The heat is near.
This weekend might finally clock in at 100 degrees in Phoenix, which is right on time. On average, the first 100 degree day in Phoenix is May 2. The earliest triple-digit day ever recorded was March 26 back in 1988.
In 1989 there were 149 triple-digits days, the most in a year we’ve recorded. The average number of triple-digits days per year in Phoenix is 89.
Technically, the first day of summer is June 21. But it will soon be scorching hot here in the desert.
Also heating up right now is the political drama at the state Capitol. A major question is whether this rising tension will cause a breakthrough of bipartisanship, or implode into a partisan grudge match.
Let’s review the situation.
After fourteen years of Republican-controlled state government, Arizona voters in 2022 elected a Democrat for governor. Katie Hobbs campaigned on the promise to act like a sane human being while governor. Considering her opponent’s behavior, this was a winning argument.
Republicans held onto a narrow majority in the state House and Senate.
A divided government. Would it mean gridlock or bipartisanship?
Early on we saw fireworks. A few Republican lawmakers stood up and literally turned their backs on Gov. Hobbs while she delivered her inaugural State of the State address. Senate Republicans made a show of force by rejecting Hobbs’ nominee to administer the health department — her first administrative nomination. Republicans passed a nonstarter “starter” budget in February — months before the state budget is typically negotiated — to make political preparations for a possible government shutdown if the real budget negotiations turn sour.
A slew of bills landed on the governor’s desk, destined for the veto stamp. The vetoes ranged the gamut of topics, from culture war issues to election bills to a bill to eliminate grocery taxes.
The first major act of bipartisanship was when lawmakers voted to lift the education spending cap, allowing public schools to legally spend what had been allotted to them by the previous legislature.
Another act of bipartisanship happened when Republicans and Democrats teamed up to expel a Republican lawmaker from the House. This lawmaker crossed a line by inviting a presenter to an elections committee hearing who proceeded to defame practically everyone in state government.
Enter the tamale bill.
On the surface, the vetoed bill to deregulate the sale of tamales (and other homemade foods) was an example of gridlock … because the bill did not become state law.
But this particular veto hit a nerve.
Unlike most of the vetoed bills on Gov. Hobbs’ historic veto tally, the tamale bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. It passed the Senate with a 24-6 vote; the House with a 45-11 vote.
A few Democratic lawmakers spoke out against the Democratic governor for siding against the hardworking tamale makers of Arizona. An interest group set up a tamale stand in front of the Capitol on the day the legislature was scheduled to vote on a veto override.
In her veto letter, Hobbs cited health agency concerns about allowing the sale of deregulated tamales … concerns that lawmakers had already considered, and dismissed, when they passed the bill.
Why did Hobbs veto the tamale bill? Was she really afraid of the germs? Did she just want to add another veto to her tally? Did she not like the conservative nature of deregulation?
Democratic lawmakers didn’t provide enough votes to override the veto. In the end, the caucus deferred to Hobbs.
100 days into the governor’s term, we’re still waiting to see what kind of leader Hobbs will be.
If Governor Hobbs commands the power to keep her caucus in check over a tamale veto, can she rally support for some proactive accomplishments? What’s her strategy?
Housing is another area where deregulation would help working families. We need to build more housing, which is a goal Hobbs supports.
When a robust zoning reform bill went up for a vote, Democratic Sen. Juan Mendez put out a video saying that Democrats are too close to a legislative majority to “settle” for the bill, hinting at a future plan for inclusionary zoning or maybe rent caps.
The robust zoning reform bill was a bipartisan failure in the state Senate, losing 9-20. But the bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Steve Kaiser, is still working on legislative fixes to increase the housing supply.
Is Governor Hobbs going to wait two years hoping for a Democratic majority? Or will she try to work with Republicans on solutions right now?
And what about education? Republican Rep. Matt Gress has a plan for $10,000 raises for teachers. If there are partisan sticking points in the details of this bill, will Democrats negotiate to help enact a substantial raise for Arizona teachers?
Will Governor Hobbs lead on these issues?
To be determined.
There are some areas of non-convergence between the two parties, such as the universal nature of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts.
But on areas of potential convergence — such as tamales, housing, and teacher pay — it would be nice to see some breakthroughs at some point.
Bipartisanship or gridlock?
We’ll find out soon.
***Corrections: A previous version of this post omitted the bipartisan accomplishment of raising the school spending limit. Updated 4/29/23.
Links and News
Econ Substacker Noah Smith shows evidence that Millennials are doing OK financially, and he wonders how it will impact their political views.
Jean Twenge shows evidence that the mental health crisis has hit Millennials, and she thinks it’s bad for democracy.
The Free Press: Sports Betting Is the New Opioid Crisis
Bipartisan Senate bill would ban social media algorithms for minors
Northern Lights Seen in Arizona
Sen. Kaiser's housing legislation without question is a deregulation bill. "Reform" is a word that to many carries an implication that it's a good thing. Maybe deregulation is your cup of tea, but perhaps not.
So sick of hearing about Tamales! Gress’s idea another bandaid when teachers and all educators need help. We have major water issues, housing affordability and homelessness are all huge. Please, let’s move on from Tamale’s. How about Rogers v Sanchez. Major first amendment issue.