Arizona Republicans protect guns, not people

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Democratic senators released the following statements on the signing of HB2455, which requires law enforcement agencies to sell unclaimed or forfeited firearms.

Senator Linda Lopez (District 2), Assistant Democratic Leader:

“Over the past few years we have witnessed a steady stream of tragic gun violence in America, including the shooting in Tucson that killed six Arizonans and wounded 13 others. The horror of Sandy Hook has finally sparked a national discussion on sensible ways to decrease gun violence and keep our communities safe,” said Sen. Lopez.

“Here in Arizona, Republicans swiftly moved into action as well. Unfortunately their reaction was not to protect the people of Arizona from guns, but to protect guns from the people of Arizona.”

Senator Steve Gallardo (District 29):

“This bill is classic overreach by Republican legislators. It takes away local control by prohibiting local law enforcement from destroying guns in their possession, even if a gun was willingly turned in by the owner. This is on top of a law passed last year forcing guns used in violent crimes to be put back on the streets,” said Sen. Gallardo.

Senator Steve Farley (District 9):

“Imagine this scenario: If a teenager commits suicide with a gun, under this bill their grieving family would have to choose between taking that gun back home or giving it up with the knowledge that it would soon be in a display case of a local gun store,” said Sen. Farley.

“This bill takes away that family’s right to destroy their own property as a means of finding closure.”

Senator David Bradley (District 10):

“Republicans are tone deaf to all but the NRA on this issue and completely out of touch with the people of Arizona. A poll released just yesterday shows that 70% of Arizonans support universal background checks,” said Sen. Bradley.

“The sad truth is this: right now it's safer to be a gun in Arizona than a child.”

Republican senators refuse texting while driving ban

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Senator Steve Farley released the following statement after his proposed floor amendment to HB 2312, which would ban texting while driving, failed along party lines.

Sen. Farley

“I have been working for six years to pass common-sense legislation to ban texting while driving and during that time I’ve heard from families across the state whose loved ones have been seriously injured or killed by texting drivers,” said Sen. Farley. "Forty four other states now ban this dangerous practice. Why can't Republicans and Democrats come together on this issue in Arizona?"

“Despite innocent people dying on the roads and endless studies underscoring the dangers of texting while driving, the ban, SB1218, has been ignored this session and now this amendment has been refused by the Republican majority, tragically politicizing a non-partisan issue. For no good reason, lives of Arizona motorists will continue to be at risk because the Legislature refuses to allow law enforcement to stop irresponsible drivers from looking at their phones instead of the road.”

Tea Party Republicans work hard to protect guns, not people

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today, the Arizona Senate passed HB 2455 to prohibit law enforcement agencies from destroying a firearm and requiring the agencies to sell unclaimed firearms in its possession. This bill comes after a law by Republicans last year that sets the same requirement for any firearm associated with felony crimes – even murder. Floor discussion on this bill and amendments proposed by Democratic senators was cut off prematurely by Republicans.

Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Linda Lopez, D-2:

“Our state and our nation have witnessed horrific gun violence over the past few years, prompting a national discussion on gun safety and anti-violence legislation. But here in Arizona, the response of Tea Party Republicans has been to require that there be as many guns on the streets as possible and shutting down any legislation aimed at increasing safety in our communities or helping the mentally ill,” said Sen. Lopez.

“This bill bans forfeited guns from being destroyed, even if a gun owner voluntarily turns in a weapon as part of a buyback program. Tea Party Republicans at the Legislature appear to be more concerned with the lifespan of guns than the lifespan of Arizonans.”

Democratic Leader Leah Landrum Taylor, D-27:

“The amendments to HB 2455 brought by Democratic senators addressed the many problems related to gun violence, including protecting domestic violence victims,” said Sen. Landrum Taylor.

“By shutting down discussion on these issues, Senate Republicans brought the motion to the floor broke our chamber’s rules of decorum and showed disdain for issues that are important to Arizona families. This was a disservice to both the victims of gun violence and to the people of Arizona who elect us to represent them at the Legislature.”

Sen. McGuire’s CPR training for students bill advances out of the Senate

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Senator Barbara McGuire released the following statement on the passage of her bill SB1337 by the Senate. It now proceeds to the House for consideration.

Background: SB1337 requires every Arizona public school student be provided at least one CPR training session between the 7th and 12th grades.

Sen. McGuire

“I am grateful for my colleagues’ support of this bill,” said Sen. McGuire. “CPR is a simple technique that can be learned in just half an hour, but is an invaluable skill to have when a life is at risk. I look forward to working with members of the House to keep this bill moving forward.”

Republicans green light plan to disenfranchise Arizona voters



Sen. Landrum Taylor



STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Senate Democratic Leader Leah Landrum Taylor, Senator Steve Gallardo and Senator Jack C. Jackson Jr. released the following statements on today’s passage of SB1003 and SB1261 by the Senate.

• SB1003 places limitations on who can collect and drop off a voter’s early ballot, making it a felony to do so if you aren’t authorized with proper paperwork. Republicans passed a similar bill in 2011, which was repealed after the U.S. Department of Justice expressed concerns.





Sen. Jackson


• SB1261 allows elections officials to remove voters from the permanent early voting list (PEVL) if they didn’t vote in both of the two previous primary and general elections and do not opt back in to the list. Senator Michelle Reagan added an amendment to make this bill retroactive to the 2010 elections, meaning it will affect voters who don’t even know it. Someone who has been on the PEVL since 2010 but just now decides to vote will already have to opt back in.



Senate Democratic Leader Leah Landrum Taylor, D-27:

Sen. Gallardo

“The early voting program has given Arizonans across the state, including our minority populations, a greater voice in their representation. But current legislation working its way through the Legislature aims to make it much harder to vote using an early ballot,” said Sen. Landrum Taylor. “We agree that we must take steps to streamline how our votes are counted, but those steps cannot come at the expense of anyone’s ability to vote.”



Senator Jack C. Jackson Jr., D-7:

“Republicans want to make a felon out of someone helping their neighbors to vote, but many members of our tribal communities live in remote areas and depend on help to deliver their early ballots.” said Sen. Jackson. “SB1003 could have a devastating impact on their vote.”

Senator Steve Gallardo, D-29:

“Republicans are trying to roll back the clock on the early voter list by removing Arizona voters who have signed up in the last few years, many of whom are minority voters. By making SB1261 retroactive, they will immediately disenfranchise countless voters just in time for next year’s elections,” said Sen. Gallardo. “By advancing these bills, Republicans have shown that there is no maneuver too contemptible when it comes to protecting their power at the state capitol.”

Senator Gallardo introduces ethics reform legislation

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today Senator Steve Gallardo introduced ethics reform legislation to increase the transparency and accountability of Arizona's elected officials.

• SB1280 increases the frequency and detail of elected officials' financial disclosure statements. Statements would require a description of a relationship between any organization from which an official or their family members receive compensation, a detail of any of the official's debts, and an itemized list of any gifts worth more than $100. For members of the Legislature and the governor, reporting would be required monthly when in session and every six months otherwise.
• SB1281 changes the definition of those required to declare a conflict of interest to include a public officer or employee, or relative of either, who, in taking an action in the discharge of official duties, has a direct or indirect personal financial interest of more than $500.

Sen. Gallardo

"These bills let the voters see behind the curtain which special interests are influencing their representatives, both financially and with gifts," said Sen. Gallardo.

"As elected officials, we are chosen by the voters to represent their interests. To do that effectively we must earn and keep their trust not only in us, but in the system of government."

Senator Gallardo introduces equality legislation

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Senator Steve Gallardo has introduced four bills to eliminate sexual preference discrimination in employment, adoption and marriage.

• SB1163 - Prohibits discrimination by an employer or prospective employer against an employee or job applicant based on their gender, gender identity or expression or sexual orientation.
• SB1164 - Removes from statute the current requirement that adoption preference be given to a married man and woman over that of a single adult.
• SCR1004 - Proposes an amendment to repeal Article 30 of the state constitution, which states that only marriages between a man and a woman may be legally recognized. If passed by the Legislature, final approval from the voters would be required.
• SB1165 - Would remove ARS 25-101, Section C, which states that marriage between persons of the same sex is void and prohibited. Enactment is conditional upon passage of SCR1004 by the voters.

  

  Sen. Gallardo

"While other states have been moving forward to make equal rights for every American, Arizona has moved backward. In 21 states it is illegal to fire someone because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual. Nine states and the District of Columbia recognize same sex marriage. But in Arizona, adoption agencies are actually required to discriminate against single, gay and lesbian adults," said Sen. Gallardo.

"It's time we have the conversation about how we treat each other in this state. Every Arizonan deserves the right to succeed on their skills at work, marry who they love in their heart and adopt a needy child into their home."