Straight from an email from ADOT -
CLOSURE UPDATE: Interstates 40 and 17 to Reopen Tonight; Safety Top Concern
Drivers: Be Cautions in Changing Conditions
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation will reopen I-40 in both directions from Flagstaff at 7 p.m. Friday. The highway had been closed from Kingman to Winslow, a 180-mile stretch across Northern Arizona .
I-17 will reopen at the same time for southbound traffic only. On Saturday morning, I-17 northbound from the Sedona turnoff (State Route 179) is expected to open, allowing time for additional runoff to drain from the highway.
While these critical routes will be reopened to all traffic, drivers are warned of continued threatening conditions. Blowing snow, flurries, drifts, high winds, low visibility and water running across roadways have been reported on both highways. Drivers are urged to use caution and to limit trips when possible. Roadways are passable but conditions may change based on weather conditions. Drivers should also be alert to possible roadway damage and reduce travel speeds.
Both I-17 and I-40 were closed on Thursday afternoon when an intensive winter storm pounded the state, dropping more than two feet of snow. ADOT responded by actively working to assist motorists, support DPS officers and complete repairs and snow removal as quickly as possible. I-40 and I-17 are important corridors for state and national freight hauling, and are important routes for travelers. Because of this importance, ADOT applied all available resources to opening both highways as quickly as possible.
Heavy snow created unsafe conditions along both stretches of the interstate traveling to or through Flagstaff . ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety worked together with local agencies to protect motorists, including commercial truck drivers, who easily could have become stranded or involved in crashes in the snow packed and icy conditions.
Other ADOT highways of note:
•State Route 87 closed (including off-road areas) between Bush Highway and State Route 188, south of Payson
•State Route 89a between Sedona and Flagstaff remains closed and is expected to reopen Saturday.
•State Route 260 closed between McNary and Eagar due to blowing and drifting snow.
•State Route 273 closed approaching Sunrise Ski Resort due to heavy snow.
For more information on travel conditions across the state, call 5-1-1 or visit www.az511.gov. For winter driving tips, visit www.azdot.gov/KnowSnow.
Non-weather related closures can be found here, but due to the weather impeding construction plans, the closures may change. Contact ADOT at the above number or websites to find out current info.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tornado Warning issued for Maricopa County
No joking, and no politics.
A tornado warning has been issued in Maricopa County until 10 p.m.
Keep your flashlights and candles handy, and if a twister approaches your location, get into a bathtub (cast iron is preferable, but since this is 21st century AZ... :) ), and cover up with a blanket to protect against flying glass.
Pretty much everything significant has been closed for the night due to the weather, and tomorrow is iffy. Call ahead if your plans for Friday included flying out of Sky Harbor or attending the car auction.
Or attending anything else that doesn't include staying at home...
The rain is expected to continue on Friday, though the winds should (hopefully!) die down a little, with the rain possibly ending on Saturday.
A tornado warning has been issued in Maricopa County until 10 p.m.
Keep your flashlights and candles handy, and if a twister approaches your location, get into a bathtub (cast iron is preferable, but since this is 21st century AZ... :) ), and cover up with a blanket to protect against flying glass.
Pretty much everything significant has been closed for the night due to the weather, and tomorrow is iffy. Call ahead if your plans for Friday included flying out of Sky Harbor or attending the car auction.
Or attending anything else that doesn't include staying at home...
The rain is expected to continue on Friday, though the winds should (hopefully!) die down a little, with the rain possibly ending on Saturday.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Mass. Mess: They got complacent and they got cute
Much is being made among the political chattering class (and most readers here and this writer are part of that group) of Republican Scott Brown's upset of Democrat Martha Coakley in the special election held in Massachusetts to fill the Senate seat once held by the late Ted Kennedy.
Many are saying that it was a referendum on President Barack Obama and plans for reforming health care in America (OK, "many" is shorthand "any Republican who can find a microphone").
There may have been some of that (I don't really think so, though, not in MA), but it was more a referendum on the campaign conducted by Martha Coakley and the Democrats in Massachusetts,
Many people, including me, thought the race to fill Ted Kennedy's unexpired term was over after the Democratic primary.
Given the huge D registration advantage in MA and the high-profile D nominee (Coakley is the sitting AG in Massachusetts), it should have been.
However, that didn't account for a dreadfully complacent candidate and party structure, or a well-run campaign by the R nominee, Brown.
Coakley actually went on vacation during the campaign; understandable if it was a two-year campaign and she needed to decompress and recharge, but jaw-droppingly arrogant during a two-month one. In addition to that, party donors and activists slacked off after the primary and stayed on the sidelines long enough for Brown to gain traction.
None of this would have mattered if the MassDems hadn't gotten cute during the Romney administration a few years back.
Ted Kennedy's health had been failing for years, so, worried that Republican Romney might have had an opportunity to appoint a U.S. Senator of his liking, the Ds in the MA lege forced through a change to the law there that took the power to fill a vacant Senate seat away from the governor and created a special election process.
Oopsie.
The really embarrassing part of this (as if losing the seat held by Ted Kennedy for almost five decades to a lightweight like Brown isn't embarrassing enough) is that if any of the movers and shakers in the Massachusetts Democratic Party or working on the Coakley campaign had ever read Tip O'Neill's autobiography Man of the House or his political primer All Politics is Local, they would have known better than to take an opponent, any opponent, for granted.
And if political operatives in any state have read Tip O'Neill, Massachusetts' politicos have.
Or at least *should* have.
BTW - for all of the talk about the dominance of Democrats in Mass, everyone should remember that Mass voters have voted for Republicans in the recent past. For 16 years, from 1991 until 2007, they had Republican governors there.
Voters there have and will cast their ballots in support of the better candidate, even if that candidate is a Republican (as long as he isn't a Yankees fan too :) ), and simply put, Scott Brown ran a better campaign than Martha Coakley did over the last couple of months.
Now the race starts anew - Brown's filler term ends in 2012. Then he has to run for a full term, with the accompanying full length campaign where no one will underrate him.
In some ways, this will be more fun to watch than a Coakley term. Now Brown has to find a way to placate his teabagger base while not alienating the vast majority of the MA electorate.
Not sure if he developed that skill set required for that as a backbencher the woefully outclassed Republican caucus of the Massachusetts State Senate.
He has shown that he is a skilled campaigner. Will he be a skilled elected official?
Many are saying that it was a referendum on President Barack Obama and plans for reforming health care in America (OK, "many" is shorthand "any Republican who can find a microphone").
There may have been some of that (I don't really think so, though, not in MA), but it was more a referendum on the campaign conducted by Martha Coakley and the Democrats in Massachusetts,
Many people, including me, thought the race to fill Ted Kennedy's unexpired term was over after the Democratic primary.
Given the huge D registration advantage in MA and the high-profile D nominee (Coakley is the sitting AG in Massachusetts), it should have been.
However, that didn't account for a dreadfully complacent candidate and party structure, or a well-run campaign by the R nominee, Brown.
Coakley actually went on vacation during the campaign; understandable if it was a two-year campaign and she needed to decompress and recharge, but jaw-droppingly arrogant during a two-month one. In addition to that, party donors and activists slacked off after the primary and stayed on the sidelines long enough for Brown to gain traction.
None of this would have mattered if the MassDems hadn't gotten cute during the Romney administration a few years back.
Ted Kennedy's health had been failing for years, so, worried that Republican Romney might have had an opportunity to appoint a U.S. Senator of his liking, the Ds in the MA lege forced through a change to the law there that took the power to fill a vacant Senate seat away from the governor and created a special election process.
Oopsie.
The really embarrassing part of this (as if losing the seat held by Ted Kennedy for almost five decades to a lightweight like Brown isn't embarrassing enough) is that if any of the movers and shakers in the Massachusetts Democratic Party or working on the Coakley campaign had ever read Tip O'Neill's autobiography Man of the House or his political primer All Politics is Local, they would have known better than to take an opponent, any opponent, for granted.
And if political operatives in any state have read Tip O'Neill, Massachusetts' politicos have.
Or at least *should* have.
BTW - for all of the talk about the dominance of Democrats in Mass, everyone should remember that Mass voters have voted for Republicans in the recent past. For 16 years, from 1991 until 2007, they had Republican governors there.
Voters there have and will cast their ballots in support of the better candidate, even if that candidate is a Republican (as long as he isn't a Yankees fan too :) ), and simply put, Scott Brown ran a better campaign than Martha Coakley did over the last couple of months.
Now the race starts anew - Brown's filler term ends in 2012. Then he has to run for a full term, with the accompanying full length campaign where no one will underrate him.
In some ways, this will be more fun to watch than a Coakley term. Now Brown has to find a way to placate his teabagger base while not alienating the vast majority of the MA electorate.
Not sure if he developed that skill set required for that as a backbencher the woefully outclassed Republican caucus of the Massachusetts State Senate.
He has shown that he is a skilled campaigner. Will he be a skilled elected official?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Musical chairs, withdrawals, and leaps - candidate update time
As we move into the new year, the candidate picture is clearing. Note: some of this info has been covered previously, here and elsewhere. And this post is Maricopa County and Scottsdale-centered, so it will not be cross-posted at Blog for Arizona.
...As reported earlier today, State Rep. Chris Deschene (D-LD2) has officially announced that he is pursuing the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State.
...State Sen. Jonathan Paton will be joining the Republican primary in CD8 for a chance to take on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
...Mayor Vernon Parker (R-Paradise Valley), as I predicted (yup, that's a shameless plug :) ) has dropped his bid for the Rep nod for Governor, instead jumping headlong into the CD3 primary to replace the retiring Congressman John Shadegg (R). He will be joining...
...State Sen. Jim Waring (R-LD7), who had been running for State Treasurer...
...State Sen. Pam Gorman (R-LD6)
...State Rep. Sam Crump (R-LD6), who had previously "explored" a run at Attorney General.
...In more musical chairs, replacing Waring in the Treasurer's race is State Senator Barbara Leff. She filed last week.
...Former Vice-Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party Vince Rabago will be joining David Lujan and Felecia Rotellini in the race for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.
...In Scottsdale news, candidate for City Council Bill Crawford has dropped his bid, citing business concerns over the amount of time necessary to mount a campaign.
...Dennis Robbins, a Scottsdale businessman who had filed for LD8 State Representative, has now filed for Scottsdale City Council. This one had been rumored for a while, but he officially filed with the City last week.
...Not to worry. LD8 Reps, you still have plenty of choices in your primary. One Jacob Chapman has filed paperwork for a run at State Representative.
...Besides Mr. Chapman, AZ Republic blogger Paula Pennypacker has also entered the R primary in LD8. Think: redheaded version of Colette Rosati. *Very* conservative and not a "work across the aisle" type, or even a "work with all branches of the GOP" type.
...One Lori Klein, Republican, has opened an exploratory committee for an unspecified office. Given that she lists her home address as in Anthem, my best guess is that she is looking at one of the soon-to-be vacant LD6 seats.
...Republican Jay Beckstead has filed with the County for a run at County Attorney. Another sign that the current occupant is expected to be leaving office soon, whether because of his legal difficulties or for a run at AG.
...Republican Easton Kelsey has filed to run for the CD6 seat currently held by Jeff Flake. A teabagger who thinks that Jeff Flake is too liberal. Ummm...yeah.
And finally, the nominee for most poorly written headline of the week: AZCentral.com's Political Insider.
Specifically "One-tenth of state Senate running for Congress" from the normally good Mary Jo Pitzl.
Technically, she is correct, in that 3 out of the 30 current members of the state Senate are candidates for Congress (Paton - CD8, Waring and Gorman - CD3). However, her headline gives the impression that this is something unusual or that an unusually large number of Arizona senators are looking to move up/move on. She apparently has forgotten the cases of Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords in 2006 and Tim Bee and Ann Kirkpatrick in 2008.
She has also ignored the fact that another 13% of the Senate is running for statewide office (Leff and Thayer Verschoor for Treasurer, John Huppenthal for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jorge Luis Garcia for Corporation Commission).
She has also ignored the fact that at least 20% are termed-out, retiring, or otherwise not seeking reelection to the Senate (Jack Harper, Carolyn Allen, Meg Burton Cahill, Chuck Gray, Jay Tibshraeny, Bob Burns, maybe others).
That's a guarantee of a turnover in the Senate next year of over 43%, and that number doesn't include folks who haven't yet decided to step down or those who will actually lose their races (whether in the primary or the general).
And it is still only January.
...As reported earlier today, State Rep. Chris Deschene (D-LD2) has officially announced that he is pursuing the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State.
...State Sen. Jonathan Paton will be joining the Republican primary in CD8 for a chance to take on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
...Mayor Vernon Parker (R-Paradise Valley), as I predicted (yup, that's a shameless plug :) ) has dropped his bid for the Rep nod for Governor, instead jumping headlong into the CD3 primary to replace the retiring Congressman John Shadegg (R). He will be joining...
...State Sen. Jim Waring (R-LD7), who had been running for State Treasurer...
...State Sen. Pam Gorman (R-LD6)
...State Rep. Sam Crump (R-LD6), who had previously "explored" a run at Attorney General.
...In more musical chairs, replacing Waring in the Treasurer's race is State Senator Barbara Leff. She filed last week.
...Former Vice-Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party Vince Rabago will be joining David Lujan and Felecia Rotellini in the race for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.
...In Scottsdale news, candidate for City Council Bill Crawford has dropped his bid, citing business concerns over the amount of time necessary to mount a campaign.
...Dennis Robbins, a Scottsdale businessman who had filed for LD8 State Representative, has now filed for Scottsdale City Council. This one had been rumored for a while, but he officially filed with the City last week.
...Not to worry. LD8 Reps, you still have plenty of choices in your primary. One Jacob Chapman has filed paperwork for a run at State Representative.
...Besides Mr. Chapman, AZ Republic blogger Paula Pennypacker has also entered the R primary in LD8. Think: redheaded version of Colette Rosati. *Very* conservative and not a "work across the aisle" type, or even a "work with all branches of the GOP" type.
...One Lori Klein, Republican, has opened an exploratory committee for an unspecified office. Given that she lists her home address as in Anthem, my best guess is that she is looking at one of the soon-to-be vacant LD6 seats.
...Republican Jay Beckstead has filed with the County for a run at County Attorney. Another sign that the current occupant is expected to be leaving office soon, whether because of his legal difficulties or for a run at AG.
...Republican Easton Kelsey has filed to run for the CD6 seat currently held by Jeff Flake. A teabagger who thinks that Jeff Flake is too liberal. Ummm...yeah.
And finally, the nominee for most poorly written headline of the week: AZCentral.com's Political Insider.
Specifically "One-tenth of state Senate running for Congress" from the normally good Mary Jo Pitzl.
Technically, she is correct, in that 3 out of the 30 current members of the state Senate are candidates for Congress (Paton - CD8, Waring and Gorman - CD3). However, her headline gives the impression that this is something unusual or that an unusually large number of Arizona senators are looking to move up/move on. She apparently has forgotten the cases of Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords in 2006 and Tim Bee and Ann Kirkpatrick in 2008.
She has also ignored the fact that another 13% of the Senate is running for statewide office (Leff and Thayer Verschoor for Treasurer, John Huppenthal for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jorge Luis Garcia for Corporation Commission).
She has also ignored the fact that at least 20% are termed-out, retiring, or otherwise not seeking reelection to the Senate (Jack Harper, Carolyn Allen, Meg Burton Cahill, Chuck Gray, Jay Tibshraeny, Bob Burns, maybe others).
That's a guarantee of a turnover in the Senate next year of over 43%, and that number doesn't include folks who haven't yet decided to step down or those who will actually lose their races (whether in the primary or the general).
And it is still only January.
Live blogging Senate Judiciary
4:20 - I'm out of here. This isn't meant as disrespect to Sen. Allen. I just have to go home.
4:13 - Carolyn Allen's measure to repeal term limits up now. Allen speaking.
4:10 - Paton says that CE isn't supporting free speech because it is a subsidy. Calls CE candidates "dependent" on the government, not the public. Says it is "morally wrong." Says his colleagues are here to limit government. Doesn't talk about governing responsibly. Votes yes. Measure passes 4 - 2.
4:07 - Huppenthal says that winning office in 1993 was like "winning the lottery." Says that he never took advantage, but opposes CE on ideological grounds. Says CE only enforces rules against Republicans. Votes yes.
4:05 - Chuck Gray *really* hates CE. Calls Clean candidates "government funded", not "publically funded."
4:03 - Voting. Cheuvront criticizes CE's imperfections, but says this is a dishonest measure. Votes no.
4:01 - Paton lists people signed in as supporting/opposed to his measure. For: Business lobbyists. Opposed: Pretty much everyone else.
3:56 - Eric Ehst of the AZ chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) is speaking in opposition to Paton's bill. Addressing some of the points raised earlier.
3:54 - Paton hurries the testimony of CE's president, saying that some members want to leave. CE guy is testifying in opposition to Paton's bill. GI wasn't rushed in any way.
3:47 - Paton wants Brown to ID moderates in the lege. To set up a purge list?
3:43 - Brown notes that there are now a wide variety of professions represented in the lege, not just those with access to money from big business. Paton brings up Union boogeyman. Again.
3:41 - Linda Brown, Arizona Advocacy Network, speaking in opposition to Paton's scheme. Debunking many of GI's myths about CE.
3:40 - GI calls matching funds provisions of CE as "punishment" of people who donate to traditional candidates. It's a strawman argument, but I'll talk about that later.
3:37 - GI cites 2008 Corp Commission race and Dem candidates as reason to oppose CE.
3:36 - Picking up from BfA. GI claims to be neutral, but has spent the last few minutes reviling CE.
3:34 - This post is getting to be too long, so I am ending this here out of respect of BfA readers and the other writers. It will be continued on my blog Random Musings, with a summary to be posted here later.
3:33 - GI claims to be neutral on this legislation, but argues against CE.
3:30 - Lang's testimony done; Goldwater Institute up next.
3:27 - Paton criticizes CE for not reducing the influence of lobbyists. Lang responds by noting that wasn't the intent of CE, only to reduce the appearance of corruption by reducing candidates' financial dependence on lobbyists.
3:19 - Chuck Gray argues that CE restricts free speech by funding his first opponent at a higher level than he raised on his own. Calls CE "communistic". Really.
3:17 - Paton objects to tax return check offs funding CE, in light of the recent debates over tax credits. Ignoring the fact that R tax credits are still there. Lang responds that CE has returned more $ to the General Fund than it has received from check offs.
3:13 - Pearce chimes in, complaining that CE is unfair to traditional candidates.
3:12 - Paton says that CE candidates are victims of extortion. Really.
3:08 - Lang supports letting voters consider the entire CE function, not just the funding part. Paton objects because of the name "Clean Elections". He thinks that voters will support "clean". Like they did when they originally approved it.
3:07 - Todd Lang, ED of Clean Elections, testifies in opposition.
3:06 - Miranda wonders if CE could be restricted to "new' candidates; lobbyist hates the idea.
3:04 - Miranda finally off of his hands.
3:03 - Paton comes to the defense of the manufacturing lobbyist, using the boogeyman of labor unions holding parties to collect 5s.
3:00 - OK - Cheuvront off of his hands. About time.
2:56 - Definitely missing Meg Burton Cahill here - Chuck Gray and his saddle partner are serving up Rep talking points thinly-disguised as softball questions, and Ken Cheuvront and Richard Miranda are sitting on their hands.
2:53 - Business lobbyist complains about CE candidates "gaming" the system. Ignores the fact that traditionally-financed candidates (aka - bribees) have been "gaming" the system since time immemorial.
2:52 - Arizona Manufacturer's Council and AZ Chamber of Commerce supports ending CE. The pattern is set - Big Business wants its ability to buy elections back.
2:50 - Michael Bidwill is speaking in support of ending CE. I won't be going to a Cardinals game next season.
2:47 - Paton makes it clear that his intent is to end "taxpayer-subsidized elections" in AZ.
2:45 - Chuck Gray wants to know where funding will go if CE is ended. Paton says funding of CE will continue, they just won't be able to fund candidates.
2:43 - Nominations approved. Start of bill considerations. SCR1009 up first (Clean Elections)
2:35 - Huppenthal has arrived. Six senators present. Meg Burton Cahill absent, excused (I think).
2:33 - Richard Miranda arrived. Five senators present. Also, Senator Carolyn Allen is here. She's not on the ccommittee but she has a measure up for consideration today (SCR1007, repealing term limits)
2:31 - Gavelled into session. Only 4 present (out of 7 members). Introducing staff because it is the first committee meeting of the year.
2:26 - Senate Judiciary will be starting in a few minutes. The agenda will be dominated by measures from Jonathan Paton, Republican State Senator from Tucson and an erstwhile challenger to Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in CD8. The big one here (IMO, anyway) is HCR1009, Paton's plan to outlaw publically financed elections. He will also have SCR1013, changing the title of the Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor. It's a job title change, not an actual job duty change.
More entries as the meeting gets underway.
4:13 - Carolyn Allen's measure to repeal term limits up now. Allen speaking.
4:10 - Paton says that CE isn't supporting free speech because it is a subsidy. Calls CE candidates "dependent" on the government, not the public. Says it is "morally wrong." Says his colleagues are here to limit government. Doesn't talk about governing responsibly. Votes yes. Measure passes 4 - 2.
4:07 - Huppenthal says that winning office in 1993 was like "winning the lottery." Says that he never took advantage, but opposes CE on ideological grounds. Says CE only enforces rules against Republicans. Votes yes.
4:05 - Chuck Gray *really* hates CE. Calls Clean candidates "government funded", not "publically funded."
4:03 - Voting. Cheuvront criticizes CE's imperfections, but says this is a dishonest measure. Votes no.
4:01 - Paton lists people signed in as supporting/opposed to his measure. For: Business lobbyists. Opposed: Pretty much everyone else.
3:56 - Eric Ehst of the AZ chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) is speaking in opposition to Paton's bill. Addressing some of the points raised earlier.
3:54 - Paton hurries the testimony of CE's president, saying that some members want to leave. CE guy is testifying in opposition to Paton's bill. GI wasn't rushed in any way.
3:47 - Paton wants Brown to ID moderates in the lege. To set up a purge list?
3:43 - Brown notes that there are now a wide variety of professions represented in the lege, not just those with access to money from big business. Paton brings up Union boogeyman. Again.
3:41 - Linda Brown, Arizona Advocacy Network, speaking in opposition to Paton's scheme. Debunking many of GI's myths about CE.
3:40 - GI calls matching funds provisions of CE as "punishment" of people who donate to traditional candidates. It's a strawman argument, but I'll talk about that later.
3:37 - GI cites 2008 Corp Commission race and Dem candidates as reason to oppose CE.
3:36 - Picking up from BfA. GI claims to be neutral, but has spent the last few minutes reviling CE.
3:34 - This post is getting to be too long, so I am ending this here out of respect of BfA readers and the other writers. It will be continued on my blog Random Musings, with a summary to be posted here later.
3:33 - GI claims to be neutral on this legislation, but argues against CE.
3:30 - Lang's testimony done; Goldwater Institute up next.
3:27 - Paton criticizes CE for not reducing the influence of lobbyists. Lang responds by noting that wasn't the intent of CE, only to reduce the appearance of corruption by reducing candidates' financial dependence on lobbyists.
3:19 - Chuck Gray argues that CE restricts free speech by funding his first opponent at a higher level than he raised on his own. Calls CE "communistic". Really.
3:17 - Paton objects to tax return check offs funding CE, in light of the recent debates over tax credits. Ignoring the fact that R tax credits are still there. Lang responds that CE has returned more $ to the General Fund than it has received from check offs.
3:13 - Pearce chimes in, complaining that CE is unfair to traditional candidates.
3:12 - Paton says that CE candidates are victims of extortion. Really.
3:08 - Lang supports letting voters consider the entire CE function, not just the funding part. Paton objects because of the name "Clean Elections". He thinks that voters will support "clean". Like they did when they originally approved it.
3:07 - Todd Lang, ED of Clean Elections, testifies in opposition.
3:06 - Miranda wonders if CE could be restricted to "new' candidates; lobbyist hates the idea.
3:04 - Miranda finally off of his hands.
3:03 - Paton comes to the defense of the manufacturing lobbyist, using the boogeyman of labor unions holding parties to collect 5s.
3:00 - OK - Cheuvront off of his hands. About time.
2:56 - Definitely missing Meg Burton Cahill here - Chuck Gray and his saddle partner are serving up Rep talking points thinly-disguised as softball questions, and Ken Cheuvront and Richard Miranda are sitting on their hands.
2:53 - Business lobbyist complains about CE candidates "gaming" the system. Ignores the fact that traditionally-financed candidates (aka - bribees) have been "gaming" the system since time immemorial.
2:52 - Arizona Manufacturer's Council and AZ Chamber of Commerce supports ending CE. The pattern is set - Big Business wants its ability to buy elections back.
2:50 - Michael Bidwill is speaking in support of ending CE. I won't be going to a Cardinals game next season.
2:47 - Paton makes it clear that his intent is to end "taxpayer-subsidized elections" in AZ.
2:45 - Chuck Gray wants to know where funding will go if CE is ended. Paton says funding of CE will continue, they just won't be able to fund candidates.
2:43 - Nominations approved. Start of bill considerations. SCR1009 up first (Clean Elections)
2:35 - Huppenthal has arrived. Six senators present. Meg Burton Cahill absent, excused (I think).
2:33 - Richard Miranda arrived. Five senators present. Also, Senator Carolyn Allen is here. She's not on the ccommittee but she has a measure up for consideration today (SCR1007, repealing term limits)
2:31 - Gavelled into session. Only 4 present (out of 7 members). Introducing staff because it is the first committee meeting of the year.
2:26 - Senate Judiciary will be starting in a few minutes. The agenda will be dominated by measures from Jonathan Paton, Republican State Senator from Tucson and an erstwhile challenger to Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in CD8. The big one here (IMO, anyway) is HCR1009, Paton's plan to outlaw publically financed elections. He will also have SCR1013, changing the title of the Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor. It's a job title change, not an actual job duty change.
More entries as the meeting gets underway.
House Democrats respond to Brewer's Budget
Last week, Governor Jan Brewer released her proposed FY2011 Arizona budget. Her proposal was a mish-mash of ideological talking points, campaign spin, fervent wishes, and outright lies.
In the letter/press release accompanying her plan, she states that she won't "compromise" public safety, yet her plan would close the Department of Juvenile Corrections, forcing the responsibility for handling juvenile offenders onto already cash-strapped county jails, and cost 1000 people their jobs.
In the same letter, she promised to protect "total education funding at the State's FY 2006 funding levels." What she didn't say is that she wants to cut $750 million from schools by eliminating all-day Kindergarten and funding for school maintenance (think: balancing the budget by putting students under roofs that are about to collapse).
In addition to those cuts that she said that she wouldn't push, immediately before pushing them, she will throw 360,000 of Arizona's poorest children, adults, and seniors off of health care.
On top of all that, she wants to make Arizona's tax structure, already one of the most regressive in the country, even worse with an increase to Arizona's sales tax.
Add in little nuggets like making the Arizona State Veteran's Home "self-funding", aka "honor Arizona's veterans by charging incapacited and destitute veterans for staying alive" and closing most state parks (crippling the economies of many of Arizona's smaller communities) you have a budget plan that isn't just bad, but horrific.
It also certainly doesn't reflect the values and concerns of Arizonans, who have shown time and again through referenda and initiatives that they support public education and a social safety net.
Of course, part of Brewer's proposal is to suspend or overturn voter mandates.
Democratic leaders in the House were quick to respond, and respond clearly and directly.
The Democratic leadership of the House also sent a letter to the Governor today reiterating their call for real budget talks among all five players at the Capitol (House Ds, Senate Ds, House Rs, Senate Rs, and the Governor's office) to solve the state's budget crisis. That letter noted that while she has indicated her openness to such five-party talks in the past, her actions indicated otherwise (putting an R-written budget in front of the Democrats and ordering them to vote for it isn't really "negotiating").
Personal note: Advice to Reps. Lujan, Sinema, and Campbell (and the rest of the Ds for that matter) -
Don't hold your breath.
AP coverage, courtesy KGUN9.com, here.
Other news:
State Rep. Chris Deschene (D-LD2) officially announced that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. Not exactly surprising news, as he had been "exploring" a run for weeks.
In the letter/press release accompanying her plan, she states that she won't "compromise" public safety, yet her plan would close the Department of Juvenile Corrections, forcing the responsibility for handling juvenile offenders onto already cash-strapped county jails, and cost 1000 people their jobs.
In the same letter, she promised to protect "total education funding at the State's FY 2006 funding levels." What she didn't say is that she wants to cut $750 million from schools by eliminating all-day Kindergarten and funding for school maintenance (think: balancing the budget by putting students under roofs that are about to collapse).
In addition to those cuts that she said that she wouldn't push, immediately before pushing them, she will throw 360,000 of Arizona's poorest children, adults, and seniors off of health care.
On top of all that, she wants to make Arizona's tax structure, already one of the most regressive in the country, even worse with an increase to Arizona's sales tax.
Add in little nuggets like making the Arizona State Veteran's Home "self-funding", aka "honor Arizona's veterans by charging incapacited and destitute veterans for staying alive" and closing most state parks (crippling the economies of many of Arizona's smaller communities) you have a budget plan that isn't just bad, but horrific.
It also certainly doesn't reflect the values and concerns of Arizonans, who have shown time and again through referenda and initiatives that they support public education and a social safety net.
Of course, part of Brewer's proposal is to suspend or overturn voter mandates.
Democratic leaders in the House were quick to respond, and respond clearly and directly.
“By proposing eliminating Juvenile Corrections, an important facet of public safety in Arizona, Gov. Brewer has failed to lead and continues to push Arizona down the wrong track,” House Democratic Leader David Lujan said.
“Gov. Brewer’s $750 million cut to classrooms is on top of the largest cut to education in state history that she made just last year,” Assistant Democratic Leader Kyrsten Sinema said. “It is wrong to rob health care from kids and seniors. Disrespecting voters and making these kinds of cuts to health care are the wrong priorities for our state.”
The Democratic leadership of the House also sent a letter to the Governor today reiterating their call for real budget talks among all five players at the Capitol (House Ds, Senate Ds, House Rs, Senate Rs, and the Governor's office) to solve the state's budget crisis. That letter noted that while she has indicated her openness to such five-party talks in the past, her actions indicated otherwise (putting an R-written budget in front of the Democrats and ordering them to vote for it isn't really "negotiating").
Personal note: Advice to Reps. Lujan, Sinema, and Campbell (and the rest of the Ds for that matter) -
Don't hold your breath.
AP coverage, courtesy KGUN9.com, here.
Other news:
State Rep. Chris Deschene (D-LD2) officially announced that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. Not exactly surprising news, as he had been "exploring" a run for weeks.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Things that are more important than the state's budget deficit
At least, more important to Arizona's state legislators, whose primary duty is to craft a balanced budget. They've had time to file 794 bills, memorials, and resolutions, but haven't had the time to address the current fiscal year's budget deficit.
Some early bill filings that are either irrelevent to the fiscal crisis or counterproductive -
- SCR1022, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution from "Cap'n Al" Melvin to give the legislature the authority toswipe sweep "non-custodial" federal monies (i.e. block grants) and to appropriate the monies as the lege sees fit. Related: HB2500 (Rick Murphy).
- SCR1009, Jonathan Paton's proposal to ban Clean Elections and any other public financing of election campaigns.
- SCR1008, Chuck Gray's scheme to abolish the state's income tax and jack up the state's sales tax. Wonder if Donna at Democratic Diva will have anything to say on this one if it gains any traction? Call this the "we want Arizona to be the most regressively-taxed state in the country!" resolution. Other revenue reduction measures include HCR2009 (John Kavanagh), banning estate taxes; HCR2011 (David Gowan) exempting from taxation property used for agricultural purposes or for a trade or business; HB2526 (Frank Antenori), exempting property used for firearms instruction from taxation;
- SCR1007 (Carolyn Allen), HCR2012 (Matt Heinz), HCR2017 (Andy Tobin), HCR2024 (Sam Crump), HCR2029 (Tom Chabin), HCR2030 (Chabin), HCR2031 (Chabin) - all relating to term limits, resign to run, or other areas affecting the ability of legislators to remain legislators.
- HB2557 (Lucy Mason), opting the state of out compliance with the federal "No Child Left Behind" Act
- HB2556 (Mason), barring counties with more than an unspecified number of residents from having an elected county superintendent of schools, shrinking the power of school boards, and for other purposes
- HB2555 (Mason) , repealing full day kindergarten
- HB2543 (Gowan), barring cities, towns and counties from enacting any firearms regulations that are stricter than those enacted by the lege. In other words, no banning guns in parks and other public areas. More gun nuttery: HB2406, expanding last year's "guns in bars" law (hint: "ignorance of the law" will become a valid defense if this one becomes law)
- HB2495 (Debbie Lesko), forcing the state's welfare department to issue electronic "benefits transfer cards" to recipients of food stamps with their names on the cards and to compel the recipients to ID themselves every time they use their benefits
- HB2407 (Antenori), barring municipalities from enacting any tax specific to utility providers
- HB2417 (Carl Seel). I'm really not sure what this one does, but at first glance, it looks *really* bad. It looks like it makes that the only way to fund transportation infrastructure projects will be through "wealth-based debt-free" bank created monies. Whatever the hell that means, it specifically doesn't include taxes or bonds. Given the meltdown of the financial system that took place during the Bush Administration, I'm leery of giving the financial industry any more sway over our society and its infrastructure.
- HB2395 (Lauren Hendrix), barring school districts from allowing payroll deductions for payment of dues to teacher's unions
- HB2382 (Seel), forcing school districts to collect and report to the state data an information on possibly undocumented students
- HB2281 (Steve Montenegro), barring ethnic studies courses in K - 12. Surprisingly, the names of Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh aren't on this one, even though it is right down their nativist alley. Perhaps the "Statement of Policy" section is what has dissuaded them from supporting the measure.
Not a concept that the likes of Pearce and Kavanagh want to see take hold in society.
BTW - That statement of policy was a good start; too bad the rest of the bill doesn't live up to that promising beginning.
- HB2261 (Rich Crandall), expanding the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District with two "at large" members elected county-wide. Call this one the "Republicans want to keep destroying all levels of the state's education system, no matter what" bill. My guess is that while they are worried about losing seats in particular districts, they expect to maintain their dominance over countywide elections and want to use that to keep control even when they lose the majority of voters in particular districts
- HB2248 (Andy Biggs), barring Arizona participation in the Western Climate Initiative. Related: HB2214 (Biggs) barring Arizona government participation in interstate affiliations or groups without express legislative approval
- HB2246 (Biggs), preempting local regulation of consumer fireworks
- HB2226 (Hendrix), relating to school employment decisions. Among other things, would bar school districts from using seniority as a criteria in determining teacher retention
- SB1128 (Melvin), a bill to protect the ability to use public facilities of the Boy Scouts and other organizations that discriminate against members based on their sexual orientation or religious beliefs
- SB1126 (Melvin), Declaring that nuclear fuel (uranium) mined in AZ isn't subject to federal regulation. Ummm...yeah... Something tells me that the feds will politely beg to differ.
Tedski's take here.
- And my personal nominee for the least relevent bill by a legislator during a fiscal crisis:
HCR2008 (Jerry Weiers), an amendment to the AZ Constitution that adds a new civil right to that hallowed list, one that includes things like free speech, a free press, due process of law, habeas corpus and others -
The right to hunt and fish.
To readers: this post ended up being far longer than I expected, and thank you for reading this far.
The sad part is that the current list of bill proposals is nowhere near complete. Expect another 400 - 5oo of them plus 75 - 100 strike-everything amendments before the session is complete.
:(
I do have one question though:
When is the next, and hopefully final, special session to fix the FY2010 budget deficit?
Some early bill filings that are either irrelevent to the fiscal crisis or counterproductive -
- SCR1022, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution from "Cap'n Al" Melvin to give the legislature the authority to
- SCR1009, Jonathan Paton's proposal to ban Clean Elections and any other public financing of election campaigns.
- SCR1008, Chuck Gray's scheme to abolish the state's income tax and jack up the state's sales tax. Wonder if Donna at Democratic Diva will have anything to say on this one if it gains any traction? Call this the "we want Arizona to be the most regressively-taxed state in the country!" resolution. Other revenue reduction measures include HCR2009 (John Kavanagh), banning estate taxes; HCR2011 (David Gowan) exempting from taxation property used for agricultural purposes or for a trade or business; HB2526 (Frank Antenori), exempting property used for firearms instruction from taxation;
- SCR1007 (Carolyn Allen), HCR2012 (Matt Heinz), HCR2017 (Andy Tobin), HCR2024 (Sam Crump), HCR2029 (Tom Chabin), HCR2030 (Chabin), HCR2031 (Chabin) - all relating to term limits, resign to run, or other areas affecting the ability of legislators to remain legislators.
- HB2557 (Lucy Mason), opting the state of out compliance with the federal "No Child Left Behind" Act
- HB2556 (Mason), barring counties with more than an unspecified number of residents from having an elected county superintendent of schools, shrinking the power of school boards, and for other purposes
- HB2555 (Mason) , repealing full day kindergarten
- HB2543 (Gowan), barring cities, towns and counties from enacting any firearms regulations that are stricter than those enacted by the lege. In other words, no banning guns in parks and other public areas. More gun nuttery: HB2406, expanding last year's "guns in bars" law (hint: "ignorance of the law" will become a valid defense if this one becomes law)
- HB2495 (Debbie Lesko), forcing the state's welfare department to issue electronic "benefits transfer cards" to recipients of food stamps with their names on the cards and to compel the recipients to ID themselves every time they use their benefits
- HB2407 (Antenori), barring municipalities from enacting any tax specific to utility providers
- HB2417 (Carl Seel). I'm really not sure what this one does, but at first glance, it looks *really* bad. It looks like it makes that the only way to fund transportation infrastructure projects will be through "wealth-based debt-free" bank created monies. Whatever the hell that means, it specifically doesn't include taxes or bonds. Given the meltdown of the financial system that took place during the Bush Administration, I'm leery of giving the financial industry any more sway over our society and its infrastructure.
- HB2395 (Lauren Hendrix), barring school districts from allowing payroll deductions for payment of dues to teacher's unions
- HB2382 (Seel), forcing school districts to collect and report to the state data an information on possibly undocumented students
- HB2281 (Steve Montenegro), barring ethnic studies courses in K - 12. Surprisingly, the names of Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh aren't on this one, even though it is right down their nativist alley. Perhaps the "Statement of Policy" section is what has dissuaded them from supporting the measure.
"The legislature finds and declares that public school pupils should be taught to treat and value each other as individuals and not based on ethnic background."Treating people based on their individual qualities and not their ethnic backgrounds?
Not a concept that the likes of Pearce and Kavanagh want to see take hold in society.
BTW - That statement of policy was a good start; too bad the rest of the bill doesn't live up to that promising beginning.
- HB2261 (Rich Crandall), expanding the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District with two "at large" members elected county-wide. Call this one the "Republicans want to keep destroying all levels of the state's education system, no matter what" bill. My guess is that while they are worried about losing seats in particular districts, they expect to maintain their dominance over countywide elections and want to use that to keep control even when they lose the majority of voters in particular districts
- HB2248 (Andy Biggs), barring Arizona participation in the Western Climate Initiative. Related: HB2214 (Biggs) barring Arizona government participation in interstate affiliations or groups without express legislative approval
- HB2246 (Biggs), preempting local regulation of consumer fireworks
- HB2226 (Hendrix), relating to school employment decisions. Among other things, would bar school districts from using seniority as a criteria in determining teacher retention
- SB1128 (Melvin), a bill to protect the ability to use public facilities of the Boy Scouts and other organizations that discriminate against members based on their sexual orientation or religious beliefs
- SB1126 (Melvin), Declaring that nuclear fuel (uranium) mined in AZ isn't subject to federal regulation. Ummm...yeah... Something tells me that the feds will politely beg to differ.
Tedski's take here.
- And my personal nominee for the least relevent bill by a legislator during a fiscal crisis:
HCR2008 (Jerry Weiers), an amendment to the AZ Constitution that adds a new civil right to that hallowed list, one that includes things like free speech, a free press, due process of law, habeas corpus and others -
The right to hunt and fish.
To readers: this post ended up being far longer than I expected, and thank you for reading this far.
The sad part is that the current list of bill proposals is nowhere near complete. Expect another 400 - 5oo of them plus 75 - 100 strike-everything amendments before the session is complete.
:(
I do have one question though:
When is the next, and hopefully final, special session to fix the FY2010 budget deficit?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A Republican is driven away by his own party
A Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Gary Nine, has withdrawn from the race for his party's nomination.
Normally, I wouldn't write about that - it's a relatively minor office as far as statewide offices go (still has it all over State Mine Inspector, though :) ) and there are still plenty of Rs in that race.
Oh, and literally, I know nothing about Mr. Nine beyond what I've read about his candidacy on his website.
However, being a good partisan blogger, I still checked out his website one last time before deleting it from my bookmarks (I've got hundreds of them, and a chance to winnow one out is not a chance to be missed :) ).
After reading his statement of withdrawal, I was left with two distinct impressions -
As a Democrat, I'm glad there aren't more Republicans like him. When out campaigning for Democratic candidates, it's easy to laud the Dems while highlighting the bad points of the likes of Russell Pearce, Jack Harper, and the rest of the Kool-Aid drinkers in the lege.
As an Arizonan however, I wish all of Arizona's Rs were like him.
From his statement:
For her trouble, she is reviled as a "RINO" by GOPers statewide and harassed almost daily...by her own caucus-mates.
Personal note: the "cohesive" comment definitely brightened my day. :)
However, his piece is thoughtful, perceptive, and civil. Unlike the vast majority of political discourse in Arizona, particularly that which is emanating from the R side of the aisle.
There is room for civility among the disagreement that is a fundamental part of politics. Civility is possible, even between people with strongly divergent opinions, when those people have goals that are similar.
Like the betterment of the state for every one of its residents.
Lastly, Mr. Nine wrote in his piece how he has been a Republican since after he came home from service in Vietnam, so perhaps he wouldn't consider changing his registration to Democratic (though anyone as dedicated to a strong, vibrant, and effective public education system for Arizona's students would be welcome here), but I hope he remains active in public service, even as a Republican. If Mr. Nine and those like him forsake active involvement in civic affairs because of the number of extremists, the extremists gain strength and influence.
Arizona needs the involvement of more people who care about the state and its future, regardless of their partisan affiliations (or non-affiliations).
Normally, I wouldn't write about that - it's a relatively minor office as far as statewide offices go (still has it all over State Mine Inspector, though :) ) and there are still plenty of Rs in that race.
Oh, and literally, I know nothing about Mr. Nine beyond what I've read about his candidacy on his website.
However, being a good partisan blogger, I still checked out his website one last time before deleting it from my bookmarks (I've got hundreds of them, and a chance to winnow one out is not a chance to be missed :) ).
After reading his statement of withdrawal, I was left with two distinct impressions -
As a Democrat, I'm glad there aren't more Republicans like him. When out campaigning for Democratic candidates, it's easy to laud the Dems while highlighting the bad points of the likes of Russell Pearce, Jack Harper, and the rest of the Kool-Aid drinkers in the lege.
As an Arizonan however, I wish all of Arizona's Rs were like him.
From his statement:
One of my strengths is that I am true to my foundational values. I know me and I know what I'm not. I have declared as a Republican Clean Elections candidate but after my experience of the last six months, which includes becoming aware that Arizona's reigning Republican leadership would enjoy seeing the demise of public education, I now know without doubt that I truly can no longer claim to be an Arizona Republican.Now, I disagree with his characterization of Democrats as having adopted relatively extreme positions or electing relatively extreme candidates - any party that can elect someone as liberal as Kyrsten Sinema and as conservative as Jack Brown to the state House of Representatives and both garner great respect from their colleagues is a "Big Tent" party with room for many perspectives. Compare this to the case of State Senator Carolyn Allen (R-Scottsdale) who is perhaps the closest thing to a true moderate in the AZGOP and in the R caucus of the legislature.
{snip}
The Arizona Legislature is presently composed of a very cohesive group of Democrats, and then there are the Republicans, who are comprised of very few moderates, a majority of conservative Republicans, and a significant number of Libertarians that call themselves Republicans.
{snip}
It is obvious that Arizona has a number of zealots and few statesmen in the Legislature. The organized Republicans, including the Libertarians, and Democrats, although to a lesser degree, have adopted relatively extreme positions, disenfranchising most of us regular folks. The result is that the disenfranchised middle usually does NOT vote in the primary thus ensuring that the usually more extreme candidate supported by either party wins.
{snip}
I've been told that businesses, when thinking of relocating, demand three things. First, an available well-educated work force; secondly, great schools for their worker's children to attend; and thirdly, well-led, visionary state leadership that works cohesively with a progressive governmental structure. Does that sound like Arizona right now?
For her trouble, she is reviled as a "RINO" by GOPers statewide and harassed almost daily...by her own caucus-mates.
Personal note: the "cohesive" comment definitely brightened my day. :)
However, his piece is thoughtful, perceptive, and civil. Unlike the vast majority of political discourse in Arizona, particularly that which is emanating from the R side of the aisle.
There is room for civility among the disagreement that is a fundamental part of politics. Civility is possible, even between people with strongly divergent opinions, when those people have goals that are similar.
Like the betterment of the state for every one of its residents.
Lastly, Mr. Nine wrote in his piece how he has been a Republican since after he came home from service in Vietnam, so perhaps he wouldn't consider changing his registration to Democratic (though anyone as dedicated to a strong, vibrant, and effective public education system for Arizona's students would be welcome here), but I hope he remains active in public service, even as a Republican. If Mr. Nine and those like him forsake active involvement in civic affairs because of the number of extremists, the extremists gain strength and influence.
Arizona needs the involvement of more people who care about the state and its future, regardless of their partisan affiliations (or non-affiliations).
The Coming Week... - Everybody but the lege edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevant political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.
...In the halls of Congress, expect developments regarding health care reform, though those could be accelerated/slowed by the results of the special Senate election in Massachusetts.
There are other matters on the agenda, regardless of the outcome in MA.
- - The House agenda has a few items of interest to Arizonans.
- H.R. 725, Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ4). CRS summary here. Heard under "suspension of the rules," so a 2/3 vote is required for passage.
- H.R. 1065, White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ1) and cosponsored by the rest of the Arizona delegation. CRS summary here. Subject to Rules Committee consideration.
- - Over in the Senate, they will be getting back to work on Wednesday. Their committee schedule is here.
Highlights of that list include a Wednesday hearing of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that will look into the failed Christmas Day explosive underwear attack. Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the current Secretary of Homeland Security, is scheduled to appear. There will also be a Thursday meeting of the Armed Services Committee to look at the findings of an independent review of the Fort Hood shootings. An FBI press release on the shootings, dated January 15, 2010, here.
...Back here in Arizona, the legislative session is in full swing; their committee schedule for the week was covered in this post.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission isn't meeting this week. Their hearing schedule is here, however.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project isn't formally meeting this week, but their Finance, Audit, and Power Committee will meet on Thursday. In addition, they will be holding a Work/Study session on "ADD Water."
...The Tempe City Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday. The agenda is here. The Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council won't formally meet this week. However, they will be part of a joint meeting and dinner with the Tempe City Council at the District 1 Police Station on McKellips Road. That is scheduled for Tuesday evening. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
...In the halls of Congress, expect developments regarding health care reform, though those could be accelerated/slowed by the results of the special Senate election in Massachusetts.
There are other matters on the agenda, regardless of the outcome in MA.
- - The House agenda has a few items of interest to Arizonans.
- H.R. 725, Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Ed Pastor (D-AZ4). CRS summary here. Heard under "suspension of the rules," so a 2/3 vote is required for passage.
- H.R. 1065, White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ1) and cosponsored by the rest of the Arizona delegation. CRS summary here. Subject to Rules Committee consideration.
- - Over in the Senate, they will be getting back to work on Wednesday. Their committee schedule is here.
Highlights of that list include a Wednesday hearing of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that will look into the failed Christmas Day explosive underwear attack. Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, the current Secretary of Homeland Security, is scheduled to appear. There will also be a Thursday meeting of the Armed Services Committee to look at the findings of an independent review of the Fort Hood shootings. An FBI press release on the shootings, dated January 15, 2010, here.
...Back here in Arizona, the legislative session is in full swing; their committee schedule for the week was covered in this post.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission isn't meeting this week. Their hearing schedule is here, however.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project isn't formally meeting this week, but their Finance, Audit, and Power Committee will meet on Thursday. In addition, they will be holding a Work/Study session on "ADD Water."
...The Tempe City Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday. The agenda is here. The Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council won't formally meet this week. However, they will be part of a joint meeting and dinner with the Tempe City Council at the District 1 Police Station on McKellips Road. That is scheduled for Tuesday evening. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The coming week... - Legislative edition
Normally, this is part of a longer and more comprehensive post, but since the lege is in full swing now, they'll rate their own post for a while.
"For a while" will probably last until late March or early April, or until the leadership of one or the other chamber orders that no bills be considered until a budget is passed.
Anyway, the usual disclaimer applies - except where noted, all info gathered from the lege's website and subject to change without notice.
- On the House side, the committee schedule is pretty full. Monday is quiet due to the holiday, after that...
...Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., the Committee on Public Employees, Retirement, and Entitlement Reform will meet in HHR3. That agenda looks pretty sparse right now, with the highlight being a presentation on the financial condition of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.
...the Committee on Government will also meet at 2 on Tuesday, but in HHR4. The highlights here: HB2019, a plan by Jerry Weiers (R) to dock the per diems of legislators who miss votes; and HCR2001, a resolution asserting Arizona's sovereignty (in most instances) over the federal government, citing the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (basically, they want the feds to keep sending money to AZ, but without any strings attached). Sponsored by 47 out of the 53 Rs in both chambers of the lege.
Weiers' bill may actually violate the AZ Constitution, as it is phrased in such a way as to dock legislators a day's pay per missed vote, and if their daily per diem isn't enough to cover that amount, future per diems will be forfeited until the amount is reached. The problem with that is that only the voters can change legislators' pay. Some lawyers will need to look at this one to properly evaluate it.
...Banking and Insurance will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday in HHR1. The agenda looks quiet thus far.
...Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. The highlight here could be HB2131, a bill relating to the continuation of the Department of Juvenile Corrections. Jan Brewer wants to shutter this department and pawn off its responsibilities onto the state's counties, so this bill could see some serious amending before it is through.
...Health and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR4. The interesting bill here seems to be HB2025, mostly concerning chiropractors and recordkeeping. The interesting part is that it sets forth recordkeeping requirements for chiropractors, but then pretty much exempts all chiropractors from those requirements.
...Commerce will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5 on Wednesday. Looks quiet thus far.
...Joint Appropriations (the Appropriations Committees of both chambers) will meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in HHR1 for a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Should be the most colorful and interesting meeting of the week.
...Water and Energy will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Quiet thus far.
...Transportation and Infrastructure will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Highlights include HB2034, a bill to direct the AZ Department of Weights and Measures to include a list of all federal and state taxes on a sticker to be placed on gasoline pumps; HB2085, a measure designed to cripple photo traffic enforcement; and HB2213, barring any public agency of the state from entering into or renewing a photo enforcement contract without the express permission of the legislature.
...Judiciary will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m in HHR4. The highlight here is HB2042, a bill to ban the seeking of employment while standing on a road. A John Kavanagh nativist special.
- Over on the Senate side...
...Senate Rules will meet on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Caucus Room 1. John Huppenthal's SB1039, limiting the amount of information that schools have to report to parents, is getting fast-tracked.
...Commerce and Economic Development will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in SHR1. Most of the agenda relates to executive branch nominations.
...On Tuesday, Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. (or thereabouts) in SHR1. Highlights here include SCR1007, repealing legislative term limits; SCR1009, barring publicly-financed elections; and SCR1013, changing the job title of Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor.
Note: These SCRs have to be approved by the voters before becoming law.
...On Wednesday at 9 a.m., Public Safety and Human Services will meet in SHR3. Highlights here include SB1070, a Russell Pearce bill to bar "sanctuary city" policies and also to turn every government employee into an immigration enforcement agent; SB1084, a measure to allow charging a fee to folks petitioning a court for relief from harassment arising out of a dating relationship; and SB1087, weakening domestic violence laws.
...Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet in SHR1 at 9 a.m on Wednesday. Quiet.
...Education Accounability and Reform will meet on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. Highlights here are some executive nominations and consideration of SB1120, a bill to expand the teacher student loan program. Sounds good, right? Well, there is a lot going on in this bill, but the primary purpose of it seems to be to remove language restricting the loan program to schools supervised by the Arizona Board of Regents (which oversees U of A, ASU, and NAU) to schools overseen by the Commission for Post-Secondary Education.
Which oversees things like cosmetology and bartending schools.
...Government Institutions will meet on Thursday at 10:30 a.m in SHR1. Looks quiet, though Russell Pearce's SB1031, relating to voter registration drives, bears watching (as does everything else that Russell Pearce produces.
Later...
"For a while" will probably last until late March or early April, or until the leadership of one or the other chamber orders that no bills be considered until a budget is passed.
Anyway, the usual disclaimer applies - except where noted, all info gathered from the lege's website and subject to change without notice.
- On the House side, the committee schedule is pretty full. Monday is quiet due to the holiday, after that...
...Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., the Committee on Public Employees, Retirement, and Entitlement Reform will meet in HHR3. That agenda looks pretty sparse right now, with the highlight being a presentation on the financial condition of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.
...the Committee on Government will also meet at 2 on Tuesday, but in HHR4. The highlights here: HB2019, a plan by Jerry Weiers (R) to dock the per diems of legislators who miss votes; and HCR2001, a resolution asserting Arizona's sovereignty (in most instances) over the federal government, citing the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (basically, they want the feds to keep sending money to AZ, but without any strings attached). Sponsored by 47 out of the 53 Rs in both chambers of the lege.
Weiers' bill may actually violate the AZ Constitution, as it is phrased in such a way as to dock legislators a day's pay per missed vote, and if their daily per diem isn't enough to cover that amount, future per diems will be forfeited until the amount is reached. The problem with that is that only the voters can change legislators' pay. Some lawyers will need to look at this one to properly evaluate it.
...Banking and Insurance will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday in HHR1. The agenda looks quiet thus far.
...Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. The highlight here could be HB2131, a bill relating to the continuation of the Department of Juvenile Corrections. Jan Brewer wants to shutter this department and pawn off its responsibilities onto the state's counties, so this bill could see some serious amending before it is through.
...Health and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR4. The interesting bill here seems to be HB2025, mostly concerning chiropractors and recordkeeping. The interesting part is that it sets forth recordkeeping requirements for chiropractors, but then pretty much exempts all chiropractors from those requirements.
...Commerce will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5 on Wednesday. Looks quiet thus far.
...Joint Appropriations (the Appropriations Committees of both chambers) will meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in HHR1 for a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Should be the most colorful and interesting meeting of the week.
...Water and Energy will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Quiet thus far.
...Transportation and Infrastructure will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Highlights include HB2034, a bill to direct the AZ Department of Weights and Measures to include a list of all federal and state taxes on a sticker to be placed on gasoline pumps; HB2085, a measure designed to cripple photo traffic enforcement; and HB2213, barring any public agency of the state from entering into or renewing a photo enforcement contract without the express permission of the legislature.
...Judiciary will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m in HHR4. The highlight here is HB2042, a bill to ban the seeking of employment while standing on a road. A John Kavanagh nativist special.
- Over on the Senate side...
...Senate Rules will meet on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Caucus Room 1. John Huppenthal's SB1039, limiting the amount of information that schools have to report to parents, is getting fast-tracked.
...Commerce and Economic Development will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in SHR1. Most of the agenda relates to executive branch nominations.
...On Tuesday, Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. (or thereabouts) in SHR1. Highlights here include SCR1007, repealing legislative term limits; SCR1009, barring publicly-financed elections; and SCR1013, changing the job title of Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor.
Note: These SCRs have to be approved by the voters before becoming law.
...On Wednesday at 9 a.m., Public Safety and Human Services will meet in SHR3. Highlights here include SB1070, a Russell Pearce bill to bar "sanctuary city" policies and also to turn every government employee into an immigration enforcement agent; SB1084, a measure to allow charging a fee to folks petitioning a court for relief from harassment arising out of a dating relationship; and SB1087, weakening domestic violence laws.
...Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet in SHR1 at 9 a.m on Wednesday. Quiet.
...Education Accounability and Reform will meet on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. Highlights here are some executive nominations and consideration of SB1120, a bill to expand the teacher student loan program. Sounds good, right? Well, there is a lot going on in this bill, but the primary purpose of it seems to be to remove language restricting the loan program to schools supervised by the Arizona Board of Regents (which oversees U of A, ASU, and NAU) to schools overseen by the Commission for Post-Secondary Education.
Which oversees things like cosmetology and bartending schools.
...Government Institutions will meet on Thursday at 10:30 a.m in SHR1. Looks quiet, though Russell Pearce's SB1031, relating to voter registration drives, bears watching (as does everything else that Russell Pearce produces.
Later...
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Shadegg retires...again
Congressman John Shadegg (R-CD3) has announced that he will not seek reelection this year. He made the same announcement two years ago, then reneged on it.
This time he reallyreallyreally means it, honest.
Note: any speculation about possible Republican candidates is just that - speculation. In case you couldn't tell (because my writing is *so* subtle :) ), I am NOT a Republican and have few, if any, sources among the Rs.
A quick rundown of some possible candidates to replace him (announced and speculated about):
Jon Hulburd, Democrat, is the only announced candidate thus far. He was gearing up to challenge Shadegg; now he has to shift gears slightly and adjust to running for an open seat.
Phil Gordon, Democrat. He's currently the Mayor of Phoenix and is termed limited next year, so he wants to move onward and upward. If he gets in and gains any traction in this race, it will be on the strength of his fundraising and campaign machine. Grassroots Dems do NOT like Gordon - he's endorsed too many really bad Rs (Jim Weiers, Andrew Thomas) to endear himself to neighborhood Democratic activists. Has the ego to jump in anyway.
Jim Waring, Republican. Currently a state senator. Was rumored to be interested two years ago, but backed off when Shadegg unretired. Currently "exploring" a run at State Treasurer, but may forego that for a shot at DC. If he goes for it, State Sen. Thayer Verschoor will probably go for the Treasurer's job. Of the R names listed here, he may be the best of a very bad lot. Very conservative, but not a knuckledragger.
Pam Gorman, Republican. Currently a state senator, and like Waring, was rumored to be interested two years ago. Currently on the outs with Senate leadership for her "more conservative than thou" grandstanding on the state budget last year, so she may be very interested this time around.
Sean Noble, Republican. Formerly Shadegg's chief of staff and has long been considered Shadegg's heir apparent. Writes the blog Noble Thinking.
Steve May, Republican. Former state legislator. Actually formed a committee in 2008 and briefly ran against Shadegg, but backed off when the support wasn't there. Very conservative, strong military background, but with one big flaw by Republican standards - he's openly gay. If he runs for office again, any office, he will have a tough row to hoe in any R primary. I don't think that he lives in the district, but that is a minor detail in AZ. Just ask Virginian Rick Renzi.
Sam Crump, Republican. Currently a state representative. Very conservative, very ambitious, not known for playing well with others - threatened to challenge House Speaker Kirk Adams on the budget, and like Gorman, got slapped down for his trouble (but only temporarily). Also started to mount a campaign for AG, trying to bump more established Rs Tom Horne and Andrew Thomas from the race. Recently backed away from that to run for reelection to the state House. Very likely to jump in here, regardless of who else jumps in.
Any teabagger (pick one, any one.) Don't know which one, but given the state of the current GOP, at least one will jump in.
Other possible but less likely candidates:
Perennial candidate Susan Bitter Smith (R), an industry lobbyist and currently president of the governing board of the Central Arizona Project. She doesn't live in the district, but may view an open seat as an easier target than Harry Mitchell in CD5.
The aforementioned Tom Horne (R), currently State Superintendent of Public Instruction and a candidate for Attorney General. Possible, but not likely - Andrew Thomas' travails (a polite word for "expected federal indictment") leave him a clear path at the R nod for AG. A CD3 primary would be far less of a good bet for him.
Bob Lord (D), who mounted a strong challenge to Shadegg in 2008. Word is that he has been advising fellow D Hulburd. Expended a lot of energy in 2008, and may not have another run in him. Yet.
Vernon Parker (R), Mayor of Paradise Valley and an announced candidate for Governor. Has an uphill battle in a statewide race with his low name recognition, but is one of the bigger names in the district. Pure speculation on my part, but I wanted to toss out a name that no one else has so far. :)
Tedski's take and speculations at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion, here.
Anybody have their own guesses? Feel free to leave them in a comment...
This time he reallyreallyreally means it, honest.
Note: any speculation about possible Republican candidates is just that - speculation. In case you couldn't tell (because my writing is *so* subtle :) ), I am NOT a Republican and have few, if any, sources among the Rs.
A quick rundown of some possible candidates to replace him (announced and speculated about):
Jon Hulburd, Democrat, is the only announced candidate thus far. He was gearing up to challenge Shadegg; now he has to shift gears slightly and adjust to running for an open seat.
Phil Gordon, Democrat. He's currently the Mayor of Phoenix and is termed limited next year, so he wants to move onward and upward. If he gets in and gains any traction in this race, it will be on the strength of his fundraising and campaign machine. Grassroots Dems do NOT like Gordon - he's endorsed too many really bad Rs (Jim Weiers, Andrew Thomas) to endear himself to neighborhood Democratic activists. Has the ego to jump in anyway.
Jim Waring, Republican. Currently a state senator. Was rumored to be interested two years ago, but backed off when Shadegg unretired. Currently "exploring" a run at State Treasurer, but may forego that for a shot at DC. If he goes for it, State Sen. Thayer Verschoor will probably go for the Treasurer's job. Of the R names listed here, he may be the best of a very bad lot. Very conservative, but not a knuckledragger.
Pam Gorman, Republican. Currently a state senator, and like Waring, was rumored to be interested two years ago. Currently on the outs with Senate leadership for her "more conservative than thou" grandstanding on the state budget last year, so she may be very interested this time around.
Sean Noble, Republican. Formerly Shadegg's chief of staff and has long been considered Shadegg's heir apparent. Writes the blog Noble Thinking.
Steve May, Republican. Former state legislator. Actually formed a committee in 2008 and briefly ran against Shadegg, but backed off when the support wasn't there. Very conservative, strong military background, but with one big flaw by Republican standards - he's openly gay. If he runs for office again, any office, he will have a tough row to hoe in any R primary. I don't think that he lives in the district, but that is a minor detail in AZ. Just ask Virginian Rick Renzi.
Sam Crump, Republican. Currently a state representative. Very conservative, very ambitious, not known for playing well with others - threatened to challenge House Speaker Kirk Adams on the budget, and like Gorman, got slapped down for his trouble (but only temporarily). Also started to mount a campaign for AG, trying to bump more established Rs Tom Horne and Andrew Thomas from the race. Recently backed away from that to run for reelection to the state House. Very likely to jump in here, regardless of who else jumps in.
Any teabagger (pick one, any one.) Don't know which one, but given the state of the current GOP, at least one will jump in.
Other possible but less likely candidates:
Perennial candidate Susan Bitter Smith (R), an industry lobbyist and currently president of the governing board of the Central Arizona Project. She doesn't live in the district, but may view an open seat as an easier target than Harry Mitchell in CD5.
The aforementioned Tom Horne (R), currently State Superintendent of Public Instruction and a candidate for Attorney General. Possible, but not likely - Andrew Thomas' travails (a polite word for "expected federal indictment") leave him a clear path at the R nod for AG. A CD3 primary would be far less of a good bet for him.
Bob Lord (D), who mounted a strong challenge to Shadegg in 2008. Word is that he has been advising fellow D Hulburd. Expended a lot of energy in 2008, and may not have another run in him. Yet.
Vernon Parker (R), Mayor of Paradise Valley and an announced candidate for Governor. Has an uphill battle in a statewide race with his low name recognition, but is one of the bigger names in the district. Pure speculation on my part, but I wanted to toss out a name that no one else has so far. :)
Tedski's take and speculations at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion, here.
Anybody have their own guesses? Feel free to leave them in a comment...
Haiti Relief Efforts: Congressman Harry Mitchell
From an email to his constituents -
The news reports of the destruction and devastation that continue to come out of Haiti have been sobering. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the victims of this catastrophe that has toppled homes and building, split up families, left countless injured and taken untold lives.
Many people have asked me how they can help with the recovery efforts. I am proud that so many people in our community have recgonized the need to pull together and reach out in critical times like these.
There are a variety of ways Arizonans can provide assistance. Working together, we can help aid the recovery and rebuilding of Haiti. If you want to help take part in the earthquake relief effort I encourage you to visit the State Department's website, http://www.state.gov, or InterAction at www.interaction.org to find a list of verified and secure charities and organizations to learn what steps you can take. While Many agencies are accepting donations for the relief effort, InterAction’s website also outlines other ways to help the relief effort, such as volunteering, as well as what material donations are currently being accepted.
The State Department is also encouraging individuals wishing to help with relief efforts to use their mobile phones to text “Haiti” to 90999, which will send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, charged to the mobile phone user’s bill. Additionally, the American Red Cross is currently sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support earthquake relief efforts. The Red Cross is accepting donations to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In Arizona, local businesses are doing their part. The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that the Scottsdale Jean Company is collecting non-perishable food donations at its store and will match every donation collected. The store is located at14747 N. Northsight Blvd. Suite 106 in Scottsdale. The Phoenix Mercury, along with Carl Hayden High School, are also holding a canned food drive at the US Airways Center.
It is also important to beware of potential fraud from people looking to take advantage of your generosity. Forbes Magazine recommends that when donating, you:
--Avoid charities you've never heard of.
--Ignore unsolicited e-mail solicitation.
--Go to the charity, not the other way around.
--Ignore telemarketers.
--Do not send money to a foreign bank account.
--Stick to established brand names, such those listed on the State Department’s website, www.state.gov.
--Make sure the charity applies your donation to the specific cause.
--Do your own due diligence and research the charity.
The State Department has also set up the following phone number for missing U.S. citizen family members, 1-888-407-4747 and asks for you continued patience, as the line has been experiencing a high volume of calls.
For up to date information about the relief efforts visit: www.state.gov.
Sincerely,
Harry
The news reports of the destruction and devastation that continue to come out of Haiti have been sobering. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with the victims of this catastrophe that has toppled homes and building, split up families, left countless injured and taken untold lives.
Many people have asked me how they can help with the recovery efforts. I am proud that so many people in our community have recgonized the need to pull together and reach out in critical times like these.
There are a variety of ways Arizonans can provide assistance. Working together, we can help aid the recovery and rebuilding of Haiti. If you want to help take part in the earthquake relief effort I encourage you to visit the State Department's website, http://www.state.gov, or InterAction at www.interaction.org to find a list of verified and secure charities and organizations to learn what steps you can take. While Many agencies are accepting donations for the relief effort, InterAction’s website also outlines other ways to help the relief effort, such as volunteering, as well as what material donations are currently being accepted.
The State Department is also encouraging individuals wishing to help with relief efforts to use their mobile phones to text “Haiti” to 90999, which will send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, charged to the mobile phone user’s bill. Additionally, the American Red Cross is currently sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support earthquake relief efforts. The Red Cross is accepting donations to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In Arizona, local businesses are doing their part. The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that the Scottsdale Jean Company is collecting non-perishable food donations at its store and will match every donation collected. The store is located at14747 N. Northsight Blvd. Suite 106 in Scottsdale. The Phoenix Mercury, along with Carl Hayden High School, are also holding a canned food drive at the US Airways Center.
It is also important to beware of potential fraud from people looking to take advantage of your generosity. Forbes Magazine recommends that when donating, you:
--Avoid charities you've never heard of.
--Ignore unsolicited e-mail solicitation.
--Go to the charity, not the other way around.
--Ignore telemarketers.
--Do not send money to a foreign bank account.
--Stick to established brand names, such those listed on the State Department’s website, www.state.gov.
--Make sure the charity applies your donation to the specific cause.
--Do your own due diligence and research the charity.
The State Department has also set up the following phone number for missing U.S. citizen family members, 1-888-407-4747 and asks for you continued patience, as the line has been experiencing a high volume of calls.
For up to date information about the relief efforts visit: www.state.gov.
Sincerely,
Harry
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Indications are that State Sen. John Huppenthal doesn't appreciate irony
Cross-posted at Blog for Arizona...
Wednesday afternoon, State Sen. John Huppenthal chaired a meeting of the Senate Education Committee.
Much of the meeting was an exercise in campaign positioning (he's running for state superintendant of public instruction this year). That positioning included inviting Matthew Ladner of the Goldwater Institute to give a presentation on the "wonderful" statistical results of education reform in Florida.
After that, the committee considered a couple of bills, proposed by Huppenthal himself. One of those was SB1039, a bill to remove certain info from the "report cards" that public schools have to issue about themselves to the public. The info he wants removed from public scrutiny includes (from the lege summary sheet) per pupil expenditures, available social services, available transportation services, class size, and teacher/student ratios.
His objection is that such info is "self-reported" and not subject to verification. As such, it is suspect and shouldn't be disseminated to the public.
The ironic part is that while Huppenthal was blunt in his criticism of public schools as deceptive, his praise of Ladner and GI, an organization known for fudging numbers and taking shortcuts (apples to oranges comparisons) with statistical analyses, was effusive to the point of being overtly obsequious.
Yes, it's an election year, with all of the expected posturing and preening, but it isn't unreasonable to expect a little intellectual honesty out of someone who want to oversee the state's education apparatus, is it?
Wednesday afternoon, State Sen. John Huppenthal chaired a meeting of the Senate Education Committee.
Much of the meeting was an exercise in campaign positioning (he's running for state superintendant of public instruction this year). That positioning included inviting Matthew Ladner of the Goldwater Institute to give a presentation on the "wonderful" statistical results of education reform in Florida.
After that, the committee considered a couple of bills, proposed by Huppenthal himself. One of those was SB1039, a bill to remove certain info from the "report cards" that public schools have to issue about themselves to the public. The info he wants removed from public scrutiny includes (from the lege summary sheet) per pupil expenditures, available social services, available transportation services, class size, and teacher/student ratios.
His objection is that such info is "self-reported" and not subject to verification. As such, it is suspect and shouldn't be disseminated to the public.
The ironic part is that while Huppenthal was blunt in his criticism of public schools as deceptive, his praise of Ladner and GI, an organization known for fudging numbers and taking shortcuts (apples to oranges comparisons) with statistical analyses, was effusive to the point of being overtly obsequious.
Yes, it's an election year, with all of the expected posturing and preening, but it isn't unreasonable to expect a little intellectual honesty out of someone who want to oversee the state's education apparatus, is it?
Harry Mitchell: Pelosi Puppet? Not so much...
I love it when the various Republican contenders/pretenders in AZCD5 try to paint Democratic Congressman Harry Mitchell as an "out of touch DC liberal" or to tie him to Nancy Pelosi or something similarly untrue.
It was with slightly mixed feelings that I read this CQPolitics.com Eye on 2010 blog post (emphasis mine) -
It was with slightly mixed feelings that I read this CQPolitics.com Eye on 2010 blog post (emphasis mine) -
During his year in Congress as a Democrat, party-switching Rep. Parker Griffith (R-Ala.) posted a 70 percent party unity score, according to CQ's 2009 vote study released this week.
That sum is certainly well below the Democratic party average but only good enough for ninth lowest among all Democrats.
{snip}
Other Democrats who ranked lower than Griffith during the 2009 session when it comes to party unity are Reps. Gene Taylor (Miss.) at 59 percent, Harry Mitchell (Ariz.) at 63 percent...
Note: the study by CQPolitics mentioned in their blog post is here.
In other words, Democrat Harry Mitchell votes with the Ds less than Republican Griffith.
As a liberal, one of the things that ticks me off about Harry is that he is nowhere near liberal enough to suit me. I would prefer that his speeches and votes were more like those of Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ7) or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
However, that is more than counter-balanced by my respect for his loyalty to his constituents and his love of the district. Unlike many of his R colleagues (sadly, like some of the Ds, too), his district is his heart and soul, not just a conduit to a job.
He's not a conservative, at least not in the way that the current GOP (mis)uses the term.
He's just someone who tries his best to do right by his district and his constituents. I may not always agree with his votes, but I've never questioned his motivations.
Yes, I do truly love it when his would-be challengers start pointing fingers at Harry and shout "out of touch liberal!" and the like, because Harry is neither.
So, to all of the Republicans lining for a run at Congressman Mitchell's seat:
Calling him "out of touch" and "liberal" only shows how out of touch with reality that you are.
Legislative invocations are non-political and non-denominational, right?
Gawd, I hate being scooped by Tedski on matters that my own D17 legislators are involved in, but he got to this one before I did. :(
On the other hand, the Republican hypocrisy involved is too juicy to *not* cover it here. :))
One of the traditions at the AZLege is to open each floor session with a brief prayer offered by a member or an invited guest. Such prayers are usually (but not always*) non-political and relatively non-denominational.
*OK, so it isn't exactly unheard of for an R member or invitee to thank God for small government, low taxes or to pray for fewer immigrants...but I digress... :)
While most of those folks offering prayers before the lege are Republicans or present at the behest of a Republican member, on many days, Democrats offer their fair share of invocations.
Tuesday was one such day.
From Tedski's post at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion -
Apparently, prayers offered for the benefit of R and their benefactors like corporations are OK, but prayers offered for the benefit of society are inflammatory rhetoric or something similar.
IOKIYAR is still the rule of the day in Arizona politics. Look for another long year at the lege. The only factor that might make the session shorter will be the desire of members to start campaigning for reelection as soon as possible (it's an election year, in case anyone has forgotten :) ).
Note: the video of Tuesday's House session isn't posted yet, but once it is, it will be available here.
Later...
On the other hand, the Republican hypocrisy involved is too juicy to *not* cover it here. :))
One of the traditions at the AZLege is to open each floor session with a brief prayer offered by a member or an invited guest. Such prayers are usually (but not always*) non-political and relatively non-denominational.
*OK, so it isn't exactly unheard of for an R member or invitee to thank God for small government, low taxes or to pray for fewer immigrants...but I digress... :)
While most of those folks offering prayers before the lege are Republicans or present at the behest of a Republican member, on many days, Democrats offer their fair share of invocations.
Tuesday was one such day.
From Tedski's post at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion -
Ed Ableser invited a guest onto the floor to give a the opening prayer at the House today: Rabbi Andrew Straus who presides at Temple Emanuel, a five hundred member Reform Jewish congregation in Tempe. Straus’s prayer dealt with social justice, and at the end of it it so angered Andrew Tobin that he confronted the Rabbi, questioning its appropriateness. It caused quite a stir among some of the other Republican members as well, who felt it was overly political.Rep. Ableser is a representative from Tempe in D17, and Temple Emanuel is a congregation in Tempe (as noted by Tedski).
Apparently, prayers offered for the benefit of R and their benefactors like corporations are OK, but prayers offered for the benefit of society are inflammatory rhetoric or something similar.
IOKIYAR is still the rule of the day in Arizona politics. Look for another long year at the lege. The only factor that might make the session shorter will be the desire of members to start campaigning for reelection as soon as possible (it's an election year, in case anyone has forgotten :) ).
Note: the video of Tuesday's House session isn't posted yet, but once it is, it will be available here.
Later...
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