The Arizona House of Representatives continues to make inroads across the world.
Last week, members of the Arizona House of Representatives hosted a delegation from the Republic of Indonesia at the state capitol. According to the press release from the state House, the delegation from the foreign nation was comprised of 12 individuals and consisted of “elected officials, government representatives, and business leaders.” The release revealed that Rahayu Saraswati Dhirakanya Djojohadikusumo, “a recently elected member of the People’s Representative Council, Indonesia’s House of Representatives, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (GERINDRA),” led the delegation to Arizona.
House Speaker Ben Toma, Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, Representative Justin Wilmeth, and other legislators met the Indonesian delegation. Wilmeth, the Vice Chairman of the House International Trade Committee, issued a statement after the visit from the overseas group. He said, “It was a privilege to meet with the Indonesian delegation and exchange insights on potential trade and investment opportunities between Arizona and Indonesia. Through our discussions, it was evident that Arizona and Indonesia share a strong interest in fostering new opportunities in education, mining, and technology manufacturing. We look forward to exploring ways to strengthen our economic ties and foster mutually beneficial partnerships in the future.”
The Indonesian delegation’s visit to Arizona is another episode in a growing list of relationships that have been cultivated by the Arizona Legislature – particularly through this trade committee. The Committee has been active in traveling outside of the United States and welcoming delegations to its house (no pun intended).
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Republican Party of Arizona is fighting hard for Hispanic votes in the all-important 2024 November General Election.
Last week, the AZGOP released a Spanish-language ad, which will be running during the 2024 Copa America tournament. The ad features the chair of the state Republican Party, Gina Swoboda, and a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Steve Montenegro.
🚨 NEW AD: @AZGOP is hitting the airwaves during the 2024 @CopaAmerica_ENG with a Spanish-language ad! 📺🇺🇸
We’re committed to lowering the cost of living, empowering parents with education freedom, and making homeownership affordable for all Arizonans. pic.twitter.com/A6HXifHdR4
— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) June 22, 2024
In the short commercial, both Swoboda and Montenegro speak in Spanish to potential voters, noting the challenges facing everyone in the state – “high prices for food, gasoline, [and] homes; high crime; [and] protecting family rights in deciding what is the best education for their children.” They then highlight the commitment of the Arizona Republican Party “to protecting the American Dream” and coming alongside all families to help “achieve a better economy…in Arizona.”
The Pima County Democratic Party mocked the commercial from its state political rival. The “X” account for the county party wrote, “Spolier Alert. They’ll make a bunch of empty promises all while they get busy deporting your family members.”
Spolier Alert. 🚨🚨They'll make a bunch of empty promises all while they get busy deporting your family members. https://t.co/Qg4I8DxKBZ
— Pima County Democratic Party (@PimaDems) June 22, 2024
Republican State Senator Janae Shamp praised the effort, saying, “Keep the American Dream alive!!”
Recent polls across the country have indicated that Democrats may be losing support among the key Hispanic voting bloc in the upcoming election – and that Republicans have been picking up some of those voters. Last week, a poll from Equis of registered Latino voters showed that a majority of respondents have more trust for former President Donald J. Trump over President Joseph R. Biden when it comes to the issue of immigration (41-38).
An April poll from the New York Times / Siena College showed that Biden may only have a nine-point advantage over Trump with Hispanics (50-41). Also, a poll from Axios / Ipsos around that time showed Biden dropping twelve points from his previous support from Hispanics, falling to within single digits of his competitor (41-32).
Any shift in any significant voting bloc in November’s General Election could be the difference between Republican and Democrat victories and majorities in the crucial Grand Canyon swing state. Trump and Biden are vying for Arizona’s eleven Electoral College votes, and those tallies to the national total have been very hard to come by in the past two presidential contests. Additionally, Arizona has a very competitive U.S. Senate seat up for grabs, the control of the state legislature in the balance, and multiple propositions to determine state policies and constitutional amendments for the future.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An Arizona Legislative Republican solution to assist homebuilding in the state was signed into law.
Earlier this week, Governor Katie Hobbs signed SB 1162, which “establishes requirements relating to zoning ordinances and a housing needs assessment” – per the overview from the Arizona House of Representatives.
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Republicans Cut Local Government Red Tape to Speed Up Homebuilding and Lower Prices for Hardworking Arizonans pic.twitter.com/YwLWeTkwiD
According to the press release from the Arizona State Senate Republicans, the legislation “cuts the unnecessary government red tape, responsible for prolonging approvals on zoning applications needed for home construction to begin, by requiring local governments adhere to reasonable timelines to help expedite the homebuilding process in an effort to increase supply and lower prices.” It would also require “cities and towns to conduct and publish a housing needs study every five years to proactively assess current and anticipated demand for homes in order to swiftly respond to housing shortages.”
Senator Janae Shamp, the bill’s sponsor, cheered on the success of her proposal, writing, “Every hardworking citizen within the state of Arizona should be able to afford a home in a safe community. Unfortunately, the American dream of homeownership has become unattainable for many Arizonans over the past five years because of increased demand combined with irresponsible actions from local governments. Republicans at the Arizona Legislature are committed to solving Arizona’s housing shortage crisis, and this is just a small piece of the puzzle. Government helped create this problem, and we will continue to craft policy getting government out of the way so the free market can respond to our citizens’ needs.”
Shamp thanked one of her legislative partners in this specific effort and promised more action on behalf of Arizonans. She said, “I want to thank Representative Matt Gress for working on this legislation with me, and I look forward to taking additional action with Republican lawmakers to offset the crippling inflation Arizonans are struggling with under the Biden Administration.”
SB 1162 will go into effect 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns for the 2024 session.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
On Tuesday, Junelle Cavero was sworn in to fill the south Phoenix Arizona House Of Representatives seat vacated by Marcelino Quiñonez. The political consultant, small business owner, and community advocate was sworn in on Wednesday.
“In a time that calls for unwavering commitment to our communities, I am dedicated to being a tireless champion for reproductive justice, affordable housing and the economic issues affecting everyday Arizonans,” Cavero said in a press release. “I pledge to work night and day to serve and uplift the voices of working families and our communities.”
Cavero is the mother of two daughters and has lived in the South Mountain community for 10 years.
“Representative Cavero brings a wealth of business experience and political savvy to our Caucus, and we look forward to her joining our Caucus as soon as possible. We have no doubts she will hit the ground running as budget negotiations heat up and we take other significant votes for our state’s future,” House Democratic Leader Lupe Contreras added.
Quiñonez announced his resignation at the beginning of the month.
“As I reflect on my time in office, I am proud of many things, but especially the work I did to pass two bipartisan budgets that allocated more money to our public schools, the Arizona Housing Trust Fund and the arts,” his statement said.
Cavero’s appointment runs through the end of the year, but she previously entered the 2024 race for the seat she is now holding.
Democrats Leezah Sun, Amish Shah, and Jennifer Longdon preceded Quiñonez in leaving the House early this year.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
A bill to address Arizona’s homelessness crisis is advancing through the state legislature.
On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2782, which would “establish a new Homeless Shelter and Services Fund, create new criminal violations involving drugs in homeless service zones, [and] transfer $5,500,000 from the FY 2024 Housing Trust Fund deposit and $50,000,000 from the Consumer Remediation Subaccount” – according to the overview provided by the chamber.
The bill, which was sponsored by State Representative Matthew Gress, was approved along party lines, with a vote of 31-28 (with one member not voting).
Gress, a Republican, wrote, “Arizona’s homelessness crisis is among the worst in the country. Between 2013-2023, total homelessness has skyrocketed nearly 300%. Our voters want us to take decisive action, and it doesn’t involve building our way out of this challenge. We must fund adequate treatment for addiction and mental health, establish greater accountability for our providers and individuals living in the streets, and allow law enforcement to do their job and arrest people who break the law. HB 2782 advances all of these priorities.”
Arizona’s homelessness crisis is among the worst in the country.
Between 2013-2023, total homelessness has skyrocketed nearly 300%.
Our voters want us to take decisive action, and it doesn’t involve building our way out of this challenge.
The second-year lawmaker encouraged bipartisan cooperation on his proposal, stating, “I thank my Arizona House Republican colleagues for their support in passing this legislation and welcome House and Senate Democrats to take another look at this bill.”
The Cicero Institute responded to the positive action from the Arizona House on the bill, posting, “Thanks to the leadership of Matthew Gress, HB 2782 passed the Arizona house today. This legislation will do immense good in helping reduce homelessness and getting individuals the assistance they need for substance abuse and mental health challenges.”
Thanks to the leadership of @MatthewGress, HB 2782 passed the Arizona house today. This legislation will do immense good in helping reduce homelessness and getting individuals the assistance they need for substance abuse and mental health challenges. pic.twitter.com/gW2LiRcdxw
The legislation received a green light from the House Committee on Appropriations last month with a 9-7 partisan vote. One member was absent.
When HB 2782 was being considered in committee, the Arizona House Democrats Caucus’ “X” account attacked the bill, writing, “Rep. Matt Gress’s NIMBY bill to make homelessness in Arizona worse in now up in Appropriations. HB 2782 criminalizes homelessness and ties the hands of cities using successful solutions like providing hotel rooms for families transitioning from the streets.”
Rep. Matt Gress’s NIMBY bill to make homelessness in Arizona worse is now up in Appropriations. #HB2782 criminalizes homelessness and ties the hands of cities using successful solutions like providing hotel rooms for families transitioning from the streets.
In that committee hearing, Democrat State Representative Judy Schwiebert blasted Gress’ efforts, saying, “I’m really disappointed to see this grandstanding by the sponsor. It doesn’t provide real solutions.”
“I’m really disappointed to see this grandstanding by the sponsor. It doesn’t provide real solutions.” Rep @JudyForAZ was in the same fact-finding hearings as HB2782 sponsor Matt Gress and saw city programs for those experiencing homelessness that are effective (if underfunded). pic.twitter.com/oLi3aMbsKX
Republican State Representatives Selina Bliss, Lupe Diaz, David Livingston, and Julie Willoughby joined as co-sponsors on the bill.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from QuikTrip and Cicero Action support the bill. Representatives from Living United for Change in Arizona, Native American Connections, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Chicanos Por La Causa Inc., American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Arizona Public Health Association, Phoenix Community Alliance, The Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Arizona Housing Coalition, National Association of Social Workers – Arizona Chamber, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, League of Arizona Cities & Towns, and Vitalyst Health Foundation opposed the legislation.
HB 2782 now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
