(1) Slow Go at the State Capitol |
Legislative activity has slowed to a crawl as lawmakers discuss ways to address the budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Lawmakers adjourned Wednesday until next Monday. Here's a brief recap of CAP-supported bills still pending: |
(2) Marriage Amendment |
The Arizona House vote on the marriage amendment did not happen this week for one simple reason: two representatives who support the amendment are out of town. For the last three weeks or so, we've been in a holding pattern: waiting on the "yes" votes to all be present at the same time so the House can pass the amendment and send it to the Senate. It's been one thing after another - legitimate reasons like sickness, family funerals, work obligations - that have caused some members to be absent. Hopefully, this phase of the campaign to let you, the people of Arizona, decide the definition and meaning of marriage in our state will be over next week. Then, our efforts to unite Arizonans in a strong coalition to vote "yes" on the marriage amendment will begin. |
(3) Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion |
The revised partial-birth abortion ban that addresses the concerns the Governor identified in her veto letter passed out of conference committee on Tuesday. The bill will need a final vote in both the House and the Senate before going back to the Governor. |
(4) Prohibition on Nurses Performing Abortions |
On Tuesday, the Advanced Practice Advisory Committee of the state Board of Nursing voted unanimously to recommend that the Board rule that first trimester surgical abortions are within the scope of practice for nurse practitioners. The full Board will vote on this recommendation next week. Meanwhile, HB 2269, which unambiguously prohibits nurses from performing surgical abortions, is awaiting floor action in the Senate. |
(5) Students' Religious Liberties Act |
HB 2713, the bill that identifies the free speech rights of religious students in public schools, is waiting for a hearing before the Senate Rules Committee. |
(6) School Choice |
As the legislative focus turns toward the state's 2009 budget, making the corporate tax credit permanent is of utmost importance to school choice advocates. The program is currently set to end in 2011, and all children currently benefiting from the program would suddenly lose their scholarships. Making the tax credit permanent is a simple budget item that would have no effect on this year's general fund. Including this item in the budget would ensure that kids continue to receive the quality education of their parents' choosing. |
(7) Jesse's Law |
HB 2823, which would make minor changes to the laws on medical decision-making for patients who cannot communicate their wishes, is waiting for a final vote in the Senate. |
Stay up-to-date on the status of all the CAP-supported bills at www.azpolicy.org/legislation. |
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