Our public health policy committee met last week and recommended that our Board (who meets next Friday) oppose both the “Secure the Border Act” (HCR 2060) and the “Arizona Legislative Ratification of Rules that Increase Regulatory Costs Measure” (SCR1012).
You can review the measures (which will be on the November ballot) above. Below you’ll see some draft language that the Board will review next Friday. If approved by the Board, arguments will be sent to the Voter Publicity Pamphlet on behalf of our members. Note: This is just rough draft language.
Protect Our Seniors: Vote NO on Proposition XXX
Arizona’s ballot Proposition xxx is an unnecessary and potentially harmful measure that will impede the effective governance of critical sectors, especially healthcare in senior care.
Arizona law already mandates that state agencies have statutory authority with guardrails before they enact regulations. Additionally, all final proposed state agency rules must receive final approval from the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council. This existing oversight ensures that any new regulations are carefully vetted and justified, balancing regulatory needs with public interests.
Approving Proposition XXX would add an added layer of bureaucracy by requiring new regulations to also be approved by the state legislature. This would significantly slow down the process of enacting essential regulations and might even halt necessary health and safety regulations altogether. The consequences for healthcare, particularly in senior care facilities, could be severe.
As highlighted in a detailed report by The Arizona Republic, there are already alarming instances of resident harm in Arizona’s senior living facilities, including abuse, neglect, and inadequate care.
The delay or inability to update regulations promptly under Proposition XXX could make matters even worse, leading to deteriorating conditions and insufficient safeguards for vulnerable Arizonans.
Without being able to implement new health and safety regulations or change fees to hire inspectors, senior care facilities may continue using outdated rules that fail to address current challenges, such as emerging health threats, evolving care standards, and needs due to population growth. This could lead to further neglect and mistreatment of residents, undermining their health and well-being.
Proposition XXX poses a significant risk to effective governance and public safety. It threatens to stifle regulatory development crucial for maintaining and improving care standards in Arizona, especially in the most vulnerable sectors such as assisted living and nursing homes.
Please reject this harmful proposition to ensure we protect our elders and people living with disabilities who need services in Arizona care facilities.
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Vote No on Proposition xxx ‘Secure the Border Act’
Proposition xxx (aka the ‘Secure the Border Act’) presents a troubling path for Arizona. This extreme proposition is an unfunded mandate that could lead to enormous costs for cities and counties in Arizona. This unfunded proposition burdens local law enforcement, courts, and the jail and prisons, and prevents them from prioritizing the public safety needs relevant to their communities.
This proposition also imposes unjust and excessive regulations on working immigrant families in Arizona. If you pass Proposition xxx, essential health and public services for many Arizona families could be denied, leading to worsening economic disparities and health inequities among Arizona’s communities.
In addition, this proposition has no protections against enforcement actions in sensitive locations like hospitals, schools, or places of worship. This proposition also has no protections for the elderly, children, or other vulnerable individuals.
Additionally, Proposition xxx would deepen existing divides and foster discrimination within our society. It would lead to unfair policing, harassment, and racial profiling, violating basic safeguards like due process that we all deeply value. Proposition XXX also provides immunity to law enforcement and government officials, meaning they can’t be held accountable by Arizonans.
By voting no on this proposition, we send a clear message: discrimination has no place in Arizona. Our neighbors should not be denied their basic rights.
Please vote no on Proposition xxx to stand for a fair future for all Arizonans.
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Last month our Board approved our Public Health Policy Committee’s recommendation to take a position on 5 of the ballot measures. Our ballot arguments have been completed and filed with the Secretary of State. Here are links to those Arguments: