Republican activists are growing impatient with Arizona House of Representatives’ Rules Committee Chair T.J. Shope for apparent refusal to allow a hearing of HB2012. HB2012, known as the Proxy Bill, would prohibit precinct committeemen from voting more than two proxies at the political parties’ state, county and legislative district level meetings.
Currently, according to activists, both the Republican and Democratic parties’ establishment use proxies to block the efforts and candidates of grassroots’ membership. Activists argue that the candidates, who want to be elected by the people for the benefit of and service to the people, are getting the short end of the stick, and this applies also to grassroots friendly legislators who are seeking reelection.
Activists note that because precinct committeemen (PC), who were recruited for the purpose of providing proxies, have fulfilled their duty once the proxy is executed, the parties cannot count on them to participate in important activities such as attending LD meetings, recruiting, gathering signatures, making phone calls, paying attention to legislation, etc.
Activist warn that legislators, who want to see a return to the days when PCs did the heavy lifting on campaigns, should initiate or get behind an effort to convince Rep. Shope and Speaker Mesnard that HB2012 should be advanced.
Activists believe it is unconscionable that Mr. Shope would get away with single handedly depriving legislators of the opportunity to have a proper discussion and a vote based on the merits of the bill.
A posting on the popular conservative website, MCRC Briefs, is urging the grassroots to contact Shope and other members