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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."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2023 PHOENIX – State Representative Myron Tsosie is calling for a thorough and serious investigation by military and local authorities into underage sex trafficking after a 14-year-old Indigenous girl was discovered in barracks with a Marine at Camp Pendleton, California. The girl had been missing for about two weeks after running away. Relatives of the girl alleged that she had "been sold to a soldier for sex." She has since been returned to her family. The Marine was taken into custody but later released pending further investigation. "We need to hold authorities and the military accountable," said Tsosie, D-Chinle. "According to relatives, this young girl is a member of an Indigenous tribe. Because of the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people in Arizona and around the country, this is a very sensitive issue that hits many of us personally. I am glad to hear the girl is safe and with family, but the authorities must investigate this matter thoroughly and hold anyone who compromised this girl's safety accountable. Indigenous communities everywhere are watching this closely." -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2023 PHOENIX – The City of Scottsdale recently announced it would use a $940,000 grand from the Arizona Department of Housing's Homeless Shelter and Services fund to continue a successful program to provide shelter in hotels and services to seniors, families and single mothers experiencing homelessness. LD 4 Senator Christine Marsh and Representative Laura Terech, both Democrats, today expressed support for Scottsdale's proactive efforts to address homelessness and the affordable housing crisis, and decried efforts to stoke fear about a successful program that has not created complaints or hazards previously. "It's important to understand that there is nothing new about what the City of Scottsdale is doing except the level of state investment in their success," Terech said. "And it has been successful in transitioning seniors, families and single moms with kids out of homelessness over 80 percent of the time, with zero calls for police service or crime associated with the program. The bottom line is this was successful program now has an additional $940,000 to make an impact that our community desperately needs. Any attempt to stop this work or attack city officials is unconscionable as our state is facing a historic housing shortage and record-setting hot temperatures. No community is immune from homelessness or the affordable housing crisis, and Scottsdale should be supported for doing its part." Marsh added, “It's simple: this program is working but fails to play into the extremist narrative that our homeless population is dangerous and unworthy of investment. As elected officials, it is not our job to stand in the way of progress. The city has found a path forward that supports some of our most vulnerable and makes our society safer in the long run. I am excited to see the work these new funds make possible and look forward to supporting the city in this work.” -30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2023 PHOENIX – Representative Cesar Aguilar said today's decision by the conservative Supreme Court overruling President Biden's student loan forgiveness program will needlessly crush tens of millions of young Americans – including nearly 900,000 in Arizona – with higher education debt. Aguilar, former Executive Director of the Arizona Students Association, added support for President Biden's next steps, which will use other authorized methods to address student debt in spite of the politically charged ruling. "For far too long student loan providers who work with the federal government have profited off the backs of Americans seeking a higher education, generating $5 billion a month on student loans. With this extreme Supreme Court ruling against President Biden’s Student Debt Cancelation plan, Americans will have less money in their pockets to pay for bills, goods and services strained by inflation. This action will lead to less consumer spending and will reduce economic growth. Nearly 900,000 mostly younger Arizonans hold student debt, about 13 percent of our population and the 15th highest number of borrowers in the country. When Republicans say this court decision will impact wealthier Americans, they are wrong. This ruling impacts the middle class who took out loans to afford to go to college. The conversation around student loans also must center on who is actually profiting off the backs of people seeking to contribute to our economy and society. When families are spending their whole lives paying for student debt, how is that right, or even legal? President Biden reminded everyone today that taxpayers bailed out businesses by forgiving PPP loans during the pandemic, which cost the nation $760 billion. In comparison, the President's plan to cancel student debt would have benefited middle-income working families who were also impacted by the pandemic, and would have cost only $400 billion, but with stronger economic benefits throughout the whole state as younger Arizonans could have bought homes, started businesses and grown their families free from crushing student debt." Details on President Biden's next steps for student debt relief can be found here.