IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL, WE JUST HATE YOUR IDEA

PHOENIX, April 2 – Senate Republicans never showed up to a conference committee in the House for H2595 (late filings; campaign finance reports) yesterday, a snub aimed at Rep. Michelle Ugenti, who was trying to amend her H2072 (ballot measures; Proposition 105 disclosure) to the bill. The amendment would have required campaign literature for or against initiatives to carry language warning voters that, if approved, the measure cannot be undone by the Legislature. Senate leadership took issue with Ugenti’s attempt to revive the measure at the 11th hour, as she did with some of her measures on sine die last year. A source privy to the negotiations said that the Senate didn’t boycott the conference committee out of spite for Ugenti herself, but had concerns that putting the notice on the ballot and campaign info would actually encourage people to vote for ballot measures, given voters’ opinions of the Legislature. Sen. Katie Hobbs was the only senator assigned to the conference committee to arrive as scheduled, but was soon informed by Senate majority staff that no one else would show. Sen. Judy Burges and Sen. Adam Driggs were also assigned to the committee.