Lifelong North Valley Mom,
#AZteacher
, leader. LD2 Democrats. Working Together So Everyone Can Thrive.
@AZHouseDems
. Running for Arizona Senate in LD2.
Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the AZ State Senate in Legislative District 2. Now is the time to make real progress for Arizona families, so everyone gets their chance to thrive. Join our team and chip in now —>
Arizona could increase education funding by $900 million without raising taxes. That would lower class sizes, give teachers a raise, and improve educational outcomes across the state!
Today, I voted against a bill to allow universal school vouchers for unaccountable private schools. I am disappointed that the majority has disregarded the will of the people that in recent years voted against voucher expansion.
I am deeply sad and angry that the Arizona legislature has become a breeding ground for hateful anti-LGBTQ+ bills. As legislators, our job should be to support legislation to make our communities better and safer places for everyone.
Arizona could invest more than $500 million in families without raising taxes including expanding KidsCare, shelters for the unhoused, and postpartum care.
That surplus was created on the backs of our children. AZ ranks 49th in ed funding, students in 1800+ classrooms have no permanent teacher, and schools are crumbling.
@DougDucey
, stop THAT steal! Tax giveaways to the rich are bad
#ForArizonans
who want an educated workforce.
@dougDucey
’s tax plan is bad
#ForArizonans
unless they’re wealthy. It reduces taxes by $39 for those who make $50K, but saves the wealthiest $350,000, leaving us with poorly funded schools, bad roads, and inadequate funds to address our drought and other urgent needs.
I’m glad to see Governor Hobbs veto this bill. Critical race theory is not taught in our schools. We should focus on the real issues facing our schools: a shortage of qualified teachers, not enough counselors, and a permanent solution for the AEL.
We must cap universal ESA vouchers in the upcoming budget. They now threaten to bankrupt AZ. We need to fight the fentanyl crisis; protect our children; combat elder abuse; fund our secure & safe elections, and deal with the homelessness, housing, teacher & water crises.
Yes, this from Gress, a man who has been working behind the scenes with the Center for Arizona Policy to ban all abortions, running repeated fetal personhood bills, AND was part of the Ducey admin that APPOINTED these very AZ Supreme Court justices to the court.
Rep. Gress, working with the Center for Arizona Policy whose main goal is to eliminate legal and safe abortion to introduce fetal personhood bills demonstrates that not only is this statement not your true position, but that if it were up to you that an embryo would be a person,
I am deeply honored that our community has elected me to represent us in the Arizona State House. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, contributed and supported our campaign. I’m proud to stand with you and am committed to working together for Arizonans.
As a librarian and teacher, my job was to help students find the books that resonated with them, reflected their lived experiences, or expanded their horizons. During Banned Books Week, let’s pledge to protect the freedom to read.
This is government overreach at its worst. I am outraged that our state has officially turned back the clock on women’s rights by over 100 years. This pre-statehood law that bans abortions even in cases of rape and incest will have devastating effects on countless women . . .
I came to the Arizona House to work together to get things done for all Arizonans. So today I was deeply disappointed to see the Republican 1-vote majority ram through a partisan budget with zero input from Democrats or the Governor.
Did you know Arizona has a budget surplus of more than $5 billion? Follow along this week for some ways that we could invest in Arizonans and give every Arizonan the opportunity to thrive.
NEW: Nine states will offer free breakfast & lunch to all students this fall — a notable shift given that none did so pre-pandemic. MA joined that list yesterday & IL's governor is expected to sign universal meals into law soon. Will more states join them?
We received hundreds of pages of amendments 9 am, and we’re supposed to vote on the budget NOW? My constituents can’t even see these changes yet. It’s outrageous. I came here to represent the people of my community not to rubber stamp proposals made by one party in secret.
Thank you so much to my neighbors in LD2 for re-electing me to represent you in the Arizona State House. I’m deeply honored that you’ve put your trust in me.
As a proud cosponsor of HB2677 (that would repeal the 1864 abortion ban) I join Rep Stahl-Hamilton in inviting colleagues now saying today's AZ Supreme Court's decision to uphold it goes too far, to help us repeal that antiquated ban tomorrow on the House floor.
For all of my colleagues who have used social media to proclaim that the total ban on abortion is too extreme, let’s see if they will take us up on the offer to vote on HB2677 abolishing the 1864 ban on abortion.
#TuneInTomorrow
While Arizona continues to face a workforce shortage, there are 700,000 working age Arizonans who don’t yet have a high school diploma. The first bill I passed last year was to increase funds to our community colleges for their co-enrollment programs that let people earn a GED…
Today, I joined Representative Ortiz and Francesca Martin to speak out against politicians who seek to ban abortion like Kari Lake and extreme MAGA Republicans.
Exactly. The majority introduces a bill at the last possible moment to completely overhaul education funding in AZ without any input from education experts. Instead, it’s written by a school privatization group. What could possibly go wrong? This is irresponsible.
I swear I will support the Constitution of the US and,,, State of Arizona, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will faithfully & impartially discharge the duties of my office so help me God.
Teachers in Arizona are leaving their classrooms in droves because of low salaries and repeated attacks by lawmakers in the majority. It’s time for a new majority that listens to the people of Arizona and invests in our educators.
AZ is facing a serious crisis. Our lawmakers are putting the needs of private interests above our most important & critically needed assets: our educators.
#EnoughIsEnough
Read our most recent blog on this crisis here:
I’m truly honored to receive the endorsement of Mayor Pete Buttigieg and his Win the Era PAC, which seeks out candidates who model truth, substance, discipline, and joy - people in it for the right reasons, exhibiting empathy and support.
I am disappointed that the majority party has chosen to ignore the will of the voters and pursue voucher expansion again instead of increasing funding for our public schools.
With a $5 billion surplus and a proposed GOP budget that doesn’t even match inflation for public schools, Republicans are instead doubling down on a massive expansion of private-school vouchers today. Democrats stood with educators and parents to say enough is enough!
#azleg
“To afford a two-bedroom apartment in Arizona, a renter needs to make almost $30 an hour. Too many don’t.”
Arizona needs more affordable housing so that every one can afford a place to live.
“Arizonans deserve a safe and affordable place to live,” said Arizona Department of Housing Director Joan Serviss. She is co-chair of the Governor’s Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, which met for the first time in June.
Thank you to Save Our Schools for canvassing in LD20 today to let folks know how Sen Boyer and Rep Bolick are undercutting our public schools - where 90% of children choose to attend and where voters have repeatedly demanded that we invest.
Abortion is essential health care.
The majority of Arizonans agree: people who can become pregnant deserve the freedom to decide for themselves when to become a parent or grow their families.
Let’s do this, Arizona.
It was great to join the Women’s March this morning on the eve of the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision. Arizonans should have the freedom to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions.
Overriding the Aggregate Expenditure Limit will not raise taxes & will not give schools MORE money, it will just let them spend the money we already budgeted. Mr. Speaker, please bring HCR2012 to the floor NOW so that we can vote to keep Arizona's Schools open past 4/1.
“It is said that it is expensive to educate the next generation of leaders, doctors & innovators. It is more expensive not to.”
@JudyForAZ
foresees lasting damage if Republicans allow catastrophic mid-year cuts to AZ schools by failing to waive the aggregate expenditure limit.
Arizona could invest more than $200 million in building a stronger economy without raising taxes. We could invest in our manufacturing infrastructure, attract high-tech companies with expanded tax credits, and increase childcare subsidies.
It was a long day of saying no to too many bills attacking our freedom to vote. Voting is the foundation of what makes our nation great. We should be finding ways to ensure that every qualified citizen can vote, not creating hoops to make it more difficult.
Work together,
@speakerbowers
? I'd love to! But that means you don't craft a budget in secret with 0 input from Dems and then expect us to vote on it minutes after getting 100's of pages of additional amendments. That's not what working together looks like.
Thank you Governor Hobbs. Arizonans deserve a budget that addresses their needs. I hope the one-seat legislative majority will stop playing political games and work together with us to address our teacher, affordable housing, and water shortage crises. Let’s get to work.
I have vetoed the legislative budget that kicks the can down the road. Arizonans deserve a budget that takes the real issues we are facing seriously. Now, let’s get to work.
I was deeply disappointed today to see the Republican majority throw out years of meticulous bipartisan planning by over 30 Maricopa County mayors, tribes and other leaders who unanimously agreed on the 400E Valley-wide 20-year transportation plan to put before voters.
As we entered the Governor’s 8th floor conference room today we looked out on the route we each walked exactly five years ago for
#RedForEd
with 75,000 of our teacher colleagues.
I was excited to be sworn in for my second term in the Arizona legislature today! I look forward to working with Governor Hobbs to build an Arizona where everyone can thrive!
Many voters who were formerly in the west part of my LD20 district have now been drawn into the new LD27. I urge all Democrats to write in the name of Brittani Barraza for state senator on your ballot. Democrats deserve a seat at the table.
I'm running as a write-in candidate for State Senate in LD27 because I believe Democrats deserve a seat at the table.
The Primary Election is August 2nd and ballots have already been mailed! Tell your friends in LD27 to write-in BRITTANI BARRAZA.
“All told, AZ is headed for economic disaster. 2024 is an election year – and AZ voters must seize the urgent opportunity to elect a new legislature that will operate within its means, serve the people instead of the rich ruling class, and prioritize and fund public education.”
This week’s
#WeeklyEdReport
is chock full of K12 news:
🚨 Breaking ESA voucher news
🍎 So many reasons to be
#PublicSchoolProud
📢 Updates on Supt Horne’s attempts to limit bilingual education
And so much more!
🗞️ Read the full report:
Thank you to all the Arizonans who pounded the pavement this summer to refer these bad bills to voters. These tax cuts for the wealthy would decimate our state's future. via
@azcentral
Today, my colleagues and I are excited to announce our Plan to Invest in Arizona’s Children!
Our plan will raise the 1980-era expenditure limit, reduce class sizes and raise teacher pay.
Read more and add your name to the plan:
The House schedule has 95 bills for us to vote on today and we’re being urged to vote faster or we’ll be here for 9 hours. Why are we voting on 95 potential laws in one day? To accommodate Republican vacation schedules?
Have you voted YES on our schools bond and override elections yet? None will increase our tax rate. All are essential to keeping our community safe and thriving!
Don’t forget to fill out your ballot and mail it back by October 31st!
“No politician can or should know the details of every family’s pregnancy. Republicans are demanding a one-size-fits-all policy for the very complicated healthcare needs during pregnancy for hundreds of thousands of families.”
Once again we will gather the signatures to stop this voucher scam. But we must ALSO elect a Dem governor AND Dem majority legislature to stop these whack-a-mole attacks on our kids - and invest in the schools AZ families already choose. Vote!
I am glad that a judge today ruled in favor of continuing to allow Arizonans the option of voting early. Early voting is the method of choice of almost 90% of Arizonans and has been for more than 3 decades.
I’m furious about this disastrous, completely partisan budget that prioritizes welfare for the wealthy and leaves everyday Arizonans with basically a Starbucks gift card and underfunded schools, bad roads, and a growing divide between the middle class and wealthy. Shame on us.
House Republicans were furious when they couldn't move the extremist budget they dropped out of the sky Tuesday because they didn't want you to know what's in it. Here's what their plan and 13 new amendments – including 200 pages of attacks on K-12 education -- will do:
#AZBudget
Thank you Supt Hoffman for calling on Gov Ducey to fulfill his promise to call a special session to lift the antiquated spending cap. Without that action, districts can’t count on being able to spend the funds in this year’s state budget.
NEW: AZ State Senator Rebecca Rios (D) tells 12 News Republicans have already assured Democrats that Governor Ducey will call a special session "after the election" to lift the spending cap on public school districts. Details in story.
@12News
Proud to introduce my last three bills for this session today. They included 1) grants for professional support for new teachers, 2) Agreement for CTEDs and Comm. colleges to meet about credit transfers, and 3) full funding for K12 schools w/NO new taxes!
$900 million a year for unaccountable school vouchers threatens to bankrupt Arizona. It is fiscally irresponsible to continue down this path. We must implement caps to protect our financial future.
Banning abortions takes away the ability of people to make their own most personal medical decisions. My son and daughter-in-law were faced with that exact choice when faced with an unviable fetus.
It was my privilege to honor the incredible Rivko Knox, longtime leader in LD20 and champion of voting rights for all citizens with a Women’s History Month Proclamation in the House today. Thank you, Rivko!
I support the Arizona Education Association’s Educators’ Budget because every student deserves a fully funded school and a qualified, permanent teacher who is fairly compensated.
Today, I was glad to join with my colleagues on the House Education committee to pass
#HCR2001
to lift the Aggregate Expenditure Limit. If the AEL isn’t lifted by March 1st, schools and their students in my district will lose $145 million.
Thank you Rep Salman and Rep Butler for your incredible work on protecting women’s reproductive rights in our state. Your leadership today in standing against SB1457 was inspiring. I’m proud to stand with you both, our many sisters in the leg, and women across Arizona.
What an historic day! I was so proud to get to help pass SCR1044 which is good for AZ and good for kids. Now voters can decide in Nov 22 whether to allow every young person the opportunity they deserve to fulfill their potential, whatever their immigration status.
I am honored to have the support of Save Our Schools Arizona! My plan to invest in education, including by increasing pay for all educators, is crucial to the future of our state!
Today I got to vote YES on HB 2127 to restore funding to the Start Parks Heritage Fund that was dismantled in 09 & promised lottery money diverted to special interest groups. The bill now goes to the Senate. This is for you,
@DougErvin88
, and everyone who loves our beautiful AZ.
The 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is a good time to remember how far we've come but still how deeply committed we must be to ensure reproductive health care for all women.
#HB2650
in the AZleg would allow murder prosecutions for people who have abortions. NO We won't go back.
My colleague in the State House Rep
@MorganAbrahamAZ
, also a US Army Captain, gave us a powerful lesson yesterday on the respect for guns ingrained by the military. They require background checks, red flag laws and safe storage. Shouldn’t that respect be ingrained in us all?
Rep.
@MorganAbrahamAZ
, a US Army Captain, walks colleagues through the intensive respect for weapons and responsibility that the military ingrains in recruits — including background checks, red flag laws and safe storage. It’s time for the same level of common sense everywhere.
I'm glad to see Gov Ducey says we need money to address the wildfires. The current situation makes clear why his $1.9 Billion "flat tax" is a non-starter. AZ needs this revenue to protect & invest in our people and state. via
@azcentral
Thank you
@MitziEpstein
for helping us understand the 1783 Cobb amendment we received 5 minutes ago. It means that in a state with 7.2 million people, 6200 millionaires will get a huge tax loophole that strips voter-approved 208 funds for our public schools.
I am disappointed to have to march once again for action to be taken to prevent gun violence in our communities. I will continue to fight in the state legislature for common sense gun safety measures.
Here in our state. The last thing we should do is criminalize pregnant people for making their own most personal healthcare decisions and jail doctors for providing life-saving care.
Yesterday, I turned my first batch of bills into what’s known as the “hopper”. They included:
A professional development grant to help schools with high turnover rates hire a staff development person to help retain new teachers by helping them succeed.
I’ve been a part of our LD2 community since 1980. It’s where I taught and my kids got a great education in our local public schools. That’s why I’m running for the Arizona State Senate. So that every family has the same chance to thrive that mine did!
This is exactly why I - and other teachers - won seats in our legislature. Arizonans want our children to get a world class education, but to do so, we need a new majority that treats teachers with the respect - and pay they deserve. We must do better.
NEWS RELEASE - Severe Teacher Arizona Shortage Continues
Phoenix, AZ - For the sixth consecutive year, ASPAA survey confirm a teacher shortage. Data indicates about 25.9% of vacancies across state remain unfilled while 55.4% ...full article available at
I was proud to vote yes to allow Maricopa County voters decide on whether to continue the 1/2 cent sales tax to provide the transportation system we need as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.
On the strength of Democratic votes the House approves a plan to extend Prop. 400. The plan, which must be approved by Maricopa County voters, ensures that freeways, roads and public transit remains funded as the region continues to grow. Next step: Senate approval & sine die.
My mom’s been there to cheer me on for my whole life. Now’s no different. As my favorite constituent, she volunteered to join me in canvassing her neighbors today. Thanks, Mom!
A big thank you to every Democrat in the State Senate including
@MitziEpstein
,
@AnnaHernandezAZ
, and
@priya4az
for voting to repeal the 1864 abortion ban today - and to the two Senate Republicans who joined them.
I’m on an affordable housing tour of three different developments. It’s really reinforced my commitment to making sure we can build more of these immediately.
I was thrilled to share this inspiring Inauguration morning with friends from our LD 2 community: Craig Beckman, Meg Patel, Nahrain Bet Younadam. We’re ready to build an Arizona where everyone can thrive.
The SB1532 amendment appeared today at 9 am, skirting any public comment, yet allowing a $5,000+ fine against teachers for discussing undefined "controversial" issues. So much for
#TeacherAppreciationWeek
In debate on
#SB1532
, teacher Rep. Schwiebert shares concern about possible $5,000 fines and the impact on meaningful classroom discussion. “It will have a chilling effect on the art of teaching.”
Especially awful during
#TeacherAppreciationWeek
#azleg
We all want the freedom to decide whether to grow our families. But tomorrow the AZ House hears SB1164 to criminalize abortion care and stoke fear. They want us to judge each other instead of listening to what our families need. Urge your reps to oppose heartless abortion bans.
I will be joining my Democratic colleagues at a press conference on Thursday to call on our Governor to call a special session to ensure our schools are able to spend their full budgets!
Tomorrow, I plan to offer 3 budget amendments. 1) Fulfill our promise of Education Stability Grants (ESG's). School districts received only between 24-71% of promised funds, and need those funds to avoid having to close campuses, layoff teachers, and/or reduce services.
I’m proud of my 94% scorecard from Progress Arizona! I’m glad to have been able to support working families, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen our public schools.
The vast majority of Arizona voters have cast their ballots by mail in our state’s popular, highly respected, safe and secure elections for decades. This is a terrible idea that will make it more difficult for all voters of every party to cast their ballot.
BREAKING:
@AZGOP
goes to court in bid to end ALL early voting, claims there's no constitutional authority for it. And if that argument doesn't wash, backup plan is to kill no-excuse early voting, meaning people wanting early ballot would need reason.
We need to find a solution to our state’s teacher shortage crisis. Every student deserves to have a highly qualified teacher in their classroom. It’s a key to give every student their chance to thrive!
NEW: The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association just released shocking new data on educator vacancies.
At this point, only 18% of new AZ teacher job openings are filled by educators meeting standard certification requirements.
Full data: