Sen. Navarrete condemns Gov. Ducey for vetoing edits to Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act

Governor doesn't 'intend on signing any additional bills'

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Regarding AB-1225 The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, assemblywoman Marie Waldron (D-75) introduced an act to amend Sections 3403, 3408, and 3409 of the Penal Code on Friday, February 9. The act was approved with bipartisan support on Thursday, March 25.

However, Governor Doug Ducey choose to veto the bill, along with 22 others, Friday:

• S.B. 1022 unborn child; statutory language (Townsend) 
• S.B. 1030 guilty except insane; court jurisdiction (Barto) 
• S.B. 1074 governance; audits; training (Livingston) 
• S.B. 1119 attorney general; federal executive orders (Gowan) 
• S.B. 1121 marijuana; security (Gowan) 
• S.B. 1135 taxes; 529 contributions; ABLE contributions (Livingston) 
• S.B. 1176 nutrition assistance; benefit match (Kerr)
• S.B. 1215 liquor; sales; delivery; identification information (Borrelli) 
• S.B. 1408 medical marijuana; research; mental health (Petersen) 
• S.B. 1514 emergency shelter beds; seniors (Livingston) 
• S.B. 1635 reviser's technical corrections; 2021 (Gray) 
• S.B. 1716 Arizona state hospital; admission; governance (Barto)
• S.B. 1127 vehicle speed limits (Gowan) 
• S.B. 1526 prisoners; training; individual certificates (Navarette) 
• H.B. 2070 adoption; original birth certificate; release (Roberts)
• H.B. 2296  restricted license; DUI; suspension (Payne) 
• H.B. 2303 marijuana; laboratories; proficiency testing (Friese) 
• H.B. 2414 marijuana; inspections; licensing; financial ownership (Friese) 
• H.B. 2674 sex offender registration; termination (Bowers) 
• H.B. 2792 early ballots; request required (Hoffman)
• H.B. 2001 credit for donation (Cobb) 
• H.B. 2554 party representative; resident; violation (Weninger)

Gov. Ducey defended his vetoes saying, "Some of these pieces of legislation contain good policy. But at the same time, our priority needs to be passing a budget for Arizonans."

Since the start of 2021, the governor has signed over 380 bills. This is more than any other session since he's been in office.

Senator Tony Navarrete (D-30) condemns Gov. Ducey's actions criticizing:

Today in a public temper tantrum fit for a toddler, Governor Doug Ducey put his tax cut for the wealthiest Arizonans before the health and wellbeing of incarcerated pregnant women. To say I am disappointed that the Governor, in a petty move, decided to veto a bill that would have improved the lives of incarcerated parents and their children, is an understatement. The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, which passed with bipartisan support, did a number of great things, such as mandating that female inmates receive feminine hygiene products, prevent use of restraints or body cavity searches on pregnant prisoners and ensure that a pregnant prisoner is given sufficient food and dietary supplements. Passing this bill was a matter of basic human dignity and respect. It’s sad that Governor Ducey decided his own political interests were more important than that.

Gov. Ducey seems to understand the tax relief many working families and small businesses are seeking during this time. His current focus is making responsible and significant investments in K-12 and higher educations, as well as infrastructure and local communities.

"This weekend marks one month until the end of the fiscal year; and Arizonans are counting on us to work together and pass a budget that provides certainty for taxpayers and citizens," clarifies Gov. Ducey. "Until that happens, I do not intend on signing any additional bills transmitted by the Legislature."

It's safe to say, June will be a very important month for legislation in Arizona.