Member of the Democratic Party. Have voted for plenty of Republicans rooted in reality, especially for local offices where competence is more important than policy alignment (Richer for Recorder, etc.).
I'm in LD-12, with three Democratic members who are firmly liberal, in what appear to be safe seats. The most interesting legislative Dem…
Member of the Democratic Party. Have voted for plenty of Republicans rooted in reality, especially for local offices where competence is more important than policy alignment (Richer for Recorder, etc.).
I'm in LD-12, with three Democratic members who are firmly liberal, in what appear to be safe seats. The most interesting legislative Democrat right now is Analise Ortiz (LD-24), who is willing to focus on a few ideas important to her constituents, especially affordable housing. The biggest challenge in both the House and Senate caucuses is keeping members in their seats, quite literally: attrition over the past few sessions has been brutal, either from members running for other offices (e.g., Jennifer Jermaine, who left the legislature to run for Justice of the Peace) or from quitting (this year). It's not the Democrats who have made each recent session a Death March to Sine Die, but it's a challenge. Otherwise, the caucuses are large enough to have the moderate and liberal factions you'd expect from a party potentially on the verge of a majority. Life.
Yeah, Ortiz is pretty sharp. How long until she runs for something else? And I don't blame people for ditching the Legislature -- it's a really bad job. Do you think paying people more than $24,000 (plus whatever mileage and per diem they can scrounge up) would help? Or is it something else driving people out?
Getting mileage while not working increased their pay this year. I think if the legislature actually focused on important issues mentioned above by Ms Powers, voters would be more open to paying them more.
I agree. If legislators were more focused on serious Arizona issues, water, reproductive rights, housing, public education ….and actually passed some bills that make a difference, then I would be more inclined to vote for a raise.
I suspect that in the past half-century, a part-time legislator became largely someone who had a flexible main job rather than someone who entirely gave up the main job during a short session. In Florida there were plenty of lawyers and real-estate people because they're more likely to be wealthy AND be far more flexible than others. And as long as there are enough people who can do that, plus others who are willing to take a $24K job a year for a few years as a stepping stone, it'll creak along.
I thought Ortiz has been with Rural Arizona Engagement since 2021, and the ACLU of Arizona before that. I wonder if she could make a go of it with a Substack... ;-)
Member of the Democratic Party. Have voted for plenty of Republicans rooted in reality, especially for local offices where competence is more important than policy alignment (Richer for Recorder, etc.).
I'm in LD-12, with three Democratic members who are firmly liberal, in what appear to be safe seats. The most interesting legislative Democrat right now is Analise Ortiz (LD-24), who is willing to focus on a few ideas important to her constituents, especially affordable housing. The biggest challenge in both the House and Senate caucuses is keeping members in their seats, quite literally: attrition over the past few sessions has been brutal, either from members running for other offices (e.g., Jennifer Jermaine, who left the legislature to run for Justice of the Peace) or from quitting (this year). It's not the Democrats who have made each recent session a Death March to Sine Die, but it's a challenge. Otherwise, the caucuses are large enough to have the moderate and liberal factions you'd expect from a party potentially on the verge of a majority. Life.
Yeah, Ortiz is pretty sharp. How long until she runs for something else? And I don't blame people for ditching the Legislature -- it's a really bad job. Do you think paying people more than $24,000 (plus whatever mileage and per diem they can scrounge up) would help? Or is it something else driving people out?
Getting mileage while not working increased their pay this year. I think if the legislature actually focused on important issues mentioned above by Ms Powers, voters would be more open to paying them more.
I agree. If legislators were more focused on serious Arizona issues, water, reproductive rights, housing, public education ….and actually passed some bills that make a difference, then I would be more inclined to vote for a raise.
I suspect that in the past half-century, a part-time legislator became largely someone who had a flexible main job rather than someone who entirely gave up the main job during a short session. In Florida there were plenty of lawyers and real-estate people because they're more likely to be wealthy AND be far more flexible than others. And as long as there are enough people who can do that, plus others who are willing to take a $24K job a year for a few years as a stepping stone, it'll creak along.
I thought Ortiz has been with Rural Arizona Engagement since 2021, and the ACLU of Arizona before that. I wonder if she could make a go of it with a Substack... ;-)
Good luck getting voter approval for higher pay.