A To-Do List for Arizona Legislators
In 2021, the AZCenter is focused on policy change to help Arizona households weather and come back stronger from this pandemic and economic recession:
Indian Country
Invest funds in tribal health facilities and infrastructure including broadband connectivity and establish shared revenue sources for tribal governments and communities.
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Increase access to skill building and job training through expansion of financial aid programs, enactment of tuition equity for lawful permanent residents, and restoration of state funding for Arizona’s community colleges.
K-12 education
Make sure that schools serving students in higher-poverty areas have adequate resources, and that educators and students in rural areas have access to the computers, internet, and facilities required to teach and learn.
Food access
Lower barriers to participating in SNAP, make fresh food more accessible, ensure that every child attending school is fed, and expand capacity of food banks.
Criminal justice
Re-examine the policies, practices, and funding of the Department of Corrections to re-allocate funds to programs aimed at successful re-entry.
Housing
Help prevent evictions, increase rental assistance, increase the capacity of homeless services organizations, and expand the supply of affordable housing by restoring funding to the State Housing Trust Fund.
Safety net
Shore up the safety net and lower barriers to enrollment, including increasing payments and access to unemployment insurance and cash assistance programs.
Child care
Restore state childcare subsidies so fewer Arizonans face barriers to affordable, quality childcare.
Paid leave
Enact a social insurance program so Arizona workers can take time off from work to care for a sick family member, or a new child, or to deal with serious personal illness.
Fiscal and tax policy
Address inequitable state tax codes, increase tax credit oversight, and avoid further tax cuts that prevent long-term state investments.
