Arizona Republicans are killing Democrat bills for the worst reasons – The Arizona Republic
Opinion: The Arizona Legislature may be evenly split, but only bills sponsored by Republicans stand a chance of passing. That's not how good government works.
Christine Marsh| opinion contributor
When I first ran for office, I said I was committed to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to solve problems.
I still am.
I believed then thatgood ideascan come from anyone and that the legislative process works best through collaboration with colleagues in both parties.
I believe that now.
The Senate Democrats have a proven record of bipartisanship,evidentby themore than five dozenRepublican billsthat we have voted for and supported.
If we thinkitsa good bill meaning enacting good policy, no matter who the sponsor is we will vote for it.
Meanwhile, many of my Senate Republican colleagues have had few opportunities to show any bipartisanship because so few of our bills have gone up on the board.
As of Monday,only 14 Democratic bills have received a vote, while 309 Republican bills have.
Remember that the chamber isalmost evenlysplit:There are 16 Republicans and 14 Democrats.
Many of the Republican bills that have taken up our time and passed without any Democratic support are controversial, implement significant changes to law, and willlikely bevetoed by the governor.
This is not a productive use of our time.
With such a closely divided Legislature, it would be so much better forArizonansif senators and representatives focusedonbipartisanbills that will improve lives andlikely willbe signed into law.
In one ofthecommitteesI serve on, there have been just three Democratic bills included on agendas for a hearing, while 58 Republican bills were presented and discussed.
In addition, we were recently informed that no Democratic bills will have a hearing in the House if theydontreceive a majority of the majoritythe support of nine of the 16 Republican membersin the Senate.
This is an artificial rule. The reality is that 16 yes votes from the 30senators should be enough.
We are already seeing evidence that Republicans are intentionally ensuring that Democratic bills do not make that artificial threshold.
Risky politics:Why GOP is betting big on a far-right agenda
Can I prove it?
Maybe not, but some of us in competitive districts have been told by Republican colleagues that none of our bills will make it to the finish line because theydontwant to give Democrats a win in those districts.
Democrats have sponsored multiple bills this session that would implement positive change for our state. When Democratic bills make it through their assigned committees, these bills deserve a debate on the floor of bothchambers,and they deserve that final, recorded vote on the board.
I have sponsored24 billsthis session, but just one of my bills has been transmitted to the House. Senate Bill1159 is a potentially life-saving change in law that would allow us to keep up with the evolution of deadly, illicit drugs by making testing and analyzing equipment and devices legal.
The legislationpassed the full Senate on a 20-9 vote (with one senator absent), yet with nine of the 16 Republicans voting no, it is now apparently dead andwontbe heard in the House.
I am frustrated by what we are seeing this session.Voters should be,too.
Weare facing life-altering issues in our state:
None of these issues will ever be solved by one party or the other. Bipartisanship is essential.
I would like the opportunity to fight for my bill that is now assigned to the House. Other Democrats would like that same opportunity.
Forthat to happen, however, my Republican colleagues will need to show that they, too, believe in good policy no matter who sponsors a particular bill.
Sen. ChristineMarshrepresentseast and northeast Phoenix and Paradise Valley in District 4. Reach her atcmarsh@azleg.gov.
View post:
Arizona Republicans are killing Democrat bills for the worst reasons - The Arizona Republic
- A Democrat for the Trump Era - The Atlantic - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Watch Voters 'Sick of the Bloodsport' of Politics, Says Texas Democrat Talarico - Bloomberg.com - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Noem exposes the 'monsters' Democrat senator is fighting to protect in immigration battle - Fox News - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Democrat Leon El-Alamin, who had criminal record wiped under Dem law, is charged with choking and beating woman - New York Post - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Oxbow Commons Park marks 10 years of community gatherings - The Press Democrat - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Former Governor Cooper to speak at NC Democrat Unity Dinner - WRAL.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez becomes the first Democrat to enter the 2026 governor race - ABC News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Democrat Sherrill just named her running mate in red-hot N.J. governors race - NJ.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Cuomo: Mamdani has advantage as the Democrat on ballot - The Hill - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Morning Digest: An Arizona Democrat looks to expand the House playing field - The Downballot - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- 'Hell no, not on our watch': Texas Democrat ready to break quorum to block redistricting - Houston Chronicle - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- State audits find Democrat Jefferson County tax collector JT Smallwoods office in noncompliance - 1819 News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Exclusive: Democrat on Bipartisan Push to Undo Part of 'Big Beautiful Bill' - Newsweek - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Better than this - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Texas Democrat Tells Joe Rogan His Advice to GOP That Trump 'Tapped Into' - Newsweek - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Democrat from Trump country auditions for 2028 with plan to win culture wars - The Washington Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Democrat credits Trump for opening door to Syrias new government - Washington Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Sonoma Raceway security guard charged with assaulting wheelchair-using racer during NASCAR event - The Press Democrat - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- A red-state Democrat test-drives a 2028 message: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again - The Texas Tribune - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Key Democrat sends letter to Fox News seeking info on edited Trump interview - MSNBC News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Andy Beshear introduces himself to South Carolina as the normal Democrat - Semafor - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Ron Wyden, a Democrat, Wont Let Go of the Jeffrey Epstein Case, Either - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Democrat voters who sat out last election want candidates further to the left: poll - The Independent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Is Phillys DA race over? Republicans are polling whether Democrat Pat Dugan could beat Larry Krasner as the GOP nominee. - Inquirer.com - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- A top Democrat believes Fox may have deliberately sought to shield then-candidate Trump from any further association with Epstein. - Yahoo - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Sonoma County family loses their dream home after yearslong battle over permits, court-appointed cleanup company - The Press Democrat - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- What to know about the race to replace the late Arizona House Democrat - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Alabama Democrat who flipped seat held by Republican for 20 years is leaving office - AL.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Scoop: House Democrat probes Trump's 22-year-old terror prevention official - Axios - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Cuomo says he is Democrat, running on an independent line and Mamdani is socialist on the Democratic line - The Hill - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Opinion: From a Democrat: The importance of Ron Hart and differing opinions - Chattanooga Times Free Press - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- The Texas Democrat Trying to Force Trumps Hand on Epstein: It Seems Like Hes Trying to Cover Up - Vanity Fair - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Democrat accuses Trump administration of diverting 'critical resources' from fighting organized retail theft - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Opinion | As Democrat Beshear eyes 2028, hell need to deal with the groups - The Washington Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- 'What are you hiding?': Democrat urges admin to release Epstein files - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrat on possible shutdown: Its time to stand up for the American people - The Hill - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Bernie Sanders on AIPAC: "No Democrat should accept their money" - The Jerusalem Post - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Tame that red afro: And other things Id have done if I knew then what I know now - Belleville News-Democrat - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Temporary closure of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge for construction - Daily Democrat - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- I'm a Zionist Democrat. Mamdani has me asking if I must choose between my ideals and identity - The Forward - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Game on: Fields fill for Tennessees open 6th and 7th U.S. House seats; a Democrat in District 5 - Tennessee Lookout - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- House Democrat Calls on Kristi Noem To Resign Over ICE Lies - The Intercept - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Democrat rhetoric has gone from defund the police to attack the police, says GOP rep - Fox Business - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Vote 2026: Fellow Democrat gets in the governors race before Lamont - News 12 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Palmer predicts GOP will increase majority 'The Democrat policies are so stupid' - 1819 News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 2028 Watch: Another Democrat Contender Heads To South Carolina - FITSNews - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- PD reporter spends hours fishing at Santa Rosa lake with a rattlesnake in his kayak. Experts say he got lucky - The Press Democrat - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Democratic Party of Arkansas chair announces he will step down effective July 15 - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Democrat who says he stands for underdogs will be one in quest to unseat Hal Rogers - Kentucky Lantern - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Rep. McCollum Joins Every Senate and House Democrat in Opposing the One Big Ugly Bill - Congresswoman Betty McCollum (.gov) - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Mayors Fourth of July celebration - River Valley Democrat-Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Democrat Jeffries Sets Record In Speech Delaying House Vote on Trump Bill - Yahoo Finance - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Lucas: Trump should demand the unconditional surrender of the Democrat Party - Boston Herald - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- There will be consequences for GOP in 2026 after passing Trump's bill, says House Democrat - NBC News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Appeals Court Lets Trump Remove Another Democrat From Independent Agency - The New York Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democrat Warned To 'Avoid Vulgar Speak' After Ripping Trump-Backed Bill - Newsweek - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Democrat sets record with 8.5-hr speech before vote on Trump bill - Times of India - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Pennsylvania House Democrat on Fetterman: If you dont want to be here, leave - Politico - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred announces he will run for U.S. Senate again - Houston Chronicle - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred is running again for US Senate in Texas - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Dan Haar: CT's top Democrat on how the party outside of New York should respond to Zohran Mamdani - CT Insider - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Geoff Duncan weighs whether to run for Georgia governor - as a Democrat - AJC.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Rips Fettermans Beach Gripe: If You Dont Want to Be Here, Leave - Yahoo - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2nd Democrat announces campaign to unseat GOP congressman - Grand Haven Tribune - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat Colin Allred announces campaign for Cornyn's seat, O'Rourke testing the waters - fox4beaumont.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Longtime Pa. Democrat says he wont run for reelection to Congress - PennLive.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Democrat McMorrow to report $2M haul for Senate bid - The Oakland Press - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Pat Williams, Last Montana Democrat to Serve in the House, Dies at 87 - The New York Times - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrats fight to exercise their oversight duties - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrat Billie Butler wins special election to represent Somersworth and Rollinsford in NH House - New Hampshire Bulletin - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Democrat Wyden presses Bessent to commit to US sanctions on Russia - Reuters - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- House Democrat demands VA disclose any spyware, AI installed on agency computers as part of DOGE initiative - Stars and Stripes - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Zohrans Next Challenge: Another Disgraced (Former) Democrat - Mother Jones - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump wins over lifelong Democrat with 'big, beautiful bill' and more top headlines - Fox News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee - NBC News - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on Oversight panel, setting new path for partys opposition - Federal News Network - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Hear heated exchange between Pam Bondi and Democrat over possible foreign influence on Trump - CNN - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- 88-Year-Old House Democrat's Staff Walks Back Comments on Reelection Bid - Newsweek - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Top Democrat says Trump strikes on Iran a 'massive, massive gamble' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]