President’s Corner
Ban Race-Based Discrimination in Arizona
On a Zoom call with the AZ Free Enterprise Club last Monday, Matt Beinenburg, Director of Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute, spoke in support of a bill before the Arizona legislature, HCR2042. This bill sponsored by House Speaker Steve Montenegro and supported by Senate Majority Leader, Janae Shamp, prohibits Arizona public agencies from promoting race-based policies or programs and ensures that all students, staff, and job candidates are treated equally regardless of skin color. Among its provisions, this measure would:
- Close the loophole in the state constitution’s ban that allows the federal government to pressure our state institutions into practicing racial discrimination.
- Prohibit state agencies from requiring DEI statements in any employment, contracting, graduation, certification or licensing decision.
- Prohibit the operation of DEI offices in institutions of public education.
- Additionally it will prohibit training and course mandates, including in higher education, that promote various tenets of DEI.
The legislation will also require schools to treat students equally in matters of discipline rather than basing punishments on the race of the students. It expressly allows the legislature to add to the list of protections statutorily and expressly allows instruction on historical instances of discrimination like the Holocaust, slavery, Japanese internment, etc.
In 2010, Arizona voters ratified, by a 19-point margin, a constitutional amendment to ban racial discrimination, including so-called affirmative action policies from our public institutions, but this language left the door open to schools and universities who sought to circumvent its intent.
The Goldwater Institute states that over 80% if Arizona voters agree that public schools and universities should NOT give preferential treatment to students and employees based upon race and agree that public educational institutions should hire teachers based upon teaching ability, not political ideology. This measure will help redirect state resources away from costly and discriminatory DEI offices back toward academic excellence and efficient government operations across our state.
There are a total of 20 state legislators who are co-sponsors of HCR2042. All are Republicans. Currently this bill has passed the House along party lines, with all 33 Republicans voting yeah and all 27 Democrats voting nay. It has passed out of the Senate Committee of 7 by a 4 to 3 vote, with 4 Republicans voting for and 3 Democrats against it! As you can see, the Democrats have no interest in banning DEI in our public institutions. The good news is the Republicans also hold the majority in the Senate and this bill should pass there too. We'll be watching, and once it does, it will go to the voters as a ballot measure probably next year. We must be prepared to support this and encourage everyone we know to do the same. It is finally time to end race-based discrimination, DEI offices, and mandates permanently!
Patricia Moore
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
APRIL 2025
Annual Spring Bar-b-que
Thursday, April 3, Chianti Room
Tuscany Falls Clubhouse
Social Time 11:30 AM; Luncheon 12:00 PM
Speaker(s): TBD
Men's Breakfast Club
Tuesday, April 8, 8:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Chuck Streeter
PCRC Women's Luncheon
Wednesday, April 9, 11:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room alcove
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Vicki Streeter
MAY 2025
Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 1, Tuscany Falls Ballroom
Social Time 6:30 PM; Meeting Begins 7:00 PM
Speaker(s): TBD
Men's Breakfast Club
Tuesday, May 13, 8:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Chuck Streeter
PCRC Women's Luncheon
Wednesday, May 14, 11:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room alcove
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Vicki Streeter
JUNE 2025
No Scheduled Membership Meeting in June
Men's Breakfast Club
Tuesday, June 10, 8:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Chuck Streeter
PCRC Women's Luncheon
Wednesday, June 11, 11:30 AM
Eagle's Nest dining room alcove
Seating is limited to a maximum of 20
RSVP to Vicki Streeter
Men's Breakfast Club
The "Men's Breakfast Club" meets at 8:30 AM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove.
If you are interested in a lively, morning conversation about political events and your first cup of coffee, please attend this breakfast. This is a real opportunity for some "like-minded" discussion.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Chuck Streeter - streeter@greencafe.com
PCRC Women's Luncheon
If you are looking for an informative and lively conversation among "like-minded" women and the opportunity to "talk Republican," here is your chance!
The luncheons are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Vicki Streeter at streeter@greencafe.com