What Does “Rural” Really Mean? Rep. Kevin Volk on Housing, Broadband, and Arizona’s Future
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
Release Date: 02/02/2026
Crossover Week Looms: Inside Arizona’s Growing Tax and Budget Debate
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
In this update from Birdman at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman checks in while traveling across the state, offering listeners a snapshot of where things stand at the Capitol as crossover week approaches. With lawmakers shifting focus toward the budget phase, attention is centered on two major policy fronts: Arizona’s full tax conformity package and proposed SNAP fraud reform measures—both of which are expected to land back on ’ desk. Birdman explains the growing tension between the Governor’s office and House Republicans over whether Arizona’s tax filing framework is properly...
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Wind Turbines, State Trust Land, and Who Really Decides Arizona’s Future
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
Broadcasting from the members’ lounge at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down with and for a wide-ranging discussion on wind energy development, state land use, and local control in rural Arizona. The conversation centers on a package of bills aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of wind farms and large-scale renewable projects, particularly in Northern Arizona and the White Mountains. Both lawmakers argue that wind energy projects are being imposed on rural communities despite strong local opposition, raising concerns about environmental damage, wildlife impacts, visual...
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What Does “Rural” Really Mean? Rep. Kevin Volk on Housing, Broadband, and Arizona’s Future
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
Broadcasting from the members’ lounge at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down with , a Democratic lawmaker representing Legislative District 17, which spans urban Tucson, rapidly growing suburban areas, and distinctly rural communities reaching into Pinal and Pima Counties. The conversation opens with a bipartisan success story: Volk’s legislation allowing electric vehicle owners to choose specialty license plates rather than being restricted to the standard cloud design. The change restored personal choice while preserving critical funding streams for nonprofits,...
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It’s Not About Shopping Carts: The Real Story Behind Arizona’s HB 2460
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman breaks down a revealing and, at times, frustrating House Government Committee meeting centered on House Bill 2460, officially titled Business Property Theft Penalties Prohibition. While the bill—introduced by Representative Nicholas Kupper—is framed as a measure to prevent municipalities from holding businesses responsible for stolen property, the committee discussion quickly exposes what the issue is reallyabout: shopping carts and, more broadly, homelessness policy in Arizona’s largest cities. Birdman explains...
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Closing Arizona’s Rural Childcare Gap: Inside HB 2239 with Krystyn Paulat
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
In this episode, Birdman broadcasts from the lawn of the Arizona State Capitol for a conversation with Krystyn Paulatof the Children’s Action Alliance, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocating for policies that strengthen the well-being of Arizona’s children and families. Paulat, who focuses on early learning and education policy, explains the goals behind HB 2239, legislation developed in partnership with Representative Blackman to address the growing childcare gap in rural Arizona. The bill is modeled after a successful, federally funded initiative launched under the Ducey...
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Why Rural Arizona Needs Its Own Rules: Inside the New House Committee on Economic Development
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
In this episode, Birdman sits down at the Arizona Legislature with Representative Martinez, Chair of the newly created House Committee on Rural Economic Development and Innovation, for an in-depth conversation on why rural Arizona needs a distinct policy lens. Representative Martinez outlines the geographic scope of Legislative District 16, spanning communities such as Casa Grande, Maricopa, Eloy, Coolidge, Arizona City, tribal lands, and parts of southern Arizona. She explains how rural challenges—housing, water, broadband access, healthcare, wildfire response, and workforce...
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What the Budget Really Tells Us: A Conversation with Majority Leader Carbone
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone joins Birdman to break down Arizona’s budget priorities, tax policy fights, rising health care costs, and school choice debates. A candid look at where state money is going—and what that means for families, businesses, and the upcoming legislative session. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. 🌐 Official Site: https://birdman.media Support Our Sponsors This episode is brought to you with the support of our premium sponsor: Mountain...
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Oversight Without Funding: How Prison Reform Stalled at the Capitol
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
Representative Walt Blackman joins Birdman to explain how Arizona’s prison oversight reform was signed into law—but left unfunded. A behind-the-scenes look at how budget decisions can undermine reform, increase taxpayer risk, and stall accountability at the Capitol. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. 🌐 Official Site: https://birdman.media Support Our Sponsors This episode is brought to you with the support of our premium sponsor: Mountain Retreat Realty Experts Trusted...
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Inside the Arizona House: Opening Day with Rep. Walt Blackman
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
Birdman goes inside the Arizona House of Representatives on opening day of the legislative session, joined by Rep. Walt Blackman for an on-the-ground look at what’s ahead. From tax policy and water to education, health care, housing, and the challenges facing rural Arizona, this episode breaks down what opening day really signals about the fights to come—before the spin takes over. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. 🌐 Official Site: https://birdman.media Support Our Sponsors ...
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Let's Start Here - Behind the Bills: The Five Issues That Matter at the Arizona Legislature
Birdman at the Arizona Legislature
This is the BIRDMAN AT THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE Podcast Every legislative session comes with headlines, press conferences, and plenty of political noise. But underneath all of it, the Arizona Legislature is driven by the same core fights year after year. In this episode, Birdman breaks down the five issues that actually matter at the Capitol: water, education, housing, border security, and the state budget. These aren’t just recurring talking points—they’re the pressure points behind the biggest bills, the longest debates, and the most revealing political decisions. ...
info_outlineBroadcasting from the members’ lounge at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman sits down with Kevin Volk, a Democratic lawmaker representing Legislative District 17, which spans urban Tucson, rapidly growing suburban areas, and distinctly rural communities reaching into Pinal and Pima Counties.
The conversation opens with a bipartisan success story: Volk’s legislation allowing electric vehicle owners to choose specialty license plates rather than being restricted to the standard cloud design. The change restored personal choice while preserving critical funding streams for nonprofits, universities, public safety organizations, and conservation efforts that rely on specialty plate revenue—an example of practical policymaking with real community impact.
Birdman and Volk then dive into rural housing challenges, highlighting a teacher housing project in Pinetop-Lakesidethat uses container homes on surplus school district land. Volk explains how limited housing inventory in rural communities has made it increasingly difficult to recruit teachers, first responders, and other essential workers. By providing affordable, close-to-work housing, the project helps educators establish themselves in the community while creating pathways to long-term stability.
The discussion broadens to Volk’s role on the House Committee on Rural Economic Development and Innovation, chaired by Teresa Martinez. Volk emphasizes that rural Arizona exists on a spectrum—from “rural-adjacent” suburban communities to deeply remote areas, including tribal lands where residents may travel hours for basic services. Defining “rural” accurately, he argues, is essential for making smart policy and funding decisions.
Addressing early committee votes, Volk explains that rural advocacy isn’t about approving every request, but about balancing localized needs with statewide benefit. He references collaborative discussions with colleagues such as Walt Blackman, noting that disagreement does not preclude cooperation—especially when the goal is expanding broadband access, housing availability, and long-term economic opportunity.
The episode concludes with a look ahead to Arizona’s budget process, federal broadband investments, and the importance of sustained bipartisan dialogue in solving the state’s most persistent rural challenges.
This conversation provides valuable insight into Arizona politics, rural housing solutions, broadband expansion, economic development, and bipartisan governance.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
🌐 Official Site:
https://birdman.media
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