Sinema doubles down. Senator Sinema gave a rare interview to the Arizona Central, again expressing her support for the filibuster, despite calls from constituents. Sinema previously stated that while she believes the Senate may be broken, the solution is for Senators to change their behavior, rather than Senate rules like the filibuster. Earlier last week, Mitch McConnell reinforced that, like with the Obama Administration, the Republicans’ number one priority is to block Joe Biden’s agenda, showing that Sinema’s position of the filibuster is incompatible with the reality of this moment.
Republicans kill clean energy. Regulators at the Arizona Corporation Commission killed carbon-free energy rules that had been under consideration for years. The proposals would have boosted solar, energy efficiency, and other clean power sources to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Instead, Republicans watered down what would have been a mandate to get the state’s utilities from 100% carbon-free sources by 2050, instead making it a “goal”. Addressing the climate crisis is an urgent priority as the Southwest becomes increasingly hotter and drier, and Arizona prepares to contend with probable water shortages.
DOJ joins the party. The Department of Justice has issued a warning to Senate President Karen Fann that the ongoing “fraudit” of Maricopa County ballots could be in violation of civil rights and federal elections laws. Specifically, the letter cited lack of security in safeguarding ballots, and concern that the plan to “investigate” could lead to voter intimidation. The audit is being run by the partisan and unqualified Cyber Ninjas, and last week a reporter was removed for tweeting a photo of former state rep. Anthony Kern–who was present at the Jan. 6th riot on Capitol Hill–reviewing ballots.
Learn about the IRC. We break down everything you need to know about Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission, how you can plug into redistricting advocacy, and why it’s so important for Arizonans to make their voices heard in this undertaking.
Conspiracy or democracy? As the so-called Cyber Ninjas go through Maricopa County 2020 ballots in the Republican Senate approved “fraudit”, Kyrsten Sinema is continuing to prevent voting rights legislation from being passed due to her support of the filibuster.
Bring 10 friends. Have you already signed up for our End the Filibuster Rally in Phoenix AZ, on May 20th? Or one of the rallies held in conjunction in Flagstaff and Tucson? If not, sign up here. If so, start making plans to bring 10 friends–you won’t want to miss this!
