SB1352 is Unconstitutional

SB1352 would deliberately violate your oath of office and is a direct assault on the rights of Arizona citizens. When you took office, you swore to "support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona" and to "faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of your office." SB1352 does the exact opposite. It denies the public their constitutional right to challenge rezoning decisions and undermines democratic participation, due process, and the right to petition the government—the very principles on which our democracy is built. This bill is not needed to make things easier for developers. Developers are perfectly able to get their projects approved, and in almost all cases, the process works smoothly. This bill is far from essential to economic growth. What proponents fail to address is the core issue—the removal of public oversight and accountability in decisions that directly affect our communities. While developers may benefit from a faster process, it’s the citizens of Arizona who will suffer from reduced transparency and the erosion of their right to be heard on matters that impact their neighborhoods, property values, and quality of life. Democracy is not an obstacle to development—it is the essential framework that ensures decisions are made fairly, transparently, and in the best interest of all citizens. The Arizona Constitution is clear: Article 2, Section 13: No law shall grant special privileges to one group that are not equally available to all. Yet SB1352 favors developers and city officials over the very people who live in these communities. Preamble: “We the people” established Arizona’s Constitution—not politicians, not developers, not special interests. By silencing voters in zoning decisions, SB1352 undermines this fundamental principle. SB1352 prioritizes business interests over the rights of the people. It strips Arizona citizens of their ability to hold local governments accountable, bypassing the democratic checks and balances that ensure fairness in our system. This is a betrayal of the very principles you swore to uphold when taking office. We believe in accountability, transparency, and the rights of the citizens. You must vote NO on SB1352. A vote for this bill is a vote against the people of Arizona.