Here and Now - Legislative Wrap Up
We send them to the state's capitol to represent us when it comes to crafting new laws and setting a new state budget. This year, members of the 48th legislature tackled a number of significant issues. They increased penalties for drunk driving, developed a two-strikes and you're out law for businesses that hire illegal immigrants, and along the way managed to increase money for teacher pay, new roads/freeways and investments in bioscience. Here and Now looks at what lawmakers were able to do, and what they weren't. What do you think about the legislative session? Post your comment or question below!
Posted by
patkinson at
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Comments (9)
I hope you make the point that it was southern Arizona lawmakers that put the state first and party politics second. Just look at the budget and how both Democrats and Republicans worked together in the senate. What is it going to take for the House to do the same? New leadership?
If all the new budgetary priorities are so commendable, how come parents of severely disabled loved ones are just recently being squeezed so severely, beginning two months before the FY and end of session? Myself and other parents have been doing the States' dirty work for years for pay equivalent of sweat-shop labor; based upon arbitrary assignment of "payable" hours given to our kids; retractable at whim by political breezes.
Parents are easy prey; unwilling to give up care to institutions, unable to network due to privacy laws, too stressed emotionally and financially to launch a collective scream. We are an immorally exploited lot, and it is truly disgusting that all the "pretty" budget bling is to be sucked from the lives of our kids.
( I can't reveal my identity, as DDD is taking us to court over just such a "paid hour" issue. Being too public might jeopardize our case).
I disagree with Stan Barnes. I think those from rural AZ are more inclined to get things done. Even Ken Bennett reached across the aisle before Mr. Bee.
What am I listening to? The legislature is all about politics and standing up for what you believe in. Why should Republicans bend over and let Democrats have what they want?
Your guests are talking about a house leadership that is "polarized between the right (Weiers) and the left (Lopes).
Would they agree that the House Democrats played a key role in gettng the budget passed by sticking together?
Isn't it true that the House Democrats delivered most of the votes for the budget?
Michelle,
Thanks for your post. I'd like to ask you to repost it when we have the governor on July 12. (that blog will be up 6/28 Thursday) Or even call in. I doubt our guests today can adequately address your issue--which is an important one!
Thanks, Paul
Did the tax credit contribution extension provision - allowing up to April 15 to make these contributions as retroactive contributions for the prior year - suvive in the final budget?
I am disappointed that the Legis. didn't do more about energy and water conservation. I have lived here since 1970 and the Home Builders controlled the state then and still do. This morning's paper described a huge development soon to be built in the former Biosphere complex. McMansions are going up all over the place. Will water ever be considered before this type of deveopment is allowed in the future?
On the topic of tougher DUI issues, I think that it is really time to talk about why people are driving drunk and what things could be used to cut this aside from overcrowding jails. If we have the toughest DUI laws and yet DUI's have not decresed, isnt that a problem? Maybe a look into better public transportation and city planning might help.
