Advocacy
Advocacy depends on good relationships with decision-makers in the legislature. Building a relationship with the legislators that represent you is the first step towards effective advocacy. Below are some links to help you begin to participate in a meaningful way as a new legislative session begins every January. The group Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest is a good start -- you will learn the rules for public advocacy, versus political action, and ways that private citizens with public interests can participate! The Legislative Committee of the Arizona Public Health Association has representatives appointed from each section, so please get involved, ask questions, and start emailing, calling and writing your legislators!
Our legislative priorities include:
- Supporting and protecting public health budgets and infrastructure to meet the needs of Arizona's growing population.
- Supporting Access to Health Care (including universal access).
- Supporting and protecting healthy environments, including safe water, clean air, urban planning and tobacco-free lifestyles.
Independent Redistricting Commission
What is Redistricting and why should you care?
Redistricting is the once-in-a-decade opportunity to redraw the State's Legislative and Congressional districts. This single act may do more to influence the make-up of the Legislature and its agenda over the next 10 years than all of the elections during that period combined. Every single policy issue is influenced by who is elected to the Legislature, and every single legislative election for the next decade is influenced by redistricting. It's that simple.
Arizona's redistricting process is governed by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Those communities that actively participate in the redistricting process will have more power to shape the state than ever before; those that do not, will allow others to decide who will represent them for the next decade.
What is the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission?
The Commission's mission is to administer the fair and balanced redistricting of the Congressional and Legislative districts for the State. The Commission consists of five members chosen from a pre-approved applicant pool: two Republicans, two Democrats, and one Independent. The Commission will be finalized in early 2011.
Who qualifies to be on the Independent Redistricting Commission?
To qualify, an applicant must be a registered Arizona voter who is:
--Registered with the same political party at least 3 years before appointment
--Not a candidate for public office within 3 years of being appointed
--Not elected or appointed to public office within 3 years of appointment
--Not an officer of a political party, or has served as a registered lobbyist, or as an officer of a candidate's campaign committee within 3 years of appointment
Application Deadlines
The deadline is rapidly approaching for interested candidates to submit their application for the 2011 Commission. Having numerous quality applicants is essential to creating a fair Commission that will draw competitive districts.
--Applications can be submitted beginning September 15, 2010 with the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. All applications are due by October 15, 2010.
--Applications will require substantial time to complete.
Contact Kendra Leiby for more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Get involved with Health Reform
Visit APHA's website at www.apha.org and see how you can get involved.
Need help sorting fact from fiction when it comes to politics?
Check out Politifact.com, this is a Pulitzer Prize Winning website that will help you.
