In case you missed it, and given that they were going strong well into the wee hours of the morning, you probably did.
Note: when a bill description is in quotes, it's quoted from the summary of that bill crafted by legislative staff.
Note2 - I didn't see the discussion for most of the bills because of the late hour, so for the most part, I am not including any of those here.
- SB1611, Russell Pearce's latest attack on people with brown skin. Passed 7 - 6. The four Democratis on the committee opposing, as did Republicans Rich Crandell and Sylvia Allen. Crandall suffers from occasional bouts of decency, so his vote wasn't entirely surprising. Allen, however, is a close friend and ally of Pearce, and usually is completely on board the nativist train. Senior moment?
- SB1308 and SB1309, the anti-14th Amendment bills, passed by identical 8 - 5 votes (1308 and 1309). All four Democrats on the committee, as did Republican Crandall.
- SB1405, turning Arizona's hospitals into immigration checkpoints, passed 8 - 5. Same voting pattern as above.
- SB1407, requiring school districts to collect data on students who cannot prove lawful residency in the U.S. and district, and requires districts to forward the info to the state. Passed 8 - 5. Same voting pattern as above.
- SB1519, completely repealing AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program. Passed 8 - 5. Same voting pattern as above.
- SB1380, mandating drug testing for welfare recipients, passed 9 - 3, 1 not voting. Three Democrats opposed, and one (David Schapira) was out of the room when the vote was taken.
- SB1115, ending the Arizona Board of Regents, who oversee the state's universities, and replacing the Board with Boards of Trustees for each individual campus, passed 9 - 4. Party line vote.
- SCR1014, related to SB1115, removing from the Arizona Constitution language regarding the Board of Regents. Passed 9 - 4. Party line vote.
- SCR1045, completely policizing the selection of Arizona judges by removing language in the AZ Constitution requiring professional evaluations and screening by the Arizona Bar Association for the attorney candidates for the various judicial selection commissions in Arizona. Passed 9 - 4. Party line vote.
SB1141, "Requires parents, or persons who have custody, of a child who will attend a public, private or charter school to provide verifiable documentation of Arizona residency, and requires school districts and charter schools to maintain the documentation", passed by a 9 - 4 vote. Party line vote.
- SB1497, gives "Arizona Constitutional and statutory rights of public agencies to the legal entities created through intergovernmental agreements." Passed 9 - 4. Party line vote.
- SB1589, further privatizing the operations of MVD. Passed 9 - 3, one not voting. Three Democrats opposed, Kyrsten Sinema out of the room when the vote was taken.
- SB1540, "Establishes the removal or defacing of political mailers, handouts and flyers as a class 2 misdemeanor and requires a condominium and planned community to allow door to door political activity." Passed 11 - 2, Aboud and Cajero Bedford dissenting.
- HB2016, updating language regarding budget reports. Passed 12 - 1, Aboud dissenting.
- SB1013, tranferring the Arizona Capitol Police, currently a part of the AZ Department of Administration, to the Department of Public Safety. Passed 11 - 0, 2 not voting. Schapira and Cajero Bedford were out of the room when the vote was taken.
- SB1113, barring "existing licensed facilities operated by the state or contracted with the Department of Economic Security (DES) to provide intermediate care facilities for mental retardation services for developmental disability members", passed 13 - 0.
- SB1353, "Repeals state photo enforcement and adds an assessment of $10 on every civil penalty or fine resulting from a citation issued by a peace officer for a traffic offense. Requires a municipality to use monies to supplement funds available for the purchase of protective armor, electronic stun devices and other safety equipment." Passed 13 - 0.
- SB1583, updating the membership of the state nursing board. Passed 13 - 0.
- SB1039, creating a "home certificate program" relating to trust deeds and housing finance. Complete legislative summary here. Passed 13 - 0.
Of course, one should not forget the passage of the most vital bill of the entire legislative session, one that is key to the future success of the entire state.
SB1610, declaring that the Colt Single Action Army Revolver is the state's official firearm. Passed 9 - 4. Party line vote. I saw the debate on this one. The Democrats didn't actually object to the content of the bill, just the fact that is was being considered while the Republican majority refuses to address the real problems facing the state.
...Whew!!
Seriously, we should all thank the four Democratic members of the committee, Senators Aboud, Cajero Bedford, Schapira, and Sinema, as well as the committee and facility staffers who stayed throughout the entire proceeding. Contrary to some of the evidence, there are still a few dedicated public servants in Arizona.
Showing posts with label Schapira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schapira. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Redistricting Update: Linda McNulty, lawyer from Tucson, appointed to AIRC
Senator David Schapira, leader of the Democratic caucus in the Arizona Senate, today announced his selection for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) via Facebook -
... I am pleased to announce I have selected Linda McNulty as the final legislative appointment to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Linda is an exceptionally qualified individual, and Arizonans will be well-served by her appointment to the IRC.McNulty's application for the AIRC is here.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
LD17 Legislators to hold office hours
Rep. Ed Ableser, Rep. Ben Arredondo, and Sen. David Schapira will meet, greet, and speak to constituents next Saturday at the Tempe Library.
From the website of the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus -
From the website of the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus -
Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, Rep. Ed Ableser and Rep. Ben Arredondo (District 17)Top to bottom: Sen. David Schapira, Rep. Ben Arredondo, Rep. Ed Ableser
When: Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Anti-14th Amendment/Birthright Citizenship update: Bills transferred to friendlier committee
On Monday, the Judiciary Committee of the Arizona Senate failed to move two nativist-written and -sponsored anti-birthright citizenship bills.
On Tuesday, Senate President Russell Pearce withdrew the bills from Judiciary to the Appropriations Committee for consideration (SB1309 and SB1308).
They are scheduled for consideration there on Tuesday, February 15 (next Tuesday) at 2 p.m. in SHR109.
The bills are expected to find a far friendlier reception in Appropriations than in Judiciary.
While there is some overlap between the memberships of the two committees, it's an overlap that favors passage.
On the Judiciary Committee, Ron Gould and Andy Biggs are the chair and vice-chair respectively; on Appropriations, they switch jobs.
Both favored the bills.
In addition, Judiciary member Rick Murphy is also on Appropriations, and he favored the bills at Monday's hearing.
Opponent Adam Driggs and (likely) opponent John McComish are NOT on Appropriations, so their voices and their votes won't be heard Tuesday.
Instead, the Republicans hearing the bill will be:
Sylvia Allen, Russell Pearce's close friend and ally
Andy Biggs, who has already made it clear that he wholeheartedly supports the bills and a cosponsor of both
Rich Crandall, a very conservative Republican who has occasional bouts of sanity
Ron Gould, who is known for celebrating the 4th of July by flying a Confederate flag in his backyard and is the originating sponsor of both measures
Lori Klein, who started the latest dustup over legislators carrying guns at the Capitol and a cosponsor of both measures
Al Melvin, who is a cosponsor of both measures
Rick Murphy, who is also a cosponsor of both measures
Don Shooter, another cosponsor and Kool-Aid drinker (and purveyor)
Steve Smith, yet another cosponsor of both measures
The Appropriations Committee is larger than Judiciary (13 members vs. 8), so it will need at least seven votes to pass, but by my count, at least seven members are sponsors/cosponsors, and Sylvia Allen is expected to vote whatever way Russell Pearce wants her to (to be fair to Allen, she appears to be a "true believer," not a tool...not exactly a marked improvement, that).
That leaves Rich Crandall, who though known for occasionally not being a total ideologue, doesn't let sanity or decency get in the way of a safe political future. He voted for SB1070 last year.
The bottom line: SBs 1308 and 1309 will pass Appropriations by an 8 - 5 or 9 - 4 vote.
The brightest spot in all this? Kyrsten Sinema, who eloquently and strongly debunked the nativists in the Senate Judiciary hearing, is also a member of Appropriations. She will be joined by fellow Democrats Olivia Cajero Bedford, Paula Aboud, and Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira.
See you Tuesday, and bring your popcorn...
On Tuesday, Senate President Russell Pearce withdrew the bills from Judiciary to the Appropriations Committee for consideration (SB1309 and SB1308).
They are scheduled for consideration there on Tuesday, February 15 (next Tuesday) at 2 p.m. in SHR109.
The bills are expected to find a far friendlier reception in Appropriations than in Judiciary.
While there is some overlap between the memberships of the two committees, it's an overlap that favors passage.
On the Judiciary Committee, Ron Gould and Andy Biggs are the chair and vice-chair respectively; on Appropriations, they switch jobs.
Both favored the bills.
In addition, Judiciary member Rick Murphy is also on Appropriations, and he favored the bills at Monday's hearing.
Opponent Adam Driggs and (likely) opponent John McComish are NOT on Appropriations, so their voices and their votes won't be heard Tuesday.
Instead, the Republicans hearing the bill will be:
Sylvia Allen, Russell Pearce's close friend and ally
Andy Biggs, who has already made it clear that he wholeheartedly supports the bills and a cosponsor of both
Rich Crandall, a very conservative Republican who has occasional bouts of sanity
Ron Gould, who is known for celebrating the 4th of July by flying a Confederate flag in his backyard and is the originating sponsor of both measures
Lori Klein, who started the latest dustup over legislators carrying guns at the Capitol and a cosponsor of both measures
Al Melvin, who is a cosponsor of both measures
Rick Murphy, who is also a cosponsor of both measures
Don Shooter, another cosponsor and Kool-Aid drinker (and purveyor)
Steve Smith, yet another cosponsor of both measures
The Appropriations Committee is larger than Judiciary (13 members vs. 8), so it will need at least seven votes to pass, but by my count, at least seven members are sponsors/cosponsors, and Sylvia Allen is expected to vote whatever way Russell Pearce wants her to (to be fair to Allen, she appears to be a "true believer," not a tool...not exactly a marked improvement, that).
That leaves Rich Crandall, who though known for occasionally not being a total ideologue, doesn't let sanity or decency get in the way of a safe political future. He voted for SB1070 last year.
The bottom line: SBs 1308 and 1309 will pass Appropriations by an 8 - 5 or 9 - 4 vote.
The brightest spot in all this? Kyrsten Sinema, who eloquently and strongly debunked the nativists in the Senate Judiciary hearing, is also a member of Appropriations. She will be joined by fellow Democrats Olivia Cajero Bedford, Paula Aboud, and Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira.
See you Tuesday, and bring your popcorn...
Friday, February 04, 2011
LD17's David Schapira on Horizon
State Sens. David Schapira (D-LD17) and Ron Gould (R-LD3) appeared on KAET's Horizon Tuesday to discuss Gould's anti-14th Amendment bill, SB1309.
The discussion has been posted to YouTube by KAET.
The discussion has been posted to YouTube by KAET.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Redistricting Update: Second appointment - Jose Herrera
Earlier today, State Rep. Chad Campbell announced via a Facebook posting, that he has selected Jose Herrera of Maricopa County as his appointment to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).
Because House Speaker Kirk Adams also selected someone from Maricopa County, both Senate President Russell Pearce and House Democratic Leader David Schapira must select from candidates who reside outside of Maricopa County.
The list of available candidates is here, with an update here.
Pearce has to select either Benny White or Richard Stertz, both of Pima County.
Schapira has seven potential selections - Eric B. Henderson (Navajo County), Linda C. McNulty (Pima County), Lawrence C. Mohrweis (Coconino County), William G. Roe (Pima County), Mark D. Rubin (Pima County), Jimmie D. Smith (Yuma County), and Marshall A. Worden (Pima County).
Both can select a nominee from the pool of Independent candidates, but neither is expected to do so. It should be noted that the "geographical diversity" requirement applies to the first four selections, regardless of partisan affiliation (or non-affiliation). Four of the five Independents are from Maricopa County, while only one is from another county, specifically Pima.
As such, only one Independent nominee could be selected by one of the legislative leaders, even in the unlikely event that one of them was inclined to think "out of the box" with their choice.
The applications of all of the applicants to the AIRC, not just the nominees, can be found here.
Russell Pearce is now on the clock...
Because House Speaker Kirk Adams also selected someone from Maricopa County, both Senate President Russell Pearce and House Democratic Leader David Schapira must select from candidates who reside outside of Maricopa County.
The list of available candidates is here, with an update here.
Pearce has to select either Benny White or Richard Stertz, both of Pima County.
Schapira has seven potential selections - Eric B. Henderson (Navajo County), Linda C. McNulty (Pima County), Lawrence C. Mohrweis (Coconino County), William G. Roe (Pima County), Mark D. Rubin (Pima County), Jimmie D. Smith (Yuma County), and Marshall A. Worden (Pima County).
Both can select a nominee from the pool of Independent candidates, but neither is expected to do so. It should be noted that the "geographical diversity" requirement applies to the first four selections, regardless of partisan affiliation (or non-affiliation). Four of the five Independents are from Maricopa County, while only one is from another county, specifically Pima.
As such, only one Independent nominee could be selected by one of the legislative leaders, even in the unlikely event that one of them was inclined to think "out of the box" with their choice.
The applications of all of the applicants to the AIRC, not just the nominees, can be found here.
Russell Pearce is now on the clock...
Monday, January 31, 2011
First member named to the new Independent Redistricting Commission: Scott Freeman
From an announcment from Kirk Adams, Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives -
Freeman's application for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission is here.
Now on the clock: House Democratic Leader, Rep. Chad Campbell. After his choice is named, Senate President Russell Pearce and Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira will make their selections.
House Speaker Kirk Adams announced today his selection of Scott Freeman to serve on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
“Mr. Freeman is exceptionally qualified for this important role. I am confident he will execute his responsibilities honestly, fairly and with the input of the public in mind,” Adams said.
Freeman, a Phoenix resident and a director at Fennemore Craig, holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona and a J.D. from Arizona State University. Freeman focuses his practice on litigation matters, including complex products liability, personal injury, and commercial cases. Among other clients, he has represented manufacturers of light truck and passenger tires as well as manufacturers of after-market alternators and starter motors in several state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has appeared in trial courts in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, and Illinois.
“I am honored that Speaker Adams has entrusted me with the great honor of serving on the Independent Redistricting Commission,” Mr. Freeman said. “The work of this commission is vital to our democracy, and I promise to serve the people of Arizona with dedication and fairness in all of my work and decisions. I look forward to working with other members of the commission as we get about this important task.”
Freeman's application for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission is here.
Now on the clock: House Democratic Leader, Rep. Chad Campbell. After his choice is named, Senate President Russell Pearce and Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira will make their selections.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Text of Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira's remarks at the opening of the 50th Arizona Legislature
Courtesy the website of the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus -
Let us all hope that they reach the ears of the people who need to hear them.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a friend and colleague to many of us in this room. She sat there, where Michelle Reagan sits today when she served in the Arizona Senate. She held the seat that Paula Aboud now holds. As I said, many of us count Gabby as a friend, but my heart especially goes out to those who have been with her in Tucson in recent days, Paula Aboud and Linda Lopez. Know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers as you were there to console the close friends and family of the Congresswoman and the others injured on Saturday.Like the remarks of Speaker Kirk Adams, given across the quad in the AZ House, Schapira's words were heartfelt and moving.
In addition to a friendship, Congresswoman Giffords and I share a religious tradition. Part of the tradition is the principle of “Tikkun Olam” or “repairing the world.” As Jews, we are commanded by God to exercise our compassion, our strength and our skills to make the world a better place. This has been my mission as an elected leader, and I know it’s Gabby’s as well.
I want to send thoughts and prayers on behalf of myself, my family and all of us here today to the families of Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Dorwin Stoddard, Christina Greene, Dorthy Murray and Phyllis Scheck and to those who are still fighting for their lives in Tucson. Although, we will spend lots of time talking about our friend Gabby today, it is important to recognize that she was not the only victim of this senseless act.
I know that over the last two days and in the coming weeks and months, all of us try to make sense of this tragedy, but it makes no sense. This was an act of a deranged young man. Those of us in this room know how to have political discourse without resorting to violence, but there are those out there who don’t. That’s why it’s incumbent on us as elected leaders in the public eye to maintain civility, to avoid hate-filled labels and to treat each other with respect both away from and in front of TV cameras. If this horrendous act is to teach us anything, it should be that we are all human and all of us are granted certain inalienable rights by our creator.We must treat all people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, party or immigration status as such.
This morning, I contemplated where I would like to be for the moment of silence asked for by President Obama. I thought about coming here or going to the Democratic Party, but I finally decided that the most important place for me to be was at home with my infant daughter. I held her and hugged her, and thought of the nine year-old girl who tragically lost her life Saturday.
We need to be better, all of us, so this doesn’t happen again.
I ask that as we each deal with this tragedy in our own ways, we all remember the principle of “Tikkun Olam.” The world needs healing, our nation needs healing, our state needs healing. As our friends begin their process of physical healing at hospitals in Tucson, let’s honor them and honor those who lost their lives on Saturday by starting Arizona’s healing today.
Let us all hope that they reach the ears of the people who need to hear them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Notes and scenes from the opening of the 50th Arizona Legislature
...First, a report (via Facebook) from Taegan Goddard's Political Wire: "President Obama will go to Tucson, AZ on Wednesday" No details at this time, but will post as they become available.
...Committee schedules are in flux this week because of Saturday's massacre. Some are expected to meet, but the schedule may change.
...However, one thing that won't be heard in committee is any bill to restore transplant funding to AHCCCS. According to a Facebook update, the chair of Senate Appropriations (Sen. Andy Biggs) told Sen. David Schapira (D-LD17) that the committee will not hear such a bill "under any circumstance. (quoting Schapira's posting; not sure if that is a direct quote of Biggs).
...Possibly getting it - Speaker Kirk Adams and (possibly) Governor Jan Brewer. Adams' remarks today were heartfelt and moved many people, including many Democrats (even this one). I have a copy of them, and may post it later. Jan Brewer's remarks were a little less moving, but she hit the right notes, and I'll cut her some slack on this one - she was reading from a teleprompter today, and she seemed genuinely upset at her press conference on Saturday.
....Probably not getting it: Russell Pearce, President of the Arizona Senate, and (apparently) new Senator Lori Klein.
Where the House, led by Adams, cut back on its opening day pomp out of respect for the victims of the massacre on Saturday, cancelling a speaker and not allowing "points of personal privilege" to minimize the political rhetoric today, Pearce went ahead with Buzz Aldrin telling jokes and Senators talking about things like who the next chair of the AZGOP will be.
Sen. Lori Klein was apparently packin' some heat in her purse while she was on the House floor for Brewer's speech. (I've got a call out to verify this one)
Update on 1/11 -
Senator Klein graciously returned my call today and indeed confirmed that she "always carries" a weapon for personal protection, and had it with her yesterday.
End update...
...Probably never going to get it: ...Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is God's gift to writers - stick a microphone in front of him, and he's going to give any writer plenty of topic material.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Ronald Hansen -
Good freakin' God...
Pics from the day -
Jan Brewer during her address to the joint session
...Committee schedules are in flux this week because of Saturday's massacre. Some are expected to meet, but the schedule may change.
...However, one thing that won't be heard in committee is any bill to restore transplant funding to AHCCCS. According to a Facebook update, the chair of Senate Appropriations (Sen. Andy Biggs) told Sen. David Schapira (D-LD17) that the committee will not hear such a bill "under any circumstance. (quoting Schapira's posting; not sure if that is a direct quote of Biggs).
...Possibly getting it - Speaker Kirk Adams and (possibly) Governor Jan Brewer. Adams' remarks today were heartfelt and moved many people, including many Democrats (even this one). I have a copy of them, and may post it later. Jan Brewer's remarks were a little less moving, but she hit the right notes, and I'll cut her some slack on this one - she was reading from a teleprompter today, and she seemed genuinely upset at her press conference on Saturday.
....Probably not getting it: Russell Pearce, President of the Arizona Senate, and (apparently) new Senator Lori Klein.
Where the House, led by Adams, cut back on its opening day pomp out of respect for the victims of the massacre on Saturday, cancelling a speaker and not allowing "points of personal privilege" to minimize the political rhetoric today, Pearce went ahead with Buzz Aldrin telling jokes and Senators talking about things like who the next chair of the AZGOP will be.
Sen. Lori Klein was apparently packin' some heat in her purse while she was on the House floor for Brewer's speech. (I've got a call out to verify this one)
Update on 1/11 -
Senator Klein graciously returned my call today and indeed confirmed that she "always carries" a weapon for personal protection, and had it with her yesterday.
End update...
...Probably never going to get it: ...Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is God's gift to writers - stick a microphone in front of him, and he's going to give any writer plenty of topic material.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Ronald Hansen -
While her doctors sounded an optimistic tone on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' recovery, the political discourse is growing harsher.
State Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, partly blamed the shooting on Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who has himself blamed caustic political rhetoric and lax gun-control as contributing to the massacre.
"If he would have done his job, maybe this doesn't happen," Harper told USA Today on Monday. "Sheriff Dupnik did not provide for the security of a U.S. congresswoman."
"When everyone is carrying a firearm, nobody is going to be a victim," Harper continued. "The socialists of today are only one gun confiscation away from being the communists of tomorrow."
Good freakin' God...
Jan Brewer during her address to the joint session
Impromptu tribute to Gabrielle Giffords
Random crowd shot from the House floor
Demonstrators outside the Capitol
Post-speech press conference - Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, Rep. Tom Chapin, Sen. David Schapira (speaking), Rep. Albert Hale, Rep. Ruben Gallego in pic
Rep. Steve Farley, speaking about Saturday
Daniel Hernandez, one of the heroes of Saturday's tragedy, speaking to the crowd
Flags at half mast
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Jan " BrewerCare Death Panels" Brewer says that organ transplants are "potentially life-saving"
...but before anyone gets excited, she's using that to buttress her argument in support of further cutting Medicaid in Arizona...
From Governor Brewer's letter to Congress begging to be allowed to cut Medicaid (known in AZ as "AHCCCS") further -
Income that doesn't exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). That's $10,830/year for a single adult or $22,050/year for a family of four.
Only Jan and her clan can keep a straight face when describing abject poverty as "generous."
H/T to State Sen.-elect David Schapira (D-LD17), quoted in the Arizona Capitol Times, for the heads-up on this...
From Governor Brewer's letter to Congress begging to be allowed to cut Medicaid (known in AZ as "AHCCCS") further -
...Because we cannot change our generous eligibility standards, Arizona has taken actions to reduce our Medicaid cost, such as limits on services not mandated by Medicaid, including potentially life-saving organ transplantations...The "eligibility standards" (page 26 of the linked .pdf) that Brewer et. al. consider to be so "generous"?
Income that doesn't exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). That's $10,830/year for a single adult or $22,050/year for a family of four.
Only Jan and her clan can keep a straight face when describing abject poverty as "generous."
H/T to State Sen.-elect David Schapira (D-LD17), quoted in the Arizona Capitol Times, for the heads-up on this...
Thursday, December 09, 2010
And the first one out of the gate is...
...State Sen.-elect David Schapira (D-LD17).
The first bill proposal posted on the Arizona Legislature's website for the 50th Session is Schapira's SB1001, relating to transplant services and AHCCCS.
If passed (and I'm under no illusions that it will be), it would remove the exclusions of various transplant services from being paid for by AHCCCS, Arizona's version of Medicaid.
It's too late for Mark Price, one of the first people who were denied a needed transplant, but it may not be too late the other patients who have been endangered by the Governor's quest to destroy Arizona's social safety net.
Later...
The first bill proposal posted on the Arizona Legislature's website for the 50th Session is Schapira's SB1001, relating to transplant services and AHCCCS.
If passed (and I'm under no illusions that it will be), it would remove the exclusions of various transplant services from being paid for by AHCCCS, Arizona's version of Medicaid.
It's too late for Mark Price, one of the first people who were denied a needed transplant, but it may not be too late the other patients who have been endangered by the Governor's quest to destroy Arizona's social safety net.
Later...
Arizona Democrats call on the Governor to restore transplant funding
David Schapira, Senate Democratic leader-elect, Chad Campbell, House Democratic leader-elect, transplant patients, and health care providers called on the Republicans in the legislature and the Governor's office to correct their "mistake"* of cutting AHCCCS funding for transplants.
The press conference video from earlier this week -
12/07/2010 - AHCCCS Transplant Program Press Conference from ACTV on Vimeo.
The press release from the Arizona House Democratic Caucus is here.
* = They call it a mistake, but I think they are being overly charitable toward the Republicans. I think it was a decision made after a careful calculation, one where the Rs determined that they were less bothered by dead poor people than by corporations paying a marginally higher amount of taxes.
The press conference video from earlier this week -
12/07/2010 - AHCCCS Transplant Program Press Conference from ACTV on Vimeo.
The press release from the Arizona House Democratic Caucus is here.
* = They call it a mistake, but I think they are being overly charitable toward the Republicans. I think it was a decision made after a careful calculation, one where the Rs determined that they were less bothered by dead poor people than by corporations paying a marginally higher amount of taxes.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Polishing the crystal ball...
In the least surprising news rising from the aftermath of Tuesday's elections, Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance) was elected by the R caucus to be the president of the Arizona State Senate. A couple of other senators (Yarbrough, Pierce) were mentioned as being interested, but the only thing that would have prevented Pearce from taking over the Senate would have been if he accepted a patronage job from Jan Brewer.
However, while an agency head gets a bigger paycheck than a legislator (at least, more pay that's "on the books"), in practical political terms, the only person with more political juice in the state right now is Jan Brewer, and she owes him BIG.
She'll spend the next two years signing some of the biggest pieces of garbage to ever pass any legislature.
What could those bills look like?
...SB2001 - changing the state's motto from "Ditat Deus" to "Sieg Heil"
...SB2002 - the new state jobs program: Anyone on any kind of public assistance has to serve time on a work gang at the border with Mexico, installing a line of kerosene-soaked crosses along the entire border
...SB2003 - the new state energy program: Turn burning crosses at the border into power generation stations
...SB2004 - legalizing corporate sponsorship of government offices and facilities. Look for the "Highground Inc. Foyer" on the 9th floor of the Executive Tower and the Corrections Corporation of America Senate Republican Caucus Room" shortly after the new lege is seated in January
---SCR2001 - Rescinding the Arizona Constitution in its entirety and seceding from the United States of America
...SB2101 - Making the act of asking one's employer for a raise a class six felony
...SCR2002 - Ending the constitutional requirements to have and support public education in Arizona
...SCR2003 - Specifying that eligibility for voting is confined to registered Republicans and to those who can pass a civics test - written in pig Latin
...SCR2004 - Specifying that English is the only language allowed to be spoken in Arizona. Tourists and Natives not welcome
...SB2178 - A new "Employer Sanctions" bill, this one penalizing employers who pay their employees a livable wage and/or fringe benefits
...SB2255 - Specifying that presidential candidates on the AZ ballot cannot have skin any darker than Russell Pearce's after a day spent speechifyin' and back-slappin' at a tea party or neo-Nazi rally at the Capitol
...SB2284 - Requiring that members of the Senate from the minority caucus serve as the butlers and maids for the members of the majority caucus
...SCR2005 - Creating a special class of citizens called "corporations" and granting them tax-exempt status
Note: the above is thoroughgoing wiseass-ery. None of the listed bills are real.
Yet.
Other lege-related notes: Congratulations go out to LD17's own David Schapira, the newly-elected leader of the Democratic caucus in the state senate. Senators Leah Landrum Taylor and Paula Aboud were elected as Assistant Minority Leader and Democratic Whip, respectively.
However, while an agency head gets a bigger paycheck than a legislator (at least, more pay that's "on the books"), in practical political terms, the only person with more political juice in the state right now is Jan Brewer, and she owes him BIG.
She'll spend the next two years signing some of the biggest pieces of garbage to ever pass any legislature.
What could those bills look like?
...SB2001 - changing the state's motto from "Ditat Deus" to "Sieg Heil"
...SB2002 - the new state jobs program: Anyone on any kind of public assistance has to serve time on a work gang at the border with Mexico, installing a line of kerosene-soaked crosses along the entire border
...SB2003 - the new state energy program: Turn burning crosses at the border into power generation stations
...SB2004 - legalizing corporate sponsorship of government offices and facilities. Look for the "Highground Inc. Foyer" on the 9th floor of the Executive Tower and the Corrections Corporation of America Senate Republican Caucus Room" shortly after the new lege is seated in January
---SCR2001 - Rescinding the Arizona Constitution in its entirety and seceding from the United States of America
...SB2101 - Making the act of asking one's employer for a raise a class six felony
...SCR2002 - Ending the constitutional requirements to have and support public education in Arizona
...SCR2003 - Specifying that eligibility for voting is confined to registered Republicans and to those who can pass a civics test - written in pig Latin
...SCR2004 - Specifying that English is the only language allowed to be spoken in Arizona. Tourists and Natives not welcome
...SB2178 - A new "Employer Sanctions" bill, this one penalizing employers who pay their employees a livable wage and/or fringe benefits
...SB2255 - Specifying that presidential candidates on the AZ ballot cannot have skin any darker than Russell Pearce's after a day spent speechifyin' and back-slappin' at a tea party or neo-Nazi rally at the Capitol
...SB2284 - Requiring that members of the Senate from the minority caucus serve as the butlers and maids for the members of the majority caucus
...SCR2005 - Creating a special class of citizens called "corporations" and granting them tax-exempt status
Note: the above is thoroughgoing wiseass-ery. None of the listed bills are real.
Yet.
Other lege-related notes: Congratulations go out to LD17's own David Schapira, the newly-elected leader of the Democratic caucus in the state senate. Senators Leah Landrum Taylor and Paula Aboud were elected as Assistant Minority Leader and Democratic Whip, respectively.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Early Ballot Time - 2010 General Election
All over Arizona, early ballots are reaching mail boxes (the ballot for my area is here). Here are my picks (and there isn't anything here that will surprise any regular readers :) ):
U.S. Senate - Rodney Glassman. He's got the energy and focus on the needs of Arizonans (and Arizona) that John McCain hasn't had for decades (if ever).
U.S. Representative in Congress (District 5) - Harry Mitchell. He's got the energy and focus on the needs of his constituents, and has had it for nearly 40 years. If the Rs in CD5 had any appreciation for public service and public servants, they'd have nominated him, too. (Not an unheard-of happenstance. In Massachusetts in 1982, Republican Silvio Conte won both the Democratic and Republican nominations for Congress in MA-CD1. He went on to win the general. Back in a time when public service was valued instead of vilified. [page 18 of the linked .pdf] :) )
Governor - Terry Goddard. He's got the intelligence, experience, and wisdom to move Arizona out of the economic abyss that it's in. And he's got the quiet fire necessary for dealing with the R extremists in the legislature who are less interested in serving Arizona than in adhering to a nihilist ideology.
State Senator (District 17) - David Schapira. Focused on Tempe and Arizona's education system. He has an established track record. Will work "across the aisle" when doing so will help the district or Arizona's students. Will fight like hell when doing so will help the district or Arizona's students.
State Representative (District 17) - Ed Ableser and P. Ben Arredondo. Both have been teachers and community activists in Tempe/South Scottsdale, Ed for most of a decade and Ben for *many* decades. Ed is the more liberal of the two (Ben being areformed former Republican), but both are totally focused on their constituents (Yes, there is definitely a pattern in my picks, and it isn't just the partisan affiliation.)
Secretary of State - Chris Deschene. Will fight for the rights of all voters, not just his party's. That fact alone puts him head and shoulders above his opponent, but he also brings an educational background that includes mechanical engineering and a law degree.
Attorney General - Felecia Rotellini. She's got the smarts, the integrity, and the tenacity to protect Arizonans from predators of all stripes, whether they are smuggling cartels or Wall Street fraudsters.
State Treasurer - Andrei Cherny. A former assistant AG and an economics policy wonk extraordinaire, he is eminently qualified for the job of safeguarding Arizona's public monies. The fact that, unlike his opponent, he isn't an indictment for financial fraud waiting to happen is just gravy.
Superintendent of Public Instruction - Penny Kotterman. Career teacher, teacher trainer, school administrator, education policy advocate, for over 30 years. Her opponent has spent most of the last two decades trying to destroy public education in Arizona. 'Nuff said.
Mine Inspector - Manuel Cruz. He has the educational and professional background in mine safety that a job that is supposed to ensure the safety of miners *should* have. Not in the pocket of industry lobbyists, unlike his opponent.
Corporation Commissioner - David Bradley and Jorge Luis Garcia. Two former legislators with long and distinguished track records of fighting for their constituents. Their opponents have long and not-so-distinguished track records of fighting for Big Business, no matter what state it is based in. The Arizona Corporation Commission is meant to protect the interests of Arizonans by regulating and overseeing utilities, railroads, and securities in the state. Bradley and Garcia are easy choices here.
Maricopa County Attorney - Michael Kielsky. He's a Libertarian, someone I would normally never vote for, but I always vote for the better candidate. There's no Democrat on the ballot for this brief term (2 years instead of the normal 4) and the Republican on the ballot is openly allied with Joe Arpaio. I've been told by some people who are more familiar than I am with Bill Montgomery (the Republican in question) that they think he will probably at least try to appear as neutral, but Arpaio spent hundreds of thousands on ads in the primary race, and incurred thousands more in fines for violating campaign finance laws for doing so. Can you say "quid pro quo"?
I don't think Kielsky will win, but a strong showing could send a message to the Democrats who have all but given Montgomery a free pass.
Maricopa County Clerk of Courts - Sherry Williams. Smart and energetic, with a BA in Political Science and a Masters in Information Systems. She will bring the background and integrity that the clerk of *any* court should have, and that Maricopa County so desperately needs (a Maricopa County official elected countywide with some integrity? Be still my beating heart...)
University Lakes Justice of the Peace - Meg Burton Cahill (no website available). The retiring state senator has a master's degree in Public Administration and a strong background in the law from her time on the Senate's Judiciary Committee. She will make a fine addition to the Maricopa County bench, where her wisdom and experience will stand her in good stead against the pressures that can/will be brought to bear on folks in that position. Ask the current holder of the office - he was Joe Arpaio's "go-to guy" when he needed some sketchy warrants signed for his jihad against the county supes.
University Lakes Constable - No race, so no vote. Joe Arredondo (R) will win.
Central Arizona Water Conservation District (aka - the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project) - Arif Kazmi and Jim Holway. Both have strong academic, professional and personal backgrounds in water resources management. Both were among the five candidates endorsed by the Arizona Republic, and while the other endorsees of the AZRep are strong, these two are stronger and should be "double-shotted" in order to maximize their chances of election. There is a slate of "Tea Party" candidates running to try to put the management of a major part of Arizona's water delivery system on an ideological basis, not a professional basis. They should be completely shunned. In a desert like central Arizona, water literally is life.
School Governing Board member, Scottsdale Unified #48 - I have absolutely no clue. Decision by elimination time (and I may be doing the eliminated candidate a disservice, but this is the best I've got in this race): Denny Brown (newby) and Dieter Schaefer (incumbent). There is limited info available on the candidates that I could find in a quick search, but while I have some reservations (i.e. - Schaefer was the only candidate who responded to a questionnaire from the extreme RW organization The Center for Arizona Policy), but the third candidate, Pam Kirby. touts a resume that looks good (lots of PTO involvement) but seems to be more purely ideological than the others. Plus the endorsement of Scottsdale City Council member Bob Littlefield didn't help.
Bond question, Scottsdale Unified #48 - Yes. Over the short-term, the legislature cannot be counted on the fund the state's education system, whether for classroom needs or infrastructure needs. Long-term, there could be legal ramifications because while relatively affluent districts like SUSD can use bonding to fund an adequate education system for their students, many poorer districts cannot.
City of Scottsdale Council Member - Ned O'Hearn, Linda Milhaven, and Wayne Ecton. All three care deeply about Scottsdale and its future, and aren't tied to any particular ideology beyond that. Dennis Robbins would have received my fourth vote if a fourth seat was up for election this time around, but he wasn't quite strong enough a candidate to make it into the top three. Bob Littlefield...I like Bob personally, but I'd never vote for him. He definitely is tied to that certain nihilist ideology that permeates the AZGOP, he just covers it with a "good ol' boy" facade. Guy Philips is definitely not ready for prime time. He doesn't hide his obeisance to ideological orthodoxy, but he doesn't even have the redeeming value of knowing that ideology well. If he were elected to the Council, he'd need a staffer with cue cards set up in the back of the City Hall Kiva to tell him how to vote on issues.
The next set of issues concern City of Scottsdale ballot questions, info here.
City of Scottsdale Bond Questions 1 and 2 - Yes. They're for infrastructure, and I'm a big fan of infrastructure.
Proposition 411 - NO. A charter amendment further restricting the City's ability to use condemnation to acquire property. Looks harmless on the surface (must adhere to state law, which is already required), but includes vague language like "all reasonable options have been exhausted." A recipe for frivolous lawsuits.
Proposition 412 - NO. A charter amendment intended to prevent the City from ever paying to participate in organizations like the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Part of Mayor Jim Lane's ongoing tiff with the CofC, possibly related to the fact that they didn't endorse him in 2008. The charter is a document to define the structure of the City's government, not a tool for petty political retribution.
Proposition 413 - Close, but NO. Currently, the City's charter allows citizens to petition the Council and requires the Council to consider any matters brought to its attention within 30 days, which can be difficult considering the timing (right before summer break) or complexity of some of the issues. This charter amendment would remove the thirty day limit entirely. My problem is with that. Make it 45 or 60 days, but don't remove the obligation to hear matters in a timely manner.
Proposition 414 - Probable YES. This charter amendment would clarify the duties of and separate the offices of the various City Charter Officers. This one stems from the tendency in recent years to combine the offices of the City Manager and City Treasurer. God help me for agreeing with the Lane/Littlefield clique on *anything*, but they're right on this one - the treasurer of any organization should be an independent officer, one whose oversight is as far up the org chart as is practicable.
It's not perfect, and it's a powerplay by the Lane/Littlefield clique, but when Lane installs a campaign contributor into the office of treasurer (and he will!), there will be a movement to put specific experience requirements into the charter for that particular job.
Proposition 415 - Probable YES. A charter amendment to clarify that the Mayor and Council shall not have direct control of a City employee's hiring/firing, except for those who work directly for the Mayor and Council.
Proposition 416 - Probable YES. A charter amendment that looks like a "housekeeping" measure clarifying how the Council may act/enact under specific circumstances.
Proposition 417 - Probable YES. A charter amendment that looks to be a "housekeeping" measure related to the appointment and terms of judges on the City Court.
Judges for the Arizona Supreme Court, Court of Appeals - Division One, and Maricopa County Superior Court - I haven't heard of any of them, which is a characteristic that I want in judges. Court judges are like baseball umpires - if you've heard of them, then they probably messed up big-time. I won't be voting to retain/not retain any of them.
Statewide ballot propositions - Previously covered here. Summary: NO on all measures proposed by the legislature, and YES on the one (Prop. 203, Medical Marijuana) sent to the ballot by the citizens.
Whew!
Later...
U.S. Senate - Rodney Glassman. He's got the energy and focus on the needs of Arizonans (and Arizona) that John McCain hasn't had for decades (if ever).
U.S. Representative in Congress (District 5) - Harry Mitchell. He's got the energy and focus on the needs of his constituents, and has had it for nearly 40 years. If the Rs in CD5 had any appreciation for public service and public servants, they'd have nominated him, too. (Not an unheard-of happenstance. In Massachusetts in 1982, Republican Silvio Conte won both the Democratic and Republican nominations for Congress in MA-CD1. He went on to win the general. Back in a time when public service was valued instead of vilified. [page 18 of the linked .pdf] :) )
Governor - Terry Goddard. He's got the intelligence, experience, and wisdom to move Arizona out of the economic abyss that it's in. And he's got the quiet fire necessary for dealing with the R extremists in the legislature who are less interested in serving Arizona than in adhering to a nihilist ideology.
State Senator (District 17) - David Schapira. Focused on Tempe and Arizona's education system. He has an established track record. Will work "across the aisle" when doing so will help the district or Arizona's students. Will fight like hell when doing so will help the district or Arizona's students.
State Representative (District 17) - Ed Ableser and P. Ben Arredondo. Both have been teachers and community activists in Tempe/South Scottsdale, Ed for most of a decade and Ben for *many* decades. Ed is the more liberal of the two (Ben being a
Secretary of State - Chris Deschene. Will fight for the rights of all voters, not just his party's. That fact alone puts him head and shoulders above his opponent, but he also brings an educational background that includes mechanical engineering and a law degree.
Attorney General - Felecia Rotellini. She's got the smarts, the integrity, and the tenacity to protect Arizonans from predators of all stripes, whether they are smuggling cartels or Wall Street fraudsters.
State Treasurer - Andrei Cherny. A former assistant AG and an economics policy wonk extraordinaire, he is eminently qualified for the job of safeguarding Arizona's public monies. The fact that, unlike his opponent, he isn't an indictment for financial fraud waiting to happen is just gravy.
Superintendent of Public Instruction - Penny Kotterman. Career teacher, teacher trainer, school administrator, education policy advocate, for over 30 years. Her opponent has spent most of the last two decades trying to destroy public education in Arizona. 'Nuff said.
Mine Inspector - Manuel Cruz. He has the educational and professional background in mine safety that a job that is supposed to ensure the safety of miners *should* have. Not in the pocket of industry lobbyists, unlike his opponent.
Corporation Commissioner - David Bradley and Jorge Luis Garcia. Two former legislators with long and distinguished track records of fighting for their constituents. Their opponents have long and not-so-distinguished track records of fighting for Big Business, no matter what state it is based in. The Arizona Corporation Commission is meant to protect the interests of Arizonans by regulating and overseeing utilities, railroads, and securities in the state. Bradley and Garcia are easy choices here.
Maricopa County Attorney - Michael Kielsky. He's a Libertarian, someone I would normally never vote for, but I always vote for the better candidate. There's no Democrat on the ballot for this brief term (2 years instead of the normal 4) and the Republican on the ballot is openly allied with Joe Arpaio. I've been told by some people who are more familiar than I am with Bill Montgomery (the Republican in question) that they think he will probably at least try to appear as neutral, but Arpaio spent hundreds of thousands on ads in the primary race, and incurred thousands more in fines for violating campaign finance laws for doing so. Can you say "quid pro quo"?
I don't think Kielsky will win, but a strong showing could send a message to the Democrats who have all but given Montgomery a free pass.
Maricopa County Clerk of Courts - Sherry Williams. Smart and energetic, with a BA in Political Science and a Masters in Information Systems. She will bring the background and integrity that the clerk of *any* court should have, and that Maricopa County so desperately needs (a Maricopa County official elected countywide with some integrity? Be still my beating heart...)
University Lakes Justice of the Peace - Meg Burton Cahill (no website available). The retiring state senator has a master's degree in Public Administration and a strong background in the law from her time on the Senate's Judiciary Committee. She will make a fine addition to the Maricopa County bench, where her wisdom and experience will stand her in good stead against the pressures that can/will be brought to bear on folks in that position. Ask the current holder of the office - he was Joe Arpaio's "go-to guy" when he needed some sketchy warrants signed for his jihad against the county supes.
University Lakes Constable - No race, so no vote. Joe Arredondo (R) will win.
Central Arizona Water Conservation District (aka - the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project) - Arif Kazmi and Jim Holway. Both have strong academic, professional and personal backgrounds in water resources management. Both were among the five candidates endorsed by the Arizona Republic, and while the other endorsees of the AZRep are strong, these two are stronger and should be "double-shotted" in order to maximize their chances of election. There is a slate of "Tea Party" candidates running to try to put the management of a major part of Arizona's water delivery system on an ideological basis, not a professional basis. They should be completely shunned. In a desert like central Arizona, water literally is life.
School Governing Board member, Scottsdale Unified #48 - I have absolutely no clue. Decision by elimination time (and I may be doing the eliminated candidate a disservice, but this is the best I've got in this race): Denny Brown (newby) and Dieter Schaefer (incumbent). There is limited info available on the candidates that I could find in a quick search, but while I have some reservations (i.e. - Schaefer was the only candidate who responded to a questionnaire from the extreme RW organization The Center for Arizona Policy), but the third candidate, Pam Kirby. touts a resume that looks good (lots of PTO involvement) but seems to be more purely ideological than the others. Plus the endorsement of Scottsdale City Council member Bob Littlefield didn't help.
Bond question, Scottsdale Unified #48 - Yes. Over the short-term, the legislature cannot be counted on the fund the state's education system, whether for classroom needs or infrastructure needs. Long-term, there could be legal ramifications because while relatively affluent districts like SUSD can use bonding to fund an adequate education system for their students, many poorer districts cannot.
City of Scottsdale Council Member - Ned O'Hearn, Linda Milhaven, and Wayne Ecton. All three care deeply about Scottsdale and its future, and aren't tied to any particular ideology beyond that. Dennis Robbins would have received my fourth vote if a fourth seat was up for election this time around, but he wasn't quite strong enough a candidate to make it into the top three. Bob Littlefield...I like Bob personally, but I'd never vote for him. He definitely is tied to that certain nihilist ideology that permeates the AZGOP, he just covers it with a "good ol' boy" facade. Guy Philips is definitely not ready for prime time. He doesn't hide his obeisance to ideological orthodoxy, but he doesn't even have the redeeming value of knowing that ideology well. If he were elected to the Council, he'd need a staffer with cue cards set up in the back of the City Hall Kiva to tell him how to vote on issues.
The next set of issues concern City of Scottsdale ballot questions, info here.
City of Scottsdale Bond Questions 1 and 2 - Yes. They're for infrastructure, and I'm a big fan of infrastructure.
Proposition 411 - NO. A charter amendment further restricting the City's ability to use condemnation to acquire property. Looks harmless on the surface (must adhere to state law, which is already required), but includes vague language like "all reasonable options have been exhausted." A recipe for frivolous lawsuits.
Proposition 412 - NO. A charter amendment intended to prevent the City from ever paying to participate in organizations like the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Part of Mayor Jim Lane's ongoing tiff with the CofC, possibly related to the fact that they didn't endorse him in 2008. The charter is a document to define the structure of the City's government, not a tool for petty political retribution.
Proposition 413 - Close, but NO. Currently, the City's charter allows citizens to petition the Council and requires the Council to consider any matters brought to its attention within 30 days, which can be difficult considering the timing (right before summer break) or complexity of some of the issues. This charter amendment would remove the thirty day limit entirely. My problem is with that. Make it 45 or 60 days, but don't remove the obligation to hear matters in a timely manner.
Proposition 414 - Probable YES. This charter amendment would clarify the duties of and separate the offices of the various City Charter Officers. This one stems from the tendency in recent years to combine the offices of the City Manager and City Treasurer. God help me for agreeing with the Lane/Littlefield clique on *anything*, but they're right on this one - the treasurer of any organization should be an independent officer, one whose oversight is as far up the org chart as is practicable.
It's not perfect, and it's a powerplay by the Lane/Littlefield clique, but when Lane installs a campaign contributor into the office of treasurer (and he will!), there will be a movement to put specific experience requirements into the charter for that particular job.
Proposition 415 - Probable YES. A charter amendment to clarify that the Mayor and Council shall not have direct control of a City employee's hiring/firing, except for those who work directly for the Mayor and Council.
Proposition 416 - Probable YES. A charter amendment that looks like a "housekeeping" measure clarifying how the Council may act/enact under specific circumstances.
Proposition 417 - Probable YES. A charter amendment that looks to be a "housekeeping" measure related to the appointment and terms of judges on the City Court.
Judges for the Arizona Supreme Court, Court of Appeals - Division One, and Maricopa County Superior Court - I haven't heard of any of them, which is a characteristic that I want in judges. Court judges are like baseball umpires - if you've heard of them, then they probably messed up big-time. I won't be voting to retain/not retain any of them.
Statewide ballot propositions - Previously covered here. Summary: NO on all measures proposed by the legislature, and YES on the one (Prop. 203, Medical Marijuana) sent to the ballot by the citizens.
Whew!
Later...
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Recap of the LD17 Clean Elections debate
On Wednesday night, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission held its debate for the candidates in the LD17 races for state senate and state representative.
While only one candidate in each race is a Clean Elections candidate, all of the candidates were invited. Most, but not all, took advantage of the opportunity to speak to the approximately 200 voters in attendance.
As pure theater, the senate debate was boring - only one candidate, State Representative David Schapira, showed up.
Anthony "Grandpa" Goshorn, the faux-Green write in candidate, was expected (the CCEC went so far as to print up a name tent for him) but he didn't appear at the forum. He was in the audience, however. (working on obtaining pics)
Republican candidate Wendy Rogers was a complete no-show, not even bothering to attend to watch the debate and meet with interested voters.
She put up a message on her Facebook page saying that "Voters OVERWHELMINGLY tell me they appreciate a candidate on their doorstep rather than having to take time to attend a forum to view a candidate from a distance."
I don't know what "distance" she is talking about - one could meet and greet any of the candidates present before and after the forum.
Of course, Rogers could have been pinned down and asked to explain her answer on this questionnaire from the Center for Arizona Policy.
When asked if she supported or opposed "Prohibiting abortion except when it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother," not only did she circle "Support," she expanded upon that answer by adding "Honestly, I do not support abortion even to prevent the unfortunate death of the mother."
Ummmm...yeah. That one doesn't even fit in with the mainstream of her own party, much less the mainstream of Tempe and south Scottsdale.
In any event, the candidate "debate" became a conversation between Schapira and Russ Knocke, the moderator of the event (See above pic)
Schapira used his time to lay out his political resume and past accomplishments and his vision for the future.
His trademark issue and political passion, both historically and in his future plans, is protecting and strengthening Arizona's education system.
Calling the Republican majority in the legislature "pennywise and pound foolish," a line that he borrowed from Republican John Kavanagh, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he sharply criticized the way that the Rs have [not] handled the state's fiscal crisis, particularly in regards to education funding (Arizona has a "terrible model on how to run an education system") and health care (the lege has "raised the bar" on AHCCCS eligibility when ever-more people need its safety net).*
* - Don't fret R readers, Kavanagh is still drinking the Kool-Aid - within days of urging during a committee meeting that the state not to be "pennywise and pound foolish" he voted to cut education funding, close state parks that were a net revenue generator, and end KidsCare.
The House debate was far livelier. Six candidates - Democrats Ben Arredondo and Ed Ableser, Republicans Don Hawker and Steve May, Green Gregor Knauer, and Libertarian Damian Trabel - were there, though only Ableser has accepted Clean Elections funding.
While Knauer and Trabel laid out their respective positions well (or not-so-well, depending), the debate became focused on the differences between the Democratic and Republican candidates.
Even at that, most of the open animosity was between Ableser and May.
Hawker spent most of his time piping up to blame all of AZ's (and the country's) ills on abortion and "unbridled liberalism" and Arredondo spent his time focusing on Arizona's devastated education system and "jobs, jobs, jobs."
I'll give Hawker credit for one thing - he may be a one-issue candidate, but he is focused enough on that one issue to turn any answer to any question into a diatribe against abortion.
And "diatribe" is the right word too - when CCEC puts up the video recording of the debate, watch it. He uses lines like "scissors removing the brains of babies" and does so with a straight face.
Ben Arredondo spent his time on one thing, too - talking about what he will do in office if elected. Like Schapira (and Ableser, too), the career teacher and public servant will be focused on education. He also pledged to work "across the aisle" for the benefit of the district, teaming up with Republicans on issues that they can agree on. That is something that Arredondo may be uniquely qualified to do, as the former school board and Tempe City Council member, and former Republican, has a long history of working for real world solutions for real world problems.
However focused those two were, the featured attraction in the House debate was Steve May constantly lobbing rhetorical bombs (and personal insults) at Ed Ableser.
Apparently, May must believe that Ableser is the one who uncovered his involvement with the burgeoning AZGOP/sham Green candidates scandal,
I don't really know who did figure out May's involvement, but since May wasn't exactly hiding his involvement with some of the suspect candidates, his involvement could have been uncovered by almost anyone.
Anyway, May started right in on Ableser, claiming that Ableser's biggest failing as a legislator is his unwillingness to workfor "with" the Republican majority in a bipartisan manner.
Ummm - I can state unequivocally that the R caucus doesn't want any Democrats to work with them. During 2009's budget dust-up when the Rs couldn't get enough votes from their own caucus to pass a budget, attempting to "work with" Democrats meant that the Governor, President of the State Senate, and Speaker of the State House met in the Speaker's office and proceeded to call in each member of the D caucus to *tell* them to vote for their budget. It didn't work.
May kept taking his shots at Ableser, until he was not-so-subtly schooled by Ben Arredondo, who, to the approval of most of the audience members, pointed out that he was there to talk about his vision and candidacy, not to take swipes at the other candidates. After that. May cut back (but didn't cut out) the direct attacks.
According to May, the best reason to vote for him is that he is a Republican, and would be part of the majority party.
Seriously, that was the best he had to offer.
Ableser took his time to point out his record of accomplishment and advocacy for the district.
Among other things, he supports broadening the state's tax base (the sales-tax centered model currently used by Arizona is "very archaic"), using incentives to push entrepeneurship in Arizona, especially around "green" and solar technology, and, of course, buttressing the state's education system.
Finally, a curious thing occurred after the forum was over -
From the stage, May started barking at fellow blogger Randy, the author of Dry Heat Democrat. Not sure why. Randy barked back (a little) in response, but it didn't escalate beyond that. I'll leave it to him to tell the story on his blog. It should be up in a day or two.
Interested voters can go to the website of the Clean Elections Commission to view the debate online (once the CCEC posts the video record)
More pics from the forum -
Left: The House candidates (L to R): Ableser, Arredondo, Hawker, Knauer, May, and Trabel.
While only one candidate in each race is a Clean Elections candidate, all of the candidates were invited. Most, but not all, took advantage of the opportunity to speak to the approximately 200 voters in attendance.
As pure theater, the senate debate was boring - only one candidate, State Representative David Schapira, showed up.
Anthony "Grandpa" Goshorn, the faux-Green write in candidate, was expected (the CCEC went so far as to print up a name tent for him) but he didn't appear at the forum. He was in the audience, however. (working on obtaining pics)
Republican candidate Wendy Rogers was a complete no-show, not even bothering to attend to watch the debate and meet with interested voters.
She put up a message on her Facebook page saying that "Voters OVERWHELMINGLY tell me they appreciate a candidate on their doorstep rather than having to take time to attend a forum to view a candidate from a distance."
I don't know what "distance" she is talking about - one could meet and greet any of the candidates present before and after the forum.
Of course, Rogers could have been pinned down and asked to explain her answer on this questionnaire from the Center for Arizona Policy.
When asked if she supported or opposed "Prohibiting abortion except when it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother," not only did she circle "Support," she expanded upon that answer by adding "Honestly, I do not support abortion even to prevent the unfortunate death of the mother."
Ummmm...yeah. That one doesn't even fit in with the mainstream of her own party, much less the mainstream of Tempe and south Scottsdale.
In any event, the candidate "debate" became a conversation between Schapira and Russ Knocke, the moderator of the event (See above pic)
Schapira used his time to lay out his political resume and past accomplishments and his vision for the future.
His trademark issue and political passion, both historically and in his future plans, is protecting and strengthening Arizona's education system.
Calling the Republican majority in the legislature "pennywise and pound foolish," a line that he borrowed from Republican John Kavanagh, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he sharply criticized the way that the Rs have [not] handled the state's fiscal crisis, particularly in regards to education funding (Arizona has a "terrible model on how to run an education system") and health care (the lege has "raised the bar" on AHCCCS eligibility when ever-more people need its safety net).*
* - Don't fret R readers, Kavanagh is still drinking the Kool-Aid - within days of urging during a committee meeting that the state not to be "pennywise and pound foolish" he voted to cut education funding, close state parks that were a net revenue generator, and end KidsCare.
The House debate was far livelier. Six candidates - Democrats Ben Arredondo and Ed Ableser, Republicans Don Hawker and Steve May, Green Gregor Knauer, and Libertarian Damian Trabel - were there, though only Ableser has accepted Clean Elections funding.
While Knauer and Trabel laid out their respective positions well (or not-so-well, depending), the debate became focused on the differences between the Democratic and Republican candidates.
Even at that, most of the open animosity was between Ableser and May.
Hawker spent most of his time piping up to blame all of AZ's (and the country's) ills on abortion and "unbridled liberalism" and Arredondo spent his time focusing on Arizona's devastated education system and "jobs, jobs, jobs."
I'll give Hawker credit for one thing - he may be a one-issue candidate, but he is focused enough on that one issue to turn any answer to any question into a diatribe against abortion.
And "diatribe" is the right word too - when CCEC puts up the video recording of the debate, watch it. He uses lines like "scissors removing the brains of babies" and does so with a straight face.
Ben Arredondo spent his time on one thing, too - talking about what he will do in office if elected. Like Schapira (and Ableser, too), the career teacher and public servant will be focused on education. He also pledged to work "across the aisle" for the benefit of the district, teaming up with Republicans on issues that they can agree on. That is something that Arredondo may be uniquely qualified to do, as the former school board and Tempe City Council member, and former Republican, has a long history of working for real world solutions for real world problems.
However focused those two were, the featured attraction in the House debate was Steve May constantly lobbing rhetorical bombs (and personal insults) at Ed Ableser.
Apparently, May must believe that Ableser is the one who uncovered his involvement with the burgeoning AZGOP/sham Green candidates scandal,
I don't really know who did figure out May's involvement, but since May wasn't exactly hiding his involvement with some of the suspect candidates, his involvement could have been uncovered by almost anyone.
Anyway, May started right in on Ableser, claiming that Ableser's biggest failing as a legislator is his unwillingness to work
Ummm - I can state unequivocally that the R caucus doesn't want any Democrats to work with them. During 2009's budget dust-up when the Rs couldn't get enough votes from their own caucus to pass a budget, attempting to "work with" Democrats meant that the Governor, President of the State Senate, and Speaker of the State House met in the Speaker's office and proceeded to call in each member of the D caucus to *tell* them to vote for their budget. It didn't work.
May kept taking his shots at Ableser, until he was not-so-subtly schooled by Ben Arredondo, who, to the approval of most of the audience members, pointed out that he was there to talk about his vision and candidacy, not to take swipes at the other candidates. After that. May cut back (but didn't cut out) the direct attacks.
According to May, the best reason to vote for him is that he is a Republican, and would be part of the majority party.
Seriously, that was the best he had to offer.
Ableser took his time to point out his record of accomplishment and advocacy for the district.
Among other things, he supports broadening the state's tax base (the sales-tax centered model currently used by Arizona is "very archaic"), using incentives to push entrepeneurship in Arizona, especially around "green" and solar technology, and, of course, buttressing the state's education system.
Finally, a curious thing occurred after the forum was over -
From the stage, May started barking at fellow blogger Randy, the author of Dry Heat Democrat. Not sure why. Randy barked back (a little) in response, but it didn't escalate beyond that. I'll leave it to him to tell the story on his blog. It should be up in a day or two.
Interested voters can go to the website of the Clean Elections Commission to view the debate online (once the CCEC posts the video record)
More pics from the forum -
Left: The House candidates (L to R): Ableser, Arredondo, Hawker, Knauer, May, and Trabel.
Left: The crowd, pic taken during the break between the two debates, when everybody could stand and stretch their legs.
Later...
Note: apologies for the formatting of this post. Apparently Blogger doesn't like it when you put multiple pics into one post...
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Pics from the LD17 Clean Elections debates
Will do a more complete recap tomorrow (I need to get some sleep now), but here are a few pics...
Ed Ableser and Ben Arredondo, Democratic candidates for LD17 House, prior to the debate
David Schapira, Democratic candidate for LD17 State Senate, prior to his "debate" (more on that in a minute)...
Schapira and his opponents Wendy Rogers (R) and Anthony Goshorn (G*), with Rogers and Goshorn disguised as empty chairs. Seriously, neither one showed up. Apparently Rogers notified organizers prior to the event, even though originally she was expected to appear, but Goshorn was a pure no show (check out the name tent next to Schapira's).
Well, not a *pure* no show - he was in the audience. Just not on the stage.
All of the House candidates who appeared at the debate. From left to right: Ed Ableser, Ben Arredondo, Don Hawker (R), Gregor Knauer (G), Steve May (R), and Damian Trabel (Libertarian)
Arredondo making a point.
Later...
Ed Ableser and Ben Arredondo, Democratic candidates for LD17 House, prior to the debate
David Schapira, Democratic candidate for LD17 State Senate, prior to his "debate" (more on that in a minute)...
Schapira and his opponents Wendy Rogers (R) and Anthony Goshorn (G*), with Rogers and Goshorn disguised as empty chairs. Seriously, neither one showed up. Apparently Rogers notified organizers prior to the event, even though originally she was expected to appear, but Goshorn was a pure no show (check out the name tent next to Schapira's).
Well, not a *pure* no show - he was in the audience. Just not on the stage.
All of the House candidates who appeared at the debate. From left to right: Ed Ableser, Ben Arredondo, Don Hawker (R), Gregor Knauer (G), Steve May (R), and Damian Trabel (Libertarian)
Arredondo making a point.
Later...
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Early ballot time - 2010 primary
Early voting has started, and those voters who have signed up for the Pernanent Early Voting List or have specifically requested a mail ballot for this election should have received their ballot already (or will receive it within the next few days.)
If you are not on the PEVL list or haven't requested a ballot for this specific election, you can download the sign up form for the PEVL here or request a ballot for a single election here. The latest date to request an early ballot for the August primary is August 13.
My ballot is a Democratic one, specific to CD5/LD17/Maricopa County/University Lakes Justice Precinct, and can be found here. (Just for giggles, the Republican ballot for the same area is here; the Libertarian ballot is here; and the Green ballot is here.)
While I have determined who to vote for in the races where there are contests, I won't list those choices here. All of the Democratic candidates are excellent choices (one of the advantages to being a Democrat in a state that is so dominated by Republicans is that anyone running as a D is someone who takes public service seriously) and I'll proudly support the eventual winners in the general election.
The candidates on my ballot, and their campaign websites, are (in the order listed on the ballot, not my personal preference.):
US Senate (vote for one)
Randy Parraz
John Dougherty
Cathy Eden
Rodney Glassman
U.S. Representative (CD5)
Harry Mitchell
Governor of Arizona
Terry Goddard
State Senator (LD17)
David Schapira
State Representative (LD17) (vote for two)
Ed Ableser
Ben Arredondo
Arizona Secretary of State (vote for one)
Sam Wercinski
Chris Deschene
Arizona Attorney General (vote for one)
Felecia Rotellini
David Lujan
Vince Rabago
Arizona State Treasurer
Andrei Cherny
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (vote for one)
Jason Williams
Penny Kotterman
Arizona Mine Inspector
Manuel Cruz
Arizona Corporation Commission (vote for two)
Renz Jennings
David Bradley
Jorge Luis Garcia
Clerk of the Maricopa County Superior Court
Sherry Williams
Justice of the Peace, University Lakes Justice Precinct (vote for one)
Meg Burton Cahill (no campaign webpage that I could find, but her state senate page is here)
Kathy Hayden
One of the more interesting races is one that isn't on my ballot - the race between Republicans Rick Romley and Bill Montgomery to serve out the remaining 2+ years of Andrew Thomas' term as Maricopa County Attorney. No D is running for the spot, preferring to save up their campaigning energies for 2012.
The race there has boiled down to Romley's professionalism versus Montgomery's Arpaio-ism. In a general election contest, Romley would win in a walkover, but since the race will be decided by the R primary voters, anything could happen.
Updates on this and the other races as they become available.
If you are not on the PEVL list or haven't requested a ballot for this specific election, you can download the sign up form for the PEVL here or request a ballot for a single election here. The latest date to request an early ballot for the August primary is August 13.
My ballot is a Democratic one, specific to CD5/LD17/Maricopa County/University Lakes Justice Precinct, and can be found here. (Just for giggles, the Republican ballot for the same area is here; the Libertarian ballot is here; and the Green ballot is here.)
While I have determined who to vote for in the races where there are contests, I won't list those choices here. All of the Democratic candidates are excellent choices (one of the advantages to being a Democrat in a state that is so dominated by Republicans is that anyone running as a D is someone who takes public service seriously) and I'll proudly support the eventual winners in the general election.
The candidates on my ballot, and their campaign websites, are (in the order listed on the ballot, not my personal preference.):
US Senate (vote for one)
Randy Parraz
John Dougherty
Cathy Eden
Rodney Glassman
U.S. Representative (CD5)
Harry Mitchell
Governor of Arizona
Terry Goddard
State Senator (LD17)
David Schapira
State Representative (LD17) (vote for two)
Ed Ableser
Ben Arredondo
Arizona Secretary of State (vote for one)
Sam Wercinski
Chris Deschene
Arizona Attorney General (vote for one)
Felecia Rotellini
David Lujan
Vince Rabago
Arizona State Treasurer
Andrei Cherny
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (vote for one)
Jason Williams
Penny Kotterman
Arizona Mine Inspector
Manuel Cruz
Arizona Corporation Commission (vote for two)
Renz Jennings
David Bradley
Jorge Luis Garcia
Clerk of the Maricopa County Superior Court
Sherry Williams
Justice of the Peace, University Lakes Justice Precinct (vote for one)
Meg Burton Cahill (no campaign webpage that I could find, but her state senate page is here)
Kathy Hayden
One of the more interesting races is one that isn't on my ballot - the race between Republicans Rick Romley and Bill Montgomery to serve out the remaining 2+ years of Andrew Thomas' term as Maricopa County Attorney. No D is running for the spot, preferring to save up their campaigning energies for 2012.
The race there has boiled down to Romley's professionalism versus Montgomery's Arpaio-ism. In a general election contest, Romley would win in a walkover, but since the race will be decided by the R primary voters, anything could happen.
Updates on this and the other races as they become available.
Monday, May 03, 2010
D17 Legislators guide important bills through to the Governor's desk
After one of the most contentious legislative sessions on record, the Democratic contingent to West Washington can look upon their accomplishments this year with a little pride.
State Senator Meg Burton Cahill and State Representatives David Schapira and Ed Ableser each had bills reach the Governor's desk, awaiting her signature.
They include -
SB1232 (Burton Cahill), conforming Arizona's civil rights laws with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act
HB2462 (Ableser), reining in predatory towing companies
HB2080 (Schapira), "Helps students with chronic health problems by expanding parents’ choices of health professionals to certify their children need special accommodations to complete their coursework." (Quoting from a press release)
HB2401 (Schapira), expanding the teacher student loan forgiveness program (originally to encourage/aid future math, science, and special ed teachers) to include students who are elementary ed teachers in areas that have been determined to have a shortage of teachers.
Thanks for their hard work and congratulations on their successes go out to all three members of LD17's delegation.
From the "you can't make this stuff up" department - Burton Cahill's bill, SB1232, was pretty innocuous, almost a "technical corrections" bill, yet when it was passed by the Senate, it was opposed by John Huppenthal, a Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Somewhat surprising for someone who wants to be in charge of educating Arizona's children - most people either have a disabled child in their family or know someone who does. His vote can only serve to tick off a significant part of the education community, a community whose support he is seeking in his attempt to change offices.
According to one source, it turns out that Huppenthal wasn't opposed to the content of the measure. According to that source, Huppenthal told an advocate for the disabled community that he voted against the bill because he personally disliked the Senator who sponsored the bill, Meg Burton Cahill.
That's pretty petty, even by the abysmally low standards of the GOP caucus in the lege.
Of course, this is the same John Huppenthal who stole signs opposing his candidacy and pushed around an elderly Democratic activist in 2008 (he faced charges, but was acquitted...by a Republican judge).
Being merely "petty" may qualify as a good day for Huppenthal...
Later...
State Senator Meg Burton Cahill and State Representatives David Schapira and Ed Ableser each had bills reach the Governor's desk, awaiting her signature.
They include -
SB1232 (Burton Cahill), conforming Arizona's civil rights laws with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act
HB2462 (Ableser), reining in predatory towing companies
HB2080 (Schapira), "Helps students with chronic health problems by expanding parents’ choices of health professionals to certify their children need special accommodations to complete their coursework." (Quoting from a press release)
HB2401 (Schapira), expanding the teacher student loan forgiveness program (originally to encourage/aid future math, science, and special ed teachers) to include students who are elementary ed teachers in areas that have been determined to have a shortage of teachers.
Thanks for their hard work and congratulations on their successes go out to all three members of LD17's delegation.
From the "you can't make this stuff up" department - Burton Cahill's bill, SB1232, was pretty innocuous, almost a "technical corrections" bill, yet when it was passed by the Senate, it was opposed by John Huppenthal, a Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Somewhat surprising for someone who wants to be in charge of educating Arizona's children - most people either have a disabled child in their family or know someone who does. His vote can only serve to tick off a significant part of the education community, a community whose support he is seeking in his attempt to change offices.
According to one source, it turns out that Huppenthal wasn't opposed to the content of the measure. According to that source, Huppenthal told an advocate for the disabled community that he voted against the bill because he personally disliked the Senator who sponsored the bill, Meg Burton Cahill.
That's pretty petty, even by the abysmally low standards of the GOP caucus in the lege.
Of course, this is the same John Huppenthal who stole signs opposing his candidacy and pushed around an elderly Democratic activist in 2008 (he faced charges, but was acquitted...by a Republican judge).
Being merely "petty" may qualify as a good day for Huppenthal...
Later...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Schapira first to file signatures in LD17
Press release time (via email) -
Congrats David!
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!
Monday, February 01, 2010
House Democrats call for bipartisan approach to solving the state's budget mess
Today, the Democratic Caucus of the Arizona House of Representatives sent a letter to Republican Governor Jan Brewer and the Republican leadership of the legislature calling on them to seek a bipartisan solution to the state's budget woes, citing the Rep's moves to have the same adversarial parallel budget process this year that didn't work last year.
From the press release -
My idealism tells me that the efforts of the House Dems will be rewarded, but my natural cynicism (combined with the experience of the last year) tells me that their efforts will again be rebuffed by the blind ideologues that occupy the offices of the Governor and the R leadership in the lege.
Still, one can hope, and I am a life-long Red Sox fan - we've learned that sometimes hope is rewarded.
Just so the reward for this hope doesn't take 86 years to be realized - Arizona can't afford it to take that long...
From the press release -
In the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday, Republicans wanted two competing budget worksheets or have a process with parallel bills from the two parties, which is the same process they used last year that failed to solve the budget. Republicans did not want to work together in the committee Wednesday to create a joint worksheet.From the letter (sorry, no link available) -
"That kind of divisive mindset won't solve anything because a parallel process is not a bipartisan process," said Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe (District 17), a member of the Appropriations Comitteee. "The facts are simple. Competing budgets get us nowhere and we end up with more slash and burn cuts to jobs, education and health care, and an even bigger budget deficit."
We've see this process before, we saw it last year. Republicans create their own budget, Democrats create their own budget, a Republican governor creates her own budget, and they all hit dead ends.
My idealism tells me that the efforts of the House Dems will be rewarded, but my natural cynicism (combined with the experience of the last year) tells me that their efforts will again be rebuffed by the blind ideologues that occupy the offices of the Governor and the R leadership in the lege.
Still, one can hope, and I am a life-long Red Sox fan - we've learned that sometimes hope is rewarded.
Just so the reward for this hope doesn't take 86 years to be realized - Arizona can't afford it to take that long...
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