June 30, 2022
Disabled Women Make History: Representative Jennifer Longdon
Mark Phillips, ABC15.com
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Representative Longdon demonstrated that she is a capable leader who is well-respected by her colleagues, and after she was re-elected in 2020, she was elected by her peers in the Arizona House to serve as Assistant Democratic Leader. Under her leadership, 17 bills introduced by Democrats were signed into law in 2021– more than in the last six years combined! Moreover, three of Representative Longdon’s bills centered on improving the lives of people with disabilities and benefiting all Arizonans have been signed into law.
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When asked about her leadership as a disabled woman, Representative Longdon was clear: “The fact I’ve been honored to serve as the first Democrat appointed to an ad hoc committee in more than 55 years of Republican-dominated legislatures, combined with the fact that my Democratic peers elected me last session to serve as Assistant Leader demonstrates that women with disabilities can – and DO – lead.”
As a strong disabled woman leader, Representative Longdon has had to navigate many frustrating barriers throughout her career, and for her, the most frustrating is the persistent bias and discrimination that continues to pervade our lives even today – especially when it comes from those who call themselves allies. For example, an “ally” organization once explained to Representative Longdon that “at this time, disability is not part of our diversity agenda.”
However, Representative Longdon knows better. Not only does she know that disability is diversity, she also knows that intersectional work is critically important – and some of her proudest achievements have been centered around such work. In 2013, as Chair of the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues, she helped shepherd the expansion of Phoenix’s non-discrimination ordinance to protect her LGBTQ+ neighbors from discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity while also updating language referencing “handicap” discrimination. More recently, Representative Longdon served as Amicus Curiae with other disability and reproductive rights advocates supporting plaintiffs in an amicus brief filed in December 2021 in the case Isaacson et al. v. Brnovich et al. This lawsuit was filed in response to the 2021 passage of SB1457, which purports to criminalize abortion based on genetic anomalies, and it brought front and center the importance of intersectional work on reproductive justice.
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June 29, 2022
When it comes to gun safety, the AZ legislature talks while Congress acts
Mark Phillips, ABC15.com
PHOENIX — In the aftermath of two deadly mass shootings in May at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the Republican majority Arizona state legislature confined its discussion about gun violence to points of personal privilege at the end of a floor session.
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Democrats were calling for action. State Representative Jennifer Longdon, (D-Phoenix-District 24), who is a victim of gun violence, said “these deaths are not the price of freedom. There is so much more that we can do, and I am asking you to work with us to get this done.”
What Representative Longdon and Democrats had in mind were two proposals. One allows voters to decide if the state should require universal background checks on gun purchases. The other takes away someone’s concealed weapons permit if they are found guilty of a felony. Neither bill was heard during the 2022 legislative session.
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June 11, 2022
Hundreds gather in Phoenix for March For Our Lives rally, demand gun safety
Elliott Polakoff, AZ Family
Hundreds gathered outside the capitol building in downtown Phoenix Saturday evening to attend the March For Our Lives rally promoting better gun safety. Ella Keisling, a Phoenix sixth-grader, was one of those in attendance. She came to the rally because she said she’s tired. Tired of the mass shootings and tired of living in fear.
“We do monthly lockdowns,” she said. “A teacher will come and pretend to be bad guys. And we have to lock down and find places to hide. It’s just not right.” So there Keisling and countless others stood, holding signs that said in different ways that enough is enough.
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For State Representative Jennifer Longdon, the fight for better gun safety is personal. Eighteen years ago, Longdon was almost killed by gun violence. Ever since, she’s pushed for increased gun safety measures like universal background checks.
June 11, 2022
'I want our lawmakers to act now': Hundreds march at Arizona capitol calling for gun control
Justin Lum, FOX10 Phoenix
PHOENIX – A resounding call for gun reform was heard across the nation on June 11 as thousands rallied from the National Mall in Washington DC to Phoenix, pushing for stricter gun laws in the wake of recent deadly mass shootings.
In Arizona, hundreds of people, including educators, students and those who have been victims of gun violence, gathered at the state capitol in downtown Phoenix. Many of the organizers are young people but old enough to remember the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting four years ago.
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“I’m Jennifer Longdon. 18 years ago, I was nearly killed by random gun violence,” she remarked.
Explaining her stances on gun control, she says, “One of them is so simple as a violence screening before you purchase a firearm. That’s what a universal background check is, do you have a violent history? safe storage measures education around safe storage.”
Longdon says changes are happening, but not fast enough. She has hope watching young organizers lead the march at the capitol, she says.
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June 7, 2022
Arizona's massage therapists must now be fingerprinted before putting their fingers on you
Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
Arizona’s massage therapists will now need to pass a criminal background check and obtain a fingerprint clearance card before they begin working on clients.
Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill this week that requires those applying for a massage therapist license to obtain a fingerprint card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
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State Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, introduced the legislative changes after reading an investigation by the Arizona Republic into several sexual abuse allegations against massage therapists.
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Longdon, who used to work in the massage industry, said the regulatory board is not always kept in the loop on criminal matters involving massage therapists.
“Often the massage therapy board only learns of violations if they see it in the news,” Longdon said during a legislative hearing.
June 7, 2022
New law requires tougher background checks for Arizona massage therapists
Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
A bill signed into law by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday will require massage therapists to go through more thorough criminal background checks before getting their work licenses.
HB 2438 will require massage therapists to have fingerprint clearance cards beginning in January 2023 for initial licensure and license renewal.
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, comes as a result of The Arizona Republic’s five-month investigation last year into sexual abuse complaints against massage therapists. The Republic’s investigation found that the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy gave many therapists second chances when they are accused of fondling or sexually abusing their clients. This puts customers in danger, and there is very little they can do to protect themselves.
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May 26, 2022
Arizona measure limiting school instruction about race is revived, passes House with Republican support
Mary Jo Pitzl, Arizona Republic
Arizona teachers — from elementary school to state universities — would have to avoid lessons that blame or judge anyone based on race or ethnicity under a bill that emerged from a heated debate at the Arizona House on Wednesday.
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Democrats condemned the measure as an attack on teachers and as a legal roadblock to teaching about some of America’s darkest chapters.
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“I protest that we have spent most of today talking about everything but what most Arizonans want us to talk about: gun violence,” said Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, who was paralyzed by a shooting 18 years ago.
She pleaded with GOP leaders to resurrect bills addressing gun violence that were sidelined earlier this year.
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Story republished by Detroit Free Press and USAToday.
May 25, 2022
'You do not get to trade those lives for your liberty': Phoenix honors victims of Uvalde school shooting
Angela Cordoba Perez and Perry Vandell, Arizona Republic
On Wednesday — a week after people gathered in Phoenix to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York — community members came together again, but this time to honor the 19 children and two teachers who were killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
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Rep. Jennifer Longdon, who was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting in 2004, urged people not to be complacent. “You do not get to trade those lives for your liberty,” Longdon said.
Longdon said she can’t get her bill that would require background checks for firearm purchases heard in the Arizona Legislature floor.
She also urged people to call their U.S. senators and change the lawmakers who are supposed to be listening to their constituents.
Longdon repeatedly asked the crowd if they were angry and to which they would shout “Yes!”
“Then get to work,” Longdon said in response.
The vigil comes just one day after a gunman entered a fourth-grade classroom and started shooting. Multiple students in the classroom were wounded, and officials have said the death toll could rise.
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Story republished by YahooNews!.
May 26, 2022
House Democrat will push to revive two-gun control bills
Mark Phillips, Nicole Grigg, Garrett Archer, ABC15
In the aftermath of the Texas School mass shooting, Democratic State Representative Jennifer Longdon is hoping to revive two-gun control bills in the closing days of the legislature. During the session, Democrats proposed 12 bills they believe limit gun violence. The Republican majority never scheduled hearings for any of them.
“There is nothing that stops us from doing it other than the will of the majority,” Representative Longdon (D) Phoenix District 24 said.
Longdon’s proposals include putting a mandatory background check for all gun sales on the ballot so voters, not lawmakers can decide the issue. According to an everytown.org poll nearly 90% of Arizonans support background checks. The other proposal requires a person give up their concealed weapons permit if they’re convicted of a felony.
“Screening these folks for a violent history, many of my colleagues here agree with it. But I can’t get the bills heard. That’s ridiculous.” Longdon said.
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May 25, 2022
Vigil at AZ State Capitol honors students killed in Texas
Christine Stanwood, ABC15
PHOENIX — 19 pairs of small shoes circled a tree outside the Arizona State Capitol. Those shoes representing the 19 children killed in Texas Tuesday.
Several were in attendance at the vigil grieving and calling for change. While flags outside the state capitol fly at half-staff, faith leaders and lawmakers demand more to prevent gun violence.
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Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix exclaimed at the vigil, “Our children don’t bleed by democrat or republican. This is a bi-partisan problem, and we can fix it together. ‘Are you angry?’,” she asks the crowd. “‘Yes!’,” they reply. Longdon responds, “‘Then get to work!’”
Story republished by Yahoo.
May 25, 2022
'We need to pay attention': Arizona Representative knows the horrors of gun violence first-hand
12news.com
Representative Jennifer Longdon knows first-hand the horrors of gun violence after she was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting in 2004.
May 25, 2022
Arizona lawmaker who survived a mass shooting calls on Legislature to pass gun reforms
Kevin Reagan, 12News
PHOENIX — Arizona Rep. Daniel Hernandez Jr., D-Tucson, pleaded with his colleagues on Wednesday to take action in order to prevent the recent school shooting in Texas from happening in Arizona.
Bills advocating for gun reforms have been already introduced, Hernandez noted on the House floor, yet other lawmakers are not allowing them to advance through the Legislature.
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State Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, condemned her colleagues for spending most of Wednesday focused on bills outlawing “critical race theory” in Arizona’s classrooms rather than addressing gun reforms.
“We spent this day protecting our children from the danger of thought in the classroom rather than addressing the issue of gun violence in our schools. It’s offensive,” said Longdon, who is a survivor of gun violence.
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May 25, 2022
Local lawmakers react to Uvalde, Texas school shooting
Luis Lopez, KYMA, KECY
As the grieving process continues throughout the country, local leaders demand more action be taken and wonder why it hasn’t come quicker – 13 On Your Side’s Luis Lopez reports
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Some local leaders say they’re actively trying to come up with solutions to tackle school shootings, but some wonder why more hasn’t already been done.
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Assistant democratic leader Jennifer Longdon saying,
“when you send a child off to school or a loved one off to the grocery store, you should expect them to come home. That is no longer the case in our country, and that’s not a status quo anyone should accept.”
May 25, 2022
PHOTOS: Dozens call for action at Phoenix vigil for Texas massacre victims
David Baker, AZ Family
Dozens of people came together at the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday night to remember the victims of the Texas elementary school massacre. Before the vigil started at 6:30, a memorial was created at one of the trees on the Capitol lawn. It had tiny children’s shoes and toys with candles that were lit. The victims’ names were on a sign as other people placed flowers on the grass.
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State Rep. Jennifer Longdon, a Democrat from Phoenix, gave an impassioned speech about turning people’s anger from Tuesday’s shooting into change. “Are you angry? You better be and you better not give it up,” she said. She called out politicians on the state and federal levels to pass “common sense” gun control measures. “We can protect the Second Amendment and protect people at the same time,” Longdon said. She added if they don’t, people should vote for lawmakers who listen to them.
May 24, 2022
Ducey orders flags to half-staff after shooting in Texas as bills expanding gun rights move in Arizona Legislature
Stacey Barchenger and Ray Stern, Arizona Republic
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and lawmakers at the state Capitol mourned the loss of young students and adults in a shooting at a Texas school Tuesday, the deadliest massacre at an elementary school in a decade.
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Ducey has billed himself a Second Amendment proponent, and he’s previously made strides to make Arizona more friendly to gun owners and the industry. He’s also supported creating a court process like those commonly allowed via red-flag laws that permit law enforcement or relatives to go to court to temporarily remove someone’s weapons.
Arizona Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, who lost the ability to walk after she was shot in a still-unsolved act of violence in 2004, was supposed to give the invocation as the House of Representatives convened on Tuesday. But on her way to the session, Longdon said she realized what she had written was inadequate to address the Texas massacre of schoolchildren.
With permission from House leaders, she instead led a moment of silence for the victims.
“These families, along with others experiencing gun violence — they deserve that moment of reflection from us,” Longdon said. “But it is not enough.”
Longdon is a gun owner herself who has introduced several firearm-related bills, including a proposal for mandatory storage of guns and ammunition. In February, she joined a national Democratic effort to overturn “stand your ground” laws.
Story republished by USA Today as
Arizona lawmakers react to Texas mass shooting as pro-gun bills move in Legislature.
May 24, 2022
Column: Powerful Forces Prevent Us From Knowing More About Gun Violence
Michael Smith, The Pilot
Feb. 15, 2004, was David Rueckert’s and fiancée Jennifer Longdon’s last happy day together.
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We know some things about the 1,518 people killed in mass shootings since 2009. But deaths from mass shootings constitute less than 1 percent of the roughly 40,000 Americans who die from gun violence every year. We don’t know much about them. And we don’t know about the survivors. The common perception is that “they survived, so they must be OK,” but that’s not always the case.
It would be wonderful to tell you a happy ending story about David Rueckert and Jennifer Longdon. But that’s not their story. David was left blind, without a sense of smell and inarticulate from the bullet that pierced his brain. Jennifer is a paraplegic, unable to move from her chest down. She will spend the remainder of her time in a wheelchair.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to go back to where life was before,” Jennifer said. “On long nights, when I’m alone and my pain level is high, and maybe something has triggered the memories, I have to be really careful not to let that melancholy and grief overwhelm me. It’s an ongoing battle every day — choosing to stay alive, and to continue to fight.”
May 19, 2022
Mass shooters are NOT crazy (but our response to them is)
EJ Montini, Arizona Republic
* * * And then we were distracted further by the grotesque social media post by Republican Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers that suggested the shooting that killed 10 and injured three others was a “false flag” staged by the federal government.
We were reminded of just how grotesque that was by state Rep. Jennifer Longdon, a Democrat, who was paralyzed in a shooting attack in 2004.
She tweeted:
Once again, Arizona is in the glare of the national spotlight due to vile misinformation propagated by a state senator. “It is repugnant and horrific and MUST be condemned by every TRUE patriot in our nation. #Enough
Story republished by Yahoo.
April 8, 2022
Arizona bills to improve HIV testing access and create confidential health care workforce wellness programs pass Senate HHS Committee
Soraya Marashi, State of Reform
House Bill 2433, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Amish Shah (D–Phoenix), Cesar Chavez (D–Phoenix), Jennifer Longdon (D–Phoenix), and Justin Wilmeth (R–Phoenix), would repeal a duplicate statute requiring health care providers to provide informed consent information to patients prior to ordering any HIV-related test.
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Jeff Taylor, representing Aunt Rita’s Foundation, spoke in favor of the bill, discussing how the most at-risk population is now IV drug users. He says duplicate consent creates a barrier to testing, and that improving access to testing would lead people toward accessing treatment as well.
“A lot of the population that’s in fear of HIV don’t know that if you’re identified [as HIV-positive], you’re put on a rapid start medication treatment, and within a few months, you are undetectable which means you cannot pass it to other people,” he said. “This is good public policy that creates a safer community and will save a ton of money in the future, and also hopefully move people on into the treatment realm where they need to be.”
The bill passed in a 7-0 vote and moved on to the Senate Rules Committee.
March 23, 2022
Commentary: Biden’s Call for Minimum Corporate Tax Should Reignite Democratic Efforts
Jennifer Longdon, Real Clear Poltiics
Before his largest audience as president thus far, President Biden reiterated calls for a minimum tax on corporations during his first State of the Union address. Pointing to a recent study that found several of the largest companies in the U.S. paid no taxes last year, Biden said the move would raise billions of dollars in tax revenue and grow the economy while lowering costs for American families.
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With Democrats in control of both Congress and the White House, and looking to raise revenue to expand the social safety net, now is the time to codify a minimum corporate tax rate here at home. Senate Democrats last year introduced legislation to do just this. Spearheaded by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the measure would create a 15% minimum tax on roughly 200 companies with more than $1 billion in profits. While this plan has broad support among Democrats and passed through the House as part of the now-defunct Build Back Better Act, it has since stalled in the Senate.
As the 2022 midterm elections inch closer, the window for Democrats to ensure that America’s largest companies are paying their fair share is rapidly closing. Americans are fed up with large corporations escaping tax season largely unscathed, while small businesses are paying their fair share. The issue has reached such a head that a Pew Research study found that “far more Americans continue to say they are bothered ‘a lot’ by the feeling that some corporations and wealthy people do not pay their fair share of taxes than by the complexity of the tax system or even the amount they pay in taxes.”
In order to secure votes in what is sure to be a contentious election, Democrats must act swiftly to remedy this issue. Unlike a corporate tax hike, a minimum tax would ensure some of the wealthiest corporations finally pay a fair rate without raising taxes on small businesses. The rebranding of Build Back Better, now known as Building a Better America, gives Democrats an opportunity to level the playing field for U.S. corporations while raising significant revenue to fund this domestic social plan.
March 18, 2022
My View: How my new health insurance helped me get my life back
Jennifer Longdon – Contributing writer, Phoenix Business Journal
One minute, I was a healthy young businesswoman and the primary breadwinner for my family; the next, I was fighting for my life.
I was paralyzed just below the collarbone, and placed in a medically induced coma while my lungs healed. The severity of my injuries and length of my recovery eventually cost me my job and the health coverage it provided. My medical bills soared to over $1 million, costing my family our home and forcing us to declare bankruptcy.
Without insurance, I wasn’t able to afford the continued medical care I required. Thankfully, I found Medicare Advantage. Enrolling made a life-changing difference both for my health and my family.
Suddenly, I had access to the special equipment I needed at home to make my life easier, along with medications and complex care elements to stay healthy. None of it would have been possible without Medicare Advantage.
Thanks to my plan’s low premium and cap on out-of-pocket expenses, I could finally simply focus on my recovery without worrying about how I would afford my next necessary treatment. I had peace of mind for the first time since the shooting.
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February 25, 2022
Longdon Joins Nationwide Task Force to Combat 'Shoot First' Laws
Arizona House Democrats, Press Release
Assistant House Democratic Leader Jennifer Longdon announced today that she has joined a new task force of state legislators committed to combat Shoot First laws, also known by the gun lobby as Stand Your Ground. On Thursday, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action announced the task force as part of a nationwide effort to reverse these laws. The new task force will double down on national efforts to restore self-defense laws in states, either by repealing Shoot First policies, reforming laws to ensure aggressors and gun extren1ists cannot claim self-defense, or preventing the expansion of Shoot First Laws to additional states.
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“We need more com1non-sense gun violence reform. Shoot First laws are inconsistently applied, encourage vigilantism and make no one safer, particularly people of color,” said Representative Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix. “I’m proud to join this movement to help rethink and reframe this important debate. It will save lives lost to needless gun violence.”
February 25, 2022
Arizona House passes bill requiring independent investigations on police use of force
Chelsea Curtis, Arizona Republic
A bill requiring Arizona police agencies to independently investigate each other’s police shootings and other use of force incidents was passed in the House on Thursday.
House Bill 2650 would also allocate more than $24 million to the creation of a new division within the Arizona Department of Public Safety focused on conducting some of the investigations.
The bill was introduced by House Speaker Rep. Rusty Bowers and crafted with input from law enforcement leaders statewide. It also received bipartisan support with Reps. Kevin Payne (R-Peoria), Ben Toma (R-Peoria), César Chávez (D-Phoenix) and Jennifer Longdon (D-Phoenix) listed as co-sponsors.
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Supporters of the bill said requiring that critical incident investigations be conducted by an agency independent from the agency being involved would strengthen transparency and trust at a time when police are facing increased public scrutiny.
“The issue of building and restoring public trust in law enforcement is vitally important and, although I’m a victim of violent crime, I’ve learned how important it is to have you there serving and protecting,” Longdon said at a hearing earlier this month. “HB 2650 is an important step in the right direction, and that’s why I’m a co-sponsor.”
February 21, 2022
Arizona House approves bill that strengthens background checks for massage therapists
Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
The Arizona House passed a bill on Monday that would strengthen the criminal background process for licensed massage therapists.
HB 2438 would require massage therapists to have fingerprint clearance cards beginning in January 2023 for initial licensure and license renewal. The legislation would also require state regulators to post online any disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions taken against licensed massage therapists.
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The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, comes as a result of The Arizona Republic’s five-month investigation last year into sexual abuse complaints against massage therapists. The Republic’s investigation found that the licensing board gave many therapists second chances when they are accused of fondling or sexually abusing their clients. This puts customers in danger, and there is very little they can do to protect themselves.
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Longdon was a massage therapist and spa consultant before her career ended in 2004 when she was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting.
Her bill would require an applicant to have a valid fingerprint clearance card to get a massage license or to renew a license. Fingerprint cards are required under state law in a variety of professions, including teachers, school bus drivers and individuals who work in school classrooms.
February 7, 2022
To stop the most onerous election restrictions from passing, Democrats are relying on GOP defectors
Emily Sacia/Cronkite News, AZ MIRROR
Ms. Sacia reports on the 99 election-related bills introduced by Arizona Republicans this session.
While Democrats look for help from the other side of the aisle, Longdon said it shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
“What we’re really talking about here is protecting democracy, and that shouldn’t be a Democratic value or a Republican value,” Longdon said. “An accurate, secure and accessible election should be the goal of every legislator in this body.”
February 2, 2022
Arizona House panel approves massage therapy bill that requires more online transparency
Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic
Legislation that would change the way massage therapists are background-checked passed out of the Arizona House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
HB 2438 would require massage therapists to have fingerprint clearance cards and would also require state regulators to post online both disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions taken against each licensed massage therapist.
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, comes as a result of The Arizona Republic’s five-month investigation last year into sexual abuse complaints against massage therapists. The Republic’s investigation found that the licensing board gave many therapists second chances when they are accused of fondling or sexually abusing their clients. This puts customers in danger, and there is very little they can do to protect themselves.
December 29, 2021
State Rep. Jennifer Longdon joins disability advocates in fight against Arizona abortion ban
Ben Giles, KJZZ
Rep. Jennifer Longdon joined multiple disability rights organizations and advocates urging a federal panel to uphold a decision blocking Arizona from enforcing a ban on abortions for genetic abnormalities.
In September, a federal district judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the law, which makes it a crime for a doctor to perform an abortion if they know that the sole reason a woman is seeking the procedure is due to a genetic abnormality.
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Longdon, a Phoenix Democrat who was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting, filed the amicus brief to the 9th Circuit along with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, as well as other disability advocates.
The brief states that the law “undermines its purported anti-discrimination purpose by stifling open communication between health care providers and pregnant patients about parenting children with disabilities.”
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