Arizona Legislative Alert
Shining a bright light for socially-just public policy in Arizona
September 19, 2014
By Anne Larason Schneider, PhD All opinions are those of the author, not of any organization. A project of the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation and UUJAZ- Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network. To be added to this e-mail list or taken from it, contact . To see previous Arizona Legislative Alerts and Issue Papers, visit
Action Opportunities!
UUJAZ Issues and Action Workshop. A full day of “working for justice” for UUs throughout the state and other progressive advocates for justice! Saturday, October 4 at the UU Church in Surprise. REGISTER NOW! . Readmore
Candidate forums in Phoenix and Tucson. Read more
Hot Topics; Cool Heads! Focus: Prison privatization, death penalty, and Gubernatorial candidate positions on these issues. Sponsored by Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Oct. 1, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 1124 N. 3rd St, Phoenix. Read more
Support those who are in sanctuary in Arizona. Read more
Development vs. Environment at the Grand Canyon. Read more
ISSUES AND ACTION WORKSHOP
Please register here:
Saturday, October 4, UU Church of Surprise AZ
9:30 – 4:30
All are welcome. Please join UUJAZ, UUs, and others working for justice from throughout Arizona for this special day
Opening and Welcome
Led by Lisa McDaniel-Hutchings and Paul Mitchell, UUJAZ co-directors
Morning Workshop: Building the Beloved Community
led by Rev. Deb Holder
Afternoon I: Speakers followed by Small Groups
- Immigration – Rev. Susan Frederick Gray
- Marriage Equality – led by Rev. Debra Peevey
- Education in Arizona – led by Richard Gilman
- Prison Reform – led by Dianne Post
- Escalating Economic Disparity – led by Anne L. Schneider, PhD
An update from Anne Schneider UUJAZ Policy Coordinator
Candidate Forums
Sept. 30 – Arizona Families (Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Governor and Secretary of State candidates. Gubernatorial candidates Fred Duval (D) and Doug Ducey ® are invited, as are the Secretary of State candidates, Terry Goddard (D) and Michele Reagan (R ). Focus in on health and human services for AZ Families. 5031 E. Washington St. (In the Disability Empowerment Center (south side of Washington), in the Piper Sports and Fitness Center
October 6, 8, and 9 – League of Women Voters and Pima Community College (Tucson forums) These are in Tucson at the Pima Community College, 2202 West Anklam Road. RSVPs are required.
- Oct. 6 (Mon.) Attorney General at 6:30; Corporation Commission about 7:45 p.m.
- Oct. 8 (Wednesday) Superintendent of Public Instruction at 6:30 and Secretary of State about 7:45
- Oct. 9 (Thursday). Governor 6:30 p.m.
Please share information about upcoming forums by contacting
Environmental Issues at the Canyon
Environmental groups are concerned about proposed development in Tusayan, just south of the Grand Canyon. One of the specific issues is the use of water, which could dry up the seeps and springs on the Canyon’s south walls, possibly even including Havasupai Falls west of the canyon and the water at Indian Gardens. The developer does not yet have a permit. If you are concerned about this, Click here to take action and get more information. / E
Support the Sanctuary Movement
Luis Lopez-Acabal, with the support of his wife, children, and community, will be living in the University Presbyterian Church, In Tempe as they shield him from immigration authorities, hoping that they will be able to do so until Obama passes an executive order for which he will qualify.
“Our religious traditions have called us since ancient times to provide sanctuary and advocacy for those who are being oppressed. I encourage all people of faith to sign thispetition to keep our sibling Luis with his wife and children. Let there be not one more family torn apart by our broken immigration system,” Rev. Andy Burnette, Valley UU Congregation. SIGN PETITION IN SUPPORT OF LUIS & HIS FAMILY
UUJAZ also is supporting Rosa Robles Loreto who, along with her husband Gerardo and their two sons are in sanctuary at the Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson. For more information and to support closing Rosa's deportation order visit the Rosa Robles Loreto-Sanctuary Facebook page.
Hot Topics, Cool Heads: Private Prisons and the Death Penalty
The issue for the Oct. 1 session is prison privatization, capital punishment, and the Arizona gubernatorial candidate positions on these issues. There is an opportunity for audience participants to make their own comments.
Here’s the information about the format from the Hugh Downs School of Communication Web Page:
“Civil Dialogue (CD) is a structured format for public dialogue that provides a tool to build bridges across the chasm of public viewpoints. CD can be used in multiple contexts to help people communicate in civil productive ways, especially when they face "hot topics" and need to employ "cool heads." In a Civil Dialogue session, volunteer participants consider a provocative statement and have the opportunity to embody a position on the statement ranging from "agree strongly" to "disagree strongly." Participants are asked to follow guidelines for civility that are explained by the facilitator. The dialogue is then extended to the broader audience who are encouraged to respond with their own opinions and questions. CD was developed by John Genette in 2004 and he, Jennifer Linde, and Clark Olson continue to develop the format at Arizona State University.
Dr. Schneider is a retired political science professor and former Dean of the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University.
Senior Minister, Rev. Andy Burnette; Music Minister, Rev.
Kellie Walker. Located: 6400 W. Del Rio Drive, Chandler, AZ 480 899 4249 For previous copies of the Arizona Legislative Alert, go to
VUU holds services each Sunday at 10:30. You are welcome here!
Co-Executive Directors: Rev. Lisa McDaniel-Hutchings and Paul Mitchell. Policy Coordinator: Anne L. Schneider. Board Members, UUJAZ: Sharon Travis, Liz Swan, Charles Tatum, Rev. Matthew Crary, Nancy Reid-McKee (Chair).