Chairman Bivens calls on Republicans to renounce violence and pledge to end inflammatory rhetoricI appreciate Don Bivens' call, but given McCain's rightward lurch politically, I don't expect him to risk alienating his base by telling them to behave like civilized and mature adults.
PHOENIX -- Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens today called on elected Republican leaders in Arizona to strongly and immediately denounce all acts or threats of violence and inflammatory rhetoric being perpetuated in response to Sunday's health-insurance reform vote in Congress.
A disturbing incident Monday in Tucson prompted Bivens' call. Early that morning, a window was shattered at the office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., possibly by a pellet gun. Giffords voted for the deficit-reducing package of reforms that includes prohibiting insurance companies from putting lifetime caps on insurance claims or dropping people because of pre-existing conditions.
"Threats and vandalism undermine the democratic process and have no place in our policy discussions," Bivens said. "They run counter to the fundamental freedoms our country was founded upon.
"I call upon elected Republican leaders -- especially Gov. Brewer and Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl -- to immediately and unequivocally denounce any acts or threats of violence or inflammatory rhetoric associated with anti-health-reform protests.
"In light of what has already occurred in Arizona, I urge all those speaking at Friday's McCain-Palin rally in Tucson to lead their supporters in denouncing any future violence and curtailing the inflammatory rhetoric. Their failure to do so would constitute a tacit approval of these disturbing tactics," Bivens said.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Chairman of AZ Democratic Party on the wave of vandalism and intimidation
From an email -
Republicans blaming Democrats for vandalism and threats
The Arizona Star has a story up quoting Tucson Tea Party leader Trent Humphries insinuating that Democrats have been the ones shouting epithets at their own members and vandalizing their own offices.
From the story -
"If those events happened, it had nothing to do with my group,” said organizer Trent Humphries, noting his group has held many demonstrations over the past year. “We haven’t had anything like that happen and I defy anyone to tell me any different.”
Humphries said for all he knows, the accusations didn’t even happen, or might even be traced back to a Democratic operative. “I’m not going to accuse them of wrongdoing, but if they’re accusing us, they’d better be offering proof.”
A loose coalition of varied beliefs, Humphries also said, “We can’t be responsible for every sign that goes up at every protest.”
The police will be able to find out if Mr. Humphries' speculation about a "Democratic operative" being behind some of the more vicious incidents of the last few days.
From a Yellow Sheet Report piece (no link as it is behind a subscriber firewall) -
GABBY’S DIGS VANDALIZED, MITCHELL THREATENED
...Mitchell aide Robbie Sherwood said the congressman’s Scottsdale office has also been bombarded with “menacing or threatening callers,” one of whom apparently voiced a death threat against Mitchell last Tuesday. Capitol Police in D.C., per protocol, were made aware of the threat and have received the caller’s phone number that popped up on the office’s caller ID feature...
Nor have Mitchell and Giffords (and the African-American and gay members of Congress) been the only folks to be subject to threats, vandalism, and epithets in recent days. Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has been threatened and had her office vandalized and Democratic Party offices across the country have been similarly attacked (Kansas, Ohio) and all members who voted for HCR have been threatened with "drawing and quartering" (a particularly gruesome way to kill someone).
According to most of the reports, in each incident, the local police, U.S. Capitol Police, and/or the FBI are looking into the incidents (depending on which agencies have jurisdiction).
Something tells me that this summer is going to be long, hot, and filled with similar incidents.
Stay tuned...
Monday, March 22, 2010
"We all want clean air, but there's a limit!"
On Monday night, there was a candidate forum for the Republican candidates for governor at the Pyle Center in Tempe, sponsored by the Tempe Republican Women's Club.
Being an adventurous sort (aka "having nothing better planned" :) ), I took a couple of hours out of my evening to sit in the belly of the beast...OK, that's a little over the top, but it was definitely "stranger in a strange land" time.
Note: Jan Brewer was a no show, but she sent some campaign staffers and her son to work the crowd.
It was definitely an educational experience. Some of the things that I learned (actual quotes in quotes, paraphrases not):
"The time for talking about issues is past." - Hugh Kealer, CPA, tea partier, Republican candidate for governor
We can solve the state's fiscal crisis by cutting the state budget 50% across the board. - Steve Slaton, real estate appraiser, candidate for governor
Free enterprise is the answer to the state's fiscal crisis. - John Munger, businessman, candidate for governor
Fewer regulations are the key to the state's prosperity. - Munger
$0.53 of every dollar spent on education in Arizona is spent on administration. - Kealer
Health care reform is unconstitutional. - Pretty much all of them, none of whom is a constitutional lawyer
Illegal immigrants are the cause of all that ails the state. - Pretty much all of them, in one form or another
If illegal immigrants are the first cause of all that ails the state, welfare recipients and fraud are a close second - Most of them
Because of that, all welfare recipients should be fingerprinted. - Dean Martin, state treasurer, candidate for governor
All welfare recipients should be subject to drug testing. - Kealer (I think this one actually is already law in AZ, but not sure if it is in place yet. It was in the special session budget that was just passed.)
Arizona should opt out of Medicare. - Munger (I think that the state's seniors may weigh in on this one.)
And the jaw-dropper of the night, the title of this post, from candidate Slaton, who was expounding on how the state's air quality and environmental folks have gone overboard and are driving businesses away from Arizona -
"We all want clean air, but there's a limit!"
One of the candidates, Matt Jette, was pretty much the only candidate who exhibited any appreciation of the fact that most issues are nuanced, with shades of gray predominating, while the other candidates pretty much see everything in two shades, black and white (except for immigration issues, which are brown and white.)
About the only thing that he had to say that received anything more than perfunctory applause was during a question about photo radar. Where the other candidates stated that they opposed it, he said if people has such a problem with receiving tickets in the mail, they should just not speed. Other than that, though, things like "Obama isn't the evil empire" and that illegal immigrants "aren't bad people, but there are bad people among them" don't exactly play well with the R/TB base.
In other words, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in Phoenix of making any headway in the R primary.
Overall, it truly was a pretty valuable evening - it served as a great reminder of why we need to make sure that Terry Goddard has all the support he needs to become governor. None of the Rs in the running that have a chance of winning offer one iota of sanity. The state desperately needs him to win in November.
Edit on 3/23 to update:
Last night when Kealer spouted his "53 cents of every education dollar is spent on administration" stat, I knew he was full of it, but I didn't have the actual numbers handy to rebut right then and there. After the meeting, I contacted David Safier, an expert on the ed situation here in AZ (and a fellow writer at Blog for AZ) for more info.
He directed me to this annual report from the Arizona Department of Education detailing education expenditures in Arizona for the 2007/08 school year.
I don't know where Mr. Kealer ginned up his "statistic", but the report shows that in unified school districts (aka - "public"), 9% of money went to administration and in charter schools, 21% went to administration.
Either one is significantly less than "53%".
Thanks to Dave for his analysis of the report.
End edit...
Being an adventurous sort (aka "having nothing better planned" :) ), I took a couple of hours out of my evening to sit in the belly of the beast...OK, that's a little over the top, but it was definitely "stranger in a strange land" time.
Note: Jan Brewer was a no show, but she sent some campaign staffers and her son to work the crowd.
It was definitely an educational experience. Some of the things that I learned (actual quotes in quotes, paraphrases not):
"The time for talking about issues is past." - Hugh Kealer, CPA, tea partier, Republican candidate for governor
We can solve the state's fiscal crisis by cutting the state budget 50% across the board. - Steve Slaton, real estate appraiser, candidate for governor
Free enterprise is the answer to the state's fiscal crisis. - John Munger, businessman, candidate for governor
Fewer regulations are the key to the state's prosperity. - Munger
$0.53 of every dollar spent on education in Arizona is spent on administration. - Kealer
Health care reform is unconstitutional. - Pretty much all of them, none of whom is a constitutional lawyer
Illegal immigrants are the cause of all that ails the state. - Pretty much all of them, in one form or another
If illegal immigrants are the first cause of all that ails the state, welfare recipients and fraud are a close second - Most of them
Because of that, all welfare recipients should be fingerprinted. - Dean Martin, state treasurer, candidate for governor
All welfare recipients should be subject to drug testing. - Kealer (I think this one actually is already law in AZ, but not sure if it is in place yet. It was in the special session budget that was just passed.)
Arizona should opt out of Medicare. - Munger (I think that the state's seniors may weigh in on this one.)
And the jaw-dropper of the night, the title of this post, from candidate Slaton, who was expounding on how the state's air quality and environmental folks have gone overboard and are driving businesses away from Arizona -
"We all want clean air, but there's a limit!"
One of the candidates, Matt Jette, was pretty much the only candidate who exhibited any appreciation of the fact that most issues are nuanced, with shades of gray predominating, while the other candidates pretty much see everything in two shades, black and white (except for immigration issues, which are brown and white.)
About the only thing that he had to say that received anything more than perfunctory applause was during a question about photo radar. Where the other candidates stated that they opposed it, he said if people has such a problem with receiving tickets in the mail, they should just not speed. Other than that, though, things like "Obama isn't the evil empire" and that illegal immigrants "aren't bad people, but there are bad people among them" don't exactly play well with the R/TB base.
In other words, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in Phoenix of making any headway in the R primary.
Overall, it truly was a pretty valuable evening - it served as a great reminder of why we need to make sure that Terry Goddard has all the support he needs to become governor. None of the Rs in the running that have a chance of winning offer one iota of sanity. The state desperately needs him to win in November.
Edit on 3/23 to update:
Last night when Kealer spouted his "53 cents of every education dollar is spent on administration" stat, I knew he was full of it, but I didn't have the actual numbers handy to rebut right then and there. After the meeting, I contacted David Safier, an expert on the ed situation here in AZ (and a fellow writer at Blog for AZ) for more info.
He directed me to this annual report from the Arizona Department of Education detailing education expenditures in Arizona for the 2007/08 school year.
I don't know where Mr. Kealer ginned up his "statistic", but the report shows that in unified school districts (aka - "public"), 9% of money went to administration and in charter schools, 21% went to administration.
Either one is significantly less than "53%".
Thanks to Dave for his analysis of the report.
End edit...
Incivility not confined to DC
Turns out that I wrote too soon in the last post - they've exported the tactics of fear and intimidation to Arizona.
From AZCentral.com -
From AZCentral.com -
Every time I think that the Rs/Tea Party types can't sink any lower, they break out a shovel and dig a deeper hole...A federal investigation has been launched after vandals destroyed a glass door and a window at the Tucson Congressional offices of Democratic U.S. Rep.
Gabrielle Giffords.Giffords press secretary C.J. Karamargin in Tucson told the Associated Press Monday the front door of the office was shattered along with a side glass panel.
U.S. Capitol Police were notified of the destruction and are investigating along with Tucson police.
Civility still on the decline in Congress
Whether it is things like neo-Confederate Congressman Joe Wilson heckling President Barack Obama during a speech before a joint session of Congress...
Whether it is things like "Tea Party" types showing their true selves by surrounding and streaming through the U.S. Capitol and spewing epithets at Congressmen as they walked to votes...
Whether it is things like a Texas Republican shouting "baby killer!" at an ardently pro-life Democratic colleague in the House for daring to vote for health care reform...
Whether it is things like these or any of a hundred other examples, the sort of civil decorum that allows people who disagree strongly on the issues of the day yet still interact constructively has given way to cynical fear-mongering, shameless spin, and desperate demonization masquerading as flag-waving patriotism and devout religious fervor.
The sad thing is that outbursts like Sunday's "baby killer!" are so common these days that the only surprise for me isn't that it happened but that it wasn't shouted by Trent Franks of CD2, saving Arizona that bit of embarrassment.
Enough already.
Whether it is things like "Tea Party" types showing their true selves by surrounding and streaming through the U.S. Capitol and spewing epithets at Congressmen as they walked to votes...
Whether it is things like a Texas Republican shouting "baby killer!" at an ardently pro-life Democratic colleague in the House for daring to vote for health care reform...
Whether it is things like these or any of a hundred other examples, the sort of civil decorum that allows people who disagree strongly on the issues of the day yet still interact constructively has given way to cynical fear-mongering, shameless spin, and desperate demonization masquerading as flag-waving patriotism and devout religious fervor.
The sad thing is that outbursts like Sunday's "baby killer!" are so common these days that the only surprise for me isn't that it happened but that it wasn't shouted by Trent Franks of CD2, saving Arizona that bit of embarrassment.
Enough already.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
219 - 212...YES!!!!
After many hours of contentious debate, the House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3590 by a 219 to 212 margin (vote details pending). They're now talking about the reconciliation bill, which the Rs are trying to kill (strangely enough, they are trying to kill it on pro-life grounds), but it is expected to pass by a larger margin than the main bill did.
NPR coverage on passage of the main bill is here; a live blog of the proceedings is here.
More later...
Edit later on 3/21 -
The vote details are now posted.
Each Democratic member from Arizona voted in favor of the bill and in favor of better health care coverage and access for all Americans (thank you Representatives Giffords, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, Pastor and Grijalva!!) and each Republican member from Arizona voted against the bill (boo! hiss! Representatives Flake, Franks, and Shadegg!)
34 Democrats voted against the bill; time for some primary challenges.
...and the reconciliation bill has just passed with 220 votes in support. The reconciliation bill will now go to the Senate for consideration this week and the President willsign the underlying bill within a day or so. It looks as if one of the Ds who voted against the underlying bill signed on to the reconciliation bill.
End edit...
NPR coverage on passage of the main bill is here; a live blog of the proceedings is here.
More later...
Edit later on 3/21 -
The vote details are now posted.
Each Democratic member from Arizona voted in favor of the bill and in favor of better health care coverage and access for all Americans (thank you Representatives Giffords, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, Pastor and Grijalva!!) and each Republican member from Arizona voted against the bill (boo! hiss! Representatives Flake, Franks, and Shadegg!)
34 Democrats voted against the bill; time for some primary challenges.
...and the reconciliation bill has just passed with 220 votes in support. The reconciliation bill will now go to the Senate for consideration this week and the President willsign the underlying bill within a day or so. It looks as if one of the Ds who voted against the underlying bill signed on to the reconciliation bill.
End edit...
The coming week - everybody else edition
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, last week is blending into next week as they are still in session even as I write this, working toward a vote on the latest health care reform package. As such, no agenda has been posted online as yet. Once that agenda is posted, expect a quiet week as the members look to recover from this week's exertions.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, a lot of their time will be taken up (presumably, assuming passage by the House) with consideration of a reconciliation bill relating to HCR. On the Senate's committee schedule, there is one item of direct interest to Arizonans - the Armed Services Committee's consideration on Tuesday of the nomination of Katherine Hammack to the post of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. Ms. Hammack is a senior manager at Ernst & Young in Phoenix.
...Back in Arizona...
- The legislature's committee schedule is covered here.
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but their hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. No agenda available online as yet.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session planned for 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Agenda here. Looks relatively quiet thus far, though there is one item of interest to political geeks like me - a consent agenda item to participate in a program from First Things First to pay fees at the Children's Learning Center at Gateway Community College for qualifying parents.
The same First Things First that the legislature wants to eliminate.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings this week. On Monday, there is a special session scheduled, with an executive session component. On Wednesday, there will be a full meeting. The agenda includes consideration of proposed rate changes for services.
- The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda is here, and it includes approval of the results of Tempe's election from two weeks ago. The Council Calendar is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. First up will be a special meeting devoted to appointments to some of the City's Boards and Commissions. The agenda for the regular meeting includes, as with Tempe, approval of the election results from earlier this month. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, and the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, last week is blending into next week as they are still in session even as I write this, working toward a vote on the latest health care reform package. As such, no agenda has been posted online as yet. Once that agenda is posted, expect a quiet week as the members look to recover from this week's exertions.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, a lot of their time will be taken up (presumably, assuming passage by the House) with consideration of a reconciliation bill relating to HCR. On the Senate's committee schedule, there is one item of direct interest to Arizonans - the Armed Services Committee's consideration on Tuesday of the nomination of Katherine Hammack to the post of Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. Ms. Hammack is a senior manager at Ernst & Young in Phoenix.
...Back in Arizona...
- The legislature's committee schedule is covered here.
- The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but their hearing schedule is here.
- The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. No agenda available online as yet.
- The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday, with an executive session planned for 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Agenda here. Looks relatively quiet thus far, though there is one item of interest to political geeks like me - a consent agenda item to participate in a program from First Things First to pay fees at the Children's Learning Center at Gateway Community College for qualifying parents.
The same First Things First that the legislature wants to eliminate.
- The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings this week. On Monday, there is a special session scheduled, with an executive session component. On Wednesday, there will be a full meeting. The agenda includes consideration of proposed rate changes for services.
- The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda is here, and it includes approval of the results of Tempe's election from two weeks ago. The Council Calendar is here.
- The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. First up will be a special meeting devoted to appointments to some of the City's Boards and Commissions. The agenda for the regular meeting includes, as with Tempe, approval of the election results from earlier this month. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, and the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
The coming week - legislative edition
Just a little agenda reading while waiting for the health care reform theater vote in the House...
As usual, all info gathered from the website of the Arizona legislature, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
Committee activity on the House side -
- On Monday, Rules will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR4.
- Ways and Means will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR1. One item on the agenda: SB1194, relating to "Arizona power authority; revenue bonding."
- On Tuesday, Public Employees, Retirement, and Entitlement Reform will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Government will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR4. On the agenda: a same-subject striker to SB1357 relating to zoning changes, majority votes by county boards of supervisors; SCM1005, a postcard to Congress asking them to pay for Arizona's costs associated with illegal immigration. It'll pass, probably unanimously, but it's meaningless.
- Environment will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR5. Looks quiet thus far, though SB1408, relating to "agricultural best management; dust; districts" could generate some heat. When it passed the Senate, it was by a 19 - 9 vote, and 7 of the "no" votes were from Democrats, as were both of the senators who missed the vote. However, I don't understand the ramifications of the bill and cannot comment on the why of that vote.
- On Wednesday, Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. On the agenda: SB1029, a Russell Pearce-sponsored measure to limit the circumstances under which a law enforcement officer is subject to disciplinary actions.
- Health and Human Services will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR4. This agenda bears watching. On it: SB1305 (banning the use of tax/public monies to pay for costs associated with insurance policies that cover abortion services); SB1306 and SB1307 (seeking to inhibit fertilization treatments and scientific research under the guise of "protecting" human embryos and egg donors).
- Commerce will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Looks quiet so far.
- Appropriations will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR2. On the agenda: two strikers (language not posted yet) relating to "tourism; TPT distribution; reinstatement" and "state parks fund; voluntary contributions"; SCR1022 (allowing the lege to sweep and reappropriate "non-custodial" federal monies, such as community block grants).
- On Thursday, Transportation and Infrastructure will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Judiciary will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR4. Quiet thus far, though a couple of the measures may merit a closer examination.
...On the Senate side -
- On Monday, Judiciary will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. On the agenda: HB2490 (exempting "religious" organizations from having to register as political committees, even if they engage in political activities); HB2596 (limiting the ability of local governments to apply things like zoning rules to religious entities).
- On Tuesday, Commerce and Economic Development will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. Looks quiet so far, but I freely admit I don't understand the effects of some of the bills.
- On Wednesday, Veterans and Military Affairs will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2. Quiet thus far.
- Public Safety and Human Services will meet at 9:30 a.m. in SHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Some nuggets of interest (HB2116, relating to AHCCCS ambulance reimbursement rates) but looks pretty quiet so far.
- Educations Accountability and Reform will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. On the agenda: a good bill, HB2760, Rep. Rae Waters' measure to improve preventive maintenance procedures in schools; also, a lot of other technical bills relating to education in AZ that someone who better understands the nuances may want to examine.
- On Thursday, Government Institutions will meet at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Looks quiet, in a "lot of technical measures" sort of way.
On the "interim" committee side (neither House nor Senate), the Joint Committee on Capital Review (JCCR) will meet at 8 a.m. on Tuesday in HHR4.
...Floor calendars for Monday -
- The Senate's Third Read calendar includes abortion reporting requirements, the ban on texting while driving (yet another attempt to pass it), four measures relating to eminent domain, and former Senator Jonathan Paton's scheme to abolish Clean Elections.
- The House's Third Read calendar is posted here.
- Tuesday's House COW calendars are posted here and here. Plenty of ugly here; I'll cover it later.
...And all of this was compiled and linked while the US House is still debating procedural issues relating to today's HCR vote.
This is going to be one long day... :)
As usual, all info gathered from the website of the Arizona legislature, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
Committee activity on the House side -
- On Monday, Rules will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR4.
- Ways and Means will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR1. One item on the agenda: SB1194, relating to "Arizona power authority; revenue bonding."
- On Tuesday, Public Employees, Retirement, and Entitlement Reform will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Government will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR4. On the agenda: a same-subject striker to SB1357 relating to zoning changes, majority votes by county boards of supervisors; SCM1005, a postcard to Congress asking them to pay for Arizona's costs associated with illegal immigration. It'll pass, probably unanimously, but it's meaningless.
- Environment will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR5. Looks quiet thus far, though SB1408, relating to "agricultural best management; dust; districts" could generate some heat. When it passed the Senate, it was by a 19 - 9 vote, and 7 of the "no" votes were from Democrats, as were both of the senators who missed the vote. However, I don't understand the ramifications of the bill and cannot comment on the why of that vote.
- On Wednesday, Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. On the agenda: SB1029, a Russell Pearce-sponsored measure to limit the circumstances under which a law enforcement officer is subject to disciplinary actions.
- Health and Human Services will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR4. This agenda bears watching. On it: SB1305 (banning the use of tax/public monies to pay for costs associated with insurance policies that cover abortion services); SB1306 and SB1307 (seeking to inhibit fertilization treatments and scientific research under the guise of "protecting" human embryos and egg donors).
- Commerce will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Looks quiet so far.
- Appropriations will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR2. On the agenda: two strikers (language not posted yet) relating to "tourism; TPT distribution; reinstatement" and "state parks fund; voluntary contributions"; SCR1022 (allowing the lege to sweep and reappropriate "non-custodial" federal monies, such as community block grants).
- On Thursday, Transportation and Infrastructure will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Judiciary will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR4. Quiet thus far, though a couple of the measures may merit a closer examination.
...On the Senate side -
- On Monday, Judiciary will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. On the agenda: HB2490 (exempting "religious" organizations from having to register as political committees, even if they engage in political activities); HB2596 (limiting the ability of local governments to apply things like zoning rules to religious entities).
- On Tuesday, Commerce and Economic Development will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. Looks quiet so far, but I freely admit I don't understand the effects of some of the bills.
- On Wednesday, Veterans and Military Affairs will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2. Quiet thus far.
- Public Safety and Human Services will meet at 9:30 a.m. in SHR3. Quiet thus far.
- Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Some nuggets of interest (HB2116, relating to AHCCCS ambulance reimbursement rates) but looks pretty quiet so far.
- Educations Accountability and Reform will meet at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1. On the agenda: a good bill, HB2760, Rep. Rae Waters' measure to improve preventive maintenance procedures in schools; also, a lot of other technical bills relating to education in AZ that someone who better understands the nuances may want to examine.
- On Thursday, Government Institutions will meet at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Looks quiet, in a "lot of technical measures" sort of way.
On the "interim" committee side (neither House nor Senate), the Joint Committee on Capital Review (JCCR) will meet at 8 a.m. on Tuesday in HHR4.
...Floor calendars for Monday -
- The Senate's Third Read calendar includes abortion reporting requirements, the ban on texting while driving (yet another attempt to pass it), four measures relating to eminent domain, and former Senator Jonathan Paton's scheme to abolish Clean Elections.
- The House's Third Read calendar is posted here.
- Tuesday's House COW calendars are posted here and here. Plenty of ugly here; I'll cover it later.
...And all of this was compiled and linked while the US House is still debating procedural issues relating to today's HCR vote.
This is going to be one long day... :)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
2010 candidate update
Just a couple of quick updates to pass along -
...Renz Jennings, a former member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, has filed for a run this year (filer ID 2010520), creating a primary on the Democratic side of the ballot. He, State Senate Democratic Leader Jorge Luis Garcia, and State Rep. David Bradley are pursuing the nomination for the two available seats on the ACC.
...Current AZ businesswoman and former US Senate staffer Nan Stockholm Walden is rumored to be mulling a run at John McCain's Senate seat. If she does jump in, she would be entering
While it is a little late in the season to be starting runs, there are still two months left in which to gather sigs, and a decent field operation can easily get that done. What will be more fascinating to see is if an electoral neophyte such as Walden understands that there is a difference between being a staffer and a candidate/officeholder.
What's interesting about the late entries (assuming that Walden actually enters the Senate race) is that it speaks to the the perception that Rs in Arizona may be vulnerable this year. Between the wholesale mismanagement of the state by the Rs in power and the Hayworth/nativist/tea party wing of the GOP looking to weaken John McCain in their primary, Republicans at all levels of Arizona politics are jumping at shadows and watching their backs.
...Renz Jennings, a former member of the Arizona Corporation Commission, has filed for a run this year (filer ID 2010520), creating a primary on the Democratic side of the ballot. He, State Senate Democratic Leader Jorge Luis Garcia, and State Rep. David Bradley are pursuing the nomination for the two available seats on the ACC.
...Current AZ businesswoman and former US Senate staffer Nan Stockholm Walden is rumored to be mulling a run at John McCain's Senate seat. If she does jump in, she would be entering
While it is a little late in the season to be starting runs, there are still two months left in which to gather sigs, and a decent field operation can easily get that done. What will be more fascinating to see is if an electoral neophyte such as Walden understands that there is a difference between being a staffer and a candidate/officeholder.
What's interesting about the late entries (assuming that Walden actually enters the Senate race) is that it speaks to the the perception that Rs in Arizona may be vulnerable this year. Between the wholesale mismanagement of the state by the Rs in power and the Hayworth/nativist/tea party wing of the GOP looking to weaken John McCain in their primary, Republicans at all levels of Arizona politics are jumping at shadows and watching their backs.
Is the Tea Party uniform a white sheet and hood?
From the Washington Post -
Other African-American members of Congress, including the highly respected civil rights era icon Rep. John Lewis, were also targeted with racial slurs as they walked to floor votes.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has issued a statement condemning the behavior, available here; House Minority Leader John Boehner has issued a similar statement, available nowhere, as he apparently hasn't condemned the behavior. I don't expect him to do so, as on Friday, he reminded the Tea Party types that "it isn't too late to make your voices heard."
His followers listened, and on Saturday, they did "make [their] voices heard."
Mission accomplished, Mr. Boehner. Hope you are proud of your influence.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) issued a statement late Saturday saying that he was spit upon while walking to the Capitol to cast a vote, leading the Capitol Police to usher him into the building out of concern for his safety. Police detained the individual, who was then released because Cleaver declined to press charges.
Other African-American members of Congress, including the highly respected civil rights era icon Rep. John Lewis, were also targeted with racial slurs as they walked to floor votes.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has issued a statement condemning the behavior, available here; House Minority Leader John Boehner has issued a similar statement, available nowhere, as he apparently hasn't condemned the behavior. I don't expect him to do so, as on Friday, he reminded the Tea Party types that "it isn't too late to make your voices heard."
His followers listened, and on Saturday, they did "make [their] voices heard."
Mission accomplished, Mr. Boehner. Hope you are proud of your influence.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thank you Harry!!
A very good note to end the week on...
From AZStarnet.com -
You know, as much as I like ranting, I like being deeply proud of my Congressman even more. :)
Whooo hoooo!!
From AZStarnet.com -
Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell, one of the final holdouts on the health care reform bill, announced Friday that he'll support the package.Here I was, all set to write a "it's time for D.C. Dems to grow a spine and pass health care reform already" rant, hoping to help push a few wavering Dems into the "yes" column, and I come home to read the above news.
Mitchell cited proposed fixes for the Senate-passed legislation that would help Arizona. The Democrat represents a Republican-leaning suburban congressional district centered on Scottsdale and Tempe.
You know, as much as I like ranting, I like being deeply proud of my Congressman even more. :)
Whooo hoooo!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Housekeeping
Regular readers may have noticed an addition to the right sidebar - a list of links to the websites of Democratic candidates for statewide offices and to legislative districts (U.S. and AZ) covering Scottsdale (CD5, LD8 and LD17).
I've tried to include all such candidates, however I couldn't find websites for two candidates - David Bradley for Corporation Commission and W. John Williamson for LD8 House. When those candidates' sites go live (or are pointed out to me if already live), I'll link to them. Also, if I've missed any Democratic candidates who fall within the above categories, drop a note to me in an email or a comment and I'll update the list.
Lastly, while I've tried to group candidates for the same office together, there is no rhyme, reason, or secret endorsement involved in the order they are listed. They all seem to be good Democrats and better yet, good candidates. I'm not choosing a side in any of the primaries, at least not in this blog.
Later...
I've tried to include all such candidates, however I couldn't find websites for two candidates - David Bradley for Corporation Commission and W. John Williamson for LD8 House. When those candidates' sites go live (or are pointed out to me if already live), I'll link to them. Also, if I've missed any Democratic candidates who fall within the above categories, drop a note to me in an email or a comment and I'll update the list.
Lastly, while I've tried to group candidates for the same office together, there is no rhyme, reason, or secret endorsement involved in the order they are listed. They all seem to be good Democrats and better yet, good candidates. I'm not choosing a side in any of the primaries, at least not in this blog.
Later...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Terry Goddard challenges Jan Brewer on taxes
In a letter to Brewer, Goddard challenged Brewer to pledge that any revenues raised via an increase to the state's sale tax won't be given to deep-pocketed corporations in the form of targeted tax cuts.
The letter, from an email from the Goddard campaign -
March 17, 2010
Dear Governor Brewer:
I have been giving careful consideration to your proposal to temporarily increase the State sales tax in response to Arizona’s fiscal crisis. That crisis, which has significantly worsened in the last year, threatens our schools, our health and security, and our quality of life. It has been exacerbated by your and the Legislature’s continued failure to produce a balanced budget despite Arizona’s constitutional requirement for one that was due nearly nine months ago.
Your proposed sales tax increase offers a temporary and incomplete solution. In addition to the fact that it raises only about one-third of the revenue needed to cover the projected deficit, your plan suffers from the significant flaw that it imposes new tax burdens on consumers – including Arizona’s struggling middle class – whose collective buying power will be crucial to pulling us out of our current slump. It does so without even considering the possibility of more equitable and long-term solutions, such as closing the many tax loopholes that favor the rich and big corporations. Under your plan, for example, a family that must buy a car for work or school faces higher taxes, while someone buying a membership in an elite country club pays no sales tax whatsoever.
Most troubling to me, however, is the fact that voters are being asked to pass this tax increase without knowing the status of other tax proposals still being considered by the legislature, including a plan to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate taxes. Middle-income Arizonans simply should not be asked to finance through temporary higher sales taxes a permanent non-targeted cut in corporate taxes. Such a result is not only grossly unfair to working Arizonans, but would stymie our economic recovery and leave Arizona with a deeper, long-term budget hole.
To my knowledge, you have never publicly stated where you stand on the corporate tax breaks being considered by the legislature, but I sincerely hope that you recognize the folly of funding any such tax breaks through a sales tax on middle-income Arizonans – particularly on the heels of devastating cuts to our schools, health care and public safety. Arizonans like my wife and me cannot support your proposed sales tax increase if you intend to follow it with across-the-board corporate tax cuts. I call upon you to pledge your veto to any non-targeted corporate tax giveaways that would appreciably offset the short-term revenue gains from Prop. 100. Arizonans deserve meaningful assurances from you that the increased revenues from your tax increase will truly benefit our schools, public health, and public safety.
Sincerely,
Terry Goddard
Go to Goddard's website to learn about Terry, his vision for Arizona, and to volunteer to help him.
The letter, from an email from the Goddard campaign -
March 17, 2010
Dear Governor Brewer:
I have been giving careful consideration to your proposal to temporarily increase the State sales tax in response to Arizona’s fiscal crisis. That crisis, which has significantly worsened in the last year, threatens our schools, our health and security, and our quality of life. It has been exacerbated by your and the Legislature’s continued failure to produce a balanced budget despite Arizona’s constitutional requirement for one that was due nearly nine months ago.
Your proposed sales tax increase offers a temporary and incomplete solution. In addition to the fact that it raises only about one-third of the revenue needed to cover the projected deficit, your plan suffers from the significant flaw that it imposes new tax burdens on consumers – including Arizona’s struggling middle class – whose collective buying power will be crucial to pulling us out of our current slump. It does so without even considering the possibility of more equitable and long-term solutions, such as closing the many tax loopholes that favor the rich and big corporations. Under your plan, for example, a family that must buy a car for work or school faces higher taxes, while someone buying a membership in an elite country club pays no sales tax whatsoever.
Most troubling to me, however, is the fact that voters are being asked to pass this tax increase without knowing the status of other tax proposals still being considered by the legislature, including a plan to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate taxes. Middle-income Arizonans simply should not be asked to finance through temporary higher sales taxes a permanent non-targeted cut in corporate taxes. Such a result is not only grossly unfair to working Arizonans, but would stymie our economic recovery and leave Arizona with a deeper, long-term budget hole.
To my knowledge, you have never publicly stated where you stand on the corporate tax breaks being considered by the legislature, but I sincerely hope that you recognize the folly of funding any such tax breaks through a sales tax on middle-income Arizonans – particularly on the heels of devastating cuts to our schools, health care and public safety. Arizonans like my wife and me cannot support your proposed sales tax increase if you intend to follow it with across-the-board corporate tax cuts. I call upon you to pledge your veto to any non-targeted corporate tax giveaways that would appreciably offset the short-term revenue gains from Prop. 100. Arizonans deserve meaningful assurances from you that the increased revenues from your tax increase will truly benefit our schools, public health, and public safety.
Sincerely,
Terry Goddard
Go to Goddard's website to learn about Terry, his vision for Arizona, and to volunteer to help him.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Payday loan industry DOA
...For now, anyway.
I missed the end of the Senate Appropiations meeting, but according to an article from YourWestValley.com and a couple of Facebook updates, the measure failed in committee today by a 3 - 5 vote.
It could be brought back later via another striker, so it won't be completely dead until the end of the legislative session. However, it's an election year, and all members of the lege are up for reelection in November and very few want to be viewed as someone who thwarted the will of the voters on this topic.
So for now, enjoy this small victory, perhaps the only one the average Arizonan will see until the November elections when they'll have the opportunity throw out the ideologues who have worked so diligently to undermine Arizona's future.
Later...
I missed the end of the Senate Appropiations meeting, but according to an article from YourWestValley.com and a couple of Facebook updates, the measure failed in committee today by a 3 - 5 vote.
It could be brought back later via another striker, so it won't be completely dead until the end of the legislative session. However, it's an election year, and all members of the lege are up for reelection in November and very few want to be viewed as someone who thwarted the will of the voters on this topic.
So for now, enjoy this small victory, perhaps the only one the average Arizonan will see until the November elections when they'll have the opportunity throw out the ideologues who have worked so diligently to undermine Arizona's future.
Later...
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