Thanks to the advocacy of Children’s Action Alliance and other community partners, as well as legislative champions, the House and Senate Commerce committees both heard emergency legislation today that will help Arizona families, the state budget, and our economy. Both bills are expected to go through the legislative process in the next couple of days and be sent to Governor Brewer for her signature by Thursday.
S.B. 1322/H.B. 2632 will authorize the acceptance of federal funds to extend unemployment insurance benefits for 13 additional weeks for 34,000 Arizonans who are still looking for new jobs. This change comes at no cost to the state. Without this change, benefits would expire for these families, leaving them vulnerable to losing their homes and not being able to take care of their children. The extended benefits will bring $97 million into Arizona’s economy between now and the end of December, 2009.
S.B. 1102/H.B. 2631 will change the rules for renewing AHCCCS health coverage for childless adults. The change will mean that these adults will renew their coverage every 12 months instead of every 6 months. Without this change, Arizona would not qualify for $1.7 billion in enhanced federal match funds as part of the federal stimulus law. Lawmakers have already counted $500 million of these funds to balance this year’s budget. The remaining funds can be used to help balance the budget for next fiscal year.
Source: Children's Action Alliance
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