House Democrats released a document before the session began outlining their 2005 “Values, Principles, and Policy Directions.” In it, the caucus espouses its direction for the session, hitting on traditionally key Democratic platforms like affordable health care, higher wages and the environment.

“Our values differ fundamentally from those of extremist Republicans,” the document says. “While extremists work to protect freedom, opportunity and security only for a select few, AZ House Democrats work to extend these protections to all.”

Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-27, said that by putting the caucus’s values and policy directions in print, House Democrats will have a roadmap of sorts later in the session when it determines its position on legislation. The House has 22 Democrats.

“We tried to be inclusive about everything that’s on here and made them into categories,” Mr. Lopes said, “so that as things come down the pike, or as we recommend things, we can always refer back to this and be able to say we’re supporting or not supporting this part of it, because of this aspect of our values.”

Mr. Lopes said the formation of the position paper began at a Dec. 17 caucus retreat. George Lakoff’s 2004 book “Don’t Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate — The Essential Guide for Progressives” served as an inspiration for creating a documented vision for the session.

“We did kind of the skeleton of this [at the retreat],” he said. “Then, after that, one of the members took it and tried to draft something, and distributed it to the rest of the members and got comments on it. That’s how we ended up with this final one.”

Though there is a numbered list of 10 stances the caucus will take on issues during the session, Mr. Lopes said they are all of equal priority and are listed in no particular order.

4 Pillars

The document says the caucus believes in four “pillars” or core values that support its members’ common vision for the role of government: safeguarding individual freedoms, guaranteeing an equal opportunity for all, protecting security and taking responsibility for the future.

Because of the caucus’s core values of freedom, opportunity, security and responsibility, the document goes on to state that House Democrats are obligated to stand for: better wages and benefits for working people; access to affordable, high-quality health care; building an education system that is the best in the world; a cleaner, safer environment; the elimination of discrimination; real security for the most vulnerable Arizonans; the protection of privacy; a criminal justice system focused on rehabilitation; fiscal responsibility; and an inclusive, open and transparent government.

In a Jan. 6 speech to guests at an Arizona Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mr. Lopes explained the caucus’s core values and vision for Arizona — a vision, he said, of a successful, growing state that is planning for future generations. His comments echoed the sentiment in the last sentence of the caucus’s policy paper.

“Our vision for Arizona is of a bright future, where individuals and innovations flourish in a healthy economy and we produce future generations of healthy, involved, well-educated and responsible citizens who are proud to call Arizona their home.” —