Empowering Voters/
Defending Democracy
Action Alert:
And the beat goes on

The Legislature is backed up. Some bills the League has been following still remain in their chamber of origin, to be heard in Rules and possibly on the floor today. Others have crossed over to the other chamber and may be heard this week or throughout this month, in their assigned committees.

MOVING FORWARD, YOU MUST USE RTS AGAIN,
even if you already did so on a bill in the other chamber.
For all bills below, to have your voice heard contact the committee chairs and/or committee members (especially those in your district), or use RTS.
You can always GO to a hearing to watch, and before it starts you can even sign up to speak using a kiosk outside outside the hearing room.

Voters' Rights/Voter Suppression
House Elections Committee
Tuesday, 2 pm, House Hearing Room 4 (could change)

Find All Elections Committee members   HERE.
Chair: Kelly Townsend, ktownsend@azleg.gov , 602-926-4467
Vice-Chair: Frank Carroll, fcarroll@azleg.gov , 602-926-3249

The League SUPPORTS SB1054 -- Ugenti-Rita
As amended, requires a 5-day “cure period” for those with disqualified ballots in a federal election (3 days for other elections). Allows early ballots to be tallied beginning no earlier than 14 days before the election rather than 7 days before the election.
Our Stance:
A person's vote should count if at all possible. And this bill makes the process consistent across the state. (If there is a question about a person's signature, he/she can be contacted and the ballot fixed.) Allowing ballot counting to begin earlier will increase efficiency of the election process without doing harm.

The League OPPOSES SB1072 -- Ugenti-Rita
Requires ID for anyone who receive a ballot at polling location, including PEVL voters who have spoiled ballots and need a replacement. Also, allows an elector to update voter registration information at an on-site early voting location in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Instruction and Procedures Manual.
Our Stance:
League does not believe PEVL voters who has signed their envelopes as their form of ID, should be required to provide another form of ID.
Tax credits
New on our list
House Ways and Means Committee
Wednesday, 10 am, Senate Hearing Room 1 (could change)

Find Ways and Means Committee members  HERE.
Chair: Ben Toma (R-22), bToma@azleg.gov, 602-926-3298
Vice-Chair: Shawnna Bolick (R-20), sBolick@azleg.gov, 602-926-3244

The League OPPOSES SB1027 - Leach
Expands the tax credit to organizations that support individuals who have a chronic illness or physical disability, retroactive to tax year 2018. 
Our Stance:
"NO" to expansion of tax credits to individuals and corporations, which have grown to the point of severe impact on the availability of funds for financing public schools (and other needs). An in-depth review of all credits is needed.
 
The League OPPOSES SB1149 - Gray
The bill calls for a review of the original purpose of existing tax credits and the establishment of a standard for evaluating and measuring the success or failure of the credits.
Our Stance:
Sounds good on the surface, but does not strengthen the existing law sufficiently to truly inform the public. We would ask for an amendment to require public hearings on the annual report in both chambers, with formal votes taken to accept or reject the report so citizens know who stands where.
Transparency: Gifts to Legislatures
Senate Judiciary Committee
Thursday, 9 am , Senate Hearing Room 109 (could change)

Eddie Farnsworth (R-12)
Rick Gray (R-21)
Sonny Borrelli (R-25)
Vince Leach (R-11)
Lupe Contreras (D-19)
Andrea Dalessandro (D-2)
Martin Quezada (D-29)
#602-926-
5735 Chair
5413 Vice Ch.
5051
3106
5284
5342
5911

League OPPOSES HB2038 - Kavanagh
This bill would let lobbyists disclose only the price of what it costs to feed elected officials hosted at events and not the actual cost paid for their admission to the event. The bill is the brainchild of the Greater Phoenix Area Chamber of Commerce. The rationale is fairness: for example, two officials may attend the same event but one may sit at a less costly seat in the venue.
Our Stance:
The League's rationale for opposing is transparency . We think this violates the spirit of such. Instead of skipping the reporting of the cost of a seat entirely, report the ACTUAL COST.
More Tax Credits
Senate Finance Committee
Wednesday, 2 pm , Senate Hearing Room 1 (could change)

Find Finance Committee members  HERE.
Chair: JD Mesnard (R-17), JMesnard@azleg.gov, 602-926-4481
Vice-Chair: David Livingston (R22), DLivingston@azleg.gov, 602-926-4178

League OPPOSES HB2425 -- Weninger
The bill e xpands the types of things tax credits can be used for:
a. Capital items including playground equipment and shade structures for playground equipment but not for land, buildings or improvements to land or buildings; b. Community school meal programs; c. Student consumable health care supplies.
Our Stance:
The AZ Constitution says the State through its general revenue should adequately fund public schools ! This bill expansion into things that almost anyone would consider part of what every public school must have shows the inadequate support of public schools from State general revenues. Tax credits actually decrease such general revenues, and discriminate against low-income families who do not make enough to even quality for tax credits. Wealthier schools with students whose families direct their tax credits to their children's schools are the beneficiaries.
Use Request-to-Speak: azleg.gov
* "How to Use RTS" instructions here.
* Let us sign you up for RTS here.

House and Senate Rosters.
Legislative Committee assignments here. (Compiled by Civic Engagement Beyond Voting)

Find your district number here.
OUR STAND: VOTING RIGHTS
The League challenges all efforts and tactics that threaten our democracy and limit the ability of voters to exercise their right to vote. We support an accessible system of voter registration and election participation, with uniform and standardized procedures throughout the state. We believe in the election system principle that "every vote should count”. Providing for the broadest voter representation possible in elections should have a positive effect on voter participation.
Local Leagues around the State

Greater Tucson:  lwvgt.org
Metro Phoenix:  lwvmetrophoenix.org
Greater Verde Valley:  lwvverdevalley.com
Northwest Maricopa County:  nwmc.az.lwvnet.org
Central Yavapai County:  centralyavapai.az.lwvnet.org
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