A View from the Left Side

Season 2, Episode 10 of A View from the Left Side focuses on the fight to maintain abortion rights in the United States. [This podcast was recorded before the June 24, 2022 Supreme Court decision on abortion.]

Senator Nancy Barto brags that Arizona is the #1 "Pro-Life" state in the country. That's because, for years, Arizona Republican politicians have followed the extreme anti-abortion agenda laid out by Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy. Barto often sponsors these repressive reproductive rights bills, like the recent 15 week abortion ban.

If the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) strikes down the landmark abortion rights case, Roe v Wade, in the coming weeks, Arizona's  "Pro-Life" label will come back to haunt many residents as they find their right to body autonomy removed by state law.

Arizona Republicans passed the contentious 15 week abortion ban in 2022, but there are many abortion-related laws on the books. Some Territorial Era statutes criminalize doctors and patients for abortion. Controlling reproductive rights and sexuality are popular topics for Republican legislation. Rep. Walt Blackman is running for Congress on a strong anti-abortion platform and has made at least three campaign-style anti-abortion speeches on the Floor of the House this year.

If Roe goes down, the women of Arizona should brace themselves for an onslaught of more repressive laws from the Republicans, as long as they control the government. Arizona currently has 61 places in statutes that mention "abortion," but ZERO statutes that limit the reproductive rights of men. That is obviously state-based discrimination against women. Arizona needs a statewide Equal Rights Amendment. 

Abortion care is NOT a states' rights issue. A person's reproductive rights should not change when they cross state lines. The government has no right to meddle in a person's medical, financial and family planning decisions. Will people move out of repressive states like Arizona, Texas, Mississippi and Florida -- or just not move in? Arizona touts sunshine and low taxes, but it also soon will have forced pregnancy and no water.

The US Senate should dump the filibuster and protect reproductive rights (and voting rights). The filibuster is a roadblock to progress. It's time for systemic change to save our country.

Bans Off Our Bodies Rallies Nationwide

In May and June, there were rallies and marches around the country to protest this ideological strike against women's rights and body autonomy by a Supreme Court packed with appointees from a discredited President.

The second half of the podcast includes two of the speeches from the Tucson Bans Off Our Bodies rally on May 14, 2022 -- one by Congressman Raul Grijalva and the second one by State Senator Stephanie Stahl Hamilton. Grijalva calls out Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema for clinging to the filibuster and for ignoring reproductive rights and voting rights. Rev. Stephanie's speech will bring tears to your eyes. 

The age, gender, ethnic and racial diversity of the Tucson crowd shows the diversity of the abortion rights issue. An estimated 1000 people showed up for the Tucson rally. 

Time Stamps
Season 2, Episode 10 Introduction  | 0:42
PPH Commentary: Abortion Care Severely Limited in Arizona if SCOTUS Strikes Down Roe v Wade June 8, 2022  | 1:26
Bans Off Our Bodies Rally at Armory Park in Tucson May 14 2022  | 6:16
Congressman Raul Grijalva's remarks at Bans Off Our Bodies Rally  | 7:16
Grijalva calls out Senator Kyrsten Sinema for her support of the filibuster  | 8:56
State Senator Stephanie Stahl Hamilton's remarks at Bans Off Our Bodies Rally  | 11:46
Rev. Stephanie says Nothing good can come from government-mandated pregnancies!  | 13:22

Season 2, Episode 9 of a View from the Left Side focuses on our country's epidemic of gun violence. 

My opening commentary, recorded on June 1, 2022, refers to the mass shootings at a Buffalo, New York grocery store and at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school. There have been more since then, most notably the Highland Park. Illinois Fourth of July Parade mass shooting. There have been more than 300 mass shootings in the US in 2022, according to the Washington Post. Mass shootings are when four or more people -- besides the shooter -- are killed or injured in the same incident. Mass shootings are averaging one per day in 2022, and there have been no weeks in 2022 without a mass shooting, according to the Post. This is not a well-regulated militia. This is a country more privately owned weapons than people. 

Following my commentary outlining common sense gun violence prevention legislation proposed by Arizona Democrats is the March for Our Lives Press Conference in the Rose Garden at the Arizona Capitol.

On June 1, 2022, March for Our Lives Phoenix hosted a press conference calling for Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Legislature to take action on common sense gun violence prevention legislation.

Jacob Martinez, March for Our Lives Phoenix organizer, gave opening remarks and introduced Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, Democratic House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, and Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios. 

Hoffman talked about her School Safety Task Force, which she funded with $21 million in COVID funds; the Legislature has still not acted on this March for Our Lives request from 2019. 

Bolding discussed Red Flag laws and other popular Democratic proposals to stop senseless gun violence. Unfortunately, the Legislative "majority", which represents minority of Arizona voters, is loyal to the gun lobby and their campaign donations. 

Time Stamps
Season 2, Episode 9 Introduction  | 0:50
Rep. PPH Commentary on Gun Violence in the US  | 2:19
March for Our Lives Press Conterence at the Capitol  | 6:04
Jacob Martinez, March for Our Lives, Phoenix  | 6:20
Kathy Hoffman, Superintendent of Public Instruction  | 9:32
Unnecessarily noisy delivery guys trying to disrupt press conference  | 12:18
How many times does the same delivery guy have to rev his engine in the parking lot?  | 13:31
Rep. Reginold Bolding, House Democratic Minority Leader  | 14:51
Bolding responds to reporter question about Legislative inaction on gun violence prevention  | 19:00
Bolding responds to reporter question about forcing a vote on gun reform in the House  | 20:23
Senator Rebecca Rios, Senate Democratic Minority Leader, responds to reporter question  | 21:01

The Arizona Legislature surpassed Day 150 this week. You'll remember that the target length for a session is 100 days. That shipped sailed in mid April.

Season 2 Episode 8 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates recorded between April 18, 2022 and May 31, 2022. 

Three of these updates focus on the stalled budget process. The House Republican Caucus is fractured and there is no collaboration between the House and Senate leadership teams. 

There are rumors of another Republican budget but no bills have been dropped, and recent leaded spreadsheet likely doesn't have the votes to pass. 

Libertarians don't want to spend money on anything -- despite great need in the state and a $5 billion surplus.

Democrats aren't likely to support a budget that doesn't include a significant investment in public education. Prop 208, which the Republicans took down in court, would have provided $900 million in revenue for public education by assessing a fee on excessive income over $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples. 

Here is my starting point. Republicans don't want Arizona's 1% to pay more in taxes, so take a billion from the surplus and put it toward public education. That's what the voters said they wanted when they passed Prop 208 in 2020.

It's June 7. We have until June 30 to figure this out. Many people have planned vacations. Stay tuned. It should be interesting. 

Time Stamps
 Rep. PPH Intro to Season 2 Episode 8 of A View from the Left Side   0:51

 Grover Norquist Tax Pledge Unrealistic in Tax Giveaway State April 18, 2022  2:57

Republicans Propose Austerity Budget. Why? April 19, 2022 (Day 100)  7:24

Divided Republican Party Delays Budget and Drags Out the Session May 18, 2022  
12:04
 House Hears Seven Election Bills ... Budget Remains Stalled May 17, 2022 (Updated May 31, 2022)  16:50

[You can view the original video updates on my YouTube channel.]

As the Arizona Legislature approaches the 100-day target for the end of session, the Republican Legislators have shifted their focus to passage of their party's most extreme bills.

In Season 2, Episode 7, Rep. Pam Powers Hannley's Legislative updates focus on the Culture War raging in the Legislature -- from the 15 week abortion ban and school voucher expansion to homeless encampments and inequitable ambulance services. 

Ironically,  Arizona Republicans routinely pontificate about "parental choice" when it comes to schools and school curricula BUT parental input falls by the wayside when it comes to statewide voucher expansion OR the ultimate parental choice -- whether or not to have a baby and when. 

Creeping authoritarianism in the Republican Party -- fueled by fake news and misinformation in social media -- is troubling.

Time Stamps ...
Rep. PPH Introduces Season 2, Episode 3  | 0:49
Bills Tackling Homelessness and Addiction Ignore Poverty Link March 22, 2022  | 1:36
Democrats Grill Boyer on Massive Expansion of School Vouchers March 23, 2022  | 7:36
'Social Engineering Day': Featuring Republican Overreach into Personal Decisions March 24, 2022  | 11:17
 Multiple Ambulance Bills Point to Need for Study Committee March 29, 2022  | 13:20
Study Hall 1964 Collides with Education Culture Wars 2022 March 30, 2022  | 20:11

Season 2, Episode 6 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates from Arizona House member Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley. These updates were recorded during March 2022. They range in topic from the social media drama around HB2839 (the PC Bill) to wasting time in the Legislature, anti-worker bills and remembering Senator David Bradley.

Time Stamps ...
Introduction to Season 2 Episode 6 of A View from the Left Side  0:55
What's the Controversy over HB2839 and Election of PCs?, March 8, 2022  1:25
Duplicate Bills Waste Time and Money, March 9, 2022  6:07
It Wouldn't Be a Session of the Arizona Legislature without Anti-Worker Bills, March 10, 2022  11:34
Remembering Senator David Bradley on the Floor of the House, March 14, 2022  14:50

To view the original video updates, check out my Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley channel on YouTube.

Season 2, Episode 5 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates from Arizona House member Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley. These updates were recorded in late February and early March, 2022. They range in topic from bullying in the Arizona House to building the Border Wall, voter suppression and more.

Time Stamps ...
 Season 2 Episode 3 Introduction  0:50
 Bullying in the Arizona House Is Unprofessional Feb. 18, 2022  1:29
 Republicans Push 100 Voter Suppression Bills Feb. 22, 2022   4:06
 Nursing Workforce Development Floor Speech Feb. 24, 2022   9:20
 To Fix Housing Crisis: Focus on Ending Preemption and Keeping People Housed Feb. 28, 2022  10:22
 Trickledown Economics in Ways and Means March 2, 2022   17:54
 Republicans Propose $900 Million for Border Wall and More March 8, 2022   19:18
 Remembering Senator Olivia Cajero-Bedford Floor Speech March 8, 2022  22:46

To view the original video updates, check out my Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley channel on YouTube.

Season 2, Episode 4 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates from Arizona House member Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley. These updates were recorded in February 2022. They range in topic from banning the COVID vaccine and critical race theory in schools but making it easier to have guns at schools -- you can't make this stuff up. 

 Time Stamps ...
A View from the Left Side, Season 2, Episode 3 Introduction  | 0:51
 Republican Bill Blocks COVID Vaccines from K-12 School Vaccine List, February 7  | 1:26
 I Am the Most Independent Voting Democrat in the Arizona House, February 8  | 6:06
 Arizona House Raises Education Spending Limit (Floor Speech), February 8  | 10:44
 African American Leader Calls Out Critical Race Theory in #AZLeg, February 10  | 12:57
 More Guns in Schools & on Campuses Won't Make Anyone Safer, February 15  | 17:07
 Republicans Plan to Expand School Vouchers ... Again, February 16  | 20:34
 The Story of the Underground Railroad & the Oberlin Rescuers in Honor of Black History Month (Floor Speech), February 2  | 24:31

To view the original video updates, check out my Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley channel on YouTube.

Season 2, Episode 3 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates from Arizona House member Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley. The original video updates were recorded between January 24 and February 3, 2022 and can be viewed on my YouTube channel.

  Season 2,  Episode 3 Introduction  |  0:51
 Should Marijuana Be Regulated like Other Recreational Drugs? January 24  | 1:30
 There's Progress in Maternal & Child Health ... But We're Not Done, January 25  | 6:17 
 Does Arizona Really Need Cheaper Guns & Guns on Campus? January 31  | 10:37
 Black History Month in #AZLeg Starts with Anti-Abortion Manifesto, February 1  | 14:06
 Specialty License Plates: The Ultimate in Picking Winners & Losers, February 3  | 16:57

To view the original video updates, check out my Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley channel on YouTube.

Season 2 Episode 2 of "A View from the Left Side" is a collection of Legislative Updates from the first two weeks of the 2nd Session of the 55th Arizona Legislature. These brief clips represent a wide range of topics from the Opening Day COVID Super spreader event and subsequent outbreak at the capital to food and housing security, prenatal care and clean elections. These updates were recorded and published on social media in early January 2022. The original videos updates can be viewed on my YouTube channel or my Facebook page.

  Rep. PPH Introduces Season 2, Episode 2  | 0:51 
 #AZLeg Opening Day Super Spreader Event, January 10  | 1:36 
 Ducey Is Ignoring COVID Math, January 11  | 4:22
 My Focus Is Food and Housing Security, January 12  | 7:19
 Stay Safe! Many #AZ Legislators, Staff and Lobbyists Test Positive for COVID, January 13  | 12:18
 Dirty Money Hates Clean Elections, January 19  | 14:48
 Group Prenatal Care Would Benefit Moms and Babies, January 20  | 20:13

To view the original video updates, check out my Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley channel on YouTube.

This podcast is a collection of speeches from the January 6, 2022 Vigil for Democracy in Tucson, Arizona. The event was a solemn commemoration of the January 6, 2021 insurrectionist attack on the US Capitol. 

Several current and former Arizona Legislators and two Arizona Congressman were highly involved in the Stop the Steal movement to disrupt the certification of the 2020 elections. Arizona is Ground Zero for voter suppression. Many of the elected officials who were involved in Stop the Steal and in the failed audit of the Maricopa County ballots are still in office. Watch out for more voter suppression bills in the coming session of the Arizona Legislature. On January 6, 2022, President Joe Biden said our democracy is still in peril. He's right. In Arizona, we must be particularly vigilant.

 | Rep. PPH Introduces the Vigil for Democracy Speakers 0:50 
 | Moderator Jenise Porter Intruduces Mayor Regina Romero 2:30
 | Mayor Romero Introduces Congressman Raul Grijalva 10:27 
 | Jenise Porter urges calling Senators 17:36
 | Billy Kovacs on Behalf of Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick 18:38
 | Watch Out for More Voter Suppression from the Radical Right in the Legislature 25:27
 | Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley, Arizona House 26:03
 | [Correction: Savannah Guthrie] 26:16 
 | Rep. Andres Cano,  Arizona House 31:09
 | Steve Valencia, Jobs with Justice 33:31 
 | Sylvia Gonzalez Andersh, USAF Retired and Common Defense 36:50
 | Buzz Davis,  Retired Army and Veterans for Peace 43:32