City of Phoenix 2010 Understanding Your

State Legislature Workshop

WELCOME!

Introducing . . .

PHOENIX

LEGISLATIVE

ACTION

NETWORK

phoenix.gov/PLAN

P.L.A.N.phoenix.gov/plan

How to Find Your Legislator

Member Contact Info

Committee Lists

• Legislative Session begins 2nd Monday of each January

• 100 day adjournment target

Arizona State Legislature

• 30 Legislative Districts– 1 Senator per district – 2 Representatives

per district• 2-year terms of office• 4 term limit• $24,000 per

year salary

Arizona State Legislature

Arizona State Legislature90 State Legislators

21 Republicans40 Republicans

9 Democrats20 Democrats30 Senate Members60 House Members

Senate Republican Leadership

Russell Pearce (Mesa)President

Scott Bundgaard (Glendale) Majority Leader

Steve Pierce (Prescott)Majority Whip

Senate Democratic Leadership

David Schapira (Tempe) Minority Leader

Leah Landrum Taylor (Phoenix) Assistant Minority Leader 

Paula Aboud (Tucson) Minority Whip 

House Republican Leadership

Kirk Adams (Mesa)Speaker

Andy Tobin (Paulden)Majority Leader

Debbie Lesko (Glendale)Majority Whip

House Democratic Leadership

Chad Campbell (Phoenix)Minority Leader

Steve Farley (Tucson)Assistant Minority Leader

Matt Heinz (Tucson)Minority Whip

• 1,000 to 1,500 bills introduced each year

• 300 to 450 bills become law

Arizona State Legislature

How a Bill Becomes a Law

House member introduces bill.

Speaker refers bill to appropriate

Standing Committee (s).

Committee (s) consider bill.

Committee of the Whole

considers bill.House Roll Call vote.

Pass to Senate.

Governor allows bill to become law.

President refers bill to appropriate

Standing Committee (s).

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Committee (s) consider bill.

Committee of the Whole

considers bill.

Senate Roll Call vote.

Bill passes to the Governor

through house.

Bill returns to House.

Governor vetos bill.

How a Bill Becomes a LawHouse accepts Senate version.

House rejects Senate version.Governor

allows bill to become law.

Bill passes to the Governor.

Governor vetos bill.

Bill goes to conference committee.

OR

Bill returns to both houses.

Bill passes to the Governor.

Governor vetos bill.

Governor allows bill to become law.

Track a Bill Using ALIShttp://www.azleg.gov/

Request to Speak Card

Lobbying Tips

Whom should I lobby?• Legislators and key stakeholders• Opponents• Legislative staff• Governor’s Office

Lobbying Tips

Communication Methods• Email• Phone calls• Personal visits• Letters

– To editor of local newspapers– To Legislator

• Testify before a committee

Lobbying Tips

• Understand Legislators- Treat them fairly, honestly and with respect- Understand their constraints and tailor your

message to address them• Simple Message

– Be clear and specific about what you want– Maintain on-going relationships in the off-

season

Thank you!