Legislative Updates 2003

Hi everyone!  The good news it looks like they have a budget deal and will soon adjourn.  The Senate passed the entire package; the main bill passed 23-6-1.  On Monday, it goes to the House.  The bad news is the budget deal takes $8 million from Heritage Fund -- $1.8 million of this is to be used to fund the Commission on the Arts.  Apparently, we are supposed to feel good about that.  With no strong Heritage Fund advocates at the table, the Fund got hit hard.  Word is that someone from "parks" told Senator Allen that Heritage Fund folks were okay with swiping some of these dollars for the Commission on the Arts.  I know it wasn't the Parks staff and the Parks Board took no such position, so it is curious, to say the least.  Too bad they just didn't tell her that it wasn't theirs to give up.  This proposed budget also lets Parks use all of their remaining Heritage Fund money for operation and maintenance.  That means Parks will not be spending any of the money as the voters intended.  It is now pretty much up to the governor as to whether the dollars are reinstated. She can ensure this via the line item veto.

The Legislature has made it pretty clear that any ballot measures that was not passed subsequent or simultaneously with the 1998 Voter Protection Act (this measure restricts what the legislature can do to voter-approved laws) is up for grabs.  Why do legislators take the Heritage Fund money?  Because they can.  While they complain about ballot measures tying their hands, they make it clearer and clearer why that is necessary.

I know you are sick of hearing about this, but if you can call and ask the Governor to use her line-item veto to eliminate the Heritage Fund cuts, that would be great.  To reach the Governor, call 602-542-4331 or toll free 1-800-253-0883.  To email her, either click on this link or cut and paste it into your server to http://www.governor.state.az.us/post/feedback.htm

In addition to calling the Governor, please also take time to call Senator Giffords and thank her for her efforts to eliminate the Heritage Fund cuts.  She spoke up in the Appropriations Committee, in the Democratic Caucus, and on the Floor.  She offered amendments to reinstate the funds.  Senator Giffords can be reached at (602) 542-5262 or outside the Phoenix area, you can call toll free at 1-800-352-8404 or email ggifford@azleg.state.az..us .

SB1138 (NOW: outdoor advertising; electronic messages) (Martin, Blendu, et al.), which would allow electronic billboard displays, appears to be staying dead.  We'll watch it until they are done. 

There are still more than 50 gubernatorial nominations waiting for action by the Senate.  Those include the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director and also one of the Game and Fish Commissioners, among many others.  That is about all that is left to keep an eye on.

Thanks again for all you do to help protect Arizona's environment!  Please remember that your calls, letters, emails, and general involvement do make a difference.