Democrats prepare sweeping legislative agenda on education, housing, workers’ rights and gun safety after securing control of Arizona’s House, Senate and governor’s office.
PHOENIX, Arizona (HornPost) – Democratic lawmakers in Arizona have elected Rep. Oscar De Los Santos as the new House speaker and Sen. Priya Sundareshan as the next Senate president, positioning the party to advance an ambitious legislative agenda after gaining control of the state’s House of Representatives, Senate and governor’s office for the first time in decades.
The leadership elections, held Friday, mark a significant political shift in Arizona, where Democrats are preparing to pursue legislation covering education, workers’ rights, housing affordability, gun safety, consumer protection and environmental issues during the upcoming legislative session in January.
With their newly secured legislative majority, Democratic leaders say they intend to advance policies that have repeatedly faced opposition from Republicans, who previously controlled both chambers of the state legislature.
De Los Santos, speaking to reporters after his election as House speaker, said the party would focus on economic affordability, health care, public education and support for working- and middle-class families.
Democrats are also preparing to use the new legislative session to address several longstanding policy disagreements, particularly over education funding, labor regulations and housing costs.
Education Reforms Top Democratic Priorities
Reforming Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is expected to be among the party’s leading priorities.
De Los Santos said Democrats want to address what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse within the program, an objective also supported by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
House Majority Leader Nancy Gutierrez, a Democrat from Tucson, said the proposed Protect Education Act would provide a starting point for legislative efforts. The measure previously failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot.
Democrats are also looking to renew Proposition 123, an expired measure that provides additional funding for public schools through Arizona’s state land trust. Any renewal would require voter approval.
Republican lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement on a renewal plan over the past two years.
Democrats Push for Workers’ Rights
Labor policy is another major area where Democratic lawmakers are expected to pursue changes.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called for the introduction of a prevailing wage law and measures to make the state more supportive of organized labor during an election-night speech at an Arizona Democratic Party event.
One proposal would seek to repeal the state’s constitutional right-to-work provision, which has been in place for approximately 80 years.
Brendan Walsh of the labor organization Worker Power told Axios that unions also want lawmakers to introduce protections against extreme workplace heat for outdoor employees and strengthen consumer protections against price gouging.
Housing Affordability and Corporate Homeownership
Housing affordability is also expected to feature prominently in the legislative agenda.
De Los Santos previously supported legislation aimed at restricting corporations and large investors from purchasing single-family homes, arguing that such measures could help address housing affordability.
He has indicated that he remains interested in pursuing similar legislation during the next session.
The proposals come amid broader debates over housing costs, investment ownership and access to affordable homes in Arizona.
Data Centers Face Potential Restrictions
The expansion of data centers is another issue likely to attract attention from lawmakers.
Mayes and other Democratic officials have called for a moratorium on new data center developments, raising concerns about their potential impact on water and energy resources.
However, Gov. Hobbs rejected the proposal during her reelection campaign, highlighting differences within the Democratic leadership over how to regulate the rapidly expanding industry.
Gun Safety Legislation
On gun policy, Gutierrez said she intends to reintroduce a proposal known as Christian’s Law.
The legislation would require firearms to be stored securely to prevent minors from accessing them.
The proposal is part of a broader Democratic effort to introduce additional gun safety measures in a state where firearms policy has remained a contentious political issue.
Republicans Pledge to Defend Their Principles
Republican lawmakers have acknowledged the election results but say they will continue defending their policy priorities despite losing control of the legislature.
Outgoing House Speaker Steve Montenegro, a Republican from Goodyear who is expected to become the new House minority leader, said his party would remain committed to opposing tax increases and defending parental rights.
“We understand that the voters have made their decision. Our principles have not changed,” Montenegro told reporters Friday.
He added that Republicans would continue opposing tax increases and advocating for parental rights.
With the new leadership teams in place, Arizona’s legislative session in January is expected to bring significant debates over education, economic policy, labor relations, housing and public safety as Democrats seek to translate their electoral gains into legislative action.
Reporting based on information published by Axios.
HornPost Staff Reporter
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