...Perhaps somebody should tell him that the situation might be more equitable if our entire Congressional delegation, instead of just the Democrats, worked to represent Arizona.
Or perhaps he'd find the situation more equitable if only he'd pay more attention to Arizona reality instead of his personal ideology.
Over the last few months, AZ Congressman Jeff Flake, when not proposing anti-earmark amendments or calling for investigations of his Democratic colleagues, has been co-authoring (with a member of the Heritage Foundation) a number* of op-ed pieces on the topic of "donor states" and federal highway funds. "Donor states" are states that pay more in federal gas taxes than they receive back in federal highway funds.
* = "number" is a misnomer here. Actually, it's only one article used as a template, with the numbers and names changed to adapt to the locale of the piece's publication - Texas here, Georgia here, Florida here, Arizona here.
Flake and his co-author argue that the solution to this perceived inequity is to remove federal bureaucracy from the federal interstate highway system. He wants to keep the federal fuel tax in place, but all of the revenues collected in a particular state would stay in that state, to be administered by that state's own transportation department.
Just a reminder, the Arizona Legislature sets the budget and the priorities for the Arizona Department of Transportation. For the sake of brevity, we'll leave for another day the discussion of the utter foolishness of the idea of letting the AZ legislature control the upkeep of the federal highways in AZ. Let's just say that relying on the AZ lege to make sure AZ's interstate (and intrastate) roads are well-maintained and safe isn't a terribly bright idea.
While Flake's idea is more subtle than Texas Governor Rick Perry's call for Texas' secession from the United States, it may be even more indicative of the current wave of Randian selfishness and divisiveness that constitutes conservative political discourse. Here, instead of outright political secession, they're advocating ideological, economic, and social secession.
It's no coincidence that the states that they're targeting with this message are states that are either Republican-leaning already or are states that the Reps hope to reclaim in 2010 and 2012. Or that the states that they criticize by name - Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York - are pretty solidly Blue.
They're appealing to the "Us vs. Them" mentality that percolates just under the surface of all of us (yes, even me :) ), they're ignoring the fact (and hoping that readers similarly ignore) that the interstate highway benefits everybody, and everybody benefits from the funds expended on interstate highways.
Simply put, federal money spent on highways in New York benefits drivers from Arizona, just as money spent in AZ benefits drivers from New York.
And while the conservatives/Republicans have been crying about America's "descent into socialism," they're using the incorrect word.
The proper word is "society."
It should be noted that while Flake's articles have been appearing for just a few months, his scheme has been percolating for a while, as witnessed by the proposed (but stalled) Senate Concurrent Memorial advocating the precisely the same idea, sponsored by Ron Gould at the start of this year's AZ lege session. Gould pushed this last year, too.
It should also be noted that Flake and his compatriot are being very selective in their use of statistics. A study from the non-partisan Tax Foundation, ranks Arizona as 21st in terms of federal spending received vs. federal taxes paid ($1.19 received for every $1.00 paid in 2005).
That overall picture, no matter how much more accurate its evaluation of AZ's economic benefit from federal spending, is far less ideologically convenient for Flake than the numbers associated with highway spending alone. Hence, he ignores it.
Later...
Monday, June 01, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Terrorists in Kansas
From AP via AZCentral.com -
Look for speeches on the floors of the US Senate and House tomorrow by two-faced wingers disavowing the violence while implying that the doctor got what he deserved.
They're already going to town in the winger blogosphere, here, here (this writer actually goes after Tiller's church for accepting him into their congregation), and here (a commenter here blamed both the victim and Satan. I kid you not.)
Later...
Media outlets are reporting that late-term abortion doctor George Tiller has been shot and killed at his church in Wichita, Kan.Something tells me that this killer (or killers) doesn't quite fit the stereotypical profile of "terrorist" promulgated by Rep. Trent Franks and his ilk (less "dark-skinned Allah-worshiping Muslim" and more "pasty-faced Bible-thumping fundie Christian").
Anonymous police sources told The Wichita Eagle and other media that the 67-year-old doctor was killed Sunday morning at Reformation Lutheran Church.
Look for speeches on the floors of the US Senate and House tomorrow by two-faced wingers disavowing the violence while implying that the doctor got what he deserved.
They're already going to town in the winger blogosphere, here, here (this writer actually goes after Tiller's church for accepting him into their congregation), and here (a commenter here blamed both the victim and Satan. I kid you not.)
Later...
The coming week...
As usual, on info gathered from the websites of the relevant agencies and political bodies, and subject to change without notice...
...In the U.S. House, the agenda is getting back to normal. They've got post office namings to attend to. :)
Of course, as important as such namings are to our national well-being, there are other issues that they'll be considering this week too.
- H.R. 325, the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project, sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ7).
The CRS summary for H.R. 325 -
The bill is on the suspension calendar, which means that the leadership expects to get the 2/3 support for the bill needed to pass it under a suspension of the rules.
- H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. This one has a lot of money tied to it, so there will be a lot of debate over it. Jeff Flake has proposed an anti-earmark amendment to the bill.
- H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009. CRS summary here. Expect some serious Republican bloviating over this one.
- Possible consideration of a conference report on H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009. $$$ = arguments. 'Nuff said.
- And in the "keep in mind for future reference" category, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by AZ5's Rep. Harry Mitchell, will be holding a hearing on VA hospital mistakes that led to veterans becoming infected with diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The hearing is scheduled for June 16 in Washington.
From AP -
The VA's webpage on the issue is here.
...Back in AZ in the legislature, most of the *really* interesting action is budget-related and is taking place behind closed doors.
There is some public activity, though.
The House has what looks to be a fairly non-controversial Third Read calendar posted for Monday and a somewhat more controversial Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar posted for Tuesday.
The COW calendar includes HB2198, a bill to create a "full and final settlement of claims" provision in AZ law regarding workers' comp cases. Provisions in the bill shift the liability for long-term medical expenses from the insurance carrier to the injured workers.
Also on the COW calendar is HB2628, the bill name by the sponsors as "the Parents' Bill Of Rights Act." While there are a few reasonable clauses in this one, those clauses exist to serve as concealment for a bunch of "my rules are better than society's rules" clauses.
- In committee action, House Rules is meeting on Monday (1 p.m., HHR4) to consider a couple of very controversial bills including HB2099, which would make charter schools subject to the same zoning laws as public schools (in other words, make it much easier for the charter school operators to shoehorn their businesses into neighborhoods over residents' objections) and HB2203, which seriously harshens the penalties faced by recipients of TANF, or Temporary Assistance For Needy Families. Any sort of non-compliance with any of the rules of TANF, including simple paperwork glitches by parents, would result in an escalating series of suspensions of benefits received by the children. Brought to you by the same Nancy Barto who is soooo dedicated to protecting the profits of private health insurers.
Nice priorities there, Rep. Barto. Remind me again - whose interests were you elected to represent?
House Health and Human Services is meeting on Tuesday at 10:30 in HHR4.
Over in the Senate, no committees are scheduled to meet at this time.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is going to have a busy week.
- On Monday at 10 a.m., they will be holding their "informal" meeting. It looks to be pretty simple and mundane, except for item #4, yet another executive session.
- On Wednesday at 9 a.m., they will be holding their "formal" meeting. It also looks pretty mundane, but *long*. Of course, there will be an executive session following this one, too. (According to the posting notice, anyway.)
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will be meeting on Thursday, June 4 at 10 a.m. The agenda includes a number of items related to tax rates and other stuff to prepare for the coming fiscal year.
...The Scottsdale City Council will be meeting on Tuesday night at 5, and they have a very full agenda. Included items include the appointment of a new City Auditor (Sharron Walker), a Truth-In-Taxation hearing on the property tax levy for the coming fiscal year (city property tax rate: $0.79, unchanged from last year), and a second and final hearing on the city's FY2010 budget.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, and the Tempe City Council are not scheduled to meet this week.
Later...
...In the U.S. House, the agenda is getting back to normal. They've got post office namings to attend to. :)
Of course, as important as such namings are to our national well-being, there are other issues that they'll be considering this week too.
- H.R. 325, the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project, sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ7).
The CRS summary for H.R. 325 -
Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with Pima County, Arizona, to participate in the planning, design, and construction of water recycling facilities and to enhance and restore riparian habitat in the Black Wash Sonoran Desert ecosystem in Avra Valley west of the metropolitan Pima County area. Limits the federal share of the project's cost to 25%. Authorizes appropriations. Permits federal funds provided by this Act to be used only for the design, planning, and construction of water-related infrastructure.
The bill is on the suspension calendar, which means that the leadership expects to get the 2/3 support for the bill needed to pass it under a suspension of the rules.
- H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. This one has a lot of money tied to it, so there will be a lot of debate over it. Jeff Flake has proposed an anti-earmark amendment to the bill.
- H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009. CRS summary here. Expect some serious Republican bloviating over this one.
- Possible consideration of a conference report on H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009. $$$ = arguments. 'Nuff said.
- And in the "keep in mind for future reference" category, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by AZ5's Rep. Harry Mitchell, will be holding a hearing on VA hospital mistakes that led to veterans becoming infected with diseases like HIV and hepatitis. The hearing is scheduled for June 16 in Washington.
From AP -
A congressional panel will question Department of Veterans Affairs officials about mistakes that put patients at risk of possible exposure to HIV and other infectious body fluids at three VA hospitals.
The VA recommended more than 10,000 former VA patients in Miami, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga., get follow-up blood checks. Five have tested positive for HIV and 43 have tested positive for hepatitis, according to an update on the VA Web site Friday.
{snip}
The subcommittee chairman, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell D-Arizona, said Thursday in a phone interview that veterans who are testing positive for HIV and hepatitis, "whether it came from these improper procedures or not, the VA has a responsibility to take care of these patients."
The VA's webpage on the issue is here.
...Back in AZ in the legislature, most of the *really* interesting action is budget-related and is taking place behind closed doors.
There is some public activity, though.
The House has what looks to be a fairly non-controversial Third Read calendar posted for Monday and a somewhat more controversial Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar posted for Tuesday.
The COW calendar includes HB2198, a bill to create a "full and final settlement of claims" provision in AZ law regarding workers' comp cases. Provisions in the bill shift the liability for long-term medical expenses from the insurance carrier to the injured workers.
Also on the COW calendar is HB2628, the bill name by the sponsors as "the Parents' Bill Of Rights Act." While there are a few reasonable clauses in this one, those clauses exist to serve as concealment for a bunch of "my rules are better than society's rules" clauses.
- In committee action, House Rules is meeting on Monday (1 p.m., HHR4) to consider a couple of very controversial bills including HB2099, which would make charter schools subject to the same zoning laws as public schools (in other words, make it much easier for the charter school operators to shoehorn their businesses into neighborhoods over residents' objections) and HB2203, which seriously harshens the penalties faced by recipients of TANF, or Temporary Assistance For Needy Families. Any sort of non-compliance with any of the rules of TANF, including simple paperwork glitches by parents, would result in an escalating series of suspensions of benefits received by the children. Brought to you by the same Nancy Barto who is soooo dedicated to protecting the profits of private health insurers.
Nice priorities there, Rep. Barto. Remind me again - whose interests were you elected to represent?
House Health and Human Services is meeting on Tuesday at 10:30 in HHR4.
Over in the Senate, no committees are scheduled to meet at this time.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is going to have a busy week.
- On Monday at 10 a.m., they will be holding their "informal" meeting. It looks to be pretty simple and mundane, except for item #4, yet another executive session.
- On Wednesday at 9 a.m., they will be holding their "formal" meeting. It also looks pretty mundane, but *long*. Of course, there will be an executive session following this one, too. (According to the posting notice, anyway.)
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will be meeting on Thursday, June 4 at 10 a.m. The agenda includes a number of items related to tax rates and other stuff to prepare for the coming fiscal year.
...The Scottsdale City Council will be meeting on Tuesday night at 5, and they have a very full agenda. Included items include the appointment of a new City Auditor (Sharron Walker), a Truth-In-Taxation hearing on the property tax levy for the coming fiscal year (city property tax rate: $0.79, unchanged from last year), and a second and final hearing on the city's FY2010 budget.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, and the Tempe City Council are not scheduled to meet this week.
Later...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Which sounds better - "30th Best" or "21st Worst"?
Either way, we're the worst in the Southwest, and 2nd worst in the West, ahead of only California.
The results are in for the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, ranking drivers' knowledge based on how they answered questions drawn from actual DMV tests from across the country.
As for state rankings, Arizona came in 30th, immediately ahead of Maine, Delaware, and New Hampshire, and immediately behind Illinois, West Virginia, and Nevada. We did shamefully worse than the other four corners states -
Utah came in seventh, Colorado fifteenth, and New Mexico nineteenth.
Even Texas (Texas?!?) did better than AZ, coming in at 24.
Some bright-eyed and bushy tailed type at the AZGOP will look at these numbers and exclaim "Hey!! We're better than California!! Lower taxes and spending on highway safety make this a better place!"
Yeah, right.
The results are in for the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, ranking drivers' knowledge based on how they answered questions drawn from actual DMV tests from across the country.
As for state rankings, Arizona came in 30th, immediately ahead of Maine, Delaware, and New Hampshire, and immediately behind Illinois, West Virginia, and Nevada. We did shamefully worse than the other four corners states -
Utah came in seventh, Colorado fifteenth, and New Mexico nineteenth.
Even Texas (Texas?!?) did better than AZ, coming in at 24.
Some bright-eyed and bushy tailed type at the AZGOP will look at these numbers and exclaim "Hey!! We're better than California!! Lower taxes and spending on highway safety make this a better place!"
Yeah, right.
Short Attention Span Musing
The work week was hectic this week and cut into posting time, so here are brief thoughts on some stuff that came up this week..
...Sen. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is a gift to snarky writers.
From AZCentral.com -
Jack, Jack, Jack - you want to run statewide next year and yet you are picking on churches, perhaps the one group of voters that might be reliably on your side if you make it to the general election?
...Now Sheriff Joe Arpaio is complaining that the federal investigations of him and MCSO are politically motivated.
From the Washington Post -
Well, if anyone should know of politically-motivated investigations, it's our resident expert on the topic.
...The Republican blogosphere is all aflutter over word that Governor Jan Brewer plans a PR campaign to build support for her budget plan. They're worried that she might be "going after" Republican legislators.
Given that this is the first "governor-like" thing that she has done since she ascended to the office, maybe they're just now learning that the governor's job description does *not* include the line "acts as a lackey of the legislature."
...As expected, the lege passed and Brewer signed into law the proposal to give corporations $5 million in tax breaks and ensure Steve Yarbrough's income at the same time.
My only question is if it fact turns out that Yarbrough's STO has violated the IRS' rules governing 501c3 organizations, does the fact that the Governor called a special session solely to funnel money to Yarbrough and his organization mean that she is an accessory to any of the violations? What about the people who officially sponsored the bills (Rep. Rick Murphy, Sens. Thayer Verschoor, Sylvia Allen, Bob Burns, Chuck Gray, Jack Harper, and John Huppenthal)?
OK, probably not. Elected officials have a way of writing laws in ways that protect themselves (witness this one), but in a just world...
Later...
...Sen. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is a gift to snarky writers.
From AZCentral.com -
There was fresh debate on Friday about a controversial letter written to Arizona voters by Republican State Sen. Jack Harper. A church organization weighed-in on Harper's letter, calling it "unthinkable." Harper defended the blunt language of the letter, saying it was a necessary reality check to Arizonans.
{snip}
Harper said he believes members of churches should increase their charity donations to make up for bad economic times.
"If they want to reach people for the values they believe in, reach people in the name of Christ, it's time for them to step up and show generosity to the church," Harper said.
Jack, Jack, Jack - you want to run statewide next year and yet you are picking on churches, perhaps the one group of voters that might be reliably on your side if you make it to the general election?
...Now Sheriff Joe Arpaio is complaining that the federal investigations of him and MCSO are politically motivated.
From the Washington Post -
The lawyers representing a controversial Arizona sheriff who is under investigation for his treatment of Latino residents accused officials in the Justice and Homeland Security departments yesterday of political motivations in pursuing probes against their client.
{snip}
[Attorney for Arpaio Robert] Driscoll wrote in his letter, referring to the sheriff's office, "When one law enforcement agency becomes subject to three federal investigations in a matter of weeks immediately after a shift of political control in Washington, it is difficult not to speculate that politics played a role in the decision or that policy differences related to hot-button topics such as local law enforcement's vigorous enforcement of immigration related crimes are being litigated through enforcement actions."
Well, if anyone should know of politically-motivated investigations, it's our resident expert on the topic.
...The Republican blogosphere is all aflutter over word that Governor Jan Brewer plans a PR campaign to build support for her budget plan. They're worried that she might be "going after" Republican legislators.
Given that this is the first "governor-like" thing that she has done since she ascended to the office, maybe they're just now learning that the governor's job description does *not* include the line "acts as a lackey of the legislature."
...As expected, the lege passed and Brewer signed into law the proposal to give corporations $5 million in tax breaks and ensure Steve Yarbrough's income at the same time.
My only question is if it fact turns out that Yarbrough's STO has violated the IRS' rules governing 501c3 organizations, does the fact that the Governor called a special session solely to funnel money to Yarbrough and his organization mean that she is an accessory to any of the violations? What about the people who officially sponsored the bills (Rep. Rick Murphy, Sens. Thayer Verschoor, Sylvia Allen, Bob Burns, Chuck Gray, Jack Harper, and John Huppenthal)?
OK, probably not. Elected officials have a way of writing laws in ways that protect themselves (witness this one), but in a just world...
Later...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Corporate Bidding Day at the AZ lege
...as in "Doing Corporate Bidding Day," not "Bidding on Corporations Day"...
Even though the lege's official "events" calendar didn't list it, based on the available evidence, Tuesday, May 26 was Corporate Bidding Day, as the lege devoted itself to introducing, discussing, and/or passing measures devoted to protecting corporate interests over the interests of Arizonans.
...The day started with the House Health and Human Services Committee passing Rep. Nancy Barto's bill to protect the profit margins of private health insurers on a party-line vote.
...Then they moved on to "special session" activities, with the House Ways and Means and Rules Committees passing a bill to preserve the revenue stream for Steve Yarbrough's school tuition organization, also on party line votes (WM here, Rules here).
The House plans to run the bill through Committee of the Whole (COW) and Third Read (final passage) on Wednesday.
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed their body's version of the same bill, also on a party line vote.
The Senate is also scheduled to run the bill through COW on Wednesday.
Assuming that the Senate schedules Third Read for its bill this week, the Rep caucuses of the lege should be able to conference, come up with a final bill, and get it to the governor's desk by the end of the week or sometime next week. I say "the Rep caucuses" because this shameless bit of ideological and financial featherbedding will be passed without Democratic support.
Senate Approps issued a press release crowing about the passage, claiming that the bill will help disabled and foster children yet save the state money because it will mean that there will be fewer special ed students in public school systems.
The House Democratic caucus issued its own presser that pointed out that the Reps in the lege already cut $91 million in aid for foster and disabled children in the 2009 budget fix (with even deeper cuts expected in the FY2010 budget). In addition, this bill will further reduce state revenues by $5 million.
As Rep. Steve Farley points out in his latest Farley Report (certain to be posted online at R-Cubed or AZ Netroots), it will also reduce per-pupil state payments to schools while *not* reducing the costs the schools incur (teacher salaries, utilities and other fixed costs) that are the same whether there are 15 special ed students in a class, or 12, or 10, or just one.
...Today's capper was back in regular session when the House COW session passed HB2610, a bill to severely limit corporate product and civil liability exposure (the text of the bill here, and the text of a floor amendment added during COW here; the amendment made a bad bill even worse).
All in all, the lege had a productive day...unless your idea of "productive" for the legislature is "looking after the interests of all Arizonans."
In that case, it was a lousy day.
Anyway, Thursday should be interesting. The Democratic caucus is promising to have its budget proposal ready for release by around 10 a.m.
It will be available at http://www.StrongerArizona.com, and it's proof that at least some of the members of the lege are still focused on the job that their constituents elected them to do.
Later...
Even though the lege's official "events" calendar didn't list it, based on the available evidence, Tuesday, May 26 was Corporate Bidding Day, as the lege devoted itself to introducing, discussing, and/or passing measures devoted to protecting corporate interests over the interests of Arizonans.
...The day started with the House Health and Human Services Committee passing Rep. Nancy Barto's bill to protect the profit margins of private health insurers on a party-line vote.
...Then they moved on to "special session" activities, with the House Ways and Means and Rules Committees passing a bill to preserve the revenue stream for Steve Yarbrough's school tuition organization, also on party line votes (WM here, Rules here).
The House plans to run the bill through Committee of the Whole (COW) and Third Read (final passage) on Wednesday.
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed their body's version of the same bill, also on a party line vote.
The Senate is also scheduled to run the bill through COW on Wednesday.
Assuming that the Senate schedules Third Read for its bill this week, the Rep caucuses of the lege should be able to conference, come up with a final bill, and get it to the governor's desk by the end of the week or sometime next week. I say "the Rep caucuses" because this shameless bit of ideological and financial featherbedding will be passed without Democratic support.
Senate Approps issued a press release crowing about the passage, claiming that the bill will help disabled and foster children yet save the state money because it will mean that there will be fewer special ed students in public school systems.
The House Democratic caucus issued its own presser that pointed out that the Reps in the lege already cut $91 million in aid for foster and disabled children in the 2009 budget fix (with even deeper cuts expected in the FY2010 budget). In addition, this bill will further reduce state revenues by $5 million.
As Rep. Steve Farley points out in his latest Farley Report (certain to be posted online at R-Cubed or AZ Netroots), it will also reduce per-pupil state payments to schools while *not* reducing the costs the schools incur (teacher salaries, utilities and other fixed costs) that are the same whether there are 15 special ed students in a class, or 12, or 10, or just one.
...Today's capper was back in regular session when the House COW session passed HB2610, a bill to severely limit corporate product and civil liability exposure (the text of the bill here, and the text of a floor amendment added during COW here; the amendment made a bad bill even worse).
All in all, the lege had a productive day...unless your idea of "productive" for the legislature is "looking after the interests of all Arizonans."
In that case, it was a lousy day.
Anyway, Thursday should be interesting. The Democratic caucus is promising to have its budget proposal ready for release by around 10 a.m.
It will be available at http://www.StrongerArizona.com, and it's proof that at least some of the members of the lege are still focused on the job that their constituents elected them to do.
Later...
Kerry Martin, wife of State Treasurer Dean Martin, dies during childbirth
From AZCentral.com -
Details are still emerging about today's tragic events, and I'll update when things become clearer.
My deepest condolences go out to Dean Martin and the friends and family of Kerry Martin on their loss.
State Treasurer Dean Martin's wife died of complications from childbirth Monday after delivering the couple's first child.
The child, Austin Michael Martin, is in critical condition.
Kerry Martin, 34, had been married to her husband for 13 years.
Details are still emerging about today's tragic events, and I'll update when things become clearer.
My deepest condolences go out to Dean Martin and the friends and family of Kerry Martin on their loss.
Thank you, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
Thank you for making me look far more prescient than I really am... :))
In Sunday's "coming week" political schedule post, I mentioned that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors wasn't scheduled to meet this week, but that was subject to change.
Well, that change has happened.
On Wednesday at 10 a.m., there will be a special/executive session meeting. The public session of the meeting agenda is an item to appoint Susan Cooper as acting Public Fiduciary. Ms. Cooper is currently Guardian Administrator Supervisor in the Office of the Public Fiduciary. She has been working as a public fiduciary for many years, however, and there have been some criticisms of her job performance (as a fiduciary in general, not necessarily as one who is employed by the county) in the past, as illustrated by this Phoenix New Times' story from 1998.
A call out to the supes' press secretary Terri Mulholland, concerning the status of the current Public Fiduciary, Richard T. Vanderheiden, earned a quick call back. It turns out he is one of the county employees who is part of the early retirement program implemented to cut costs at the County.
The topic for the executive session isn't listed, but through my super-secret sources, I've narrowed down the possible topics to two -
1. Discussion of pending/ongoing litigation involving the County and/or the supes; or
2. The supes' weekly cribbage tournament.
:))
Later...
In Sunday's "coming week" political schedule post, I mentioned that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors wasn't scheduled to meet this week, but that was subject to change.
Well, that change has happened.
On Wednesday at 10 a.m., there will be a special/executive session meeting. The public session of the meeting agenda is an item to appoint Susan Cooper as acting Public Fiduciary. Ms. Cooper is currently Guardian Administrator Supervisor in the Office of the Public Fiduciary. She has been working as a public fiduciary for many years, however, and there have been some criticisms of her job performance (as a fiduciary in general, not necessarily as one who is employed by the county) in the past, as illustrated by this Phoenix New Times' story from 1998.
A call out to the supes' press secretary Terri Mulholland, concerning the status of the current Public Fiduciary, Richard T. Vanderheiden, earned a quick call back. It turns out he is one of the county employees who is part of the early retirement program implemented to cut costs at the County.
The topic for the executive session isn't listed, but through my super-secret sources, I've narrowed down the possible topics to two -
1. Discussion of pending/ongoing litigation involving the County and/or the supes; or
2. The supes' weekly cribbage tournament.
:))
Later...
Sotomayor is the nominee
...and AZ's most rabid GOPers get to step back from brink of full-out foaming at the mouth, paralyzing, delirious rage incited by the oft-mentioned consideration of Janet Napolitano for the Supreme Court.
Instead, they'll just experience their normal level of rage, this directed at the idea that a Hispanic woman got the nod, not one of the neanderthals they prefer.
From AP via Yahoo! News -
The White House has a summary of her background here.
Basics of that summary - Grew up in poverty in the South Bronx, attended Catholic high school, earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from Yale, worked as an assistant Manhattan DA and an intellectual property/corporate lawyer, and was nominated as a judge on the US District Court by President George H.W. Bush. She was later appointed to the Appeals Court by President Bill Clinton.
The text of President Obama's remarks during his announcement of Judge Sotomayor's nomination here.
A resume-like background page from Pace University (she was a commencement speaker there in 2003) is here.
More later...
Instead, they'll just experience their normal level of rage, this directed at the idea that a Hispanic woman got the nod, not one of the neanderthals they prefer.
From AP via Yahoo! News -
President Barack Obama named federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor as the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, praising her as "an inspiring woman" with both the intellect and compassion to interpret the Constitution wisely.
Obama said Sotomayor has more experience as a judge than any current member of the high court had when nominated, adding she has earned the "respect of colleagues on the bench," the admiration of lawyers who appear in her court and "the adoration of her clerks."
"My heart today is bursting with gratitude," Sotomayor said from the White House podium moments after being introduced by Obama.
The White House has a summary of her background here.
Basics of that summary - Grew up in poverty in the South Bronx, attended Catholic high school, earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from Yale, worked as an assistant Manhattan DA and an intellectual property/corporate lawyer, and was nominated as a judge on the US District Court by President George H.W. Bush. She was later appointed to the Appeals Court by President Bill Clinton.
The text of President Obama's remarks during his announcement of Judge Sotomayor's nomination here.
A resume-like background page from Pace University (she was a commencement speaker there in 2003) is here.
More later...
Monday, May 25, 2009
More 2010 campaign committees...
Yes, it's still early, but more and more folks are starting up campaign committees for next year.
...For governor, one Kent Couchee of Gold Canyon, party affiliation "resident of Arizona." His campaign email addy is listed as drillercustomhomes@cox.net. I couldn't find out much about Mr. Couchee via a Google search, but apparently he has a nice house, he competed in long-drive golf contests and his wife Diane is a real estate agent.
...Also for governor, Johnnie Robinson III of Casa Grande, Republican. Lousy name for an internet search, but it appears that he made some noises at a third party run for governor in 2006, but he wasn't on any ballot, and he didn't receive any votes.
...For state representative, LD16, Dr. Cristy Lopez, Democrat. Apparently, she is a psychologist, so she is a PhD. doctor, not an MD doctor.
...For state representative, LD15, Lela Alston, Democrat. A former state senator and statewide candidate.
...For state representative, LD12, Angela Cotera, Democrat. A former candidate who looks to be *way* more intelligent and educated than anyone the Reps will run in the district (and that's not a dig at the Reps for once - a PhD in physics gets a lot of respect from me). That's far from a guarantee of victory, however.
She did a credible job against Republican John Nelson in 2008 and the Rep voter registration advantage in the district has shrunk. The Dems could pick up a seat here next year. The incumbents are Republicans Jerry Weiers and Steve Montenegro.
...Ummm, is it just me, or does anyone else notice the difference in the intelligence, education, and accomplishment levels of the Democratic candidates compared to the Republican/third party candidates?
...In other committee news, as has been covered elsewhere, the Republicans in the lege have formed their own independent expenditure committees separate from the state GOP and Randy Pullen. They formed the House Victory Fund (filer ID 201000113) and the Senate Victory Fund (201000118).
Later...
...For governor, one Kent Couchee of Gold Canyon, party affiliation "resident of Arizona." His campaign email addy is listed as drillercustomhomes@cox.net. I couldn't find out much about Mr. Couchee via a Google search, but apparently he has a nice house, he competed in long-drive golf contests and his wife Diane is a real estate agent.
...Also for governor, Johnnie Robinson III of Casa Grande, Republican. Lousy name for an internet search, but it appears that he made some noises at a third party run for governor in 2006, but he wasn't on any ballot, and he didn't receive any votes.
...For state representative, LD16, Dr. Cristy Lopez, Democrat. Apparently, she is a psychologist, so she is a PhD. doctor, not an MD doctor.
...For state representative, LD15, Lela Alston, Democrat. A former state senator and statewide candidate.
...For state representative, LD12, Angela Cotera, Democrat. A former candidate who looks to be *way* more intelligent and educated than anyone the Reps will run in the district (and that's not a dig at the Reps for once - a PhD in physics gets a lot of respect from me). That's far from a guarantee of victory, however.
She did a credible job against Republican John Nelson in 2008 and the Rep voter registration advantage in the district has shrunk. The Dems could pick up a seat here next year. The incumbents are Republicans Jerry Weiers and Steve Montenegro.
...Ummm, is it just me, or does anyone else notice the difference in the intelligence, education, and accomplishment levels of the Democratic candidates compared to the Republican/third party candidates?
...In other committee news, as has been covered elsewhere, the Republicans in the lege have formed their own independent expenditure committees separate from the state GOP and Randy Pullen. They formed the House Victory Fund (filer ID 201000113) and the Senate Victory Fund (201000118).
Later...
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The John Sydney McCain Memorial Crappie Award
Throughout the Bush Administration, AZ Senator Jon Kyl carried the Bush's water on Capitol Hill in many ways, but particularly in trying to shepherd Bush's judicial nominations through the Senate. One of his favorite tactics to try to intimidate Democrats who made noises about filibustering the worst of the worst was to cry about "obstructionism" and demand an "up or down" vote on the nominees.
A lengthy Kyl speech on the topic, courtesy his own Senate web site, is here; a written piece is here.
It's clear from the speech and other sources, Kyl considers filibusters a case of Senate minority members "running roughshod over its [the Senate's] traditions."
So what does he do as a member of the now-minority party in the Senate faced with the likelihood that a Democratic president will nominate a liberal to the Supreme Court?
Threatens a filibuster.
Of course.
A lengthy Kyl speech on the topic, courtesy his own Senate web site, is here; a written piece is here.
It's clear from the speech and other sources, Kyl considers filibusters a case of Senate minority members "running roughshod over its [the Senate's] traditions."
So what does he do as a member of the now-minority party in the Senate faced with the likelihood that a Democratic president will nominate a liberal to the Supreme Court?
Threatens a filibuster.
Of course.
The coming week...
As usual, all info culled from the websites of the relevant political bodies and agencies and subject to change without notice...
...The U.S. Congress is on recess for the Memorial Day week. They'll gavel back into session next week.
...The AZ Legislature may be making up for that though. The "special" session to save Steve Yarbrough's STO will take up much of the lege's attention on Tuesday, and there are sure to be developments on the budget front (just no guarantees that there will be, you know, a budget passed.
On Tuesday, House Ways and Means (10 a.m., HHR1), House Rules (1:05 p.m.,HHR4) and Senate Appropriations (2 p.m., SHR109) will all be meeting in regard to the special session's SB1001 and HB2001. No floor schedule for either chamber is posted as yet, but quick passage is expected.
Note: Yarbrough sits on both of those House committees, and serves as vice chair of the Rules Committee.
Note2: Sen. Jack Harper has proposed SB1002, a bill to have the state, nearly-bankrupt that is it, pay for a special election for a constitutional amendment (SCR1001) to crack open the state constitution's prohibition against appropriating public money for religious purposes or private or sectarian schools.
The proposal would create an exception for monies to school programs that provide "PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION TO PUPILS WITH DISABILITIES AND PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN IN FOSTER CARE." (Their caps, not mine.)
The amendment was proposed by Harper and cosponsored by Sen. John Huppenthal, the man who wants to be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Most regular session activity looks to be in the House.
On Tuesday, House Health and Human Services is meeting at 9:30 a.m. in HHR4 and House Rules is meeting on at 1 p.m., also in HHR4. The highlight/lowlight of those should be HHS's consideration of Rep. Nancy Barto's striker to HCR2014. Her striker is a constitutional amendment to protect corporate-controlled health care. It's very similar in nature to a proposal that Congressman John Shadegg sponsored during the last session of Congress.
Some may question my characterization of the measure's purpose (protect corporate health care profits), but Barto has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday. There will be four guests - three fromcorporate shill "free market" think tanks (Pacific Research Institute, Goldwater Institute, and the American Legislative Exchange Council) and just one doctor. And if that 3-1 ratio of corporatists to medical professionals doesn't convince you that Barto's primary concern is something other than the best interests of Arizonans in general and her constituents in particular, that doctor is an author for one of the shill groups.
In House floor action, there is a COW agenda and a Third Reading Calendar (aka final passage through the House) posted. The most controversial measure on those appears to be another corporate-defense measure, this one sponsored by Rep. Jim Weiers. HB2610 would make it significantly more difficult for plaintiffs to prevail in product and civil liability cases. This one came up earlier this month for COW consideration but was held at the time.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is meeting on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.
...The Board of Directors for the Central Arizona Project are not meeting this week.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors isn't scheduled to meet this week, but that is usually subject to change. And probably will be for the duration of the various lawsuits involving the supes against the sheriff, county attorney, and even the county treasurer.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will have a busy week, with a regular meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and special meetings on Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Among the items on the agenda for the regular meeting on Tuesday: a motion to approve a 10 year contract with a company to operate the district's bookstores. A comparison of self-operated vs. contract-managed bookstores here. One of the issues considered was the rising cost of textbooks.
The 10 a.m. meeting on Friday is an executive session meeting for the "discussion or consideration of employment of chancellor" and to seek legal advice regarding the same. It looks like standard annual evaluation stuff, but I'm not on the District's confidential email list, so it could easily be something else entirely.
The 1 p.m. meeting concerns the search for a vendor of management consulting services for the district. No links or details online, which is somewhat curious, given that MCCCD is usually pretty good about making this stuff available. More details later if they become available.
...The Governing Board for the Maricopa Integrated Health System is meeting on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m and 1 p.m.
The early meeting is an executive session regarding "Retention of One or More Lawyers or Law Firms to Provide Legal Services to the Board." What is it about county entities and the need for the services of lawyers? :)
The later meeting is a regular meeting, covering the April financial report, medical and allied health staff appointments, strategic planning, and budget stuff.
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission isn't meeting this week.
...The Arizona Board of Regents isn't meeting this week.
...The Tempe City Council will be meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The agenda looks packed but mundane, filled with things like final plat approvals and service contract awards. There will also be an executive session concerning litigation/contracts regarding billboards, purchase of real property, and negotiations with employee organizations.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week.
Later...
...The U.S. Congress is on recess for the Memorial Day week. They'll gavel back into session next week.
...The AZ Legislature may be making up for that though. The "special" session to save Steve Yarbrough's STO will take up much of the lege's attention on Tuesday, and there are sure to be developments on the budget front (just no guarantees that there will be, you know, a budget passed.
On Tuesday, House Ways and Means (10 a.m., HHR1), House Rules (1:05 p.m.,HHR4) and Senate Appropriations (2 p.m., SHR109) will all be meeting in regard to the special session's SB1001 and HB2001. No floor schedule for either chamber is posted as yet, but quick passage is expected.
Note: Yarbrough sits on both of those House committees, and serves as vice chair of the Rules Committee.
Note2: Sen. Jack Harper has proposed SB1002, a bill to have the state, nearly-bankrupt that is it, pay for a special election for a constitutional amendment (SCR1001) to crack open the state constitution's prohibition against appropriating public money for religious purposes or private or sectarian schools.
The proposal would create an exception for monies to school programs that provide "PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION TO PUPILS WITH DISABILITIES AND PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN IN FOSTER CARE." (Their caps, not mine.)
The amendment was proposed by Harper and cosponsored by Sen. John Huppenthal, the man who wants to be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Most regular session activity looks to be in the House.
On Tuesday, House Health and Human Services is meeting at 9:30 a.m. in HHR4 and House Rules is meeting on at 1 p.m., also in HHR4. The highlight/lowlight of those should be HHS's consideration of Rep. Nancy Barto's striker to HCR2014. Her striker is a constitutional amendment to protect corporate-controlled health care. It's very similar in nature to a proposal that Congressman John Shadegg sponsored during the last session of Congress.
Some may question my characterization of the measure's purpose (protect corporate health care profits), but Barto has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday. There will be four guests - three from
In House floor action, there is a COW agenda and a Third Reading Calendar (aka final passage through the House) posted. The most controversial measure on those appears to be another corporate-defense measure, this one sponsored by Rep. Jim Weiers. HB2610 would make it significantly more difficult for plaintiffs to prevail in product and civil liability cases. This one came up earlier this month for COW consideration but was held at the time.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is meeting on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.
...The Board of Directors for the Central Arizona Project are not meeting this week.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors isn't scheduled to meet this week, but that is usually subject to change. And probably will be for the duration of the various lawsuits involving the supes against the sheriff, county attorney, and even the county treasurer.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will have a busy week, with a regular meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and special meetings on Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Among the items on the agenda for the regular meeting on Tuesday: a motion to approve a 10 year contract with a company to operate the district's bookstores. A comparison of self-operated vs. contract-managed bookstores here. One of the issues considered was the rising cost of textbooks.
The 10 a.m. meeting on Friday is an executive session meeting for the "discussion or consideration of employment of chancellor" and to seek legal advice regarding the same. It looks like standard annual evaluation stuff, but I'm not on the District's confidential email list, so it could easily be something else entirely.
The 1 p.m. meeting concerns the search for a vendor of management consulting services for the district. No links or details online, which is somewhat curious, given that MCCCD is usually pretty good about making this stuff available. More details later if they become available.
...The Governing Board for the Maricopa Integrated Health System is meeting on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m and 1 p.m.
The early meeting is an executive session regarding "Retention of One or More Lawyers or Law Firms to Provide Legal Services to the Board." What is it about county entities and the need for the services of lawyers? :)
The later meeting is a regular meeting, covering the April financial report, medical and allied health staff appointments, strategic planning, and budget stuff.
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission isn't meeting this week.
...The Arizona Board of Regents isn't meeting this week.
...The Tempe City Council will be meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The agenda looks packed but mundane, filled with things like final plat approvals and service contract awards. There will also be an executive session concerning litigation/contracts regarding billboards, purchase of real property, and negotiations with employee organizations.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week.
Later...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Russell Pearce and intellectual integrity - the epitome of "long distance relationship"
From the EV Tribune (emphasis mine) -
Perhaps in this particular situation (vehicle license fees), the funds aren't "dollars that the local governments have collected themselves" but the hundreds of millions of dollars in development fees that the lege is swiping from cities and towns *are* dollars that the local governments have collected themselves.
Pretending that the lege is onlytaking "redirecting" state funds and not shaking down cities and towns is utterly dishonest.
The bottom line is that Pearce and his "associates" in the Rep caucus of the lege are deliberately visiting fiscal devastation upon every governmental and public entitity that they can put the touch on, other than the ones the control directly - the offices of the governor, treasurer, state superintendent of public education, secretary of state, and, of course, the lege itself.
Next year, every one of them must face a general election challenge from Democrats, and every one of them should face a primary challenge from Republicans who are disillusioned by complete disdain for public service exhibited by their current crop of elected officials.
Gov. Jan Brewer lashed out Friday at legislators from her own Republican Party for trying to fix the state's budget problems by taking $190 million from cities and counties.
"I think it's irresponsible," Brewer said of the proposals.
{snip}
Legislation approved this past week by the Senate Appropriations Committee would require counties to give $106 million of their share of vehicle license taxes to local school districts. That reduces the state's obligation to fund schools by an identical amount.
{snip}
Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said he understands that the cash will mean hardships for cities and counties.
But Pearce, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said this isn't like the state is taking dollars the local governments have collected themselves.
"The truth is, it's a state license," he said. And while the state has been able to share that revenue in the past, Pearce said it has to cut back because of a deficit for the coming budget year that is likely to exceed $3 billion.
Perhaps in this particular situation (vehicle license fees), the funds aren't "dollars that the local governments have collected themselves" but the hundreds of millions of dollars in development fees that the lege is swiping from cities and towns *are* dollars that the local governments have collected themselves.
Pretending that the lege is only
The bottom line is that Pearce and his "associates" in the Rep caucus of the lege are deliberately visiting fiscal devastation upon every governmental and public entitity that they can put the touch on, other than the ones the control directly - the offices of the governor, treasurer, state superintendent of public education, secretary of state, and, of course, the lege itself.
Next year, every one of them must face a general election challenge from Democrats, and every one of them should face a primary challenge from Republicans who are disillusioned by complete disdain for public service exhibited by their current crop of elected officials.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Name-calling won't get it done
Commenter Thane made an observation on yesterday's post on the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on the senate's FY2010 budget proposal.
It doesn't happen often (sorry, Thane :) ), but he was dead on with something he wrote.
He's right - name-calling isn't informative to readers, and it isn't going to get the job done when it comes to convincing folks who don't observe the real goings-on at the lege that a change is needed.
For that name-calling, for writing the post while absolutely outraged (and not at least identifying the post as a vent for that outrage), I apologize to readers.
And while "idiot" may be too strong a word, I don't apologize for the disparaging evaluation of one member's intelligence level - he earned it. If you don't believe me, watch the video of the meeting once it is posted and make your own judgement.
I also won't apologize for the low opinion expressed regarding the Rs' sense of obligation to the people of Arizona. Simply put, they exhibit nothing but contempt for any people who disagree with them or don't serve their purposes.
And right now, that is most people in Arizona.
...In past years, we've passed referenda clearly defining our priorities for government spending, and those priorities include education and support for the neediest in our state.
So instead of looking for ways to follow those priorities, the Republicans in the lege look at those priorities and call for a weakening of the Voter Protection Act so that they can further attack education and public services in AZ.
...Teachers, educators, and students exercised their constitutionally-protected rights to free expression and to petition the government and held rallies at the lege to bring attention to the massive cuts to K-12 Ed and the universities, so the Rs have proposed forcing school districts to fire all union representatives, requiring teachers to pay for substitute teachers if they engage in an "lobbying" activities, even if they properly use a vacation day to cover the time off from work.
...In an era when the state's municipalities are expected to meet their own infrastructure needs, the Rs in the lege areswiping sweeping the money that AZ's cities and towns have set aside to do just that. Furthermore, at the behest of the Home Builders of Central AZ, they've restricted the ability of cities and towns to recoup that money or even implement updated building codes.
...And to top it all off, while the lege is saying 'no' to abused children, the disabled, and the teachers and students of the state when they ask for support, they wholeheartedly say "yes" when the largest corporations in the state (Pinnacle West, Intel, and the rest of the usual suspects) ask for a permanent repeal of the state equalization tax.
Simply put, they're refusing to do the job that they were hired to do - represent the people of Arizona - and they don't have the integrity to resign their positions so that people who are willing to do the job can enter the lege.
I will not apologize for calling them on that.
It doesn't happen often (sorry, Thane :) ), but he was dead on with something he wrote.
"I'll just remind everyone here that name calling and disparaging comments on the intelligence or lack of intelligence of state representatives and state senators isn't going to win you any points in the audience of independent voters of Arizona."
He's right - name-calling isn't informative to readers, and it isn't going to get the job done when it comes to convincing folks who don't observe the real goings-on at the lege that a change is needed.
For that name-calling, for writing the post while absolutely outraged (and not at least identifying the post as a vent for that outrage), I apologize to readers.
And while "idiot" may be too strong a word, I don't apologize for the disparaging evaluation of one member's intelligence level - he earned it. If you don't believe me, watch the video of the meeting once it is posted and make your own judgement.
I also won't apologize for the low opinion expressed regarding the Rs' sense of obligation to the people of Arizona. Simply put, they exhibit nothing but contempt for any people who disagree with them or don't serve their purposes.
And right now, that is most people in Arizona.
...In past years, we've passed referenda clearly defining our priorities for government spending, and those priorities include education and support for the neediest in our state.
So instead of looking for ways to follow those priorities, the Republicans in the lege look at those priorities and call for a weakening of the Voter Protection Act so that they can further attack education and public services in AZ.
...Teachers, educators, and students exercised their constitutionally-protected rights to free expression and to petition the government and held rallies at the lege to bring attention to the massive cuts to K-12 Ed and the universities, so the Rs have proposed forcing school districts to fire all union representatives, requiring teachers to pay for substitute teachers if they engage in an "lobbying" activities, even if they properly use a vacation day to cover the time off from work.
...In an era when the state's municipalities are expected to meet their own infrastructure needs, the Rs in the lege are
...And to top it all off, while the lege is saying 'no' to abused children, the disabled, and the teachers and students of the state when they ask for support, they wholeheartedly say "yes" when the largest corporations in the state (Pinnacle West, Intel, and the rest of the usual suspects) ask for a permanent repeal of the state equalization tax.
Simply put, they're refusing to do the job that they were hired to do - represent the people of Arizona - and they don't have the integrity to resign their positions so that people who are willing to do the job can enter the lege.
I will not apologize for calling them on that.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Special Session To Save Yarbrough's STO
The website of the Arizona Senate Democrats is reporting that the governor will call a special session of the lege to "fix" the state's unconstitutional school vouchers law for Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
According to the Senate Dems, the bill to do the fix will be read and assigned to a committee tomorrow, and will be heard in that committee on Tuesday. No agendas posted as yet.
Yippee. The state, public education, human services are going to hell, but Jan Brewer is focused on doing her part to protect Steve Yarbrough's income.
She may have the job title of "governor," but she until she actually starts working for the people of Arizona, all the people of Arizona, she won't be worthy of the title "Governor."
According to the Senate Dems, the bill to do the fix will be read and assigned to a committee tomorrow, and will be heard in that committee on Tuesday. No agendas posted as yet.
Yippee. The state, public education, human services are going to hell, but Jan Brewer is focused on doing her part to protect Steve Yarbrough's income.
She may have the job title of "governor," but she until she actually starts working for the people of Arizona, all the people of Arizona, she won't be worthy of the title "Governor."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)