Arizona Capitol Times asked freshmen lawmakers to pen thoughts on their first session.

Responses range from delight at having passed a “solid” budget “free of debt,” to irritation that “lobbyists have too much control over the agenda.”

Many missed families during long hours at the Capitol. Some took time out from careers to serve.

Thirteen members of the frosh class of 2005 responded to e-mails used in this story.

Judy Burges: ‘A Wonderful Experience’

“My experience here has exceeded my highest expectations,” said Rep. Judy Burges, R-4. “This year has been a wonderful experience filled with great things for conservative Republicans.”

Although the Sun City West resident says she felt “partially prepared” for the House after working at the county level for more than 11 years, she still looks to Gary Pierce, R-19, Russell Pearce, R-18, Steve Tully, R-11, Andy Biggs, R-22, Ted Carpenter, R-6; and the “wonderful” House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-10, for help and advice.

Work on the Pearce Appropriations P Committee was also a source of pride for Ms. Burges.

“I voted for a budget that is free of new debt, offers expanded educational choices, implements great fiscal policy and accountability, and provides tax relief for individuals and businesses; and compassionate assistance for low-income families.”

Ms. Burges also looks forward to working with Midwestern University, a Glendale medical school, to address medical malpractice issues and to meeting with Luke Air Force Base personnel to discuss lease extensions for the property.

Future positions in the House, she says will depend on upcoming issues. In the meantime, she plans to keep it simple: “Stay true to your core values, support your fellow legislators, go with your first impression and stand up for the needs of the state and your district.”

Pamela Gorman: ‘Thrilled’

Rep. Pamela Gorman, R-6, says as the mother of a child with respiratory ailment, she was “thrilled” to see her first bill, H2229, which allows asthmatic children to carry inhalers to school, pass into law. The Anthem resident thanks fellow legislators and the governor for “seeing the importance of this bill.”

Mrs. Gorman cites the generosity of many members, but she is especially grateful to House Speaker Jim Weiers, and Reps. Andy Biggs, R-22, and Eddie Farnsworth, R- 22, for the “extra time and patience” during the session.

She recalls “remembering who sent me here,” and “to always keep your word, no matter what, so that your fellow members know they can trust you,” among the best advice she has received.

“And as an extension of that, I have learned not to give my commitment to anything that I am not 100 per cent sure of in advance.”

She thanks and maintains a “never-say-never” attitude concerning future leadership positions.

Ron Gould: ‘Not Everything Needs To Be Legislated’

Freshman Sen. Ron Gould, R-3, says his first session has taught him that the “Legislature has no basis of reality or common sense,” and adds the experience has been just about what he had expected.

“Lobbyists have too much control over the agenda. I am surprised that there is little logic in the bills we pass. We only seem to care if we can get the votes.”

A strong proponent of limited government, Mr. Gould has a message for his colleagues:

“The Legislature should remember that problems can be solved by individuals. Not everything needs to be legislated.”

He serves as vice-chairman of the K-12 Education Committee and on the Senate Finance, Appropriations and Judicial committees. He says he listens to advice from “many members,” but adopts only what “fits my philosophy.”

Trish Groe: ‘True Blessing’

Rep. Trish Groe, R-3, regards her first session at the Legislator as a “true blessing.”

“The days are filled with exciting challenges and unending opportunities to serve well the people of Arizona,” she says. “The session had many more ups than downs than I expected though I suppose that comes from being a freshman outside of the media spotlight.”

She credits Speaker Weiers and a helpful majority research staff that “expedited the learning curve” on budget and other issues. The Lake Havasu resident also heard some advice she chose to ignore.

“At the beginning of the session it was suggested by a long-time lobbyist that I sit back, button-up and model myself after another freshman legislator,” she says. “I continue to face the day as myself: cheerful, honest and optimistic, most times with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.”

Ms. Groe, who is vice-chairman of the Public Institutions & Retirement Committee, looks forward to working on the Pearce Appropriations Committee since her “passion and drive for fiscally responsible government spending has been ignited.” She says she has spearheaded accountability reforms for the Department of Corrections and is offering to participate in interim committees that focus on further accountability measures. She also plans on advocating for “much needed transparency” in government.

Russell Jones: ‘Arizona Is Well Served’

A “mixed bag” of frustration, exhilaration, stimulation and exhaustion is what Rep. Russell Jones, R-24, found during his first House session. Freddy Krueger bills — the ones “you can’t seem to kill, but keep coming back at you,”— proved to be this representative’s biggest session surprise, as did the end-of-session “gotcha” bills.

He voices “deep admiration” for House Republican leadership and is grateful for the “inclusiveness” of returning members who were instrumental in helping when there was “no time to waste on a learning curve…”

“The best advice was to not make rash decisions, but once you’ve made it, stick to your guns and never compromise your integrity,” he says.

The vice-chairman of Natural Resources and Agriculture also praises House representatives’ handling of budget talks.

“Although I wasn’t on the Appropriations Committee, we all became integral components to an incredibly complex process,” Mr. Jones says, “We can be proud of nearly all our members, each of whom gave up what to them were personally important items for their respective constituencies for the greater good of the whole and the entire state.”

Although bothered by the time away from his family in Yuma, he considers his service a privilege and after working with rural and urban Democrats and Republicans, he has “come to the conclusion that Arizona is well served.”

Mr. Jones will also be pressing to serve as chairman of a committee.

Ann Kirkpatrick: A Great Education

After winning a race she wasn’t predicted to win, Democrat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of District 2 cites her freshman session as a great education that ranks among “the greatest experiences of my life,” where she “learned more in four months than in any other time in my life.”

The Flagstaff attorney admits her plan for her first year was quite focused: “My goal for my first term was to learn as much as possible.” Despite four months of traveling home every Friday, Ms. Kirkpatrick continued to “look forward” to Mondays at the House. She lavishes praise on her assistant Letty Goldberg, Democratic interns and staff. Reps. Tom O’Halleran, R-1, Mark Anderson,
R-18, and Steve Huffman, R- 26, who chair the Natural Resources, K-12 Education, and Ways and Means committees respectively, have also gained her gratitude for their assistance, as did Rep. Phil Lopes, D-27.

“I ran one bill, a striker on H2697 as a technical correction for Window Rock School District, which was signed by the governor,” she says. “At the beginning of the session we received a handout on how to get a bill passed, but these members showed me how it really gets done.”

Ignoring partisan differences, Ms. Kirkpatrick grew to know and like all members of the House and those she met from the Senate, saying she has never met a “more dedicated group of people who are sincerely committed to making the state of Arizona great.”

David Lujan: A Few Jitters

Former page, intern and analyst Rep. David Lujan, D-15, says it was a bit awkward taking on the role of representative and that he had a few jitters debating his first bill, a result of coming from previous positions where he was not allowed to express personal opinion.

“In my first session, it was important to me to get to know my fellow legislators and build relationships with them. I really enjoyed getting to know members from both parties and understanding what is important to them and why.

“I would have liked to have seen more Democratic bills at least have an opportunity to have a hearing,” he says. “I was disappointed that we did not provide state employees with meaningful pay raises especially since revenues are up right now.”

He considers Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-13, his “unofficial mentor” for regularly advocating Democratic values to make a “positive difference,” despite their party’s minority status.

Mr. Lujan, a Phoenix resident, says he learned how difficult it is to “kill bad bills” and that under no circumstances are representatives allowed to leave the floor during third reads.

He apologizes to Rep. Martha Garcia, D-13, for telling her “it was okay to go to the restroom.”

John McComish: Learning To Be Flexible

Besides a faster pace and loads of procedures to understand, the first session for Rep. John McComish, R-20, was about what he had expected.

He says he has learned not to commit too early on bills, as their nature often changes before the final vote. The Ahwatukee resident regards Speaker Pro Temp Bob Robson, R-20, as his main source for guidance.

“I wanted to learn the process and how to be an effective legislator, and believe I have done that,” says Mr. McComish, the vice-chairman of the Commerce Committee.

He has also learned to be “more flexible” when it comes to scheduling and is quite pleased that three of his bills — H2287, H2439 and H2647 — were enacted.

“I enjoyed my first session very much and believe we passed a number of good bills and a very solid budget.”

Mr. McComish thinks it’s a little early to speculate on future leadership positions, but the “thought is intriguing as I gain experience and tenure.”

Nancy McLain: ‘Great Job’ On Frosh Orientation

Rep. Nancy McLain, R-3, says she didn’t know “what to expect” during her first session. She did find that time was in issue.

“The one thing that bothered me the most was that no meeting ever started at the appointed time — very frustrating for those of us who run businesses and are expected to keep to a timetable,” she says.

That frustration did not affect her attendance. Ms. McLain’s record shows she made daily roll call for 71 of 72 actual floor sessions and posted votes for 645 of 649 bills that went through the House. She says she is also proud that she was “prepared and asked appropriate questions and generally cast informed votes.”

She says she vowed during her campaign to deliver a balanced budget free of “gimmicks” and to bring attention to northwestern Arizona. She says she accomplished that goal. Ms. McLain accompanied House Majority Whip Gary Pierce and the chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation and Environment committees to her hometown of Bullhead City to show them the “tremendous growth and issues we face.”

Ms. McLain hails the “great job” Republican leadership did by providing orientation for its freshmen lawmakers. She credits Reps. Marian McClure, R-30, and Laura Knaperek, R-17, for help and expertise. She serves as the vice-chairman for the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, and would like to become chairman of a committee in the future.

Jonathan Paton: ‘Best Job I Could Ever Hope For

While campaigning and even after being elected to represent District 30, native Arizonan Rep. Jonathan Paton was told being a state legislator is a terrible job.

“A lot of people who had been in for a long time or who had recently left the Legislature complained about it,” he says. “What I always wondered about them was, ‘If it’s so bad, why did you run a gazillion times for the office then?’

“The answer, as I’ve found out, is that this is the best job I could ever hope for. I have been bored in life doing other things — some that pay a whole heck of a lot more — but I have never been bored since I was sworn in.”

Mr. Paton, who is soon going to Fort Benning, Ga., for additional Army combat training, says that many of the aspects of political service interest him.

His first session has been a learning experience.

“There are so many issues, especially on the Judiciary Committee, that involve life and death, the good and bad of humanity, that make you think for days and weeks later,” he says. “Some are merely interesting, others become huge passions for you that I never anticipated. Even the darker side of the job — the fighting, the petty politics the little human dramas that play out between members, the press and the public here teach you a lot about life.”

He says that he would rather look for friends in “unexpected places” than “take pride” in acquiring enemies.

Mr. Paton had five bills passed into law during his first session. He credits former Sen. Stan Barnes and ex-Senate analyst James Beene as his sources for good advice.

Kyrsten Sinema: ‘Very Partisan’

“In many ways it was exactly what I expected,” says Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-15, of her impressions of her first session at the House. “It’s very partisan, and many of the decisions are not based on fact or reason, which is very frustrating to me.”

Bills that she says would have previously been considered extreme, especially those dealing with illegal immigration, “passed committee and floor easily this session.”

“The views expressed on the floor seemed even more polarized than they have been in years past,” she says.

The session and a few other responsibilities in Ms. Sinema’s life, kept her more than busy.

“I took the Arizona Bar exam in late February,” she says. “That was probably one of the worst times of my life — serving my first session, studying for the Bar, working on a federal murder trial, and teaching an undergraduate class at ASU all at the same time. I’m proud that I lived through that!”

Despite her grueling schedule and the disappointment of all her bills “dying pretty quickly,” she feels that her voice and presence at the House “made a difference to progressives throughout the state.

“People feel like they have a voice because I’ll say the things they want to say, and that makes people hopeful about the future of Arizona
politics.”

The Phoenix resident considers Reps. Debbie McCune Davis, D-14, who “knows every rule and procedure in this building,” and Steve Gallardo, D-13, who “gives great floor speeches,” as most helpful to her.

David Burnell Smith: Drop Bills Early

Rep. David Burnell Smith, R-7, says overnight sessions; serving on four committees, including acting as vice-chairman for the House Judiciary Committee; and trying to maintain his law practice were tiring, but he expected that.

“My basic goals were simply to learn the process and vote my conscience,” says the Carefree resident.

Mr. Smith says he has done just that and he is proud that his Victims’ Rights Bill was approved by the House and Senate and was later signed into law by Governor Napolitano.

“I have learned that in order to get your bills passed, drop them early and concentrate on the membership to vote for the bills.”

When he had questions, Mr. Smith says he could go to Reps. Steve Tully, R-11; John Allen, R-11; Russell Pearce, R-18; Andy Biggs, R-22; and Eddie Farnsworth, R-22; for advice. He is also happy about getting to know Rep. Steve Yarbrough, R-21, whose words Mr. Smith said he could appreciate.

Mr. Smith says he is confident that his problems with the Citizens Clean Elections Commission will be resolved and he looks forward to being able to “continue with my goals and aspirations in the House and to assist the people of Arizona District 7.”

Mr. Smith also aspires to a committee chair position as soon as possible and doesn’t rule out other future leadership positions, depending on what is available.

Rep. Jerry Weiers: ‘Hurry Up And Wait’

Rep. Jerry Weiers of District 12 was ready for sine die.

The Glendale resident says he did not take to the “hurry-up and wait pace” of the Legislature.

The vice-chair of the House Counties, Municipalities and Military Affairs Committee says that he found frustration at the Capitol where amendments can alter a bill’s original intent.

“You take common-sense issues and they take the common sense out of it,” he says regarding an amendment attached to H2532, which forbids minors from riding in the backs of pick-ups. Mr. Weiers co-sponsored the bill and the amendment sought to make the practice legal if an adult was present in the truck bed.

“What’s the use? So the whole family gets killed?”

Another drawback is the clandestine maneuvering to defeat bills.

“There’s people behind the scenes who don’t want their fingerprints on the killing of a bill,” he said.—