June 24, 2025
Let’s just sum it up quickly: the Arizona Legislature is a hot mess.
With just days to go before the June 30 deadline — and a government shutdown — the GOP-controlled legislature is still wasting everyone’s time engaging in infighting. In a nutshell, the Republicans in the Senate (kind of) worked with Dems and the Governor to pass a budget and declared sine die, the Republicans in the House didn’t work with anyone and passed their own budget, no-one likes the stop-gap continuation budget, and everyone is mad about all of it.
Meanwhile, our state’s already-last-in-the-nation public education system circles the tank to the tune of $3 billion, thanks to Doug Ducey’s tax cuts and handouts to universal vouchers. Making matters worse, the leg failed to pass Prop 123 (in large part because Repubs tried to tie teacher pay to voucher expansion), further increasing budget woes. Because no bill is ever dead until the budget is signed, be ready to contact your representatives.
Masked federal agents are taking immigrants as they leave court hearings. Those who are less at risk of being targeted by ICE are needed to stand up and offer protection to our neighbors. Borderlands Resource Initiative and Puente offer rapid response trainings on how to help. More info and trainings here.
As you’re likely aware, religious extremists have been making a concerted, organized effort to take over school boards in order to push a Christian nationalist agenda. The Stand for Children Fellowship teaches you how to organize, engage with school boards, and push back effectively. Click here to learn more and apply.