Cady Trausch
Manzanita City Reporter
Today us girls heard from the current Arizona state treasurer, Kimberly Yee.
Kimberly Yee was the first female in Arizona to hold this position. She was a trail blazer for women in many aspects in Arizona, being as though she was also the second woman to be the majority leader for Arizona senate, following Sandra Day O’Conner.
During her time we learned about her background and process to get to the position she currently holds.
From the surface level Yee was a great speaker to inspire young women to get involved in politics and not be afraid to put yourself into spaces that are male dominated.
But, after conducting some further background research into Yee’s time in politics and her stance on many issues that concern women and young Americans, I came across some key differences in her policies and the ones that are being made within Girls State.
As a disclaimer this information is not to sway any readers one way or the other, it is simply to educate the public.
In 2018 in Yee’s time as majority senate leader, Yee was the co-founder for SB 1394 which enforces all hospitals and doctors to report any abortions or possible abortions that have taken place in that hospital.
The bill does slightly protect the mother in that her name is not released or reported. They do however reporter her age, race, and several other pieces of information.
This bill limits the security and privacy that is established between the woman, her body, and the doctor.
In 2017 Yee voted yes on SB 1122 which authorized the sales of firearms in Arizona with no background check. Limiting the safety that goes into ensuring these lethal weapons do not get put in the wrong hands.
The bill’s reading is: Notwithstanding any other law, this state and a city, town or county shall not require as a condition of a private sale, Gift, donation or other transfer of personal property that the owner of the personal property search or FACILITATE the search of any federal or state databases and shall not require that a third party be involved.
This leaves a lot to interpretation especially in regards to firearms.
While I believe it is important to support all minorities in politics, especially women, to ensure a more diverse, equitable government. I simultaneously believe that in politics the most important aspect to look at when deciding to vote/support a candidate is their character and the policies they support.