AZ: Dem House freshmen break tradition, turn up the volume

[RandySF]

NOTE: I POST A LOT OF "FEEL-GOOD" ARTICLES, BUT I JUST WANT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYONE GETTING OUT THIS YEAR AND VOTING DEMOCRAT.



The Arizona Legislature welcomed one of its largest freshman classes in 2017. More than one-third of the members of the House – 13 Democrats and 12 Republicans – were newly elected lawmakers, never having served as elected officials in any capacity.
But the lack of governmental or lawmaking experience hasn’t stopped the women from using this opportunity to speak out for causes that are important to them and for pushing for changes at the Legislature.

The group is outspoken, often questioning the status quo and challenging their Republican colleagues, many of whom have accused them of grandstanding on the House floor, activism and theatrics.

They are also very active on social media, engaging with constituents on Twitter and Facebook, posting photos and live streams of colleagues as they speak on the floor, and encouraging voters to reach out to lawmakers to demand changes.

It’s in sharp contrast to the attitude of freshmen in previous legislative sessions that have typically spent their first year or two listening and learning, said Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix.

“This is a really intelligent, assertive group of freshmen,” Rios said.


https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2018/03/30/arizona-isela-blanc-mitzi-epstein-athena-salman-pamela-powers-hannley-kirsten-engel-wenona-benally-freshman-house-democrats-break-tradition/