"We need to get better at treating this (deportation) like a business. Like Prime, but with human beings.”

- Border Czar Tom Homan in Arizona

THIS WEEK AT THE LEGISLATURE

This week, Arizona was visited by a number of controversial members from the Trump Administration. ICE’s former director and now ‘border czar’ Tom Homan and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem spoke at a border security expo and cosplayed on a Phoenix raid with 100 agents to arrest three people. HHS Secretary RFK Jr. hosted a roundtable with Republican members and for some reason, Rob Schneider, who confronted a few female colleagues and me to mansplain due process.

When Homan and RFK Jr. came to the State Capitol though, we took a stand—quietly, powerfully, and together. My Democratic lawmakers and I staged a peaceful walkout during Homan’s joint address to the House and Senate, each carrying the name of someone deported unlawfully. It was a statement for dignity and rule of law, in sharp contrast to the policies that have torn families apart. As we walked out of the Chamber, Homan remarked that it gave him “great pleasure” to see us leave, reflecting the same eagerness he brings to a vision of deportation as a business. In that vision, human lives are reduced to commodities, and private prisons and contractors profit off suffering.

Press conference with community leaders during Homan’s joint address

On the same day, while RFK Jr. met with House Republicans inside the Capitol, I joined Attorney General Kris Mayes at a mobile vaccine clinic where she announced a lawsuit against the $239 million in public health funding that has been slashed. Arizona Public Health Association Executive Director Will Humble spoke about how detrimental and wasteful it is to have $200 million in funding cut on projects that are in various stages of completion already. 

When a question came up about potential bipartisan alignment on the new administration’s “MAHA” movement, AG Mayes strongly laid out how cutting Social Security does not make America healthy again, how promoting misinformation that enables the spread of infectious diseases does not make America healthy again, how hospitals closing and people losing healthcare does not make America healthy again. Making school lunches healthy, an initiative that began under Michelle Obama, does now have bipartisan support, but all the other ways our health is being undermined, has much room for improvement.

It was a slower week on the Floor again. Two of the most controversial bills we voted on were SB 1543 and SB 1164, and both brought lots of debate from members in favor and opposition. I voted in support of SB 1543—a bill that allows cities to permit housing and hotel development within corporate headquarters campuses, like Axon’s in Scottsdale, when certain job and wage standards are met. While I recognize there’s been community concern around SB 1543, I supported the bill because the project had already been approved  5 -2 by the Scottsdale City Council, who held dozens of meetings with the community, neighbors, and Axon as they worked extensively through the public planning process.

The Arizona ICE Act (SB 1164) mandates that state and local law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities and prohibits policies that hinder such cooperation. My comments stated that every member in the Chamber descended from an immigrant, outside of our tribal members who’s land we are on. I was gaveled down during a point in my statement describing how my relatives fled Europe during a time in recent history where fascism and anti-immigrant rhetoric flourished, and how vaguely reminiscent it is to our current President’s leadership. History is repeating itself, this time with the government fanning the flames and turning a blind eye to due process and rights.

And finally, after weeks of public outcry and pushing from the Democrats, Republican leadership finally agreed to discuss continuing funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Unfortunately, the pair of bills they introduced (SB1734 and HB2945) are both harmful to families by cutting services like capping the Parents as Paid Caregivers program, and pull money from critical programs like the Housing Trust Fund. This is not a serious solution, as the Governor and the disability community have vocally opposed them already. But with DDD funds set to run out in two weeks, we need a clean, responsible fix that keeps families supported and needs met.

If you agree, please take a moment to speak out by emailing legislators and using Request to Speak. These bills will be heard this week and your voice can help push lawmakers to do the right thing.

With Kindness,

Sarah

P.S. - Thank you to the Willo neighborhood for inviting me to their board meeting and neighborhood happy hour! I had so much fun, especially in the found opportunities to partner in future work together on various topics of public education, environmental justice, and healthcare.

Childcare Cliff

This week, I stood alongside childcare advocates, providers, and parents to call for urgent funding for Arizona’s childcare subsidy program. Right now, 4,093 children are stuck on a waitlist, meaning 2,480 families are scrambling to afford care and coverage during the day, keeping them from job and education opportunities. Clearing this backlog will require state funding that will unlock additional federal funds. The math is clear: for every $1 we put into childcare, we see a $9 return in long-term economic gains.

As prices for food and energy continue to rise, housing now consumes over 30% of household budgets, and childcare takes up another 30% or more—leaving many families stretched thin with little left to cover other essentials. Arizona currently ranks 42nd in child well-being, a spot we can certainly pull ahead in if we fund the things we value.

We need real solutions now. If you believe every family deserves access to affordable childcare, please contact members of the legislature and urge them to support full funding for the childcare subsidy program in this year’s budget. We must invest in our children’s educational future—and in every parent’s ability to thrive.

Kyrstyn Paulut, Children’s Action Alliance Director of Early Learning and Education Director, sat down on Arizona Horizon this week to discuss what’s happening with the funding shortfall.

Book Club April 27th

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Community Corner

Local Business Shoutout

Community Connections

Youth Jazz, Food, Fun & Good Neighbors in the Roosevelt Neighborhood

Saturday, April 19th

4 PM - 8 PM

344 W. Lynwood Street