Page 12 - The EDGE Winter 2022

LEGISLATURE IN 2022

BY DON HARRIS
Rebecca Beebe Meghaen Dell'Artino Chris Kotterman
Insider Views on What to Expect in Legislative Session

Capitol insiders are hoping for a relatively short
legislative session in 2022, but they cautioned that
angry lawmakers will introduce a slew of bills
targeting schools.

They also expressed confidence that the Legislature
will approve a short-term solution to the aggregate
spending limit that could cost schools $1.2 billion.
At the November Bi-Monthly Meeting, Rebecca
Beebe of Arizona School Administrators, Meghaen
Dell’Artino, owner of Public Policy Partners,
and Chris Kotterman, Arizona School Boards
Association Director of Government Relations,
were asked by Chuck Essigs, AASBO Director
of Government Relations, when do they think the
2022 legislative session will adjourn so they could them be there than in the Legislature making laws –
“relax.” for the most part.”

Dell’Artino responded: “Middle of May, namely Essigs cited the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that
because we’ll have new legislative maps for an the Legislature violated the state Constitution by
election year and primaries are moved up so they including unrelated policy issues in budget bills.
are actually running earlier. I think they’re going to “What impact will that have on the legislative
try to get out of there.” budget process?” Essigs asked.

Beebe said she hopes Dell’Artino is right, but that Kotterman replied: “I hope it has the effect of
she had already told Essigs the end would come on forcing them to deal with most of their policy bills as
the last day of the fiscal year – June 30. separate entities. I don’t think it will stop members
from trying to hold the budget process ransom for
Kotterman said the amount of money lawmakers their own bills.”
will have available to spend is about the same as
it was in 2021, and it took them until June 30 for He also said he hopes it will make sure legislators
final adjournment. He agreed that the primary will are able to vote on specific pieces of policy in an
be earlier (August 2, 2022). “So, if they are foolish individual fashion. But if a lawmaker’s key bill
enough to spend all of their time in June arguing doesn’t pass before the budgets bills are approved,
over the budget so they can’t go campaigning, Kotterman cautioned: “Now, leadership has a
they’re doing it wrong. I’ll split the difference problem. It will make it interesting.”
(on adjournment) and say Memorial Day, but it
all depends on how powerful the siren call of the Beebe agreed: “It’s certainly going to complicate
campaign trail is. Hopefully, it’s strong. I’d rather things for leadership. We got out at the very end of
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

|
12 THE EDGE WINTER 2022