| NEWS | Legislate from p 11 colleagues were unconvinced. Kavanagh’s original legislation stalled in the Senate. But it seems that Kavanagh is trying, once again, to preserve the fast-dis- appearing Confederate monuments in Ari- zona. His new bill is virtually identical to last year’s bill, HB 2552. It remains to be seen whether this attempt will prove more successful. SB 1047: Schools could face thousands in civil penalties if they do not display American flags in every classroom and recite the pledge of allegiance. It’s already law in Arizona that public schools must display a large American flag in each classroom and display, next to it, a copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Schools must also set aside time to recite the National Anthem each day. But SB 1047, again courtesy of Rogers, would cause schools to face thousands of dollars in fines for violations of any of those requirements. The Arizona Attorney Gen- eral would be directed to collect up to $1,000 in civil penalties from schools — for every violation identified. With liberty and justice for all. SB 1016: Prohibits pharmacies from using discretion in issuing prescriptions for off-label drugs. Seemingly inspired by the craze over iver- mectin and hydroxychloroquine — two drugs that, once hyped as possible treat- ments for COVID-19, are not authorized or proven to treat the disease — notorious anti-vax conspiracist Senator Kelly Townsend, representing Mesa, Apache Junction, and some towns in Pinal County, has introduced a bill that would prevent pharmacies from refusing to prescribe drugs for off-label use. There are some vague limitations within the bill. The law would only take ef- fect during a “public health state of emer- gency” and only apply to drugs that are “potentially life-saving,” with no clear way to define that quality. But still, the intention does seem to be to prevent pharmacies from complying with basic health provisions. Just like how pharmacies have done in refusing to pre- scribe hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19, given that it has some seri- ous risks. And, as gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake recently proved, people have still found ways to get their hands on it. SB 1045: Any health professional that pro- vides gender-affirming care to trans youth could be charged with a felony. This piece of legislation by Rogers has gained national attention — part of a wave of anti-trans legislation nationwide that advocates say they are tracking closely. The bill would enact a blanket ban on gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth, State Senator John Kavanagh. www.electkavanagh.com including any use of puberty blockers, hor- mones, or surgeries, contrary to recommen- dations of the American Academy of Pediatricians, the American Psychiatric As- sociation, and others. Under this ban, any medical professional who provided such treatment could be charged with a class four felony, which in Arizona can result in a prison sentence of up to four years. The bill would also force school nurses, counselors, or teachers to disclose to par- ents if their child expresses that they were experiencing gender dysphoria, or were transgender. The advocacy group Equality Arizona, which advocates for LGBTQ rights, wrote in its preview of the legislative session that SB 1045 was a major concern. While it ap- peared unlikely that the “clumsy” legisla- tion would make it to Ducey’s desk, the group noted, it was a potential omen of what’s to come. “Simply by being introduced it contrib- utes to a hostile climate for trans youth,” the group concluded, warning that it could inspire more “polished” versions. SB 1042: “Donald J. Trump Day” Last, but not least, is Rogers’ play to make “President Donald J. Trump Day” an Ari- zona holiday, taking place each year on June 14. This appears to be inspired by a similar effort by Republican state lawmak- ers in Ohio last year, also on June 14 — which is the former president’s birthday. “Why waste people’s time with that?” was Hill’s only comment on the matter. Remember, Arizona was only the 47th state to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and that only happened after the state lost a Super Bowl and millions of dollars from it. Of course, Rogers has a Trump endorse- ment to preserve. It’s hard to view this — as well as most of these bills far-right law- makers have introduced — as much more than political grandstanding as the prima- ries fast approach. 13 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES JAN 20TH– JAN 26TH, 2022
