PUBLIC POLICY

At Justice O’Connor’s urging, an Advisory group to O’Connor House was formed to explore important public policy issues.  The group concluded that, as Arizona moves into its second century, each branch of government is facing its own unique challenges. However, with these challenges, new opportunities to re-evaluate and perhaps even reinvent government arise.  The O’Connor House goal in public policy is to facilitate civil, fact based discussions about important policy issues, and to build collaborations and partnerships for reforms which will better position Arizona  to represent current and future citizenry in our second century of statehood.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR ARIZONA’S 2ND CENTURY
In December 2008, Justice O’Connor met with a small group of policy advisors to discuss improvements in state government for Arizona’s second century.  Over the next several months, she convened almost 200 of the state’s most influential leaders, asking them to set aside their political differences and identify ways to make state government more efficient, responsive and cohesive.  
With Justice O’Connor’s input, a thoughtful discussion and analysis ensued, which gave our legislators the opportunity to find some common ground in this difficult economic climate. One measure, designed to improve the initiative process, received almost unanimous support from the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer. 
A number of community leaders also established a separate 501(4) entity to advance additional recommendations developed out of this O'Connor House process. Signatures were collected to put two initiatives on the 2010 ballot, but were defeated.
Those involved in this process agree that, as important as the issues considered were, the fact that we successfully brought together disparate groups and fostered discussion on finding solutions is the enduring legacy of this effort.  It is the first step in an on-going process aimed at bringing civil dialogue based on fact to key policy decision-making.


The Arizona Education Commitment
Sue Clark-Johnson, Chair

An excellent education system is at the core of any democracy.  Arizona is ranked  among the lowest states in high school graduation and  student achievement. At a time when we need to be strengthening our education system, education budgets are being cut from pre-school through universities.  With the Arizona Constitution as its foundation, the Arizona Education Commitment emphasizes the historical prioritization of education, and encourages our current and future state legislators to recognize their obligation to carry out that commitment.  A non-partisan collaboration between the O’Connor House and  Expect More Arizona, the Arizona Education Commitment is a collaborative nonpartisan partnership led by O’Connor House and Expect More Arizona and supported by the Helios Foundation. Phase I launched the public awareness effort.  The next phase will intensify this effort through social media and outreach to the public and community leaders.  More than 1,000 signers have joined the campaign.

arizonaeducationcommitment.org