BrewerCare Body Count: 2

From the Arizona Senate Democratic Caucus (the full story is at the Arizona Guardian, but that's behind a subscriber firewall) -

Today, University Medical Center in Tucson has confirmed that a UMC patient, who was awaiting a transplant, but was refused the life saving procedure because of Republican budget cuts, has died.


“It’s time to put politics aside and restore the transplant funding,” said incoming Senate Minority Leader David Schapira. “Gov. Brewer and the Republican leadership at the legislature need to join us and take immediate action to fix their mistake. Failure to restore this funding is a death sentence for people who have committed no crimes.”

So what are Brewer and company doing while people are dying?

...Giving out medals to commemorate her inauguration, while ignoring public records requests seeking information about the cost of those medals and the rest of the inauguration-related costs...

...Trotting out legislation attacking brown-skinned babies...

...Preparing for a high-dollar fundraiser in Paradise Valley, where almost the entire directory of Arizona lobbyist will pay $250 or more for the (dubious) privilege of cozying up to Senate President-elect Russell Pearce...

...Balancing the state's budget...oh, wait, that's the one thing that they *aren't" doing...

How many have to die before they are sated?

BTW - some readers may think that last sentence is too much, but it's a lot milder than what I originally typed -

Jan and her clan - rolling back Arizona's population growth, one poor person at a time.

Shadegg starting a new/old career: corporate lobbyist

Former Congresscritters are barred from lobbying their former colleagues for one year after leaving office.

However, the law that bars that activity is very specific and only disallows direct contact with current members of the U.S. Congress for a lobbying-related purpose.

There are, however, a number of ways around that, some of them even being legal - lobbying indirectly (i.e. - behind the scenes organizing), "advising" other lobbyists, lobbying at the state level, etc.

It seems that former Rep. John Shadegg (R-CD3) has chosen the last course.

From KSWT in Yuma -

The Goldwater Institute has named retiring U.S. Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona as a senior fellow.

The libertarian-leaning group says Shadegg will help fulfill its mission of economic freedom and limited government by sharing his experience and expertise with other scholars.

Shadegg is a plaintiff in the Phoenix-based group's challenge to health care overhaul passed in Washington last year.

The Goldwater Institute isn't much more than a generic corporate lobbying group working under the guise of a "think tank".  One of their big targets recently has been health care reform, something that has been at the top of Shadegg's personal hit list, so they should be a good fit.

My expectation (and it's only that, an expectation.  I'm not exactly a confidante of any of the people I'm about to name):

Shadegg will be with GI for a couple of  years before making the "official" move to the lobbyist ranks.  The one thing that looms on the horizon that could possibly change the plan is if Jon Kyl doesn't run for reelection to the U.S. Senate next year (whether to retire, run for VP, or something else).  In that event, Shadegg will be one of the many R names looking into sliding into that spot.

For the record - right now, I'd bet on Kyl running for reelection.  However, I reserve the right to change that at any time when more info becomes available. :)

Andrei Cherny: Why I'm Running For Arizona Democratic Party Chair

From an email from Andrei Cherny (and if Rodney Glassman sends something similar, I'll publish that, too):

After a great deal of soul-searching and encouragement from elected leaders, grassroots activists, and friends throughout the state, I have decided to run for the position of Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. We’re at a critical point in Arizona’s history – one where so much is on the line with the choices our state and nation make. That’s why I ran for State Treasurer. And that’s why I have made this decision today.

A couple of years ago, Arizona was seen as a state trending “purple” – a swing state where candidates for office would have to build broad coalitions to win. But in 2010, we were swamped by a tsunami. Despite the incredible efforts of Democratic volunteers and candidates, Republicans won up and down the ticket – and throughout the state – without offering any positive ideas to build Arizona’s future and by playing the dirtiest sort of wedge politics.

Democrats let that happen. As I campaigned in every part in Arizona, I saw firsthand that a lot of people who supported us in years past did not trust us to fight for their interests, defend their values, or make their lives better. While we attacked the many Republican missteps, we failed to campaign with a unified message that told the people of Arizona who we are, what we stand for, and how we'll lead our state.

I believe that offering that message has to be job #1 of the next State Chair. That’s especially true because, for the first election in nearly fifteen years, we did not elect a single statewide Democratic official to act as the spokesperson for our ideas and plans. We need the next State Chair to be a unifying figure and a strong messenger for a compelling vision of where Arizona needs to go.

The fact is that Russell Pearce’s Republican Party has deliberately vacated the center of Arizona politics. They disdain independents and their own party's moderates. They’re betting that they can rely on extremist supporters and money from out-of-state corporations to carry the day. They will if we let them. I’m determined that this won’t happen. Instead, we need to build a big tent Arizona Democratic Party where independents and disaffected Republicans are welcome and have a home. And we need to go on the offense to fight for better schools, safer streets, and an Arizona economy that works for those who work hard and not just those with the connections and the lobbyists. We should not shade our ideas or sand down our message, but instead should show the contrast between Arizona's present and the brighter future Arizona Democrats can help bring.

Here’s what I'll work toward as Chair:

•A Democratic Party that Works from the Bottom-Up, Not the Top-Down. Without a statewide elected official to serve as our rallying point, we are entering a new era for Arizona Democrats. This is a chance to build a party that is not about one person at the top calling the shots, but one where county chairs, LD chairs, state committee members, precinct committee members, and activists are empowered to make more decisions, have the tools they need to do their work – and held accountable as well. As a former elected PC and former LD chair, I know what it means to work at the party’s grassroots. To rebuild the Arizona Democratic Party, we need a 15 county strategy that works to win votes and convert voters in every part of our state.

•A Democratic Party with a Clear Vision. Before Arizonans trust our take on what the Republicans are doing to our state, they need to trust that we’ll do a better job. While we must take Russell Pearce and Jan Brewer to task, we have a responsibility to offer new, common-sense ideas to meet Arizona's toughest challenges. Arizona Democrats must offer more than responses to the Republican agenda, and instead make clear where we will lead the state. But our vision for the state is meaningless if Arizonans don't know what it is. Arizona Democrats' communications efforts have to reach newspapers, television, radio and blogs in every part of the state – from Nogales to Kingman, and Yuma to Window Rock.

•A Democratic Party that Wins Again. Ultimately, if we want to rebuild Arizona, we have to start winning more elections. Redistricting may create the most serious opportunity to make large gains in the state legislature in decades. A new congressional seat and President Obama’s reelection means the chance to make sure we have leadership in Washington that is focused on meeting America’s challenges. In this moment, we can't afford to be divided. Our task is to build a stronger Democratic Party, not to squander the work of the past decade. I was proud that my State Treasurer campaign raised more than any previous non-Governor statewide campaign – with the vast majority of contributions amounting to $100 or less. That kind of grassroots support – combined with the support of our Democratic Party leaders – is the unity we need to move forward. I am honored to have the support of Democrats from the grassroots to our top elected officials in this campaign for Chair. It’s not enough to just fight the good fight, we need to win. Millions of Arizonans are counting on to do so – and that means we need to have the message, money, and momentum to carry the day.

As my friend from Cochise County, Bob Bland, said to me the other day: “When Republicans win, they splinter. When Democrats lose, they come together.” We lost in 2010 – and Arizonans are paying the price. Now, we need to come together, unite as one, take the fight to those who are driving Arizona into the ground, and win.

Here's an article about my announcement from the Phoenix New Times.

There are three things you can do today to support our campaign for a new direction for the Arizona Democratic Party.

1. Forward this email to other Democrats, PCs, and members of the State Committee. Tell them we need their help and support.

2. Join the "Andrei Cherny for Arizona Democratic Party Chair" facebook group to join in the conversation and read the latest news.

3. Follow @andreicherny on Twitter to get updates and see endorsements as they're announced.

There is no time to wait. The Chair's election is in just 16 days, so we must act fast. We can begin moving the Arizona Democratic Party in a new direction with a clear vision, strong message and real investment in our grassroots - but we can't do it without you!

I hope to earn your support for Chair and then work with you in the months to come. As always, please stay in touch either by email or at (602) 688-2336.

Thank you,

Andrei

There have been a number of state committee members who have expressed concerns that Cherny is not eligible to be chair because he wasn't elected as a PC in August.  However, according to this legal opinion, because he has been legally appointed as a PC and to the State Committee, he *is* eligible to be chair. 
 
However, since under ADP by-laws, only elected PCs who were in turn elected to the State Committee can vote at the biennial reorganization meeting, he won't be able to vote for himself.
 
Should be an interesting meeting on January 22...

Cherny in the race for AZ Democratic Party Chair

From the Phoenix New Times (including the pic) -

I'm on deadline at the moment, but I want to bring you this much anticipated news: erstwhile state Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny just called me to tell me he formally putting two feet in the river, and making a bid for Don Bivens' post as Arizona State Democratic Party Chairman.


In a blog post yesterday, I reported that Cherny was still strongly considering the run, though was holding off for an official announcement. But it seems the pro-Cherny chorus is growing in Democratic ranks, and he can wait no longer.

"We need in this era a strong transition and a strong messenger," Cherny explained. "One who'll really be able to make the case to Arizonans why Democrats have the right ideas for the state's economy and all the other challenges that face us."

This bring to a close weeks of speculation/anticipation and sets up a race for the top spot in the ADP between Cherny, the 2010 Democratic nominee for Arizona State Treasurer, and Rodney Glassman, the 2010 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.

At least one Democratic elected official has already endorsed Cherny, with State Sen.-elect Kyrsten Sinema doing so on her Facebook page.

Kyrsten Sinema I'm proud to endorse Andrei Cherny for State Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party!

...I haven't heard of anyone else who is going to throw his/her hat in the ring and will update if any do so...

Redistricting and other updates: 1st court proceeding set for January 18

As most observers of the AZ political scene are already aware, the lawsuits over redistricting have already started, even before the actual redistricting process has begun.

The first lawsuit was filed by Kirk Adams and Russell Pearce, Speaker of the Arizona House and President-elect of the Arizona Senate, respectively, over their allegations that the list of potential nominees for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) forwarded to them by the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments includes people who don't meet the legal qualifications for the AIRC.

Specifically, they have targeted Republicans Steve Sossaman and Mark Schnepf and Independent Paul Bender.  The Republicans, both East Valley farmers and businessmen, are elected members of irrigation district governing boards and Bender, a renowned law professor from ASU, has served on the courts of a couple of Native American tribal courts.

Adams and Pearce argue that these positions disqualify the threesome because AIRC members cannot have held "public office" for at least three years prior to their appointment to the AIRC.

Many observers think that the opposition to Sossaman and Schnepf is meant to serve as a smokescreen for their deep opposition to the possibility that Bender could end up on the commission.  While Bender is "independent" in that he isn't registered with any party, he is an outspoken progressive.

He's also considered to be brilliant, even by his detractors (who often characterize him as a "brilliant pain in the neck" - only "neck" isn't the body part they name :) ).

Because of the immediacy of the need to commence the redistricting process, when the lawsuit was filed (called a "petition for special action") it included a request for expedited consideration.

That request was granted by Justice Pelander today.

The Pearce/Adams suit has been scheduled for oral arguments on Tuesday January 18, 2011 at 2 p.m. before the Arizona Supreme Court.

At that time, the lawyers will argue why the Court should/shouldn't interfere with the process.

More updates as they become available.

Previous posts on the redistricting process here, here, here, here, and here.


...Other Pearce-related updates:

- From KTAR.com -

The main champion of Arizona laws cracking down on illegal immigration won't be in Washington on Wednesday for the unveiling of proposed legislation to deny automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.


Arizona Senate spokesman Mike Philipsen says incoming Senate President Russell Pearce supports the legislation but has canceled his plans to attend the Washington news conference scheduled by legislators from Arizona and other states on their coordinated proposal.

Philipsen says Pearce is staying home to participate in state budget meetings and to prepare for the regular session starting Monday. Philipsen also cities the time required for the cross-country trip.

Two other Arizona legislators are expected to attend the Washington news conference.

The other two legislators mentioned in the article/press release are likely to be Rep. John Kavanagh and Sen. Ron Gould, Republicans both.  I've got calls out to verify that.

- Word is out from LD18 that not everyone there is satisfied with the job Pearce has been doing, and a campaign committee, utilizing traditional funding instead of Clean Elections funding, to challenge him will form within the next couple of days.  I'll publish more info when I learn more details.

David Schweikert, a Constitutional expansionist?

From the Phoenix Business Journal (quoted in its entirety because it is only two sentences) -

New U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Scottsdale/Tempe, was on CNN Monday night talking about health care.

Schweikert toppled Democratic incumbent Harry Mitchell in November. Schweikert will be part of the GOP efforts to dismantle President Barack Obama's health plans. Schweikert made the argument on CNN against the individual mandate in the Obama plans saying Americans have the 'right to be dumb' and not have insurance even if they can afford it.

Check out this CNN video for more.

I don't see anything in the U.S. Constitution specifying that right (and wasn't one of the R arguments against health care reform something about it not being in the Constitution?), but Schweikert seems to be well on his way to proving that 110,374 voters have already taken advantage of that Schweikert-granted "right".

The Arizona Legislature Finds That It Isn't So Easy To Thumb Its Nose At The Feds...Again

Perhaps not having learned its lesson from the SB1070 debacle (getting smacked down by a federal judge), the lege overreached again when it passed HB2442 (signed into law 4/26/2010), barring any state agency from developing or adopting measures to control the emission of greenhouse gases.

Turns out tha the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) isn't subject to the fiat of the Arizona Legislature, and was prepared to "cut out the middle man," aka the Arizona Department of Enviromental Quality (ADEQ).  The State of Arizona, seeing the likelihood of unfettered direct oversight of individual projects by the EPA, especially significant in rural Arizona, blinked.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Shaun McKinnon -

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will directly enforce new greenhouse-gas rules in parts of Arizona after the state refused to submit its own program for controlling the pollutants.

The new rules, which take effect today, add greenhouse gases to the list of pollutants covered under air-quality permits and will eventually require the largest polluters, mainly industrial operations, to reduce emissions.

Arizona accused the EPA of overstepping its authority in regulating greenhouse gases and said the state would not spend its limited resources on rules that run counter to state policy and might not survive challenges in Congress and the courts.

But the state reluctantly agreed to let the EPA impose the federal plan for now because, had the state balked, the EPA could have blocked construction or expansion of projects that need the air permits, including future power plants.

{snip}

Some states, including Arizona, will likely continue to oppose the EPA's role in regulating greenhouse gases but will allow the federal agency to enforce the rules to preserve the economic value of projects that need permits, [Executive director of the Washington-based National Association of Clean Air Agencies Bill] Becker said.

Look for something from the incoming legislature to attempt to short stop this move.  Not sure what will work, though.

AZ House committee assignments for the 50th Arizona Legislature

Now, the House list.  They haven't been so kind as to provide a .pdf list of each committee's membership, so this info is gathered committee-by-committee from the lege's website (Democrats bolded).  All info subject to change with or without notice.

Appropriations -

Lela Alston
Chad Campbell
Steve Court Vice-Chairman
John Fillmore
Tom Forese
Matt Heinz
Russell L. Jones
John Kavanagh Chairman
Nancy McLain
Justin Olson
Anna Tovar
Michelle Ugenti
Vic Williams



Agriculture and Water

P. Ben Arredondo
Brenda Barton
Kate Brophy McGee
Chester Crandell Vice-Chairman
Russell L. Jones Chairman
Peggy Judd
Catherine H. Miranda
Lynne Pancrazi
Steve Urie


Banking and Insurance

Jeff Dial Vice-Chairman
Debbie McCune Davis
Nancy McLain Chairman
Richard Miranda
Carl Seel
David Burnell Smith
Vic Williams


Commerce
 
Lela Alston
Rick Gray
Debbie McCune Davis
Javan "J.D." Mesnard Vice-Chairman
Catherine H. Miranda
Frank Pratt
Bob Robson
Jim Weiers Chairman


Education

Heather Carter
Steve Court
Chester Crandell
John Fillmore
Doris Goodale Chairman
Eric Meyer
Lynne Pancrazi
Terri Proud
Anna Tovar
Kimberly Yee Vice-Chairman


Energy and Natural Resources

Brenda Barton
Kate Brophy McGee Vice-Chairman
Karen Fann
Peggy Judd
Daniel Patterson
Frank Pratt Chairman
Amanda A. Reeve
Macario Saldate IV
Bruce Wheeler


Environment

Edward Ableser
Lela Alston
Heather Carter
Chester Crandell
Karen Fann Vice-Chairman
Frank Pratt
Amanda A. Reeve Chairman



Employment and Regulatory Affairs

Eddie Farnsworth
John Fillmore
Sally Ann Gonzales
John Kavanagh
Justin Olson Vice-Chairman
Lynne Pancrazi
Daniel Patterson
Bob Robson Chairman
Kimberly Yee


Government

P. Ben Arredondo
Judy M. Burges Chairman
Tom Forese
David Gowan
Katie Hobbs
Eric Meyer
Steve B. Montenegro
Michelle Ugenti
Steve Urie Vice-Chairman


Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform

P. Ben Arredondo

Tom Chabin
Steve Court Chairman
Tom Forese Vice-Chairman
Doris Goodale
Steve B. Montenegro
Amanda A. Reeve
Macario Saldate IV
Ted Vogt

Health and Human Services
 
Matt Heinz
Cecil P. Ash Chairman
Brenda Barton
Kate Brophy McGee
Heather Carter Vice-Chairman
Sally Ann Gonzales
Katie Hobbs
Peggy Judd
Kimberly Yee


Judiciary

Cecil P. Ash
Tom Chabin
Eddie Farnsworth Chairman
Doris Goodale
Albert Hale
Jack W. Harper
David Burnell Smith Vice-Chairman
Anna Tovar
Ted Vogt


Military Affairs and Public Safety

Jeff Dial
Ruben Gallego
David Gowan Chairman
Albert Hale
Jack W. Harper
Richard Miranda
Terri Proud Vice-Chairman
David Burnell Smith
David W. Stevens



Rules

Kirk Adams
Chad Campbell
Matt Heinz
Debbie Lesko
Richard Miranda
Steve B. Montenegro
Bob Robson
Andrew M. Tobin Vice-Chairman
Jerry Weiers Chairman



Technology and Infrastructure

Edward Ableser
Jeff Dial
Terri Proud
Carl Seel
David W. Stevens Chairman
Michelle Ugenti Vice-Chairman
Bruce Wheeler


Transportation

Judy M. Burges
Karen Fann
Steve Farley
Rick Gray Vice-Chairman
Eric Meyer
Jerry Weiers
Vic Williams Chairman


Ways and Means

Tom Chabin
Steve Farley
Ruben Gallego
Rick Gray
Jack W. Harper Chairman
Debbie Lesko
Javan "J.D." Mesnard
Justin Olson
Ted Vogt Vice-Chairman

AZ Senate committee assignments for the 50th Arizona Legislature

First the Senate; the House list will be posted later today.

This list is by committee with the schedule meeting time (Democrats bolded); a list by the name of the senator is here.  All information subject to change with or without notice.

APPROPRIATIONS

Tuesday, 2:00 PM, SHR 109

Andy Biggs (R), Chairman
Ron Gould (R), Vice-chairman
Paula Aboud (D)
Sylvia Allen (R)
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D)
Rich Crandall (R)
Lori Klein (R)
Al Melvin (R)
Rick Murphy (R)
David Schapira (D)
Don Shooter (R)
Kyrsten Sinema (D)
Steve Smith (R)


BANKING AND INSURANCE

Tuesday, 2:00 PM, SHR 3

John McComish (R), Chairman
Michele Reagan (R), Vice-chairman
Adam Driggs (R)
Linda Gray (R)
Linda Lopez (D)
Robert Meza (D)


BORDER SECURITY, FEDERALISM AND STATES’ SOVEREIGNTY
Thursday, 9:00 AM, SHR 109

Sylvia Allen (R), Chairman
Steve Smith (R), Vice-chairman
Frank Antenori (R)
Steve Gallardo (D)
Gail Griffin (R)
Al Melvin (R)
Robert Meza (D)


COMMERCE AND ENERGY

Wednesday, 9:00 AM, SHR 3

Al Melvin (R), Chairman
Gail Griffin (R), Vice-chairman
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D)
Adam Driggs (R)
Robert Meza (D)
Michele Reagan (R)
Steve Yarbrough (R)


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS CREATION
Wednesday, 2:00 PM, SHR 109

Michele Reagan (R), Chairman
Al Melvin (R), Vice-chairman
Frank Antenori (R)
Rich Crandall (R)
Leah Landrum Taylor (D)
John McComish (R)
Robert Meza (D)


EDUCATION

Monday, Upon Adj. of Rules, SHR 3

Rich Crandall (R), Chairman
Nancy Barto (R), Vice-chairman
Sylvia Allen (R)
Linda Gray (R)
Lori Klein (R)
Linda Lopez (D)
David Schapira (D)
Steve Smith (R)


FINANCE

Thursday, 9:00 AM, SHR 1

Steve Yarbrough (R), Chairman
Scott Bundgaard (R), Vice-chairman
Paula Aboud (D)
Ron Gould (R)
Jack Jackson (D)
Lori Klein (R)
John McComish (R)


GOVERNMENT REFORM

Wednesday, 9:00 AM, SHR 1

Frank Antenori (R), Chairman
Andy Biggs (R), Vice-chairman
Steve Gallardo (D)
Ron Gould (R)
Lori Klein (R)
Kyrsten Sinema (D)
Steve Smith (R)


HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM
Wednesday, 2:00 PM, SHR 1

Nancy Barto (R), Chairman
Rick Murphy (R), Vice-chairman
Paula Aboud (D)
Linda Gray (R)
Linda Lopez (D)
John Nelson (R)


JUDICIARY

Monday, Upon Adj. of Rules, SHR 1

Ron Gould (R), Chairman
Andy Biggs (R), Vice-chairman
Scott Bundgaard (R)
Adam Driggs (R)
Steve Gallardo (D)
Rick Murphy (R)
Kyrsten Sinema (D)
Steve Yarbrough (R)


NATURAL RESOURCES AND TRANSPORTATION
Monday, Upon Adj. of Rules, SHR 109

John Nelson (R), Chairman
Steve Pierce (R), Vice-chairman
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D)
Gail Griffin (R)
Jack Jackson (D)
Don Shooter (R)


PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, 9:00 AM, SHR 109

Linda Gray (R), Chairman
Rick Murphy (R), Vice-chairman
Nancy Barto (R)
Rich Crandall (R)
Leah Landrum Taylor (D)
Linda Lopez (D)


RULES

Monday, Upon Adj. of Floor, Caucus Room 1

Russell Pearce (R), Chairman
Scott Bundgaard (R), Vice-chairman
Sylvia Allen (R)
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D)
Steve Pierce (R)
Kyrsten Sinema (D)


VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Tuesday, 9:00 AM, SHR 3

Adam Driggs (R), Chairman
John Nelson (R), Vice-chairman
Frank Antenori (R)
Gail Griffin (R)
Jack Jackson (D)
Leah Landrum Taylor (D)
Don Shooter (R)


WATER, LAND USE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Wednesday, 2:00 PM, SHR 3

Gail Griffin (R), Chairman
Don Shooter (R), Vice-chairman
Sylvia Allen (R)
Steve Gallardo (D)
Ron Gould (R)
Jack Jackson (D)

A Ray Of Hope For Working Arizonans: $0.10 Increase In The Minimum Wage

A marginally brighter New Year is still brighter...

From the Arizona Daily Star, written by Alex Dalenberg (dated December 13, 2010) -

Arizonans making minimum wage will see a small bump in their paychecks starting Jan. 1 when the state minimum increases 10 cents per hour to keep pace with the national cost of living.

The state minimum wage will increase from $7.25 to $7.35 per hour on New Year's Day and remain at that level throughout 2011. The new state minimum will also be 10 cents higher than the federal minimum wage, $7.25 per hour, which is required for the vast majority of Arizona businesses.

Tipped employees in Arizona will also get a 10-cent boost, from $4.25 to $4.35 per hour.

As Rebekah Friend, Executive Director of the Arizona AFL/CIO wrote (dated December 21, 2010) -

The minimum wage gives low-income working families some solution to these questions, and this New Year's Day it will automatically increase to keep up with a rising cost of living.
The minimum wage ensures that our society rewards hard work and that working families find economic security.

But until Arizona voters passed Proposition 202 in 2006 to raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation, its value had dropped to its lowest level in 51 years.

Now, yearly adjustments to keep up with the rising cost of living are helping to ensure that working families don't fall behind again.

On Jan. 1, the minimum wage in Arizona will increase by 10 cents to $7.35 an hour and to $4.35 an hour for tipped employees such as waiters.

A dime hardly seems like much, but the small boost gives low-paid workers more money to take care of their families - about $200 a year for a full-time minimum-wage employee.

These workers aren't simply high schoolers flipping burgers to pay for gas, as skeptics of the minimum wage sometimes portray them. Nationwide, adults make up more than 75 percent of those working for that rate.

Most significantly, when Arizonans voted to raise the minimum wage in 2006, they gave raises to the parents of an estimated 200,000 children.

Starting tomorrow, minimum wage earners in six other states - Colorado, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont and Washington - will also see small adjustments to their wages.





 

Arizona: Finally #1, I think...

While we are the worst, or one of the worst, states in terms of our support for education (depending what metric is used), and are near the bottom in many other areas - poverty, children without health insurance, percentage of Arizonans who are incarcerated (where a higher number is bad), etc. - as far as a can tell, we are number one in one area.

We seem to be the first state with a lawsuit over 2012 redistricting!!  We beat even Texas*!!  Whoooo hooooo!!!!

{Wiping away tears of joy} I'm so proud...


* = To be fair to Texas, they're still cleaning up after the last redistricting process.  I'm sure once they can focus on the present, they'll be back hard at work, screwing up their future.

Redistricting update: "Cry Havoc, and Loose The Dogs..."

...Of Litigation...

Having been unsurprisingly unsuccessful in their attempt to intimidate the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments into changing the pool of possible appointees to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) to one more of their liking, Russell Pearce and Kirk Adams are turning to the Arizona Supreme Court in another ploy to get their way.

From the Phoenix New Times' Stephen Lemons -

Well that didn't take long. As anticipated, state Senate President-elect Russell Pearce and his so-far compliant wingman state House Speaker Kirk Adams, are taking to court their bid to rig Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission.


After being shot down yesterday by the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, which showed some backbone and refused to remove three nominees to the IRC as Pearce and Adams had demanded, Pearce and Adams have asked the Arizona Supreme Court to weigh in and force the Commission to do the pair's bidding.

It's a move that has all the subtlety of a South American coup.

Didn't really need the last line of that quote for this post, but Lemons' line is a good one, and deserves a little recognition.  :)

The petition for special action went out over the names of Peter Gentala, counsel for the House of Representatives, and Gregrey Jernigan, counsel from the Senate, who will argue for Pearce and Adams.  The Appellate Court Appointments commission will be defended by the Arizona Attorney General's office, which, given the fact that Tom Horne, one of Pearce's fellow travellers on the nativist path to political power, will be the AG by the time this reaches a hearing, the "defense" may more closely resemble the Washington Generals than the Attorney General for this case.

And no matter how things turn out, the taxpayers will be footing the bill for both sides of the fight.

The Arizona Supreme Court's "high profile cases" webpage is here.  It contains both the special action filing (linked above, courtesy the Phoenix New Times) and a motion for expedited consideration.

Stay tuned...

Top 10 AZGOP “Are you kidding?” Moments of the 2010 Election

Earlier today, the Democratic National Committee released its list of the top 10 GOP jaw-droppers of the election season.

That has inspired an Arizona-centric list.  Much like the national list, there are many items that were worthy of consideration, but there's only room for 10.

10.  The incoming R caucus in the state senate electing Russell Pearce (R-National Alliance) as the body's president. They apparently took him at his word when he pledged to them that his focus would be on balancing the state's budget, not on attacking immigrants and immigration. 

So what are his plans for next week?  To venture to D.C. to pimp legislation attacking the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

9.  Jan Brewer announcing that there were headless bodies in the Arizona desert, left there by undocumented immigrants.

8.  Barry Wong, an R candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission, tried to "out-demonize" the nuts in his own party by campaigning on a plan to compel Arizona's utility companies (power, phone, water) to cut off services to undocumented immigrants.

7.  Trent Franks, Arizona's delegate to the IQ-deprived caucus in Congress, pronouncing that African-Americans were better off under slavery.

6.  John McCain - "Build the dang fence".

5.  Steve May, a former Republican legislator, trying to restart his career as an elected official by running for the legislature in LD17 and recruiting a number of homeless people from Tempe to run as faux Green Party candidates.  When his scheme was discovered and publicized nationally, he dropped out of the race, leaving his recruits hanging.

4.  Jon Kyl and John McCain, Arizona's Twin Terrors "Towers" in the U.S. Senate opposing *everything,* including some stuff that one or both had supported before this year - health care reform, DREAM Act, DADT repeal, START treaty, Wall St. regulation, etc.  If it was proposed, they trotted out the filibluster to block it.

3.  Joe Arpaio cracking open the piggy bank, even incurring a fine of almost $154K, in order to campaign against a fellow Republican.

2.  There was a wave of violent acts directed at Democrats all across the country, including here in Arizona.  Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' office was targeted because of her vote in favor of health care reform, and Congressman Raul Grijalva's office was targeted because of his vocal opposition to the nativists' SB1070. 

1.  Jan Brewer and the brain freeze that was heard 'round the world.



Still, of all of the jaw-droppers from the AZGOP this year, none of them top this video from Ohio for sheer entertainment value -



Later...

The corporatization of Arizona continuing apace...

...with a minor hiccup...

First, the hiccup.

From Mary K. Reinhart, writing for the Arizona Republic -

The commission charged with recommending ways to shrink state government is finding the task to be larger than expected.

Gov. Jan Brewer's Commission on Privatization and Efficiency was to have issued its final report this Friday. But a spokesman says it will be at least another month before it's finished.

So, Jan Brewer's organization created to identify the government functions that private corporations can profit from (OK - that they can use to siphon money from taxpayers into their own bank accounts) under the pretense of "efficiency" is in itself, inefficient? 

Shocking!

OK, not really.

Then, a legislative tie-in with the governor's move to "privatize" everything.

Sen. Linda Gray has prefiled a bill for the next legislative session, SB1018.  If passed, it would remove the requirement that the Arizona Department of Corrections administer a transition program for non-violent inmates.  The current law mandates both the creation and administration of a transition program by ADOC, with the actual services provided by private contractors.  Such a program would still exist, but its administration would be totally privatized, with reduced or no oversight of the services delivered.

Additionally, requirements that ADOC evaluate the inmates who are part of the transition program and that the contractors train and provide mentors as part of the transition program would be removed.

While I couldn't find direct ties between Sen. Gray and the private prison industry through her campaign finance reports - she runs as a Clean Elections-funded candidate.  However, most of her "seed" money contributions for at least the last couple of election cycles came from people employed by lobbying firms.

However, the biases of the members of the governor's commission to privatize everything are clearer -

Mark Brnovich, Brewer's commission chair, is a former talking head for the Goldwater Institute, an anti-society/pro-corporation "think tank" based in Arizona and a former lobbyist for a private prison company.

Welcome to Arizona where what's ours is for sale to the highest bidder.  The highest bribe-paying bidder, that is.

Look for more stuff in this vein as the legislative session unfolds.

PSA time - AZ road closures 12/30/2010

Updated at 6:45 p.m. on 12/30/2010:

From ADOT:

I-17 is now open in both directions. Traffic had been closed Wednesday due to snow and congestion. This reopening will allow motorists to move between Flagstaff and Phoenix, although drivers should expect longer-than-normal travel times and continued snowplow patrols. However, if conditions change drivers should be prepared for delays or temporary closures.


I-40 is now open in both directions after being closed earlier Thursday from roughly Kingman to Flagstaff to Holbrook. I-40 is a primary national transportation corridor and, like I-17, will remain a top priority for ADOT to keep clear and passable as weather conditions continue to evolve.

State Route 89A remains closed from Pumphouse Wash at milepost 386 to Forest Highlands Road at milepost 397 due to winter conditions and resource allocation. The highway may open late Thursday afternoon based on weather.

US 180 remains closed north of Flagstaff and is expected to remains so until at least Friday.

State Route 77 between Globe and Winkleman has been reopened.

State Route 366 in Graham County has been closed because gusting winds, snow and icy roads that are causing dangerous conditions. ADOT has deployed available crews and snow removal equipment from the Safford area to more heavily traveled routes on US 191 and US 70. With colder temperatures and more snow possible overnight, ADOT expects to keep SR 366 closed to all traffic until Saturday. Known locally as Swift Trail, SR 366 runs west off of US 191 south of Safford and goes to the top of Mount Graham.

US 191 is impassible between Morenci and Hannigan Meadow in Greenlee County because snow, wind and ice. Drivers should avoid using the highway, which leads into the White Mountains. Travel though this area is made more difficult by the closure of US 180 in New Mexico, which serves as an alternate route between Morenci and Alpine.

Other highways in northeastern Arizona, north of Payson, continue to experience extreme weather and whiteout conditions. State Route 87 and State Route 260 require snow chains or four-wheel-drive vehicles; temporary periods of closure in segments may be required based on current weather conditions.

Any further updates can be found at the website of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drive safely everyone...

End edit...


This blog has been receiving a number of hits on an old post that detailed some road closures in AZ approximately two years ago.  As a courtesy to the people looking for info on current weather related road closures, here the latest from the Arizona Department of Transportation -

Interstate 40 stretching through Kingman, Flagstaff and Holbrook (milepost 71 to 250) has been closed in both directions due to winter driving conditions.


I-17 northbound remains closed north of State Route 179. Traffic at this time is being diverted to southbound I-17. Drivers are advised to detour in advance or delay travels to avoid congestion at the turnaround.

I-17 southbound is closed at Airport Road, about two miles south of Flagstaff. Traffic is being rerouted back to the north. Travel south from Flagstaff at this time is not recommended; no reopen time has been established.

State Route 89A remains closed from Pumphouse Wash at milepost 386 to Forest Highlands Road at milepost 397 due to winter conditions and resource allocation.

In other words, avoid travel in northern Arizona.  If you are already there, hunker down and stay warm for a couple of days.
 
For more updates, call 5 - 1 - 1 or visit www.az511.gov/ (link not working right now, probably due to heavy site traffic) before venturing out.