Highlights of the 51st Legislature First Regular Session

Appropriations

The Republican Majority has made tremendous strides in the past three years in balancing the books of the State of Arizona. We are already seeing signs that Arizona is one of a small number of states poised to come out of the lingering recession with solid growth and strong balance sheets. Budgeting is now required to be done not just for the current fiscal year but three years out. By FY 2016, we can now predict that Arizona will have a structurally balanced budget. Our annual revenues will exceed annual expenditures. This is impressive given the doomsayers who predicted massive cuts or increased taxes because of the end of the temporary one cent sales tax extension. In fact, the ending balance in FY 2014 is estimated at $304 million. The pessimistic predictions of an insurmountable fiscal cliff in FY 2014 have failed to materialize.

Leadership in the legislature has managed to maintain spending levels, but increase funding in just a few key areas. Total spending increased in FY 2014 by $289.9 million, or 3.35%. Noted below is additional spending above the JLBC baseline:

• K–12 Education – $99.1 million • DES – $57.4 million • Universities – $30.8 million • School Facilities – $13.8 million • Counties – $7.2 million

In addition, we have held on to the $450 million Rainy Day Fund, put in place last session to prepare us for emergencies.

Certain worthy budget items that were included in the Senate engrossed budget were stripped from the final budget passed by the Legislature. The Senate budget contained one-time funding of $850,000 for Graham County and $400,000 for Navajo County. These two counties continue to struggle financially, and this additional money was designed to provide short term relief to assist in the loss of county revenues.

The Senate engrossed budget also would have established a 3-year pilot program dedicated to online English language learner instruction. This program would have been funded for up to $3 million per year from the Structured English Immersion Fund. It would have provided a more efficient way to directly help students who are learning English as a second language. This component was also stripped from the final Legislative budget.

For the rest of the document, click here: 2013 Accomplishments of the Majority Caucus https://azsenaterepublicans.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/2013-accomplishments-of-the-majority-caucus.pdf

Senator Kelli Ward is this year’s recipient of the Whelan Leadership Award, presented by the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce. The award is given each year to a graduate of the Havasu Leadership Development program.

Senator Ward graduated in the 2007 class, after a nine month training program. Ward worked with her class to build Friendship Park at the Western Arizona Humane Society.

Senator Ward moved to Lake Havasu fourteen years ago, when she opened a medical practice with her mother. She is an active member of the Lake Havasu Rotary Club. She helps educate future physicians at Kingman Regional Medical Center where she serves as the Director of Medical Education.

Senator Ward received the Whelan Leadership award at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting June 7 in Lake Havasu.

“This evening, Governor Brewer summoned legislators to convene a special session to address the FY14 budget and Medicaid expansion. The special session was called without any consultation with Senate or House leadership, and was designed to commence at the precise moment it was conveyed. We are disappointed and stunned that the Governor and her staff would resort to such an unnecessary, impulsive and unprecedented tactic.

Since the beginning of the session, Senate and House leadership have made the budgetary process a top priority. Additionally, the debate regarding the full implementation of Obamacare in Arizona was already fully under way. In fact, these two specific items have not only consistently been a top legislative focus, but the other essential bills of the legislature have also been moving through our respective chambers. Instead of allowing the process to proceed in an orderly manner, the Governor made the impetuous decision to intercede and collude with the democrat minority in order to force an expedited vote on her sole legislative priority of Obamacare.

We are frustrated and bewildered by her overt hostility and disregard for the budgetary process which was already well under way. The blatant disrespect and reckless practices exhibited by this Executive are less than what was expected of her and more than should be tolerated.”

Senate President Andy Biggs has named Senator John McComish to the Workforce Arizona Council. The Council was formed in January by Executive Order from Governor Janice K. Brewer.

The Workforce Arizona Council provides leadership and direction and establishes policy for delivery of a quality workforce system. The centerpiece of the effort is a centralized, “one-step” workforce system in Arizona. The Workforce Arizona Council oversees more than 50 one-stop service centers, serving the employment and training needs of both job seekers and businesses throughout the state. The Council also reviews funding and resources of workforce development programs, increases public awareness of state workforce programs and improves communications between state agencies that work together to foster workforce development.

Members of the Council include people from the private sector, city and state government, large and small businesses, youth groups and higher education. The Senate President has two appointments. He named Senator Michele Reagan of Scottsdale along with Senator McComish

BY HOWARD FISCHER – CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX — State senators voted Wednesday to ensure that if you like to hang your clothes out on the line, you have a choice of new homes to buy.

Ditto parking your car on the street all night – or even painting your house chartreuse.

The legislation prohibits cities and counties from requiring home builders to establish “planned communities” as a condition of getting the requisite permits and zoning for a new development. Instead, that would be an option decided solely by the developer.

Nothing would preclude a requirement to ensure that residents in a subdivision contribute to maintaining common areas, walls or even privately owned streets.

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/griffin-87954-flag-new.html#ixzz2VYb9HaIz

Al Melvin Special To The Arizona Daily Star

It couldn’t have been a surprise for your readers to read an op-ed written by a liberal Democrat candidate and an attorney, claiming that tort reform doesn’t work (“Perceived benefits of tort reform vanish upon examination, so don’t believe lies” by Jo Holt and Grant Winston, May 26).

After all, the modern Democratic Party’s reliance on funding from trial lawyers is legendary. And those trial lawyers rely on abusive malpractice lawsuits to keep themselves in tailored suits sitting at the finest tables at the most expensive fundraisers for liberal politicians like Holt. But what is the point of writing an op-ed so easily debunked by anyone who knows how to use the Internet and any search engine?

Doing so shows a study by some professors – who themselves are linked to trial lawyers – who looked at only a portion of Texas’ health care system to try and debunk the success of tort reform. That same search also shows a truckload of evidence and statistics to show that tort reform has worked exactly as promised.

For the full article, click here:

http://azstarnet.com/news/opinion/guest-column-debunking-the-myths-against-tort-reform/article_f69a586d-e50c-5732-8c47-286c44401548.html

Arizona residents’ ability to utilize off-highway vehicles in the state’s federally managed forests will soon be enhanced thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Chester Crandell (R-Heber) and House Majority Leader David Gowan (R-Sierra Vista).

HB2551 (off-highway vehicles; use; authority; enforcement) began as legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Gowan and was drafted with the assistance of Arizona’s county sheriffs and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The bill later became a striker and was approved by the Senate on Tuesday. It is designed to protect public access to national forests by clarifying that state law enforcement may only impose off-highway vehicle restrictions on land under the jurisdiction of the state and open federal roads.

The legislation also gives the Arizona Game and Fish Department flexibility to decide whether to enforce restrictions on cross-country travel that could interfere with hunting, fishing and recreational activities. Senator Crandell’s amendment to HB2551 comes in response to federal travel management rules that place new and unprecedented restrictions. The federal actions have been met by a public outcry from local and state elected officials as well as hunters, sportsmen, campers and OHV users.

Navajo County Supervisor David Tenney has been among the most vocal opponents to the new rules. Rejecting the federal governments rationale, he stated, “For years, my family and I have hunted, fished and camped in the forest. Now, the Forest Service is telling me and my constituents that we can’t because of a policy decision that is out of touch with the customs and culture of our region. That’s not right.”

Testifying in the Senate Government Committee, Supervisor Tenney expressed his gratitude to Senator Crandell and Representative Gowan for their efforts. “This is a worthwhile cause. There are many citizens in my county and across the state who are thankful for this legislation.”

Supervisor Tenney’s comments were echoed by representatives of Arizona’s county sheriffs. “Arizona’s county sheriffs wholeheartedly endorse House Bill 2551 and appreciate the sponsors’ willingness to move this important legislation forward,” said Jen Sweeney, Deputy Director of the Arizona Association of Counties.

Arizona Game and Fish Commissioner Kurt Davis expressed the Commission’s unanimous support for the bill stating, “One purpose of this legislation is to reaffirm the Game and Fish Department’s leading role in protecting wildlife habitats while ensuring that the use of our law enforcement resources are not spent on efforts that, in some instances, unreasonably reduce the opportunities for Arizona’s families to fish, hunt, camp, or enjoy wildlife viewing or responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.”

Davis emphasized that the department’s education programs, scientific evaluation and law enforcement activities related to protecting wildlife habitats will continue and will be done without impeding Arizonan’s ability to enjoy the outdoors. “This legislation simply strengthens the department’s legally recognized role to manage wildlife across all our public lands and ensures that role is more appropriately recognized and respected,” he said.

Senator Crandell acknowledged the widespread public support for HB2551 stating, “As a father and grandfather, I have spent countless nights sleeping under the stars with my children and grandchildren. I am outraged that federal bureaucrats in Washington D.C. are trying to take that experience away. It’s time for Arizona to take a stand against these federal rules and I am proud to sponsor the legislation that will accomplish that.”

Representative Gowan agreed stating, “For too long, Arizona has stood by while federal agencies place more and more restrictions on our public lands. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation with Senator Crandell and look forward to protecting Arizona families’ right to enjoy the great forests of our state”

Senator Gail Griffin of Hereford has been appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Border Security Advisory Committee, Senate President Andy Biggs announced. Senator Griffin has been a member of the committee since March 2011.

Senator Griffin has a long history of working toward securing our borders and getting our message to the federal government that our borders are not safe. She knows firsthand the danger: her home sits just 15 minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border.

The purpose of the Joint Border Security Committee is (1) take testimony and other evidence regarding the international border; (2) analyze border crossing statistics; (3) analyze related crime statistics; (4) make recommendations to increase border security (5) make other recommendations deemed essential to the committee.

As part of its statutory duties, the committee is in charge of the Border Security Trust Fund, which is administered by the Arizona Treasurer. Monies from the fund can be used for any purpose regarding the construction and maintenance of a secure fence along the Arizona-Mexico border line on private, state or federal property. The fund accepts private donations online with the intention of using those donations to build the border fence.

The committee includes members of the Senate and House of Representatives, a number of county sheriffs and agency directors. Committee meetings are open to the public.

As Arizona citizens, we are all impacted in some form by our unsecured border. This committee plays a major role in bringing public awareness to the severity of the issues and consequences of the failed federal government policies in securing our borders.

Thirty-five state legislators and legislative staff from 26 states and Puerto Rico have been selected as Early Learning Fellows by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Now in its second year, the program exposes fellows to the latest research and state policy ideas during a yearlong series of webinars and meetings on how best to make sure young children get a positive start in life. Arizona State Senator Kelli Ward was selected as one of the 35 Fellows this year.

“The NCSL Early Learning Fellows Program provides opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research and best practices in early childhood education from experts in academia and public school districts,” said New Hampshire state Representative Mary Gile, last year’s fellow and chair of the House Education Committee. “Meetings and webinars offered stimulating, inspiring and affirming information from both theoretical and practical perspectives. I especially appreciated meeting and working with legislative colleagues from across the nation.”

The fellows were nominated by state leadership and selected based on their interest and commitment to a wide range of education, health, human services, state budget and other issues as they relate to early learning. In addition to exploring new research and policy ideas, lawmakers and staff will learn and strategize about federal initiatives, including the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting grants. This year’s efforts will build on the accomplishments made during last year’s inaugural program by giving fellows the latest informational tools on brain research, economic evaluation findings and evidence-based programs.

“There has been a great deal of research and interest in early learning in recent years, so the timing is ideal for NCSL to facilitate a program that brings the top stakeholders together for the benefit of our members,” said Bill Pound, executive director of NCSL.

The 2013-2014 Early Learning Fellows program kicked off May 1 and 2 during NCSL’s Spring Forum in Denver. A final meeting focusing on best practices and the latest science will be held Dec. 6 and 7 in Washington, D.C. Program expenses are covered by a grant from the Alliance for Early Success (formerly Birth to Five Policy Alliance). For more information, please visithttp://www.ncsl.org/fellows.

PHOENIX– “Every year, hundreds of young adults age out of Arizona’s foster care system. It is a big transition that comes with very little support, but there is new legislation intended to lighten the load, though it may only help a little.

At 12 years old, Monique Gilliam was put in foster care after her mother overdosed on prescription drugs and alcohol. She mostly lived in group homes and shelters. She never got a foster family.

“I always had something to prove,” Gilliam said of life in the system. “I had to prove I was tough enough not to get beat up. I had to prove I was independent enough that they didn’t have to do everything for me and tell me how to live my life.”

But in school, Gilliam was in control. Other girls would skip class, but Gilliam would go, even if it meant begging for bus fare. It was her way out of life in a group home.

“The sooner I enrolled in college, the sooner I could leave,” Gilliam said.

Gilliam graduated early, at the top of her class. When she turned 17, Gilliam had herself declared independent from the foster care system.

“I had no bed. I had no furniture. I had no kitchen supplies,” Gilliam said. “I didn’t have a vehicle. I didn’t have a driver’s license. I didn’t have insurance cards. I couldn’t take myself to the doctor. I couldn’t even sign a lease for an apartment.”

Still, she figured out how to get by. She went to college full time, took out loans and worked two jobs – 75 hours a week. At one point she took in her younger sister who had a new baby.

“I don’t think I slept for years through school,” she said. “I just graduated last year, and I don’t think I slept until that point.”

Gilliam’s experience should have been easier, according to Arizona Senator Adam Driggs. He sponsored a bill that would set up a five-year pilot program to ensure foster care alumni pay no tuition at Arizona state schools and community colleges.

“It’s an additional safety net for them to say you can plan on college,” Driggs said. “If you’re in the foster care system, start planning now when you’re 12, 13, 14, start planning now because college is attainable for you.”

The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting a formal vote in the House.”

To read the entire article click here: http://www.kjzz.org/content/1305/big-leap-aging-out-arizonas-foster-care-system

“There is finally good news on the horizon for education funding in Arizona.

As soon as the state economy began to show new signs of life, legislators came forward to discuss plans for immediate increases to our K-12 school system. This is a priority that many of us promised when you elected us in November.

I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats to determine funding priorities. With the difficult decisions that come with developing any budget, the overwhelming sentiment is that education needs to be at front of the line for funding increases.

This year, K-12 education in Arizona is expected to receive an $80 million increase in baseline funding. This is on top of the $56 million in new K-12 education funding the Legislature allocated last year.

These new funds may be used for programs, to be determined by each school district, for key areas such as teacher development, robust reading programs, new computers, classroom supplies, vocational education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

We have also crafted budget priorities to ensure our schools are safe and secure, with additional dollars going to the successful school-resource-officer program.

This is good news for students, parents and educators. And it is a good day when our elected officials can all agree that education truly is a priority in Arizona.”

We compare prices before buying a new car or a dishwasher. Why don’t we do the same with our health care? Senator Nancy Barto appeared on Arizona Horizon on Channel 8 in Phoenix to discuss her bill that would do just that.

http://www.azpbs.org/arizonahorizon/play.php?vidId=5814

KINGMAN – State Sen. Kelli Ward and her husband Mike are both physicians. She has a private practice in Lake Havasu City, he works in the Kingman Regional Medical Center emergency room. They sat down with Reporter Suzanne Adams, News Editor Alan Choate and Editor Rich Thurlow on Feb. 22 for a lengthy interview.

Part 1, published in the March 3 Miner, was focused on health care delivery from the perspective of a state senator who is also a physician, with Kelli Ward offering most of the input. This segment deals with health care in the age of the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare.

Miner: Can you give us an overview on the changes in medical care due to the Affordable Care Act?

Mike Ward: I think its important to emphasize that Kelli is very well aware that she ran on an anti-Obamacare message and was elected with over 71 percent of the district. She’s sensitive to that. We are, both. We don’t believe in it. Philosophically we don’t believe in it.

Kelli Ward: I believe in the free market. I think we are going far, far afield of the free market. There really is a great state of Maricopa. So much revolves around that area, which you know, the mega population is right there. But a lot of things they want to do there are not what would work for the whole rest of the state.

But I’ve had people from the Phoenix area, not legislators but other people, say, “Well, you need to tell your constituents what is good for them and what they want.” I think that’s one of the things wrong with government, is that people are patting their constituents on the head and saying, “Oh, honey, don’t worry. I know best and I’ll do what’s best for you.” I’m really striving to keep in touch with constituents and let them know what’s happening and get their input.

I like the lobbyists. I think that they’re great. I think they have great information. I equate them to drug reps. In my practice, I always had pharmaceutical reps come in. They have great information, cutting-edge technology and all these things. But I also have to remember the same with drug reps as with lobbyists – take everything with a grain of salt, because they have a product and that’s what they’re paid to sell you.

To read the full interview click here: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=55390

PHOENIX (CBS5) – “Drivers in Arizona see it almost daily – drivers texting behind the wheel. The potentially deadly behavior is not against the law.

“The majority of people know that it’s wrong, but they admitted to doing it anyway,” said Stephanie Dembowski of AAA Arizona.

That’s what one AAA survey showed when randomly polling their members.

Dembowski pointed to another annual AAA survey which measures members’ opinions about public affairs issues.

“What we found is that 92 percent of them said that they support a statewide ban on texting while driving.”

Those big numbers in favor of a ban aren’t just with AAA members.

“Most parents I talk to say, ‘Yes! This is what I want. I want a no texting while driving bill. It’s the right thing to do,'” said Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 11.

For five years now, Melvin has been trying to pass bills that outlaw texting while driving. The latest, Senate Bill 1241, banned wireless devices for teens during their first six months of having a license. It never received a hearing on the Senate floor.

Other state lawmakers have authored bills as well, but none of them have passed.”

To read the full article and to watch the interview, click here: http://www.kpho.com/story/21813596/arizona-remains-1-of-5-states-without-statewide-texting-ban

Senate President Andy Biggs and House Speaker Andy Tobin appear on Arizona Horizon to discuss the latest news from the state capitol, including whether progress is being made on the state budget and the latest with the push to expand Medicaid.

To watch the discussion, click here: http://www.azpbs.org/arizonahorizon/play.php?vidId=5753

“If you live in Arizona, State Sen. Gail Griffin wants you to be a cowboy on the fourth Saturday in July.

Break out your 10-gallon hat and check the spurs on your boots because thanks to our local State Senator, Arizona will once again recognize cowboys on July 27, 2013.

“National Day of the Cowboy encourages people to observe and celebrate the contributions the men and women known as cowboys have made to American history and culture and the economic impact cowboys contribute via ranching and rodeos,” states SB 1139.

As chairman of the Senate Government and Environment Committee, Griffin used the “striker” maneuver to move the bill onto a vote by the full Senate, which passed the measure. Similar legislation is moving through the House, and with its expected approval, the bill will land on the governor’s desk in the near future, awaiting her signature to complete the process.”

To continue reading this article click here: http://www.svherald.com/content/opinion/2013/03/25/349892

An Arizona lawmaker wants to create state-level penalties for schools that violate a federal law prohibiting them from releasing students’ private information to non-educational entities.

“When we’re going outside the scope of education and giving this type of private information to anybody, it’s really a problem,” said Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix.

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act already prohibits schools from disclosing student records without consent. Exceptions to that rule include schools releasing “directory information” such as students’ names, phone numbers and addresses unless a parent or student signs a non-disclosure form.

Penalties for violating the law can include a school, district or charter losing all of its federal funding.

Under SB 1450, knowingly committing a FERPA violation would cost up to 10 percent of an entity’s monthly state funding disbursement. The cuts would remain in place until the violation is corrected.

The bill won unanimous approval from the Senate. The House Education Committee endorsed it Monday, March 18, on a 6-3 party-line vote.

Yee said the bill followed two years of research into FERPA violations at Arizona schools. She told the committee she heard of a few violations, including one instance of school officials giving a mobile dentistry provider students’ medical insurance information. The company used the information to contact parents and get approval to complete dental work on children, she said.

“These are personalized sheets of information with your home information and your student identifier numbers and they should not be leaving the school campus – but they are,” she said.

Follow the link to read the full article: http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/032313_leg_ferpa/lawmaker-establish-state-penalties-schools-privacy-violations/

“Recently, Maricopa County contracted to purchase 450 bulletproof vests to protect our law-enforcement officers.

The purchase will be made over a three-year period and will cost an estimated $360,000. County officials believe this is a good price for the equipment, and we agree. But you don’t have to take our word. Our transparency website lists such transactions and other financial information about how your government spends your money.

All citizens have a right to detailed financial information about how your government spends your money. And now, with both the state and county OpenBooks websites, that information is easily obtained on the Internet. Just log on to maricopa.gov/openbooks or visit the state’s website at openbooks.az.gov.

At OpenBooks, you will find up-to-date financial data including revenue sources, departmental budgets, expenditures, bids, contracts, tax bills, audits, financial reports and bond ratings. You can research property tax rates for cities, school districts, community colleges and special districts.

We call this “transparency,” a fancy way of saying we’re trying to be open and aboveboard about what government is doing and how much it is spending.”

To continue reading this article click here: http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20130307state-county-transparent-finance-websites.html

Senator Reagan sat down with Senator Steve Gallardo to debate election reform bills that are moving forward in the legislature. To watch the debate, moderated by Channel 12’s Brahm Resnick, follow the links.

Part 1: http://bcove.me/ot69vljz

Part 2: http://bcove.me/ot69vljz