HB2551 (off-highway vehicles; use; authority; enforcement) began as legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Gowan and was drafted with the assistance of Arizona’s county sheriffs and the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The bill later became a striker and was approved by the Senate on Tuesday. It is designed to protect public access to national forests by clarifying that state law enforcement may only impose off-highway vehicle restrictions on land under the jurisdiction of the state and open federal roads.

The legislation also gives the Arizona Game and Fish Department flexibility to decide whether to enforce restrictions on cross-country travel that could interfere with hunting, fishing and recreational activities. Senator Crandell’s amendment to HB2551 comes in response to federal travel management rules that place new and unprecedented restrictions. The federal actions have been met by a public outcry from local and state elected officials as well as hunters, sportsmen, campers and OHV users.

Navajo County Supervisor David Tenney has been among the most vocal opponents to the new rules. Rejecting the federal governments rationale, he stated, “For years, my family and I have hunted, fished and camped in the forest. Now, the Forest Service is telling me and my constituents that we can’t because of a policy decision that is out of touch with the customs and culture of our region. That’s not right.”

Testifying in the Senate Government Committee, Supervisor Tenney expressed his gratitude to Senator Crandell and Representative Gowan for their efforts. “This is a worthwhile cause. There are many citizens in my county and across the state who are thankful for this legislation.”

Supervisor Tenney’s comments were echoed by representatives of Arizona’s county sheriffs. “Arizona’s county sheriffs wholeheartedly endorse House Bill 2551 and appreciate the sponsors’ willingness to move this important legislation forward,” said Jen Sweeney, Deputy Director of the Arizona Association of Counties.

Arizona Game and Fish Commissioner Kurt Davis expressed the Commission’s unanimous support for the bill stating, “One purpose of this legislation is to reaffirm the Game and Fish Department’s leading role in protecting wildlife habitats while ensuring that the use of our law enforcement resources are not spent on efforts that, in some instances, unreasonably reduce the opportunities for Arizona’s families to fish, hunt, camp, or enjoy wildlife viewing or responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.”

Davis emphasized that the department’s education programs, scientific evaluation and law enforcement activities related to protecting wildlife habitats will continue and will be done without impeding Arizonan’s ability to enjoy the outdoors. “This legislation simply strengthens the department’s legally recognized role to manage wildlife across all our public lands and ensures that role is more appropriately recognized and respected,” he said.

Senator Crandell acknowledged the widespread public support for HB2551 stating, “As a father and grandfather, I have spent countless nights sleeping under the stars with my children and grandchildren. I am outraged that federal bureaucrats in Washington D.C. are trying to take that experience away. It’s time for Arizona to take a stand against these federal rules and I am proud to sponsor the legislation that will accomplish that.”

Representative Gowan agreed stating, “For too long, Arizona has stood by while federal agencies place more and more restrictions on our public lands. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation with Senator Crandell and look forward to protecting Arizona families’ right to enjoy the great forests of our state”

Senator Griffin has a long history of working toward securing our borders and getting our message to the federal government that our borders are not safe. She knows firsthand the danger: her home sits just 15 minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border

The purpose of the Joint Border Security Committee is (1) take testimony and other evidence regarding the international border; (2) analyze border crossing statistics; (3) analyze related crime statistics; (4) make recommendations to increase border security (5) make other recommendations deemed essential to the committee.

As part of its statutory duties, the committee is in charge of the Border Security Trust Fund, which is administered by the Arizona Treasurer. Monies from the fund can be used for any purpose regarding the construction and maintenance of a secure fence along the Arizona-Mexico border line on private, state or federal property. The fund accepts private donations online with the intention of using those donations to build the border fence.

The committee includes members of the Senate and House of Representatives, a number of county sheriffs and agency directors. Committee meetings are open to the public.

As Arizona citizens, we are all impacted in some form by our unsecured border. This committee plays a major role in bringing public awareness to the severity of the issues and consequences of the failed federal government policies in securing our borders.

Senator Ward

“The NCSL Early Learning Fellows Program provides opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research and best practices in early childhood education from experts in academia and public school districts,” said New Hampshire state Representative Mary Gile, last year’s fellow and chair of the House Education Committee. “Meetings and webinars offered stimulating, inspiring and affirming information from both theoretical and practical perspectives. I especially appreciated meeting and working with legislative colleagues from across the nation.”

The fellows were nominated by state leadership and selected based on their interest and commitment to a wide range of education, health, human services, state budget and other issues as they relate to early learning. In addition to exploring new research and policy ideas, lawmakers and staff will learn and strategize about federal initiatives, including the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting grants. This year’s efforts will build on the accomplishments made during last year’s inaugural program by giving fellows the latest informational tools on brain research, economic evaluation findings and evidence-based programs.

“There has been a great deal of research and interest in early learning in recent years, so the timing is ideal for NCSL to facilitate a program that brings the top stakeholders together for the benefit of our members,” said Bill Pound, executive director of NCSL.

The 2013-2014 Early Learning Fellows program kicked off May 1 and 2 during NCSL’s Spring Forum in Denver. A final meeting focusing on best practices and the latest science will be held Dec. 6 and 7 in Washington, D.C. Program expenses are covered by a grant from the Alliance for Early Success (formerly Birth to Five Policy Alliance). For more information, please visit http://www.ncsl.org/fellows.

Senator Adam Driggs sponsored SB 1208

At 12 years old, Monique Gilliam was put in foster care after her mother overdosed on prescription drugs and alcohol. She mostly lived in group homes and shelters. She never got a foster family.

“I always had something to prove,” Gilliam said of life in the system. “I had to prove I was tough enough not to get beat up. I had to prove I was independent enough that they didn’t have to do everything for me and tell me how to live my life.”

But in school, Gilliam was in control. Other girls would skip class, but Gilliam would go, even if it meant begging for bus fare. It was her way out of life in a group home.

“The sooner I enrolled in college, the sooner I could leave,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam graduated early, at the top of her class. When she turned 17, Gilliam had herself declared independent from the foster care system.

“I had no bed. I had no furniture. I had no kitchen supplies,” Gilliam said. “I didn’t have a vehicle. I didn’t have a driver’s license. I didn’t have insurance cards. I couldn’t take myself to the doctor. I couldn’t even sign a lease for an apartment.”

Still, she figured out how to get by. She went to college full time, took out loans and worked two jobs – 75 hours a week. At one point she took in her younger sister who had a new baby.

“I don’t think I slept for years through school,” she said. “I just graduated last year, and I don’t think I slept until that point.”

Gilliam’s experience should have been easier, according to Arizona Senator Adam Driggs. He sponsored a bill that would set up a five-year pilot program to ensure foster care alumni pay no tuition at Arizona state schools and community colleges.

“It’s an additional safety net for them to say you can plan on college,” Driggs said. “If you’re in the foster care system, start planning now when you’re 12, 13, 14, start planning now because college is attainable for you.”

The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting a formal vote in the House.”

To read the entire article click here:

http://www.kjzz.org/content/1305/big-leap-aging-out-arizonas-foster-care-system

Senator Yee

As soon as the state economy began to show new signs of life, legislators came forward to discuss plans for immediate increases to our K-12 school system. This is a priority that many of us promised when you elected us in November.

I have worked with both Republicans and Democrats to determine funding priorities. With the difficult decisions that come with developing any budget, the overwhelming sentiment is that education needs to be at front of the line for funding increases.

This year, K-12 education in Arizona is expected to receive an $80 million increase in baseline funding. This is on top of the $56 million in new K-12 education funding the Legislature allocated last year.

These new funds may be used for programs, to be determined by each school district, for key areas such as teacher development, robust reading programs, new computers, classroom supplies, vocational education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

We have also crafted budget priorities to ensure our schools are safe and secure, with additional dollars going to the successful school-resource-officer program.

This is good news for students, parents and educators. And it is a good day when our elected officials can all agree that education truly is a priority in Arizona.”

Senator Barto

We compare prices before buying a new car or a dishwasher. Why don’t we do the same with our health care? Senator Nancy Barto appeared on Arizona Horizon on Channel 8 in Phoenix to discuss her bill that would do just that.

http://www.azpbs.org/arizonahorizon/play.php?vidId=5814

Senator Ward

Part 1, published in the March 3 Miner, was focused on health care delivery from the perspective of a state senator who is also a physician, with Kelli Ward offering most of the input. This segment deals with health care in the age of the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare.

Miner: Can you give us an overview on the changes in medical care due to the Affordable Care Act?

Mike Ward: I think its important to emphasize that Kelli is very well aware that she ran on an anti-Obamacare message and was elected with over 71 percent of the district. She’s sensitive to that. We are, both. We don’t believe in it. Philosophically we don’t believe in it.

Kelli Ward: I believe in the free market. I think we are going far, far afield of the free market. There really is a great state of Maricopa. So much revolves around that area, which you know, the mega population is right there. But a lot of things they want to do there are not what would work for the whole rest of the state.

But I’ve had people from the Phoenix area, not legislators but other people, say, “Well, you need to tell your constituents what is good for them and what they want.” I think that’s one of the things wrong with government, is that people are patting their constituents on the head and saying, “Oh, honey, don’t worry. I know best and I’ll do what’s best for you.” I’m really striving to keep in touch with constituents and let them know what’s happening and get their input.

I like the lobbyists. I think that they’re great. I think they have great information. I equate them to drug reps. In my practice, I always had pharmaceutical reps come in. They have great information, cutting-edge technology and all these things. But I also have to remember the same with drug reps as with lobbyists – take everything with a grain of salt, because they have a product and that’s what they’re paid to sell you.

To read the full interview click here: http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubsectionID=1&ArticleID=55390

For five years now, Senator Melvin has been trying to pass bills that outlaw texting while driving.

“The majority of people know that it’s wrong, but they admitted to doing it anyway,” said Stephanie Dembowski of AAA Arizona.

That’s what one AAA survey showed when randomly polling their members.

Dembowski pointed to another annual AAA survey which measures members’ opinions about public affairs issues.

“What we found is that 92 percent of them said that they support a statewide ban on texting while driving.”

Those big numbers in favor of a ban aren’t just with AAA members.

“Most parents I talk to say, ‘Yes! This is what I want. I want a no texting while driving bill. It’s the right thing to do,’” said Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 11.

For five years now, Melvin has been trying to pass bills that outlaw texting while driving. The latest, Senate Bill 1241, banned wireless devices for teens during their first six months of having a license. It never received a hearing on the Senate floor.

Other state lawmakers have authored bills as well, but none of them have passed.”

To read the full article and to watch the interview, click here:

http://www.kpho.com/story/21813596/arizona-remains-1-of-5-states-without-statewide-texting-ban

Senate President Biggs

To watch the discussion, click here

http://www.azpbs.org/arizonahorizon/play.php?vidId=5753