LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW: 2013 (Spring)
After a seemingly endless election season, the results are in and we know who will sit in Arizona’s 51st Legislature. Following years of relentless attacks on our most essential rights and freedoms, those who care about civil liberties must approach the 2013 legislative session with both hope and concern.
From education and healthcare funding to election laws and gun policy the Legislature began the session with no shortage of serious issues to face.
Of course, looking at previous years’ legislation is also a handy way to predict future legislation. Lawmakers have contributed to over-criminalization and over-incarceration problems by creating new criminal laws, stiffening existing criminal penalties, and enabling the construction of new prisons. Legislators have also aggressively gone after women’s health and immigrants’ rights. And even well-intentioned lawmakers often propose laws that negatively implicate core civil liberties interests, such as free speech, privacy and religious liberty. We expect to see bills related to these topics once again.
Nonetheless, there may be cause for optimism. The dynamics of the 2012 election have encouraged many elected officials to take a new, more inclusive approach to immigration. And some of our recent legal victories may give enough legislators pause about pursuing more laws that unconstitutionally deprive women of their health and reproductive rights.
The work of guarding our vital civil liberties never ends. Stay tuned for updates and for ways to make your voice heard. We appreciate your support and remain as committed to the fight as ever.
2012 Legislative Report (Summer)
2012 Legislative Report (Spring)
2011 Legislative Report