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- Migrants detained in Texas spell out the distress signal ‘SOS’, with deportations now temporarily blocked ([link removed]) by the Supreme Court

This Week At The Legislature

It was an active week back at the legislature with policy moving again and people organizing for labor, resistance, and climate. On Tuesday, I joined Poder, CHISPA, Rural Arizona Action, and the Climate Action Campaign at a press conference to highlight the climate harms from the first 100 days of the Trump administration. In just 100 days, Trump’s policies have put over 10,000 clean energy jobs in Arizona at risk—more than any other state. Arizona braces for another record-breaking heat season, so there are real concerns with the rollbacks to climate protections and funding cuts to life-saving programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). These decisions are hitting rural and low-income communities the hardest—raising bills, stalling clean energy jobs, and putting lives at risk. Read the full climate clean energy job report here ([link removed])
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Click on the photo to watch the remarks from Reps Sandoval and Liguori

And Now, Let’s Do The Numbers

Arizona is facing its most uncertain economic outlook since the global pandemic, and the warning signs continue to flash from all directions. At this month’s Finance Advisory Committee ([link removed]) (FAC) meeting, the tone from economists was both serious and unsettled. In a very rare move, the committee was forced to issue an entirely new forecast due to the economic distress brought on by the Trump administration’s first three months.
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This new model, after accounting for one-time expenses like school building renewal and state employee health insurance, shows Arizona’s available revenue has dropped to just $277 million — far below the $615 million projected only three months ago. A newly included “stress test” scenario shows the state could face a $1.8 billion shortfall by FY27, exceeding our Rainy Day Fund by $250 million and putting essential services at grave risk. The FAC discussed a 40 - 60% probability of a recession, driven by:
* Tariff taxes - Costs going up for everyone
* Federal spending reductions - The most vulnerable populations losing safety nets
* Federal tax cuts - Decreasing revenue across the board

While Arizona’s population continues to grow faster than the national average, job growth is slowing, with Tucson already slipping into job losses. Pre-election, voters showed signs of financial vulnerability, which has only grown under Trump, as he creates price increases and cuts resources that support our most vulnerable communities.
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This is not just a budgeting problem — it’s a self-inflicted crisis. Reckless executive orders have upended the financial order, creating a perfect storm of rising costs, reduced revenues, depressed consumer sentiment, and economic instability.

Our state’s budget negotiations and financial frailty mirror the nations. Under Ducey, Arizona’s flat tax took full effect in 2023, and has since slashed state revenues by over $2 billion. During the same time, spending has skyrocketed—driven largely by the unchecked cost of private school vouchers, now ballooning to $900 million annually. State Republicans have built their budgets to deliver tax cuts to the wealthy, while draining resources from public schools, infrastructure, and working families, just as we are watching a national Republican budget driven by cutting Medicaid, Social Security, and education, in order to pay for extending Trump’s tax cuts, which have a *conservative* price tag between $4.1 trillion - $4.5 trillion ([link removed]) .

Regardless if you are looking at the federal, state, or even your own personal household budget, you can break it down simply by understanding that spending, should not be higher than income. When you balance a budget by gutting social safety nets, you risk deepening inequality and creating more people dependent on government help. The negative loop I fear this creates in our state is that more people will need help for everyday expenses like food, childcare, healthcare, and housing, and more people will lose that help, becoming even more dependent on dwindling government resources.

By being shortsighted on spending and balancing a budget centered on tax cuts for the wealthy, we may see homelessness rise, public safety diminish, and families locked into cycles of poverty. At the state level, if we don’t prepare, any remaining surplus could disappear fast. And if we don’t speak up, we risk letting Trump’s financial chaos dictate Arizona’s future.

Contact State Republican Leadership and Congressional representatives to let them know how the people of Arizona can not afford the financial cost of playing politics with the budget.

AZ House Speaker Montenegro - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Budget%20Concerns&body=)

House Appropriations Chair Rep. David Livingston - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Budget%20Concerns&body=)

Senate President Warren Petersen - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Budget%20concerns&body=)

Congressional Members Contact List ([link removed])


I’ll end this week by recommending you watch my colleague, Rep Lorena Austin, speech ([link removed]) on the House floor in response to three anti-LGBTQ bills, SB 1002, SB 1003, and SB 1586. I am so proud to work alongside Rep. Austin, the first Chicano non-binary legislator in the country, and wish everyone would understand their message of family acceptance, unconditional love, and the real harm anti-trans legislation brings to our children’s lives. “We need love, not hate.” And we are fortunate to have Governor Hobbs who has vetoed this legislation, and all other discriminatory legislation.
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Politicians weaponizing policy to overreach into our school systems, to penalize teachers and physicians, to go against medical guidance, and to perpetuate discriminatory ideologies, is a particularly cruel way to govern that is guaranteed not to age well. I voiced my opposition to all three bills, highlighting the tragic mistake we make repeating history when we use policy to exclude people and disguise it in protection. Watch my remarks here ([link removed]) .

With Kindness,

Sarah


** Community Corner
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People power in LD5 carpooling to attend the May Day protest

On May 1st we united for May Day, a nationally recognized event rooted in the international labor movement. May Day honors the fight for workers’ rights—born from the 19th-century struggle for fair wages, safe conditions, and the 8-hour workday. This year, it brings an even more urgent realness as the past fights meet the present to stop the destruction of labor and rule of law from the federal governments overreach.

We joined thousands at the Capitol this week to carry that legacy forward, standing in solidarity with those demanding dignity, justice, and humane treatment for all. A huge shoutout to local leader Laura and local business owner Lauren, and her shop Local Nomad ([link removed]) , who hosted a morning breakfast for protest participants. Friends and new faces came together in the spirit of community before heading to the Capitol to join thousands of others in solidarity standing up to the Trump administration’s dangerous overreach. The energy was electric — crowds marched through downtown, estimated at over 4,000 strong. This is just one of many recent protests where people are reclaiming their power and making it clear: we won’t back down.

Another reason to shop local is Local Nomad, where community can come together in spaces that value inclusivity and support the local economy. I can always find the perfect gift needed for someone when I shop there and with Mother’s Day approaching, take this as a pro-tip hint.

Local Eats

In Good Spirits Hospitality, a group founded by Chef Bernie Kantak and restaurateur Andrew Fritz

This week, I had the privilege of honoring The Gladly with an official proclamation recognizing their legendary Original Chopped Salad — a dish that has become a culinary icon in Arizona. In a proclamation shared with Senator Lela Alston, the state of Arizona recognized the Original Chopped Salad as a “celebrated culinary staple”, where May 1 will now be known as “Original Chopped Salad Day” across Arizona.

The salad has a long history, with Chef Bernie Kantak first creating it in 1997 at Cowboy Ciao in Old Town Scottsdale. When that restaurant closed, Chef brought it to Citizen Public House and then the Gladly, where hundreds of them have been served every week for the past twelve years. The Gladly ([link removed]) has been a pillar of our local dining scene, offering not just exceptional food but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Chef Kantak’s Original Chopped Salad has garnered national acclaim and will now celebrated annually on 'Original Chopped Salad Day' — a testament to its impact and the restaurant's enduring legacy. If you haven’t had one yet, try it soon!


** Upcoming Events
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** Resistance Rally in Melrose District
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Honk or stop by Wednesday morning to show support for the people power amassing around the country. Since it’s inception three weeks ago, participation has grow exponentially week to week, from three to nearly thirty in attendance.

People from other cities are driving in, but anyone is welcome, and encouraged, to start their own in their community!
Learn more ([link removed])


** SOUNDS 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert
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On May 16th at 7:30pm at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, SOUNDS will be hosting their 10th annual benefit concert. This concert will celebrate the impact of their programs and the successes of the students, teachers, and the entire SOUNDS Academy community. Guests will experience inspiring speakers and captivating performances featuring the hardworking students and special guest artists.
Tickets Here ([link removed].)

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