Legislative schedule - week starting 3/30/2025 UPDATE

There's been an addition to this week's schedule of committee meetings at the state legislature.

On Thursday, 4/3 

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One committee meeting has been added.

Senate Director Nominations meets at 8 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; two agency director nominations.  Scheduled to be on the receiving end of Jake Hoffman's bile the committee's official questions - Paul E. Brierley for the AZ Department of Agriculture and Gaetano Testini, Industrial Commission of AZ

Of course,  the real target of Hoffman's bile will be AZ governor Katie Hobbs

From the governor's website -

Hobbs

Of course2, Hoffman may reserve some of his bile output for Adrian Fontes, AZ Secretary of State.  Hoffman spent some of is time this week introducing Alexander Kolodin, a far right candidate to replace Fontes.

From the AZSOS' website -

Fontes

A couple of new names in election races in AZ

One's not a surprise at all and one is a bit of surprise.

First up: the one that isn't a surprise.

From AZPM, written by Christopher Conover -

Adelita Grijalva enters CD 7 race

Adelita Grijalva announced Monday morning that she is entering the race to take her late father's place in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Grijalva has followed in her father's footsteps, serving on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board and on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

In a written statement, she said," I've spent my life as an advocate, fighting for the brighter future we all deserve."

As for the one that's a bit of a surprise:

From the statements of interest filed with the AZ Secretary of State -

From KJZZ, written by Camryn Sanchez -

Far-right candidate Rep. Alexander Kolodin joins 2026 Arizona secretary of state race

Far-right state Rep. Alexander Kolodin is challenging Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes in 2026.

The Scottsdale Republican began his campaign on Monday dodging questions about his history of claiming elections aren’t safe.

As of this writing, neither the FEC (in Grijalva's case) nor the AZ Secretary of State (in Kolodin's case) lists a campaign committee for either one one their respective websites.

In Grijalva's case, her entry into the Congressional race was long rumored; as for Kolodin, that was a bit of a surprise - the far right Freedom Caucus, of which Kolodin is a member, absolutely *hates* the current AZSOS, Adrian Fontes. and Kolodin wanted to be the first big name into the race.

My guess: he won't be the last.  The KJZZ story goes on to talk about how Gina Swoboda, the current chair of the AZGOP, is looking at the race, too.

Want to get out of paying hundreds of millions to bilked investors? Just buy a pardon from Cheeto.

Normally, I don't use this blog/outlet to write about the misdeeds of Cheeto, et. al. (that's what I use the social media app Bluesky for), but this one has Arizona ties.

From The Copper Courier -

Convicted of bilking investors, founder of Phoenix-based Nikola gets a presidential pardon

Nikola, which was a hot start-up and rising star on Wall Street before becoming enmeshed in scandal, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February.

Trevor Milton, the founder of electric vehicle start-up Nikola who was sentenced to prison last year for fraud, was pardoned by President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed Friday.

The pardon of Milton, who was sentenced to four years in prison for exaggerating the potential of his technology, could wipe out hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution that prosecutors were seeking for defrauded investors.

Milton, 42, and his wife donated more than $1.8 million to a Trump re-election campaign fund less than a month before the November election, according to the Federal Election Commission.

There are other links to Cheeto.

From later in the same story -

During his securities fraud case, Milton was defended by two lawyers with connections to Trump: Marc Mukasey, who has represented the Trump Organization; and Brad Bondi, the brother of Pam Bondi, who Trump appointed as U.S. Attorney General.

According to FEC records, Milton gave millions to Cheeto, RFK Jr., state and national Republican parties, state and national Libertarian parties, and Republican candidate all over the country.

Based on the pardon, it seems to have been money well spent.

Arizona has the "5 Cs"; the Arizona Legislature has the "2 Ps"

The state of Arizona has the 5 Cs - Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate.

The legislature of Arizona has the "2 Ps" - Partisanship and Personalities.

Partisanship = Ignore Democrats and anyone else who doesn't drink the Republicans' ideological Kool-Aid, and when that group isn't being ignored, hate 'em.

Personalities - Well... :)    

From the AZ Capitol Times, written by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services, dated 3/27/2025 -

Measure that could affect GOP 2026 race for governor advances

 The GOP head of the Arizona Freedom Caucus is advancing legislation that would 

bar fellow Republican Karrin Taylor Robson from becoming the next governor — 

even if she were to win the election.

 Strictly speaking, HCR 2037 which was approved by the Senate Government 

Committee on March 26, says nothing about the attorney and business 

consultant who formally jumped in the 2026 gubernatorial race earlier this year.

 But what the measure crafted by Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, does 

say is that no person is eligible to become a state elected official who, 

for two years prior to the primary, has been required to register as a paid lobbyist.

 And that happens to include Robson who as recently as January registered 

with the city of Phoenix that she is a lobbyist with AZ Strategies LLC. Robson 

is listed as the founder and president. That same city registration also lists 

Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest electric utility, as one of her clients. 

But a spokesman for APS said she ceased doing work for the utility in the 

fourth quarter of last year. And Resolution Copper Co., in its own filing with 

the Secretary of State’s Office, said Robson served as a lobbyist until this 

week.

Hoffman is an ally of Congressman Andy Biggs, right now, expected to be one of Robson's rivals in the R primary for governor.

Robson has Cheeto's endorsement.

Biggs has long been a Trump loyalist.

Guessing that Cheeto is hoping one drops out so he doesn't have to choose between them...and Hoffman is trying to use his position as a state legislator to force the one he doesn't favor out of the race.

Note: HCR2037 was created to a striker from Hoffman is Senate Government, where is passed on a party-line vote.

Note2 - Even if this measure makes it to the ballot and is approved by the voters, that would be *after* the primary; and I'm not sure how that would affect the race.

There have been other personality conflicts at the Capitol through the years, like any other workplace - when she was a state legislator, former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema was roundly disliked by other Democratic members and when she was governor, Jan Brewer was disliked by the Republican in the then-leadership of the state lege, who each felt that they should governor (OK, word was they had a problem with her being a "her", but I digress - she was a bad governor, but that has nothing to do with her gender.  As bad as she was, I still thought she was better than Dougie). Of course, Brewer and the lege leadership, seeing that it was an election year (and elected officials like to be called  "re-elected officials"), soon buried the hatchet...in the backs of immigrants... and passed and signed SB1070, the infamous "show your papers" law.

On the other hand, those conflicts have rarely been this brazen; maybe when Hoffman goes away, the atmosphere at the Capitol will be a little less hostile.

Raul Grijalva has been laid to rest. Now starts the horse race to replace him

This past week, the funeral was held for late Congressman Raul Grijalva.

Most serious candidates waited until afterward to drop the gloves/make an announcement.

So far, there have been no real surprises among the entrants.  In fact, the biggest surprises have been those who have announced that they are *not* running -

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero is out.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is out.

The biggest name who has announced entry into the race is Daniel Hernandez (biggest so far, because others may/will enter the race), a former state legislator and staffer for former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and he was credited with saving her life when she was shot.

The most interesting name, so far, may be that of Samantha Severson.  Only she and Hernandez have formed committees with the FEC.  In spite of that, I don't believe she's a serious candidate - she's acting as the treasurer for the campaign committee.

In 2022, someone by that name ran for state Attorney General as a Libertarian write-in candidate.

Legislative schedule - week starting 3/30/2025

This week runs the gamut of bad behavior from the legislature - some bad bills, some sneakiness, and putting out propaganda while using taxpayer-funded resources.

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4, generally at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, generally also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill become a very bad one. 

On Monday, 3/3 

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House and Senate Rules meet at 1 p.m. in their respective rooms.  On the agendas: many bills.  They may meet more than once this week, but, as of now, they're on the schedule once.

House Appropriations meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: 30 proposals, 12 of which have strikers proposed for them.  Includes David Livingston's striker proposed for SB1061 that would raise pay for legislators from Maricopa County;  Matt Gress' striker to SB1299, creating the "Safe Community Enforcement Fund" from monies in the "Smart and Safe Arizona Fund," created by AZ voters when we approved recreational marijuana.  Also includes SB1369, appropriating $2M from the state's General Fund for enhancing the recruitment of law enforcement personnel...which may seem too bad, until you realize that the requirements listed for some of the money are so specific as to constitute a way to get around the fact that the legislature is barred from creating legislation to requires a state agency to enter into a single source contract.

The measure failed in House Public Safety and Law Enforcement, was withdrawn from that committee, and is now on an Appropriations agenda.  On that agenda, 13 proposals, including this one, may be subject to a mass motion.

Senate Military Affairs and Border Security meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, one presentation.

On Tuesday, 4/1 

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Senate Appropriations meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: 15 bills.  Two bills have proposed strikers.  One is a proposal to appropriate $100K to train employees of group home to spot child sex trafficking. Also includes HB2918, which is about reducing state and local revenue; and HB2794, which is about redirecting tax money from the public to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The fiscal note attached to the bill states the local governments wouldn't be harmed by the bill.  

Other people, not controlled by the legislature, including Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego, disagree.

On Wednesday, 3/2 - Nada.

On Thursday, 3/3 

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House Ad Hoc Committee on Blaming Governor Hobbs for All That Ails Arizona Executive Budget Mismanagement meets at 8:30 a.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: no bills.  One presentation from JLBC on the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

Also on the agenda: inquisitions of questions for the directors of AHCCCS and DES.

There's been a lots of posturing from the legislature over their desire to cut funding that helps the underprivileged, perhaps to distract from their desire to protect funding for ESAs (school vouchers) for the wealthy.

Hobbs isn't having it.

Cheeto orders many voters to be disenfranchised. State-level elections officials push back.

And some folks, like AZ's Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, think that Cheeto may have another endgame in mind, one that goes beyond disenfranchising those who disagree with him.

From AP -

Trump signed an order to reshape how elections in the US are run. Is it constitutional?

With the stroke of his pen, President Donald Trump restructured the way Americans can register to vote and when they can cast their ballots. Or did he?

After the president signed his executive order Tuesday calling for broad election changes, such as proof of citizenship for voter registration and an Election Day return deadline for mailed ballots, election officials, state attorneys general and legal experts said it would face legal challenges for encroaching on state powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Nope, some folks believe that his ultimate goal is to disenfranchise *everyone.*

From Democracy Docket (emphasis added by me) -

Trump Anti-Voting Order Draws Furious Pushback

[snip]

Fontes called Trump’s order a “cheap substitute” for the SAVE Act — the GOP’s nationwide proof of citizenship bill — that he doesn’t think will pass through the Senate, but also offered a particularly nefarious reading of its true purpose: setting up a way to cancel the 2026 midterm elections.

“I genuinely believe that the Trump administration wants to cancel the 2026 elections so that he and his party can stay in power,” he said. “And we have to fight like hell against that by every means available.”

So State Sen. Jake Hoffman is a multitasker

He HATES almost everything.

In this week's schedule post, I observed that certain bills that were going before a legislative committee would be subjected to a striker, and that the text of those strikers hadn't been posted on the lege's website at that time.

Well, the content of those strikers have been posted (mostly).

Going before Senate Government tomorrow morning...

A striker to HB2233 that seeks to hobble the ACC.  Proposed by Hoffman.

A striker to HB2872 that seeks to hobble the governor.  Proposed by Hoffman.

A striker to HCR2037 that goes after school boards, city councils, town councils, county boards of supervisors, and state officers.  Proposed by Hoffman.

(Senate Military Affairs and Border Security was supposed to hear a striker on Monday, but the underlying bill was held in committee...and the text of the striker was never posted).

Hoffman is the chair of Senate Government.

Legislative schedule - week starting 3/23/2025

Lots of strikers this week as this is the final week for bills to be heard in committee, but that comes with one big caveat: the Appropriations committees of both chamber can still meet and consider bills.  So instead of members kissing the butts of "making nice with" most committee chairs so the committees will hear a bill, it'll just be the chairs of Appropriation.

The Appropriations chairs *love* this time of year.

Caveat: All information about strikers being on  (or not being on) a particular agenda are as of this writing.  Things can, and probably will, change at a moment's notice.

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4, generally at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, generally also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill become a very bad one. 

On Monday, 3/24 

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House and Senate Rules meet at 1 p.m. in their respective rooms.  On the agendas: many bills.  They may meet more than once this week, but, as of now, they're on the schedule once.

Senate Federalism meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2,  On the agenda: one bill.

Senate Finance meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 10 bills.  Includes proposed strikers for HB2125 and HB2654.

Senate Military Affairs and Border Security meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: two bills.  HB2687 is supposed to have a striker proposed but the text isn't yet available.  According to the committee agenda, it has the rather ominous working title of "government".

House Health & Human Services meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: 15 bills.  Includes proposed strikers for SB1347 and SB1555.

House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: 11 proposals.   Most read as if they were written by industry lobbyists. Includes proposed strikers for four bill - SB1150, SB1350, SB1706, and SB1709.

House Public Safety & Law Enforcement meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: 11 bills.  Includes proposed strikers for two bills - SB1233 and SB1714.  Also includes SB1053, Wendy Rogers' scheme to allow discharging a firearm closer to an occupied structure.

On Tuesday, 3/25 

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Senate Appropriations meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: 10 bills, no strikers listed.  Includes HB2606, a plan to to redirect $50 million from the state's General Fund to DPS to fund bigotry "border support."

Senate Natural Resources meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 23 proposals,  Most read like they were written by industry lobbyists but at least a couple are pure MAGA propaganda.  Includes a proposed striker for HB2091, from the "lobbyist" genus.

House Commerce meets at 2 p.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda: 12 bills, many pure propaganda.  Includes proposed strikers for two bills - SB1229 and SB1057.

House Education meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: 12 bills, no strikers as yet.

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water meets  at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: 11 bills.  Most bills and amendments read like they were written by industry lobbyists.  Includes proposed strikers for three bills - SB1134, SB1444, and SB1521.

House Regulatory Oversight meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: four bills, no proposed strikers as yet.  Two of the bills are anti-LGBTQ specials from Sen. John Kavanagh.  They would impact schools, but were never assigned to the House Education Committee.  Instead, they were assigned to House Government, and in perhaps a search for a more receptive committee, withdrawn from that committee and given to this one.

Hmmm...

On Wednesday, 3/26 

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House Judiciary meets at 8 a.m.in HHR4.  On the agenda: 22 bills.  Lots of propaganda.  Includes one striker, to SB1227 (text not available as yet), working title "ACJC; continuation; revision".

Senate Government Committee of Reference meets at 8 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, one sunset review.

Senate Government meets at 8:05 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 12 proposals.  Lots of propaganda.  Includes four proposed strikers (text not available as yet).  The proposed amendments for HB2233, HB2872, and HCR2037 have the same working title - "government."  The one for HB2868 is a same subject striker for a with a working title of "preferential treatment; discrimination; policies".

House International Trade meets at 8:30 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: one bill.

House Government meets at 9 a.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda: 21 bills.  No strikers as yet.  *Lots* of propaganda here, but my personal favorite is SB1649, increasing legislative authority over membership of many state boards and commission and removing subject matter expertise as a criteria for membership on a lot of them.

Senate Health and Human Services meets at 9 a.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: 10 bills.  Includes a prosed striker for HB2434 (text not available as yet), working title - "interoperability grants; health care; appropriation".

Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: seven bills.  Includes one striker, to HB2033, (text not available as yet), working title - "building permits".

House Ways & Means meets at 10 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: four proposals.  No strikers.  Brief agenda, but it makes up for that by being 100% bad.

Senate Education meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 10 bills.  Two proposed strikers - HB2067, (text not available as yet), working title - "school district governing boards"; and HB2172, (text not available as yet), working title - "parent training; schools; K-8 students".

Senate Judiciary and Elections meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: 20 proposals.  Lots of MAGA propaganda here.  Four proposed strikers - HB2129, (text not available as yet), working title - "election procedures"; HB2137, (text not available as yet), working title - "medical records"; HB2256, (text not available as yet), working title - "domestic proceedings"; and HB2680, (text not available as yet), working title - "sentencing enhancements; vulnerable; incapacitated; adult".

Senate Public Safety meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: six bills.  One proposed striker - HB2894, (text not available as yet), working title - "silver alert; criteria; notification".

House Appropriations meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1. On the agenda: 11 bills, no strikers.

House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: 10 bills, no strikers.  Lots of propaganda on this one.

House Science & Technology meets at 2 p.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda: three bills, no strikers

House Transportation & Infrastructure meets at 2 p.m.in HHR3.  On the agenda: 12 bills, no strikers.

On Thursday, 3/27 - Nada.

On Friday, 3/28 

-

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets in SHR109.  On the agenda: four reviews of audits.

Think Kari Lake has too much time on her hands now that VOA has been dismantled by Vlad's lackey?

 From The Bulwark -

Kari Lake Accosted Ruben Gallego at a Posh D.C. Club

INSIDE NED’S CLUB WASHINGTON, DC—the swanky new private members’ club featuring vintage gold and green furnishings, a renowned chef and mixologist, and a rooftop with views of the White House—cable news figures can often be seen holding court alongside an array of Democrats and Trump administration officials taking meetings, all of them free to relax in the same space outside the view of the public.

A recent chance encounter there between bitter 2024 campaign rivals, however, reveals how the overheated political climate is becoming less and less hospitable to cross-partisan bonhomie, particularly when immigration is a chief concern.

As Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) headed toward the elevator to leave on a recent late-winter day, he ran into his former opponent, the infamous Trump acolyte Kari Lake. As Gallego went for a handshake, Lake accepted it with both hands—a gesture that usually accompanies a warm greeting.

What she said was anything but that.

“How does it feel,” she asked, “to be bought and paid for by the cartels?”

Gallego was taken aback, according to a person familiar with the exchange. So, too, was Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), who was within earshot of two and blasted Lake—whom Trump tapped to lead Voice of America before dismantling it this week—for speaking that way to a U.S. senator.

My guess is that Lake isn't going away - she's going to run for *something* next year...and, like State Senator Wendy Rogers, every cycle until she wins something.

Is deputy dog catcher in La Paz County an elected position?

The men who would be governor and attorney general only care about one part of the population...

...(hint) and Democrats and Independents ain't part of it.

From the Phoenix New Times, written by T.J. L'Heureux -

A GOP congressman will speak at a town hall — for Republicans only

Tuesday night, voters will have a chance to hear directly from their elected officials. U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan — all Republicans — will speak at a town hall in Chandler.

There’s one catch: If you’re not a Republican, you can’t get in.

The town hall billing — written as “townhall” — comes from a flyer posted to the Legislative District 12 Republicans website. The Maricopa County Republican Committee is also listed as an organizer of the event, which will take place at 7030 W. Oakland Street.

From the website of the LD12 Republicans (pic taken in case they take it down) -

Biggs has started a committee for a run at Arizona governor while Petersen has his sights set on a run for Arizona attorney general.

If one, or both, is successful in gaining the office/object of his desire, expect government of the people, by a Republican, and for Republicans.

Even Trumpkins like Marco Rubio don't like criminals

Of course, he may not really believe that applies to Cheeto, Musk, himself, or their ilk, but he's on record as saying criminals don't belong here.

From the transcript of CBS' Face the Nation -

[snip]

I don't know how hard that is to understand. We want people- we don't want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety.

Under that standard (which doesn't seem to be Constitutionally sound, BTW), should we say "bye" to co-presidents Cheeto and Elon, or should we just wave as they leave?

And our waves will have more than one finger.  Trust me. :)

Can You Be Deported for What You Say?

From CNN -

Can You Be Deported for What You Say?

A Trump administration effort to deport prominent Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has sparked fear on college campuses across the country that other international students could be targeted for their views. A year after student protests unsettled the nation, we look at the new administration’s moves on college campuses and hear from someone worried even US citizens could soon be caught up in the crackdown.

Guests: Belinda Davis, Rutgers University Professor of History

Have a tip or question about the new Trump administration? Call us at 202-240-2895.

Short answer: In Trumpworld the First Amendment, and the rest of the U.S. Constitution doesn't apply.

So, *yes.*

,

AZ icon Raul Grijalva has passed. Now the horse race begins

Pic from https://www.commondreams.org/news/raul-grijalva

Long-time Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva passed away this past week after a long battle with cancer.

His family and friends may be focused on their grief and mourning his loss (as they should be), but for the rest of us, the focus is on filling his seat in Congress

From KOLD, written by J.D. Wallace -

Amid mourning, new election set for Grijalva congressional seat

The passing of Rep. Raul Grijalva has many in mourning and paying their respects.

During this difficult time, the process of electing the next member of Congress must continue.

On Friday, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that a special primary election will be Tuesday, July 15, and a special general election is set for Tuesday, Sept. 23.

One person who announced they will not be in the race is Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. Pima County Supervisor Dr. Matt Heinz has also said he will not run.

[snip]

Romero has already said she will not run while a campaign aide to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has said he is interested in running. Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late congressman, has yet to announce intentions either way as she mourns his passing.

On Friday on KAET's Horizon, the journalists there speculated that Romero, Heinz, (Adelita) Grijalva, and former state legislator (and aide to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords) Daniel Hernandez will look at the race to replace Congressman Grijalva.  Heinz and Romero have already said they won't run this year.

Thus far, eight people have filed statements of interest with the AZ Secretary of State; only one since his passing:

David Bies (D) 12/10/2024

Daniel Butierez (R) 12/17/2024.

Jimmy Rodriguez (R) 1/7/2025

Jorge Rivas (R) 1/30/2025

Andrew Becerra (D) 2/1/2025

Abdul Ghulam Habib (D) 2/12/2025

Raul Verdugo (R) 2/20/2025

Manuel Vega (D) 3/14/2025

Only two people have formed committees with the FEC, Rivas (see above), and Richard Grayson (No Labels) on 3/15/2025.

Both things will probably change this coming week.

My expectations/predictions:

1. It wouldn't be a surprise if Adelita Grijalva (or another Grijalva) is elected to serve out the remainder of Raul Grijalva's term in Congress.  This isn't a commentary on the internal politics of the district (it's not my district and I know very little about it), just an observation that Americans have a long history of electing spouses/children to serve out the truncated terms of late members of Congress.

2. No matter what happens this year, there *will* be a Democratic primary battle in 2026.  The district is a safe D seat, and those don't become available too often, not in Arizona.

3. 2026 will be an interesting year in AZ politics. and not just in this district.  If current AZ SOS Adrian Fontes gets in this race, that move will open up that race, too.

4 Someone from southern AZ politics who hasn't been speculated about will get in the race.

Let the horse race begin.

Legislative schedule - week starting 3/16/2025

There are some strikers this week, but more can be added at any time.

Also, an agenda for the Senate committee on Giving Jake Hoffman a Platform for Criticizing Governor Hobbs on the Taxpayer Dime on Director Nominations is not on the schedule, but given recent history, it wouldn't be a surprise to see one added.

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4, generally at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, generally also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill become a very bad one. 

On Monday, 3/17 

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Senate Federalism meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: one proposal. HCR2049. proclaiming the sovereignty of Arizona over matters not specifically delegated to others in the U.S. Constitution.

Senate Finance meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 10 proposals.  Includes HB2450, reducing the amount of Unemployment Insurance a recipient can be paid.

Senate Military Affairs and Border Security meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: four bills.  Includes HB2606, giving $50 million to DPS for "border support".

House Health & Human Services meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: 16 bills. Includes a striker to SB1081 from Selina Bliss that would implement a timeline on complaints sent to a health profession regulatory board.

House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: four bills.  Includes SB1066 and SB1109, MAGA propaganda bills relating to foreign entities owning land here.

House Public Safety & Law Enforcement meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: six bills.  Includes a striker to SB1231, regarding the voluntary prohibited possessor list; a striker to SB1461 regarding military veteran status and prosecuting agencies; and a striker to SB1610 regarding a home buyer assistance program.

All three seem good and all three have been proposed by Democrat Aaron Marquez.  Which are two reasons why it will be something of a surprise if any of them actually pass.

On Tuesday,  3/18 

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Senate Appropriations meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda:  11 proposals.  Includes HB2389, seeking to reduce state General Fund revenue (the fiscal note attached to the bill says $73.8 million in FY2033): and HB2814 and HCR2015, which are about the legislature giving itself the authority to allocate federal Community Development Block Grants.

Senate Natural Resources meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 13 proposals.  Most read as if the were written by industry lobbyists.

House Commerce meets at 2 p.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda: nine bills.  Three are MAGA propaganda, one is very bad, and I'm not sure about the others.

House Education meets at 1:30 p.m.  On the agenda: 10 bills.  Includes SB1301, John Kavanagh's bill bill to include Asian American history in school curricula and SB1694, withholding state funding from higher ed schools that offers courses on DEI.

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water meets at 2 p.m. in HH3.  On the agenda: 11 bills, most of which read as if they were written by industry lobbyists.

House Regulatory Oversight meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: four bills.  Includes SB1096, a MAGA propaganda bill mandating the creation  of an "Arizona Bullion Depository"; and SB1237,  barring state employees, with certain exceptions, from doing telework.

House Regulatory Oversight meets at 3 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: one bill.   SB1432 purports to bar geoengineering related to climate control, but it seems so broadly written that it would bar the use of sunscreen in Arizona (I am NOT a lawyer, so if I've misread and misinterpreted this, I expect that a reader who is one will correct me)

On Wednesday, 3/19 

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House Government meets at 9 a.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda: 10 bills.

House Judiciary meets at 9 a.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: nine bills, many bad.  Includes SB1013, barring municipalities and counties from implementing any kind of revenue increase unless the council of a municipality or county does so by a 2/3 vote.

House Ways & Means meets at 9 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: seven proposals, at least five bad ones.

Senate Government meets at 9 a.m.in SHR1.  On the agenda: 15 proposals.  13 bad and/or propaganda.

Senate Health and Human Services meet at 9 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: 12 bills, at least 6 bad and/or propaganda.  Includes HB2438, barring changes to birth certificates resulting from a sex change.

Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: 11 proposals, eight bad and/or propaganda.  Includes HB2121 and HB2122, which are about imposing work requirements on SNAP recipients.

Senate Education meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: eight bills, seven bad and/or propaganda, plus there's a presentation from the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, which I presume will be about how lucrative the grift is how wonderful taking money from public schools and putting it into private pockets is.  Agenda includes HB2640, about the transfer of properties owned by a public school district to private hands.

Senate Judiciary and Elections meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: 16 proposals.  Includes HCR2057, the ploy by the legislative Rs to make things more difficult for voter-based initiatives to become ballot eligible.

Senate Public Safety meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: 13 proposals.

House Appropriations meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: four bills.

House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections meets at 2 p.m. in HHR4..  On the agenda: 10 bills.  Eight bad and/or propaganda,

House Science & Technology meets at 2 p.m.in HHR5.  On the agenda: no bills; three industry-given presentations.

House Transportation & Infrastructure meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: six proposals.  Includes SCR1002, Wendy Rogers' scheme to get rid of photo radar traffic enforcement in AZ.

On Thursday, 3/20 

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Senate Government meets at 9 a.m.in SHR1.  On the agenda: one bill. HB2722 would add a new chapter to AZ law allowing any taxpayer to sue when that taxpayer believes that  a public entity makes an expenditure of a public resource that isn't for a public purpose.