CAP: Legislative wrap up

2008 Legislative Wrap-Up The Good: Three Measures Achieve Final Action The Bad: Three Vetoes; Two Measures Fail Due to Timing Issues The Ugly: State Budget Lessons to Not Forget

2008 Legislative Wrap-Up

Finally, after 166 days, I can report how families fared in the 2008 legislative session. Overall, the session was ugly with family-friendly policy usually taking a back seat. To put it mildly, the majority votes in the House and Senate simply aren't there to enact substantive pro-family policy then gain Governor Napolitano's signature. Thankfully, however, despite the political games, showdowns, and controversies, God was faithful throughout and some significant family-friendly gains were made. I want to express my appreciation to Ron Johnson, Executive Director, Arizona Catholic Conference. Ron's a key ally as we work together at the Legislature to promote a sanctity of human life ethic, stand for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and offer parents a choice on their children's education opportunities. Too often, newspapers and individuals only reference CAP as the family voice at the legislature. Our work wouldn't be nearly as possible or fruitful without Ron's leadership and partnership. Thanks Ron!

The Good: Three Measures Achieve Final Action

The Marriage Amendment Is on the Ballot! Opponents of one-man, one-woman marriage tried every conceivable tactic - obscure procedural moves, filibusters, and political pressure to pick off votes - to prevent you, the people of Arizona, from being allowed to decide on the definition of marriage. After the May California Supreme Court ruling made clear that Arizona's marriage laws are vulnerable to judicial attack, CAP worked overtime and many legislative members stepped up to give you the opportunity to preserve the definition of marriage in the Arizona Constitution. Our work to define marriage, however, is just beginning. Plan now to commit your prayers, your time, and your resources to helping us pass the marriage amendment! Jesse's Law Helps Protect Patients. This new law makes one change that will better protect patients who are unable to communicate their wishes. The change is needed of the real-life story of Jesse Ramirez, who survived being without food and fluid for five days after he was injured in a car accident. Thanks to legal intervention by our friends at the Alliance Defense Fund and the perseverance of his family to protect him, Jesse is now making tremendous rehabilitation progress. More work is needed in this area of the law to prevent another situation like what happened to Jesse, so stay tuned for that next year. Internet Age Misrepresentation Bill Becomes Law. Children and teenagers will now be a little bit safer online, thanks to this bill that prohibits an adult from misrepresenting his or her age on the Internet for the purposes of committing a sexual offense against a minor. As always, parents need to remain vigilant, but this new law will give law enforcement officers more tools to stop sexual predators. Bad Bills Died. Bills to legalize physician-assisted suicide, further abortion on demand, and other "bad bills" did not pass.

The Bad: Three Vetoes; Two Measures Fail Due to Timing Issues

Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Vetoed Twice. Governor Napolitano showed her flagrant disregard for human life by vetoing two bills that would make the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure illegal in Arizona state law. Despite a pledge in her first veto letter to work in a bipartisan manner on the issues, the Governor demonstrated that her reasons were merely pretextual when she vetoed the second bill that specifically addressed her concerns. Parental Consent Bill Vetoed. Governor Napolitano refused to give judges guidelines for determining whether a minor should be allowed to have an abortion without her parents' consent. This bill, like the second partial-birth abortion ban, addressed the concerns that the Governor stated in her previous veto letter. And again, the Governor revealed her extreme pro-abortion position with another veto. Nurses Performing Abortions. The House-approved measure to prohibit nurses from performing surgical abortions failed to obtain Senate approval because the Senate delayed consideration for over two months then brought the measure to a vote when two members were absent. For now, the Board of Nursing ruling allowing this travesty stands. CAP will consider whether any legal options are available to overrule the Board's decision. Protecting Students' Religious Liberties. Another casualty of timing, this measure would have put into state statute the religious freedom rights of public school students based on court cases. Although it passed both houses, a Senate delay in consideration did not leave enough time for final House approval.

The Ugly: State Budget

State Budget After months of closed- door negotiations and discussions, Governor Napolitano, all 40 Democratic legislators, and eight Republican legislators agreed to a state budget that dropped school vouchers, abstinence education, abortion alternatives, and marriage education skills. The state lottery will be expanded in an ill-advised attempt to pay for university buildings.

Lessons to Not Forget

Don't Forget Our Friends. Within a couple of weeks CAP will publish voting records and CAP Action, our 501(c)4 counterpart, will publish a scorecard. Check to see which legislators represented your values by how they voted. Pay Attention - It's an Election Year. First, if you are not registered to vote, register today. The voter registration deadline for the primary election is August 4. To register or to host a voter registration drive, check out CAP's Voter Registration Center. Second, CAP Voter's Guides will be available by August 1. Check to see which candidates represent your values and vote accordingly. More than any factor other than prayer, what happens during 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions will be determined by what happens in the Arizona Primary and General Elections. Commit to Pray. Our CAP team appreciates so many of you who pray for this work. Your prayers sustain and equip this work in every way possible. Thank you.