accomplishments
$40M for the Arizona Promise Program for in-state Tuition Assistance
Higher Education has been one of Rep. Austin's biggest priorities, to ensure that Arizona has a qualified workforce without the struggle of overwhelming student loan debt. One of Rep. Austin's greatest accomplishments in their freshman term was the allocation of $40 million dollars for the Arizona Promise Program, which was established in 2021 and helps cover tuition costs and fees for Arizona residents at public universities.
Three-year halt on Tax Breaks for new Data Centers
In 2026, Representative Austin successfully helped to negotiate a historic three-year moratorium (the longest in the country) on tax breaks for new data center facilities. In addition, Representative Austin put forward bills that would eliminate future tax breaks for data centers and others to require that large energy users pay their fair share. Like many other Arizonans, Rep. Austin is concerned about the impact to our climate and Arizona consumers of these facilities, and believes that corporations, not taxpayers, should shoulder the financial burden of these large energy users.
$3M for Statewide Funding for United Food Banks following SNAP Cuts
The SNAP cuts from H.R.1 (the 2025 Federal Budget) have been devastating to Arizona. Over 400,000 Arizonans have lost access to life-saving food assistance since July 2025, including nearly 200,000 children. United Food Bank partners with over 125 local food pantries and serves families all across Arizona. They have provided a lifeline for families struggling to eat. This year, Rep. Austin helped negotiate $3M in key state funding for United Food Bank, to ensure that all Arizonans have access to the food assistance they need.
Major housing reforms to build more multi-family homes
Housing prices have skyrocketed, and Rep. Austin believes that the solution is to increase the supply of available housing, particularly affordable housing. In 2024, Representative Lorena Austin sponsored two bills that have already had a positive impact on housing costs by allowing the construction of accessory dwelling units (casitas) and requiring that middle housing be integrated in residential areas near downtown cores.
Relocation funding for senior mobile home evictions
Over the last year, many Mesa residents of mobile homes have been forced to relocate due to land sales and other factors. Particularly for older residents with limited options and fixed incomes, these relocations can be prohibitively costly, leaving residents with few if any options for housing. Rep. Austin was proud to advocate for increases to state relocation assistance payments and expansion of the geographic area (statewide) that applicants may move to.
Funding for free school meals
Representative Austin knows that hunger is one of the biggest challenges to student focus and concentration. That is why they have advocated in every session since their first term for additional funding for free and reduced-price school meals through the Department of Education, which serves approximately 66% of students across the state at participating schools.
Sponsored bills
As a Member of the House of Representatives, Lorena Austin is actively involved in sponsoring and drafting legislation about issues that matter most to you.
Please contact their offices to share your thoughts on current legislation that may affect you, your family, and your community.
This bill appropriates $40 million to the Arizona Promise Program, ensuring tuition and fees coverage for eligible Arizona residents at public universities, aiming to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
A bill that mandates municipalities to allow the development of middle housing, including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses, in residential zones.
A bill that permits municipalities to adopt ordinances allowing the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in areas zoned for single-family or multifamily use.
This bill provides scholarships for childcare assistance to individuals employed within the childcare workforce, including teachers, childcare professionals, and school district employees.
A bill improving worker’s rights in the case of a public health emergency and providing key protections against retaliation for whistleblowers.
A bill that would create an Arizona Retirement Savings (Roth IRA) program for employees of businesses that do not already offer a retirement savings program.
A bill that would regulate pharmaceutical middlemen called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), including fair pricing requirements, rebate pass-throughs, a ban on spread pricing, and transparency and reporting requirements.
A bill that removes the requirement that only an immediate family member can drop off a completed early ballot for a voter, which would have a significant impact on individuals in rural and tribal communities.
This bill requires a minimum corporate income tax of $1000 for companies with 50 or more employees. Currently, companies of this size may pay nothing in state income tax as a result of loopholes and exemptions.
A bill that establishes clear privacy protections for election workers against the dissemination of their personal information (known commonly as doxxing).
This bill would completely repeal the existing tax break program for data centers in Arizona. The state is already home to over 150 data centers.
A bill establishing a homeless person’s bill of rights, including the right to move freely in public spaces, discrimination protections, and confidentiality.
This bill establishes a minimum age of eighteen for marriage, closing the loophole that currently allows child marriages for children sixteen or above with parental approval.
A bill that would prevent individuals subject to orders of protection, convicted of domestic abuse or who have committed certain violent crimes from possessing firearms.
A bill that would create a new special license plate for community colleges that would fund scholarships through 501(c3) organizations that provide scholarships for LGBTQ+ Individuals.
A bill that would establish a minimum wage of $18/hour with annual cost of living increases, and normalizes wages for tipped employees over several years.
A bill that would require insurers and their agents who are reviewing claims appeals to provide acknowledgement of receipt of the claim within five business dates.
This bill repeals the religious exemption for employers who would be otherwise required to pay for contraception as part of an employee’s health plan.
A bill that would establish a task force to address sexual misconduct on campus, along with annual reporting on incidents of harassment, abuse, and more.
A bill that would establish a study committee for mixed-income housing, including identifying key locations, developing methodology, and identifying potential incentives or barriers to
This bill would send a referral to the ballot to allow school districts and charter schools to establish dual-language immersion programs and require that all English-language learners receive the best possible language instruction.