March 2013 • Vol. 50 No. 3
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARIZONA MULTIHOUSING ASSOCIATION
By Courtney LeVinus and Jake Hinman, Capitol Consulting
The 51st Legislative Session Officially Kicks Off
The 51st Legislature, First Regular Session, officially convened on Monday, January 14th. And perhaps the best way to describe the sentiment on the first day, simply put, was “change.” So what exactly has changed? For starters, twenty-eight freshman lawmakers took office for the first time. Though we typically do see a number of new legislators after an election, much as a result of voter enacted terms limits, this year we saw an extraordinary increase of freshman mostly due to redistricting. We also saw a change in the political makeup at the Capitol. Most notably being that the Republicans
returned to work without their daunting supermajority in the House and Senate that the party has held since 2009. The Senate is now comprised of 17 Republicans and 13 Democrats, a shift from last year of 21-9 respectively. And in the House, democrats gained four seats, leveling the field a bit to 36 Republicans and 24 Democrats. Leadership in the House and Senate has also changed from last year. After presiding over the Senate in 2012, Senator Steve Pierce (R-Prescott)
Senator Andy Biggs, President of the Senate
AMA Helps Create New Beginnings in Tucson By AMA Tough economic times, changes in jobs or health problems can push individuals into situations they never thought possible. Here in Arizona, thousands of people find themselves
homeless or on the edge of losing housing every year. Thanks to programs like Our Family in Tucson, these families and individuals can reach across to make these transitions less challenging. Through services like counseling, mediation, housing support and more, Our Family and others are creating a bridge into supported and then sustainable housing for Arizonans. “The AMA/AME membership committee was pleased to present Big Hearts for Little Hands supporting Our Family Services/New Beginnings with our 2012 donation Continued on page 10
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was replaced by Senator Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) and Senator John McComish (R-Phoenix) replaced Biggs as the new Senate Majority Leader. Representative Andrew Tobin (R-Paulden) retained his position as Speaker of the House and rounding out the Republican leadership: Senator Adam Driggs (R-Phoenix), Senate Majority Whip; Rep. David Gowan (R-Sierra Vista), House Majority Leader; and Rep. Rick Gray (R-Sun City), House Majority Whip. For the Democrats, Senators Leah
Representative Andy Tobin, Speaker of the House
Landrum (D-Phoenix), Linda Lopez (D-Tucson), and Anna Tovar (DTolleson) became the new Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader and Whip respectively. Representative Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) remains the House Minority Leader with Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Phoenix) as the new Assistant Minority Leader and Rep. Bruce Wheeler (D-Tucson) as the new Minority Whip. And finally the state’s fiscal position has changed, and for the first time in many years, we may actually have two consecutive years of surplus. And rather than facing another year of painful cuts, the legislature may actually increase its spending. After four years of trimming a quarter of the state’s budget, over twobillion dollars, positive fiscal news is long overdue. The one thing that did remain unchanged was the flurry of bills that Continued on page 3
Partners Against Crime Coalitions Bring Together AMA Members and Police to Protect Communities By Lucina Chavez, AMA The AMA’s Coalition Program is tearing at the seams. With its recent geographic expansion in 2012, the popular community outreach program which meets with local managers at monthly meetings in various areas throughout Maricopa County including four areas in Phoenix, West Valley, Tempe and Mesa. Over
the past year, the AMA has seen tremendous participation growth and is continuing to expand the program to meet demand. “These meetings started out with small groups of 6 or 7 managers, now our Maryvale Coalition sees over 30 properties a month” reported Lisa Osborn Warne, a Maryvale manager who coordinates the monthly lunches Continued on page 9