Do the Arizona State House Republicans Know there is a Health Crisis

The Republicans in the Arizona State House did something today that on the surface makes sense.

They suspended House rules to allow remote off-site voting from non-Capitol locations.

That makes sense considering that, during this Coronavirus Crisis, no more than 10 people should be together in a social gathering.

Democrats would support this move if it meant passing a “skinny budget” (which is the fiscal 2019 budget with inflationary increases in some line items like K-12 education but no marked augments anywhere else or tax cuts,) emergency measures to deal with the Coronavirus (like “relief for food banks, an eviction moratorium, 90-day supplies of medicines for state Medicaid recipients, paid sick leave, relief for small businesses and streamlined unemployment and food assistance benefits,) and adjourn until the public health crisis passes.

However, the Republican House Leadership appears content to pass the “skinny” budget without addressing the needs associated with the Coronavirus. They also seem surprisingly willing to risk the safety of the majority of the House Legislators and their staffs because the rule waiver only allows for six people to vote remotely outside of the Capitol. Everyone else would have to stay at the Capitol despite the Center for Disease Control guidelines advising a different course.

Apparently, some of the State House Republicans are not taking this public health crisis seriously.

Science denying reactionary Representatives like Anthony Kern, David Gowan, Sonny Borrelli, and Mark Finchem can be seen on this posted Twitter Photo, mocking the curfew on restaurants and bars declared today by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego below the caption

“Its 8:15 p.m…….do you know where Phoenix Mayor

 

House Democratic Leader Charlene Fernandez issued a statement condemning the short-sighted and dangerous Republican action, stating:

“Instead of a dedicated and reasonable response to this crisis, the conservative majority have instead resorted to partisan politics rather than protecting the people of Arizona.”We asked our colleagues to set aside differences and consider some much-needed emergency measures as part of a proposed ‘skinny budget.’ But now the plan is to rig the rules to allow remote voting for enough members to avoid passing any additional COVID-19 crisis relief package while keeping staff and other members at work.”

“Democrats understand the need for a pared-down budget and a quick end to the session. For the safety of the public, our staff and members, we must finish our work and bring this session to an end this week. But this crisis also demands a specific emergency response that includes relief for food banks, an eviction moratorium, 90-day supplies of medicines for AHCCCS recipients, paid sick leave, relief for small businesses and streamlined unemployment and food assistance benefits. The Republican response to these requests was to change the rules to hold onto their majority so that no COVID-19 response can pass. It’s shameful and irresponsible. We were elected to lead and be there for our constituents — especially during tough times. Well, the tough times are here. Our constituents are crying out for help. We can finish our work, help our constituents navigate this crisis and shut down now. Empowering a virtual legislature that operates in a vacuum with the public shut out sets a dangerous precedent.”

Arizona Senate Republicans, according to The Hour, have not announced any intention to have their members vote off-site and have not formally introduced their budget bills for consideration.

Hopefully, they will be the conservative adults in the room.

House Republicans need to not take advantage of this situation for their own gain. They need to complete the work the people of Arizona expect (which includes providing for the emergency contingency measures associated with the Coronavirus) and adjourn for their safety until it is permissible to return to the Capitol.

They need to realize this health crisis is still very real and not going away anytime soon.

They need to act to protect the people now like the unanimous support they showed last week when the $55 million Anti Coronavirus measure passed both State houses.

They have to realize more is needed than that.

If they do not, they risk making the crisis potentially worse.

 

 

9 thoughts on “Do the Arizona State House Republicans Know there is a Health Crisis”

  1. #1. We already voted to appropriate $50 million for coronavirus response, which is in addition to $5 million we already had set aside for emergencies and about $15 million the feds will be giving us. In addition, we are open to more measures to provide economic relief to individuals and businesses but will wait to see how much aid the proposed $1,0000,000,000 ($800,000,000?) Trump plan will cover, which should be a lot. But I am open to some money for filling gaps but we are not flush with cash.

    #2 I am not my brothers’ keeper but really bad optics.

    #3 If you are referring to Pres. Fann not knowing about the remote voting, probably because we did not tell her.

    Lastly, the “skinny”baseline budget includes extra K-12 spending and we will also pass a bill to help K-12 with the shutdown issues. Other budget issues will have to wait until we see where revenues are at and it will be very south of where the projections were two weeks ago.

    Unlike the feds, we cannot run deficits nor can we print money. We might need the rainy day fund to stop cuts to existing programs over the next couple of years, so using it to increase spending this coming year is not a good idea. Napolitano did that the year before the great recession and it made the ensuing cuts deeper. Makes you want to say “I told you so” to all the Dems who opposed raising the rainy day fund balance, as Ducey requested. Actually I will say it. “I told you so.”

    • Thanks, John Both sets of comments came through. My only retort on the “I told you so front” is the Republican obsession with tax cuts year after year may prove counterproductive when handling this crisis. Stay safe and well.

  2. The rejection by all but two Democrats, Reps Pawlick and Shaw, of remote floor voting by members at risk should they be infected by the coronavirus was a low point in bipartisan relations. Here are my reasons for supporting the rule change. Go to https://youtu.be/WSKtHiC9VKY

    Interestingly, one Democrat “no” vote who even rose to speak up against the motion to allow remote voting, Rep. Powers-Hannley, signed up for remote voting the next day and is using it.

    • Hi John

      Glad you are well. Three things. Will the State House be considering additional measures to combat the Coronavirus? Two: How do you account for your four colleagues on candid camera at 8:15 p.m.? Three: How do you account for Senator Fann being surprised with what you did. Personally, I have no problem with remote voting as long as the priorities of the people, and not hidden agendas, are addressed. Please advise and take care.

      • #1: Yes. We already passed a budget item allocating $50 million for response to the pandemic on top of an existing $5 million fund and an estimated $15 million from the feds. We will probably offer some individual and business relief but with $800,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 coming from the feds, we will wait to see what is not covered.

        Keep in mind that unlike the feds, we cannot run a deficit nor print money. However, I think this proves that those who, last year, objected to bumping up the rainy day fund were wrong. I think we may need that fund over the next two years to stop budget cuts. Revenues are going to take a hit and it could be bad.

        Of course, some will want to use the rainy day fund to increase spending as revenues go down, which is what Napolitano did her last year. Bad idea because we then went on to cut $3.5 billion from a $10 billion budget. I am not predicting another great recession but I think we will have revenus issues for a couple of years.

        #2 I can’t.

        #3 Fann was surprised because we did not consult her, as far as I know. I think the Senate should also make remote voting available.

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