STATEMENT: Bolding encourages Phoenix City Council to push forward street name policy change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2017

Contact. C. Murphy Hebert

602.926.5848

cmhebert@azleg.gov

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix (District 27), released this statement regarding the proposed update to Phoenix's street naming policy that the city council will consider Tuesday afternoon:

"I'm pleased to see the Phoenix Mayor and City Council respond to calls for action from members of the community who want to see street names reflect the city's commitment to inclusion and diversity. The current process does not provide a method to change offensive or derogatory street names that denigrate Phoenix's rich cultural and ethnic heritage.  

"The mayor and city council can and should update that policy as soon as possible. I am encouraged to see this issue on the meeting agenda for Tuesday and consider it an indication that city leaders recognize this as a priority. I urge all city council members to support this policy change. It's the right thing to do for our city."

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ACTION ALERT: Stop the Senate Attack on Affordable Health Care

After finally seeing the health care bill that U.S. Senate Republicans were working on behind closed doors, it became obvious why they kept it a secret.  It's flat out dangerous.

The problems came to light quickly after Republicans released the bill language last week. Millions of people could lose coverage. There are provisions that will hurt vulnerable populations, like kids, seniors and the working poor. It will also "wreck and wreak havoc" on Medicaid, which is called AHCCCS in Arizona.  And it effectively allows insurance companies to create an age tax, moving affordable health care out of reach for many.

Here is a brief rundown of some of the most onerous aspects of the bill:

• Reduces the tax credits for people in the middle class, which they use to afford their health care
• Allows insurance companies to charge up to five times as much for people over 50
• Cuts Medicaid spending even more than the House bill and removes care for seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities and kids. In Arizona about 400,000 people would lose the health care coverage they receive through AHCCCS
• Lets insurance companies deny coverage for maternity care, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment
• Cuts treatments for people with opioid disorders when we are facing an opioid epidemic
• Defunds Planned Parenthood, which affects the 2.4 million people who depend on the organization for care
• Could cost Arizona as much as $7.1 billion by 2026

This bill isn't bad for everyone though – it's a great deal for the rich and for insurance and drug companies. This version contains tax cuts for the rich that will let millionaires save about $55,000 every year by 2025.

One news outlet reported: "To put a finer point on it, the richest 400 households in the country would receive tax cuts worth $33 billion between 2019 and 2028. For some perspective, that’s about the same as the combined cost of maintaining Medicaid expansion in Alaska, Arkansas, Nevada, and West Virginia, according to a report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities."

This has to be stopped – it really is a matter of life and death. It is imperative that Arizonans tell Senators Flake and McCain to vote no on this health care disaster.  We've heard that their offices are being inundated with calls. That momentum must continue. Make your voice heard. Let them know they have a duty to #ProtectOurCare.

UPDATE:

Congratulations Rep. Fernandez!

Congratulations Rep. Charlene Fernandez, D-Yuma (District 4)! She received an award from Arizona Association of Community Managers due to her outstanding support of their legislative efforts.

June 21, 2017

STATEMENT: Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus urges appeal of court decision preventing 'dreamers' from receiving in-state tuition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20, 2017
Contact: C. Murphy Hebert
602-926-5848
cmhebert@azleg.gov

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX - Leaders of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus released this statement after the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that "dreamers" are not entitled to in-state tuition:

"Today's decision is a great disappointment. Dreamers have been granted deferred deportation status because they were brought here as children; some know no other home.  They have embraced our ideals of service, and the court's ruling will affect hundreds, possibility thousands, of students who are studying here. 

"The members of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus believe that our state is made stronger when those who are building lives here have access to affordable college. This decision is one step in a complex judicial process, and we hope the Maricopa County Community College District continues to seek justice for dreamers from the Arizona Supreme Court."

The bipartisan Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus has 17 members from both the state House and Senate. Members hold strategic leadership positions and promote legislation and policies that directly affect Latinos in Arizona. The caucus also encourages more Latinos to engage in the political process through public policy and community events.

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PRESS RELEASE: Friese urges Ducey to join U.S. Climate Alliance to honor Paris Climate Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2017

Contact: Jacqueline Sandoval

602-926-5848

jsandoval@azleg.gov

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Randy Friese, D-Tucson (District 9), delivered a letter to Gov. Doug Ducey, signed by 33 legislators, urging him to join the U.S. Climate Alliance and pledge Arizona's support for the Paris Climate Agreement. Friese's letter asked the governor to join a growing bipartisan group of mayors, governors, colleges, universities and business leaders from around the country who support climate action.

The goal of U.S. Climate Alliance members is to uphold the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement within their borders by reducing carbon dioxide emissions 26–28% from 2005 levels by 2025 and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan, all of which President Trump has promised to undo. The alliance will also serve as a forum for sharing information and best practices and would allow Arizona to take advantage of the collective knowledge that other states have to offer.

"As governor of the State of Arizona, Gov. Ducey has the power to send a strong signal that we will not be left behind. I strongly encourage him to join the U.S. Climate Alliance and commit Arizona as a global partner in the fight against climate change," said Friese.

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PRESS RELEASE: Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus to Stand in Solidarity with Texas Latino Community in Wake of SB 4 Legislation at NALEO Annual Conference in Dallas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 15, 2017                                       

Contact: C. Murphy Hebert 

602-926-5848                                            cmhebert@azleg.gov

                                                           

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Less than seven weeks after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 4 into law, the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus will join the nation’s largest gathering of Latino policymakers for a discussion on next steps during the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials 34th Annual Conference in Dallas.   

The three-day event, which will take place June 22-24, 2017, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, will bring together the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus with Texas lawmakers and colleagues from across the country as Latino policymakers join forces to strategize on how best to protect and support the immigrant community in the current political climate.

“In Arizona, we know the fight Texas has on its hands. We have seen similar harmful legislation when Arizona enacted SB 1070, which was one of the most destructive pieces of legislation that oppressed an entire community and which had a devastating economic impact in Arizona," stated Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson (District 19). "The Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus stands in solidarity with those who oppose SB 4 in Texas and look forward to joining colleagues in Texas to discuss a plan of action."

On Saturday, June 24, Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus members will participate in a special plenary session devoted to the newly signed legislation entitled, “Supporting the Lone Star State Post SB 4: How Latino Leaders Can Unite to Combat Anti-Immigrant Laws and Practices.” This plenary session will explore how different communities are responding to this new paradigm and how lessons learned from California’s Proposition 187 and Arizona’s SB 1070 can be applied to best support the immigrant community today and to mobilize toward increased civic participation. 

Following the plenary session, Arizona Latino Legislative Latino Caucus members will join Latino policymakers from California, Texas and across the nation for three working group break-out sessions focused on key issues relating to SB 4 and other similar anti-immigration measures. The meetings will focus on policy and legal tools that Latino policymakers can use to support immigrants, strategies for ensuring the immigrant community knows its rights, and an examination of the negative impact these laws have on state and local economies.

A number of Texas Latino elected officials who led the fight against the SB 4 legislation will be in attendance with the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus during the three-day event, including NALEO President and Dallas County Treasurer Pauline Medrano, Texas State Senator and Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus Chair Sylvia R. Garcia, Texas State Representative and Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chairman Rafael Anchia, Texas State Representative Cesar Blanco, Texas State Representative Armando Walle, Harris County Sherriff Ed Gonzalez and Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

More information on the NALEO 34th Annual Conference can be found at www.naleo.org/dallas2017.

The bipartisan Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus has 17 members from both the state House and Senate. Members hold strategic leadership positions and promote legislation and policies that directly affect Latinos in Arizona. The caucus also encourages more Latinos to engage in the political process through public policy and community events.

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We The People

This past legislative session, Arizonans have been engaged in the political process and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. We saw the effects of citizen participation. Arizonans testified in committee, called their legislators and mobilized their communities by sharing their stories. If we are going to make Arizona stronger, we have to continue to organize, train, network and plan. That is what the We the People Summit is about.

Hosted by organizations including Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition, Children's, Action Alliance, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and Ability360, and others the We the People Summit is a series designed to bring together individuals, grassroots organizations and established nonprofits to join forces in forming a message in support of progressive values to affect change in Arizona. Take a look at some of the workshops taking place by clicking this link

Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix (District 24), is one of the event organizers.  

"Over the last few months, we have seen a political awakening in the state of Arizona. It has been inspiring and invigorating. The We the People Summit series will focus that energy, educate individuals and empower organizations to take action. Please visit the website and take a look the workshops. Explore the issues and ideas that interest you, and join the conversation," Clark said.  

Your involvement in this process is vital to ensuring that your priorities for a better Arizona are being included. House Democrats want to guarantee that your voice is heard, which is why we need you to stay involved. Your voice matters, and it does make a difference.

Click here to register for the We the People Summit. 

STATEMENT: Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus supports efforts to remove, rename state Confederate monuments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 6, 2017

Contact: C. Murphy Hebert

602-926-5848

cmhebert@azleg.gov

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX- Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson (District 19), and Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe (District 26), support removing or renaming the state's six Confederate monuments.  Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix (District 27), and other community leaders are championing this effort. Espinoza and Mendez released this joint statement in response:

"The members of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus fully support removing or renaming Confederate monuments in our state. We stand with Representative Bolding and all the organizations calling for immediate action on this issue from Governor Ducey and the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names.

"The implications of continued celebration of the Confederacy are shameful, and they affect all people of color. It's past time to put an end to this so we can build an inclusive future."

The bipartisan Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus has 17 members from both the state House and Senate. Members hold strategic leadership positions and promote legislation and policies that directly affect Latinos in Arizona. The caucus also encourages more Latinos to engage in the political process through public policy and community events.

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ICYMI: Rep. Friese announces new coalition of state legislators to combat climate change

State Legislators United for Climate Action will serve as a clearinghouse for state legislative solutions to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement and take more aggressive local action to reduce climate change.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2017
Contact: Cheryl Cage, 520-360-9016/cherylcageAZ@gmail.com

Tucson, Arizona – State Representative Randy Friese, M.D. today announced the formation of a working coalition to encourage state legislators to unite against climate change.

“President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Change Accord is a complete abdication of responsibility and leadership,” said Representative Friese.

“It is time for all elected officials to stand up and be counted,” Rep. Friese continued. “For this reason I am working together with legislative leaders from all states to launch the State Legislators United for Climate Action coalition.”

Our members will be legislators who are firm in their support of the Paris Accord. The group’s mission will be to act as a clearinghouse of ideas to help legislators share solutions and gather the science available in order to draft and pass best-practices climate change legislation in their states.

 “We will ask every state legislator in the U.S. to join this cause,” Rep. Friese said. “I am confident that my colleagues, both in Arizona and around the country, will stand together to ensure our children inherit a healthy planet.”

Joining Representative Friese in this coalition kickoff is Representative Becky Carney, N.C. General Assembly, Representative Pricey Harrison, N.C. General Assembly and Representative Kirsten Engel, Arizona State Legislature.

The group is establishing a social media footprint with a current Facebook page (State Legislators United for Climate Action) and a website under construction, www.StateLegislatorsUnitedForClimateAction.org.

Rep. Randy Friese, M.D. is a trauma surgeon at the University of Arizona and is the Assistant Democratic Leader in the Arizona State House of Representatives.  Rep. Friese is also on the Board of Advisors for 314 Action, a national organization that is promoting evidence-based solutions to combat climate change and strengthen public health and education policy, and recruiting and training individuals with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math to run for public office. 

*This information provided by State Legislators United for Climate Action