Coalition Urges Governor Hobbs to Veto HB 2867
PHOENIX — The Arizona Education Association (AEA) and the National Council of Jewish Women Arizona have led a coalition of thirteen statewide labor and advocacy organizations in urging Governor Katie Hobbs to veto HB 2867. This bill is seen as a threat to public school educators by weaponizing concerns about antisemitism to undermine their professional liability protections.
Among the organizations supporting this request are the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, AFSCME Arizona, UFCW Local 99, Arizona List, and the League of Women Voters of Arizona.
Concerns Over HB 2867
The coalition asserts that HB 2867 creates a legal framework that diminishes essential protections for Arizona educators facing allegations of antisemitism. They argue that the bill could lead to malicious lawsuits from outside groups, putting additional strain on teachers who already contend with low salaries and limited resources to defend themselves. If passed, this legislation could drive educators out of the profession, negatively impacting Arizona’s students.
The organizations contend that the bill not only threatens educators but could also weaken protections for other public-sector workers, raising alarms about the safety and fairness of educational environments across the state.
Rejected Amendments and Legislative Intent
During the legislative discussions, Senator Mitzi Epstein proposed amendments to broaden protections against various forms of discrimination. However, these amendments were rejected, suggesting that HB 2867 is primarily focused on attacking public school systems rather than genuinely addressing the needs of the Jewish community.
The coalition emphasizes that Arizona school districts already have strong disciplinary procedures for handling accusations of bias and discrimination. Advocates for HB 2867 have not proven that current processes are inadequate, leading to concerns that the bill could escalate classroom issues into protracted legal disputes fueled by political motives.
Grassroots Opposition
In the past three months, nearly 2,000 Arizona educators and their allies have expressed their opposition to HB 2867 by contacting Governor Hobbs and state legislators. As advocates for education and community safety, the coalition remains committed to protecting both educators and students in Arizona’s schools.