Chandler Council to legislators: Keep dialogue going

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

A meeting between Chandler-area state lawmakers and some Chandler city leaders produced a few revelations about things lawmakers would like to focus on in 2025, though the short meeting didn’t get far into specific proposals.

State sen. J.D. Mesnard and state Rep.-elect Jeff Weninger, of District 13, along with District 12 Rep. Stacey Travers, outlined a few problems to be addressed during the upcoming 2025 legislative session at the short Dec. 16 meeting in a Chandler Museum conference room.

Chandler City Council members asked a few questions about specific policy areas, but mostly encouraged the lawmakers to continue open and proactive communication.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke asks questions of state lawmakers during a Dec. 16 Chandler “legislative mixer” event. To Hartke’s left are Chandler council member Christine Ellis, City Attorney Kelly Schwab and City Clerk Dana DeLong.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

All six of the continuing council members were present; Mark Stewart is term-limited and wasn’t at the event. Jennifer Hawkins will be sworn in to her first term on Council next month.

The 2025 Arizona Legislature’s session convenes Jan. 13.

Rep. Travers, a U.S. Army veteran, said some of her focus this year will be around veterans affairs, mandatory reporters, small business and predatory lending.

In response to Council member Christine Ellis asking about ways to get women and girls out of human-trafficking situations, Travers pointed out that fellow LD12 Rep. Patti Contreras is the ranking Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee; Contreras should be involved in discussing that topic.

Weninger said his focus will include more public school funding, incentivizing innovation and proposals around ways to protect anonymity of court witnesses.

Mesnard said he’s “grown weary” of hearing from Arizona businesspeople facing a recurring dilemma: delayed and/or amended tax liabilities. He said he’s not sure if a statute of limitations or what could be a solution, but he said there must be ways for businesses to avoid as many sudden tax bills from years prior as he’s seeing.

Mesnard all said he’s in favor of higher teacher pay. He said he’s not sure “what’s left” as far as major housing reform proposals, but nothing would surprise him in that area.

Weninger said he’d like to see the state’s tax structure re-examined, possibly creating a low-income housing tax credit, and, except for what he feels are egregious excesses by municipalities, advocating for local control.

Vice Mayor O.D. Harris encouraged the lawmakers to proactively communicate with Chandler leaders. Weninger encouraged Chandler leaders to reach out to him with questions about specific bills or proposals.

Council member Angel Encinas encouraged the lawmakers to help municipalities hang onto their streams of revenue. Weninger, a former Chandler City Council member himself, said every year he’s been in the Arizona House, he’s asked “Are you gonna be nice to cities?”

Mayor Kevin Hartke asked if there’s some disagreement between party leaders and other lawmakers on the semiconductor expansion. Weninger said the budget is a battle each year, and side battles emerge anytime there’s a major spending disagreement.

With an apparent budget deficit again this year, it’s unclear how semiconductor manufacturers will get caught up in the mess, Weninger said.

Council member Matt Orlando, speaking to public safety pension liabilities, wondered aloud if a 20-year payoff time limit or other restrictions might end up being enacted.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.  Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Arizona District 12 Rep. Stacey Travers makes a point as Chandler City Council member Matt Orlando listens during a Dec. 16 Chandler “legislative mixer” event at the Chandler Museum.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

State Rep.-elect Jeff Weninger, second from left, makes a point during a Dec. 16 Chandler “legislative mixer” as Chandler City Council member Matt Orlando, left, state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, second from right, and Chandler Council member Jane Poston.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Chandler Vice Mayor O.D. Harris asks a question of state lawmakers at a Dec. 16 Chandler “legislative mixer” event as Council members Angel Encinas, left, Mayor Kevin Hartke and Council member Christine Ellis, back, listen.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Chandler Vice Mayor O.D. Harris asks a question of state lawmakers at a Dec. 16 Chandler “legislative mixer” event as Council members Angel Encinas, left, Mayor Kevin Hartke and Council member Christine Ellis, back, listen.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.