Capitol Watchdogs

Keeping eyes, ears and nose on AZ Legislative Committee hearings, where too often, “Bad things happen to Good People.”

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

We know most people don’t have time to watch how the sausage is made, so we’ll do it for you. We’re dogs! We love sausage. Stay tuned.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

“This fraud was allowed to metastasize largely because the people in charge prior to 2023 were asleep at the wheel,” said @AZAGMayes

[Karen Gresham @KarenGreshamAZ]

🚨WATCH to hear how my opponent, Matt Gress, was involved in Arizona’s massive sober living home scandal. #LD4

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Crazy. Sen Carine Werner just threw #LD4 @MatthewGress under the bus, highlighting sober living fraud under his watch as Gov Ducey’s budget director during 2021-23. News flash: @AZAGMayes is cleaning up his mess.

[AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes @AZAGMayes]

The fraud scam was exposed by Governor Hobbs and I three years ago after it exploded under Governor Ducey. And in the last three years we have had indicted 140 individuals and entities. https://t.co/8H1bVMekkX

[Karen Gresham @KarenGreshamAZ]

We already know my #LD4 opponent leads endless attacks on unions & public school teachers as Chair of House Education. Now we know he’s a lobbyist for so-called “workers’ rights” in 4 other states:
Lawmaker or lobbyist? Matt Gress is both https://t.co/zjxuXJs3RV

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

We watch a lot of committee meetings and floor sessions and we have some suggestions to improve the experience for those watching at home:
Tell us who is speaking.
Tell us which bills have already been heard and if they passed.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

#HCR2016 would prevent cities and counties from raising water rates for 4 years. Considering the need for possible infrastructure improvements due to lack of Colorado water, Sen @LaurenKuby votes no. In response @JakeHoffmanAZ votes yes with a long explanation. The CR passes.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Thank you, ⁦@SarahKLiguori⁩ for #HB2641, prohibiting #PFAS foam for fighting fires. Important for health of our firefighters and our communities. Passes with unanimous committee support!

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Despite impassioned testimony from long-time educators, #HCR2040 passes government committee 4-2-1. It is an attack on #unions, punishing teachers for voluntary activities and membership in teacher organization. It will go to voters if it survives senate floor vote.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Wow. Hoffman blames immigrants for measles outbreaks, as reason to support #HCR2056, which asks voters to amend the constitution to allow “the few” to #refusemedicalmandates in place to protect public health. Bill passes 4-2-1. We are scratching our heads.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Once again, #HB2460 asserts #azleg preemption over local control, this time over ability to charge fee for return of runaway grocery carts. @LaurenKuby votes no. Bill passes, with Chair Hoffman telling cities to deal with “homeless” issue. Real motive for bill?

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Who knew shopping carts could be such a hot topic! City of Phoenix & League of Cities and Towns oppose #2460 as it prohibits fee on business for return of cart taken from premises.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Grab your coffee and get ready for a long #Senate Government Committee hearing! We count 19 bills and 6 resolutions on the agenda, including #HCR2056, Medical Mandates; Right to Refuse

[KTAR News 92.3 @KTAR923]

Arizona teachers could be banned from sharing material deemed antisemitic and required to discuss adoption any time sex education is taught under bills approved Wednesday by the state Senate Education Committee.
https://t.co/clDbviLBtZ

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Interesting comments from @realmarkfinchem

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

The counties don’t like #HCR2001 but would prefer it be fine tuned and specific before it hits the ballot. If it were to pass there would be no way for counties to be ready in time for 2027 elections. Per @jennmarson.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Our favorite @jennmarson is speaking — for county governments. She said the counties are “lighting their hair on fire over the tabulation piece.” They just found out about it yesterday and think it would be impossible to comply. They like the “early ballots by Friday” portion.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Senate Judiciary: #HCR2001 is being challenged by Senators Kuby and Ortiz. @WendyRogersAZ pushed to speed them up — @SenAnaliseOrtiz protests: “this is very important and it’s our last chance to debate!”

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

#HCR2001 is presented to the Senate Judiciary Cmte by @realalexkolodin . It would require ID at voting sites, onsite tabulation on election nights and changes to campaign finance laws. Don’t ballot initiatives have to be restricted to one issue?

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

#HB2168 passes, of course. So if passed on the floor and signed by the governor, the AG will need to deal with County Boards of Supervisors before going forward with cases of public nuisances.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

#HB2168 @senlaurenkuby explains her vote and defends the AG.

[Capitol Watchdogs @CapitolWatchdo2]

Angry statements and raised voices in Senate Judiciary — @WendyRogersAZ gets control of the discussion and they move on to voting. #hb2168