Dear Friends,

This Sunday, children, husbands, families, and friends everywhere will have the opportunity to recognize and thank the special moms in their lives. 

Mothers serve a unique and powerful role in children's lives.  Not only are they nurturers, teachers and providers, they are friends and confidants for their children.  Being a mom is a tough, but rewarding job that requires time, energy, resources, and seemingly endless amounts of patience. 

Arizona's mothers deserve our support in every way possible.  So many parents have asked for an expansion of Voluntary Full Day Kindergarten, that I have included it in my budget proposal for every parent that wants it.  Studies show that strong early education helps children to become better students later on.

I want to protect every woman and her children from domestic violence by ensuring there are enough emergency shelter beds and a strong support system to help foster independence-and prevent further abuse.  No woman should have to choose between safety and having a roof over her head. 

And Arizona moms deserve to have access to affordable, quality healthcare and daycare.  Many mothers must work to provide for their families, or go to school and need help in this area.  I am proposing that businesses be allowed to take advantage of tax breaks for providing low-income workers with health insurance.  Additionally, we have expanded the CoppeRx Card, the free prescription drug discount program, to every Arizonan, so more children and their mothers can take advantage of lower prescription medication prices. 

Since I took office, I've been working with the Arizona Department of Economic Security to eliminate the waiting list for subsidized childcare for working families.  In Arizona today, mothers have more resources available to them to ensure that their children are safe and healthy. 

Mother's Day is also about appreciating the many roles that women take on today: as caregivers, professionals, homemakers, and everything else.  This Sunday, take a minute to recognize the moms in your life:  your mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, aunt, co-worker, or boss, and the contributions they make to others.   

To all of Arizona's moms, I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day! 

As always, I appreciate your input, and encourage you to call my office at 602.542.1318 if you have questions or thoughts to share. Or, please visit our website at http://www.azgovernor.gov for information and news in state government.

Yours very truly,


Janet Napolitano
Governor


Please encourage your friends and family to sign up for my Message of the Week at http://www.azgovernor.gov