DRAFT
Arizona Democratic Party
Regular Meeting of the ADP State Committee
Saturday, May 9 2015
Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Arizona
Chair Alexis Tamerón called the meeting of the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) State Committee to
order at 1:05 pm. Attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of Democratic activists Ken Barner
and Leroy Dyson, then were welcomed to Tucson by Cheryl Cage, Chair of the Pima County Democratic
Party, who talked about the county party’s upcoming Udall Dinner, and Daniel Hernandez, Jr., President
of the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board, who talked about funding cuts and subsequent
solutions in his district. Special guest, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild also welcomed the ADP to
Tucson and talked about the next generation of leaders.
CHAIR’S REPORT
Chair Tamerón noted that 105 days had passed since the ADP re-organization meeting and that both the
Executive Board and Executive Committee had met in the interim. She discussed the political landscape
in Arizona as well as nationally, noting that the traditional role of the party was changing and the ADP
was determining the most effective ways to partner with groups involved in different activities (e.g., voter
registration).
She gave a preliminary look at the results of a survey of activists and in response, said that the ADP will
be working on broadening its reach, starting with building a bigger electronic footprint, as well as
consolidating vendors and systems and rebuilding the ADP website including integrating platforms.
When asked for a usable ADP “message,” Chair Tamerón said she would say “Equality for All.”
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senator Katie Hobbs, Senate Democratic Leader, and Representative Eric Meyer, House Democratic
Leader, provided an update and overview on the legislative session concluded April 3, 2015. According to
Senator Hobbs, a damaging state budget was passed in March while the state saw better revenues in April;
Senator Hobbs opined that “They probably tried to get it out [sooner] so it could be more conservative.”
She noted that not only was education cut hard, but among other cuts made were a 5% provider rate cut
for AHCCCS that needs federal approval (which, if not received, will blow apart the “balanced” budget),
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) now being limited to a single year (the federal limit is
5 years; Arizona had been at 2), and the child care subsidy.
According to Representative Meyer, the freshman class was outstanding and overall, messaging from the
Democratic legislators focused on funding our schools, making college affordable, creating jobs – Dems
stand for changing what Republicans are doing. He noted that Democratic amendments showed how the
state could have done things differently without spending more money. The House and Senate Democrats
have moved away from traditional press conferences to go to Media Mondays and gained a great deal
more media coverage. The Arizona Democratic Candidate Campaign will be working with partners and
state and county parties to get more Democratic candidates on the ballot and elected to office.
Chair Tamerón told attendees to sign up on the ADP website to get blast emails and news clips from
Communications Director Barb Lubin, who also would be receiving a recap of the 2015 Legislative
Session that was compiled by Senate and House staff members. Chair Tamerón further acknowledged
Catherine Alonzo and Andy Barr for their assistance with survey and messaging.
DRAFT MINUTES ADP MAY 9, 2015, STATE COMMITTEE MEETING, continued
RECOGNITION OF PIMA COUNTY UDALL DINNER SPEAKER
Dr. Drew Westen, Professor at Emory University and founder of Westen Strategies, LLC, provided a
preview of his address at the Udall Dinner. Among the points he stressed: There is a structure of a
political message that if it is missing, it doesn’t win. You have to start out by connecting with people, just
about something everyone can agree with, usually values based. He gave the example of immigration and
noted that a statement that appealed to audiences was “like everything else, policy should reflect the
interests and values of the American people.” From there the message moved to acknowledging “lots of
us had parents who came to the country and didn’t know the language well and experienced prejudice” to
then pointing out that it is troubling “when politicians try and prey on our legitimate concerns and
prejudices.” The order allows the message to be built effectively; anything in a different order could cause
the listener to think the speaker was calling people bigots.
Dr. Westen stressed that messaging is hard and Republicans, by going for the gut, often get message out
quicker and faster – and in ways that define Democrats; he noted that the Koch brothers have created a
negative view of the word “liberal” are now spending hundreds of millions of dollars to shape perception
of the word progressive.
Chair Tamerón noted that as part of the ADP messaging efforts, State Committee members should be
following the ADP on Twitter – @AZDemParty – and on Facebook –
https://www.facebook.com/AZDemParty.
Tucson Councilman Paul Cunningham then arrived and welcomed State Committee members, reminding
the body to “Bear Down.”
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE REPORT
Kristie O’Brien, ADP Vice Chair, reported that for the May 9 meeting, 216 State Committee members
were present in person and 110 by proxy, for a total of 326 members or 73% of the entire membership
present, indicating a quorum had been met for purposes of voting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Rick McGuire, ADP Treasurer, presented the treasurer’s report for the first quarter of 2015, noting that in
that time period, only 3.5% of budgeted expenditures had been made for the year.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Anne Greenberg, ADP Secretary, presented the minutes from the January 24, 2015, organizational
meeting. The motion to approve was made by Doug Ballard and seconded by Phil Lopes; the minutes
were approved unanimously.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE REPORT
Doug Ballard, ADP Vice Chair and Bylaws Committee Chair, presented a recommended amendment to
Article II, Section 2B to make a technical correction so that the newly elected chair shall present a
calendar of dates for the next six (6) State Committee meetings at the biennial organizational meeting.
This corresponded to a previous amendment that changed the required number of State Committee
meetings from 4 to 3 in a calendar year. Elaine Perillo (Pima) moved and Carolyn Gordon (Pinal)
seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Jeff Rogers, ADP Vice Chair and Resolutions Committee Chair, presented the committee’s report on
proposed resolutions. The committee recommended adoption of the Support of Fight for $15 Campaign
resolution. A friendly amendment of a grammatical correction was made. Barbara Tellman (Pima) moved
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DRAFT MINUTES ADP MAY 9, 2015, STATE COMMITTEE MEETING, continued
and Keith Bagwell (Pima) seconded a motion to approve this resolution; the motion passed unanimously.
The committee also recommended passage of the Resolution Against the Trans-Pacific Partnership and
its “Fast Track” in Congress. It was moved by Dan Pollard (Maricopa) and seconded by Dianne
Gundersen (Pima). State Committee members discussed a desire to rewrite the resolve of the proposed
resolution to reduce negativity; others wanted to ensure protections for workers and the environment were
included; still others discussed the need for including the fast track language. Dan O’Neal (Maricopa),
noting that this resolution reaffirmed one passed in April 2014, called for the question. The question was
called, and the resolution passed on voice vote.
Resolutions supporting passage of the ERA and reinstatement of KidsCare in Arizona were held for the
next State Committee meeting.
2016 DELEGATE SELECTION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
An overview of the plans were presented by Chair Tamerón and Adrian Fontes, ADP Affirmative Action
Moderator. The goal of the plan is to ensure the broadest outreach possible, even topping the 2012 efforts,
for which the ADP was recognized for sending such a diverse delegation to the Democratic National
Convention. Chair Tamerón presented relevant dates and deadlines for delegate selection; the full plan is
posted on the ADP website
(http://www.azdem.org/sites/azdems/files/PDFs/FINAL.Approved_2016_Delegate_Selection_Plan.pdf).
Motions to make technical corrections were moved by Martin Bacal (Pima) and seconded by Lawrence
Goldberg (Maricopa) as well as moved by Brion Neeley (Maricopa) and seconded by Doug Ballard
(Coconino); all were approved unanimously. A motion to approve the plan was moved by Henry Wade
(Pinal) and seconded by Rick McGuire (Maricopa); it was approved nearly unanimously by voice vote.
OFFICER REPORTS
Holly Lyon, ADP Senior Vice Chair, reported on party building and voter outreach activities, and Janie
Hydrick, ADP Educational Coordinator, asked State Committee and party caucus members to read the
current party platform and provide feedback to Hydrick on issues that may not be addressed. She also
urged interested individuals to serve on the Platform Committee.
CAUCUS REPORTS
Officers from the African-American, Progressive, and Veterans and Military Families Caucuses and the
Federation of Democratic Women reported on recent meetings and activities.
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Tamerón announced that the next State Committee meeting will be held September 12 outside of
Pima and Maricopa Counties; the January 23, 2016, meeting will not be held in Phoenix, but will be
followed by the May 14, 2016, State Convention for Delegate Selection, which will be held in Phoenix.
State Committee members were reminded to support the ADP as members of the Copper State Leadership
Council, with tickets to the May 29 Heritage Dinner being one benefit of membership.
ADJOURNMENT
Thereafter, a motion to adjourn the meeting was moved and seconded; the motion carried and the meeting
was adjourned at 3:24 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anne Greenberg
ADP Secretary, 2015-2016
June 28, 2015
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