“I try to do what I can. I’m 80 years old and I’m going to fight for this country,”

-Arizona Protestor at the Capitol

This Week At The Legislature

It was another busy week at the Capitol, with four days of committees hearing 24 bills and reviews of five different agencies and medical boards. In Health and Human Services two bills related to oversight of midwives were lengthily debated but ultimately held from a vote. Stakeholders will seek further input as we look to increase patient safety in response to the deaths of a mom and baby under care of a midwife that had multiple infractions yet was still practicing. Three other bills constricted SNAP eligibility and types of food recipients could buy, and one directing hospitals and health care providers to ask patients their immigration status. Democrats vocally rejected all three.

If you are ever curious what bills are being heard in a committee you can access past and current agendas via the AZ Legislative website Standing Committee Search.

Thanks to you all you signed in in support of my bill HB 2641, it passed unanimously 15-0 out of committee with testimony provided by the Professional Fire Fighters Association and an esteemed University of Arizona cancer researcher. Next steps are to keep the bill moving through the process to reach a vote on the House floor.  

Colorado River Update

Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke presented to our Natural Resources, Energy, and Water committee this week and described the tense Colorado River negotiations between the states as being “far, far away from a deal”. The clock is ticking to reach an agreement by the end between the Upper and Lower Basins.

The Upper Basin states (Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico) assert that the Lower Basin states (Arizona, California and Nevada) are over using their water allocations. However, Arizona has been vigorous over the past two decades in increasing our conservation and efficiency measures and uses significantly lower water than our allowed 7.5 million acre feet.

Showing strength in alignment, the legislature is working with ADWR and the Governors office to ensure that Arizona is in a strong position in these negotiations, appropriating money to a legal fund if there is no agreement between the basins reached by the end of the year.  

For more information and resources to get involved in water efforts check out -  Coalition For Protecting Arizona’s Lifeline

In Solidarity

On Monday, House Democrats shared messages of support for Minnesota and spoke about what our own constituents are experiencing as ICE presence increases across Arizona. You can watch the video of our caucus remarks here and read the news coverage here. I commented that at that very moment, multiple high schools were walking out in protest of ICE and immigration tactics. And as the week progressed, so did the student led protests.

More than 30 high schools across Phoenix participated in student-led walkouts, with others in Buckeye, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Tucson, San Luis, Mesa, Sierra Vista and beyond.

I spoke with several of these students, and their stories deeply center the humanitarian crisis we are creating. Many shared how the terror of ICE is affecting their sleep, their younger siblings, their ability to focus in school, and their sense of safety. Some described the fear of saying goodbye to their parents each morning, afraid they won’t come home after work. One student shared how her father is avoiding needed medical care for a serious kidney condition because he is afraid of the risks going to work and to the doctor, as the sole provider for his family.

These students are courageously powerful. Students who can’t vote and aren’t aligned with a political party, but who know that what is happening to their friends, families, and communities across the country is wrong, and they are choosing to act. This growing response to ICE is bringing people together across the spectrum, from 8 to 80 years old, united by the belief that no one should live in constant fear of losing their family simply for existing.

Student led protests this week around the state

Standing with Attorney General Mayes, who has been a vital voice in protecting Arizonans across our state, from rural communities watching their groundwater run dry, to tenants facing unsafe and sub-standard living conditions, to patients and providers navigating reproductive care, and to all of us confronting the gross neglect of our constitutional rights through ICE overreach.

Listen to her message below.

With kindness,

Upcoming Events

Community Corner

Sharing a resource to support those outside our boundaries but in our community spirit. Harvest from the Heart is a non-profit in Minneapolis that serves anyone in need of food. They are now providing delivery services to people that are too scared to leave their homes due to the surge of ICE presence in their city.

If you want to do something to help, donate any amount you can to help others there.

Local Eats

We were thrilled to host our campaign kickoff at the Green Woodpecker! Named after a historic Park Central flower shop, it is a local owned business and one of my favorite places to grab a quick bite and hang for a bit on their patio.

To fill the restaurant with great LD 5 neighbors and friends was a delight. I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to kickoff my campaign and show appreciation to all our supporters.

Check out the Green Woodpecker for tacos, beer, and Monday night trivia.