Forum on Citizens United

Forum on Citizens United and its Impact on Arizona

 

The Central Arizona National Lawyers Guild is sponsoring a community forum on the impact of Citizens United and what actions can be taken.  The forum will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014, from 6-8 p.m. at Burton Barr Library, 1221 N Central Ave, Phoenix, 4^th floor.

 

Speakers will be attorney Paul Eckstein from Perkins Coie who specializes in commercial, constitutional and election law; State Representative Debbie McCune Davis who has introduced legislation regarding Citizens United; Rivko Knox from the League of Women Voters to discuss their concerns; and Jon Alanis from the Arizona Advocacy Network to discuss the Clean Election Commission v. Brain case in Arizona.  Q&A from the audience will be facilitated after the presentations.

 

Sen. Ed Ableser (LD26) hosting a forum on capital punishment tomorrow...

From a press release -

Senator Ed Ableser will host a forum on capital punishment at the Arizona Senate on Friday, September 13^th. Joined by legislators from both sides of the aisle and guests from government, law enforcement, criminal defense, religious institutions, victims’ rights groups and academics, Sen. Ableser will lead the discussion of the current state of capital punishment in Arizona and its future role in crime deterrence and punishment.

 

WHAT:           Legislative Forum on Capital Punishment

 

WHO:             Guests scheduled to attend include:

·       Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery

·       Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

·       Alan Tavassoli of the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender

·       Reverend Oscar Tillman, President of the Maricopa County branch of the NAACP

·       Carol Gaxiola, Director of Homicide Survivors

·       Timothy LaSota of the law firm Tiffany & Bosco PA

·       Larry Hammond of the law firm Osborn Maledon PA

·       John Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Justice Studies at Arizona State University

 

WHEN:           Friday, September 13^th at 9 a.m.

 

WHERE:         Senate Hearing Room 1

 

 

 

Democratic vacancy on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission

Jose Herrera, one of the two Democratic members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, has resigned from the AIRC, citing the time commitment required to fulfill the duties of a commissioner.  With the end of the actual crafting of legislative and Congressional districts part of the process,  most of those duties involve answering the lawsuits from Republicans who are upset that the maps don't overwhelmingly favor them.

With Herrera's resignation, the process for filling the seat has begun.

From a press release issued by the Arizona Judicial Branch -

Applications are currently being accepted by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments for a vacancy on the Independent Redistricting Commission, which is charged with mapping Arizona’s congressional and legislative districts. This vacancy was created by the resignation of Commission Vice Chair Jose M. Herrera.

Residents of all Arizona counties are eligible to apply. To be eligible, applicants must be registered Arizona voters who have been continuously registered with the Democratic Party for the last three years.  People who have held or run for a public office (other than a school board), served as an officer of a political party or a candidate=s campaign committee, or worked as a registered paid lobbyist during the past three years are not eligible.

Application forms are available at www.azcourts.gov/jnc/IRCNominations/ApplicationInfo.aspx , by calling (602) 452-3311, or at 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 10, 2013.

Redistricting Commission members are barred from seeking or holding any public office in Arizona or for registration as a paid lobbyist during their term on the commission and for three years following.

The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments will review the applications and nominate a pool of three candidates. Representative Chad Campbell, Minority Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives, will appoint the new member of the Redistricting Commission.

Pinal County Applicants Sought for Judicial Performance Review

Press release from the Arizona Judicial Branch, aka the Arizona Supreme Court -

Superior Court judges in Arizona are chosen in two ways. Counties with a population of less than 250,000 people elect Superior Court judges. Counties with a population of more than 250,000 people have Superior Court judges who are appointed through the state’s merit selection process.

 The 2010 Census certified that Pinal County now has a population of more than 250,000 people. Pinal County judges will now participate in the merit selection process and stand for “retention elections,” rather than competitive elections. Judges on the ballot will be reviewed by the Judicial Performance Review Commission, so that voters will know whether the judges on the ballot meet judicial performance standards.



The 2012 election will be the first time that information is available to Pinal County voters about the Superior Court judges on their ballot. The judicial reviews are based on surveys of people who come to court and observe the judges’ performance. Information collected at public hearings and judicial discipline records are also considered.

 The Commission on Judicial Performance Review will include members from Pinal County beginning this fall. The Supreme Court will appoint three public members from Pinal County (who cannot be lawyers or judges) to the commission. The Court will also appoint one attorney from Pinal County to the commission.

 Mike Hellon, a public member and chairman of the Commission on Judicial Performance Review, encourages Pinal County citizens to take an active role in judicial review: “A qualified and independent judiciary, untainted by partisan politics, is one of the cornerstones of our free society. Serving on the commission that reviews the performance of Arizona judges is an important and satisfying contribution to the quality and independence of our judicial system.”

 The Commission meets four to six times a year in Phoenix. Members are reimbursed for travel expenses. Service on this commission involves active participation by the member with a commitment to attend most if not all of the meetings.

 Judicial Performance Review also includes a self-improvement component. In addition to the commission appointments, public members and attorneys are needed to serve on teams that will meet with Pinal County judges about their performance. Applicants must be residents of Pinal County. An application form can be downloaded at: www.azcourts.gov/committeescommissions and should be submitted to the address on the form by August 12, 2011. The application can also be requested by sending an email to JPR@courts.az.gov or calling 602-452-3098. More nformation about Judicial Performance Review can be found at www.azjudges.info or by calling 602-452-3098.

Schapira first to file signatures in LD17

Press release time (via email) -

Schapira First to File in District 17

TEMPE - David Schapira has filed enough petition signatures with the Secretary of State’s office to qualify as a candidate for the State Senate race in District 17. He is the first candidate in District 17 of either party in either the House or Senate races to qualify. Schapira, a Clean Elections participating candidate, also filed more than the requisite number of $5 qualifying contributions in order to run under Arizona’s Clean Elections system.

An Arizona native, Schapira has drawn on his experience as a teacher and small business owner to serve Tempe and south Scottsdale for two terms in the State House of Representatives. He has received commendation as one of six “Lawmakers Who Made a Difference” and one of five “Emerging Leaders Worth Watching” by the Arizona Republic. He aims to bring his effective, pragmatic approach as a leader to the State Senate.

“I am honored by the way that petitions and contributions poured in from people all over Tempe and south Scottsdale. The people of our state are hungry for a change in leadership now more than ever, and I intend to be a part of that change,”
said Schapira. “For years, the leadership at the capitol has proven that they care more about practicing destructive, exclusive partisan politics and pursuing extremist ideological goals than they do about working on behalf of the people of Arizona. We have to break the status quo before it breaks our state completely.”

In addition to the recognition David has received from the Arizona Republic, he has been named a top legislator by the Arizona Student Association, American Cancer Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Arizona Technology Council. David has worked tirelessly at the capitol to make improving Arizona’s public education system a priority. He considers investment in K-12 and university education essential to reviving the state’s stagnant economy.

“Education must come first, and in this economy and job market, it’s even more critical to our advancement as a state. The best way to bring stable, well-paying jobs to Arizona is by offering employers a highly educated workforce. The best way to develop a robust, homegrown economic foundation is through our public universities’ research initiatives.”

David and his wife Rosemary reside in Tempe, and are expecting the birth of their first child this summer.

Learn more at DavidforAZ.com.

Congrats David!

Bipartisan STO task force requests public comment

From a press release (note: there are two links in the original press release that don't work so I found relevent articles and linked to them; otherwise, the text is unchanged.) -

Task force on private school tax credit program asks for public comment

AG’s office to present findings from STO investigation at task force meeting


STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program is inviting members of the public to testify at its next meeting on Nov. 12.

A representative from the state Attorney General’s Office also will give a presentation on its investigation into the issue.

Meeting of the Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program

When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 1 to 3 p.m.

Where: State Capitol, House Hearing Room 2

Request to speak: The public will be able to sign up to speak at the hearing.

“Public input is vital to ensure this program is effective for Arizona’s school children and that it’s not violating state and federal laws in the future,” said Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe (District 17), the task force’s chair. “Too many questions and concerns have been raised about this program and its reported violations of various laws. We need to take a clear look at it to build education for a stronger Arizona .”

House Democrats announced the creation of the task force in August specifically to address the state’s Private School Tuition Tax Credits program problems and work on bipartisan legislation to reform it.

Both the East Valley Tribune’s investigative series and the Arizona Republic ’s investigation detailed the potentially huge problems and reported illegal activities that come from this tax credit program.

The program allows taxpayers to donate money to school tuition organizations. These STOs then give scholarships to children for private school tuition. In return, the state matches the donations with a tax credit in exchange for their contribution.

The program was signed into law in 1997 by former Gov. Fife Symington and was supposed to make private education more accessible to families who can't afford it. But so far, that hasn't happened.

For instance, according to the Tribune, some STOs reportedly are violating federal tax laws that govern charitable organizations by operating with donations earmarked for particular individuals. They also reportedly are violating state law by not committing a sufficient portion of the donations to students while buying luxury items.

Both newspapers' investigative reports can be accessed online at the http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/page/taxcredits and http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/29/20091029stocorporate1029.html.

“The task force will be essential to address this problem and correct it,” said Rep. Tom Chabin, D-Flagstaff (District 2), task force vice chair.

Later...

Press release time - Legislative Town Hall in LD17

From a press release and related flier from the House Democrats -

Come Share Your Thoughts at the Legislative District 17 Town-Hall Meeting with

State Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill, Rep. David Schapira & Rep. Ed Ableser

“Your input is very important to us and it will help us serve you and our community better.”

State Legislators will discuss issues that are important to constituents, answer questions and learn about their priorities. Constituents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts.

Legislative District 17 Town Hall Meeting
Pyle Adult Recreation Center
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009

6:30pm to 8:00pm p.m.

655 E. Southern Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85282

Questions? Please contact Community and Constituent Liaison, Cynthia Aragon at 602-926-5848 or at caragon@azleg.gov.

Later...

Press release time - Rep. Sinema to host health care tele-townhall

From the Democratic caucus of the Arizona State Senate -

Assistant House Democratic Leader Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix (District 15), Rep. Patricia Fleming, D-Sierra Vista (District 25) and Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29) will host a telephone-town hall on health reform on Oct. 29

The tele-town hall will take place just before major health reform bills go to the U.S. Senate and House floors for votes, and Sinema will share information about the blended bills, including benefits and costs.

As part of the White House Health Reform Task Force, Sinema also will answer questions and hear residents’ stories, ideas and concerns about health reform.

Arizonans for Health Reform Tele-Town Hall
When: Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.

Instructions to join the call/RSVP: Please e-mail azhealthreform@gmail.com with the date of the forum in the subject line and your name, address and phone number included in the e-mail. You will receive a reply e-mail with the phone number to call. Each participant must e-mail their own information separately.

Sinema is one of 32 state legislators nationwide - the only state lawmaker from Arizona - selected for President Obama's White House Health Reform Task Force. Working in the task force, Sinema will share best practices and lessons learned from Arizona, which will help shape national health reform.

“Our country's health system is broken and families and businesses are being crushed by high health care costs," Sinema said. "The American people, including right here in Arizona, deserve better.”


That includes health reform that:

- Reduces costs to make health care affordable
- Protects a patient's choice of doctors, hospitals and insurance plans
- Assures quality affordable health care for all Americans

Later...

Inspirational Tempean David Carey recognized

From a press release from the Democratic caucus of the Arizona State Senate (with a link added and a persistent typo corrected)-

Friday, October 16, 2009
Honoring Arizonan David Carey for Receiving a Community Health Leaders Award

Sen. Meg Burton Cahill
Legislative District 17
602-926-4124

October 16, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honoring Arizonan David Carey for Receiving a Community Health Leaders Award

STATE CAPITOL, Phoenix – David Carey of Tempe was recently chosen to receive a Community Health Leaders Award by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The award is given to ten people each year who have overcome odds to improve the health of others.

“This is a fitting honor for David Carey, who is an exceptional person who has dedicated his life to assisting people in their health care,” said Sen. Meg Burton Cahill. “His work is absolutely inspiring to me.”

Carey’s biography from the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leaders website in his honor reads:

“David Carey, chairperson, Inspire Human Services Co-op, Phoenix, Ariz. Mr. Carey is being honored for his work as chair of Inspire Co-op, which allows people with disabilities to direct and control their own health care services, and for his activism to assure safe public transportation options for persons with physical disabilities. Carey’s leadership led Inspire to secure long-term contracts to provide attendant care services and established the company as one of the first self-directed cooperatives in the United States. Inspire is owned and directed by people with disabilities. Carey became a quadriplegic following a gunshot accident in 1988.”

Carey was asleep at home when he was shot by roommates who accidentally discharged a gun. Since then he has been a continued advocate for people will disabilities, education and gun responsibility. Prior to the accident, he was enrolled at Scottsdale Community College and a promising baseball athlete.

Carey was chosen as one of ten to receive the award from 532 applications received by the Foundation. The winners each receive leadership training through the fellowship program as well as $125,000. $105,000 of Carey’s award is designated for the Inspire Co-op he chairs. The balance is given to Carey for personal development.

“In this economy, when the state underfunds programs for the disabled, it is exceptional that $105,000 will go to the Inspire Human Services Co-op,” said Burton Cahill. “David is such an amazing advocate and it was an honor for me to see him receive this award in Washington, D.C. David is often at the Capitol and came to support a bill I proposed that would have allowed the disabled community apply for the same small business opportunities created for women and minorities. The work he does makes me a better senator.,” said Burton Cahill. “

Carey was one of two Arizonans given this honor. The other is Frances Stout, R.N., chairperson of the board, Tohono O’odham Nursing Care Authority (TONCA), Sells, Ariz.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is focused on health care issues and improving the health of all Americans. The Foundation on the Internet: http://www.rwjf.org/

I have never met Mr. Carey, but I can testify to Sen. Burton Cahill's respect and admiration for him - anybody who spends more than 10 minutes with the Senator hears his story and about how much he inspires her.