Democrat House freshmen turn up the ‘volume’
By Paulina Pineda | Arizona Capitol Times
Democratic Rep. Isela Blanc said before being sworn in to represent Tempe’s Legislative District 26, she got some questionable advice: “Sit back. Watch. Avoid talking.”
“I heard it more than once, and I’ve heard it more than once since,” Blanc said.
She didn’t take the advice very seriously though. She was elected to represent the needs of her constituents, she said, and the only power she has is her voice.
Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said during orientation, she was told to “trust the process” at the House.
“‘It’s very good. It works,’” she said staffers and other lawmakers told her.
But as a member of the minority party, Epstein said, the process doesn’t work if you don’t speak up.
