Jesse Hernandez and Mark Thompson, two of the three Republican candidates for the legislature in LD17, have teamed up to air a campaign spot bashing State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill and State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira.
"Bashing" is all that it is, too. It seems to be all that the Republicans have this year.
And this being an election year and all, that wouldn't normally rate a blog post. Attack ads aren't exactly unheard-of during even numbered years.
However, this spot is so cheesy and sloppily insulting that it is less campaign rhetoric and more schoolyard taunts.
The spot begins by showing three crudely drawn mouse figures with the faces of Burton-Cahill, Ableser and Schapira pasted on them while something resembling the song "Three Blind Mice" plays in the background.
The spot first captured my attention when I heard it playing on a cable news channel.
They absolutely massacred the pronounciation of Ed Ableser's last name, making it sound like it is spelled "Ablazzarrr."
I was going to poke a little fun at them for making such a bush-league mistake as not getting their opponent's name right, but after watching the entire ad, I'm not so sure it was a mistake.
Moments later the mouse bearing Senator Burton-Cahill's face is pictured losing her balance, and with her cane flailing, falling over the edge of whatever she is standing on (the artwork for the spot is *really* low-grade).
It seems to be a clear jab at her medical issues involving her ankle. She spent much of last year hobbled by that ankle and needed a cane for support.
Deliberately mispronouncing one opponent's name and making fun of another's medical problems? Are they adults running for public office or for punk kids running for recess bully?
Sheesh...
Anyway, another curious thing that I've noticed beyond this spot is the teaming up of Hernandez and Thompson on signage (as well as this spot) while their fellow Republican candidate Wes Waddle is all but frozen out. I'm not sure what is going on there, but I almost titled this post "Whither Wes Waddle?" if only for the alliterative effect. :)
However, the post isn't really about him, and the actual title, while incredibly boring, describes the content of the post far more accurately.
Later!
Showing posts with label Ableser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ableser. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Endorsements and canvasses
Ahhh....Autumn in an even-numbered year...
...Leaves turning, filling our vision with a palette of colors (OK, in non-AZ parts of the country :) )...
...The Cardinals finding ever-more painful ways to lose football games, filling our living rooms and sports bars with cries of anguish and derision...
...People walking and knocking, filling our hearing with words of this candidate or that ballot question...
...Newspapers and mailers covering our fingers with ink. crowing about endorsements...
Either temps are dropping, or early ballots are hitting mailboxes this week.
Whatever the cause, the lists of both endorsements and scheduled canvasses this week are getting longer by the minute.
The AZ Republic released its endorsements in LDs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 (aka - the East Valley). That list looks less like they seriously considered the merits of each candidate and more like they wanted only to hedge their bets.
In all of the districts except for LD19, they split their support, selecting one member of one party and two of the other party.
Now, personally, I think that if the Rep actually cared about the interests of the districts and the state, they should have endorsed all Democrats...but I'm a self-admitted partisan hack. :)
In other words, I may not agree with all of their endorsements, but they have the right to endorse any candidate they choose, and for any reason.
However, partisan hack or not, I have to take exception to two of their snubs - Tammie Pursley in LD18 and Ed Ableser in LD17.
Apparently, they preferred Cecil Ash over Pursley because of his moderate (by LD18 standards, anyway), pro-business position on illegal immigration. Apparently, they ignored the fact that is the only issue on which Ash is remotely 'moderate.' He is active with United Families International, a far-right AZ-based organization that works to "support traditional families" by things like opposing radical UN initiatives such as the UN Conventions on Women's Rights and Children's Rights (the conventions oppose hallmarks of the traditional family structure like forced marriage of children and gender-selective infanticide.)
Tammie Pursley may be focused on education, but she has the intelligence and the work ethic to learn, contribute and lead on other issues as AZ moves into into the 21st century.
Ash will just serve as a chain dragging Arizona back to the 19th century.
As for Ed Ableser, the Rep's editors criticized him for being too partisan in supporting efforts to assist Corona del Sol High School with its air quality issues.
Huh??
In a session that saw some of the most underhanded tactics from the Republican caucus in the lege *against* ideas and people they don't like, (such as Sen. Jack Harper's work to kill a texting-while-driving ban and to railroad the anti-same sex marriage constitutional amendment on to November's ballot) they're criticizing a Democrat for fighting *for* his constituents?
Bit of a credibility gap there.
In other endorsement news,
...Congressman Harry Mitchell has endorsed Bob Lord, the candidate whose challenge in CD3 has incumbent Republican John Shadegg running scared (witness his vote in favor of the bailout bill)
...The AZ Rep has endorsed Democrat Tim Nelson for Maricopa County Attorney. Supporters of Andrew Thomas will undoubtedly point out the fact that Thomas didn't seek the Rep's endorsement. They will also undoubtedly ignore the fact that even Thomas knew better than to even bother after his abortive attempt to intimidate critics in the press into silence. The editors of the Rep don't seem to have forgotten the harassment, investigation and arrests of journalists from the Phoenix New Times.
...The endorsements issued by the Maricopa County GOP in the nonpartisan race for the Maricopa Integrated Health System board seems to have upset some of the snubbed candidates, most of whom are long-time Republicans. It seems that most of them didn't even *know* that endorsements were even being considered.
Should make for a fun time at the MCGOP's next organizing meeting after the election (probably sometime in January.)
As for canvasses this weekend...
...Governor Janet Napolitano will be in the East Valley on Saturday, walking and knocking with dozens (hundreds?? hint, hint :)) ) of enthusiastic volunteers.
First, at 8:30 a.m. join the Governor and State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill, State Representative Ed Ableser, and State Representative David Schapira at the Tempe coordinated campaign headquarters at 123 E. Baseline in Tempe. The office phone number is 480-820-2298.
After that at 9:30 a.m., the Governor will be making a stop in LD21 in Chandler to help Phil Hettmansperger. Meet up at Pima Park, 625 N. McQueen Dr. Chandler (East side of McQueen Rd, between Ray Rd. and Chandler Blvd.) Contact Darcy at the Tempe office at 480-820-2298.
...Ed Hermes, candidate for County Supervisor in District 1, will be holding a canvass in LD20 with Tim Nelson, Ted Maish (candidate for State Senate), and Rae Waters (State House) on Sunday, October 5. The walk is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Contact the campaign at ed[at]edhermes.com or 480-234-1753.
...In LD18, Judah Nativio and Tammie Pursley will be busy this weekend. Contact them at http://www.electnativio.com/homepage.php or http://www.pursleyforchange.com/08/.
...In LD8 and LD7, contact the Scottsdale coordinated campaign office located at 7950 E Acoma Dr. at 480-607-4435. Candidates Stephanie Rimmer (LD8), Jeanne Lunn (LD7), Joel Sinclaire (County Supervisor SD2) and Marilyn Fox (SD3) as well as Congressman Harry Mitchell all need your help.
Later!
...Leaves turning, filling our vision with a palette of colors (OK, in non-AZ parts of the country :) )...
...The Cardinals finding ever-more painful ways to lose football games, filling our living rooms and sports bars with cries of anguish and derision...
...People walking and knocking, filling our hearing with words of this candidate or that ballot question...
...Newspapers and mailers covering our fingers with ink. crowing about endorsements...
Either temps are dropping, or early ballots are hitting mailboxes this week.
Whatever the cause, the lists of both endorsements and scheduled canvasses this week are getting longer by the minute.
The AZ Republic released its endorsements in LDs 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 (aka - the East Valley). That list looks less like they seriously considered the merits of each candidate and more like they wanted only to hedge their bets.
In all of the districts except for LD19, they split their support, selecting one member of one party and two of the other party.
Now, personally, I think that if the Rep actually cared about the interests of the districts and the state, they should have endorsed all Democrats...but I'm a self-admitted partisan hack. :)
In other words, I may not agree with all of their endorsements, but they have the right to endorse any candidate they choose, and for any reason.
However, partisan hack or not, I have to take exception to two of their snubs - Tammie Pursley in LD18 and Ed Ableser in LD17.
Apparently, they preferred Cecil Ash over Pursley because of his moderate (by LD18 standards, anyway), pro-business position on illegal immigration. Apparently, they ignored the fact that is the only issue on which Ash is remotely 'moderate.' He is active with United Families International, a far-right AZ-based organization that works to "support traditional families" by things like opposing radical UN initiatives such as the UN Conventions on Women's Rights and Children's Rights (the conventions oppose hallmarks of the traditional family structure like forced marriage of children and gender-selective infanticide.)
Tammie Pursley may be focused on education, but she has the intelligence and the work ethic to learn, contribute and lead on other issues as AZ moves into into the 21st century.
Ash will just serve as a chain dragging Arizona back to the 19th century.
As for Ed Ableser, the Rep's editors criticized him for being too partisan in supporting efforts to assist Corona del Sol High School with its air quality issues.
Huh??
In a session that saw some of the most underhanded tactics from the Republican caucus in the lege *against* ideas and people they don't like, (such as Sen. Jack Harper's work to kill a texting-while-driving ban and to railroad the anti-same sex marriage constitutional amendment on to November's ballot) they're criticizing a Democrat for fighting *for* his constituents?
Bit of a credibility gap there.
In other endorsement news,
...Congressman Harry Mitchell has endorsed Bob Lord, the candidate whose challenge in CD3 has incumbent Republican John Shadegg running scared (witness his vote in favor of the bailout bill)
...The AZ Rep has endorsed Democrat Tim Nelson for Maricopa County Attorney. Supporters of Andrew Thomas will undoubtedly point out the fact that Thomas didn't seek the Rep's endorsement. They will also undoubtedly ignore the fact that even Thomas knew better than to even bother after his abortive attempt to intimidate critics in the press into silence. The editors of the Rep don't seem to have forgotten the harassment, investigation and arrests of journalists from the Phoenix New Times.
...The endorsements issued by the Maricopa County GOP in the nonpartisan race for the Maricopa Integrated Health System board seems to have upset some of the snubbed candidates, most of whom are long-time Republicans. It seems that most of them didn't even *know* that endorsements were even being considered.
Should make for a fun time at the MCGOP's next organizing meeting after the election (probably sometime in January.)
As for canvasses this weekend...
...Governor Janet Napolitano will be in the East Valley on Saturday, walking and knocking with dozens (hundreds?? hint, hint :)) ) of enthusiastic volunteers.
First, at 8:30 a.m. join the Governor and State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill, State Representative Ed Ableser, and State Representative David Schapira at the Tempe coordinated campaign headquarters at 123 E. Baseline in Tempe. The office phone number is 480-820-2298.
After that at 9:30 a.m., the Governor will be making a stop in LD21 in Chandler to help Phil Hettmansperger. Meet up at Pima Park, 625 N. McQueen Dr. Chandler (East side of McQueen Rd, between Ray Rd. and Chandler Blvd.) Contact Darcy at the Tempe office at 480-820-2298.
...Ed Hermes, candidate for County Supervisor in District 1, will be holding a canvass in LD20 with Tim Nelson, Ted Maish (candidate for State Senate), and Rae Waters (State House) on Sunday, October 5. The walk is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. Contact the campaign at ed[at]edhermes.com or 480-234-1753.
...In LD18, Judah Nativio and Tammie Pursley will be busy this weekend. Contact them at http://www.electnativio.com/homepage.php or http://www.pursleyforchange.com/08/.
...In LD8 and LD7, contact the Scottsdale coordinated campaign office located at 7950 E Acoma Dr. at 480-607-4435. Candidates Stephanie Rimmer (LD8), Jeanne Lunn (LD7), Joel Sinclaire (County Supervisor SD2) and Marilyn Fox (SD3) as well as Congressman Harry Mitchell all need your help.
Later!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
In the news...
...Congrats all the way around to LD17's legislative delegation of Senator Meg Burton Cahill, Representative Ed Ableser, and Representative David Schapira (Democrats, one and all). Each earned a grade of 100% from the Arizona League of Conservation Voters in their Legislative Scorecard for the 2008 session. While there were many high-scoring districts, LD17 was the only district where more than one legislator earned a grade of 100%.
On the opposite end of the scale was LD3, with Sen. Ron Gould and Reps. Trish Groe and Nancy McClain (Rs one and all - of course) earning an average score of 27%.
...While it's been a lot of fun to watch the LD18 Republicans tear themselves apart (LOTS of fun :) ), the media coverage of all of the negative campaigning and polls conducted by Republican firms has all but ignored Tammie Pursley and Judah Nativio, the strong Democratic candidates in the west Mesa district (for House and Senate, respectively). However, the EV Tribune ran a full story on Nativio on Thursday. It was a pretty good piece, one that pointed out that the race for the LD18 senate seat won't end on September 2nd when the contest between immigration attorney (and brother-in-law of Congressman Jeff Flake) Kevin Gibbons reaches its conclusion.
The real race will just be beginning.
...Friday morning at 10, the AZ Democrats will be holding a rally to highlight John McCain's close ties to Big Oil. The rally will take place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the southwest corner of 48th St. and Thomas, across from the Mobil station.
...Apparently nobody told McCain and the Republicans that they've been calling themselves the party of private property rights - they're getting sued for misappropriating and misusing someone's private property.
From AP -
Jackson Browne sues McCain, RNC over song in ad
Jackson Browne doesn't want John McCain running on anything fueled by his lyrics.
The singer-songwriter sued McCain and the Ohio and national Republican committees in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of using his song "Running on Empty" without his permission.
Perhaps their "respect" for private property rights just doesn't apply to the property of famous liberals...
...In an example of willful irony (OK, it was shameless hypocrisy, but I'm trying to be tactful here - this isn't supposed to be an unmitigated McCain-bashing post), McCain has criticized the Russian invasion of Georgia (the country, not the state), saying things like "In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations."
Iraq, John. Iraq.
...Darragh Murphy, head of PUMA PAC, an organization that purports to be a group of grassroots Hillary Clinton supporters working to secure her nomination at the Democratic Convention in two weeks, has some credibility problems.
It turns out that in 2000, she supported John McCain in the Republican Presidential primary to the tune of $500.
Can you say "astroturf"?
This stuff and other stuff about PUMA PAC has been going around the internet for a more than a month now, but she was blathering (and getting ripped apart) on Hardball on Thursday. So I figured that it was my turn (I know a couple of Clinton delegates who read this blog).
...And in goofy news of the day, a Chandler resident wants his city to sue the Obama campaign because he feels that the campaign's logo is so similar to the City of Chandler's logo that it constitutes trademark infringement. (AZ Republic)
I think it's BS, but you decide (logos courtesy the AZRep article linked above) -
Later!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Events and other election stuff (and an Ethics Committee hearing into Jack Harper's behavior)...
...Tuesday, August 12 - As chronicled by Zelph at AZNetroots, the hearing by the Senate Ethics Committee, putatively to investigate the actions of Sen. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. At the end of the Senate session in June, Harper abused his power as the chair of the Senate meeting to cut off Democratic Senators Paula Aboud and Ken Cheuvront. He was trying to railroad an anti-same sex marriage constitutional amendment on to the November ballot; they were working to prevent that. When Harper arbitrarily shut off the Dems' microphones, he violated Senate rules.
However justified the hearing may be, it's nothing but a sham as two of the three Republican members of the five-member committee, Sens. Barbara Leff and Robert Blendu, have already announced that they don't think that Harper committed any violations. Still, it could be interesting to watch the hearing; while the outcome is all but determined, some of the nuances and shadings of the proceedings could be fun (like who shows up to watch, how long they make Harper squirm before giving him a free pass, etc.) Video should be available here.
...Tuesday, August 12 - The LD17 Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at the Pyle Center in Tempe (SW corner of Baseline and Rural). The special guest speaker will be Congressman Harry Mitchell. Other highlights include Adralyn Wendel from the coordinated campaign office, campaign updates, and T-SHIRTS!
...Tuesday, August 12 - Rebecca Schneider and Chris Gramazio, Democratic challengers to Congressman Jeff Flake (R-CD6), will hold a debate at the main branch of the Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
...The Ed Hermes for County Supervisor campaign will be holding phone banks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and canvassing in LD20 on Sunday, August 17. For more details, contact the campaign at 480-626-8100 or stop by the campaign HQ at 7305 W. Boston St., Chandler.
...Friday, August 15 - There will be an open house at the coordinated campaign office in Tempe (123 E. Baseline - SE corner Mill and Baseline). Stop by from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and meet Congressman Harry Mitchell, LD17 State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill, and LD17 State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira as well at Ted Maish and Rae Waters (LD 20 Candidates), Phil Hettmansperger (LD 21 Candidate), Tammy Pursley and Judah Nativio (LD 18 Candidates), and Ed Hermes (County Board of Supervisors Candidate).
...In "non-event but still pretty informative (and funny) news, the AZ Democratic Party has launched ShadeggforSenate.com, dedicated to the future political aspirations of Congressman John Shadegg (R-Calgon, take me away!). It's a sharp needle aimed toward the balloon of Shadegg's career in D.C., but it has a tough act to follow in the Maricopa County Democratic Party's Joe'sGotToGo.com, aimed at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Later!
However justified the hearing may be, it's nothing but a sham as two of the three Republican members of the five-member committee, Sens. Barbara Leff and Robert Blendu, have already announced that they don't think that Harper committed any violations. Still, it could be interesting to watch the hearing; while the outcome is all but determined, some of the nuances and shadings of the proceedings could be fun (like who shows up to watch, how long they make Harper squirm before giving him a free pass, etc.) Video should be available here.
...Tuesday, August 12 - The LD17 Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at the Pyle Center in Tempe (SW corner of Baseline and Rural). The special guest speaker will be Congressman Harry Mitchell. Other highlights include Adralyn Wendel from the coordinated campaign office, campaign updates, and T-SHIRTS!
...Tuesday, August 12 - Rebecca Schneider and Chris Gramazio, Democratic challengers to Congressman Jeff Flake (R-CD6), will hold a debate at the main branch of the Chandler Library, 22 S. Delaware St.
...The Ed Hermes for County Supervisor campaign will be holding phone banks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and canvassing in LD20 on Sunday, August 17. For more details, contact the campaign at 480-626-8100 or stop by the campaign HQ at 7305 W. Boston St., Chandler.
...Friday, August 15 - There will be an open house at the coordinated campaign office in Tempe (123 E. Baseline - SE corner Mill and Baseline). Stop by from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and meet Congressman Harry Mitchell, LD17 State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill, and LD17 State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira as well at Ted Maish and Rae Waters (LD 20 Candidates), Phil Hettmansperger (LD 21 Candidate), Tammy Pursley and Judah Nativio (LD 18 Candidates), and Ed Hermes (County Board of Supervisors Candidate).
...In "non-event but still pretty informative (and funny) news, the AZ Democratic Party has launched ShadeggforSenate.com, dedicated to the future political aspirations of Congressman John Shadegg (R-Calgon, take me away!). It's a sharp needle aimed toward the balloon of Shadegg's career in D.C., but it has a tough act to follow in the Maricopa County Democratic Party's Joe'sGotToGo.com, aimed at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Later!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Mail Call...
Time for the second of this year's "mail call" posts, and this one is a big one - the primary ballot is here.
While exciting for political geeks, the ballot itself is actually a bit of a disappointment - the Democratic ballot in the LD17 section of Scottsdale contains as many "no candidate races" as it does actual primary contests.
There are four contests - Corporation Commission, Maricopa County Attorney, Mayor of Scottsdale, and Scottsdale City Council (those last two are non-partisan races - they're on all ballots in Scottsdale.)
Uncontested by Democratic candidates are the offices of Maricopa County Recorder, Assessor, School Superintendent, and Treasurer.
Those seats haven't been contested by Democrats since before 2000, the earliest I could find results for on the Maricopa County Recorder's website.
Now, these offices aren't exactly the highest profile offices. I can only name the holder of one of them - Helen Purcell, the County Recorder.
And that's only because, political geek that I am :) , I spend so much time on her office's website.
As for the rest of them, they're notable mostly when they do something that they shouldn't.
Having said that, in spite of the relative anonymity of the jobs, it's still disappointing that no challengers could be found (hey! To anyone who is considering a run for office, you might want to consider this - state legislators earn $24K per year; the four county officer positions mentioned in this post earn over $67K per year. Just something to think about...)
Anyway, I'll mull over the choices on the primary ballot (the County Attorney and Scottsdale City Council races are especially tough) and fill out and return my ballot in the next week or so.
This post does provide a good excuse to list the contact info for the various Democratic candidates on ballots in Scottsdale, Tempe, and west Mesa (all info courtesy the candidates' websites or their AZ Rep questionnaires) -
Congressman Harry Mitchell (CD5)
http://www.harry2008.com/
123 East Baseline Road (SE corner of Mill and Baseline)
Suite D-102
Tempe
480-755-3343
info@harry2008.com
Representative David Schapira (LD17)
480-626-8100
http://www.davidforaz.com/ds/index.htm
info@davidforaz.com
Representative Ed Ableser (LD17)
http://www.edableser.com/
1-877-868-3392
info@edableser.com
Ed Hermes, candidate for SD1 County Supervisor
http://www.edhermes.com/Home.html
7305 W. Boston
Chandler
480-626-8100
Joel Sinclaire, candidate for SD2 County Supervisor
25249 North Ranch Gate Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(602) 821-3800
Joel@ElectSinclaire.com
ElectSinclaire.com
Stephanie Rimmer, candidate for State Representative (LD8)
http://www.stephanierimmer.com/
stephanie@stephanierimmer.com
602.432.2486
Judah Nativio, candidate for State Senator (LD18)
http://www.electnativio.com/
3440 East Southern Ave. #1109
Mesa AZ 85204 480-861-2160
judah@electnativio.com
Tammie Pursley, candidate for State Representative (LD18)
http://www.pursleyforchange.com/08/
(602) 373-1707
1544 N. 1st Place
Mesa, AZ 85201
Dan Saban, candidate for County Sheriff
602-390-3136
http://www.sabanforsheriff.com/2008
info@sabanforsheriff.com
Gerald Richard, candidate for County Attorney
4003 E. Agave Rd.
Phoenix, Arizona 85044
602-513-2743
http://richardforcountyattorney.com/
info@richardforcountyattorney.com
Tim Nelson, candidate for County Attorney
4340 East Indian School Road
Suite 21-119
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 672-2938
http://www.timnelson2008.com/
info@richardforcountyattorney.com
For more information on candidates for statewide office or in other LDs, visit the AZ Dems' website.
While exciting for political geeks, the ballot itself is actually a bit of a disappointment - the Democratic ballot in the LD17 section of Scottsdale contains as many "no candidate races" as it does actual primary contests.
There are four contests - Corporation Commission, Maricopa County Attorney, Mayor of Scottsdale, and Scottsdale City Council (those last two are non-partisan races - they're on all ballots in Scottsdale.)
Uncontested by Democratic candidates are the offices of Maricopa County Recorder, Assessor, School Superintendent, and Treasurer.
Those seats haven't been contested by Democrats since before 2000, the earliest I could find results for on the Maricopa County Recorder's website.
Now, these offices aren't exactly the highest profile offices. I can only name the holder of one of them - Helen Purcell, the County Recorder.
And that's only because, political geek that I am :) , I spend so much time on her office's website.
As for the rest of them, they're notable mostly when they do something that they shouldn't.
Having said that, in spite of the relative anonymity of the jobs, it's still disappointing that no challengers could be found (hey! To anyone who is considering a run for office, you might want to consider this - state legislators earn $24K per year; the four county officer positions mentioned in this post earn over $67K per year. Just something to think about...)
Anyway, I'll mull over the choices on the primary ballot (the County Attorney and Scottsdale City Council races are especially tough) and fill out and return my ballot in the next week or so.
This post does provide a good excuse to list the contact info for the various Democratic candidates on ballots in Scottsdale, Tempe, and west Mesa (all info courtesy the candidates' websites or their AZ Rep questionnaires) -
Congressman Harry Mitchell (CD5)
http://www.harry2008.com/
123 East Baseline Road (SE corner of Mill and Baseline)
Suite D-102
Tempe
480-755-3343
info@harry2008.com
Representative David Schapira (LD17)
480-626-8100
http://www.davidforaz.com/ds/index.htm
info@davidforaz.com
Representative Ed Ableser (LD17)
http://www.edableser.com/
1-877-868-3392
info@edableser.com
Ed Hermes, candidate for SD1 County Supervisor
http://www.edhermes.com/Home.html
7305 W. Boston
Chandler
480-626-8100
Joel Sinclaire, candidate for SD2 County Supervisor
25249 North Ranch Gate Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(602) 821-3800
Joel@ElectSinclaire.com
ElectSinclaire.com
Stephanie Rimmer, candidate for State Representative (LD8)
http://www.stephanierimmer.com/
stephanie@stephanierimmer.com
602.432.2486
Judah Nativio, candidate for State Senator (LD18)
http://www.electnativio.com/
3440 East Southern Ave. #1109
Mesa AZ 85204 480-861-2160
judah@electnativio.com
Tammie Pursley, candidate for State Representative (LD18)
http://www.pursleyforchange.com/08/
(602) 373-1707
1544 N. 1st Place
Mesa, AZ 85201
Dan Saban, candidate for County Sheriff
602-390-3136
http://www.sabanforsheriff.com/2008
info@sabanforsheriff.com
Gerald Richard, candidate for County Attorney
4003 E. Agave Rd.
Phoenix, Arizona 85044
602-513-2743
http://richardforcountyattorney.com/
info@richardforcountyattorney.com
Tim Nelson, candidate for County Attorney
4340 East Indian School Road
Suite 21-119
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 672-2938
http://www.timnelson2008.com/
info@richardforcountyattorney.com
For more information on candidates for statewide office or in other LDs, visit the AZ Dems' website.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mail Call
The first "mail call" post of the 2008 election season will be a brief one.
Official candidate publicity pamplets are starting to reach voters across the state.
...The first to hit mailboxes in Scottsdale was the City of Scottsdale's candidate information pamphlet (.pdf available here). That one showed up late last week, and it's pretty straightforward.
...Reaching town today was the Clean Elections Commission's "2008 Statewide & Legislative Candidate Statements - Primary Election" brochure (.pdf available here).
That one was a little more interesting. Where the Scottsdale candidates used their statements as a platform for a "why you should vote for me" message, Mark Thompson, one of the Republican challengers, spent most of his statement attacking the Democratic incumbents, David Schapira and Ed Ableser. He criticized them for being young (no children or grandchildren), for being teachers (not business owners) and for, of all the crazy things for a Republican to criticize someone over, for being too fiscally responsible.
From his statement -
Of course, Thompson may only be worried about Democratic measures to balance a budget, something that George Bush and his fellow Republicans obviously don't worry about. Thompson gives Republicans a free pass for creating the deficits both state and federal in the first place, with their tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.
Another curious aspect of the statements of Thompson and Wes Waddle, the other Republican running in the district, is that neither one mentions Tempe, Scottsdale, or LD17 in the statement.
You know, the place that they allegedly want to represent.
Both Schapira and Ableser, as well as the incumbent State Senator Meg Burton Cahill (D), did write about their efforts in representing the district down at the state lege.
Her challenger, Republican Jesse Hernandez, didn't make the same omission in his statement.
Of course, that's only because he didn't submit any statement at all.
Later!
Official candidate publicity pamplets are starting to reach voters across the state.
...The first to hit mailboxes in Scottsdale was the City of Scottsdale's candidate information pamphlet (.pdf available here). That one showed up late last week, and it's pretty straightforward.
...Reaching town today was the Clean Elections Commission's "2008 Statewide & Legislative Candidate Statements - Primary Election" brochure (.pdf available here).
That one was a little more interesting. Where the Scottsdale candidates used their statements as a platform for a "why you should vote for me" message, Mark Thompson, one of the Republican challengers, spent most of his statement attacking the Democratic incumbents, David Schapira and Ed Ableser. He criticized them for being young (no children or grandchildren), for being teachers (not business owners) and for, of all the crazy things for a Republican to criticize someone over, for being too fiscally responsible.
From his statement -
"Government should not be allowed to indebt future generations to avoid being responsible and accountable today."
Of course, Thompson may only be worried about Democratic measures to balance a budget, something that George Bush and his fellow Republicans obviously don't worry about. Thompson gives Republicans a free pass for creating the deficits both state and federal in the first place, with their tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.
Another curious aspect of the statements of Thompson and Wes Waddle, the other Republican running in the district, is that neither one mentions Tempe, Scottsdale, or LD17 in the statement.
You know, the place that they allegedly want to represent.
Both Schapira and Ableser, as well as the incumbent State Senator Meg Burton Cahill (D), did write about their efforts in representing the district down at the state lege.
Her challenger, Republican Jesse Hernandez, didn't make the same omission in his statement.
Of course, that's only because he didn't submit any statement at all.
Later!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Short Attention Span Musing
...In this post, Greg at Espresso Pundit brought up a good point about Scottsdale's elections, and the impact of the move to a September/November cycle from a March/May one.
The point that he made was that the Republican primary in CD5 likely will elevate the Republican turnout for September's election.
This wouldn't be significant under the old March/May municipal election schedule, as Scottsdale's municipal elections are non-partisan.
Under the old schedule, it wouldn't matter that Mayor Mary Manross is a registered Democrat or that her challenger Councilman Jim Lane is a Republican.
However, the new schedule and the expected elevated Republican turnout on a primary day where the only significant Democratic race is for County Attorney (not a race that will elevate Democratic primary turnout - most of us are focused on November, not September) could contribute to a Lane upset over the favored incumbent, Manross.
Greg's point is a valid one, but I'm not sure it quite fits in Scottsdale.
In a city like Scottsdale, partisan political concerns take a back seat to financial political concerns, and Manross is seen as whole-heartedly representing the city's moneyed interests (witness the Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of her); Lane is quiet about it, but he supports the more socially extreme wing of his party (witness his active support of JD Hayworth in 2006).
The CD5 primary *will* elevate Republican turnout in Scottsdale for September's election, but the increased turnout won't just bring out the socially conservative Republicans, it'll bring out the money-focused ones, too.
In short, the elevated turnout *should* help Lane somewhat, but it's going to have some benefit for Manross, too. The key factor in the race could be John Washington's write-in candidacy. If he pulls in enough votes to keep both Manross and Lane below 50% in the final tally, it will force a November runoff, and as Laura Pastor learned in last fall's elections in Phoenix (and Hut Hutson learned in Tempe this spring), it doesn't matter who's favored, *anything* can happen in a runoff.
...Want another reason to understand why change is needed in the Sheriff's office?
The East Valley Tribune is running a five-day series on the MCSO. Wednesday's headline -
"Reasonable Doubt: The evolution of MCSO into an immigration agency"
Just a reminder - the "MC" in "MCSO" stands for Maricopa County, not Border Patrol.
Even though Maricopa County is the stolen car capital of the country, Joe Arpaio's obsession with Mexicans has led to him taking dozens, sometimes hundreds, of deputies off of patrol duties to deploy them on anti-brown people, "broken taillight" sweeps.
Vote to return professionalism to the office of the Maricopa County Sheriff - Vote for Dan Saban.
...On July 20th, there will be two Democratic fundraisers that, while scheduled so as to not overlap, should provide an interesting contrast -
- From 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., there will be a Happy Birthday party for Congressman (and Tempe icon) Harry Mitchell at Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe (contact the campaign at 480.755.3343 or via email to herschel[at]harry2008.com for more details.)
- At 7:00 p.m., the Arizona Democratic Party is holding its annual Heritage Dinner, featuring special guest Congressman (and bane of grassroots Democratic activists everywhere) Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). (Contact the ADP at RSVP[at]azdem.org or (602) 234-6814 for more details.)
Can anyone guess which one will have the larger and more enthusiastic crowd? :)
Somebody should tell the ADP's schedulers that there are 365 days per year, and other than (maybe!) Christmas, Thanksgiving, and election days, any of the other 364 would have been a better choice for the Heritage Dinner.
BTW - I'm just teasing a little with this one - I've already been told that Harry will be at the Heritage Dinner. Turnout should be just fine there, too. :))
...The Arizona Sierra Club's report card for the just-completed session of the Arizona lege is out (and thank to Zelph at AZNetroots for the heads-up :) ).
It's interesting to note that the three Republicans who were in the lege but are running for Arizona Corporation Commission (those darn term limits!), Marian McClure, Bob Robson, and Bob Stump (state reps one and all) each earned "Fs" from the Sierra Club for their efforts in the lege.
It's hard to tell from the name, but the Corporation Commission is the political body best positioned to lead the quest for affordable alternative energy options and cleaner air in AZ.
Well, at least it will be when we elect actual public servants to the board, instead of people who are just as much industrial tools as any strip-mining excavator or coal-powered electrical generator.
Remember: Paul Newman, Sandra Kennedy, Kara Kelty, and Sam George for Corporation Commission - three of them will move on after the primary, and any of the four is better than any of the Republicans running. (Sorry, Sam George supporters, still haven't found a website for him :) ).
House report card here; Senate report card here.
BTW - LD17 legislators Sen. Burton Cahill and Representatives Ableser and Schapira all earned grades of "A" or better. Congrats to all three on jobs well done!
Later!
The point that he made was that the Republican primary in CD5 likely will elevate the Republican turnout for September's election.
This wouldn't be significant under the old March/May municipal election schedule, as Scottsdale's municipal elections are non-partisan.
Under the old schedule, it wouldn't matter that Mayor Mary Manross is a registered Democrat or that her challenger Councilman Jim Lane is a Republican.
However, the new schedule and the expected elevated Republican turnout on a primary day where the only significant Democratic race is for County Attorney (not a race that will elevate Democratic primary turnout - most of us are focused on November, not September) could contribute to a Lane upset over the favored incumbent, Manross.
Greg's point is a valid one, but I'm not sure it quite fits in Scottsdale.
In a city like Scottsdale, partisan political concerns take a back seat to financial political concerns, and Manross is seen as whole-heartedly representing the city's moneyed interests (witness the Chamber of Commerce's endorsement of her); Lane is quiet about it, but he supports the more socially extreme wing of his party (witness his active support of JD Hayworth in 2006).
The CD5 primary *will* elevate Republican turnout in Scottsdale for September's election, but the increased turnout won't just bring out the socially conservative Republicans, it'll bring out the money-focused ones, too.
In short, the elevated turnout *should* help Lane somewhat, but it's going to have some benefit for Manross, too. The key factor in the race could be John Washington's write-in candidacy. If he pulls in enough votes to keep both Manross and Lane below 50% in the final tally, it will force a November runoff, and as Laura Pastor learned in last fall's elections in Phoenix (and Hut Hutson learned in Tempe this spring), it doesn't matter who's favored, *anything* can happen in a runoff.
...Want another reason to understand why change is needed in the Sheriff's office?
The East Valley Tribune is running a five-day series on the MCSO. Wednesday's headline -
"Reasonable Doubt: The evolution of MCSO into an immigration agency"
Just a reminder - the "MC" in "MCSO" stands for Maricopa County, not Border Patrol.
Even though Maricopa County is the stolen car capital of the country, Joe Arpaio's obsession with Mexicans has led to him taking dozens, sometimes hundreds, of deputies off of patrol duties to deploy them on anti-brown people, "broken taillight" sweeps.
Vote to return professionalism to the office of the Maricopa County Sheriff - Vote for Dan Saban.
...On July 20th, there will be two Democratic fundraisers that, while scheduled so as to not overlap, should provide an interesting contrast -
- From 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., there will be a Happy Birthday party for Congressman (and Tempe icon) Harry Mitchell at Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe (contact the campaign at 480.755.3343 or via email to herschel[at]harry2008.com for more details.)
- At 7:00 p.m., the Arizona Democratic Party is holding its annual Heritage Dinner, featuring special guest Congressman (and bane of grassroots Democratic activists everywhere) Rahm Emanuel (D-IL). (Contact the ADP at RSVP[at]azdem.org or (602) 234-6814 for more details.)
Can anyone guess which one will have the larger and more enthusiastic crowd? :)
Somebody should tell the ADP's schedulers that there are 365 days per year, and other than (maybe!) Christmas, Thanksgiving, and election days, any of the other 364 would have been a better choice for the Heritage Dinner.
BTW - I'm just teasing a little with this one - I've already been told that Harry will be at the Heritage Dinner. Turnout should be just fine there, too. :))
...The Arizona Sierra Club's report card for the just-completed session of the Arizona lege is out (and thank to Zelph at AZNetroots for the heads-up :) ).
It's interesting to note that the three Republicans who were in the lege but are running for Arizona Corporation Commission (those darn term limits!), Marian McClure, Bob Robson, and Bob Stump (state reps one and all) each earned "Fs" from the Sierra Club for their efforts in the lege.
It's hard to tell from the name, but the Corporation Commission is the political body best positioned to lead the quest for affordable alternative energy options and cleaner air in AZ.
Well, at least it will be when we elect actual public servants to the board, instead of people who are just as much industrial tools as any strip-mining excavator or coal-powered electrical generator.
Remember: Paul Newman, Sandra Kennedy, Kara Kelty, and Sam George for Corporation Commission - three of them will move on after the primary, and any of the four is better than any of the Republicans running. (Sorry, Sam George supporters, still haven't found a website for him :) ).
House report card here; Senate report card here.
BTW - LD17 legislators Sen. Burton Cahill and Representatives Ableser and Schapira all earned grades of "A" or better. Congrats to all three on jobs well done!
Later!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Campaign Finance Reports - LD8, LD17, LD18
All info courtesy the website of the Arizona Secretary of State...
LD8 State Senate -
Carolyn Allen, Republican (traditional financing) - raised $22000, spent $8000, cash on hand $68000. Interesting names: Her entire list of contributors reads like a "Who's Who" of the Arizona business community (heavy on the healthcare sector), so in the interests of brevity, I won't list any of them, but one of the non-business community folks to contribute to her campaign was David Waid, former ED of the Arizona Democratic Party, who gave $100.
Robert Weber, Libertarian (Clean Elections financing) - Nada. Zip. Bupkes. No activity. At all. When I saw this report, I was going to question why go to the effort of getting on the ballot if he wasn't going to at least *try* to mount a campaign, but upon further reflection, I've decided not to go there.
Not because I'm feeling nice, but because Mr. Weber didn't actually qualify for the ballot.
LD8 State Representative -
Michele Reagan, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $11000, spent $11000, cash on hand of just under $46000. Interesting name: David Waid (again!) gave $200.
Stephanie Rimmer, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $2000, spent $1600, cash on hand of $400.
John Kavanagh, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $930, spent slightly less than $400, cash on hand slightly more than $500.
LD17 State Senate -
Meg Burton Cahill, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised almost $2900. spent $86, cash on hand of a little more than $2700.
Jesse Hernandez, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $250, spent $0, cash on hand $250.
LD17 State Representative -
David Schapira, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $16000 ($12921 CCEC funding), spent $2500, cash on hand $14200.
Ed Ableser, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $14600 ($12921 CCEC funding), spent $2400, cash on hand $12600.
Wes Waddle, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $500, spent $150, cash on hand $350.
Mark Thompson, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $1200, spent $100, cash on hand $1100.
LD18 State Senate -
Judah Nativio, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $960, spent just under $800, cash on hand of just under $800.
Kevin Gibbons, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $66000, spent $3500, cash on hand of just under $63000. Interesting names: State Rep. Lynne Pancrazi donated $200; Jean McGrath, former legislator and current member of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board, gave $100; Jim Pederson, former Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate gave $390. In addition, he had a large number of agriculture-related contributors, a large group from Yuma, of all places.
Russell Pearce, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $2300, spent $24000 ($23K had to do with closing the books on the Pearce Exploratory Committee), cash on hand $2600. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
I thought that Pearce's exploratory committee was a federal one formed for his abortive run at Jeff Flake's CD6 seat, so I'm not sure why anything related to it is showing up on his state report. I'll see what I can find out (aka - I'll call the Secretary of State's office and ask :) ).
LD18 Representative -
Tammie Pursley, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $1700, spent $350, cash on hand of $1300.
Cecil Ash, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $2950, spent $800, cash on hand of $2150. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
Steve Court, Republican (Clean Elections) -Raised almost $14700 ($12921 CCEC), spent $6500, cash on hand $8200. Received supplemental CCEC funding of $6461 ($19382 total) after the reporting period ended.
Kanani Henderson, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $1300, spent $260, cash on hand of nearly $1100.
Ron Middlebrook, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $1245, spent $0, cash on hand $1245. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
CCEC's LD18 candidate forum for Republican candidates (House and Senate) will be held on Thursday, July 10 at EVIT, 1601 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ from 6:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m.
I'll do a post on Corporation Commission candidate reports later on Thursday.
Later!
LD8 State Senate -
Carolyn Allen, Republican (traditional financing) - raised $22000, spent $8000, cash on hand $68000. Interesting names: Her entire list of contributors reads like a "Who's Who" of the Arizona business community (heavy on the healthcare sector), so in the interests of brevity, I won't list any of them, but one of the non-business community folks to contribute to her campaign was David Waid, former ED of the Arizona Democratic Party, who gave $100.
Robert Weber, Libertarian (Clean Elections financing) - Nada. Zip. Bupkes. No activity. At all. When I saw this report, I was going to question why go to the effort of getting on the ballot if he wasn't going to at least *try* to mount a campaign, but upon further reflection, I've decided not to go there.
Not because I'm feeling nice, but because Mr. Weber didn't actually qualify for the ballot.
LD8 State Representative -
Michele Reagan, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $11000, spent $11000, cash on hand of just under $46000. Interesting name: David Waid (again!) gave $200.
Stephanie Rimmer, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $2000, spent $1600, cash on hand of $400.
John Kavanagh, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $930, spent slightly less than $400, cash on hand slightly more than $500.
LD17 State Senate -
Meg Burton Cahill, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised almost $2900. spent $86, cash on hand of a little more than $2700.
Jesse Hernandez, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $250, spent $0, cash on hand $250.
LD17 State Representative -
David Schapira, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $16000 ($12921 CCEC funding), spent $2500, cash on hand $14200.
Ed Ableser, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $14600 ($12921 CCEC funding), spent $2400, cash on hand $12600.
Wes Waddle, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $500, spent $150, cash on hand $350.
Mark Thompson, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $1200, spent $100, cash on hand $1100.
LD18 State Senate -
Judah Nativio, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $960, spent just under $800, cash on hand of just under $800.
Kevin Gibbons, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $66000, spent $3500, cash on hand of just under $63000. Interesting names: State Rep. Lynne Pancrazi donated $200; Jean McGrath, former legislator and current member of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board, gave $100; Jim Pederson, former Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate gave $390. In addition, he had a large number of agriculture-related contributors, a large group from Yuma, of all places.
Russell Pearce, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $2300, spent $24000 ($23K had to do with closing the books on the Pearce Exploratory Committee), cash on hand $2600. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
I thought that Pearce's exploratory committee was a federal one formed for his abortive run at Jeff Flake's CD6 seat, so I'm not sure why anything related to it is showing up on his state report. I'll see what I can find out (aka - I'll call the Secretary of State's office and ask :) ).
LD18 Representative -
Tammie Pursley, Democrat (Clean Elections) - Raised $1700, spent $350, cash on hand of $1300.
Cecil Ash, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $2950, spent $800, cash on hand of $2150. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
Steve Court, Republican (Clean Elections) -Raised almost $14700 ($12921 CCEC), spent $6500, cash on hand $8200. Received supplemental CCEC funding of $6461 ($19382 total) after the reporting period ended.
Kanani Henderson, Republican (Traditional) - Raised $1300, spent $260, cash on hand of nearly $1100.
Ron Middlebrook, Republican (Clean Elections) - Raised $1245, spent $0, cash on hand $1245. Received $19382 CCEC funding after the reporting period ended.
CCEC's LD18 candidate forum for Republican candidates (House and Senate) will be held on Thursday, July 10 at EVIT, 1601 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ from 6:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m.
I'll do a post on Corporation Commission candidate reports later on Thursday.
Later!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
OK, sigs are in, and the races are set...
well, set pending verification of the sigs and any challenges...
Major races (Maricopa County, Mesa/Scottsdale/Tempe and statewide) contested by candidates from both major parties only. Many offices have Libertarian or Green candidates, but until one of those candidates garners enough support to make a difference in an election, I'm not going to waste space -
For County offices -
County Attorney -
Gerald Richard, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5186 submitted.
Tim Nelson, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5544 submitted.
Andrew Thomas, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 6518 submitted.
County Sheriff -
Dan Saban, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 9071 submitted.
Joe Arpaio, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 12853 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 1 -
Ed Hermes, Democrat. 482 sigs required, 1254 submitted.
Fulton Brock, Republican. 712 sigs required, 1583 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 2 -
Joel Sinclaire, Democrat. 389 sigs required, 666 submitted.
Don Stapley, Republican. 794 sigs required, 1733 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 3 -
Marilyn Fox, Democrat. 449 sigs required, 975 submitted.
Andrew Kunasek, Republican. 617 sigs required, 2837 submitted.
The incumbents in Supervisor Districts 4 and 5, Max Wilson (R) and Mary Rose Wilcox (D) respectively, will be running without opposition.
For State and Congressional offices -
CD5 -
Harry Mitchell, Democrat. 463 signatures required, 1486 submitted.
Mark Anderson, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1647 submitted.
Susan Bitter Smith, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1349 submitted.
Lee Gentry, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1352 submitted.
Laura Knaperek, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1795 submitted.
Jim Ogsbury, Republican. 683 signatures required, 3390 submitted.
David Schweikert, Republican. 683 signatures required, 2078 submitted.
Note - Perhaps in a surprise to everyone outside the Gentry household, the heretofore semi-mythical Lee Gentry's candidacy is for real. He even gathered more sigs than longtime Scottsdale pol Susan Bitter Smith.
CD6 -
Chris Gramazio, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 695 submitted.
Rebecca Schneider, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 863 submitted.
Scott Bergren, Republican. 922 signatures required, 1029 submitted.
Jeff Flake, Republican. 922 signatures required, 2860 submitted.
Note - Wow! Jeff Flake is facing a primary challenger running at him from the right, and it *isn't* Russell Pearce? Who would have guessed that this time last year? Hell, who would have guessed that someone would even *think* of running against the ultraconservative Flake, while trying to portray him as 'not conservative enough'?
LD8 State Senate -
Carolyn Allen, Republican. 527 signatures required, 812 submitted.
Note - Senator Allen is apparently running unopposed in both the primary and general elections.
LD17 State Senate -
Meg Burton Cahill, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 754 submitted.
Jesse Hernandez, Republican. 245 signatures required, 425 submitted.
LD18 State Senate -
Judah Nativio, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 258 submitted.
Kevin Gibbons, Republican. 245 signatures required, 362 submitted.
Russell Pearce, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.
Note - At 733 signatures, Russell Pearce submitted the maximum number.
LD8 State Representative -
Stephanie Rimmer, Democrat. 256 signatures required, 599 submitted.
John Kavanagh, Republican. 527 signatures required, 920 submitted.
Michelle Reagan, Republican. 527 signatures required, 1327 submitted.
LD17 State Representative -
Ed Ableser, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 715 submitted.
David Schapira, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 757 submitted.
Mark Thompson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 370 submitted.
Wes Waddle, Republican. 245 signatures required, 451 submitted.
Note - at 757 signatures, David Schapira subitted the maximum allowed.
LD18 State Representative -
Tammie Pursley, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 290 submitted.
Cecil Ash, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.
Steve Court, Republican. 245 signatures required, 536 submitted.
Kanani Henderson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 392 submitted.
Ron Middlebrook, Republican. 245 signatures required, 320 submitted.
Note - at 733 signatures, Cecil Ash submitted the maximum number allowed.
Corporation Commission -
Sam George, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 13915 submitted.
Kara Kelty, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 7172 submitted.
Sandra Kennedy, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 8343 submitted.
Paul Newman, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 9314 submitted.
John Allen, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6757 submitted.
Rick Fowlkes, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7741 submitted.
Joseph Hobbs, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7539 submitted.
Marian McClure, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6697 submitted.
Bob Robson, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9700 submitted.
Bob Stump, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9154 submitted.
Keith Swapp, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6811 submitted.
Barry Wong, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7700 submitted.
Note - According to a note on his campaign website, George Arredondo suspended his campaign because he couldn't get enough sigs.
And finally, for Scottsdale municipal offices, courtesy an email from City Clerk Carolyn Jagger, forwarded to me by Sonnie of COGS, [note added by me] -
You know, for what is essentially a 'cut and paste' post, this post took a lot of work. Back to quick and snarky after this... :))
Major races (Maricopa County, Mesa/Scottsdale/Tempe and statewide) contested by candidates from both major parties only. Many offices have Libertarian or Green candidates, but until one of those candidates garners enough support to make a difference in an election, I'm not going to waste space -
For County offices -
County Attorney -
Gerald Richard, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5186 submitted.
Tim Nelson, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 5544 submitted.
Andrew Thomas, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 6518 submitted.
County Sheriff -
Dan Saban, Democrat. 2338 sigs required, 9071 submitted.
Joe Arpaio, Republican. 3165 sigs required, 12853 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 1 -
Ed Hermes, Democrat. 482 sigs required, 1254 submitted.
Fulton Brock, Republican. 712 sigs required, 1583 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 2 -
Joel Sinclaire, Democrat. 389 sigs required, 666 submitted.
Don Stapley, Republican. 794 sigs required, 1733 submitted.
Board of Supervisors, District 3 -
Marilyn Fox, Democrat. 449 sigs required, 975 submitted.
Andrew Kunasek, Republican. 617 sigs required, 2837 submitted.
The incumbents in Supervisor Districts 4 and 5, Max Wilson (R) and Mary Rose Wilcox (D) respectively, will be running without opposition.
For State and Congressional offices -
CD5 -
Harry Mitchell, Democrat. 463 signatures required, 1486 submitted.
Mark Anderson, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1647 submitted.
Susan Bitter Smith, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1349 submitted.
Lee Gentry, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1352 submitted.
Laura Knaperek, Republican. 683 signatures required, 1795 submitted.
Jim Ogsbury, Republican. 683 signatures required, 3390 submitted.
David Schweikert, Republican. 683 signatures required, 2078 submitted.
Note - Perhaps in a surprise to everyone outside the Gentry household, the heretofore semi-mythical Lee Gentry's candidacy is for real. He even gathered more sigs than longtime Scottsdale pol Susan Bitter Smith.
CD6 -
Chris Gramazio, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 695 submitted.
Rebecca Schneider, Democrat. 494 signatures required, 863 submitted.
Scott Bergren, Republican. 922 signatures required, 1029 submitted.
Jeff Flake, Republican. 922 signatures required, 2860 submitted.
Note - Wow! Jeff Flake is facing a primary challenger running at him from the right, and it *isn't* Russell Pearce? Who would have guessed that this time last year? Hell, who would have guessed that someone would even *think* of running against the ultraconservative Flake, while trying to portray him as 'not conservative enough'?
LD8 State Senate -
Carolyn Allen, Republican. 527 signatures required, 812 submitted.
Note - Senator Allen is apparently running unopposed in both the primary and general elections.
LD17 State Senate -
Meg Burton Cahill, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 754 submitted.
Jesse Hernandez, Republican. 245 signatures required, 425 submitted.
LD18 State Senate -
Judah Nativio, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 258 submitted.
Kevin Gibbons, Republican. 245 signatures required, 362 submitted.
Russell Pearce, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.
Note - At 733 signatures, Russell Pearce submitted the maximum number.
LD8 State Representative -
Stephanie Rimmer, Democrat. 256 signatures required, 599 submitted.
John Kavanagh, Republican. 527 signatures required, 920 submitted.
Michelle Reagan, Republican. 527 signatures required, 1327 submitted.
LD17 State Representative -
Ed Ableser, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 715 submitted.
David Schapira, Democrat. 253 signatures required, 757 submitted.
Mark Thompson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 370 submitted.
Wes Waddle, Republican. 245 signatures required, 451 submitted.
Note - at 757 signatures, David Schapira subitted the maximum allowed.
LD18 State Representative -
Tammie Pursley, Democrat. 149 signatures required, 290 submitted.
Cecil Ash, Republican. 245 signatures required, 733 submitted.
Steve Court, Republican. 245 signatures required, 536 submitted.
Kanani Henderson, Republican. 245 signatures required, 392 submitted.
Ron Middlebrook, Republican. 245 signatures required, 320 submitted.
Note - at 733 signatures, Cecil Ash submitted the maximum number allowed.
Corporation Commission -
Sam George, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 13915 submitted.
Kara Kelty, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 7172 submitted.
Sandra Kennedy, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 8343 submitted.
Paul Newman, Democrat. 4580 signatures required, 9314 submitted.
John Allen, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6757 submitted.
Rick Fowlkes, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7741 submitted.
Joseph Hobbs, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7539 submitted.
Marian McClure, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6697 submitted.
Bob Robson, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9700 submitted.
Bob Stump, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 9154 submitted.
Keith Swapp, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 6811 submitted.
Barry Wong, Republican. 5184 signatures required, 7700 submitted.
Note - According to a note on his campaign website, George Arredondo suspended his campaign because he couldn't get enough sigs.
And finally, for Scottsdale municipal offices, courtesy an email from City Clerk Carolyn Jagger, forwarded to me by Sonnie of COGS, [note added by me] -
The following candidates for City Council filed nomination papers and petitions [1652 signatures required for all offices] :
Lisa Borowsky (3,323 signatures)
Joel Bramoweth (2,208 signatures)
Oren Davis (2,445 signatures)
Betty Drake (2,691 signatures)
Tom Giller (2,268 signatures)
Suzanne Klapp (2,672 signatures)
Ron McCullagh (2,481 signatures)
Nan Nesvig (2,599 signatures)
The following candidates for Mayor filed nomination papers and petitions:
W.J. "Jim" Lane (2,484 signatures)
Mary Manross (3,291 signatures)
Write-In Candidates: John Washington filed papers to run for as a write-in candidate for Mayor.
You know, for what is essentially a 'cut and paste' post, this post took a lot of work. Back to quick and snarky after this... :))
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Brief Elections Update - sigs rolling in
The following candidates from the Tempe/Scottsdale/Mesa area (aka - LDs 17, 8, and 18) have turned in their nominating petitions so far (the deadline is June 4, 2008) -
Michelle Reagan (R), running for LD8 State Representative (incumbent) - 1315 signatures, 527 required (traditional financing), filed May 20, 2008.
Ed Ableser (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 699 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.
David Schapira (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 757 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.
Cecil Ash (R), LD18 State Representative - 733 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 15, 2008.
Steve Court (R), LD18 State Representative - 536 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 8, 2008.
Ron Middlebrook (R), LD18 State Representative - 320 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed April 15, 2008.
The following candidates for Corporation Commission have filed their petitions -
Sandra Kennedy (D) - 6353 signatures, 4580 required (Clean Elections), filed May 16, 2008.
Rick Fowlkes (R) - 6626 signatures, 5184 required (Clean Elections), filed May 19, 2008.
Above info courtesy the Arizona Secretary of State's website (current as of 5/2.1.2008)
And as for Maricopa County races -
Tim Nelson (D), candidate for County Attorney, 5276 signatures, 2338 required.
Dan Saban (D), candidate for County Sheriff, 8002 signatures, 2338 required.
Ed Hermes (D), candidate for District 1 County Supervisor, 1093 signatures, 482 required.
Mary Rose Wilcox (D) candidate for District 5 County Supervisor (incumbent), 1191 signatures, 448 required.
County race info courtesy the Maricopa County Clerk's website, information current as of 5/19/2008.
Expect a flood of petitions to hit the county clerk's office and the SOS's office next week.
Later...
Michelle Reagan (R), running for LD8 State Representative (incumbent) - 1315 signatures, 527 required (traditional financing), filed May 20, 2008.
Ed Ableser (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 699 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.
David Schapira (D), LD17 State Representative (incumbent) - 757 signatures, 253 required (Clean Elections), filed April 17, 2008.
Cecil Ash (R), LD18 State Representative - 733 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 15, 2008.
Steve Court (R), LD18 State Representative - 536 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed May 8, 2008.
Ron Middlebrook (R), LD18 State Representative - 320 signatures, 245 required (Clean Elections), filed April 15, 2008.
The following candidates for Corporation Commission have filed their petitions -
Sandra Kennedy (D) - 6353 signatures, 4580 required (Clean Elections), filed May 16, 2008.
Rick Fowlkes (R) - 6626 signatures, 5184 required (Clean Elections), filed May 19, 2008.
Above info courtesy the Arizona Secretary of State's website (current as of 5/2.1.2008)
And as for Maricopa County races -
Tim Nelson (D), candidate for County Attorney, 5276 signatures, 2338 required.
Dan Saban (D), candidate for County Sheriff, 8002 signatures, 2338 required.
Ed Hermes (D), candidate for District 1 County Supervisor, 1093 signatures, 482 required.
Mary Rose Wilcox (D) candidate for District 5 County Supervisor (incumbent), 1191 signatures, 448 required.
County race info courtesy the Maricopa County Clerk's website, information current as of 5/19/2008.
Expect a flood of petitions to hit the county clerk's office and the SOS's office next week.
Later...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Arizona's district level delegates
...Edit to add a candidate that I had forgotten. Thanks to commenter Tim for the reminder...
...Edited on 23 March to correct some mistakes I made in the bio of Dritan Zela, a candidate for delegate. My sincerest apologies to Mr. Zela for the errors. No disrespect was intended; I just took poor notes at the meeting.
End edit...
Thanks are due to everyone who ran for a delegate spot, and congratulations to everyone who won -
CD1
Clinton - Jack Jackson Jr., Greg Kaighn, Dawn Knight, Nikki Basque (Alt)
Obama - Christopher Clark-Dechene, Angela LaFevre
CD 2
Clinton - Bree Boehlke, Debra Boehlke, Robert Boehlke, Matthew Miller (Alt)
Obama - Shirley McAllister, Eddie Smith
CD 3
Clinton - Jim Pederson, Lois Pfau, Howard Bell, Lisa White (alt)
Obama - Mark Manoil, Genevieve Vega
CD 4
Clinton - Dana Kennedy, Jose Rivas
Obama - David Gass, Kate Widland
CD 5
Clinton - Angie Crouse (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!), George Paterakis
Obama - Sean Bowie, Donna Gratehouse, Laren Kuby (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!) , Jim Brodie (alt)
CD 6
Clinton - Beverly Fox-Miller, Roman Ulman, Elizabeth Brown (alt)
Obama - John Chiazza, Kit Filbey
CD 7
Clinton - David Martinez, Gail Beeler
Obama - Paul Eckerstrom, Lisa Fernandez
CD 8
Clinton - Chris Campas, Elly Anderson, JoJene Mills, Bruce Heurlin (alt)
Obama - John C. Adams, Patricia Canady
I attended the CD5 Obama caucus where we had a diverse slate of enthusiastic candidates to choose from. The candidates ranged from an Albanian immigrant/Fulbright Scholar in Mathematics (who gave a moving speech on what America, democracy, and Obama means to someone who was born in and lived under one of the world's most repressive regimes - Dritan Zela) to a lifelong Democratic activist ("I campaigned for FDR as a fetus" - Jerry Gettinger).
When the balloting was complete, the winning candidates were people who were both dedicated volunteers for Senator Obama and long-time Democratic activists who were exhilarated over their selections.
Other notes from the caucus -
...Under caucus rules, candidates did not have to be present to win, which is a great ideal. However, future delegate candidates should learn from the results in CD5 - "no show" meant "no votes."
...A number of candidates for office showed up to work the rooms for supporters.
- Joel Sinclaire, candidate for District 2 Maricopa County Supervisor, was there, speaking passionately about the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability on the part of the County and all of its agencies (yes, he was definitely referring to a certain Honduras-junketing sheriff's office and a certain no-bid-contracts-to-favored-outside-law-firms-issuing county attorney's office.) His campaign website is still under construction, but the email works. Contact him at Joel[at]electsinclaire.com if you want to help out.
- Stephanie Rimmer, candidate for LD8 House, also was there. She's a small business owner and longtime community activist who's making a second run in LD8. She's running as a Clean Elections candidate, so she needs $5s and signatures. Her website is here, and she can be contacted at stephanie[at]stephanierimmer.com.
- Ed Hermes, candidate for District 1 Maricopa County Supervisor was present, bringing his energetic campaign to unseat Fulton Brock. He needs help with contributions, both financial (no Clean Elections at the county level yet) and time. Contact him at ed[at]edhermes.com if you want to help.
- LD17 state representatives (and candidates for reelection!) David Schapira and Ed Ableser were also candidates for district level delgates for Obama, but they graciously withdrew because they have the opportunity to gain delegate slots as party leader/elected official (PLEO) delegates. That selection process is upcoming. They're still collecting Clean Elections 5s and signatures.
Later!
...Edited on 23 March to correct some mistakes I made in the bio of Dritan Zela, a candidate for delegate. My sincerest apologies to Mr. Zela for the errors. No disrespect was intended; I just took poor notes at the meeting.
End edit...
Thanks are due to everyone who ran for a delegate spot, and congratulations to everyone who won -
CD1
Clinton - Jack Jackson Jr., Greg Kaighn, Dawn Knight, Nikki Basque (Alt)
Obama - Christopher Clark-Dechene, Angela LaFevre
CD 2
Clinton - Bree Boehlke, Debra Boehlke, Robert Boehlke, Matthew Miller (Alt)
Obama - Shirley McAllister, Eddie Smith
CD 3
Clinton - Jim Pederson, Lois Pfau, Howard Bell, Lisa White (alt)
Obama - Mark Manoil, Genevieve Vega
CD 4
Clinton - Dana Kennedy, Jose Rivas
Obama - David Gass, Kate Widland
CD 5
Clinton - Angie Crouse (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!), George Paterakis
Obama - Sean Bowie, Donna Gratehouse, Laren Kuby (LD17 Vice-Chair - whoooo hoooo!!!) , Jim Brodie (alt)
CD 6
Clinton - Beverly Fox-Miller, Roman Ulman, Elizabeth Brown (alt)
Obama - John Chiazza, Kit Filbey
CD 7
Clinton - David Martinez, Gail Beeler
Obama - Paul Eckerstrom, Lisa Fernandez
CD 8
Clinton - Chris Campas, Elly Anderson, JoJene Mills, Bruce Heurlin (alt)
Obama - John C. Adams, Patricia Canady
I attended the CD5 Obama caucus where we had a diverse slate of enthusiastic candidates to choose from. The candidates ranged from an Albanian immigrant/Fulbright Scholar in Mathematics (who gave a moving speech on what America, democracy, and Obama means to someone who was born in and lived under one of the world's most repressive regimes - Dritan Zela) to a lifelong Democratic activist ("I campaigned for FDR as a fetus" - Jerry Gettinger).
When the balloting was complete, the winning candidates were people who were both dedicated volunteers for Senator Obama and long-time Democratic activists who were exhilarated over their selections.
Other notes from the caucus -
...Under caucus rules, candidates did not have to be present to win, which is a great ideal. However, future delegate candidates should learn from the results in CD5 - "no show" meant "no votes."
...A number of candidates for office showed up to work the rooms for supporters.
- Joel Sinclaire, candidate for District 2 Maricopa County Supervisor, was there, speaking passionately about the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability on the part of the County and all of its agencies (yes, he was definitely referring to a certain Honduras-junketing sheriff's office and a certain no-bid-contracts-to-favored-outside-law-firms-issuing county attorney's office.) His campaign website is still under construction, but the email works. Contact him at Joel[at]electsinclaire.com if you want to help out.
- Stephanie Rimmer, candidate for LD8 House, also was there. She's a small business owner and longtime community activist who's making a second run in LD8. She's running as a Clean Elections candidate, so she needs $5s and signatures. Her website is here, and she can be contacted at stephanie[at]stephanierimmer.com.
- Ed Hermes, candidate for District 1 Maricopa County Supervisor was present, bringing his energetic campaign to unseat Fulton Brock. He needs help with contributions, both financial (no Clean Elections at the county level yet) and time. Contact him at ed[at]edhermes.com if you want to help.
- LD17 state representatives (and candidates for reelection!) David Schapira and Ed Ableser were also candidates for district level delgates for Obama, but they graciously withdrew because they have the opportunity to gain delegate slots as party leader/elected official (PLEO) delegates. That selection process is upcoming. They're still collecting Clean Elections 5s and signatures.
Later!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Legislative candidate update
After reading this post at SeeingRedAZ about how Congressman Jeff Flake's brother-in-law has filed to challenge Russell Pearce in the LD18 Senate primary, I realized that it's high time to check for active candidate committees. All info courtesy the Arizona Secretary of State's website. I cross-checked the names at the Clean Elections website, but there were no names on the CCEC list of candidates that weren't also on the AZSOS's site.
(* = incumbent)
LD17 Senator (Tempe, South Scottsdale) -
Democrats - Meg Burton-Cahill*
Republicans - None yet
LD17 Representative -
Democrats - David Schapira*, Ed Ableser*
Republicans - Wesley Waddle, Mark Thompson (exploratory)
...This district is almost certain to have the hardest-fought general election. While the voter reg trends in the district favor Democrats (whoooo hoooo!), it's still almost evenly split in this district. I have heard of a couple of other possible Rep contenders, but they haven't announced yet, and since I'm not a Rep, I don't exactly have stellar sources among them in order to confirm/refute the rumors. :)
LD18 Representative (West Mesa) -
Democrats - Tammie Pursley
Republicans - Cecil Ash, Joe Dobbins, Steve Court, Kanani Henderson, Ron Middlebrook
LD18 Senator -
Democrats - Judah Nativio
Republicans - Russell Pearce, Kevin Gibbons
...Hmmmm....Both of LD18's Republican primaries look to be dogfights - 5 candidates running for two spots in the race for state rep, and Jeff Flake's brother-in-law running against Russell Pearce in an apparent bit of payback for Pearce's abortive primary challenge of Flake for the CD6 seat. There are no incumbents running in LD18 because Russell Pearce is term-limited out of the House, Karen Johnson has stepped aside to allow Pearce to run for the Senate seat that she currently holds, and current state representative Mark Anderson is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Harry Mitchell in CD5.
LD8 Senate (North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) -
Republicans - Carolyn Allen*
Democrats - None yet
LD8 Representative -
Republicans - Michelle Reagan*, John Kavanagh*
Democrats - None yet
...Expect Democratic candidates to step forward in LD8; I know of a couple of folks who are mulling over a run, but have yet to announce. Anybody who is interested in running should contact the LD8 Dems at (480) 596-8350.
Later!
(* = incumbent)
LD17 Senator (Tempe, South Scottsdale) -
Democrats - Meg Burton-Cahill*
Republicans - None yet
LD17 Representative -
Democrats - David Schapira*, Ed Ableser*
Republicans - Wesley Waddle, Mark Thompson (exploratory)
...This district is almost certain to have the hardest-fought general election. While the voter reg trends in the district favor Democrats (whoooo hoooo!), it's still almost evenly split in this district. I have heard of a couple of other possible Rep contenders, but they haven't announced yet, and since I'm not a Rep, I don't exactly have stellar sources among them in order to confirm/refute the rumors. :)
LD18 Representative (West Mesa) -
Democrats - Tammie Pursley
Republicans - Cecil Ash, Joe Dobbins, Steve Court, Kanani Henderson, Ron Middlebrook
LD18 Senator -
Democrats - Judah Nativio
Republicans - Russell Pearce, Kevin Gibbons
...Hmmmm....Both of LD18's Republican primaries look to be dogfights - 5 candidates running for two spots in the race for state rep, and Jeff Flake's brother-in-law running against Russell Pearce in an apparent bit of payback for Pearce's abortive primary challenge of Flake for the CD6 seat. There are no incumbents running in LD18 because Russell Pearce is term-limited out of the House, Karen Johnson has stepped aside to allow Pearce to run for the Senate seat that she currently holds, and current state representative Mark Anderson is running for the Republican nomination to challenge Harry Mitchell in CD5.
LD8 Senate (North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills) -
Republicans - Carolyn Allen*
Democrats - None yet
LD8 Representative -
Republicans - Michelle Reagan*, John Kavanagh*
Democrats - None yet
...Expect Democratic candidates to step forward in LD8; I know of a couple of folks who are mulling over a run, but have yet to announce. Anybody who is interested in running should contact the LD8 Dems at (480) 596-8350.
Later!
Friday, February 29, 2008
LD17 legislators in the news
State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill -
...Sen. Burton-Cahill attended a forum in Tempe regarding health concerns at Corona del Sol High School. From the AZ Republic -
...Burton-Cahill was mentioned in an ASU Web Devil article about her bill to regulate tattoo parlors, SB1321. No quotes, though.
...She was also mentioned in an AZ Rep article about the lege's consideration of Sen. Jack Harper's bill to block local ordinances restricting the activities of sign walkers, SB1076.
From the article -
State Representative Ed Ableser -
...Ableser has been receiving a lot of coverage of his bill to require hybrid vehicles to make more noise, for the safety of blind pedestrians.
From the AZ Daily Star -
From the article -
Rep. Ed Ableser of Tempe, an ASU public administration and justice studies doctoral student, walked Saturday for the fifth time.
"Keeping [the walk] in Tempe is so much more effective," he said. Ableser said Tempe is one of the most diverse cities in Arizona, adding that more than 80 languages are spoken here.
"Where better to have a walk [focused on] diversity and acceptance and multiculturalism?" he said.
...From a Tucson Citzen article about legislative proposals to assist deployed troops -
...From an ASU Web Devil article about a bill [HB2230] that would require textbook publishers to disclose information about prices, editions, and copyrights -
Note: The Web Devil piece cited the relevant bill as HB2736 in error. That bill references early graduation scholarships.
State Representative David Schapira -
...Schapira was quoted a number of times in this Yuma Sun article regarding HB2713, a bill that purports to protect students' rights to express their religious viewpoints. The wording of the bill actually protects, among other things, a student's ability to answer scientific questions with religious answers.
It's an interesting article; I suggest reading it in its entirety.
...The Wickenburg Sun ran a piece about HB2008, Schapira's bill renewing alternative graduation requirements for students who don't pass the AIMS test, but meet a list of other requirements.
From the article -
Note: the previous alternative standard expired last month.
...Schapira was featured in an AZ Daily Star article about committee passage of HB2557, a bill that would bar local school districts from dropping elective courses such as PE, Art, and Music without permission of the Arizona Department of Education.
From the article -
I won't do this sort of post regularly, but I do expect to do a few more before the end of the legislative session.
Later!
...Sen. Burton-Cahill attended a forum in Tempe regarding health concerns at Corona del Sol High School. From the AZ Republic -
A forum organized to ease the minds of the Corona del Sol High School community turned to outrage as teachers, parents and students stood one after another to describe tumors, cancers, asthma attacks and other diseases plaguing their bodies since coming to the school.
The Tempe Union High School District had hoped to quell fears and rumors about an aging ventilation system partly to blame, according to a 2006 health study, for causing mold, raising carbon dioxide levels and spurring health complaints from staff.
{snip}
"This is not a taxpayer problem. This is a Legislature (problem). Where is . . . District 17 and 20 representatives," [Resident A.J.] Lafaro asked.
District 17 representative Meg Burton Cahill was the only one to announce her presence.
"We don't have the numbers (of votes)," she said. "We need (legislators) who do more than say they support schools. We need (legislators) who say they support funding schools."
...Burton-Cahill was mentioned in an ASU Web Devil article about her bill to regulate tattoo parlors, SB1321. No quotes, though.
...She was also mentioned in an AZ Rep article about the lege's consideration of Sen. Jack Harper's bill to block local ordinances restricting the activities of sign walkers, SB1076.
From the article -
A state senator wants to prevent local governments from stopping someone like Jim Torgeson from twirling a sign to promote a business....She was also in articles about a measure to stop state investment in Sudan because of the Darfur genocide (AZ Capitol Times) and another article about the move to regulate tattoo parlors (Glendale Star). Both of those sites require a premium login to view their content.
Torgeson, owner of Jet Media Promotions, spoke on Monday in favor of a bill that would restrict a city or town's right to regulate so-called "sign-walkers."
Promoters say it's about free speech and earning a living. Those voting against it said municipalities should have local control.
"We make the public policies for the state," said Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who sponsored Senate Bill 1076.
{snip}
Sen. Meg Burton Cahill, D-Tempe, said Harper's bill interferes with local control.
"I do not think that we should mandate cities and towns at the municipal level about commercial advertising," she said.
Burton Cahill, who voted against the bill, said that Torgeson's primary interest is financial and not based on freedom of speech.
State Representative Ed Ableser -
...Ableser has been receiving a lot of coverage of his bill to require hybrid vehicles to make more noise, for the safety of blind pedestrians.
From the AZ Daily Star -
...[O]ne state lawmaker, alarmed that hybrid cars are getting too quiet, is seeking to actually make them noisier....He was featured in an ASU Web Devil article about Tempe's Fifth Annual Regional Unity Walk.
The concern is centered on the danger quiet hybrids could pose to the blind — with their technology so good at muting sound that they have become unnoticeable to the ear.
"Hybrid cars are amazing, and I think one of the unintended consequences of this new technology is that it is so effective in reducing noise on the streets, the fear is that our blind citizens are in danger crossing the road," says state Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, who is pushing a bill in the Legislature to require hybrids to make more noise. "If you drive a hybrid, you're not going to want someone who is listening to cars stepping out into the road in front of your hybrid."
From the article -
Rep. Ed Ableser of Tempe, an ASU public administration and justice studies doctoral student, walked Saturday for the fifth time.
"Keeping [the walk] in Tempe is so much more effective," he said. Ableser said Tempe is one of the most diverse cities in Arizona, adding that more than 80 languages are spoken here.
"Where better to have a walk [focused on] diversity and acceptance and multiculturalism?" he said.
...From a Tucson Citzen article about legislative proposals to assist deployed troops -
Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, introduced HB 2519, which would require health spas and clubs to allow suspension or cancellation of membership for the duration of a service member's deployment. The bill, which Paton also is sponsoring, is moving toward a vote by the full House.
Ableser said he wrote the bill after a former House page serving in Iraq with the Air Force accrued two years of health spa fees while away.
...From an ASU Web Devil article about a bill [HB2230] that would require textbook publishers to disclose information about prices, editions, and copyrights -
Ableser, an ASU instructor, told the committee he voted for the amendment to move the bill forward, but said he remained concerned.The amendment that Ableser expressed concerns with weakened the bill, changing the bill to call on publishers to reveal that info only on written request.
"We would be faulty to assume that [students] have much choice in the bookstore," he said. "They're held hostage in what they have to buy."
Note: The Web Devil piece cited the relevant bill as HB2736 in error. That bill references early graduation scholarships.
State Representative David Schapira -
...Schapira was quoted a number of times in this Yuma Sun article regarding HB2713, a bill that purports to protect students' rights to express their religious viewpoints. The wording of the bill actually protects, among other things, a student's ability to answer scientific questions with religious answers.
It's an interesting article; I suggest reading it in its entirety.
...The Wickenburg Sun ran a piece about HB2008, Schapira's bill renewing alternative graduation requirements for students who don't pass the AIMS test, but meet a list of other requirements.
From the article -
“This is an urgent issue. As a high school teacher, I met countless students who proved themselves proficient in course work, but had difficulty performing on high-stakes tests. Many of these students are college-bound,” Rep. Schapira said. “If the legislature fails to approve this bill, thousands of students will not graduate. By depriving a hard-working student of a high school diploma, we are putting their future and quality of life in jeopardy.”
Note: the previous alternative standard expired last month.
...Schapira was featured in an AZ Daily Star article about committee passage of HB2557, a bill that would bar local school districts from dropping elective courses such as PE, Art, and Music without permission of the Arizona Department of Education.
From the article -
Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe, said the ability to drop programs with permission of the state Board of Education ensures that no district will be unnecessarily burdened.
I won't do this sort of post regularly, but I do expect to do a few more before the end of the legislative session.
Later!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Events Calendar
Saturday, February 16 - A Democratic "Day of Action"/Campaign Kick-Off House Party at the home of State Representative David Schapira. After a day of walking, knocking, talking and registering voters, join David and his seatmate, Rep. Ed Ableser, at the party that kicks off their re-election campaign.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: 3633 S. Hazelton Ln., Tempe, AZ 85282
Note - for info on D17 Day of Action activities, contact LD17 Chair Doug Mings at dougmings[at]gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 19 - Monthly meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Democratic Jewish Council. A Democratic candidate TBD will be the featured speaker.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Country Inn Suites, 89th Place and Shea, Scottsdale
Thursday, February 21 - The Big Picture Film Series presents the documentary "Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore?". Join David Malsch, the LD17 Democrats, LD18 Democrats, and the ASU Young Dems in watching this fast-paced, engaging, and enlightening look at the 2006 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat waged by supreme underdog Jeff Smith.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: ASU's Coor Building, Room 170
975 S. Myrtle Ave., Tempe
Admission: Free, open to the public
Thursday, February 21 - At its regular meeting, Scottsdale's Transportation Commission will consider, and seek public input on, future route expansions for Scottsdale's Neighborhood Connector Trolley service. The Neighborhood Connector Trolley serves south Scottsdale, and the proposed expansions are also in south Scottsdale.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall Kiva
3939 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
Friday, February 29 - Join Congressman Harry Mitchell for the LD17 Fundraiser and Party celebrating that, for the first time, Democrats outnumber Republicans in D17!
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: The home of Lauren and Mike Kuby
109 E. Loma Vista Dr., Tempe
(Click here for a map)
Donation: $25 ($15 for Young Dems); Click here to donate, and then email Lauren at laurenkuby[at]gmail.com to let her know that you paid online.
Saturday, March 1 - MCDP County Convention
Time: Training sessions start at 9:00 a.m.; the meeting starts at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Plumbers and Steamfitters Union
3109 North 24th Street, Phoenix
Sunday, March 9 - D8 Fundraiser at Ostrovsky’s Fine Art Gallery. Join Congressman Harry Mitchell and the LD8 Democrats for an afternoon of Art, Jazz, and Political Talk.
Time: 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Place: 7048 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Donation: $35
Info: phone (480) 596-8350 or email d8office[at]d8dems.phxcoxmail.com
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: 3633 S. Hazelton Ln., Tempe, AZ 85282
Note - for info on D17 Day of Action activities, contact LD17 Chair Doug Mings at dougmings[at]gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 19 - Monthly meeting of the Arizona chapter of the National Democratic Jewish Council. A Democratic candidate TBD will be the featured speaker.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Country Inn Suites, 89th Place and Shea, Scottsdale
Thursday, February 21 - The Big Picture Film Series presents the documentary "Can Mr. Smith Get To Washington Anymore?". Join David Malsch, the LD17 Democrats, LD18 Democrats, and the ASU Young Dems in watching this fast-paced, engaging, and enlightening look at the 2006 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat waged by supreme underdog Jeff Smith.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: ASU's Coor Building, Room 170
975 S. Myrtle Ave., Tempe
Admission: Free, open to the public
Thursday, February 21 - At its regular meeting, Scottsdale's Transportation Commission will consider, and seek public input on, future route expansions for Scottsdale's Neighborhood Connector Trolley service. The Neighborhood Connector Trolley serves south Scottsdale, and the proposed expansions are also in south Scottsdale.
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: City Hall Kiva
3939 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
Friday, February 29 - Join Congressman Harry Mitchell for the LD17 Fundraiser and Party celebrating that, for the first time, Democrats outnumber Republicans in D17!
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: The home of Lauren and Mike Kuby
109 E. Loma Vista Dr., Tempe
(Click here for a map)
Donation: $25 ($15 for Young Dems); Click here to donate, and then email Lauren at laurenkuby[at]gmail.com to let her know that you paid online.
Saturday, March 1 - MCDP County Convention
Time: Training sessions start at 9:00 a.m.; the meeting starts at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Plumbers and Steamfitters Union
3109 North 24th Street, Phoenix
Sunday, March 9 - D8 Fundraiser at Ostrovsky’s Fine Art Gallery. Join Congressman Harry Mitchell and the LD8 Democrats for an afternoon of Art, Jazz, and Political Talk.
Time: 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Place: 7048 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Donation: $35
Info: phone (480) 596-8350 or email d8office[at]d8dems.phxcoxmail.com
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Ten and ten
Sunday, the AZ Republic ran a story highlighting 10 of the more interesting bills before the Arizona Legislature. It was a decent enough story, if a little light on real substance or usable information.
The story, while it did have its good points, was also a very shallow one. 10 bills out of over 1100 filed? That's less than 1%, and the brief blurbs that the Rep wrote about the bills didn't even include basic info such as the name of the sponsor or whether or not the bill has been assigned to a committee.
So, with that serving as inspiration, here's my list of ten and ten - ten bad bills to watch, and ten good bills to watch. These aren't the only 10 bad bills, or the only 10 good bills; there's plenty more of both.
Note: in the interests of minimizing repetitiveness, no anti-immigrant or "let's balance the budget by cutting revenue" bills will be included. Those were covered pretty well in the Legislative Loon p0sts.
Ten bad bills -
...HB2096, a bill to create parental educational choice grants. Introduced by Reps. Biggs, Burges, and Murphy, and Sens. Gorman, Harper and Johnson.
After over 200 words rationalizing the need for such grants, and proclaiming that the bill's purposes are secular, the bill goes on to create a program that awards grants in the amounts of $3500 and $4500 per year payable to the "custodians" of pupils enrolled at private schools.
Undermining public education is bad enough to warrant inclusion on this list, but the language in the bill that states that schools "shall not be required to alter its creed, practices or curriculum in order to redeem grants issued pursuant to this article" is a very thinly-veiled way to funnel public funds to religious schools, notwithstanding the "secular" proclamation a the beginning of the bill.
...HB2477, a bill relating to employees of the state treasurer's office. Sponsored by Rep. Adams. Would authorize the state treasurer (currently Dean Martin) to randomly drug test employees and prospective employees, and to periodically snoop into employees' credit reports.
If Mr. Martin and his water-carrier Rep. Adams believe that there is a drug use problem in the treasurer's office, there are provisions in existing state law that would allow for drug testing in departments where there is evidence of a problem. Even if those provisions don't apply to the treasurer's office, why not change the law so that those provisions *do* apply?
Unless, of course, the underlying purpose of the program would be to control and intimidate office employees, some of whom may have spoken up over the crimes committed by previous treasurer David Petersen, who resigned in disgrace.
Something tells me that the ethically-challenged Martin wants to discourage whistle-blowers with this.
...SB1054, a bill relating to the state treasurer and independent legal counsel. Introduced by Sen. Chuck Gray. Would allow the State Treasurer's office to bypass the Attorney General and contract for outside legal counsel. The bill also exempts such contracts from the state's procurement code with its attendent oversights.
Related: SB1097, a bill from Sen. Burns to exempt the State Treasurer's office from the Government Information Technology Agency's (GITA) requirements.
Can you say "building an independent fiefdom"?
...HB2678, a bill related to welfare recipients and applicants, and drug testing. Sponsored or cosponsored by a cast of thousands (actually, a cast of 31, 30 of whom are Republicans.) Would mandate drug testing of all applicants and recipients of public assistance.
...HB2713, a bill relating to students' expression of religion. Sponsored by Reps. Clark and Anderson. Would bar a school from discriminating against a student or group of students on the basis of religion. The bill includes interesting phrasing - "If an assignment requires a student's viewpoint to be expressed in coursework, artwork or other written or oral assignments, A public educational institution shall not penalize or reward a student on the basis of religious content or a religious viewpoint." I'm not sure of this (I'm most definitely not a lawyer), but I think this might really mess up grading in science classes.
This bill may be related to conflicts like this one in the Deer Valley Unified School District, chronicled in the AZ Republic.
...HCR2041, an amendment to the state constitution barring preferential treatment based on "race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting." Sponsored by Reps. Pearce, Barnes, Mason, Murphy, and Nelson and Senators Harper and Johnson. Basically, this is Ward Connerly's scheme to end affirmative action policies.
...SB1064, a bill relating to presidential preference elections. Sponsored by Sens. Harper and Waring. This is the one that opens up presidential primaries for everyone but Democrats. I've written about this one before.
SB1332, a bill relating to DNA testing. Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Gray. The Senator was all people who are arrested to submit to DNA testing. Compliance would be a condition of bail or "own recognizance" release - failure to comply would result in revocation of bail.
Just think - if this was in force when Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas tried to intimidate the New Times into silence, not only would the two journalists they arrested have had to submit DNA samples, it would now be incumbent on them to petition a court to have their DNA info removed from the state's database (as opposed to Arpaio and Thomas having to justify keeping it.)
If the esteemed members of the lege think bills like this one and the 'drug tests for welfare' one from above are such great ideas that would benefit the public, why don't they ever propose bills mandating drug and DNA testing for elected officials?
...SB1400, a bill relating to 'gun-free' zones. Sponsored by Sen. Johnson and Reps. Barnes, Burges, and Pearce. The State or "any agency or political subdivision of this state or any person, organization or entity that establishes a gun-free zone" would be held liable for damages if someone is injured or otherwise hurt as a result of criminal conduct in that 'gun-free' zone and that possession of a gun would have helped the victim defend him/herself.
Brought to you by some of the same crew responsible for the 'guns in schools' bill (and the 'guns in bars' bill before it.)
...SB1493, a bill related to early ballots and voter identification. Sponsored by Sens. Gorman and Blendu and Reps. Clark and Pearce. Would mandate that when returning an early ballot, voters must include "a legible photocopy of identification."
How does a photocopy prove anything? Also, what about the expense incurred by voters, as most folks don't have copy machines at home?
Ten good bills...
...HB2114, a bill relating to unattended children in motor vehicles. Introduced by Rep. McClure. Makes the act of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle (subject to a few criteria, such as age) a Class 3 misdemeanor. Repeat offenses are Class 2 misdemeanors.
...HB2141, a bill relating to the disclosure of water supply status during the sale of residential property. Introduced by Rep. Ableser. The bill requires that licensed real estate brokers to "notice of the water supply status of that property as designated by the director of water resources." Related: HB2142, which provides for similar requirements for general sellers (i.e. - non-licensed types.)
...HB2145, a bill related to health insurance and mental health coverage parity. Sponsored by Rep. Ableser, Chabin, Farley, Desimone, and Chad Campbell. Requires that health insurance providers not place greater limitations on mental health services and coverage than they do on physical health services and coverage.
...HB2217, a bill relating to yearly limitations on tuition and fee increases at the state's public universities. Introduced by Reps. Ableser and Schapira. Mandates that any approved fee and tuition hikes not take effect until the academic year following approval.
...HB2293, a bill relating to the sentence imposed on juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. Introduced by Rep. Sinema. Bars imposition of capital punishment upon juveniles. Capital punishment should be abandoned; this bill would be a good first step.
...HB2396, a bill relating to text messaging while driving. Introduced by Reps. Farley, Pancrazi, and Nelson, and Sens. Aboud and Aguirre. Bans the sending or receiving of text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Related: HB2397, banning the use of cell phones while driving, except with a hands-free device and HB2398, banning the use of cell phones while driving, specific to Class G-licensed drivers (aka - under 18 years old).
...HB2651, a bill relating to independent voters and presidential preference primary elections. Introduced by Reps. DeSimone, Farley, Thrasher and Sen. Rios. Would allow independent voters to cast a ballot in the presidential primary of their choice. This is the bill that Sen. Harper should have written, instead of SB1064.
...SB1046, a bill relating to the enactment date of the state's education budget. Sponsored by Sen. Pesquiera. Would mandate that the lege pass the following fiscal year budget for the Arizona Department of Education by April 15th.
So simple it's brilliant. Now to get them to pass the rest of the budget before it hits 100 in Phoenix...
...SB1247, a bill relating to employer communications regarding religion or politics. Sponsored by Sen. Burton-Cahill. Bars an employer from compelling an employee to participate in an activity or communication that has the "primary purpose of communicating the employer's opinion about religious or political matters." The bill has appropriate exemptions for activities mandated by law and also for religious, political, and educational organizations.
This is how a religious liberty bill *should* be written.
SB1010, a bill relating a cell phone users' bill of rights. Sponsored by Sen. Waring. This one was a good idea when Waring introduced it in November; it's a good idea now.
The story, while it did have its good points, was also a very shallow one. 10 bills out of over 1100 filed? That's less than 1%, and the brief blurbs that the Rep wrote about the bills didn't even include basic info such as the name of the sponsor or whether or not the bill has been assigned to a committee.
So, with that serving as inspiration, here's my list of ten and ten - ten bad bills to watch, and ten good bills to watch. These aren't the only 10 bad bills, or the only 10 good bills; there's plenty more of both.
Note: in the interests of minimizing repetitiveness, no anti-immigrant or "let's balance the budget by cutting revenue" bills will be included. Those were covered pretty well in the Legislative Loon p0sts.
Ten bad bills -
...HB2096, a bill to create parental educational choice grants. Introduced by Reps. Biggs, Burges, and Murphy, and Sens. Gorman, Harper and Johnson.
After over 200 words rationalizing the need for such grants, and proclaiming that the bill's purposes are secular, the bill goes on to create a program that awards grants in the amounts of $3500 and $4500 per year payable to the "custodians" of pupils enrolled at private schools.
Undermining public education is bad enough to warrant inclusion on this list, but the language in the bill that states that schools "shall not be required to alter its creed, practices or curriculum in order to redeem grants issued pursuant to this article" is a very thinly-veiled way to funnel public funds to religious schools, notwithstanding the "secular" proclamation a the beginning of the bill.
...HB2477, a bill relating to employees of the state treasurer's office. Sponsored by Rep. Adams. Would authorize the state treasurer (currently Dean Martin) to randomly drug test employees and prospective employees, and to periodically snoop into employees' credit reports.
If Mr. Martin and his water-carrier Rep. Adams believe that there is a drug use problem in the treasurer's office, there are provisions in existing state law that would allow for drug testing in departments where there is evidence of a problem. Even if those provisions don't apply to the treasurer's office, why not change the law so that those provisions *do* apply?
Unless, of course, the underlying purpose of the program would be to control and intimidate office employees, some of whom may have spoken up over the crimes committed by previous treasurer David Petersen, who resigned in disgrace.
Something tells me that the ethically-challenged Martin wants to discourage whistle-blowers with this.
...SB1054, a bill relating to the state treasurer and independent legal counsel. Introduced by Sen. Chuck Gray. Would allow the State Treasurer's office to bypass the Attorney General and contract for outside legal counsel. The bill also exempts such contracts from the state's procurement code with its attendent oversights.
Related: SB1097, a bill from Sen. Burns to exempt the State Treasurer's office from the Government Information Technology Agency's (GITA) requirements.
Can you say "building an independent fiefdom"?
...HB2678, a bill related to welfare recipients and applicants, and drug testing. Sponsored or cosponsored by a cast of thousands (actually, a cast of 31, 30 of whom are Republicans.) Would mandate drug testing of all applicants and recipients of public assistance.
...HB2713, a bill relating to students' expression of religion. Sponsored by Reps. Clark and Anderson. Would bar a school from discriminating against a student or group of students on the basis of religion. The bill includes interesting phrasing - "If an assignment requires a student's viewpoint to be expressed in coursework, artwork or other written or oral assignments, A public educational institution shall not penalize or reward a student on the basis of religious content or a religious viewpoint." I'm not sure of this (I'm most definitely not a lawyer), but I think this might really mess up grading in science classes.
This bill may be related to conflicts like this one in the Deer Valley Unified School District, chronicled in the AZ Republic.
...HCR2041, an amendment to the state constitution barring preferential treatment based on "race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting." Sponsored by Reps. Pearce, Barnes, Mason, Murphy, and Nelson and Senators Harper and Johnson. Basically, this is Ward Connerly's scheme to end affirmative action policies.
...SB1064, a bill relating to presidential preference elections. Sponsored by Sens. Harper and Waring. This is the one that opens up presidential primaries for everyone but Democrats. I've written about this one before.
SB1332, a bill relating to DNA testing. Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Gray. The Senator was all people who are arrested to submit to DNA testing. Compliance would be a condition of bail or "own recognizance" release - failure to comply would result in revocation of bail.
Just think - if this was in force when Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas tried to intimidate the New Times into silence, not only would the two journalists they arrested have had to submit DNA samples, it would now be incumbent on them to petition a court to have their DNA info removed from the state's database (as opposed to Arpaio and Thomas having to justify keeping it.)
If the esteemed members of the lege think bills like this one and the 'drug tests for welfare' one from above are such great ideas that would benefit the public, why don't they ever propose bills mandating drug and DNA testing for elected officials?
...SB1400, a bill relating to 'gun-free' zones. Sponsored by Sen. Johnson and Reps. Barnes, Burges, and Pearce. The State or "any agency or political subdivision of this state or any person, organization or entity that establishes a gun-free zone" would be held liable for damages if someone is injured or otherwise hurt as a result of criminal conduct in that 'gun-free' zone and that possession of a gun would have helped the victim defend him/herself.
Brought to you by some of the same crew responsible for the 'guns in schools' bill (and the 'guns in bars' bill before it.)
...SB1493, a bill related to early ballots and voter identification. Sponsored by Sens. Gorman and Blendu and Reps. Clark and Pearce. Would mandate that when returning an early ballot, voters must include "a legible photocopy of identification."
How does a photocopy prove anything? Also, what about the expense incurred by voters, as most folks don't have copy machines at home?
Ten good bills...
...HB2114, a bill relating to unattended children in motor vehicles. Introduced by Rep. McClure. Makes the act of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle (subject to a few criteria, such as age) a Class 3 misdemeanor. Repeat offenses are Class 2 misdemeanors.
...HB2141, a bill relating to the disclosure of water supply status during the sale of residential property. Introduced by Rep. Ableser. The bill requires that licensed real estate brokers to "notice of the water supply status of that property as designated by the director of water resources." Related: HB2142, which provides for similar requirements for general sellers (i.e. - non-licensed types.)
...HB2145, a bill related to health insurance and mental health coverage parity. Sponsored by Rep. Ableser, Chabin, Farley, Desimone, and Chad Campbell. Requires that health insurance providers not place greater limitations on mental health services and coverage than they do on physical health services and coverage.
...HB2217, a bill relating to yearly limitations on tuition and fee increases at the state's public universities. Introduced by Reps. Ableser and Schapira. Mandates that any approved fee and tuition hikes not take effect until the academic year following approval.
...HB2293, a bill relating to the sentence imposed on juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. Introduced by Rep. Sinema. Bars imposition of capital punishment upon juveniles. Capital punishment should be abandoned; this bill would be a good first step.
...HB2396, a bill relating to text messaging while driving. Introduced by Reps. Farley, Pancrazi, and Nelson, and Sens. Aboud and Aguirre. Bans the sending or receiving of text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Related: HB2397, banning the use of cell phones while driving, except with a hands-free device and HB2398, banning the use of cell phones while driving, specific to Class G-licensed drivers (aka - under 18 years old).
...HB2651, a bill relating to independent voters and presidential preference primary elections. Introduced by Reps. DeSimone, Farley, Thrasher and Sen. Rios. Would allow independent voters to cast a ballot in the presidential primary of their choice. This is the bill that Sen. Harper should have written, instead of SB1064.
...SB1046, a bill relating to the enactment date of the state's education budget. Sponsored by Sen. Pesquiera. Would mandate that the lege pass the following fiscal year budget for the Arizona Department of Education by April 15th.
So simple it's brilliant. Now to get them to pass the rest of the budget before it hits 100 in Phoenix...
...SB1247, a bill relating to employer communications regarding religion or politics. Sponsored by Sen. Burton-Cahill. Bars an employer from compelling an employee to participate in an activity or communication that has the "primary purpose of communicating the employer's opinion about religious or political matters." The bill has appropriate exemptions for activities mandated by law and also for religious, political, and educational organizations.
This is how a religious liberty bill *should* be written.
SB1010, a bill relating a cell phone users' bill of rights. Sponsored by Sen. Waring. This one was a good idea when Waring introduced it in November; it's a good idea now.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Events Calendar
Edit on 11/28 to add AZ Secretary of State and Citizens Clean Elections campaign finance training schedules and links, at the bottom of the post...
Edit2 on 11/28 to add Mitchell/Packages from Home info...
Come hear what the upcoming session holds down at the State Capitol from our three legislators. The event starts at 10 a.m.
Saturday, December 1 - Join Harry Mitchell and his campaign team for a "Tailgate Party with Harry" before the ASU Sun Devils trounce the UA Wildcats on their way to a Rose Bowl berth. :))
Festivities start at 3:00 p.m. at 502 S. College Ave, Tempe. For more info call 480-755-3343 or email Herschel[at]Harry2006.com.
And for some comic relief on Saturday, December 1 - Out in LD4, Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be 'roasted' by an assortment of Republicans at the Maricopa County Events Center, 19403 RH Johnson Blvd , Sun City West.
It's a fundraiser, not sure for what, and I don't care enough to find out.
One of the scheduled roasters is professional bigot Terry Anderson; I doubt he had a problem with Arpaio saying that it was an "honor" when his critics compared him to the KKK.
Thursday, December 6 - Tempe City Council candidate Rhett Wilson is holding a campaign reception/fundraiser at Pier 54, 5394 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and features such luminaries at former U.S. Senator Dennis Deconcini on former Tempe Mayor Rudy Campbell.
Event contact: Amanda Thorson: (602) 565-6571 amanda[at]themediaguys.com
...And finally, something that isn't an event but is certainly a timely reminder -
From Corey Woods, candidate for Tempe City Council -
And that's good advice for anyone involved in gathering signatures in Tempe. They're due; get them into the respective campaigns.
...Continuing edit...
Clean Elections' entire schedule here; imminent local sessions -
Wednesdays, December 5 and 12 -
Candidate and Treasurer Workshop
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location /Information: CCEC Conference Room, 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ
AZ Secretary of State's entire schedule here; imminent local session -
Tuesday, December 11 -
Arizona State Capitol – Executive Tower
AZ Board of Pharmacy – 3rd Floor Rm 312
1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Times: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Note- the above links courtesy the Pima County Democratic Party.
End edit...
Have a good week!
Edit2 on 11/28 to add Mitchell/Packages from Home info...
Edit3 on 11/29 to add cancellation of the Town Hall on December 1...
Thursday, November 29 - Congressman Harry Mitchell will join Packages from Home in preparing holiday care packages at 11:30 a.m., November 29 at 1201 South 7th Avenue, Phoenix. For more information about Packages From Home, the public can call 602-253-0248 or visit http://www.packagesfromhome.org/.
Thursday, November 29 - The Arizona chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council (AzNJDC) meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Chaparral Suites, corner of Scottsdale and Chaparral Roads in Scottsdale. Jeff Farias of KPHX, 1480 AM, will be the guest speaker.
Friday, November 30 - From 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., join the Young Democrats of Arizona in welcoming Congressman Harry Mitchell to a "Happy Hour with Harry at 'Harry's Place' " at the Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe. More info, including tickets, here.
Saturday, December 1 -The Winter meeting of the Maricopa County Democratic Party (MCDP) will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters 469 Union Hall, 3109 N. 24th St., in Phoenix. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., training and workshops begin at 9.
Note - according to an email from LD17 chair Doug Mings, the Town Hall has been cancelled and should be rescheduled for early in the year.
Come hear what the upcoming session holds down at the State Capitol from our three legislators. The event starts at 10 a.m.
Saturday, December 1 - Join Harry Mitchell and his campaign team for a "Tailgate Party with Harry" before the ASU Sun Devils trounce the UA Wildcats on their way to a Rose Bowl berth. :))
Festivities start at 3:00 p.m. at 502 S. College Ave, Tempe. For more info call 480-755-3343 or email Herschel[at]Harry2006.com.
And for some comic relief on Saturday, December 1 - Out in LD4, Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be 'roasted' by an assortment of Republicans at the Maricopa County Events Center, 19403 RH Johnson Blvd , Sun City West.
It's a fundraiser, not sure for what, and I don't care enough to find out.
One of the scheduled roasters is professional bigot Terry Anderson; I doubt he had a problem with Arpaio saying that it was an "honor" when his critics compared him to the KKK.
Thursday, December 6 - Tempe City Council candidate Rhett Wilson is holding a campaign reception/fundraiser at Pier 54, 5394 S. Lakeshore Dr., Tempe. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. and features such luminaries at former U.S. Senator Dennis Deconcini on former Tempe Mayor Rudy Campbell.
Event contact: Amanda Thorson: (602) 565-6571 amanda[at]themediaguys.com
...And finally, something that isn't an event but is certainly a timely reminder -
From Corey Woods, candidate for Tempe City Council -
"...[P]etition signatures have to be turned in to the Tempe City Clerk’s office on Wednesday, December 12th. If you have a sheet that you would like to turn in, please contact me at your earliest convenience..."
And that's good advice for anyone involved in gathering signatures in Tempe. They're due; get them into the respective campaigns.
...Continuing edit...
Clean Elections' entire schedule here; imminent local sessions -
Wednesdays, December 5 and 12 -
Candidate and Treasurer Workshop
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location /Information: CCEC Conference Room, 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110, Phoenix, AZ
AZ Secretary of State's entire schedule here; imminent local session -
Tuesday, December 11 -
Arizona State Capitol – Executive Tower
AZ Board of Pharmacy – 3rd Floor Rm 312
1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Times: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Note- the above links courtesy the Pima County Democratic Party.
End edit...
Have a good week!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Events Calendar
Saturday, November 3 - "Congress On Your Corner" with Congressman Harry Mitchell at the Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road in Tempe. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 3 - Step It Up 2007 Rally on ASU's Hayden Lawn, featuring Rep. Harry Mitchell at 12:15 p.m. and State Reps. Ed Ableser and David Schapira at 1:45 p.m. RSVP at the rally link.
Saturday, November 3 - Grand Opening of the Obama for America Phoenix headquarters at 22 E Mitchell Drive #100 - Phoenix Az 85012 (One block north of Osborn, between Central and 3rd St .) Doors open at 9:00 a.m., program starts at 10:00 a.m. RSVP here.
Sunday, November 4 - Brunch and Horseshoe Competition for Tempe City Council Candidate Corey Woods at The Barnes House, 1104 S. Ash in Tempe. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP to Lauren Kuby at laurenkuby[at]gmail.com or Jenny Lucier at jll[at]@djt-enterprises.com.
Thursday, November 8 - House Party/Fundraiser for Corey Woods at the home of Elias and Cecilia Esquer, 1720 E. Palmcroft Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. RSVP to Christina Rocks at christina[at]coreywoods2008.com.
Thursday, November 8 - Meeting of the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS) at the Granite Reef Senior Center in Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13 - Monthly meeting of the LD17 Democrats at the North Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath in Tempe. 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Zita Johnson, President of Tempe Union High School, District, on redistricting.
Thursday, November 15 - Community Involvement Group meeting regarding the status of the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund site at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7384 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Contact Vicki Rosen, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at rosen.vicki[at]epa.gov.
Later!
Saturday, November 3 - Step It Up 2007 Rally on ASU's Hayden Lawn, featuring Rep. Harry Mitchell at 12:15 p.m. and State Reps. Ed Ableser and David Schapira at 1:45 p.m. RSVP at the rally link.
Saturday, November 3 - Grand Opening of the Obama for America Phoenix headquarters at 22 E Mitchell Drive #100 - Phoenix Az 85012 (One block north of Osborn, between Central and 3rd St .) Doors open at 9:00 a.m., program starts at 10:00 a.m. RSVP here.
Sunday, November 4 - Brunch and Horseshoe Competition for Tempe City Council Candidate Corey Woods at The Barnes House, 1104 S. Ash in Tempe. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP to Lauren Kuby at laurenkuby[at]gmail.com or Jenny Lucier at jll[at]@djt-enterprises.com.
Thursday, November 8 - House Party/Fundraiser for Corey Woods at the home of Elias and Cecilia Esquer, 1720 E. Palmcroft Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. RSVP to Christina Rocks at christina[at]coreywoods2008.com.
Thursday, November 8 - Meeting of the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale (COGS) at the Granite Reef Senior Center in Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13 - Monthly meeting of the LD17 Democrats at the North Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath in Tempe. 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Zita Johnson, President of Tempe Union High School, District, on redistricting.
Thursday, November 15 - Community Involvement Group meeting regarding the status of the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund site at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7384 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Contact Vicki Rosen, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at rosen.vicki[at]epa.gov.
Later!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
And the 'green' grades are in...
Credit for the heads-up on this goes to the AZ Rep's Plugged In...
Congrats to LD17 State Reps. Ed Ableser and David Schapira for making the honor roll of the Arizona League of Conservation Voters and the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club for their work during the 2007 session of the legislature.
Both scored 100% under the LCV's weighted grading guidelines!
Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill slacked off this session, weighing down the overall D17 score by coming in at only 97%.
If only she'd used 'green' crutches while recovering from foot surgery this winter. :))
It was also nice to see that many of the legislators that have received praise here and in other blogs for their fine work in the lege also scored well with the AzCLV (Steve Farley's 100%, for example), while others that have received criticism scored poorly with the AzCLV, too -
Sen. Ron 'Confederate Flag' Gould (R-LD3) .....18%
Rep. Trish 'DUI' Groe (R-LD3).....19%
Maybe it's something in the LD3 water, though if there is, expect Groe and Gould to be OK with that, particularly if some company is making money off of it.
Of course, the same might be said in LD18 -
Rep. Russell 'National Alliance' Pearce (R-LD18).....26%
Sen. Karen 'UFO Sighting' Johnson (R-LD18).....29%
And the district most likely to welcome a toxic waste dump?
LD22, with Sen. Thayer Vershoor (R) scoring 37%, Rep. Andy Biggs (R) scoring 23% and Rep. Eddie Farnsworth scoring 25%.
By comparison, my [least] favorite state senator, Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) did remarkably well, scoring a 48%!
His loyal constituents should take heart though; I have no doubt that Jack will see this score and use it as motivation for next session.
That score will be in single digits faster than you can say 'culture of corruption.'
:))
Note: The AzCLV's legislative scorecard is here; Sierra Club's press release is here.
Congrats to LD17 State Reps. Ed Ableser and David Schapira for making the honor roll of the Arizona League of Conservation Voters and the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club for their work during the 2007 session of the legislature.
Both scored 100% under the LCV's weighted grading guidelines!
Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill slacked off this session, weighing down the overall D17 score by coming in at only 97%.
If only she'd used 'green' crutches while recovering from foot surgery this winter. :))
It was also nice to see that many of the legislators that have received praise here and in other blogs for their fine work in the lege also scored well with the AzCLV (Steve Farley's 100%, for example), while others that have received criticism scored poorly with the AzCLV, too -
Sen. Ron 'Confederate Flag' Gould (R-LD3) .....18%
Rep. Trish 'DUI' Groe (R-LD3).....19%
Maybe it's something in the LD3 water, though if there is, expect Groe and Gould to be OK with that, particularly if some company is making money off of it.
Of course, the same might be said in LD18 -
Rep. Russell 'National Alliance' Pearce (R-LD18).....26%
Sen. Karen 'UFO Sighting' Johnson (R-LD18).....29%
And the district most likely to welcome a toxic waste dump?
LD22, with Sen. Thayer Vershoor (R) scoring 37%, Rep. Andy Biggs (R) scoring 23% and Rep. Eddie Farnsworth scoring 25%.
By comparison, my [least] favorite state senator, Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) did remarkably well, scoring a 48%!
His loyal constituents should take heart though; I have no doubt that Jack will see this score and use it as motivation for next session.
That score will be in single digits faster than you can say 'culture of corruption.'
:))
Note: The AzCLV's legislative scorecard is here; Sierra Club's press release is here.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Events calendar
Just a brief post today...
First up, some movies -
Friday, July 6th (yes, that's tomorrow!) - 'War Made Easy - How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us To Death.' 6:00 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Escalante Center, 2150 E. Orange in Tempe. Admission is free.
Friday, July 20th - 'Small Town Gay Bar.' Also 6:00 p.m. in the Escalante Center.
Friday, July 27th - TBD (possibly Crossing Arizona), presented by the LD8 Democrats. Location and time to be announced.
Other stuff....
Saturday, July 14 - A Town Hall meeting with LD17 State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira. 11:00 a.m. - noon, Pyle Center in Tempe. Talk to them about the just-finished session of the lege, or about ideas for the next session.
Note: The Pyle Center has AC, too. :))
July 18 - 21 - The Young Democrats of America are holding their convention in Dallas, Texas. Not normally an event that I'd post here (I'd NEVER encourage someone to go to Texas, not even for a short visit :)) ), but the Young Democrats of Arizona need help sending people to the convention. They are asking for contributions, and time is running short. Details can be found here.
Tuesday, July 24 - The next meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council. Time 7:00 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 Marilyn, Phoenix, AZ (between Greenway and Thunderbird off of Tatum). State Rep. David Schapira (D-LD17) will be the featured speaker. For more information, email to njdcphx[at]cox.net.
Later!
First up, some movies -
Friday, July 6th (yes, that's tomorrow!) - 'War Made Easy - How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us To Death.' 6:00 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of the Escalante Center, 2150 E. Orange in Tempe. Admission is free.
Friday, July 20th - 'Small Town Gay Bar.' Also 6:00 p.m. in the Escalante Center.
Friday, July 27th - TBD (possibly Crossing Arizona), presented by the LD8 Democrats. Location and time to be announced.
Other stuff....
Saturday, July 14 - A Town Hall meeting with LD17 State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira. 11:00 a.m. - noon, Pyle Center in Tempe. Talk to them about the just-finished session of the lege, or about ideas for the next session.
Note: The Pyle Center has AC, too. :))
July 18 - 21 - The Young Democrats of America are holding their convention in Dallas, Texas. Not normally an event that I'd post here (I'd NEVER encourage someone to go to Texas, not even for a short visit :)) ), but the Young Democrats of Arizona need help sending people to the convention. They are asking for contributions, and time is running short. Details can be found here.
Tuesday, July 24 - The next meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the National Jewish Democratic Council. Time 7:00 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 Marilyn, Phoenix, AZ (between Greenway and Thunderbird off of Tatum). State Rep. David Schapira (D-LD17) will be the featured speaker. For more information, email to njdcphx[at]cox.net.
Later!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
BRBs - Conclusion
To summarize the rest of the interesting stuff in the AZ legislature's budget reconciliation bills -
HB2784, Tax Reduction Package - The big one here was language exempting admission to an NBA All-Star Game and related events from the Transaction Privilege Tax (sales tax). The exemption is conditional - the NBA must award a game to Phoenix and Phoenix must also grant an exemption from its municipal TPT before this takes effect.
D17's Rep. Ed Ableser objected strenuously to this provision (though he voted 'yes' on the overall bill), citing the fact that the extremely successful NBA doesn't need it. [I'm sure the screw job that the NBA pulled on the Suns in the playoffs had *nothing* to do with it. :)) ]
Defenders of the exemption cited the fact that it's not a giveaway to the NBA; the money just wouldn't be collected.
Ummm, one of the reasons that any city welcomes this kind of event, with all of the headaches that come with it, is the increased tax revenue.
Why is the legislature messing with that? Could it have anything to do with the fact that with ticket prices for this year's all star game in Las Vegas reaching five digits ($10,000+ !!), the people that will benefit most from the lege's largesse are the kind of people to make large campaign contributions?
HB2785, Budget Procedures - Adds language that "requires an officer in charge of any statewide, county or legislative election to provide for a live video recording of the custody of all ballots located in a counting center and to retain the recording as a public record."
While there may be some hiccups with the implementation of this, the core idea is a good one.
HB2791, Higher Education - In what is possibly the best nugget (new policy slipped into a budget reconciliation bill), this one contains language creating a "Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Student Loan Program."
This is very similar to Rep. David Schapira's Teacher Student Loan Program that was killed by the chair of the House Rules Committee (it was assigned to the committee but never heard).
HB2789, Health and Welfare - I missed something in yesterday's post on this BRB. While HealthCare Group wasn't completely killed, as some Republicans were trying to do, it was capped at the current enrollment. No new employer groups can be accepted into HCG. In addition, a study committee was created to determine whether or not HCG should be killed.
Note to out-of-state readers: HCG is a state-sponsored health plan that provides coverage to employees of small businesses ( <50 employees) that would otherwise go without healthcare insurance.
Most of the other BRBs seem to be pretty clean, though it's very possible (even likely) that I missed something in some of the more arcane language. If you have a few minutes, go to the lege's website and read the bills for yourself.
I should note here that the sources of much of this post, and the previous BRB posts, include:
the language of the bills themselves (available on the lege's website);
the 'fact sheets' prepared by legislative staffers (also on the website); and
the latest 'Farley-gram' (sign up for it. Trust me. :) ).
Whew!
Later!
HB2784, Tax Reduction Package - The big one here was language exempting admission to an NBA All-Star Game and related events from the Transaction Privilege Tax (sales tax). The exemption is conditional - the NBA must award a game to Phoenix and Phoenix must also grant an exemption from its municipal TPT before this takes effect.
D17's Rep. Ed Ableser objected strenuously to this provision (though he voted 'yes' on the overall bill), citing the fact that the extremely successful NBA doesn't need it. [I'm sure the screw job that the NBA pulled on the Suns in the playoffs had *nothing* to do with it. :)) ]
Defenders of the exemption cited the fact that it's not a giveaway to the NBA; the money just wouldn't be collected.
Ummm, one of the reasons that any city welcomes this kind of event, with all of the headaches that come with it, is the increased tax revenue.
Why is the legislature messing with that? Could it have anything to do with the fact that with ticket prices for this year's all star game in Las Vegas reaching five digits ($10,000+ !!), the people that will benefit most from the lege's largesse are the kind of people to make large campaign contributions?
HB2785, Budget Procedures - Adds language that "requires an officer in charge of any statewide, county or legislative election to provide for a live video recording of the custody of all ballots located in a counting center and to retain the recording as a public record."
While there may be some hiccups with the implementation of this, the core idea is a good one.
HB2791, Higher Education - In what is possibly the best nugget (new policy slipped into a budget reconciliation bill), this one contains language creating a "Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Student Loan Program."
This is very similar to Rep. David Schapira's Teacher Student Loan Program that was killed by the chair of the House Rules Committee (it was assigned to the committee but never heard).
HB2789, Health and Welfare - I missed something in yesterday's post on this BRB. While HealthCare Group wasn't completely killed, as some Republicans were trying to do, it was capped at the current enrollment. No new employer groups can be accepted into HCG. In addition, a study committee was created to determine whether or not HCG should be killed.
Note to out-of-state readers: HCG is a state-sponsored health plan that provides coverage to employees of small businesses ( <50 employees) that would otherwise go without healthcare insurance.
Most of the other BRBs seem to be pretty clean, though it's very possible (even likely) that I missed something in some of the more arcane language. If you have a few minutes, go to the lege's website and read the bills for yourself.
I should note here that the sources of much of this post, and the previous BRB posts, include:
the language of the bills themselves (available on the lege's website);
the 'fact sheets' prepared by legislative staffers (also on the website); and
the latest 'Farley-gram' (sign up for it. Trust me. :) ).
Whew!
Later!
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