Don't let the AZ legislature bulldoze our voting rights and the ACC's environmental actions

It was a bad week for democracy at the Arizona Legislature as several committees and full House and Senate advanced bills to suppress votes (SB1593, HB2792, HB2793, HB2811), purge the Permanent Early Voting List (SB1485), and make ballot measures more difficult (SCR1024, HCR2001, HCR2016). They also moved forward with some bad energy and water bills.

The attacks on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and its clean energy rules inched forward with some amendments that fail to address the constitutional and public policy flaws. I know it gets a bit tiresome having to keep contacting your legislators about these bills, but I fear that if we let up, even a little bit, they will end up on the governor's desk.

HB2737 corporation commission actions; investigations (Parker: Barton, Biasiucci, et al.) was on the House Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar twice, but did not move after they adjourned early for legislators to attend a conservative gathering. This bill allows any legislator to challenge an action by the ACC (with a few limits in the amendment), sending it to the attorney general who could take it directly to the Arizona Supreme Court. A successful challenge would result in a hit to the ACC budget, affecting its ability to fulfill its responsibilities to regulate utilities and other entities.

HB2248 corporation commission; electric generation resources (Griffin) was amended in COW and now specifically preempts the ACC from directly or indirectly reducing carbon emissions and it establishes the current low renewable energy standard. It is still unconstitutional and still bad policy. Sadly, the House Speaker, Representative Bowers, is strongly supporting the bill. HB2248's twin in the Senate, SB1175 corporation commission; electric generation resources (Kerr: Gowan, Gray, et al.), passed out of the Senate Rules committee and awaits floor action. Senator Fann, President of the Senate, expressed support for it.

One other bill, SB1459 agency decisions; administrative reviews (Petersen), is also advancing to make the ACC subject to the same administrative process as agencies. That is inappropriate as it is a separate branch of government, not just another agency.

Please use this link to ask your legislators to oppose all four bills. Also consider a phone call to your legislators. You can find the legislators' numbers here.

Stop Attacks on Ballot Measures

Arizona: Call your Reps now to save ballot initiatives!

Republicans in Arizona are scared of the grassroots. That’s why they are pushing SB 1451, which would create burdens for people collecting ballot initiative signatures. The Arizona House Elections Committee will be hearing this bill tomorrow. SB 1451 has already passed the Senate, so our only hope is to stop this bill in the House.

SB 1451 would require petitions to be identified and submitted by each signature collector, adding unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles to the already intensive process of gathering signatures to qualify an initiative. This is an attempt to once again weaken voters’ right to put ballot measures to a vote of their fellow citizens.

Here’s what you can do to end this blatant attack on democracy in Arizona:

Check out our call page for phone numbers and ask your state representatives to vote NO on SB 1451.

Sample Script: 

For Republican House Representatives

Hello, my name is <YOUR NAME> and I am a constituent of Representative <NAME> from <YOUR TOWN>. I’m calling to express my concern about a bill that would undermine democracy in our state. SB 1451 would place onerous burdens on signature gatherers, . We should be facilitating access to ballot initiatives, not making it more difficult. Can I count on Representative <NAME> to vote NO SB 1451in the House?

If you're in Phoenix:

Help us pack the hearing this afternoon! One of the most impactful ways to hold the legislature accountable is to show up in person.

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 PM
Where: Hearing Room 4, 1700 West Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Oppose bills in State Legislature that will make ballot initiatives and voting harder

Since Arizona became a state in 1912, voters from all sides of the political spectrum have used the initiative process to advance important policy when politicians failed to act. Now, our legislators are going after this constitutional right!

The Arizona State Senate is voting on a proposal that would make it nearly impossible for grassroots groups to put an initiative on the ballot. SCR1023 and SB1451 would increase the difficulty and cost of placing an initiative on the ballot, making it impossible for average citizens to have their voices heard. This places an undue burden on citizen’s constitutional right to direct democracy and silences voters. Make a quick call to your state senator now and tell them to vote NO on SCR1023 and SB1451.

On the bright side, SCR 1023, the bill that would make the initiative process even more burdensome for Arizonans was held on the Senate floor yesterday. The bill is still very much alive in the process, but this is a sign that all of your calls and emails are working! 

Call your Senator and help us keep the pressure up!

For a quick way to get the number you need to call, click here.

SB 1072, which would impose a physical ID requirement on in-person early voting, will be heard on Tuesday afternoon in the House Elections Committee.  

If you live in any of the committee member’s districts, please contact them and urge them to vote NO on SB 1072. 

Kelly Townsend (Chair)	LD 16	R	ktownsend@azleg.gov	602.926.3298
Frank Carroll (Vice-Chair)	LD 22	R	fcarroll@azleg.gov	602.926.3249
Shawnna Bolick	LD 20	R	sbolick@azleg.gov	602.926.3244
John Fillmore	LD 16	R	jfillmore@azleg.gov	602.926.3187
Jennifer Jermaine	LD 18	D	jjermaine@azleg.gov	602.926.5170
Warren Petersen	LD 12	R	wpetersen@azleg.gov	602.926.4136
Diego Rodriguez	LD 27	D	drodriguez@azleg.gov	602.926.3285
Athena Salman	LD 26	D	asalman@azleg.gov	602.926.4858
Raquel Teran	LD 30	D	rteran@azleg.gov	602.926.3308
Bob Thorpe	LD 6	R	bthorpe@azleg.gov	602.926.5219