As we predicted last January, our right wing legislature and conservative Governor have enacted bad legislation that harms women’s health. HB2564 creates numerous obstacles to women’s ability to access the full range of reproductive-health options. For the details on this bill check out the Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet. As a result of these restrictions, women will delay their health care decisions, increasing their health risks.

This bill does not solve any problems, goes too far, is too extreme and puts women at risk with no regard for their well-being.

Legislature Working Overtime

While they had plenty of time to agree on restricting women’s health care choices and allowing guns in bars, the Legislature and the Governor can’t agree on a budget for our state. The Governor called the legislature into special session as she vetoed budget bills passed by her own Party. As of this writing, the Republicans are still fighting about a budget.

Our Women Legislators Need Your Help

We need to support our endorsed candidates more than ever as they face the ideologically driven representatives who passed these laws.

Because the legislature is still in special session our endorsed Democratic women legislators have not had the time to raise the funds that allow them to communicate with their constituents. As you can imagine, this communications is vital to their re-election efforts in 2010. Our women need you to show your support with contributions now. Click here to see the list of our women who need your money and the addresses where you can send a check.

Get Involved Now!

As the monsoon arrives to cool down our afternoons, several city council races around the state are heating up. Winning elections is about knocking on doors and getting out your message. Arizona List endorsed candidates in Tucson, Phoenix and Surprise need your help doing that right now! Pick one candidate and commit to walking one time for that woman. Who knows? You might have so much fun you’ll come back again!

Phoenix

Dana Kennedy needs your help to win her race for the District 6 Council seat in Phoenix. Dana is an experienced campaigner who is facing off the “good old boy” network. Dana said, “I have learned that voters want a new direction for the City of Phoenix, they want smart planned development…leadership, vision, passion and commitment to preserve our neighborhoods and build for the future…” You can make a contribution to Dana at her website. Dana is walking every weekend and would love to have your company. Check out her Facebook page for her scheduled walks.

Surprise

Sharon Wolcott is an impressive well prepared candidate and a previous Minnesota State Legislator who wants to share her talents as the representative from District 1 to the Surprise City Council. She is the only woman in the race. She faces a tough election battle but with our members’ resources she can reach enough voters to win. You time or treasure will help elect the only woman to this all male city council. Make a contribution or volunteer for Sharon Wolcott at her website.

Tucson

Arizona List endorsed candidates Nina Trasoff and Karin Uhlich need our members to ensure victory over their Republican challengers. They are still collecting contributions. Whether it is $10 to $410 every little contribution helps. You can make contributions on their web pages: http://www.karin2009.com/donate/ or http://trasofffortucson.com.s44864.gridserver.com/?page_id=7. Both candidates have phone banks and walks scheduled every week. All walks and phone banks kick off at Pima County Democratic Party Headquarters, 4639 E. First Street. Contact Sam Almy 520-326-3716.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler celebrated her 30^th birthday by kicking off her campaign for re-election at Jotini’s in Flagstaff and raised over $3,000! With the help of Arizona List Sara was elected the first woman mayor in Flagstaff two years ago. We will have more news soon about Sara’s campaign for re-election.

Expect to see upcoming news soon on other candidates that Arizona List will be supporting in the spring elections throughout the state.

Our Incumbents in Action

Kyrsten Sinema Celebrates Release of New Book with Arizona List

Arizona List congratulates Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, LD 15, on the publication of her new book, UNITE and Conquer. Arizona List organized a book signing event for members where Rep. Sinema shared with us how she came to write this insightful and humorous vision of the future of politics. She stressed how important it is for progressive organizations to build alliances and to seek out unlikely allies to help us reach our desired outcomes. To check out the book and read an excerpt, go to the publisher’s website.

Rae Waters Reports Success

Rae Waters reported to us that she was able to amend two Republican bills to help schools. One amendment requires school business managers to have experience in school finance. The second allows school districts to refuse advertising for their websites that they deem inappropriate for their communities. Arizona List congratulates Rep. Waters’ ability to use her school board experience to serve her District.

Pat Fleming Scores a Win

Last month we told you about Rep. Pat Fleming’s work on Senate Bill 1176. The bill was signed into law by Governor Brewer on July 9, 2009. This bill addressed the red tape around Arizona’s Military Family Relief Fund that prevented troops and their families from receiving much deserved benefits. Thanks to Rep. Fleming for her successful work on this bill.

Arizona List on Facebook and Twitter

Did you know that Arizona List has a Facebook page or you can follow us on Twitter? Join our groups and get updates on our activities between our monthly newsletters. You need to have a Facebook or Twitter account to join but it is easy to set one up.

Join our Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=29428847590&ref=ts.

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Arizona_List

Remember our election cycle is not just a two year cycle. Arizona List is searching for and working with candidates for races in the spring and fall of every year. We continue the work on behalf of our members all year around.

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

P.S. Even through the summer heat and the monsoon our candidates need your contributions to keep their work going. Please be generous and write a $50 check to one of our endorsed city council candidates or send an officeholder account check to one of our hard working current legislators. These women really appreciate your support.

Please support our incumbents with a check to support their communication with their constituents. When you send a check

• Enclose your complete address and phone
• Include your occupation and employer.
• Put a note on the memo line “For Constituent Service Account.”
• The maximum allowed contribution per candidate is $70.

With all that is going on at the Arizona State Legislature Representative Sinema has assured us that she will definitely be with us on Wednesday at our book signing event.  Share some time with Rep. Sinema as she relaxes from the budget battles, get the latest news from the state legislature and check out her new book while supporting Arizona List.