April President's Message

Happy Spring to all! The good news is that we will be back at the County Civic Center again in April. The county had a construction project in the large meeting room during the month of March thus it was unavailable for use.

On Monday, March 27, Kathy Leaman, Beverly Goldstein, and I spent the day with AZ state Senator Wendy Rogers at the state capital. We were given a tour of the State Museum in the Administrative building. It has several exhibits describing the history of Arizona first as a Territory of the United States with appointed Governors through statehood in 1912.

I was so impressed by the number of classes of schoolchildren that came through the museum while we were there. The children were then taken to either the senate or house chambers with their guides. We had an opportunity to listen to questions from some of the children. It warms my heart to see the little ones being introduced to our state government where it happens.

After lunch, the Senate was in session, reviewing and voting on bills. During the session, Senator Rogers introduced Kathy, Beverly, and me, by name announcing that we are from Pinal County. There were many others in attendance who were also introduced. Following the session, Senator Rogers chaired the Election Committee. This meeting was the last committee meeting of this year's session. In the committee, there were five (5) Republican and three (3) Democrat members. They reviewed five bills that had been approved by the House and forwarded to the Senate. The review includes the introduction of individual bills, followed by public comments for or against the bill with questions being asked of them by the Senators in one case the House member who had introduced the bill under discussion, Alex Kolodin, was called into the Senate committee to answer questions on various section of the bill. Once the discussion is completed, the committee members vote. Each of the five bills passed out of committee and will be heard by the full Senate, followed by a vote. Each of the bills we heard was passed out of Committee and will be heard by the full Senate. Each of the votes was 5 Republican yes, 3 Democrat no.

Our Republicans have a one-member advantage in each house. They have written and approved many bills during the current session, however, Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs has or will veto the majority of those bills. In the current environment, we must hold the majority in both houses of the legislature and hold the line against the Democrats being able to advance and pass their bills. So far in this session, our Republicans have held the line against the Democrat legislation and even voted down some of the governor's appointees. Some bills, Hobbs has vetoed will be used against the Democrats as they run in the next election campaign. Other bills will be referred to the ballot where citizens will have the opportunity to vote for them.