Birdman at the Arizona Legislature

Affordable Housing, Local Control & Arizona's Housing Crisis: Senators and Representatives Speak Out

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 housing access, reduce barriers to homeownership, and address Arizona's widening affordability gap. Senator Bolick explains her work on several housing-related bills aimed at: * Expanding access to starter homes * Reducing unnecessary housing regulations * Limiting mandates surrounding homeowners associations and aesthetic requirements * Increasing housing supply for first-time buyers, veterans, seniors, and working families The conversation explores how local zoning restrictions, impact fees, and "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) opposition can slow development and limit affordable housing options across Arizona communities. Representative Blackman adds perspective on the broader social impact of housing instability, connecting the issue to: * Homelessness * Substance abuse treatment * Workforce shortages * Criminal justice reform * Economic opportunity for younger generations Together, the lawmakers discuss how rising housing costs are affecting not only low-income residents, but also teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, attorneys, and young professionals who increasingly struggle to purchase homes—even with stable careers. Other topics covered include: * The challenge of balancing local control with statewide housing needs * Why affordable housing has become politically divisive * The role of state government in addressing housing shortages * How Arizona's population growth and economic expansion have intensified demand * Why many young adults are remaining renters longer than previous generations The discussion also highlights how workforce housing, teacher housing initiatives, and small-lot developments may become part of the long-term solution if lawmakers can overcome political resistance and regulatory barriers. This episode offers a practical, bipartisan conversation about one of Arizona's most urgent policy challenges and provides insight into how housing, economic policy, and quality of life are increasingly interconnected. If you want to better understand the debates surrounding affordable housing, local zoning authority, and the future of homeownership in Arizona, this is an episode worth hearing. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. 🌐 Official Site: https://birdman.media Support Our Sponsors This episode is brought to you with the support of our premium sponsor: Sitgreave [https://www.sgcdc.org]s Community Development Corporation [https://www.sgcdc.org] Supporting our sponsors helps keep Birdman Media™ independent and producing the content others won't. © Birdman Media™. All rights reserved.

Budget Battles & Bill Delays: Representative Walt Blackman on Arizona's Legislative Standstill

In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman returns to the office of Representative Walt Blackmanfor 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. With only a handful of bills moving forward on Third Read, attention has shifted to the legislature's primary constitutional responsibility: passing a balanced state budget. Key topics in this conversation include: * The Budget as the Legislature's Top Priority: Blackman emphasizes that while individual bills are important, the fundamental duty of lawmakers is to negotiate and pass a balanced budget. * Divided Government Challenges: The discussion highlights the complexities of negotiating between the House, Senate, and Governor, particularly around issues like tax conformity, which continues to be a major point of contention. * Legislative Moratorium and Bill Delays: With the Governor signaling potential vetoes, sending bills forward prematurely could waste taxpayer resources. As a result, legislative leaders are strategically focusing on amendments and preparatory work while awaiting progress in budget negotiations. * Why the Session May Extend Beyond April: Contrary to public perception, delays are not due to inactivity. Instead, they reflect the realities of negotiation in a politically divided environment, especially during a midterm election cycle, when timing and political strategy play significant roles. * Civic Engagement and Public Participation: Representative Blackman encourages constituents to stay informed and involved by reading legislation, contacting their representatives, and utilizing resources like azleg.gov. He stresses the importance of informed participation over reliance on social media snippets or secondhand interpretations. The episode also provides valuable insight into the legislative process, explaining how lawmakers can continue advancing Committee of the Whole work so that bills are ready for swift passage once budget agreements are reached. Whether you're a policy enthusiast, Arizona resident, or simply interested in how state governments function, this episode offers a clear and engaging look at the intersection of politics, governance, and civic responsibility. Tune in to better understand why legislative sessions extend, how budget negotiations shape policy outcomes, and what it means for the future of Arizona.

Long Nights, Budget Battles & 400 Senate Bills: Majority Leader Carbone's Capitol Update

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 preparing for an extended period of floor work. He also details how procedural tactics—particularly pulling bills from the consent calendar—are dramatically slowing the process and turning straightforward measures into lengthy floor debates and overnight sessions. The conversation breaks down: * What happens after committee reports are completed * Why consent calendar fights can double the workload * How "division" votes and procedural moves affect floor time * Why lawmakers are preparing for more late nights and early mornings * What it means when a legislature that is supposed to run about 100 days stretches toward June 30 Carbone also offers a broader look at the budget fight, arguing that House and Senate leadership have been preparing for months on key issues such as: * Tax conformity * Medicaid and access-related spending * The broader fiscal framework for the next state budget According to Carbone, leadership has been ready to negotiate, but with the Governor stepping away from the table, lawmakers now expect a more difficult path forward. He says the House and Senate will likely move ahead by building a budget framework themselves and presenting a package they believe is reasonable and workable. The discussion also turns to a rarely talked-about issue: legislative pay. Carbone notes that Arizona legislators still earn $24,000 a year, a figure unchanged since 1998, despite the role increasingly functioning as a full-time job. He explains why proposals are emerging to let voters decide whether compensation should be adjusted by inflation or by an independent commission—rather than have lawmakers vote on their own pay. This episode offers a strong behind-the-scenes look at the reality of state government: long hours, complicated procedures, delayed budgets, and the often-overlooked workload of those trying to move legislation through the system. If you want to understand why the session drags on, how procedural tactics change outcomes, and what the budget fight really looks like inside the Arizona House, this is a conversation worth hearing.

What Happens After Crossover? Budget Battles, Tax Forms & Capitol Negotiations

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 committees for review. In his Government Committee alone, he says roughly 20 Senate bills are now in play, with only some expected to make it through. From there, the bills move through rules, caucus, and potentially onto the board, where negotiations begin to collide with the state budget. That's where the real tension starts. The conversation highlights how Arizona is entering the stage of the session where budget decisions, money bills, and political leverage all begin to intersect. Blackman describes a process in which lawmakers may hold positions on bills while awaiting broader budget outcomes, with the Governor's Office also weighing in as negotiations heat up. A major focus of the episode is tax conformity — specifically, Arizona's effort to align state tax law with the recently enacted federal tax law. Blackman strongly argues for full tax conformity, saying it would provide multi-year stability and reduce confusion for taxpayers, while partial conformity would only create temporary fixes and force Arizona to revisit the same issue next year. Birdman and Blackman also discuss the real-world impact on taxpayers, including: * Whether people may need to amend state tax returns * How current Arizona tax forms may need to change * The uncertainty facing filers who already submitted returns * Questions around tax credits, deadlines, waivers, and penalties Blackman's position is that Arizona should fully conform, waive penalties where necessary, and give taxpayers additional time if the state's own process causes delays. This episode is a strong snapshot of the Legislature in motion — where procedure, politics, budget strategy, and tax policy all collide in real time. If you want to understand what happens after crossover, why the budget gets more complicated, and how tax conformity could affect everyday Arizonans, this is a conversation worth hearing.

From Shakespeare to the House Floor: Meet the Man Who Reads Every Bill

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 precision, stamina, and respect for the process. But Steven's path to the legislature is anything but typical. A former U.S. Army military policeman turned professional stage actor, Steven spent decades performing Shakespeare across the country, including at renowned festivals and theaters. From playing Othello to working with top-tier acting coaches, his life in the arts shaped the voice and discipline he now brings to the House floor. In this conversation, you'll hear: * What it actually takes to read legislation in real time * How vocal training and acting translate into government work * The importance of accuracy when reading names, proclamations, and memorials * Behind-the-scenes insight into how the House operates during session * The rhythm and cadence between the Reader and the Speaker Pro Tem * Why most people misunderstand the complexity of the legislative process Steven also reflects on perspective — how working inside the legislature changed his views on politics, lobbyists, and people across both parties. His takeaway? Most people involved in the process are more thoughtful and human than the public often assumes. And in a memorable closing moment, he shares his deep love for Shakespeare — even demonstrating how many everyday phrases we still use today come directly from the Bard. This episode is a rare look at the human side of government — the people behind the process who make the system function every single day.