Capital Watch for 13 May
Capitol Watch is our weekly legislative update video series, watch the latest episode here!
Vetoed Sex-Education Bill Back in the AZ Legislature. Earlier this session we discussed SB1456, a restrictive bill that used language that was anti-LGBTQ and could lead to parents taking their children out of important sex education conversations all together. After it was passed in the Legislature, Governor Doug Ducey vetoed the bill, citing that the bill was unnecessary and was fixing something that did not need to be fixed.
Unfortunately, the language in SB1456 has been brought back into the legislature. Now, HB2035 contains almost exact verbiage as the terrible anti-sex ed bill that was vetoed just over a week ago. The bill prohibits all forms of gender identity and expression within sex-education courses, as well as requires parental consent for historical events involving LGBTQ+ events like the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Despite the language being vetoed by the Governor, it is still plausible for this extremely complicated and unnecessary bill to be passed through the legislature another time.
SCR 1044 passes out of the AZ House of Representatives! SCR 1044 has passed, which means it will officially be seen on ballots in the 2022 elections. This initiative will decide whether Arizona Dreamers will be able to receive in-state tuition at public universities and colleges. This is a *very* exciting win for DREAMers and is a big step for immigrants in the state of Arizona.
Join us at our End the Filibuster Rally! We need Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly to listen to Arizonans–eliminate the filibuster so that we can pass all of the popular legislation constituents want! We will gather at Civic Space Park in Downtown Phoenix to send our Senators a BIG message that Arizonans demand an end to the filibuster–no excuses! The Rally will be held Thursday, May 20th from 5:30-7:00pm. Find more information here!
Workers Rights and Unions: Youth Organizing Event! Arizona Coalition for Change is hosting an event on Tuesday May 18th at 6:30-7:30pm. RSVP for the event here to learn more about the rights young people have and the power of working class communities in the state.
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