If you have a few minutes (50 or so) and appreciate subtle farce, take a look at this video of Congressman Anthony Weiner taking U.S. House Republicans to task for failing to follow their own rules when introducing new legislation.
When the GOP took over the House of Representatives earlier this year, they made a big show of enacting a rule that requires that a member who introduces legislation must cite the section of the Constitution the specifically grants to Congress the power to legislate in that area.
When the Republicans introduced H.R. 358, one they have named the "Protect Life Act," they were in such a rush to appease a certain segment of their base that they sort of neglected to make the proper citation.
And Congressman Weiner didn't give them a free pass on their hypocrisy. :))
Later...
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The coming week: everybody else edition
All info gathered from the websites of the relevent public bodies/agencies, and is subject to change without notice.
Federal level -
In the House, the agenda for the week is focused on the Republicans' H.R. 2, "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act." Related: H. Res. 9, "Instructing certain committees to report legislation replacing the job-killing health care law."
The Senate isn't in session this week.
Arizona level -
The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have a full meeting scheduled for this week. It's hearing schedule is here.
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission doesn't have a meeting this week, either. They are seeking applicants for an open spot on the Commission. Interested folks who aren't registered as Democrats or Republicans and who do NOT reside in Maricopa County can apply (there are other requirements, but those are the big ones).
The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project is meeting on Thursday to select new officers, hold an orientation for new members on the topic of internal audit, and hold a meeting of the Finance, Audit, and Power Committee.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a Special Meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. The agenda looks quiet, but as is usual for this bunch, there's an executive session planned.
The Tempe City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's City Council Calendar is here.
The Scottsdale City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Federal level -
In the House, the agenda for the week is focused on the Republicans' H.R. 2, "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act." Related: H. Res. 9, "Instructing certain committees to report legislation replacing the job-killing health care law."
The Senate isn't in session this week.
Arizona level -
The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have a full meeting scheduled for this week. It's hearing schedule is here.
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission doesn't have a meeting this week, either. They are seeking applicants for an open spot on the Commission. Interested folks who aren't registered as Democrats or Republicans and who do NOT reside in Maricopa County can apply (there are other requirements, but those are the big ones).
The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project is meeting on Thursday to select new officers, hold an orientation for new members on the topic of internal audit, and hold a meeting of the Finance, Audit, and Power Committee.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a Special Meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. The agenda looks quiet, but as is usual for this bunch, there's an executive session planned.
The Tempe City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's City Council Calendar is here.
The Scottsdale City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
John Boehner: When reality and ideology conflict, ignore reality
From the Washington Post -
Of course, this isn't really a surprise, since the "fiscally responsible" Republicans spent more than a million dollars of the public's money today on a photo op.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday defended House Republicans' efforts to repeal the national health care law, disputing the accuracy of a preliminary Congressional Budget Office estimate that a repeal of the law would add $230 billion to the national debt through 2021.To summarize: because of their ideology, the "fiscally responsible" Republicans want to block health care for Americans, even if health care reform was both beneficial to the average American *and* the federal budget deficit.
"I do not believe that repealing the job-killing health care law will increase the deficit," Boehner said at a Capitol press conference the day after the GOP formally regained the House majority. "CBO is entitled to their opinion, but they're locked within constraints of the 1974 Budget Act. Listen, even the actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have made clear that this bill will not save the kind of money that was predicted earlier."
Of course, this isn't really a surprise, since the "fiscally responsible" Republicans spent more than a million dollars of the public's money today on a photo op.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
DADT repeal and the DREAM Act: .500 batting average is great in baseball...
...but it sucks in real life...
John McCain and Jon Kyl, Arizona's Senators, joined the Three Amigos (Congresscritters Flake, Franks, and Shadegg) on the "Lump of coal in their Christmas stockings" list today...not that they weren't already charter members of that not-so-distinguished group. :)
First, the good news: the Senate passed cloture on repeal of the military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy toward gay and lesbian members of the U.S. armed forces. The vote there was 63 in favor, 33 opposed. The move basically sets an end to Senate debate on the measure and allows it to be brought up for a final vote (likely later today). Passing cloture makes it seem likely that the measure will gain full approval because that will only require a simple majority (51 votes) not the 3/5 support (60 votes) that cloture requires.
Now, the bad news: by a vote of 55- 41 (60 votes needed to pass), the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the DREAM Act, effectively killing the measure. If passed, it would have created a path to "legal" immigrant status and possible citizenship for children brought to the U.S. by undocumented immigrants. That path wouldn't have been an easy one, requiring many things, including attending college here or serving in the U.S. armed forces. The nativist Rs, aided and abetted by five Democrats (Nelson of NE, Pryor of AR, Tester and Baucus of MT, and Hagan of NC) held sway today, however, turning their backs on the many hard-working and high-achieving residents of the U.S. who were brought to the United States through no choice of their own.
Three Rs did show some character, voting for decency over demagoguery. Deepest thanks go out to Bennett of UT, Murkowski of AK, and Lugar of IN for their support.
Kyl and McCain showed a remarkable consistency - they were against both measures, voting to undercut members of the military who are honorably serving their country *and* to snub many of their own constituents who have done nothing but help make Arizona's (and America's) society more robust.
In baseball, consistency is good. A batter who hits .290 every season has the same lifetime average as one who hits .240 and .340 in alternate years, yet the consistent player it considered the better player, one desired by almost every team.
In real life however, as written by Emerson in his essay Self Reliance, "consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
Emerson may have been writing nearly a century before McCain or Kyl was born, but it's almost as if he was watching them in action when he wrote his essay.
John McCain and Jon Kyl, Arizona's Senators, joined the Three Amigos (Congresscritters Flake, Franks, and Shadegg) on the "Lump of coal in their Christmas stockings" list today...not that they weren't already charter members of that not-so-distinguished group. :)
First, the good news: the Senate passed cloture on repeal of the military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy toward gay and lesbian members of the U.S. armed forces. The vote there was 63 in favor, 33 opposed. The move basically sets an end to Senate debate on the measure and allows it to be brought up for a final vote (likely later today). Passing cloture makes it seem likely that the measure will gain full approval because that will only require a simple majority (51 votes) not the 3/5 support (60 votes) that cloture requires.
Now, the bad news: by a vote of 55- 41 (60 votes needed to pass), the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the DREAM Act, effectively killing the measure. If passed, it would have created a path to "legal" immigrant status and possible citizenship for children brought to the U.S. by undocumented immigrants. That path wouldn't have been an easy one, requiring many things, including attending college here or serving in the U.S. armed forces. The nativist Rs, aided and abetted by five Democrats (Nelson of NE, Pryor of AR, Tester and Baucus of MT, and Hagan of NC) held sway today, however, turning their backs on the many hard-working and high-achieving residents of the U.S. who were brought to the United States through no choice of their own.
Three Rs did show some character, voting for decency over demagoguery. Deepest thanks go out to Bennett of UT, Murkowski of AK, and Lugar of IN for their support.
Kyl and McCain showed a remarkable consistency - they were against both measures, voting to undercut members of the military who are honorably serving their country *and* to snub many of their own constituents who have done nothing but help make Arizona's (and America's) society more robust.
In baseball, consistency is good. A batter who hits .290 every season has the same lifetime average as one who hits .240 and .340 in alternate years, yet the consistent player it considered the better player, one desired by almost every team.
In real life however, as written by Emerson in his essay Self Reliance, "consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."
Emerson may have been writing nearly a century before McCain or Kyl was born, but it's almost as if he was watching them in action when he wrote his essay.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Flake, Franks, and Shadegg: Protectors of child marriage, not protectors of children
Lost in the hubbub surrounding the culmination of the 2nd Session of the 111th Congress (DREAM Act, DADT, tax cut "compromise", omnibus spending bill, etc.) is the realization that a certain group in D.C. (hereafter referred to by the Randomly chosen mathematical variable "Rs" :) ) is still doing everything that they can to block even the least controversial legislation.
On Thursday, the party of "No" donned its costume for the D.C. Christmas pageant, going with the "Ebenezer" look. (Call it a "truth in advertising moment").
They spent most of the week voting against nearly *everything.*
In itself, that isn't noteworthy anymore - they've spent the last two years voting against every piece of significant legislation. The measures that they haven't killed outright, they've blocked as much as possible (except for the infamous tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans).
However, as the calendar has turned toward the Christmas holiday, and toward the end of the 111th Congress, their partisan obstructionism has turned into petty meanness.
This trend was highlighted Thursday, when the House Republicans killed S. 987, the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2010.
This bill would have made the ending of child marriage in developing countries a goal of U.S. foreign policy.
The bill should have passed easily, and would have, if House leadership had been able to bring it to the floor under normal procedures. However, due to the backlog caused by Republican obstruction of everything and the impending end of the 111th Congress, S. 987 was brought up for consideration under "suspension of the rules," meaning that a 2/3 majority vote was required for passage.
The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Dick Durbin and had a bipartisan list of 42 cosponsors, and was approved by the Senate unanimously. The related House versions of the bill, H.R. 2103 and H.R. 6521 boast more than 120 cosponsors drawn from both sides of the aisle.
With that kind of broad bipartisan support, it should have passed easily (not even Rs have the chutzpah/arrogance to publicly support the practice of forcing young girls to marry men who are two, three, or more times their own age).
Then certain "pro-life" groups started whispering that this bill would cause an increase in abortions, even though abortion, "family planning" or even "reproductive rights" are never even mentioned in it.
The final House vote on the bill was 241 in favor, 166 against. A clear majority, but not the requisite 2/3 needed for passage.
157 Republicans, including Arizona's Three Amigos, Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg, expressed their support of child marriage by voting against the bill, but only one of the 157, Dan Burton of Indiana was honest enough to stand and speak to his vote. And even he only professed financial reservations about the bill (estimated: $87 million over 10 years, *if* money was appropriated in a later bill).
In an interesting non-development, none of the Three Amigos seems to have put out a press release touting their victorious defense of the institution of child marriage.
Why is that?
On Thursday, the party of "No" donned its costume for the D.C. Christmas pageant, going with the "Ebenezer" look. (Call it a "truth in advertising moment").
They spent most of the week voting against nearly *everything.*
In itself, that isn't noteworthy anymore - they've spent the last two years voting against every piece of significant legislation. The measures that they haven't killed outright, they've blocked as much as possible (except for the infamous tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans).
However, as the calendar has turned toward the Christmas holiday, and toward the end of the 111th Congress, their partisan obstructionism has turned into petty meanness.
This trend was highlighted Thursday, when the House Republicans killed S. 987, the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2010.
This bill would have made the ending of child marriage in developing countries a goal of U.S. foreign policy.
The bill should have passed easily, and would have, if House leadership had been able to bring it to the floor under normal procedures. However, due to the backlog caused by Republican obstruction of everything and the impending end of the 111th Congress, S. 987 was brought up for consideration under "suspension of the rules," meaning that a 2/3 majority vote was required for passage.
The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Dick Durbin and had a bipartisan list of 42 cosponsors, and was approved by the Senate unanimously. The related House versions of the bill, H.R. 2103 and H.R. 6521 boast more than 120 cosponsors drawn from both sides of the aisle.
With that kind of broad bipartisan support, it should have passed easily (not even Rs have the chutzpah/arrogance to publicly support the practice of forcing young girls to marry men who are two, three, or more times their own age).
Then certain "pro-life" groups started whispering that this bill would cause an increase in abortions, even though abortion, "family planning" or even "reproductive rights" are never even mentioned in it.
The final House vote on the bill was 241 in favor, 166 against. A clear majority, but not the requisite 2/3 needed for passage.
157 Republicans, including Arizona's Three Amigos, Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg, expressed their support of child marriage by voting against the bill, but only one of the 157, Dan Burton of Indiana was honest enough to stand and speak to his vote. And even he only professed financial reservations about the bill (estimated: $87 million over 10 years, *if* money was appropriated in a later bill).
In an interesting non-development, none of the Three Amigos seems to have put out a press release touting their victorious defense of the institution of child marriage.
Why is that?
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Special Session on Monday
...In any beginning composition class in AZ (English 101 in the Maricopa County Community College District curriculum), this one would be a great topic for a "compare and contrast" essay...
Well, it's official - the Governor has called a special session of the Arizona Legislature (the ninth! of this particular session of the lege) to "fix" the anti-union ballot question that, earlier this week, was thrown off of November's ballot because it violated the "one topic only" rule for amendments to the AZ Constitution.
Legislators were notified by email earlier this evening to expect a session that will last 1 - 3 days - though the only ways it will last only one day are if the Democrats roll over for the Rs and agree to suspend the "three-day" rule or if the Rs fail to get a quorum for the session. Neither circumstance seems likely at this point.
The Governor's call for the special session:
The U.S. House is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Aside from the bill to help the states, there will be a privileged/showboat motion from a Republican to block any "lame duck" sessions after the elections in November on the theory that the Ds will lose control of the House and he doesn't want them to be able to pass bills that the Republicans don't support.
The Rs probably don't expect that their motion will pass (as well they shouldn't!), but that probably isn't the purpose of the motion.
As a "privileged" motion, it takes precedence over pretty much everything else, and nothing else (including the funds that so many states need in order to open schools on schedule this fall) can be considered until the motion has been considered and disposed of (passed, defeated, or referred to committee).
They'll try to extend debate on that motion as long as possible in order to block the funding that so many states need in order to continue functioning.
Evidently, there isn't much of a contrast between Arizona Republicans and federal Republicans.
Both groups are more interested in screwing over working people and the poor than in doing their jobs.
Later...
Well, it's official - the Governor has called a special session of the Arizona Legislature (the ninth! of this particular session of the lege) to "fix" the anti-union ballot question that, earlier this week, was thrown off of November's ballot because it violated the "one topic only" rule for amendments to the AZ Constitution.
Legislators were notified by email earlier this evening to expect a session that will last 1 - 3 days - though the only ways it will last only one day are if the Democrats roll over for the Rs and agree to suspend the "three-day" rule or if the Rs fail to get a quorum for the session. Neither circumstance seems likely at this point.
The Governor's call for the special session:
Governor Jan Brewer has issued a special session call to the Arizona Legislature for Monday, August 9, 2010, at 3:00pm. The special session will exclusively address a ballot referral measure amending the Arizona Constitution to protect secret balloting for Arizona employees. No other items are planned for the special session.
“The right to cast your vote without fear or intimidation is a fundamental tenant of our democracy,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “I believe that Arizona voters should be provided the opportunity to support and protect the constitutional right to a secret ballot for Arizona employees.”
The special session is expected to last 1-3 days.Contrast this, a *special* session intended to attack the ability of working Americans to join unions with the U.S. Congress' equivalent - calling members back from their summer district work period to address Medicaid, education funding and other money to cash-strapped states (money that AZ's budgeters planned for when they put together the FY2011 budget). The money will help keep teachers working and poor people receiving medical care .
The U.S. House is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Aside from the bill to help the states, there will be a privileged/showboat motion from a Republican to block any "lame duck" sessions after the elections in November on the theory that the Ds will lose control of the House and he doesn't want them to be able to pass bills that the Republicans don't support.
The Rs probably don't expect that their motion will pass (as well they shouldn't!), but that probably isn't the purpose of the motion.
As a "privileged" motion, it takes precedence over pretty much everything else, and nothing else (including the funds that so many states need in order to open schools on schedule this fall) can be considered until the motion has been considered and disposed of (passed, defeated, or referred to committee).
They'll try to extend debate on that motion as long as possible in order to block the funding that so many states need in order to continue functioning.
Evidently, there isn't much of a contrast between Arizona Republicans and federal Republicans.
Both groups are more interested in screwing over working people and the poor than in doing their jobs.
Later...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Army suicides up; VA outreach down. Harry Mitchell wants answers
This week, from the Stripes Central blog at Stars and Stripes -
In his opening statement, Mitchell questioned why the VA had discontinued successful public announcements, especially during a period of rising need.
He called for increased, not reduced, efforts to reach out to veterans suffering from long-term effects of their service.
From a press release -
More soldiers killed themselves last month than any other month on record. There were 21 active-duty and 11 reserve soldier suicides in June, including seven in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Army reported on Thursday.On Wednesday, Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell chaired a hearing of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee looking into the efforts of the Veterans Administration to reach out to veterans suffering from PTSD and other service-related disorders. (Air Force Times coverage here)
The news came just weeks after Gen. Peter Chiarelli told Congress that the Army was encouraged by a 30 percent drop in suicides among active-duty soldiers this year compared to last year at this time. Although he said there was more to do, he thought the decrease showed the Army's prevention efforts were working.
But this latest data reflects more of the same. Through the first six months of 2009, 88 active-duty soldiers committed suicide. For this year, that number is 80. The trend is most troubling among reserve component soldiers; those deaths jumped from 42 to 65.
In his opening statement, Mitchell questioned why the VA had discontinued successful public announcements, especially during a period of rising need.
He called for increased, not reduced, efforts to reach out to veterans suffering from long-term effects of their service.
From a press release -
The VA can't just sit back and wait for veterans to come to them. They need to go to the veterans."
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.
...At the federal level, both the U.S. House and Senate are on a break. They'll be back in session next week.
...Back here in Arizona...
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any regular meetings scheduled, however they will be travelling to gather public comment on specific issues.
-- On Wednesday at 1 p.m., they will be holding a special meeting in Tucson to solicit public comments on line extension policies for Arizona utilities.
-- Later on Wednesday, they will hold two public meetings in Nogales. The first will start at 6 p.m. and will concern Rio Rico Utilities rates; the second is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will concern Valle Verde Water Company rates.
-- The ACC's hearing schedule is here. Most of this week's hearing activity involves Arizona American Water (a name near and not-so-dear to Scottsdale readers :) ).
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. It's a special meeting with one topic - a settlement with the Department of Labor over MCSO's forcing detention officers to work unpaid overtime. AZ Republic coverage of the matter here.
- The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will have a busy week.
-- On Tuesday at 1 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Project ADD Water group.
-- On Thursday at 9 a.m., the Board's Public Policy Committee will meet.
-- After the committee meeting, the full Board with hold a regular meeting. The highlights of this meeting will be the setting of property tax and service rates.
- The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week; the Council Calendar of events is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council also isn't meeting this week; the City of Scottsdale's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Note: When memorial service arrangements for late Councilman Tony Nelssen are announced, an update will be posted.
Not meeting this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Arizona Board of Regents
...At the federal level, both the U.S. House and Senate are on a break. They'll be back in session next week.
...Back here in Arizona...
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any regular meetings scheduled, however they will be travelling to gather public comment on specific issues.
-- On Wednesday at 1 p.m., they will be holding a special meeting in Tucson to solicit public comments on line extension policies for Arizona utilities.
-- Later on Wednesday, they will hold two public meetings in Nogales. The first will start at 6 p.m. and will concern Rio Rico Utilities rates; the second is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will concern Valle Verde Water Company rates.
-- The ACC's hearing schedule is here. Most of this week's hearing activity involves Arizona American Water (a name near and not-so-dear to Scottsdale readers :) ).
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. It's a special meeting with one topic - a settlement with the Department of Labor over MCSO's forcing detention officers to work unpaid overtime. AZ Republic coverage of the matter here.
- The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will have a busy week.
-- On Tuesday at 1 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Project ADD Water group.
-- On Thursday at 9 a.m., the Board's Public Policy Committee will meet.
-- After the committee meeting, the full Board with hold a regular meeting. The highlights of this meeting will be the setting of property tax and service rates.
- The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week; the Council Calendar of events is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council also isn't meeting this week; the City of Scottsdale's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Note: When memorial service arrangements for late Councilman Tony Nelssen are announced, an update will be posted.
Not meeting this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Arizona Board of Regents
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.
These schedule posts have become intermittent, due in part to the lack of interesting tidbits to cover, as well as election year deadlines in Arizona (sigs are due Wednesday!) cutting into available blogging time. However, this week, there will be a *lot* of budget-related action and other interesting matters up for consideration, especially in D.C. and with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Stuff that is definitely post-worthy.
On to the important stuff...
On the federal level -
- The U.S. House will be handling a number of bills this week as they get ready for the holiday break next week. The highlight this week will be H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 (CRS summary here). There will be a massive amount of election-year posturing over this one, whether of the "fiscal responsibility" or the "I'm a patriot" variety. Still, it's only an authorization bill, not an appropriations bill, and they all will want to make the earliest possible flights out of town on Friday. The posturing will be loud, but efficient.
Also on the agenda: Consideration of a Senate amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (most current CRS summary here); H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act (CRS summary here - it's designed to limit corporate control of election campaigns); and further consideration of H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (previously blocked by the House GOP when the measure came to the House floor under "suspension of the rules," requiring a 2/3 majority to pass, it's coming back in a way that will require only a simple majority to pass).
- The U.S. Senate will be doing, you know, "Senate" stuff this week. That includes a committee schedule with hearings on the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, impacts of consolidation on the airline industry, and more (lots of executive branch nominations). There will also be floor consideration of H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010.
...Back here in Arizona -
- The Arizona Corporation Commission will be holding a public comment session in Prescott Valley on Tuesday. The subject will be
The Commission's regular hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a busy and "colorful" week on tap.
-- Monday's Informal meeting is dedicated to budget matters, including the tentative adoption of next year's budget.
-- Later on Monday, the Supes will be holding a Special meeting dedicated to a financial review of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. This one could include a contempt hearing over Sheriff Joe Arpaio's refusal to turn over financial records for the review. There is some question about the procedures for the contempt hearing, so the hearing schedule may yet be changed or be cancelled entirely. More AZ Republic coverage here. This one could be the most interesting event of the week, or it could fizzle completely.
- - On Wednesday, the Supes have a Formal meeting scheduled. The agenda is a long one.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System will be holding an executive session on Monday (relating to legal matters and contracts - the agenda items are rather vague, intentionally so, I think) and a regular meeting on Wednesday (highlight: budget-related stuff). MIHS' Legislative summary will also be on the agenda. Like most of us, their primary focus is on the state's budget situation.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, agenda here. It looks pretty mundane thus far, though there is an item to change the length of the terms of the Board President and Secretary from one to two years. After the regular meeting will be an executive session regarding employment of the Chancellor of the District, Rufus Glasper. There have been issues of contention between the Chancellor and certain board members, so this particular exec session could be one that most MCCCD observers wish was a public session. Look for public fallout from this meeting to reach an agenda in June.
- The City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale aren't scheduled to hold regular meetings this week, though Tempe will hold a special meeting on Friday to accept the results from last week's election. Tempe's Council Calendar is here; Scottsdale's Community Meetings Notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project
Later...
These schedule posts have become intermittent, due in part to the lack of interesting tidbits to cover, as well as election year deadlines in Arizona (sigs are due Wednesday!) cutting into available blogging time. However, this week, there will be a *lot* of budget-related action and other interesting matters up for consideration, especially in D.C. and with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Stuff that is definitely post-worthy.
On to the important stuff...
On the federal level -
- The U.S. House will be handling a number of bills this week as they get ready for the holiday break next week. The highlight this week will be H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 (CRS summary here). There will be a massive amount of election-year posturing over this one, whether of the "fiscal responsibility" or the "I'm a patriot" variety. Still, it's only an authorization bill, not an appropriations bill, and they all will want to make the earliest possible flights out of town on Friday. The posturing will be loud, but efficient.
Also on the agenda: Consideration of a Senate amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (most current CRS summary here); H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act (CRS summary here - it's designed to limit corporate control of election campaigns); and further consideration of H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (previously blocked by the House GOP when the measure came to the House floor under "suspension of the rules," requiring a 2/3 majority to pass, it's coming back in a way that will require only a simple majority to pass).
- The U.S. Senate will be doing, you know, "Senate" stuff this week. That includes a committee schedule with hearings on the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, impacts of consolidation on the airline industry, and more (lots of executive branch nominations). There will also be floor consideration of H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010.
...Back here in Arizona -
- The Arizona Corporation Commission will be holding a public comment session in Prescott Valley on Tuesday. The subject will be
Public Comment in the Matter of the Application of the Commission’s, Docket No. E-00000J-10-0044, inquiry and potential rulemaking regarding line extension policies of electric utilities, including but not limited to, alternative rate designs related to apportionment and rate recovery of cost of construction and installation of electric utility line extensions, the use of free footage and/or dollar allowances in line extension tariffs, the treatment of proceeds associated with line extensions as contributions in aid of construction (CIAC) and/or revenue, and the ability for third-party vendors to contract to install line extensions for electric utilities.The ACC will be holding a regular "Utilities" meeting on Wednesday and Thursday, agenda here.
The Commission's regular hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a busy and "colorful" week on tap.
-- Monday's Informal meeting is dedicated to budget matters, including the tentative adoption of next year's budget.
-- Later on Monday, the Supes will be holding a Special meeting dedicated to a financial review of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. This one could include a contempt hearing over Sheriff Joe Arpaio's refusal to turn over financial records for the review. There is some question about the procedures for the contempt hearing, so the hearing schedule may yet be changed or be cancelled entirely. More AZ Republic coverage here. This one could be the most interesting event of the week, or it could fizzle completely.
- - On Wednesday, the Supes have a Formal meeting scheduled. The agenda is a long one.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System will be holding an executive session on Monday (relating to legal matters and contracts - the agenda items are rather vague, intentionally so, I think) and a regular meeting on Wednesday (highlight: budget-related stuff). MIHS' Legislative summary will also be on the agenda. Like most of us, their primary focus is on the state's budget situation.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, agenda here. It looks pretty mundane thus far, though there is an item to change the length of the terms of the Board President and Secretary from one to two years. After the regular meeting will be an executive session regarding employment of the Chancellor of the District, Rufus Glasper. There have been issues of contention between the Chancellor and certain board members, so this particular exec session could be one that most MCCCD observers wish was a public session. Look for public fallout from this meeting to reach an agenda in June.
- The City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale aren't scheduled to hold regular meetings this week, though Tempe will hold a special meeting on Friday to accept the results from last week's election. Tempe's Council Calendar is here; Scottsdale's Community Meetings Notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project
Later...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Harry Mitchell's bill to freeze Congressional pay signed into law by the President
Lost in the hyperpartisan hubbub of election-year posturing across the state and country ("Hayworth this!" "McCain that!", etc.) has been the workmanlike job turned in by CD5's Congressman, Harry Mitchell.
Whether it is tirelessly advocating for America's veterans (including calling out the VA for its lackluster performance of its own job) or simply recognizing a long-time colleague in public service on his retirement, Mitchell's work in Congress has been the definition of "good government."
"Good government" may not be as sexy as the "health care reform" package that passed Congress earlier this year or as incendiary aspolice state bill "immigration reform" bill that passed the Arizona legislature last month, but it is the most important part of elected officials' jobs.
Note to Tea Party/Republican types: imagine reading that sentence with "sexy" and "incendiary" switched. That sentence will still work for you. :)
Today's signing of H.R. 5146 is part of that pattern of good government. It garnered bipartisan support (79 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, including conservative icons Jeff Flake and Ron Paul, and overwhelming support when the measure reached the floor - 402-15 in the House, unanimous in the Senate).
In a statement on the signing, Mitchell said -
Whether it is tirelessly advocating for America's veterans (including calling out the VA for its lackluster performance of its own job) or simply recognizing a long-time colleague in public service on his retirement, Mitchell's work in Congress has been the definition of "good government."
"Good government" may not be as sexy as the "health care reform" package that passed Congress earlier this year or as incendiary as
Note to Tea Party/Republican types: imagine reading that sentence with "sexy" and "incendiary" switched. That sentence will still work for you. :)
Today's signing of H.R. 5146 is part of that pattern of good government. It garnered bipartisan support (79 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, including conservative icons Jeff Flake and Ron Paul, and overwhelming support when the measure reached the floor - 402-15 in the House, unanimous in the Senate).
In a statement on the signing, Mitchell said -
"To raise Congressional pay at a time when so many families are still struggling to make ends meet would be unconscionable and glaringly out of touch. I am pleased that President Obama has signed this bipartisan legislation into law. This sends an important message. The American people are not getting a raise this year and neither should Congress."
While some might deride Mitchell's bill as an election year stunt, it should be remembered that he has proposed the same measure every year since entering Congress. This was no stunt, just Harry doing his job.
Mitchell's full statement on today's signing here.Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Coming Week - Everybody Else Edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, and subject to change without notice...
In DC...
...The House's agenda is here. It looks fairly quiet thus far, though H.R. 2499 (Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009) and H.R. 5013 (Implementing Management for Performance and Related Reforms to Obtain Value in Every Acquisition Act of 2010, aka IMPROVE Act) may generate some controversy.
It looks like that after the healthcare reform dust-up earlier this year, the leadership; in the House is going to take it easy on the really controversial stuff.
...Over in the Senate, much of their week will be consumed by consideration of financial regulation overhaul (S. 3217). Call me cynical, but much of the contention on this one seems to be over deciding between faux reform (Senate Ds) and no reform (Senate Rs). The Senate's committee schedule is here.
Here in Arizona...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a utilities-related meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, agenda here. On Friday, they'll be holding a special open meeting in Globe to solicit public comment on line extension policies of electric utilities.
The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is meeting this week. Their "informal" meeting on Monday has been cancelled, however, Wednesday's "formal" meeting is still on tap.
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission is meeting on Thursday. No agenda posted as yet.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular session at 6:30 p.m. Agenda here.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System is meeting on Wednesday. The executive session agenda is here; regular session agenda here.
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week. Their calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council has a regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday and a special meeting scheduled for noon on Friday to interview finalists for the City Manager's position. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project
In DC...
...The House's agenda is here. It looks fairly quiet thus far, though H.R. 2499 (Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009) and H.R. 5013 (Implementing Management for Performance and Related Reforms to Obtain Value in Every Acquisition Act of 2010, aka IMPROVE Act) may generate some controversy.
It looks like that after the healthcare reform dust-up earlier this year, the leadership; in the House is going to take it easy on the really controversial stuff.
...Over in the Senate, much of their week will be consumed by consideration of financial regulation overhaul (S. 3217). Call me cynical, but much of the contention on this one seems to be over deciding between faux reform (Senate Ds) and no reform (Senate Rs). The Senate's committee schedule is here.
Here in Arizona...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a utilities-related meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, agenda here. On Friday, they'll be holding a special open meeting in Globe to solicit public comment on line extension policies of electric utilities.
The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is meeting this week. Their "informal" meeting on Monday has been cancelled, however, Wednesday's "formal" meeting is still on tap.
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission is meeting on Thursday. No agenda posted as yet.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular session at 6:30 p.m. Agenda here.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System is meeting on Wednesday. The executive session agenda is here; regular session agenda here.
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week. Their calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council has a regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday and a special meeting scheduled for noon on Friday to interview finalists for the City Manager's position. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project
Sunday, April 04, 2010
The coming week - everybody but the lege edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice.
Changing up the order this week (normally, the lege schedule is posted first), because, well, mostly because I feel like it.
Oh, and one of the most interesting events of the week won't be at the lege. :)
On to the post...
...Both chambers of the U.S. Congress are still in recess this week.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any regular meetings scheduled for this week, but it will have a special meeting on energy preparedness for this summer on Thursday and Friday. The ACC's hearing schedule is here. The only item of interest, in fact the only item on the docket this week, is a public comment session on some rate hike proposals from Arizona American Water. If you live in the Anthem Water District, Sun City Water District, Anthem/Agua Fria Wastewater District, Sun City Wastewater District, or Sun City West Wastewater District and do business with AAWC, you may want to attend the meeting in Anthem on Wednesday evening.
...The highlight of the week has to be Monday's special meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to discuss and take action on Andy Thomas' resignation as County Attorney. They are expected to initiate the process for naming an interim CA to replace Thomas in the office.
Expect *lots* of smiles on West Jefferson (where many county offices are located). :)
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week. Their Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes the City's monthly financial report, issuing the official call for this fall's elections (OK, the primary will be in August, but that's close enough for blogging :) ), and discussion of possible projects to include in the 2010 bond election. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
An AZ Republic article on the City's proposed budget is here.
...Not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and Maricopa Integrated Health System.
Later...
Changing up the order this week (normally, the lege schedule is posted first), because, well, mostly because I feel like it.
Oh, and one of the most interesting events of the week won't be at the lege. :)
On to the post...
...Both chambers of the U.S. Congress are still in recess this week.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any regular meetings scheduled for this week, but it will have a special meeting on energy preparedness for this summer on Thursday and Friday. The ACC's hearing schedule is here. The only item of interest, in fact the only item on the docket this week, is a public comment session on some rate hike proposals from Arizona American Water. If you live in the Anthem Water District, Sun City Water District, Anthem/Agua Fria Wastewater District, Sun City Wastewater District, or Sun City West Wastewater District and do business with AAWC, you may want to attend the meeting in Anthem on Wednesday evening.
...The highlight of the week has to be Monday's special meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to discuss and take action on Andy Thomas' resignation as County Attorney. They are expected to initiate the process for naming an interim CA to replace Thomas in the office.
Expect *lots* of smiles on West Jefferson (where many county offices are located). :)
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week. Their Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes the City's monthly financial report, issuing the official call for this fall's elections (OK, the primary will be in August, but that's close enough for blogging :) ), and discussion of possible projects to include in the 2010 bond election. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
An AZ Republic article on the City's proposed budget is here.
...Not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and Maricopa Integrated Health System.
Later...
Monday, March 29, 2010
The coming week - everybody else edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.
...The schedule of activities at the Arizona Legislature was covered in an earlier post here.
...In D.C., both chambers of Congress are in recess/district work period for a couple of weeks.
...Back here in Arizona...
- The Arizona Corporation Commission has a regularly scheduled utilities meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The agenda is here. The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two regularly scheduled meetings on tap this week.
At Monday's "informal" meeting, the normally quiet agenda has a couple of items of possible controversy - an update and some contractual items regarding the Downtown Court Tower project, and a move to initiate litigation over Sheriff Joe Arpaio's purchase of a really expensive inmate transport bus. AZRepublic coverage of that last item here.
The agenda for Wednesday's "formal" meeting includes an item for a settlement in the case of "Robert Cole v. Maricopa County and Joseph Arpaio."
- The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will meet on Thursday. Its agenda is here; its Public Policy Committee meeting agenda is here.
- The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to hold any regular meetings this week. The Council Calendar of activity is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to hold any regular meetings this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Also not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of Maricopa County Community College District
Later...
...The schedule of activities at the Arizona Legislature was covered in an earlier post here.
...In D.C., both chambers of Congress are in recess/district work period for a couple of weeks.
...Back here in Arizona...
- The Arizona Corporation Commission has a regularly scheduled utilities meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The agenda is here. The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two regularly scheduled meetings on tap this week.
At Monday's "informal" meeting, the normally quiet agenda has a couple of items of possible controversy - an update and some contractual items regarding the Downtown Court Tower project, and a move to initiate litigation over Sheriff Joe Arpaio's purchase of a really expensive inmate transport bus. AZRepublic coverage of that last item here.
The agenda for Wednesday's "formal" meeting includes an item for a settlement in the case of "Robert Cole v. Maricopa County and Joseph Arpaio."
- The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will meet on Thursday. Its agenda is here; its Public Policy Committee meeting agenda is here.
- The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to hold any regular meetings this week. The Council Calendar of activity is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to hold any regular meetings this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Also not meeting this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of Maricopa County Community College District
Later...
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Republicans blaming Democrats for vandalism and threats
The Arizona Star has a story up quoting Tucson Tea Party leader Trent Humphries insinuating that Democrats have been the ones shouting epithets at their own members and vandalizing their own offices.
From the story -
"If those events happened, it had nothing to do with my group,” said organizer Trent Humphries, noting his group has held many demonstrations over the past year. “We haven’t had anything like that happen and I defy anyone to tell me any different.”
Humphries said for all he knows, the accusations didn’t even happen, or might even be traced back to a Democratic operative. “I’m not going to accuse them of wrongdoing, but if they’re accusing us, they’d better be offering proof.”
A loose coalition of varied beliefs, Humphries also said, “We can’t be responsible for every sign that goes up at every protest.”
The police will be able to find out if Mr. Humphries' speculation about a "Democratic operative" being behind some of the more vicious incidents of the last few days.
From a Yellow Sheet Report piece (no link as it is behind a subscriber firewall) -
GABBY’S DIGS VANDALIZED, MITCHELL THREATENED
...Mitchell aide Robbie Sherwood said the congressman’s Scottsdale office has also been bombarded with “menacing or threatening callers,” one of whom apparently voiced a death threat against Mitchell last Tuesday. Capitol Police in D.C., per protocol, were made aware of the threat and have received the caller’s phone number that popped up on the office’s caller ID feature...
Nor have Mitchell and Giffords (and the African-American and gay members of Congress) been the only folks to be subject to threats, vandalism, and epithets in recent days. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has been threatened and had her office vandalized and Democratic Party offices across the country have been similarly attacked (Kansas, Ohio) and all members who voted for HCR have been threatened with "drawing and quartering" (a particularly gruesome way to kill someone).
According to most of the reports, in each incident, the local police, U.S. Capitol Police, and/or the FBI are looking into the incidents (depending on which agencies have jurisdiction).
Something tells me that this summer is going to be long, hot, and filled with similar incidents.
Stay tuned...
Monday, March 22, 2010
Civility still on the decline in Congress
Whether it is things like neo-Confederate Congressman Joe Wilson heckling President Barack Obama during a speech before a joint session of Congress...
Whether it is things like "Tea Party" types showing their true selves by surrounding and streaming through the U.S. Capitol and spewing epithets at Congressmen as they walked to votes...
Whether it is things like a Texas Republican shouting "baby killer!" at an ardently pro-life Democratic colleague in the House for daring to vote for health care reform...
Whether it is things like these or any of a hundred other examples, the sort of civil decorum that allows people who disagree strongly on the issues of the day yet still interact constructively has given way to cynical fear-mongering, shameless spin, and desperate demonization masquerading as flag-waving patriotism and devout religious fervor.
The sad thing is that outbursts like Sunday's "baby killer!" are so common these days that the only surprise for me isn't that it happened but that it wasn't shouted by Trent Franks of CD2, saving Arizona that bit of embarrassment.
Enough already.
Whether it is things like "Tea Party" types showing their true selves by surrounding and streaming through the U.S. Capitol and spewing epithets at Congressmen as they walked to votes...
Whether it is things like a Texas Republican shouting "baby killer!" at an ardently pro-life Democratic colleague in the House for daring to vote for health care reform...
Whether it is things like these or any of a hundred other examples, the sort of civil decorum that allows people who disagree strongly on the issues of the day yet still interact constructively has given way to cynical fear-mongering, shameless spin, and desperate demonization masquerading as flag-waving patriotism and devout religious fervor.
The sad thing is that outbursts like Sunday's "baby killer!" are so common these days that the only surprise for me isn't that it happened but that it wasn't shouted by Trent Franks of CD2, saving Arizona that bit of embarrassment.
Enough already.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
219 - 212...YES!!!!
After many hours of contentious debate, the House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3590 by a 219 to 212 margin (vote details pending). They're now talking about the reconciliation bill, which the Rs are trying to kill (strangely enough, they are trying to kill it on pro-life grounds), but it is expected to pass by a larger margin than the main bill did.
NPR coverage on passage of the main bill is here; a live blog of the proceedings is here.
More later...
Edit later on 3/21 -
The vote details are now posted.
Each Democratic member from Arizona voted in favor of the bill and in favor of better health care coverage and access for all Americans (thank you Representatives Giffords, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, Pastor and Grijalva!!) and each Republican member from Arizona voted against the bill (boo! hiss! Representatives Flake, Franks, and Shadegg!)
34 Democrats voted against the bill; time for some primary challenges.
...and the reconciliation bill has just passed with 220 votes in support. The reconciliation bill will now go to the Senate for consideration this week and the President willsign the underlying bill within a day or so. It looks as if one of the Ds who voted against the underlying bill signed on to the reconciliation bill.
End edit...
NPR coverage on passage of the main bill is here; a live blog of the proceedings is here.
More later...
Edit later on 3/21 -
The vote details are now posted.
Each Democratic member from Arizona voted in favor of the bill and in favor of better health care coverage and access for all Americans (thank you Representatives Giffords, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, Pastor and Grijalva!!) and each Republican member from Arizona voted against the bill (boo! hiss! Representatives Flake, Franks, and Shadegg!)
34 Democrats voted against the bill; time for some primary challenges.
...and the reconciliation bill has just passed with 220 votes in support. The reconciliation bill will now go to the Senate for consideration this week and the President willsign the underlying bill within a day or so. It looks as if one of the Ds who voted against the underlying bill signed on to the reconciliation bill.
End edit...
The coming week - everybody else edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, last week is blending into next week as they are still in session even as I write this, working toward a vote on the latest health care reform package. As such, no agenda has been posted online as yet. Once that agenda is posted, expect a quiet week as the members look to recover from this week's exertions.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, a lot of their time will be taken up (presumably, assuming passage by the House) with consideration of a reconciliation bill relating to HCR. On the Senate's committee schedule, there is one item of direct interest to Arizonans - the Armed Services Committee's consideration on Tuesday of the nomination of Katherine Hammack to the post of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. Ms. Hammack is a senior manager at Ernst & Young in Phoenix.
...Back in Arizona...
- The legislature's committee schedule is covered here.
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but their hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. No agenda available online as yet.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session planned for 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Agenda here. Looks relatively quiet thus far, though there is one item of interest to political geeks like me - a consent agenda item to participate in a program from First Things First to pay fees at the Children's Learning Center at Gateway Community College for qualifying parents.
The same First Things First that the legislature wants to eliminate.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings this week. On Monday, there is a special session scheduled, with an executive session component. On Wednesday, there will be a full meeting. The agenda includes consideration of proposed rate changes for services.
- The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda is here, and it includes approval of the results of Tempe's election from two weeks ago. The Council Calendar is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. First up will be a special meeting devoted to appointments to some of the City's Boards and Commissions. The agenda for the regular meeting includes, as with Tempe, approval of the election results from earlier this month. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, and the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, last week is blending into next week as they are still in session even as I write this, working toward a vote on the latest health care reform package. As such, no agenda has been posted online as yet. Once that agenda is posted, expect a quiet week as the members look to recover from this week's exertions.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, a lot of their time will be taken up (presumably, assuming passage by the House) with consideration of a reconciliation bill relating to HCR. On the Senate's committee schedule, there is one item of direct interest to Arizonans - the Armed Services Committee's consideration on Tuesday of the nomination of Katherine Hammack to the post of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. Ms. Hammack is a senior manager at Ernst & Young in Phoenix.
...Back in Arizona...
- The legislature's committee schedule is covered here.
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but their hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. No agenda available online as yet.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session planned for 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Agenda here. Looks relatively quiet thus far, though there is one item of interest to political geeks like me - a consent agenda item to participate in a program from First Things First to pay fees at the Children's Learning Center at Gateway Community College for qualifying parents.
The same First Things First that the legislature wants to eliminate.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings this week. On Monday, there is a special session scheduled, with an executive session component. On Wednesday, there will be a full meeting. The agenda includes consideration of proposed rate changes for services.
- The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda is here, and it includes approval of the results of Tempe's election from two weeks ago. The Council Calendar is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. First up will be a special meeting devoted to appointments to some of the City's Boards and Commissions. The agenda for the regular meeting includes, as with Tempe, approval of the election results from earlier this month. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, and the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Is the Tea Party uniform a white sheet and hood?
From the Washington Post -
Other African-American members of Congress, including the highly respected civil rights era icon Rep. John Lewis, were also targeted with racial slurs as they walked to floor votes.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has issued a statement condemning the behavior, available here; House Minority Leader John Boehner has issued a similar statement, available nowhere, as he apparently hasn't condemned the behavior. I don't expect him to do so, as on Friday, he reminded the Tea Party types that "it isn't too late to make your voices heard."
His followers listened, and on Saturday, they did "make [their] voices heard."
Mission accomplished, Mr. Boehner. Hope you are proud of your influence.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) issued a statement late Saturday saying that he was spit upon while walking to the Capitol to cast a vote, leading the Capitol Police to usher him into the building out of concern for his safety. Police detained the individual, who was then released because Cleaver declined to press charges.
Other African-American members of Congress, including the highly respected civil rights era icon Rep. John Lewis, were also targeted with racial slurs as they walked to floor votes.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has issued a statement condemning the behavior, available here; House Minority Leader John Boehner has issued a similar statement, available nowhere, as he apparently hasn't condemned the behavior. I don't expect him to do so, as on Friday, he reminded the Tea Party types that "it isn't too late to make your voices heard."
His followers listened, and on Saturday, they did "make [their] voices heard."
Mission accomplished, Mr. Boehner. Hope you are proud of your influence.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Health care vote coming up in Congress
Later this week, or perhaps early next week, the US House will vote on a health care reform bill. Its passage (assuming it passes, a likely occurrence but far from a guaranteed one) won't signal the end of the HCR debate - the Senate will still have to deal with it.
However, now is the time to help ensure HCR's passage through the House - contact your Congressional representative and urge them to support it.
My brief letter to Congressman Harry Mitchell, doing just that -
At this point, I expect that long and involved missives aren't necessary, but short notes to let our Congressmen and -women know that people are still watching and care about HCR are definitely in order this week.
Congressman Mitchell's online contact/email form is here.
For those who live in districts other than CD5...
Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) can be contacted here
Ed Pastor (CD4) can be contacted here
Raul Grijalva (CD7) can be contacted here
Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) can be contacted here
If you live in CDs 2, 3, and 6, you are represented by hardcore Republicans who are opposed to any kind of health care reform, no matter how much their constituents urgently need it to pass. Whether you support or oppose HCR, those reps don't care - they made up their minds before it was even proposed.
Later...
However, now is the time to help ensure HCR's passage through the House - contact your Congressional representative and urge them to support it.
My brief letter to Congressman Harry Mitchell, doing just that -
Dear Congressman Mitchell,
Within the next week or so, Congress will be voting on a health care reform bill.
Last year, you supported an HCR bill with a strong public option (Thank you!), and I am writing to you to urge you to continue to do so.
The current system of health insurance caters to the whims and desires of corporate bigwigs and lobbyists, while denying care for the patients who need it.
Throughout your political career, you have been known for standing up for the needs of your constituents. Right now, thousands of your constituents need you to stand strong one more time, this time against against the falsehoods and smears of those who are profiting from the current dysfunctional system of health insurance.
Congressman Mitchell, thank you for all that you have done for the people of your district.
Regards,
[cpmaz]
At this point, I expect that long and involved missives aren't necessary, but short notes to let our Congressmen and -women know that people are still watching and care about HCR are definitely in order this week.
Congressman Mitchell's online contact/email form is here.
For those who live in districts other than CD5...
Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) can be contacted here
Ed Pastor (CD4) can be contacted here
Raul Grijalva (CD7) can be contacted here
Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) can be contacted here
If you live in CDs 2, 3, and 6, you are represented by hardcore Republicans who are opposed to any kind of health care reform, no matter how much their constituents urgently need it to pass. Whether you support or oppose HCR, those reps don't care - they made up their minds before it was even proposed.
Later...
Sunday, March 07, 2010
The Coming Week - Everybody Else Edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
...In Congress, most of the MSM attention will be on health care reform but there are other matters on the agenda this week.
- In the House of Representatives, their agenda includes many of the usual memorial, congratulatory, building naming and similar "window dressing" motions.
However, there are also a few items that could generate some heat.
- H.R. 4621, the Prevent Deceptive Census Look Alike Mailings Act. This one is targeted at groups and organizations that have sent out fundraising mailers that look like official Census documents. Like the GOP.
- H. Con. Res. 248, a privileged resolution by Dennis Kucinich to compel the President to remove American troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year. It won't pass, but it will take hours of debate to not pass it. Unless leadership decrees that is should just be tabled. Only the most progressive Democrats will support this one and all Rs will oppose it. Where things could get cute is if there is a move to table the resolution or to refer it to committee, the Rs could vote to keep it on the floor. As a privileged resolution, the measure takes precedence over almost everything else so they will have to deal with it before any other measure (like HCR) can be considered.
- H. Res. 1031, to impeach federal judge G. Thomas Porteous of Louisiana for ethics breaches. More info here.
...The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...Here in Arizona:
...The Arizona Board of Regents will meet on Thursday and Friday at U of A in Tucson. The agenda includes setting tuition and fees (there are other items related to tuition, but the link is the big one).
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have a full meeting this week. Their hearing schedule is here, however.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System don't have a meeting this week, but they are scheduled to be at MIHS' employee picnic on Friday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a joint meeting with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association on Friday in Phoenix.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...The Tempe City Council also isn't meeting this week. The Council Calendar for the week is here.
Also not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Election Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
...In Congress, most of the MSM attention will be on health care reform but there are other matters on the agenda this week.
- In the House of Representatives, their agenda includes many of the usual memorial, congratulatory, building naming and similar "window dressing" motions.
However, there are also a few items that could generate some heat.
- H.R. 4621, the Prevent Deceptive Census Look Alike Mailings Act. This one is targeted at groups and organizations that have sent out fundraising mailers that look like official Census documents. Like the GOP.
- H. Con. Res. 248, a privileged resolution by Dennis Kucinich to compel the President to remove American troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year. It won't pass, but it will take hours of debate to not pass it. Unless leadership decrees that is should just be tabled. Only the most progressive Democrats will support this one and all Rs will oppose it. Where things could get cute is if there is a move to table the resolution or to refer it to committee, the Rs could vote to keep it on the floor. As a privileged resolution, the measure takes precedence over almost everything else so they will have to deal with it before any other measure (like HCR) can be considered.
- H. Res. 1031, to impeach federal judge G. Thomas Porteous of Louisiana for ethics breaches. More info here.
...The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...Here in Arizona:
...The Arizona Board of Regents will meet on Thursday and Friday at U of A in Tucson. The agenda includes setting tuition and fees (there are other items related to tuition, but the link is the big one).
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have a full meeting this week. Their hearing schedule is here, however.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System don't have a meeting this week, but they are scheduled to be at MIHS' employee picnic on Friday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a joint meeting with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association on Friday in Phoenix.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...The Tempe City Council also isn't meeting this week. The Council Calendar for the week is here.
Also not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Election Commission, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)