Ladies and Gentlemen,

The legislature passed HB2307.  If Governor Napolitano signs it, the penalties for prostitution will increase, including making a fourth conviction a FELONY!  

There are a lot of reasons for opposing this bill (without stating that you oppose laws that punish consenting adults for engaging in sexual activity.)  Our jails are full, and we don't have the money to build more.  Longer jail times take working parents away from their jobs, thus punishing children and spouses, too.  A felony conviction can be a life-long barrier to rehabilitation and self-improvement.  This community's voice can be heard without idetifying itself as the TER Phoenix board!

Write a letter opposing the bill, or call the Governor's office and voice your opposition.  THIS IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

Governor Janet Napolitano
Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883 (within AZ only)
Fax (602) 542-1381

Talking points:

HB2307 Is bad for Arizona families. HB2307 will separate single mothers from their chidren, furthering the hardship that families in
Arizona already face.

HB2307 is bad for women in AZ. HB2307 does not address the core issues of housing, education, employment an meeting the basic needs of women in AZ. Rather, it punishes women who already struggle to survive.

HB2307 will NOT end prostitution in AZ. Prostitution will exist as long as education and employment opportunities are not available to
women in need. Punishing women is not a solution, it will create undue burden on the state, fill up jails and prisons, and destroy Arizona families.

More info about HB2307 http://azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=hb2307
If you'd like to fax the governor, please write your own letter.  Just copying is not effective, because elected officials spot "cut and paste campaigns" and disregard the numbers.  Here is a sample letter:

To: Governor Napolitano
Fax (602) 542-1381

Re: HB 2307

Dear Gov. Napolitano,

I'm writing to ask that you veto HB2307, a bill that creates harsher penalties for prostitution convictions.  HB2307 is bad for Arizona families. HB2307 will separate single mothers from their children, furthering the hardship that families in
Arizona already face.

HB2307 is bad for women in AZ. HB2307 does not address the core issues of housing, education, employment an meeting the basic needs of women in AZ. Rather, it punishes women who already struggle to survive.

Harsh penalties for prostitution make it difficult for women who are victims of violence to seek police help. According to a 2001 study done by the UCSF Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, San Francisco Department of Public Health and St James Infirmary, 53% of women in prostitution experience violence, yet only 3% report violence to police. Furthermore, out of that 53%, 15% of the violence was perpetrated by police. HB2307 will NOT end prostitution in AZ. Prostitution will exist as
long as education and employment opportunities are not available to women in need. Punishing women is not a solution, it will create undue burden on the state, fill up jails and prisons, and destroy
Arizona families.

According to a report in the Hastings Law Journal, "...average arrest, court and incarceration costs amount to nearly $ 2,000.00 per arrest. Cities spend an average of 7.5 million dollars on prostitution control every year..." (Hastings Law Journal, April 1987. pp 769-800)

This is not the most effective use of the state's funds for addressing prostitution-related issues. Arizona would benefit from getting input from women's rights groups, organizations that advocate
for the rights of women of color and poor women, organizations that do outreach work for prostitutes and other stakeholders in these
policies.

I urge you to veto HB2307 and seek out real solutions for addressing issues of prostitution in Arizona. For more information and resources, please visit:

http://www.swop-az.org
http://bayswan.org/stats.html
http://bestpracticespolicy.org/

Sincereley,

______________________________________

With thanks to Rose for forwarding the above information.  AzL

-- Modified on 5/5/2006 2:20:50 PM

Are you sure it is house bill 2307 because that seems to be something different. It's the 2006 session right?

-- Modified on 5/4/2006 11:25:52 PM

PLEASE take the time to contact the Governor's office and voice your opinion.  This is the last chance to make a stand against this piece of legislation.  We talk of freedom, liberty, democracy here is the opportunity to exercise those things we hold self evident.  Your voice DOES make a difference.  

PS : Azlawman is there a way to e mail contact the governor or is snail mail more effective?  are phone calls  as effective?

-- Modified on 5/5/2006 5:49:27 AM

Does that put us, as providers, "out there" as far as target practice for LE?

If we, as providers, take a stand would we also have to get a licence to provide here?

I am quite interested in taking a stand, but do not wish to be labeled as a target for whom LE could come after.  Fear of prosecution, especially when those of us have children and families who do not know what we do, is a huge deterrant for standing up for our legal rights......  not really fair - but that is the general thought process.

Interested in other opinions!
Jazz

-- Modified on 5/5/2006 6:46:23 AM

of allowing a bill to completely change using something called a "strike everything" amendment.  What you pulled up is the original version of the bill, when it was about condominiums.  
See http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/47leg/2r/summary/h.hb2307_02-15-06_caucuscow.doc.htm

The bill he originally introduced died in committee, but the sponsor managed to get the votes to resurrect it in another committee.

I've been told by people in many government offices, including this governor's office, that emails simply don't carry the weight of written communication or a phone call.  And don't worry, folks, just because they ask for your name, address and phone does not mean you'll be placed on a "pro-prostituion" list or anything of the like.  This is a smart, good-hearted governor.  Help her do the right thing.

and other personal-freedom advocates, as well as fiscal conservatives, who will be calling.  Your call should start, "Hi, I'm a voter, and I'm opposed to HB 2307 because..."  At no point is there any relevance to what you do for a living (but you're a jeweler anyway, right?)