Hi friend,

This year, state lawmakers in Arizona introduced nearly 1700 pieces of legislation. Committee chairs, using their power through rules and deadlines, select which bills receive a hearing for consideration. Every year many promising, important, and popular proposals fail to receive a hearing or committee vote during the legislative session.

Last month was the deadline for bills to get an initial hearing in committee. While hearing every single bill is not feasible, there are many good proposals that deserve recognition and merit consideration for future legislative action. Here are some of Arizona Center for Economic Progress’ top picks:

• Permanently Fix the Public Education Spending Limit SCR1023/ HCR2012 (sponsored by Senator Marsh and Representative Pawlik)

• Improving Transparency and Accountability for Tax Credits SB1400 (sponsored by Senator Bowie)

• Accountability for All Tax Expenditures HB2775 (sponsored by Representative Epstein)

• Corporations Should Pay Their Fair Share SB1106 (sponsored by Senator Mendez)

• Protecting State Revenue HCR2016 (sponsored by Representative Epstein)

• Increasing State Revenue Sharing with Tribal Communities HB2715 (sponsored by Representative Blackwater-Nygren)

• Adjusting the School Funding Formula for Students in Poverty SB1244 (sponsored by Senator Marsh)

• Improving Access to Cash Assistance for Low-Income Families SB1623/HB2797 (sponsored by Senator Rios and Representative Powers Hannley)

• Allowing Local Governments to Establish Rent Controls SB1586/HB2401 (sponsored by Senator Quezada and Representative Solorio)

• Paid Family and Medical Leave for Arizonans SB1644/HB2767 (sponsored by Senator Terán and Representative Salman)

This list is not exhaustive.

Although these bills were not given a committee hearing this session, these bills help Arizona improve transparency in our tax code, strengthen the state’s fiscal health, and invest in Arizonans struggling to recover from the pandemic.

The Arizona Center for Economic Progress is committed to uplifting solutions and strong policies that build a better future for all Arizonans. For more insights throughout session, be sure to follow @AzEconCenter on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.