Scott: Republican theatrics have real consequences

The absurd has been on display at Arizona’s Legislature: stripping women’s autonomy; praying in tongues on the chamber floor; demonizing LGBTQ through bizarre restroom scenarios; crafting of legislation by grand jury-indicted legislators that protects pollution and attacks food innovation.

While easy to discount the theatrics, these are actual efforts by a political majority. Gov. Katie Hobbs has thwarted much, but Republicans hope to get culture-war issues on the ballot to bypass the governor.

HCR2040, sponsored by Rep. Austin Smith, is a smorgasbord of far-right ideology that bans state and local governments from promoting or enforcing policies designed to limit human contributions to climate change. It includes a ban on encouraging riding a bike or walking, reducing airline travel, reducing meat consumption, or acting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Smith heads the Arizona Freedom Caucus and is a director at Turning Point Action, part of Turning Point USA, which is renowned for propagating conspiracy theories, bigotry and Christian nationalism. Ironically, Smith — an election-integrity crusader — decided not to run for reelection after being charged with forged nominating petitions. Tyler Bower, Turning Point USA CEO, was among those indicted for the fake elector scheme and faces felony charges.

The “cattle growers” are behind efforts to obstruct plant-based and cultured-meat alternatives to foods derived from traditional animal slaughter. Cultured meat from animal cells has potential to help feed the world’s hungry, diminish the deleterious effects of industrial farming on the environment, and spare billions of animals annually who are destined for the food supply. (Medical professionals and scientists overwhelmingly agree that plant-based diets are better for human and environmental health.)

State Senator John Kavanagh amended his party’s bill to ban cultured meat and use of the term “meat,” correctly calling it a “protectionist bill.” If “free market” truly means anything, the bill should be scrapped entirely.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.