A look at the Legislative Session from the Democrats point of view

We talk with Jason Barraza a Director at the Veridus Public Affairs Group about what we can expect in this session from the Democrat's point of view.  Jason Barraza brings political acumen, firsthand experience with political organizations in Arizona, and a strong legal background to Veridus. Since joining the firm in 2009, in addition to lobbying, Jason assists in the development of political advocacy plans that include political campaigns, polling, and community outreach.

Prior to joining Veridus, Jason spent multiple stints assisting the coordinated campaign of the Arizona Democratic Party during the 2002, 2006 and 2008 campaign cycles. Jason also worked security, logistics and similar roles as part of each Democratic National Convention between 2000 and 2012, and also the 2016 DNC in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated with a bachelor’s from the University of Southern California (2001), and a law degree from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona (2006).

The 2nd Regular Session of the 54th Legislature – What we can expect with Speaker ProTemp TJ Shope.

Summary:

Patrick Bray sits down with Representative TJ Shope to discuss the upcoming legislative session. Representative Shope is from Legislative District 8 which takes in most of Pinal County.  He is currently part of the House leadership team and serves as Speaker ProTemp.  We discuss it all from the interim session to criminal justice reform, water and the State budget.  What is to come is anyone’s guess.

Farmer for Free Trade meet with Arizona Producers

Patrick Bray sits down with Angela Hofmann, Co-Executive Director, and Carrie Phillips, Director of Policy and Partnership, from Farmers for Free Trade.  The #MotorcadeforTrade made a stop in Buckeye, AZ at Heiden Land and Cattle/H4 farms to talk with producers about the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).  Angela and Carrie talk to our listeners about the USMCA deal and how they can get involved. 

Arizona Legislative Update May 20, 2019, with Patrick Bray

The Arizona Legislature is 124 days into session and many of the Capitol railbirds are wondering when will the budget be completed and finally policy bills be done so we can sine die.  Patrick Bray discusses some of the larger policy issues from the legislative session along with what the budget looks like and what we can expect as the legislature comes to a close. 

Tim Dunn – Fertilizer Tax Policy  

Arizona and Florida are the only two states that currently charge tax on fertilizer which is a critical input for crop production.  Seeds, seedlings, roots, bulbs, cuttings and other propagative materials for use in commercially producing agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or floricultural crops in Arizona are exempt from the use tax on tangible personal property purchased and brought into Arizona for storage, use or consumption in Arizona. In Wilbur-Ellis Company, et al. v. Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) (2019), the Arizona Court of Appeals Division One upheld the Maricopa County Superior Court ruling that fertilizers and pesticides are not propagative material and are therefore subject to transaction privilege and use tax. Tim Dunn talks to Arizona Farm and Ranch Radio about his work to clarify fertilizer tax policy.   

David Cook/Drought Contingency Plan

Summary:  The Arizona Legislative session opened this year with a hard deadline at the end of January to pass a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) that would address the declining levels of Lake Mead.  This plan has been in the work for years outside of the legislative process but needed approval by the legislature so that the Governor and his staff could work on a larger plan with other Colorado River Water Users.  Many thought the “deal” was done in January but in reality, there is still much to do to make sure the DCP is completed and works.  We talk with Representative David Cook about securing State funding to complete critical water projects for irrigation districts in Central Arizona. Central Arizona Irrigation District need the States commitment on $20million this session to complete massive infrastructure projects by 2023

Summary: In February of 2019 the US Senate passed the largest public lands package in over a decade. The 662-page package passed out of the US House and President Trump signed the bill in March of 2019.  This massive land package was old school deal-making in Congress permanently re-authorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), expanding wilderness areas and park but did correct some long-standing issues like the Red River boundary issue and grazing disputes. Ethan Lane, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Federal Lands, speaks with Arizona Farm and Ranch Radio about this large legislative package.  This podcast was recorded after the vote in the US Senate and before passage by the House.  

Summary: The Green New Deal has been a major policy discussion within the beltway of DC lately and continues to be a point of contention even with a failing vote in the US Senate. Patrick Bray talks with Ethan Lane, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Federal Lands, about what the potential impacts and issues are with this legislative package.  We discuss the changing Congress and new environmental push from sustainability to climate change and what the West can expect from Congress over the next few years. Is Agriculture prepared for an on slot of bad policies from Congress?