What’s on legislators’ agendas this year

The Tribune asked East Valley lawmakers to tell us what they hope to accomplish this session, including their top issues and important bills they might introduce.

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Here’s what some of those who responded had to say (trimmed for space constraints):

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Ed Ableser, Democrat, Tempe: “My main focus this year is to protect the universities and vital health and human services that the state provides from being cut because of the $1 billion shortfall. I will be working hard on consumer protection issues (credit cards, predatory lending, mortgage fraud, etc.). The most significant bill that I will be working on this year prohibits credit card companies from using gifts and/or novelty incentives on college campuses to solicit a young student to apply for a credit card. They will still be allowed to solicit their product, just without using manipulative techniques to lure a student into an application.”

Rep. Mark Anderson, Republican, Mesa: “My major focus this year will be on education issues. We are dealing with some critical issues including English Language Learners and addressing the (Flores) lawsuit, finding a solution for the career ladder discrepancy, teacher shortages, improving AIMS scores, and not cutting the art, music and PE programs in order to comply with the new math/science mandate from the state Board of Education. I plan to introduce a bill to deal with the Career Ladder challenge, one to prevent the loss of vital educational options. I also plan to be an integral part of balancing the budget without hurting our education system or gutting important services to citizens.”

Rep. Kirk Adams, Republican, Mesa: “The major focus of any legislative session must be a responsible budget that provides for critical services and respects the taxpayer. Major bills: Bring greater transparency and accountability to Child Protective Services, by opening dependency hearings, case files, and personnel records. Provide tools to allow for greater cooperation between law enforcement and CPS, and require CPS to obey all court orders. Establish a statewide high-risk pool for individuals who cannot purchase health insurance due to pre-existing health conditions. This proposal will utilize the existing private market and can be funded without raising taxes.”

Rep. John Kavanagh, Republican, Fountain Hills: “My main focus will be resolving the budget shortfall in a financially responsible manner, which requires cutting excessive government spending. Between 2004 and 2007, state spending increased by about 15 percent per year. This out-of-control spending is the primary cause of our current budget crisis and fiscal restraint is the solution. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am prepared to make the unpopular but necessary cuts in our budget to resolve the crisis. My five most significant bills will remove the offensive phrases which remain on the Arizona 9/11 Memorial, correct injustices and problems with the operation of photo radar, prevent criminals from suing their victims, stop disruptive day labor gatherings on our streets and require contract workers who regularly work on school grounds to be fingerprinted and background checked.”

Rep. David Schapira, Democrat, Tempe: “My goal this year is to do what’s best for Arizona’s students. We have to protect our K-12 schools and universities from the broad cuts that have been proposed by legislative leadership. Our students should not pay the price for mismanagement by the Legislature. We can’t afford to cut teacher salaries, increase class sizes or eliminate key learning opportunities like physical education and arts programs. These will be among the first cuts if the legislative leadership gets its way. This year I am running some very important education bills. One bill I’ve authored will force the state to examine the costs of implementing No Child Left Behind in Arizona. If, as I believe, the costs outweigh the benefits, then we will make a move to opt out of NCLB, allowing our state Board of Education and local school districts to implement our own standards. In another education bill, I plan to ensure that if school districts are forced to unify after the November election, then they are provided with the resources and time necessary to accomplish this task. We must make sure that student learning is not disrupted and that the end result is a district that is structured in a way that best serves our students.”

SENATE

Sen. Chuck Gray, Republican, Mesa: “The major area of focus will be on election and criminal law. As Judiciary Chairman that will be my focus. The most significant bills that I plan to introduce this year will be the following: Judicial accountability and performance; Parents Bill of Rights; Tax Reform.”

Sen. Karen Johnson, Republican, Mesa: “A: What is your major area of focus this year? (ANSWER: the Budget) B: What are the most significant bills you plan to introduce this year? (ANSWER: Bills affecting children’s safety, as well as parental rights. Repeal of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.”

Sen. Jay Tibshraney, Republican, Chandler: “A major area of focus this legislative session is to resolve the budget crisis. I was one of the few senators who opposed the current budget that now has a projected deficit of $970 million in Fiscal Year 2008 and a potential deficit of $1.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2009. I was critical of the budget process that helped lead to this mess and strongly advocated for a special session last summer to fix this problem in a timely manner. With Arizonans experiencing increases in property taxes, gasoline prices, and the economy softening, we must remain committed to not increasing their burdens while protecting funding for education, public safety and other key areas as we develop long term solutions to our budget situation. Over the last two years I have also worked to increase funding to improve our transportation infrastructure and to engage the private sector in innovative solutions. Last year, I sponsored legislation creating a class 4 felony for engaging in mortgage fraud. While that was a strong beginning to address the impact of this fraud on Arizona’s families and our economy, more must be done. This session I will sponsor legislation requiring the licensure of home loan originators in Arizona. Through licensure, loan originators will now have to meet professional and educational requirements while allowing the Department of Financial Institutions to act against those harming Arizona homeowners.”