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The 2010 Arizona Legislature
Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2010 legislative session was again dominated by painful budget cuts and intense disagreements over policy. Many large budget cuts are still phasing in, with families losing behavioral health services, therapy for special needs, basic cash assistance for food and shelter – and more.
With a whole range of services being dismantled, there were some bright spots for kids from the legislative session. A few new laws will help children in foster care and one new law will clarify and improve juvenile justice policy. Thanks to a strong and strategic coalition and Arizona voices speaking loud and clear from all over the state, payday loans and their triple digit interest rates will sunset on June 30, 2010.
Click here to read our legislative wrap-up and see how representatives and senators voted on key issues for kids and families.
TODAY'S TOP TEN
1. KidsCare – As of June 15, 2010, KidsCare will be completely eliminated unless we take action now. By ending KidsCare, lawmakers are not only risking our children’s health, they are also jeopardizing $7 billion in federal health care dollars. New federal regulations require that Arizona maintain children’s health insurance. Unless our leaders take action now our state will suffer a huge cost. It’s time for Governor Brewer and legislative leaders to restore and fully fund KidsCare. It’s time for them to Bring Back KidsCare. Status: The Governor has signed the bill that will eliminate KidsCare. The House and Senate passed the striker amendment that would restore KidsCare for those who are currently enrolled, but would not end the enrollment freeze. The bill is awaiting a signature from the Governor.
2. The Budget – The state legislature wrapped up its 7th special session with votes on the state budget for this fiscal year and the year beginning July 1. On votes that were almost completely along party lines, the Republican majority adopted budgets that include $1 billion in additional cuts to services such as health care, education, and services for children, parents, and grandparents. Status: All the budget bills have been signed by the Governor. Click here to read the fact sheet on the budget and what it means to the children and families of Arizona.
3. Keep Voter Protected Funds (HCR2001, HCR2039) – HCR 2001 puts on the November 2010 ballot to repeal the tobacco tax voters passed in 2006 specifically to support services that improve the health and education of young children through First Things First. CAA opposes this attack on First Things First funding for young children – which comes from a dedicated tobacco tax and does not affect the budget deficit at all. Status: HCR2001 has passed both the House and Senate, largely along party lines. Now it's up to the voters to decide the fate of First Things First. CAA also opposes HCR2039 which would temporarily allow the legislative to raid voter protected funds. Status: The bill stalled in the Senate and was not passed.
4. Payday Loans – Three legislative committees have rejected the attempt by payday lenders to override Arizona voters. CAA is opposed to any bill that would go against the voter mandate to sunset payday loans. Status: No current bills.
5. Adoption Restrictions (HB2148) - This bill limits the ability for single people to adopt children from foster care because it mandates that the AZ Dept of Economic Security (DES) and adoption agencies give primary consideration to placement of a child with a married couple. Single people would only be eligible to adopt if a qualified married couple is not available, with certain exceptions. CAA opposes this bill because there are many non-married people who would be excellent adoptive parents. The best interests of each child should be the deciding factor in adoptions, without blanket rules that limit their chance for a forever home. Status: HB2148 was stopped in the Senate and did not pass. Read CAA's Fact Sheet.
6. Tax Reform – Our budget deficit continues to grow as revenues decrease. We would like to see tax reform that would increase revenue and stop further damaging budget cuts. The House of Representatives has already passed and the Senate is considering Speaker Kirk Adams’ tax cut bill - HB 2250, which CAA opposes - it cuts taxes to grow Arizona’s deficit. Status: HB 2250 passed through the House, but was stopped in the Senate. Read CAA's fact sheet on HB2250. Read the Arizona Budget Coalition's Fact Sheet on HB2250.
7. Justice for Youth Offenders (SB1009) - CAA supports SB 1009, which will improve Arizona’s juvenile justice policies based on current research about what works to deter youth crime and reduce recidivism. The prosecution of certain youth cases in adult court is allowed or required based on the child's age. SB 1009 would clarify the law to designate that if a case involving a youth is filed in adult court, it is based on the child's age at the time of the alleged offense - not on the age at the time the charges are filed. Without this clarification, prosecutors can delay filing charges solely for the purpose of moving the case to adult criminal court. Status: SB1009 passed the Senate by a 27-0 vote, and the House by a 57-0 vote. The Governor signed the bill. Read the fact sheet on SB1009 here.
8. TABOR (SB1104) - CAA opposes this bill which would restrict Arizona’s budget appropriations to the previous year’s appropriation, adjusted only for state population plus inflation. As we've shown in years passed, limiting spending strictly to a predefined limit puts program funding in jeopardy. Click here to read the fact sheet on SB1104. Status: SB1104 passed the Senate, but was stopped in the House.
9. Child Care – CAA supports SB1315, which would allow child care facilities and child care group homes to pay a licensure or certificate fee annually, rather than once every three years. It also permits installment payments, and puts into the law voluntary discount fee schedule for facilities that participate in a program that incorporates nutrition and exercise. While SB1315 would not increase the number of children receiving child care assistance, it would help relieve the burden of the child care licensing fees for child care providers. Status: Passed through the House and Senate, awaiting the signature of the Governor.
10. Unemployment Insurance Modernization (HB2712) – CAA supports this bill which would update the method of determining eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits and also extend benefits to individuals who are in training for high-demand jobs. By adopting the changes in this bill, Arizona will receive $150 million in federal funds to deposit into the state’s unemployment trust fund. Status: The bill was never heard in Committee. Read CAA's fact sheet on HB2712 and our press release.
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