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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct 2, 2023 PHOENIX – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act, National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023 has adopted the theme "Advancing Access and Equity." This significant milestone serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges still faced by people with disabilities in the workforce. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has chosen a theme that echoes a collective call to action. "Advancing Access and Equity" underscores the need for tangible changes in workplace environments, attitudes, and policies. "Despite decades of progress and increased awareness, individuals with disabilities continue to experience disproportionately high rates of unemployment and underemployment," said Representative Jennifer Longdon, a longtime advocate, both inside and outside the Legislature, for people living with disabilities. "Disability should never be a barrier to employment; instead, it should be seen as an opportunity to embrace diverse talents and perspectives." This pressing issue demands a comprehensive response from society, businesses, and policymakers. To bridge the gap between promise and reality, the following actions are crucial: 1. Shifting Mindsets: It is imperative to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about disability. People with disabilities bring a wealth of skills and experiences to the workplace, and recognizing these abilities is essential in fostering inclusivity. 2. Investment in Accessible Infrastructure and Technologies: Businesses and organizations must invest in accessible infrastructure and technologies. From physical accommodations to digital tools, these resources empower individuals with disabilities to perform their jobs efficiently and contribute meaningfully to their workplaces. 3. Promoting Inclusive Policies: Policymakers play a pivotal role in driving change. By enforcing anti-discrimination laws and promoting policies that incentivize inclusive hiring practices, governments can create an environment where businesses are encouraged to diversify their workforce. 4. Education and Awareness: Educational institutions should focus on nurturing empathy and understanding among students. By instilling these values at an early age, future generations will contribute to a society where inclusivity is a natural and fundamental aspect of every workplace. Longdon added, "as we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we urge individuals, businesses, and governments to reflect on the theme of 'Advancing Access and Equity' and recognize people with disabilities at innovative problem solvers. It is only through collective efforts, proactive measures, and a commitment to inclusivity that we can transform the promise of equal opportunities into a reality for all." About National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM): National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has been observed annually in October since 1945. It celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. NDEAM is led by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) under the U.S. Department of Labor. About the Rehabilitation Act: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a landmark legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment, and in the employment practices of federal contractors. The act was pivotal in promoting equal opportunities and access for individuals with disabilities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2023 PHOENIX – Earlier this week, Senate President Warren Petersen appeared on a local news radio program and incorrectly stated multiple times that homeless shelters in Phoenix, including "the Zone" near the Capitol, "have empty beds right now." The comment was in defense of an amicus brief filed in federal court by Petersen and Speaker Ben Toma seeking authority to forcibly remove and jail people experiencing homelessness. “The fact is, with an ongoing affordable housing crisis and more than 28,000 Arizonans falling in and out of homelessness this year, the downtown Phoenix shelters are overwhelmed,” said Representative Analise Ortiz. Ortiz is working with other Democratic lawmakers, the Governor's staff, and service providers on comprehensive solutions that don't criminalize people for simply existing without shelter. "To go on the air and give the public the impression that people living outside at the Zone could simply step inside a shelter and find an empty bed is wrong and irresponsible," said Ortiz. "The experts working in our shelter network attest that there are only 2,182 shelter beds in Maricopa County. Yet, there are 5,000 adults currently on the waitlist for housing. There are essentially zero open beds and not enough permanent housing, so where exactly are people supposed to go?" Assistant House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos added that homelessness is a problem to solve, not a crime to prosecute. Indiscriminately sweeping people from the street and throwing them into jail will not solve this crisis. "The Republican proposal to use city police officers to forcibly remove vulnerable people from the street and incarcerate them is short-sighted and places the cost of homelessness squarely on the taxpayers," De Los Santos said. "It costs more money to lock someone up in prison than to pay for the drug treatment, mental health treatment, and housing resources to ensure vulnerable Arizonans are placed on a permanent path of financial independence." Republican lawmakers have also stood squarely opposed to community-based solutions, like the City of Scottsdale's successful effort working with a participating hotel to provide transitional housing for homeless families and veterans. House Republicans held a hearing in Scottsdale recently to question the mayor and stir up community opposition to the program. "It's frustrating when a city comes forward with a well-thought-out program that works, and Republicans rush out to preempt it," said Rep. Judy Schwiebert, who attended the hearing. "Scottsdale has an 84 percent success rate in this public-private partnership that’s helping their city’s senior residents and single families with children have safe, temporary shelter with wrap-around services to support them in getting rehoused. Too many of our neighbors are just one paycheck from losing their homes. We should be encouraging and standing behind success, not standing in its way." To that, Ortiz added, "If President Petersen is serious about tackling the root causes of homelessness, Democrats have been ready to start a bipartisan process of proposing real solutions. In fact, this week House and Senate Democrats convened the first meeting of our Housing Working Group, an intensive, weeks-long stakeholder process to draft language for legislation on housing and homelessness. We welcome Republican leadership to work seriously work with us and the homeless service providers who are on the frontlines every day. Those who are most directly impacted have been shouting from the rooftops that we do not have enough shelter beds, health care resources, or permanent housing and we can't solve that by throwing people in jail. It's time for Republican leadership to genuinely listen." You can hear President Petersen's radio interview here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 5, 2023 PHOENIX – Representative Jennifer Longdon said today she is more committed than ever to pass a firearms safe-storage law in Arizona after a toddler "got hold of a gun" and shot a father in the back earlier this morning at their apartment in Mesa. Thankfully, the man is expected to survive. Last session, Rep. Longdon introduced House Bill 2192, a safe-storage requirement for homes dubbed "Christian's Law" in honor of Christian Petillo of Gilbert, who at the age of 15 was accidentally shot and killed with an unsecured firearm while at a sleepover with friends. Although common-sense gun violence prevention measures like safe storage are supported by nearly 80 percent of Americans, Republicans blocked the effort and refused to hear the bill. "Today's near tragedy in Mesa is yet another wakeup call," said Longdon, herself a survivor of gun violence. "Preventable gun violence is a national health crisis, and there is no more preventable act of gun violence than an accidental shooting by a child. My bill, which I will reintroduce in January, simply says that guns stored at home, when not on your person or in use, be stored safely in a securely locked box, or be equipped with a key or combination lock. These locks are designed for quick access to the firearm if needed, but not quick access by a child. We should not wait until another life is lost to display some basic common sense."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 1, 2023 PHOENIX – The City of Scottsdale has delivered three proposals aimed at curtailing the proliferation of short-term rentals to the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and is confident they will become part of the league’s legislative agenda for the 2024 session of the Arizona Legislature. These proposals ask the Arizona Legislature to amend state law so that local governments can: (1) Cap the total number of short-term rentalsin their community, (2) Limit the density of short-term rentals in specified areas, (3) Establish separation requirements between short-term rentals. “It was a mistake for the Legislature to pre-empt and hamstring the ability of Arizona cities and towns to govern short-term rentals in our communities. Short-term rentals have their place, but our neighborhoods have paid a heavy price for lack of oversight as more and more of our housing stock is converted to unregulated short-term rentals. These common-sense proposals, which the Legislature should codify, will restore an important aspect of local control to cut down on party houses and other abuses.” -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2023 GRAND CANYON-- Members of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus praised President Joe Biden's long-awaited designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona. The new national monument will protect nearly 1 million acres north of the Grand Canyon including sacred Indigenous ancestral places, from uranium mining. The designation will also conserve public lands for future generations and protect wildlife and clean water sources. IPC Chairwoman Mae Peshlakai of Cameron, Rep. Myron Tsosie of Chinle and Theresa Hatathlie of Coal Mine Mesa, attended today's event where President Biden officially designated the monument. "We as Indigenous people have always been connected to Mother Earth, Father Sky, Mother Water and the Sacred Air – we are never separate from it. So, it's about time we are making the country aware that we are faced with crises and contamination from the uranium," said Chairwoman Peshlakai. "We need to protect the sacred elements. We're just happy for the Indigenous people surrounding the Grand Canyon, but for all other people as well, all walks of life, animals, plants. Those are sacred beings themselves. We are now here to protect them. We're so happy the President came out and made it a monument, and we're thankful to all the people who worked so hard, for so long, to make it happen. This is for all people to enjoy the serenity of the Canyon." Rep. Tsosie said it was a highly emotional experience witnessing the monument's designation, especially after setbacks under the Trump Administration to protect Oak Flat in Arizona and Bears Ears in Utah. "This sends a message about how the Biden Administration is taking into account sacred lands, sacred sites, our culture and our history so it can pass on to the next generation," Rep. Tsosie said. "Not just here but across the country. This administration, under the Antiquities Act, is using their power to finally give Indigenous voices a place at the table in the White House."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2023 PHOENIX – Just a week after the Legislature adjourned sine die following the longest session in history, Republicans plan a last-minute taxpayer-funded field trip to Kingman to distract from the Biden Administration's commitment to supporting and protecting Indigenous peoples and the environment. The joint Democratic members of the Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water (NREW), House Natural Resources, Energy and Water, and House Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs (LARA) Committees will not be participating in today’s politically motivated hearing. As the Ranking Democrat on the Senate NREW Committee, Senator Sundareshan (LD18) stated, “It is disappointing that after the longest session in our state’s history, Republicans have failed to learn the benefits of bipartisanship. The Democrats standby ready to participate in meaningful discussions on how the state can use our authority to implement policies that address climate change, protect our environment, and support Indigenous communities; however, this special meeting falls short of those priorities. Our state government should celebrate the investments and attention our most sacred natural features are receiving from the federal government, with the hope that they will be preserved for generations of Arizonans to come.” Representative Stahl Hamilton (LD21), Ranking Democrat on the House NREW Committee, added, “Designating the area surrounding the Grand Canyon as a national monument would protect it from uranium mining, which would protect underground aquifers and drinking water for the surrounding communities that rely on the supply and have already experienced the dangers of uranium mining. This last-minute special meeting calls for public testimony, but the community most directly impacted by this designation has already spoken. Efforts to establish this area as a national monument are spearheaded by a large group of Indigenous tribes seeking to have their land and their resources protected from harmful mining projects, our commitment is to support them.” Representative Lydia Hernandez (LD24), Ranking Democrat on the House LARA Committee, provided this context as well, “President Biden will be in Arizona on Tuesday to discuss what his administration is doing to address climate change and to discuss plans to designate land surrounding the Grand Canyon as the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Democrats were made aware of the special meeting on Friday evening, just one workday before the hearing is scheduled. This is insufficient time for committee members to arrange their schedules and make travel plans given the committee is being held out of town. This is a highly unusual and partisan way to run government, which doesn’t align with Democratic values or the commitment we made to our constituents to deliver real results.” ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2023 PHOENIX– Legislative Democrats lend needed votes to continue the dedicated half-cent sales tax to fund needed transportation investments for the country’s fastest-growing county, further building on the success the tax has delivered to the region and state since 1985 (nearly 40 years). “As is customary, Republicans have waited until the very last minute to pass widely popular legislation that invests in the daily lives of Arizonans,” Senate Leader Epstein said. “These infrastructure investments and improvements are desperately needed for economic development in Maricopa County and across the state. Prop 400E will create $40 billion in new income, increase local business sales by $113 billion, reduce traffic congestion throughout the valley, and create or support 32,000 jobs annually.Our state should not have had to wait until July 31st to see this measure, which has had legislative support since the start of session, get sent to the ballot. However, with the support of Arizonans cities and towns, I am proud to join my Democratic colleagues in delivering the key votes needed to send the extension of the regional transportation tax back to the voters of Maricopa County.” "Proposition 400 has helped our region grow and prosper for nearly 40 years," House Democratic Leader Lupe Contreras said. “More growth is on the way, so it is vital that we give Maricopa County voters the opportunity to extend that investment with a smart plan that meets the needs of all our residents, whether it’s freeways, streets, buses, or light rail. Democrats were determined to deliver on that plan. We stuck together and we overcame every obstacle put in our way. When Maricopa County voters approve this plan -- and I know they will -- then we can proudly say this bi-partisan effort improved the quality of life for generations to come." -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2023 PHOENIX – Rep. Mariana Sandoval called for stronger protections for Arizonans working outside in extreme heat after learning of the passing of Dario Mendoza, a 26-year-old farmworker who died after collapsing in a Yuma agricultural field last week amid a record heat wave. "Farmworkers are human beings who deserve dignified lives and safe working conditions," said Sandoval, who represents the Yuma area. "Mr. Mendoza's tragic passing is a sign that our state is failing farmworkers, who are not only the backbone of our agricultural sector, but who are also valued and cherished members of our community." Sandoval added, "That's why I'm calling on the Arizona House and Senate to pass legislation to protect all workers, including agricultural workers, from extreme heat by mandating standards for adequate rest, hydration, and shade. Mr. Mendoza leaves behind his longtime partner and two young children, and my heart goes out to them. I invite community members to donate to the GoFundMe set up by Mr. Mendoza's family to help cover funeral expenses." Link to GoFundMe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2023 PHOENIX – House Democratic Leaders released the following statement today after Governor Katie Hobbs' staff shared an analysis of Arizona's Education Savings Account program for private school vouchers, which has ballooned past its projected costs when Republicans passed it in 2022. Memo is attached. "This analysis confirms our worst fears: The unlimited voucher program is out of control and unsustainable," said Democratic Whip Nancy Gutierrez, a longtime public-school teacher. "There's no limit on how much can be spent, and it is on pace to cost nearly $1 billion when its original price tag was $33 million. That will put our budget shortfall at $320 million next year." Gutierrez added, "Also, Superintendent Horne and voucher advocates are wrong when they say vouchers will save the state money. The majority of recipients had not attended a public school before receiving a subsidy for private school or homeschooling so that's a new cost. And those who did switch are funded at the charter school funding level, which is higher than our per-student investment in district public schools so no savings there, either. This program has no academic standards, no transparency, no accountability, no oversight, and it's driving our state budget into a ditch. There are no easy answers on the horizon, but our Republican colleagues who approved this program must come to the table to help keep it under control before it puts every other priority in the state budget at risk." -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 24, 2023 TUCSON, Ariz. – Betty Villegas, a longtime affordable housing proponent and former Pima County Supervisor, will join the House Democratic Caucus as its newest member. The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed Villegas earlier today to replace former Legislative District 20 Representative and House Democratic Leader Andrés Cano, who recently resigned to attend graduate school at Harvard. Villegas is a third-generation Tucson native and currently serves as Director of South Tucson Housing and Community Development. She retired as Pima County Housing Program Manager in 2016. In 2020, Villegas was appointed to the Pima County Board of Supervisors to fill out the remaining term for Supervisor Richard Elias, who passed away in office. "I'm honored to have been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to replace Rep. Cano, who I have the pleasure of calling a dear friend," Villegas said. "I have been helping people achieve sustainable, affordable homeownership and economic prosperity throughout my career, and I am ready to work on those and other issues important to my district and Arizona. Our economy, public education, public health, climate and environmental justice, transportation and human rights are all equally important and interconnected. Together I know we can do better." "Betty Villegas brings deep Arizona roots, unmatched ties to her community, and a wealth of experience on one of our most important issues which is addressing the affordable housing crisis in our state," said House Democratic Leader Lupe Contreras. "We are honored to welcome her to our House Democratic family. " -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2023 PHOENIX – Legislative Democrats condemned the outlandish political theater Legislative Republicans displayed today during the Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression at Arizona’s Public Universities. The ongoing passion project of attacking our public education institutions has become an alarming regularity for the radical right-wing at the legislature that ironically brands themselves as “the Freedom Caucus.” The Democratic Committee Members released the following joint statement: “After the five-hour committee hearing today, it is clear that no one's freedom of speech was infringed in any way at Arizona State University. The T.W. Lewis Center event in question went on as planned, there was no effort to stop it, and the Center’s administrator's position was eliminated when T.W. Lewis withdrew his funding for the center. We stand in support of the First Amendment and ASU's Barrett, the Honors College faculty who expressed concern about the T.W. Lewis Center’s platforming of divisive far-right provocateurs in the name of intellectual discourse. Their letter questioned the decision making and mission of the Center but did not attempt to stop the event or silence its speakers. Just as the speakers had a right to exercise of their First Amendment rights, these faculty members had an equal right to speak. The irony of hosting a legislative hearing to judge one person’s speech as appropriate over another’s speech is not lost on us. We fear that the real consequence of this hearing will be the chilling of future speech of faculty members who will fear being dragged before a legislative committee to defend their own constitutional right. Since sending their letter, the authors (particularly those of color, Jewish or LGBTQ) have been added to a 'watch list' by right-wing bloggers and subsequently many have been doxed and endured targeted threats and harassment. Today's hearing was an extension and continuation of that harassment. The only First Amendment rights that have been impacted are those of Barrett faculty who spoke out about the College platforming and legitimizing extremists, conspiracy theorists and merchants of misinformation.” -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2023 PHOENIX – Educators in the House Democratic Caucus praised a legal opinion released today by Attorney General Kris Mayes that the State Board of Education has the sole statutory authority to govern Arizona's public school dual language immersion programs. Schools using the 50-50 dual immersion programs had recently come under political threat to withhold funding by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. The State Board also announced today that it plans no changes to its models and will take no action against schools using them. The opinion was requested by Democratic Representatives Jennifer Pawlik, Judy Schwiebert, Nancy Gutierrez and Laura Terech, all current or former public school classroom teachers. Pawlik, Schwiebert, Gutierrez and Terech released the following statement in response to the State Board's decision to keep dual language programs in place following the legal opinion: "This extremely effective program is one of four models approved by the State Board of Education for English language learner instruction. With school beginning this week, we are grateful for the quick response of Attorney General Mayes, and for clarifying that authority to evaluate and approve the programs rests with the State Board of Education. Schools may continue to use the effective dual language immersion programs without fearing loss of funding. This is a big win for students and parents who choose to enroll their children in dual language programs."