The League of Arizona Cities
and Towns, an organization that advocates for local self-government and
independence on behalf of the state’s cities and towns, recently honored 12
House Democrats for their dedication to and support of cities and towns during
the 2016 legislative session. Cooperation between the state and cities and towns
is critical in keeping our communities safe and strong. Democrats recognize the
important role that independent local governments play, and that is why we
defend local control.
But local independence is
increasingly threatened in Arizona—ironically by many of the same Republican
legislators who so often complain about federal overreach. This year alone,
Republicans passed legislation targeting cities that have tried to ban plastic
bags and puppy mills. They also passed legislation that lets individual
legislators threaten huge amounts of funding for cities that pass ordinances
they don’t like. And we’ve already seen legislators use that power against Snowflakeand
Bisbee.
Trampling on local control
should not be a legislative priority. Restoring the $1.2
billion each year our schools are still losing out on, even after Prop 123
funding, should be. Taking firm steps to increase accountability and
transparency at the Department of Child Safety, which recently
cut services in order to
save money despite the 19,000 children it is still responsible for, should
be. These are matters of state concern. Plastic bags in Bisbee are
not.
House
Democrats prioritize the serious problems facing our state. We know
Arizonans want their local governments to do the jobs they were elected to
do—why else elect local governments? So House Democrats will always support
local control. These awards remind that we are partners in serving our
communities and that Arizonans are best served when every level of government
works together.
The League presented these
awards on Aug. 25 during its 2016 Annual Conference, held in Scottsdale. The
awards are listed below.
Three House Democrats were
recognized as Champions of Cities and Towns:
· Rep. Randy Friese,
D-Tucson (District 9)
· House Democratic
Leader Eric Meyer, D-Paradise Valley (District 28)
· House Democratic
Whip Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix (District 27)
Nine additional legislators
received Certificates of Appreciation:
· Rep. Lela Alston,
D-Phoenix (District 24)
· Rep. Mark Cardenas,
D-Phoenix (District 19)
· Rep. Diego
Espinoza, D-Tolleson (District 19)
· Rep. Charlene
Fernandez, D-Yuma (District 4)
· Rep. Matt Kopec,
D-Tucson (District 9)
· Rep. Jonathan
Larkin, D-Glendale (District 30)
· Rep. Debbie McCune
Davis, D-Phoenix (District 30)
· Rep. Lisa Otondo,
D-Yuma (District 4)
· House Assistant
Democratic Leader Bruce Wheeler, D-Tucson (District 10)
#DemsLead
