Sitting in the Dem caucus...
It's apparent that the Reps are moving forward with their June 30 plan that included heavy cuts to education and services. Totally ugly, with a crippling structural deficit as a ticking time bomb for future legislatures to deal with...
...Word is Republican Senator Carolyn Allen is still undecided and looking at the bills...
...Word is that Rep Senator Pam Gorman will be voting "yes" on all matters other than referring a temporary sales tax hike to the ballot...
...One of the things that the Republicans are looking at to get around the deadline for referring the increase is to move the election to November 10, royally screwing the cities and towns that had previously planned their elections for November 3...
...It looks like committee work will be done today, with COW and final passage planned for tomorrow...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Those Teabaggers? Just expressing their views civilly, right???
From HuffingtonPost (though it's available elsewhere) -
Town hall disruptions around the country have led to some outbreaks of violence. Unions participating in town halls have received death threats. At an event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) last week, the threat of violence led her aides to call the police after one attendee dropped a gun.
Yup. They're just "Just the good ol' boys, Never meanin' no harm..." unless someone disagrees with them.
Budget talk
OK, it seems that nothing significant will be done today regarding the budget.
Apparently, the Secretary of State has told lege leadership that they have a few more days to pass a referendum and get it on the ballot for November.
Think of it as a statewide version of what happened when the Senate shut off the clocks on June 30 to maintain the illusion that they had passed a budget before the start of the new fiscal year.
Anyway, today's session is expected to be mostly a pro forma one - as I write this at 1:02, there are no Senators on the floor, though activity is increasing.
More later...
Apparently, the Secretary of State has told lege leadership that they have a few more days to pass a referendum and get it on the ballot for November.
Think of it as a statewide version of what happened when the Senate shut off the clocks on June 30 to maintain the illusion that they had passed a budget before the start of the new fiscal year.
Anyway, today's session is expected to be mostly a pro forma one - as I write this at 1:02, there are no Senators on the floor, though activity is increasing.
More later...
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Well, it wasn't a bright idea to begin with, so this isn't a surprise
Non-political post ahead...
From AP via the East Valley Tribune -
Let's see...
Bob Dylan is 68.
John Mellencamp is 57 .
And Willie Nelson is older than Yoda (OK, actually, he's 76. But he looks older than Yoda. :) )
Add in the fact that the average temp in Phoenix in August is 105. (By comparison, Flagstaff's average temp in August is 80.)
So who had the bright idea of an outdoor concert, with older performers and a target audience that is 60+, in *Phoenix* in freakin' *August*?!?!?
Probably someone in the main office of the tour's promoter, Jam Productions.
Jam is based in Chicago.
The interesting part, one that illustrates Jam's ongoing detachment from reality - while the websites of the artists and of Ticketmaster have already been updated to reflect the cancelled show, Jam's own website, you know, the one maintained by the very organization that *announced* the cancellation, still has a link to purchase tickets.
Even as late as last week, I would still hear radio spots hawking tickets to the August 11 show, and whenever I heard one, I would wonder "Who the hell wants to go to an outdoor show in Phoenix in August?"
Apparently, pretty near no one, including the artists.
If they really wanted to do an outdoor show, why not hold it in Flagstaff or even Sedona? Or wait until October or November?
From AP via the East Valley Tribune -
A summer concert next week featuring Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson has been cancelled because of excessive heat in the greater Phoenix area.
Concert promoter Jam Productions said late Friday that the hot weather expected for Tuesday's show at Camelback Ranch in Glendale was a risk "too great for all involved."
Let's see...
Bob Dylan is 68.
John Mellencamp is 57 .
And Willie Nelson is older than Yoda (OK, actually, he's 76. But he looks older than Yoda. :) )
Add in the fact that the average temp in Phoenix in August is 105. (By comparison, Flagstaff's average temp in August is 80.)
So who had the bright idea of an outdoor concert, with older performers and a target audience that is 60+, in *Phoenix* in freakin' *August*?!?!?
Probably someone in the main office of the tour's promoter, Jam Productions.
Jam is based in Chicago.
The interesting part, one that illustrates Jam's ongoing detachment from reality - while the websites of the artists and of Ticketmaster have already been updated to reflect the cancelled show, Jam's own website, you know, the one maintained by the very organization that *announced* the cancellation, still has a link to purchase tickets.
Even as late as last week, I would still hear radio spots hawking tickets to the August 11 show, and whenever I heard one, I would wonder "Who the hell wants to go to an outdoor show in Phoenix in August?"
Apparently, pretty near no one, including the artists.
If they really wanted to do an outdoor show, why not hold it in Flagstaff or even Sedona? Or wait until October or November?
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevant political bodies/agencies, and subject to change without notice...
In terms of *official* activity, this is going to be one of the quietest weeks of the year so far.
...At the federal level, both the U.S. House and Senate are in recess. Expect most of the news in regard to congresscritters to be reports of teabaggers disrupting public appearances of elected officials, or, as in the cases of AZ's Harry Mitchell (closed office) and Gabrielle Giffords (public showing of a movie by another organization), teabaggers showing up where they know that the public officials *won't* be and complaining that the officials are "ducking" them. Note: I won't provide free publicity via direct links; this is a recurring theme in the Republican blogosphere. It won't take much digging to find the posts.
...The heaviest action could be at the Arizona Legislature. The speculation is that the lege, specifically the Senate, will conduct budget business on Monday. This week, they're trying a new tactic - splitting the tax package into two bills.
One bill will have the referral of a temporary increase to the state's sales tax in it; the other will have the huge cuts in taxes targetted to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
The Republican leadership in the Senate hopes that the scheme will persuade those who have voted against the referral to vote for the cuts, and that those who have voted against the cuts will vote for the referral.
On Friday, the Senate referred two bills, HB2007 and HB2015, to the Appropriations Committee. No Approps agenda has been posted as yet, but look for action on those bills and more on Monday.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a securities meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. The agenda is a short one, though significant to those folks who are involved.
...That looks to be it for planned public meetings.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Boards of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System and the Central Arizona Project, and the City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale.
While none of the aforementioned is scheduled to meet this week, emergency executive sessions are always possible, especially with the Scottsdale City Council and the County Board of Supervisors.
In terms of *official* activity, this is going to be one of the quietest weeks of the year so far.
...At the federal level, both the U.S. House and Senate are in recess. Expect most of the news in regard to congresscritters to be reports of teabaggers disrupting public appearances of elected officials, or, as in the cases of AZ's Harry Mitchell (closed office) and Gabrielle Giffords (public showing of a movie by another organization), teabaggers showing up where they know that the public officials *won't* be and complaining that the officials are "ducking" them. Note: I won't provide free publicity via direct links; this is a recurring theme in the Republican blogosphere. It won't take much digging to find the posts.
...The heaviest action could be at the Arizona Legislature. The speculation is that the lege, specifically the Senate, will conduct budget business on Monday. This week, they're trying a new tactic - splitting the tax package into two bills.
One bill will have the referral of a temporary increase to the state's sales tax in it; the other will have the huge cuts in taxes targetted to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
The Republican leadership in the Senate hopes that the scheme will persuade those who have voted against the referral to vote for the cuts, and that those who have voted against the cuts will vote for the referral.
On Friday, the Senate referred two bills, HB2007 and HB2015, to the Appropriations Committee. No Approps agenda has been posted as yet, but look for action on those bills and more on Monday.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a securities meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. The agenda is a short one, though significant to those folks who are involved.
...That looks to be it for planned public meetings.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Boards of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System and the Central Arizona Project, and the City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale.
While none of the aforementioned is scheduled to meet this week, emergency executive sessions are always possible, especially with the Scottsdale City Council and the County Board of Supervisors.
Friday, August 07, 2009
President Obama to visit Arizona next week
Let the screaming begin...
From AZCentral.com -
The Republicans in Arizona (and as you may have noticed, there are a few here :) ) will scream.
If not over the audacity of one of his programs to help the average American or some of their patented feigned outrage at some manufactured slight, then over the fact that someone who isn't an old white Republican dares to occupy the Oval Office.
Still, the Reps' cries will be thoroughly drowned out by the rather loud expressions of indignation that will reverberate across the state (and country) from the denizens of Tucson once they realize that President Obama would rather visit a big hole in the ground than the Old Pueblo.
:))
One point in defense of his choice of tourist destinations -
Average August high temperature at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in August - 82F
Average August high temperature in Tucson - 97F
Any other questions? No? Class dismissed.... :)))
Later...
From AZCentral.com -
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha plan to spend the day in Arizona on Sunday, Aug. 16, White House officials said today.
The Obamas will visit the Grand Canyon and Phoenix, said Adam Abrams, western regional press spokesman for the White House. Details of the president's public appearances are not yet available but will be released closer to the trip.
The Republicans in Arizona (and as you may have noticed, there are a few here :) ) will scream.
If not over the audacity of one of his programs to help the average American or some of their patented feigned outrage at some manufactured slight, then over the fact that someone who isn't an old white Republican dares to occupy the Oval Office.
Still, the Reps' cries will be thoroughly drowned out by the rather loud expressions of indignation that will reverberate across the state (and country) from the denizens of Tucson once they realize that President Obama would rather visit a big hole in the ground than the Old Pueblo.
:))
One point in defense of his choice of tourist destinations -
Average August high temperature at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in August - 82F
Average August high temperature in Tucson - 97F
Any other questions? No? Class dismissed.... :)))
Later...
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Harry Mitchell's response to my letter on health care reform
Last month, I wrote a letter to Congressman Harry Mitchell urging him to support health care reform.
This is the response, courtesy an email received today -
Later...
This is the response, courtesy an email received today -
Congressman Mitchell has an online constituent survey regarding health care reform here.Dear [cpmaz],
Thank you for contacting me about the state of health care in our country. Like most Arizonans, I believe that rising costs and the threat to so many of losing coverage is cause for careful and extensive consideration of reform.
As I meet with people throughout the district, it seems that everyone has a personal story about health care. Many of these stories show the incredible dedication, skill, and compassion that doctors and health care workers provide. Too often, however, these stories reveal that as health care costs continue to rise, many Arizonans are increasingly worried that they will be unable to access the health care they need or see the doctor of their choice. This is simply unacceptable.
Since 2000, health care premiums have more than doubled and small businesses have faced a 30 percent increase in health care costs. These dramatic increases have already forced many employers to reduce coverage or shift costs to employees. This has hurt patients seeking access to quality care, employers struggling to remain competitive, and doctors caring for patients.
We need a comprehensive solution to the health care crisis that not only provides affordable and quality health coverage for all Americans, but one that preserves choice and rewards quality. Reform should not leave individuals with fewer options, should not add to the national deficit, and should not leave doctors with inconsistent and low reimbursement rates as is often the case with Medicare.
The freedom to choose your own health care plan is important. If you like your current plan and doctor, I believe you should be able to keep them. However, if you are underinsured or want another plan that would better fit your needs, you should have the choice and ability to access it.
The current health care system is straining both employers and employees. Employers are having a hard time meeting the health insurance needs of their employees, and we are seeing workers basing their employment decisions increasingly on health care. This is not only frustrating for all involved; it is economically inefficient, and bad for business. I believe we need to find a way to make health insurance coverage portable, so consumers can take it with them from job to job and from state to state.
We also need to prevent insurance companies from 'cherry picking,' insuring only the healthiest patients, while discriminating against people based on a pre-existing conditions or age.
In order to establish a health care system that will cost less yet cover more, it is important that we address the issues that are driving up costs in our doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals.
Too often, Americans put off seeing a doctor and only receive medical attention when potentially preventable problems reach a crisis point. This not only creates needless health complications, but also drives up the cost of health care for all Americans by increasing the incidence of chronic, and costly, disease. Instead, we must encourage Americans to seek preventative health care, which is less expensive, and has the potential to save millions of American lives.
Accordingly, I also strongly support a health care system that rewards healthy lifestyles and personal responsibility. As a former teacher of almost 30 years, I believe that our children should be taught to make healthy choices from a young age. Promoting healthy eating and exercise habits in childhood educate children to practice a health lifestyle and will ultimately prevent them from costly surgeries and doctors' visits later on in life.
Additionally, we need to take full advantage of technological advances, helping to reduce costs for doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies. Our doctors are bogged down by a paper record system which is time-consuming, difficult to store, and subject to human error. Health Information Technology (HIT), or a digital system of electronic medical records, would lower costs while reducing sometimes deadly doctor and pharmacist error.
In order to fix our health care system so it works for everyone, we must work with all stakeholders: patients, employers, businesses large and small, insurance companies, doctors, hospitals, schools, and all levels of government.
On July 14, 2009, H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Choices Act was introduced by Rep. John Dingell of Michigan, and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, and Budget.
Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as the House begins reviewing this legislation, as well as other efforts to reform our nation's health care system.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if you have additional comments or concerns.
If you would like to receive email updates about how I am working on behalf of Arizona's 5th Congressional District, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter at http://www.mitchell.house.gov/.Sincerely,
Harry E. Mitchell
Member of Congress
Later...
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
This year has been ugly, but Democrats *are* making progress in Arizona
It's been hard to tell, what with the Republican caucus in the lege and the Accidental Governor ignoring Democrats and trying "out-wingnut" each other, but there are signs that the Democratic Party has been making serious gains in Arizona.
Just in time for next year's elections.
In the area of voter registrations, the AZ Dems have cut the Rep registration advantage to 90,000 (as of July 2009). That sounds like a lot, until you remember that at this same time going into the 2006 Congressional midterm elections/statewide constitutional officer elections (July 2005), the Rep advantage was almost 150,000.
Just a reminder - In 2006, Democrats made gains in the lege and won two statewide seats, as well as gaining control of two more Congressional seats.
Even better than that is the latest report on state-by-state party affiliation figures from Gallup.
Not only is Arizona in the "competitive" category, we're actually listed as one having a slight (2%) advantage in people identifying themselves as "A Democrat" or "Leaning Democratic."
This is far from a guarantee of success for individual candidates or for the AZDems in next year's elections, but it does show that strong candidates combined with a strong outreach effort from all AZ Democrats could reap some serious benefits next year.
For both the ADP and, more importantly, the people of Arizona.
Just in time for next year's elections.
In the area of voter registrations, the AZ Dems have cut the Rep registration advantage to 90,000 (as of July 2009). That sounds like a lot, until you remember that at this same time going into the 2006 Congressional midterm elections/statewide constitutional officer elections (July 2005), the Rep advantage was almost 150,000.
Just a reminder - In 2006, Democrats made gains in the lege and won two statewide seats, as well as gaining control of two more Congressional seats.
Even better than that is the latest report on state-by-state party affiliation figures from Gallup.
Not only is Arizona in the "competitive" category, we're actually listed as one having a slight (2%) advantage in people identifying themselves as "A Democrat" or "Leaning Democratic."
This is far from a guarantee of success for individual candidates or for the AZDems in next year's elections, but it does show that strong candidates combined with a strong outreach effort from all AZ Democrats could reap some serious benefits next year.
For both the ADP and, more importantly, the people of Arizona.
Gorman's resignation letter: an example of what is wrong with the GOP
State Senator Pam Gorman has resigned as Senate Republican Whip. Her resignation letter is here, courtesy AZCentral.com.
I won't publish it in its entirety here, mostly because it is available on Republican blogs and it isn't the purpose of this blog to serve as an outlet Rep propaganda.
You can read her letter at your leisure, but when you do, you should note one thing - for all over her talk about "ideological and philosophical differences", "solid Republican legislation" and concern for the health and unity of the Republican caucus, nowhere does she express concern for her constituents or the state as a whole.
EJ Montini of the Republic has made pretty much the same observation.
I would like to think that at some point, the Reps in the lege will get tired of spending August in Phoenix, but my cynicism is holding sway over my idealism right now.
I suppose there is one upside to all this, for the Republicans anyway.
The longer they go without doing a budget, the longer it is before the inevitable lawsuits over some of their moves can be filed.
I won't publish it in its entirety here, mostly because it is available on Republican blogs and it isn't the purpose of this blog to serve as an outlet Rep propaganda.
You can read her letter at your leisure, but when you do, you should note one thing - for all over her talk about "ideological and philosophical differences", "solid Republican legislation" and concern for the health and unity of the Republican caucus, nowhere does she express concern for her constituents or the state as a whole.
EJ Montini of the Republic has made pretty much the same observation.
I would like to think that at some point, the Reps in the lege will get tired of spending August in Phoenix, but my cynicism is holding sway over my idealism right now.
I suppose there is one upside to all this, for the Republicans anyway.
The longer they go without doing a budget, the longer it is before the inevitable lawsuits over some of their moves can be filed.
It's August 4th. Do you know where your budget is?
Live blogging today's session of the AZ Senate...
5:00 - As you can tell, I gave it up. Nothing was happening re: the budget. Steve Pierce was selected at temporary Republican Whip. Speculation on my part: They needed the votes of a majority of the caucus to elect a new Whip, and only about 75% of the Rep caucus showed up. Pierce was probably a bit of a compromise for the duration of the special session. They'll probably pick a new Whip for the beginning of the next session in January.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Friday at 1.
1:37 -The Senate Republican caucus meeting is closed. They are picking a new Whip. My guesses: If Burns gets his way, Steve Pierce or John Huppenthal; if the really hardcore members get their way, Jack Harper or Ron Gould.
1:29 - No Democratic caucus. Nobody expects much to happen today...
1:20 - Recessing to go into caucuses...
1:19 - Got bored, surfed over to AZCentral.com, and read how Sen. Pam Gorman has resigned at GOP Whip in the Senate.
1:18 - Huppenthal is still going on....
1:16 - Huppenthal is going on about how proud he is of MVD.
1:14 - Cheuvront is countering.
1:10 - Harper is rationalizing his scheme to lay off 5% of state employees. One of his arguments? Some of the positions are empty already.
1:08 Holy cow! They have a quorum! OK, they have 20; enough to legally conduct business, but not enough, in practical terms, to actually, ya know, *pass* anything...
1:05 - More Sens showing up. gavelled into order
1:02 - Approximately 50 folks in the gallery....the least the Senators could do for them is make an appearance, and never let it be said that this Senate didn't do the least it could do...
1:00 - activity on the Senate floor, but few actual senators...Pierce, Miranda, Melvin, Harper wandering around
5:00 - As you can tell, I gave it up. Nothing was happening re: the budget. Steve Pierce was selected at temporary Republican Whip. Speculation on my part: They needed the votes of a majority of the caucus to elect a new Whip, and only about 75% of the Rep caucus showed up. Pierce was probably a bit of a compromise for the duration of the special session. They'll probably pick a new Whip for the beginning of the next session in January.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Friday at 1.
1:37 -The Senate Republican caucus meeting is closed. They are picking a new Whip. My guesses: If Burns gets his way, Steve Pierce or John Huppenthal; if the really hardcore members get their way, Jack Harper or Ron Gould.
1:29 - No Democratic caucus. Nobody expects much to happen today...
1:20 - Recessing to go into caucuses...
1:19 - Got bored, surfed over to AZCentral.com, and read how Sen. Pam Gorman has resigned at GOP Whip in the Senate.
1:18 - Huppenthal is still going on....
1:16 - Huppenthal is going on about how proud he is of MVD.
1:14 - Cheuvront is countering.
1:10 - Harper is rationalizing his scheme to lay off 5% of state employees. One of his arguments? Some of the positions are empty already.
1:08 Holy cow! They have a quorum! OK, they have 20; enough to legally conduct business, but not enough, in practical terms, to actually, ya know, *pass* anything...
1:05 - More Sens showing up. gavelled into order
1:02 - Approximately 50 folks in the gallery....the least the Senators could do for them is make an appearance, and never let it be said that this Senate didn't do the least it could do...
1:00 - activity on the Senate floor, but few actual senators...Pierce, Miranda, Melvin, Harper wandering around
Monday, August 03, 2009
Yet another Rep files for next year's governor's race
...and based on the evidence so far, the "big name" Republicans are giving Jan Brewer all but a free pass through the primary, no matter how ticked they are with her...
On Monday, the Secretary of State's website listed yet another non-"big name" Republican who has formed a committee in order to pursue their nomination for Governor.
One Robert Graham of Phoenix, filer ID 201000173, has filed, with one Angela Titus acting as his committee's treasurer.
His website is here. It's currently under construction, so don't expect much.
On the other hand, based on some research, it might not be wise to expect much, even after the website is fully up to speed.
In the SOS filing, the committee's address is listed as 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2400,Scottsdale AZ 85251.
A check of the ACC website finds that Robert Graham is listed as the manager and a member of RG Capital LLC, with the same business address as the political committee.
RG Capital has a website here.
RG Capital is an investment advisory firm. Not sure how well they are doing or how "on top of things" that they are, however.
From their "About RG Capital" page (emphasis mine) -
That last may explain why Mr. Graham is looking to transition into a steadier gig than "financial advisor."
I mean, Jan Brewer may have one of the least popular jobs in AZ right now, but it still beats hell out of anything associated with AIG.
Of course, the "AIG Financial Advisors" reference *does* indicate another issue with Mr. Graham's viability as a gubernortorial candidate.
That organization is now called SagePoint Financial Inc.
The name was changed months ago.
Mr. Graham's candidacy will be hurt if he pays as much attention to his political message as he does to his commercial one.
Yeah, I know it's early, and that at least one "name" Republican will jump into the race to be the Republican nominee to lose to Terry Goddard next year, but for now, why not have a little fun?
Later...
On Monday, the Secretary of State's website listed yet another non-"big name" Republican who has formed a committee in order to pursue their nomination for Governor.
One Robert Graham of Phoenix, filer ID 201000173, has filed, with one Angela Titus acting as his committee's treasurer.
His website is here. It's currently under construction, so don't expect much.
On the other hand, based on some research, it might not be wise to expect much, even after the website is fully up to speed.
In the SOS filing, the committee's address is listed as 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 2400,Scottsdale AZ 85251.
A check of the ACC website finds that Robert Graham is listed as the manager and a member of RG Capital LLC, with the same business address as the political committee.
RG Capital has a website here.
RG Capital is an investment advisory firm. Not sure how well they are doing or how "on top of things" that they are, however.
From their "About RG Capital" page (emphasis mine) -
Wealth Management Advisors*
{snip}
*Investment Advisory Services offered through AIG Financial Advisors, Inc.
That last may explain why Mr. Graham is looking to transition into a steadier gig than "financial advisor."
I mean, Jan Brewer may have one of the least popular jobs in AZ right now, but it still beats hell out of anything associated with AIG.
Of course, the "AIG Financial Advisors" reference *does* indicate another issue with Mr. Graham's viability as a gubernortorial candidate.
That organization is now called SagePoint Financial Inc.
The name was changed months ago.
Mr. Graham's candidacy will be hurt if he pays as much attention to his political message as he does to his commercial one.
Yeah, I know it's early, and that at least one "name" Republican will jump into the race to be the Republican nominee to lose to Terry Goddard next year, but for now, why not have a little fun?
Later...
Harry Mitchell recognized by President Obama
Lost in the angst over health care reform, buried in the fear-mongering that the insurance industry and their stooges in Congress have been spewing, obscured by the deceptive and divisive attacks by the Republicans on Democrats in swing districts (including CD5 here in Arizona) is the outstanding work that some of those Democrats have been doing on behalf of the nation's veterans.
On Monday, President Obama gave some well-deserved plaudits to many of those Democrats during his remarks on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. His speech was given at George Mason University.
From the Washington Post transcript (emphasis mine) -
Every one of his constituents who reads this should contact him (online contact form here; AZ office number 480-946-2411; DC office number 202-225-2190) and thank him.
Of course, since you are contacting him anyway, while you are at it you might just find the time to urge him to support H.R. 3200,the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
:)
On Monday, President Obama gave some well-deserved plaudits to many of those Democrats during his remarks on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. His speech was given at George Mason University.
From the Washington Post transcript (emphasis mine) -
And of the original bill sponsors who could not be here today, we've got Senator Chuck Hagel, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Representative Harry Mitchell, Representative Bobby Scott, Representative Ginny Brown-Waite andRepresentative Peter King. All of them worked hard...Whether it is shining a bright light on the inadequate research into Gulf War Syndrome, an ailment afflicting thousands of veterans of the first Bush's war against Iraq or holding the VA's feet to the fire for shoddy medical practices that expose their patients to life-threatening diseases, or any of dozens of other examples, Congressman Mitchell has been untiring in his efforts for America's veterans.
Every one of his constituents who reads this should contact him (online contact form here; AZ office number 480-946-2411; DC office number 202-225-2190) and thank him.
Of course, since you are contacting him anyway, while you are at it you might just find the time to urge him to support H.R. 3200,the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.
:)
Sunday, August 02, 2009
A lesson for the Republican caucus in the lege -
From AZCentral.com -
Republicans.
Most of them are utterly wrong on most issues, but they've got this one right - if they are going to impose huge cuts in services and layoffs of many of the people who actually provide services to the public, it's only right that they share some of the pain.
So, what have their ideological brethren in the lege done to demonstrate that they understand the pain that their budget proposals inflict on the average state worker and the average Arizonan?
Nothing.
Every budget proposal that they've tried to railroad through the lege contains huge cuts for every agency and the Attorney General's office. Even last week, Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) tried to amend the latest failed proposal to include a blanket 5% RIF of state employees.
What haven't they attempted to cut?
The budgets of...
The Governor
The State Treasurer
The Secretary of State
The Superintendent of Public Instruction
and, of course, The Arizona State Legislature itself.
Of course2, this makes one thing obvious - when the Republicans in the legislature are finally serious about balancing the budget, they might just signal that intent by putting out a proposal that has them sharing some of the pain.
Yes, it's apparent that I'm an incurable optimist. :))
As cities trim budgets during the recession, elected officials across the Valley are taking a second look at their own expenses.Many, even most, of the municipal officials who have prescribed cuts to their own salaries (where possible; in Scottsdale, for example, the salaries of the mayor and city council are hard-written into the municipal code here and cannot be readily changed) are...you might want to sit down...wait for it...
The Tempe mayor and City Council refused a 3.5 percent scheduled pay increase. Gilbert town officials are considering changes to council perks such as mileage reimbursements. And when Mesa's municipal workers took a 2 percent pay cut, so did elected officials.
While council and mayoral budgets are often small compared with multimillion-dollar citywide budgets, some officials say it is important to give their own spending scrutiny to show support for municipal employees.
Republicans.
Most of them are utterly wrong on most issues, but they've got this one right - if they are going to impose huge cuts in services and layoffs of many of the people who actually provide services to the public, it's only right that they share some of the pain.
So, what have their ideological brethren in the lege done to demonstrate that they understand the pain that their budget proposals inflict on the average state worker and the average Arizonan?
Nothing.
Every budget proposal that they've tried to railroad through the lege contains huge cuts for every agency and the Attorney General's office. Even last week, Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) tried to amend the latest failed proposal to include a blanket 5% RIF of state employees.
What haven't they attempted to cut?
The budgets of...
The Governor
The State Treasurer
The Secretary of State
The Superintendent of Public Instruction
and, of course, The Arizona State Legislature itself.
Of course2, this makes one thing obvious - when the Republicans in the legislature are finally serious about balancing the budget, they might just signal that intent by putting out a proposal that has them sharing some of the pain.
Yes, it's apparent that I'm an incurable optimist. :))
I guess this lends new meaning to the phrase "Mickey Mouse operation"
From AZCentral.com (emphasis mine)-
The MCSO stated that the expenses were related to needed training, but how do stays in Mickey's yacht club, Opryland, a Vegas casino and resort, and posh resorts in New Orleans and San Diego enhance training? I suppose the hooker patrol could find some "training opportunities" in those places, but that would be about it. :)
Later...
Arizona collects and distributes millions of dollars every year from court fees so the 15 county sheriffs can improve their jails.
In Maricopa County, the Sheriff's Office has spent hundreds of thousands of those dollars on out-of-state travel for training, stays at luxury hotels and a staff party at a local amusement park, The Arizona Republic found.
{snip}
Reviewing those records, The Republic found money used for items directly related to Maricopa County jail operations, including security and video-visitation equipment, Tasers, mobile-security towers, polygraph systems, computer programs to enhance record keeping, body shields and gloves to protect guards.
Also listed in the records were staff trips and hotel stays at the Walt Disney Yacht Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville; Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas; the Bourbon Orleans French Quarter Hotel in New Orleans; and Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego.
The MCSO stated that the expenses were related to needed training, but how do stays in Mickey's yacht club, Opryland, a Vegas casino and resort, and posh resorts in New Orleans and San Diego enhance training? I suppose the hooker patrol could find some "training opportunities" in those places, but that would be about it. :)
Later...
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevant political bodies/agencies and subject to change without notice...
...In a move that is certain to brighten the days of Thane and certain other readers ( :-) ), the U. S. House of Representatives is on their "district work period" and is not in session until September 8, 2009.
...However, the U.S. Senate is still in session this week. Look for a vote on Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court.
...The Arizona State Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Your guess is as good as mine on whether or not they're going to actually accomplish anything this week. One thing is certain though - if they finally do get their act together, any budget they pass is most likely to be punitive, not professional.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has an informal session scheduled for Monday at 9:15 a.m. The agenda is a sparse one, but unsurprisingly, it includes yet another executive session. At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, they've got a formal session scheduled. The agenda for that one is much longer, but looks to be pretty much run-of-the-mill stuff.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will be holding a series of public comment meetings regarding proposed rate hikes for APS and UNS Gas. Up this week: Flagstaff on Monday and Prescott on Thursday. The full hearings schedule is here; no formal ACC meetings are scheduled this week.
...The Arizona Board of Regents is scheduled to meet on Thursday and Friday at ASU in Tempe. The agenda is here. One of the highlights is ABOR approval of a multi-year contract for ASU basketball coach Herb Sendek (hint: coaching D1 college hoops is a lucrative field :) ). There will also be a presentation on the activities of the legislature this year. For numbers geeks, ABOR will consider, and likely approve, an item regarding the FY2010 State Expenditure Authority.
Of interest to students, prospective students, and their parents will be an item to move the Board's tuition setting calendar back to the spring. A few years back, the tuition setting process was moved to the fall to allow students more time to prepare financially.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a regular meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. The agenda is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, and the City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale.
Later...
...In a move that is certain to brighten the days of Thane and certain other readers ( :-) ), the U. S. House of Representatives is on their "district work period" and is not in session until September 8, 2009.
...However, the U.S. Senate is still in session this week. Look for a vote on Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court.
...The Arizona State Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Your guess is as good as mine on whether or not they're going to actually accomplish anything this week. One thing is certain though - if they finally do get their act together, any budget they pass is most likely to be punitive, not professional.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has an informal session scheduled for Monday at 9:15 a.m. The agenda is a sparse one, but unsurprisingly, it includes yet another executive session. At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, they've got a formal session scheduled. The agenda for that one is much longer, but looks to be pretty much run-of-the-mill stuff.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will be holding a series of public comment meetings regarding proposed rate hikes for APS and UNS Gas. Up this week: Flagstaff on Monday and Prescott on Thursday. The full hearings schedule is here; no formal ACC meetings are scheduled this week.
...The Arizona Board of Regents is scheduled to meet on Thursday and Friday at ASU in Tempe. The agenda is here. One of the highlights is ABOR approval of a multi-year contract for ASU basketball coach Herb Sendek (hint: coaching D1 college hoops is a lucrative field :) ). There will also be a presentation on the activities of the legislature this year. For numbers geeks, ABOR will consider, and likely approve, an item regarding the FY2010 State Expenditure Authority.
Of interest to students, prospective students, and their parents will be an item to move the Board's tuition setting calendar back to the spring. A few years back, the tuition setting process was moved to the fall to allow students more time to prepare financially.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a regular meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. The agenda is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, and the City Councils of Tempe and Scottsdale.
Later...
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