Imelda Hartley has been selling homemade tamales outside a 24-hour convenience store in Phoenix for 10 years. but, HB 2509 Surprising Power of Veto This decision by Governor Katie Hobbs could put an end to Hartley’s business.
The bill, dubbed the “Tamale Bill” by its supporters, passed the Arizona legislature in early April with bipartisan support. Expand the list of commercially marketable homemade foods to include specific items, including fresh produce and meat and dairy products. Currently, vendors selling unapproved goods can face fines of $500 and up to six months in prison.
But Hobbes, who rejected more bills than any other governor in Arizona’s history, Bill rejected on April 18.
“This bill would substantially increase the risk of foodborne illness by expanding the ability of cottage food vendors to sell high-risk foods,” Hobbes said in a veto letter. Failure to establish minimum standards for certification testing of home food businesses may limit their ability to do so. [Arizona Department of Health Services] To investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness. ”
However, states with similar laws report zero confirmed cases of food poisoning, according to data from the Washington, DC-based Institute of Justice.
“Many vetoes are expected and even justified, but this was a headache,” said Phoenix political strategist Barrett Merson. phoenix new times.
The veto didn’t sit well with Hartley and other vendors who make their living selling homemade food.
“We have to pay our rent. We have kids. We can’t wait 10 years for a commercial license,” Hartley said. “Vendors are already being harassed by police and food trucks. Now we are being harassed by the governor.”
On Tuesday morning, demonstrators at the Arizona State Capitol handed out “illegal” sweets from their home kitchens.
Elias Weiss
Legislator Lacks Overrides
As dozens of protesters picketed the Capitol lawn on Tuesday, lawmakers voted to overturn Hobbes’ veto.
Despite passing both the House and Senate by a combined margin of 71-15 (wide enough to overcome the veto), House members voted 35-23 to overrule the veto. It needed 40 votes to succeed.
“I hate that it’s become a partisan fight. It never was and shouldn’t have been,” said Paul Aveler, a Phoenix attorney at the Institute of Justice. new times“Katie Hobbs made it partisan.”
Hartley didn’t mince words after the veto overriding failed.
“You let us down today. We are here to tell you that we will never vote for you again,” she said.
Paul Aveler, a Phoenix attorney at the Institute of Justice, said Gov. Katie Hobbs turned the bill into a partisan issue.
Elias Weiss
uncertain future
In 2011, Arizona began allowing the commercial sale of shelf-stable foods produced in home kitchens. Statewide, the initiative involved more than 11,000 home cooks. Hobbes, who was a member of the House of Representatives at the time, opposed the bill, receiving only 11 votes against it.
Char Ugol runs AllStar Sweets Bakery in Phoenix. This is a home confectionery that helps neurodiverse people gain work experience. With no commercial license and record inflation driving up the prices of her signature cookie product, she planned to expand her menu to additional baked goods to survive.
“Today we have to close the bakery,” Ugol said in protest.
Ken Holgate, a salsa maker in the northern Prescott Valley, had the same concern. HB 2509 would have paved the way for home he chefs to sell their products online.
“The bill was rejected, so we can’t sell our products online,” Holgate said. “I don’t know if I can pass. This is hurting my family and hurting my business.”
In 2022, Arizona received a ‘D’ rating from the Institute of Justice for restricting the types of homemade food that can be sold.of condition has improved slightly — C+ for all food free laws, according to the group —.
Johnny Mendibles, executive director of the Federation of Veterans Affairs of Arizona, gestured to dozens of food vendors who took part in the protests on Tuesday, saying, “Today there is a very unfair treatment of these people. The deed was done: “This is not the governor’s house, but the people’s house.”
He left Hobbes with these bitter farewells: And you have to stay home. ”
