Lauren Kuby, State Senator
Photo submitted by Laurn Kuby
Lauren Kuby, State Senator
At the State Capitol, I am committed to enacting policies that prioritize the public good, not special interests. That’s why I voted no on Senate Bill 1543.
This bill is nothing more than a corporate handout designed to benefit one company — Axon, a weapons manufacturer based in Scottsdale. SB 1543 would require Scottsdale to rezone “light industrial” land for hotel and multifamily developments, all without public hearings or community input. This is a clear case of state legislation being tailored to serve a single corporation’s expansion plans at the expense of transparency and democratic processes.
The people of Scottsdale quickly worked to stop this proposed headquarters when nearly 27,000 residents signed a petition calling for a referendum to place the original plan on the ballot. That's democracy in action. What right does the Legislature have to cancel that upcoming election, to deny voters their constitutional right to petition their government?
At the last minute, Axon offered an amendment promising 5% affordable housing in their apartment complex. But read the fine print. They define "affordable" as up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in that part of the Valley — $121,500. That income translates into rents of roughly $3,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
While I fully support economic development and efforts to increase affordable housing, this bill takes the wrong approach. By waiving public-hearing requirements for zoning changes, it undermines the crucial role that local communities play in shaping their neighborhoods.
Furthermore, SB 1543 is likely unconstitutional under Article 4, Part 2, Section 19 of the Arizona Constitution, which prohibits special laws granting privileges to individual corporations.
In conclusion, this bill undermines the values of transparency, accountability and the fundamental right of every Arizonan to have a voice in local governance. As a policymaker, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that development works for everyone — not just the well-connected and ultra-wealthy.
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