Thursday, May 19, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator T.J. Shope Submits Ethics Inquiry Regarding
Democrat Senator's Excessive Absences
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— In an effort to create better accountability when it comes to the attendance of our Arizona State Senators during the legislative session, Sen. T.J. Shope (R-8) today filed an ethics inquiry into what should be deemed appropriate statute for when an office is declared vacant due to inordinate absences.
Current state law considers an office vacant if the legislator is not present for three consecutive months. Furthermore, under the Rules of Procedure of the Senate Ethics Committee, this group of lawmakers within the committee has the power to provide advisory opinions on changes to rules that concern the ethics of our members.
"There is an expectation from voters within the state of Arizona that their lawmakers show up for work on a daily basis," said Sen. Shope. "It is my belief that our current Senator representing District 26, which covers north Tempe, northwest Mesa, the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and parts of south Phoenix, is taking advantage of the system. Missing 63 days and counting from the legislature, while collecting a legislative salary of $24,000 on top of more than $4,000 so far in per diem payments, is completely unacceptable for the taxpayers who are footing the bill without any representation on matters important them. I am asking our Senate Ethics Committee to consider recommendations on statutory and rule changes to hold our state lawmakers to a higher standard than the present. I look forward to hearing their opinions on this matter in a timely fashion and am hoping we can change this dangerous precedent that has been set."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications
Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov