Prescott Indivisible AZ Legislative Update, May 9, 2021

Prescott Indivisible AZ Legislature Updates
May 9, 2021

Mon. May 10 6p Special Education in AZ: A Push for Increased Funding. Join a powerhouse panel of special education parents, teachers, and advocates to discuss Special Education needs in Arizona public schools, including how K-12 budget cuts have decimated SPED funding and resources in AZ. Learn how lawmakers could use this year’s budget to provide for our students with special needs, and what you can do to push for these needed reforms. Panelists: Amanda Steele, K-12 Special Education, Michele Knowlton-Thorne, AZ Early Intervention Program, Raquel Mamani, Special Education Parent & Educator. On Facebook Live (you can view whether or not you have a Facebook account)

Sat. May 15 9a -noon Special Presentation, Anti-Racism Conversations with Friends & Family
Join Indivisibles from across the US Southern Region, Register here for the virtual event – Join Dr. David Campt and his colleagues from The Dialogue Company and learn how to directly address “racism skeptics” as well as how to increase your ability to positively influence the people within your circle of friends and family.

A history lesson re “Purity of the Ballot Box” (WaPo 5/9/21)

AZ LegislatIve Updates

Pay attention! May 10 will see a Final Read of SB 1485, the PEVL purge bill. SB1485 had a chance to pass on April 22 when the bill came up for a final floor vote in the Senate. Sen. Kelly Townsend-R LD16 caused the bill to fail when she sided with Democrats in a NO vote. Sen. Townsend was in favor of the bill and wants voting laws to become even more restrictive but she was against voting on any elections bills until after the audit. There is no end in sight for the audit, so what’s up with bringing this bill back? Senator Fann has a vote. (courtesy of Ruth Lambert, LD1 Update – READ)

Well, it’s now 2021, and women are still fighting. But as Elizabeth Warren also said, “What I’ve learned is that real change is very, very hard. But I’ve also learned that change is possible—if you fight for it.”

See critical updates in the Legislature Weekly for the coming week–-it’s a doozy (and not in a good way)! Voter suppression, attacks on teachers, and yet another wretched zombie bill are all on the docket.

THE CONTINUED FIGHT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Read the Full SOSAZ Weekly Education Report

As the session drags on, bills representing extremist views are popping up everywhere. We’re asking for your immediate action on the two below. Call or write Karen Fann – kfann@azleg.gov 602-926-5874 – our state senator, with your strong opposition. Pressure Gov. Ducey by calling 602-542-4331.

SB1532 now contains a last-minute amendment that mimics bills from Arkansas, Texas, Idaho, Tennessee and Florida. It would subject Arizona teachers to a $5,000 fine if they allow classroom discussions on “controversial” topics such as racism or fail to give equal weight to both sides of “divisive” issues. The surprise amendment, which lawmakers advanced without any public input, passed the House the same day it was introduced. It’s receiving national media attention. As this Forbes article, AZ GOP Hopes to Clamp Down on Teachers points out, “It’s hard to estimate just how chilling this bill would be for classroom teaching. How do you function as a responsible educator when the law requires you to teach things you know are wrong?” Read our statement opposing SB1532 here.

Meanwhile, privatization lobbyists are ramping up their well-funded pressure on lawmakers to pass “open enrollment on steroids” bill HB2427. This bill would ban school district boundaries, further eroding the value of neighborhood schools that serve as the anchor for local communities. We’ve learned the governor’s office is pushing for the bill as a priority this session.

There is one bright spot: On Monday, House lawmakers are expected to advance SCR1004, Instate Tuition for Dreamers asking voters to allow “Dreamers” (undocumented youth) to pay in-state tuition at Arizona’s three public universities, to the 2022 general election ballot. Making education affordable for these students is not only the right thing to do, but furthers the investment our state has already made in helping them become productive members of our workforce. (The resolution does not need Gov. Ducey’s signature.)

Contact:
Gov. Doug Ducey 602-542-4331 Twitter –  @dougducey
Sen. Karen Fann    kfann@azleg.gov 602-926-5874
Rep. Judy Burges     jburges@azleg.gov    602-926-3256
Rep. Qwang Nguyen   qnguyen@azleg.gov   602-926-3258

SB1452 – massive ESA voucher expansion – passed the Sen. and the House Ways & Means Cte on party lines – ready for a floor vote. Contact Sen. Fann.
SB1532 – now contains a surprise floor amendment to ban classroom discussion of “controversial” issues like racism and fine teachers $5,000–awaits a Senate final vote. Contact Sen. Fann.
SB1783 – tax cut designed to attack Prop 208 – passed the Senate and the House Ways & Means Cte – ready for a House floor vote. Contact Burges & Nguyen.
HB2427 – contains a striker reviving SB1685 to create open enrollment / forced attendance lotteries – awaits a final Senate vote (Call Sen Fann)
SB1280 – contains a striker reviving SB1683 to create “transportation support grants” for choice academies, including untested and unregulated private companies, even though charter schools already receive additional funding for transportation – awaits House Rules
SB1041 – STO voucher expansion – passed the full Senate and House Ways & Means on party lines, awaits House Rules
SB1118 – STO voucher expansion – passed the full Senate and House Ways & Means on party lines, awaits House Rules
SB1273 – STO voucher expansion – passed the Senate and House Ways & Means Committee on party lines – Call/Email Burges and Nguyen
Read the Full SOSAZ Weekly Education Report for bills that may get wrapped into the budget.
Kari Hull and Nicky Indicavitch are the No. AZ Outreach Coordinators for Save our Schools AZ Network.
nickyindicavitch@gmail.com kari@sosaznetwork.org 928.899.4388 (text or call)

SIERRA CLUB -The Sierra Club has many important bills for you to weigh in on this week – go tohttps://www.sierraclub.org/arizona/2021-legislative-updates

Wed., May 12, 6pm  Climate Change – Where Do We Go From Here?
Sponsored by No. AZ Climate Change Coalition, hear Brian Petersen who will spotlight why it is so polarizing despite overwhelming evidence that climate change is happening society remains divided on its causes and solutions. Open discussion and Q & A will be encouraged to explore potential ways for empowering society to address the
greatest challenge of our time. Petersen is a professor at Northern Arizona University and was a member of the steering committee for the City of Flagstaff Climate Change Action and Adaptation Plan.
Register Here: https://www.nazcca.org/registration-form-petersen   Once registered you will receive a zoom link the day before and day of the zoom event.

Mon., May 10 – Tomorrow at 1 -2pm CREATING FAIR REDISTRICTING MAPS IN ARIZONA Event by League of Women Voters of Northern Arizona, League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Phoenix
In 2021, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission will be redrawing Arizona’s congressional and legislative districts using data from the most recent census. Learn about redistricting and how to be part of this important process. Learn about People Powered Fair Maps, a LWV national initiative, and the AZ Independent Redistricting Commission
Register HERE.

Tuesday May 11, 8 am WATCH PARTY
Watch the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s meeting LIVE WITH CEBV! Click HERE for details and link
CEBV is testing a Zoom watch party so we can comment along with the AIRC meeting–join us for this experiment in viewing and commenting along. We will watch along for the first hour, however if 75% of the meeting is in executive session like last week, we will end early.

Invitation to Assist with Redistricting Communication

To assist in a statewide effort, contact a Prescott Indivisible Redistricting Liaison Maria Lynam (maria488@cableone.net) orMaria Elena Dunn (med4others@gmail.com) and find out how you can comment to the Independent Redistricting Commission. The IRC Tuesday meetings are open for public written comment from 9:30a on. (On May 11 the meeting starts at 8a and comment accepted after 8:30a) Written comment can also be made prior to the meeting, using “Contact Us” on the irc.az.org website.

What would a volunteer have to do? You will be sent a weekly email with talking points that you can rewrite and submit prior to the Tuesday IRC meetings via the Contact Us form on the website or during the meeting via an on-line form. Your input will make the Independent Redistricting Commissioners understand that the public is listening! You do not have to listen to the meeting unless you so desire. PLEASE STEP UP! This opportunity comes once every ten years!

KEEP CONTACTING SINEMA?
PLEASE KEEP UP THE PRESSURE – New Video
For the People Act and the Filibuster!

Senator Kyrsten continues to oppose the elimination of the filibuster. She continues to say little about her views on the matter, and sends inquiring constituents — of which there are many, some angrier than others — lengthy explanations defending her stance.
Continue to contact Sinema’s office via email or call: Washington Office – (202) 224-4521; Phoenix – (602) 598-7327; Tucson – (520) 639-7080
Don’t forget to leave your name and city/town. Remind her that you voted for her and contributed to her campaign and that she should listen to her constituents and vote against continuing the filibuster.

Reason for hope!

Trump was the GOP presidential nominee twice.
He lost the popular vote in 2016 by 2.8 million votes.
He lost the popular vote in 2020 by 6.8 million votes.
          During Trump’s tenure, Republicans lost control of the House and Senate.
          He is the only president to be impeached twice.
          He is the only president whose favorability ratings never rose above 50%.
          His average approval rating was 4 points lower than any of his predecessors.
          On Thursday, Senator Lindsey Graham sided with Trump over Liz Cheney, saying, “The Republican Party can’t grow without Trump.”
          Between Trump’s inauguration and departure from office, the percentage of voters identifying as Republican dropped from 31% to 26%.
We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent!
Robert B. Hubbell, Today’s Edition, May 8, 2021

Please Assist if Possible – Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation “No Questions Asked Food Pantry” – Open 10-noon M-F to accept donations, they will also accept checks to GPUUC and cash to purchase supplies. (FYI – For our new members: GPUUC has welcomed us over the past four years. We have used their main meeting room and the building across the street, Faith Development Center, for our activities.) Their current needs: Non-food items: toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, feminine necessities (pads); Food items: rice (white, please); pasta/noodles; fruit; fruit juice; granola bars; vegetables, canned (no green beans please); refried beans; tomatoes, canned; canned meats/beef stew; soup (canned and dry packets); jelly/preserves; honey; flour; baby food/baby cereal; cookies; pudding; tuna; stuffing mix; dried potatoes Condiments, etc.: Cooking oil; salt/spices; ketchup/mustard; hot sauce/salsa; coffee; cocoa/hot chocolate mix; nondairy creamer.

NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES

National
SENATOR MARK KELLY
PO Box 27202, Tucson, AZ 85726
https://markkelly.com
https://www.facebook.com/CaptMarkKelly/

SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA
825 B&C Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
contact@sinema.senate.gov

REPRESENTATIVE PAUL GOSAR
2057 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2315
6499 S. Kings Ranch Rd. #4, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 480-882-2697
220 N. 4th St., Kingman, AZ (by appt. only)
122 N. Cortez St., Suite 104, Prescott, AZ 86301 928-445-1683
http://paulgosar.house.gov/contact/

Arizona
GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY
State Capitol, 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 602.542.4331
http://azgovernor.gov/governor/form/contact-governor-ducey

Legislature     http://www.azleg.gov/
Senator Karen Fann   kfann@azleg.gov 602-926-5874
Rep. Judy Burges     jburges@azleg.gov    602-926-3256
Rep. Qwang Nguyen    qnguyen@azleg.gov    (602) 926-3258

Prescott
MAYOR GREG MENGARELLI
201 S. Cortez St. Prescott 928.777.1248