Legislative schedule - week starting 1/7/2024

They're baaaacccckkkkkk.  On Monday, the Arizona Legislature gavels back into session.  

And while things will be relatively quiet this week, a few of the nuggets of ugly will start moving through the legislative process by Tuesday.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 1/8 - No committee meetings are scheduled.  

That will change.

On Tuesday, 1/9 
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Senate Transportation, Technology, and Missing Children meets at 9 a.m.in SHR2. No bills on this agenda; just some ADOT-related presentations. 

I am wondering how transportation and technology are related to missing children.

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: three bills that read as if they were written by industry lobbyists...but are sponsored by the committee chair, Rep. Gail Griffin.  

They'll pass committee.

The phrase "nuggets of ugly" doesn't only cover culture war stuff; sometimes it refers to other things.

On Wednesday, 1/10 

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House Ways and Means meets at 9 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: some sunset reviews; no bills.

House Government meets at 10 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: some sunset reviews; no bills.

House Transportation & Infrastructure meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: a couple of "technical correction" /future vehicles for strikers.

Senate Education meets at 2 p.m.in SHR1.  On the agenda: a couple of board continuation measures.

Senate Military Affairs, Public Safety and Border Security meets at 2 p.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda:  No bills but eight "fear of the other" presentations.

On Thursday, 1/11 

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Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference meets at 9 a.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: some sunset reviews; no bills.

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Budgetary Funding Formulas meets at 9:30 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: some presentations; no bills.

Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference meets at 10 a.m. in SHR2.  More sunset reviews.

Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference and House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee of Reference meets at 11 a.m. in SHR2.  More sunset reviews

Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference and House Health and Human Services Committee of Reference meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: some sunset reviews; no bills.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/31/2023

Even though the week begins in 2023, six out of the seven days, and all meetings, occur in 2024.

One can tell it's near the end of the lege's intersession - there are lot's of sunset reviews this week.

But rest assured MAGA types - the Rs there will still find time to waste taxpayer money while promulgating some  R propaganda.

On Monday, 1/1/2024 - it's a holiday, so there are no meetings.

On Tuesday, 1/2 - Nada.

On Wednesday, 1/3 

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Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference and House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference meets at 9 a.m. in HHR1.   Three items on the agenda: sunset reviews of Arizona Department of Child Safety, Foster Care Review Board, and the Arizona Adult Protective Services System.

Joint Legislative Psychiatric Hospital Review Council meets at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the earlier committee in SHR1.

On Thursday, 1/4 

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Senate Transportation and Technology Committee of Reference and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of Reference meets at 8 a.m. in SHR1.  Sunset review of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression at Arizona's Public Universities meets at 10 a.m. or upon adjournment of the earlier committee in SHR109.

Propaganda-spewing on tap.

Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1 to receive some presentations.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/24/2023

The week of Christmas will be a quiet one at the legislature - nothing is on the schedule there.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/17/2023

I was truly expecting that the week before Christmas would be a quiet one at the Capitol, but apparently, there are some things that can't be put off.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 12/18 

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I normally don't cover non-legislative events here, but on Monday, Adrian Fontes, the Arizona Secretary of State, will conduct a drawing to set the order of the names on AZ's Presidential Preference Election (primary) ballots.

If Cheeto isn't listed first, I expect MAGA types will claim the process was fraudulent.

But  that's not what I'm thinking couldn't be put off.  That would be on 

Tuesday, 12/19 

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House Ethics meets at 9 a.m.in HHR4.  They'll be considering the matter of Democratic Rep. Leezah Sun.

On 12/20 and 12/21 -

Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/10/2023

It's shaping up to be a relatively busy week at the Capitol as they look to finish up some of their intersession work before the start of the new legislative session.  And before they take a break for the holidays.

But not so busy they won't have time to engage in some propaganda-spewing.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 12/11 

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Joint Study Committee on Statewide Animal Control Standards meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  

On Tuesday, 12/12 

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House Ad Hoc Committee on Antisemitism in Education meets at 9 a.m. in HHR1.  The agenda is sparse (it only has a call to order, public testimony, and an adjournment on it) but this should be colorful.  To put it mildly.

Just a guess:  State Sens. Justine Wadsack and Wendy Rogers probably won't be there.

House Committee on International Trade meets at 10 a.m. on the House Floor.  They're scheduled to receive presentations from a Consul and other luminaries.  But none from Mexico, Arizona's largest trading partner.

That wouldn't comport with the Rs' bigoted ideology.

On Wednesday, 12/13 - Nada.

On Thursday, 12/14 

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Joint Legislative Budget Committee meets at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  They'll be avoiding the public at this one.  There's both an executive session (no public attendees) and a consent agenda (no testimony from the public) on the meeting agenda.  Nothing else.

Joint Committee on Capital Review meets at 2:15 p.m. or when the first committee adjourns.  Nothing here but a consent agenda.

Federal Committee update - Oops on my part edition

Well, almost..

First, the update -

Initially, I thought this was a misfile on the candidate's part as I thought he's running for a seat in the AZ Senate.  However, I've seen his introduction video and he's actually running for U.S. Senate.

Normally, I wouldn't cover a quixotic candidate (I believe that he's got a snowball's chance in Phoenix...in July...of winning that primary) except for his (apparent) oopsie.

Ummmm...U.S. Senate seats are statewide seats, not districted.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/3/2023

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday 12/4 and Tuesday 12/5 - 

Nada.

On Wednesday, 12/6 

-

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.

On the agenda and scheduled to present to the committee/be in for a grilling:

The office of the state's Auditor General (a legislative employee, so probably not going to get grilled too hard)

The Governor's Office (considering how much the Republicans in the lege hate Governor Hobbs, this is probably going to be where the Rs on the committee practice their bile-spewing)

Department of Administration

Department of Economic Security

AHCCCS

There are other items on the agenda, too.

On Thursday 12/7 - 

Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/26/2023

The Rs in the legislature commemorate the holiday season not by serving up ham and turkey to the hungry, but by acting like hams and turkeys while serving up red meat for the base.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 11/27 

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Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression at Arizona's Public Universities meets at 10 a.m. in SHR109.  They're scheduled to make some remarks, take testimony from some folks who'll claim to have been harmed by a university for espousing conservative views. And to make some more remarks.

With the R members of being who they are (Kern, Borrelli, Wadsack, Nguyen, etc.), the comments should be colorful.

To say the least.

Joint Study Committee on Statewide Animal Control Standards meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  I expect this meeting to be less colorful, but as the committee is chaired by John Kavanagh, "colorful" is a threat to happen.

Kari Lake may be saying good things trying to make nice with the folks she trashed last year. Her actions suggest that she hasn't really changed.

First up: The federal committee update.

It's official - failed AG candidate Abe Hamadeh is in the CD8 R primary.  He's formed a committee with the FEC.

Next: Kari Lake may be saying the right things, but she seems to be proving that when someone's words tell one story and their actions tell a different story.

The actions?

Working with another election denier.

From the FEC (emphasis added by me) -

Cynic that I am, I'm not sure that being seen as anti-democracy hurts her with the R base.

On the other hand, being seen as a liar may not help her.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/19/2023

I admit, I was expecting next week to be very quiet, mostly because of the holiday.  As it turns out, I was wrong - there's one intersession meeting on Monday.

It'll be relatively quiet though - the spewing of propaganda/red meat for the Republican base is on tap for the following week

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 11/20 

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Joint Study Committee on on Statewide Animal Control Standards meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: a presentation/Q&A session with the executive director of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board and a discussion of standards of care in animal shelters

Happy Thanksgiving!

Federal Committees update

No real surprises here, though there is some scary unbridled optimism presented.

Franks forming a committee in no surprise, as he's already announced that he's seeking to be elected to the seat (CD8) he resigned from in disgrace.

Republican Becker was a 2022 primary candidate for the CD7 seat held by Democrat Raul Grijalva.  She lost in the primary then but WAS adjudicated to be competent...to assist in her own defense.

She's seeking the seat again, but even R voters may not want that to be the primary qualification of one of their candidates.

The middle two are PACs which I don't normally cover here, but they share two things with Kari Lake's primary candidate committee -

1. The treasurer, Bradley Crate.

2. The mailing address.  From the FEC - 

My only question is a rather cynical one - how much of the money raised through the PACs will be funneled to Cheeto's defense team?

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/12/2023

This week shouldn't be as busy as last week.  But what it lacks in interim committee activity it may make up for in fireworks.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 11/13 

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Joint Study Committee on Statewide Animal Control Standards meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  This committee is chaired by Sen. John Kavanagh, so it'll produce whatever some industry lobbyist wants it to produce.

On Tuesday, 11/14  

-

House Ad Hoc Committee on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Governance and Oversight meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  This interim committee is chaired by the Speaker of the AZ House of Representatives, Ben Toma.  Of the committee membership, one is currently affiliated the corporate lobbying group, the Goldwater Institute, one used to be, and is currently with the AZ Charter Schools Association (AZ CSA), one is a director of AZ CSA, and the last one is one of Tom Horne's minions who is also scheduled to present to the committee.

Yes, the fix is in.

Toma is in the CD8 primary so the fireworks may come from when he justifies blowing a hole in the state budget in order to protect a fraud perpetrated upon the people of Arizona.

Which may help him win that primary, but would also show him to be a lousy public servant and human being.

Which also may help in that primary - he'd fit right in with the R caucus in the US House.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/5/2023

This week is going to be a relatively busy one at the Capitol for an intersession week.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 11/6 

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House Ad Hoc Study Committee on San Tan Valley Fire Coverage meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.  As San Tan Valley is unincorporated, the is no tax-supported firefighting organization there. The only firefighting coverage there is provided by Rural/Metro, a private, for profit, corporation.  The corporation has a representative on the committee who will be presenting to the committee as well.

On Wednesday, 11/8 

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House Ad Hoc Committee on Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  This committee is actually chaired by a Democratic member, Rep. Jennifer Longdon,  As such, I expect that any recommendations put forward by this committee to be thoroughly ignored once the full legislature is back in session.

On Thursday, 11/9 

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Joint Legislative Budget Committee meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: A review of inmate healthcare contract rates at the Department of Corrections.  As this committee is chaired by Sen. John Kavanagh, I expect the recommendation here to be "let 'em die...just in way that most profits a corporation."

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/22/2023

This is basically another rerun of my post of 9/22.

Nada.

As in "nothing official scheduled as of this writing."

As in, "regular Arizonans should be verrrry worried."

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

Federal Committee update

 

Democrat Nez is a former President of the Navajo Nation who's seeking the Congressional seat currently held by stone bigot Eli Crane.

In 2020, he was a Presidential elector for the eventual winner, Joe Biden.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/20/2023

This is basically a rerun of my post of 9/22.

Nada.

As in "nothing official scheduled as of this writing."

As in, "regular Arizonans should be verrrry worried."

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/15/2023

There are going to be lots of interim committee meetings at the Capitol this week; many/most of them will be all about propagating Republican propaganda.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday 10/16 

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House Ad Hoc Committee on Oversight, Accountability and Big Tech meets at 9:30 a.m. in HHR3 to hear diatribes presentations on technology companies.

Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Water Security meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.  They'll be reviewing/accepting presentations on bills from previous legislative sessions.

Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Study Committee meets at 1 p.m.in SHR1.  It's a joint committee.  The fix seems be in here - not only is one of the committee members is giving a presentation, that person is an industry executive.

Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Air Quality and Energy meets at 3 p.m. in SHR1.  This one looks to be focused on gasoline.

Also, the two reservations for community events at the Capitol look to be part of the "propaganda" theme.

On Friday, 10/20 

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Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee meets at 8 a.m. in SHR1.  They'll meet to hear presentations from anti-vaxxers, including two from a lawyer who represents an anti-vaxxer group.

Oh, and the only testimony on the agenda is from a sports gambling writer who blames the Covid vaccine for her suffering a stroke.

What's not part of any meeting and/or agenda?

Fixing the state's budget.

Of course, the hole in the state budget is due to legislative irresponsibility so why should they start acting like responsible public servants now? 

Federal Committees update

From the website of the FEC -

Republican Lake is failed 2022 candidate for Governor who's running for the US Senate seat currently held by former Democrat Kyrsten Sinema.   The FEC filing only makes official something that all observers already knew.  My guess is that the only real difference this will make is that there won't be any more (planted?) stories about how she's "considering" a run.

Republican Winn is a former senior campaign staffer for current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.  She's running is CD6, currently held by Republican Juan Ciscomani, setting up a primary.

Republican Jasser is running in CD4 for the seat currently held by Democrat Greg Stanton.  He's best known as a Muslim who hates other Muslims.

Democrat Newman seems to be a quixotic candidate for POTUS.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/08/2023

There'll be one (relatively) busy day this week.

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday,  10/9, Wednesday, 10/11, and Thursday, 10/12 - Nada.

On Tuesday, 10 10 

- 

Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) meets at 9:30 a.m. in SHR1.  The agenda includes an executive session (two items; one which will be considered via consent), a consent agenda (where all items on it will be considered en masse with no testimony taken), and a regular agenda (where each item on it is considered individually).

To be considered: items from the AZAG, AZSOS, and the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Much of the stuff on the consent agenda looks to be stuff that shouldn't be all but ignored, while most of the stuff on the regular agenda seems t be an opportunity for inquisition/propaganda.

Joint Committee on Capital Review meets at 9:45 a.m. or upon adjournment of JLBC in SHR1

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/01/2023

This week's theme at the legislature:

"Gimme."

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 at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, 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 into a very bad one.

On Monday, 10/2 

 -

Joint Legislative Committee on DES Block Grants meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.

They're scheduled to hear three presentations, including one from Wildfire, a community action organization headed up by Kathy Senseman, former president of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools.  She's married to Paul Senseman, a renowned lobbyist/fixer at the Capitol.  Both Sensemans are regular donors to AZ political campaigns.

Pardon my cynicism, but I expect the thinking on the part of the R members of committee to be "well, we can recommend helping real people or recommend using the public monies in block grants to line private pockets  Not really a dilemma.".

On Thursday, 10/5 

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Urban Air Mobility Study Committee meets at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  It's a joint committee.

It looks to be about combining flying vehicles with self-driving cars.

They're scheduled to hear three presentations, all given by corporate executives/lobbyists and at least two of them are members of the committee.

Since I'm letting my cynicism run wild tonight, I'll speculate about the presentations: "enhance our bottom lines and give us public money."