state Constitution to ban Arizona, its cities and counties, and its public schools from restricting devices such as gas stoves based on their energy source. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2052, McGarr (R-17), would insert the legislature into the agency rulemaking process by requiring the legislature give final approval for agency rules via a majority vote. This absurd overreach would prevent our state agencies from effectively doing their jobs. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2056, Montenegro (R-29), would ask voters to ban ourselves from dropping off their early ballots by the Friday before Election Day. This bill will force many of us to wait in longer lines to vote, increase provisional and rejected ballots, disenfranchise rural and elderly voters, and generally make it harder to vote. Awaits a Senate floor vote. OPPOSE.
HCR2058, Heap (R-10), would blow up Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission (a nationwide model) by requiring it to hold its own “census” every 10 years to determine how many people live in Arizona and are verifiably US citizens. This would purposely undercount communities of color, depressing our federal funding. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. It would also be incredibly expensive. Awaits Senate Rules Committee. OPPOSE.
HCR2060, Toma (R-27), would ask voters to make it a state crime to cross a federal border without the required documentation. The bill gives local police immunity to arrest migrants crossing the border, enabling racial profiling without consequences. This likely unconstitutional bill could cost Arizona taxpayers at least $325 million a year. County attorneys and business leaders (GPEC, AZ Chamber, GPL) oppose. Ken Bennett (R-1) is withholding his vote pending numerous changes. Awaits a Senate floor vote. OPPOSE.
2024 Session Timeline
Sunday, 6/30 Constitutionally mandated deadline for a state budget
Flag this handy list of contact info, committee chairs and assignments, updated for 2024.
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Those districts are 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 17, 23, and 27. (Yes, we’re going to keep repeating this until November 5th, why do you ask?)
