Birdman at the Arizona Legislature

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman sits down once again with Arizona House Majority Leader Michael Carbone for a candid update on where lawmakers stand as budget negotiations enter the final stretch of the legislative session. Recorded on June 2nd inside the Majority Leader's office at the Arizona Capitol, the conversation explores why the state budget remains unfinish...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman reports from the Arizona Housing Coalition Conference , where lawmakers, housing advocates, and policy leaders gathered to tackle one of the state's biggest growing issues: housing affordability . Joining Birdman are Senator Shawnna Bolick and Representative Walt Blackman , who discuss the legislative efforts underway to increase hous...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman returns to the office of Representative Walt Blackman for a timely update on the state of the legislative session following the Easter holiday.   Fresh off the Committee of the Whole (COW) and floor proceedings, Representative Blackman discusses the slowing pace of legislation and the broader political dynamics shaping the session. Wi...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman sits down with House Majority Leader Michael Carbone for a candid update on where the session stands—and why Arizona lawmakers may be in for a very long stretch.   Carbone explains that with committee work wrapping up, the House is shifting into the next major phase: processing roughly 400 Senate bills , handling appropriations, and p...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman returns to the office of Representative Walt  Blackman for  a post-crossover update on where things stand at the Capitol — and why the next phase of the session could be even more intense.   Blackman explains that after crossover week, the House is now dealing with a wave of Senate bills , many of which are being assigned to committee...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman goes behind the scenes on the House floor to meet one of the most recognizable — yet least known — voices in Arizona politics: the official "Reader" of the House.   Sitting down with Steven Matt, Birdman uncovers the story behind the man who rapidly and flawlessly reads legislation into the official record — a role that demands precis...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman steps away from the Capitol and into the studio to unpack a debate that surfaced during caucus: Arizona's Rainy Day Fund — and whether it should even exist.   The discussion began around stabilizing funding for the Department of Public Safety (DPS). A proposal was floated to use interest earnings from the state's $1.5 billion Rainy Da...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman sits down once again in the office of Walt Blackman for a wide-ranging conversation during one of the busiest weeks of session — Crossover Week.   The discussion begins with Blackman's morning press conference recognizing Pediatric Cancer Awareness and addressing the funding gap between federal research dollars and Arizona's state bud...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this special "West Lawn Compendium" episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman spends four hours—10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—interviewing advocates, parents, candidates, and citizens during Early Childhood Legislation Day at the Arizona Capitol.   Unlike official legislative agendas set by the House or Senate, advocacy days are organized by individuals and groups who come to lobby, educate,...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman sits down in the House Majority Leader's office with House Majority Leader Michael Carbone to discuss HB 2795 , a bill aimed at clearing the path for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Arizona.   Carbone frames SMRs as a modern, proven technology—often misunderstood because of old associations with incidents like Three Mile Isla...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman sits down with Leo Biasiucci , who represents Legislative District 30—covering western Arizona, including Lake Havasu City and the iconic London Bridge.   The conversation centers on Biasiucci's latest effort to reform Arizona's SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) policies. His bill proposes aligning SNAP purchases more c...

Reporting from Bisbee , Birdman sits down with Mayor Ken Budge for a candid, on-the-ground discussion about the unique public safety challenges facing rural Arizona—especially when it comes to fire protection and emergency equipment costs .   Mayor Budge, a retired firefighter, walks listeners through Bisbee's long and dramatic history with fire, from early-1900s blazes fought with dynamite to mor...

In this update from Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman checks in while traveling across the state, offering listeners a snapshot of where things stand at the Capitol as crossover week approaches.   With lawmakers shifting focus toward the budget phase, attention is centered on two major policy fronts: Arizona's full tax conformity package and proposed SNAP fraud reform measures —both of...

Broadcasting from the members' lounge at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down with Representative Marshall and Representative Heap for a wide-ranging discussion on wind energy development, state land use, and local control in rural Arizona .   The conversation centers on a package of bills aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of wind farms and large-scale renewable projects , particularly...

Broadcasting from the members' lounge at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down with Kevin Volk , a Democratic lawmaker representing Legislative District 17 , which spans urban Tucson, rapidly growing suburban areas, and distinctly rural communities reaching into Pinal and Pima Counties.   The conversation opens with a bipartisan success story: Volk's legislation allowing electric vehicle owne...

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature , Birdman breaks down a revealing and, at times, frustrating House Government Committee meeting centered on House Bill 2460 , officially titled Business Property Theft Penalties Prohibition .   While the bill—introduced by Representative Nicholas Kupper —is framed as a measure to prevent municipalities from holding businesses responsible for st...