(And that was just the first week)

It was a busy first week at the State Legislature. The opening of a new session always brings a flurry of activity, and this week was no exception. From the opening session at the Capitol to arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court, the pace has been fast. We saw the community come together for prayer, families advocate for education, and leaders stand up for fairness in sports.

Here is a recap of what happened during this inaugural week.

Remembering Mark Brnovich A Defender of Faith and Freedom

This week, Arizona lost a true champion of the rule of law, including religious freedom. Mark Brnovich, who served as our state’s 26th Attorney General, passed away on January 12 at age 59.

Mark understood that religious liberty is the cornerstone of all our freedoms. He stood with Christian calligraphers Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski when Phoenix threatened them with fines and jail for declining to create wedding invitations that violated their faith. His advocacy helped secure a landmark Arizona Supreme Court victory in Brush & Nib.

Mark collaborated closely with Center for Arizona Policy. He was passionate about “building the bench” –the next generation of leadership. In fact, several members of the CAP team ended up serving in his office as well. He was a warrior who brought joy to the fight with humor and a positive outlook. He cared about people. He saw their potential. And he never wavered in defending their God-given rights.

To his wife Susan, their two daughters, and all who loved him: our prayers are with you.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Starting with Prayer

Before the first gavel fell or the first bill was introduced, we gathered for our annual Capitol Prayer Walk early Monday morning.

It was the largest turnout we have seen in recent memory. Believers from across the valley stood together, filling the House and Senate chambers to pray for wisdom for our elected officials and for God’s guidance over the session.

To everyone who attended: thank you. We did not just gather to make a statement, but to petition the King of Kings, acknowledging that true wisdom and authority come from Him alone.

Defending Educational Freedom

Later that morning, an educational freedom press conference was held in the Rose Garden. The focus was gratitude.

School leaders from Maranatha Christian Academy, Pusch Ridge, and Phoenix Christian Preparatory School thanked Arizona taxpayers for funding students, not just systems.

Dan Kuiper, Executive Director of the Arizona Christian Education Coalition, highlighted the program’s reach, noting that “Nearly 100,000 students rely on [ESAs], with over 80% coming from lower- and middle-income families.”

Eli Moreno of Maranatha Christian Academy added, “You have now made this alternate education available to everybody in our state, something that seemed impossible.”

Jonathan Basurto of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy emphasized the impact on families, stating, “It is impossible for a low-income family to be able to receive an enormous opportunity, such as private education… and also be able to hold it down with the family trying to pay that type of tuition.”

The entire press conference can be seen here.

I attended the State of the State address that afternoon, where Governor Katie Hobbs made her intentions clear: she plans to target the ESA program again this year. Despite the success stories shared earlier in the day, the Governor signaled a renewed attack on educational freedom.

We are prepared to defend the rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

We Need Your Story

To defend this program, we need to show its impact. If your family has benefited from an ESA, we want to hear from you. Please email us your success story at bob_trent@azpolicy.org.

Fairness in Women’s Sports

On Tuesday, the focus shifted to Washington, D.C., where the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding state laws that prevent biological males from competing in female sports.

The arguments went well. The Justices appeared skeptical of the challengers’ claims that protecting women’s sports violates the Constitution. It appears likely the Court will uphold the right of states like Arizona to preserve fair competition for female athletes.

Outside the court, a rally for the Fairness in Women’s Sports featured House Speaker Mike Johnson, Riley Gaines, and many female athletes who have lost roster spots and podium finishes to males. Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen was also in attendance, standing firm for our state’s laws.

During the events in D.C., I spoke with Chloe Cole, a young woman who detransitioned after being pushed into harmful medical procedures as a child. She continues to be a leading voice exposing the dangers of the “gender-affirming” industry.

You can hear what she had to say here.

Arizona House Republicans Rally for Fair Competition in Women’s Sports

Also on Tuesday, Arizona House Republicans championed fairness in women’s sports during a press conference at the State Capitol. As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two related cases, lawmakers defended biological reality and fair competition for female athletes. After Attorney General Mayes abandoned the Save Women’s Sports Act, House Speaker Montenegro and Senate President Petersen intervened to defend Arizona’s law protecting women’s athletics.

This was a full week, but it is only the beginning. The Governor has signaled her opposition on education, and the courts are weighing critical issues regarding life and family. We will be at the Capitol ensuring the legislature holds the line on school choice, and we will keep you informed on how the pending court rulings impact Arizona law.

ICYMI

• Read how Planned Parenthood earns $200M annually in revenue from abortion.
• See more information on Arizona’s transgender sports law will be affected by the Supreme Court decision
• See what the effect of eliminating the Hyde Amendment would have on the ACA and abortion.