Legislative Update – February 26, 2016
Congressman Salmon Announces Retirement, Race Is On For CD5 Seat
In a very shocking announcement yesterday morning, US Congressman Matt Salmon from District 5 shared that he will be retiring to spend time with his family. “The most important job I have is that of husband and father, and over the years I’ve missed far too many opportunities to spend time with my family,” shared Salmon. Salmon served from 1995-2001 and returned to his old seat in 2012.
The race is now on to fill Salmon’s coveted seat in the solidly Republican majority district. First to announce was Senate President Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert). Further, Salmon will be serving as Biggs’s campaign chairman. “His leadership will be sorely missed, and I am honored to have his full support for my campaign,” said Biggs. Though no one else has announced yet, there is rampant speculation about who will participate in what is sure to be a crowded primary. A few names being mentioned include:
- Rep. Justin Olson (R-Mesa)
- Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshaeny
- Kirk Adams, Chief of Staff for Ducey and former State Legislator
- Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Chucri
- State Rep. Bob Robson (R-Chandler)
- State Sen. Bob Worsley (R-Mesa)
- Christine Jones, GoDaddy Exec and 2014 gubernatorial candidate
- State Rep. Kelly Townsend (R-Mesa)
Conflict of Interest Clarification Legislation Introduced
Since being sworn in several weeks ago, there has been much discussion over the revelation that new Corporation Commissioner Andy Tobin may not vote on certain issues pertaining to solar because his son in law works for a solar company. In response, a strike everything amendment has been offered by Rep. John Allen (R-Scottsdale) that would allow Tobin to vote on some upcoming cases by clarifying which conflict of interest statutes apply to Commissioners. The amendment says, “Notwithstanding any other law, commissioners and employees of the commission are subject to Title 38, Chapter 3, Article 8. ” That statute defines conflicts of interest for “all public officers and employees of incorporated cities or towns, of political subdivisions and of the state and any of its departments, commissions, agencies, bodies or boards.” Allen said that his bill would simply apply the same conflict of interest rules to the Commission as the legislature and other public bodies are subject to. Tobin was supportive. “At the end of the day, I came here to vote on everything, so I’m going to fight. … I want to fight to be able to vote. While there’s a disagreement amongst attorneys, and there’d probably be a disagreement in a court of law, it seems to me like if the Legislature agrees with me, maybe they can help clean some of this stuff up and that may solve some of the problem,” Tobin said.
House Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject Federal Acts
A bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Thorpe (R-Flagstaff) that would prevent the state and local authorities from enforcing or financing any federal rules or regulations that haven’t been affirmed by Congress passed the House last Thursday. HB2201 barely passed along mostly partisan lines with a vote of 31-27. Thorpe has said that he wants to push back against federal overreach and take back some control. The bill will now be heard in the Senate where a similar measure failed last year.
Legislation on Authorities of SPI Passes Senate
SB1416 by Senator Jeff Dial (R-Chandler), which takes certain authorities away from the Superintended of Public Instruction, passed quietly out of the Senate on Tuesday. Since taking office in January 2015, SPI Diane Douglas has been engaged in a power struggle with the Board over who has the authority to hire, fire and supervise Board employees. If successful, this bill would settle the debate and end ongoing litigation.
Gowan Repays the State for Per Diem Errors
Speaker of the House David Gowan (R-Sierra Vista) paid the state back $12,000 for mileage reimbursement that he had claimed for trips that were taken in state vehicles and days that he did not actually work. Though Gowan did not comment, House Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham shared that the errors were the result of a lack of communication among staff but the Speaker wanted to err of the side of caution. “There is no indication that the speaker knowingly or intentionally claimed non-reimbursable mileage; he directed us to review the records; and he promptly repaid the over-reimbursement amount when the error was revealed,” Grisham wrote in an email.