All info gathered from the websites of the relevent public bodies/agencies, and is subject to change without notice.
Federal level -
In the House, the agenda for the week is focused on the Republicans' H.R. 2, "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act." Related: H. Res. 9, "Instructing certain committees to report legislation replacing the job-killing health care law."
The Senate isn't in session this week.
Arizona level -
The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have a full meeting scheduled for this week. It's hearing schedule is here.
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission doesn't have a meeting this week, either. They are seeking applicants for an open spot on the Commission. Interested folks who aren't registered as Democrats or Republicans and who do NOT reside in Maricopa County can apply (there are other requirements, but those are the big ones).
The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project is meeting on Thursday to select new officers, hold an orientation for new members on the topic of internal audit, and hold a meeting of the Finance, Audit, and Power Committee.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a Special Meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. The agenda looks quiet, but as is usual for this bunch, there's an executive session planned.
The Tempe City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's City Council Calendar is here.
The Scottsdale City Council doesn't have a meeting scheduled for this week. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Bad news, better news, GREAT news...
First the bad news - the Patriots lost today. :((
Good news - pitchers and catchers report in less than a month.
GREAT news - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' condition has been upgraded to "serious," from "critical."
YES!!!
Interesting news: This blog had a hit earlier today from an ISP located in Washington, D.C. Not an unusual occurence in itself.
The name of that ISP?
The search that brought that user here was a Google search of the terms "Arizona bill federal agencies registration with sheriff".
Note to any other folks interested in that particular bill - it's HB2077. The fact sheet/summary prepared by legislative staff is here. It is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in House Hearing Room 4.
I'll be at the AZ Supreme Court for arguments in the redistricting lawsuit brought by Sen. Russell Pearce and Rep. Kirk Adams.
Good news - pitchers and catchers report in less than a month.
GREAT news - Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' condition has been upgraded to "serious," from "critical."
YES!!!
Interesting news: This blog had a hit earlier today from an ISP located in Washington, D.C. Not an unusual occurence in itself.
The name of that ISP?
Executive Office Of The President Usa*That's* unusual.
The search that brought that user here was a Google search of the terms "Arizona bill federal agencies registration with sheriff".
Note to any other folks interested in that particular bill - it's HB2077. The fact sheet/summary prepared by legislative staff is here. It is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in House Hearing Room 4.
I'll be at the AZ Supreme Court for arguments in the redistricting lawsuit brought by Sen. Russell Pearce and Rep. Kirk Adams.
The coming week: legislative edition
Welcome to the first schedule post of 2011...
All information gathered from the website of the Arizona Legislature and subject to change without notice.
Note: An "HHR" prefix indicates that the meeting place is in a hearing room in the House building, and an "SHR" prefix indicates a hearing room in the Senate building.
At the legislature this week, no committee hearings are scheduled for Monday, probably due to it being the legal holiday to mark the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
On the House side of the quad this week -
- Education will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in HHR3. Housekeeping meeting with nothing significant on the agenda at this time.
- Joint Appropriations will meet Tuesday at ~9:15 a.m. in HHR1. They will receive a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Probably the week's most significant committee hearing.
- Government will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR4. Scheduled highlights include HB2077, requiring federal agencies to register with a county's sheriff and make a payment to said sheriff before operating in that county.
- Environment will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR5. No bills scheduled for hearing. They will receive presentations from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, County Supervisors Association, Maricopa County, Pima County, Pinal County, Maricopa Association of Governments, and Pima Association of Governments.
- Employment and Regulatory Affairs will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m in HHR3. On the agenda: consideration of HB2025, a special assessment to help bring the state's unemployment insurance fund out of the red, and a presentation from the administrator of the state's primary public employee pension funds.
- Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Presentations from Davis-Monthan AFB, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Veterans' Services.
- Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR2. Presentations from Drs. Michael Crow (President of ASU), Robert Shelton (U of A), John Haeger (NAU) and Tom Anderes (Board of Regents).
- Commerce will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Short, discussion-only, agenda, and none of the bills on it look particularly bad.
- Health and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. in HHR4. Short agenda, none of the bills currently on it look particularly bad.
- Appropriations will meet on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in HHR1. Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and School Facilities Board/Statewide Debt. One bill on the agenda: HB2016, removing a lot of budget-related reports currently required by law.
- Transportation will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. No bills on the agenda currently, just a presentation from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
- Technology and Infrastructure will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR1. Housekeeping meeting.
- Agriculture and Water will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Presentations from Arizona Farm Bureau, Arizona Horse Council, and Arizona State Land Department.
- Judiciary will meet Thursday at 10 a.m. in HHR4. Housekeeping meeting.
- Ways and Means will meet on Thursday at 2 p.m. in HHR1. On the agenda: HB2008, relating to internal revenue code conformity (I don't understand the language of this one, and it's from Jack Harper, who's *never* been known for introducing clean, "good governance" bills, so this one may merit a close eye); HB2069, relating to "corporate income tax; sales factor"; and HCR2006, raising the business personal property tax exemption amount from $50K to "an amount equal to the earnings per employee of twenty workers in this state according to a designated national measure of earnings per employee adjusted annually as provided by law." Better known as a "return on investment" proposal for the big businesses who contributed to various Republican campaigns this past cycle.
...On the Senate side -
- Veterans' and Military Affairs will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in SHR3. Only one measure on the agenda, and it should be non-controversial: SCR1009, honoring Hopi Code Talkers.
- Joint Appropriations will meet on Tuesday at ~9:15 a.m. in HHR1. They will receive a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Probably the week's most significant committee hearing.
- Banking and Insurance will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3. Only bill on the agenda: SB1102, making changes to law to continue/complete the privatization of the state's Worker's Compensation Fund.
- Appropriations will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109. Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and School Facilities Board/Statewide Debt.
- Public Safety and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR3. Seven bills on the agenda that didn't look to bad upon a cursory examination.
- Governrment Reform will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Housekeeping meeting.
- Commerce and Energy will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR109. Presentations from SRP and APS and consideration of SB1086, banning the use of fake ID by minors to purchase tobacco products and prohibiting the manufacture, sale or distribution of "blunt wraps," defined in the bill as "an individual tobacco wrapper, also known as a wrap or roll-your-own cigar wrap, which is made wholly or in part from tobacco, including reconstituted tobacco, whether in the form of tobacco leaf, sheet or tube, if the wrap is designed to be offered to or purchased by a consumer.”
- Water, Land Use, and Rural Development will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3. Presentations by Central Arizona Water Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Districts.
- Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR1. A few items on the agenda. One interesting one: SB1122, making "health care sharing ministries" tax exempt. This one is from Nancy Barto, who is vehemently opposed to making health care more accessible to the general public, but apparently if one is devout enough...?
- Economic Development and Jobs Creation will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109. Presentations on ecconomic development from Arizona State University, Curis, AECOM, Arizona's Workers' Compensation System.
- Finance will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR1. A number of technical bills on the agenda that I don't completely understand.
- Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR109. Let the nativist looniness begin. Presentations from the Cochise County Sheriff, Pinal County Sheriff, US Border Patrol, and a civilian representative of the Arizona Department of Public Safety's GITEM Task Force (gang task force). Consideration of SB1046 ("juvenile corrections; discharge; ICE detainers"); SB1136 (a move to block a Tohono O'odham resort in the West Valley); and SR1001 (a resolution declaring that a casino in the West Valley is a "state sovereignty" issue and they will fight against it with every taxpayer dollar at their disposal [OK, they didn't use the language in that last part. But it's what they mean.])
Judiciary will meet Thursday upon adjournment of the Senate floor session in SHR1. Let the ugly begin. The lowlights include consideration of SB1117, allowing the legislature, independent of the executive branch (i.e. - the Governor and AG), to "direct counsel" to appear in state or federal court on behalf of the respective chambers of the lege to protect last year's SB1070 from legal challenges and SCR1010, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution that would bar Arizona courts from considering "the legal precepts of other nations or cultures" when rendering their decisions. Many of the other bills on the agenda have a high potential for ideologically-based mischief, too.
- On Friday at 9 a.m., the three subcommitteesof the Appropriations Committee will hold budget hearings for various agencies and departments. Agendas here, here, and here.
Other events posted for the Capitol (and environs) this week:
Tuesday is the Annual Tribal Day at the Legislature (a number of events taking place all day)
Wednesday, the Nucleus Club will host Greg Stanton, a member of the Phoenix City Council and candidate for mayor.
Saturday, both the Arizona Democratic Party (9 a.m - 6 p.m., Wyndham Phoenix) and the Arizona Republican Party (8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Church of the Nations, Phoenix) will hold their biennial reorganization meetings.
All information gathered from the website of the Arizona Legislature and subject to change without notice.
Note: An "HHR" prefix indicates that the meeting place is in a hearing room in the House building, and an "SHR" prefix indicates a hearing room in the Senate building.
At the legislature this week, no committee hearings are scheduled for Monday, probably due to it being the legal holiday to mark the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
On the House side of the quad this week -
- Education will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in HHR3. Housekeeping meeting with nothing significant on the agenda at this time.
- Joint Appropriations will meet Tuesday at ~9:15 a.m. in HHR1. They will receive a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Probably the week's most significant committee hearing.
- Government will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR4. Scheduled highlights include HB2077, requiring federal agencies to register with a county's sheriff and make a payment to said sheriff before operating in that county.
- Environment will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR5. No bills scheduled for hearing. They will receive presentations from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, County Supervisors Association, Maricopa County, Pima County, Pinal County, Maricopa Association of Governments, and Pima Association of Governments.
- Employment and Regulatory Affairs will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m in HHR3. On the agenda: consideration of HB2025, a special assessment to help bring the state's unemployment insurance fund out of the red, and a presentation from the administrator of the state's primary public employee pension funds.
- Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Presentations from Davis-Monthan AFB, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Veterans' Services.
- Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR2. Presentations from Drs. Michael Crow (President of ASU), Robert Shelton (U of A), John Haeger (NAU) and Tom Anderes (Board of Regents).
- Commerce will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Short, discussion-only, agenda, and none of the bills on it look particularly bad.
- Health and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. in HHR4. Short agenda, none of the bills currently on it look particularly bad.
- Appropriations will meet on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in HHR1. Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and School Facilities Board/Statewide Debt. One bill on the agenda: HB2016, removing a lot of budget-related reports currently required by law.
- Transportation will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. No bills on the agenda currently, just a presentation from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
- Technology and Infrastructure will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR1. Housekeeping meeting.
- Agriculture and Water will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Presentations from Arizona Farm Bureau, Arizona Horse Council, and Arizona State Land Department.
- Judiciary will meet Thursday at 10 a.m. in HHR4. Housekeeping meeting.
- Ways and Means will meet on Thursday at 2 p.m. in HHR1. On the agenda: HB2008, relating to internal revenue code conformity (I don't understand the language of this one, and it's from Jack Harper, who's *never* been known for introducing clean, "good governance" bills, so this one may merit a close eye); HB2069, relating to "corporate income tax; sales factor"; and HCR2006, raising the business personal property tax exemption amount from $50K to "an amount equal to the earnings per employee of twenty workers in this state according to a designated national measure of earnings per employee adjusted annually as provided by law." Better known as a "return on investment" proposal for the big businesses who contributed to various Republican campaigns this past cycle.
...On the Senate side -
- Veterans' and Military Affairs will meet Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in SHR3. Only one measure on the agenda, and it should be non-controversial: SCR1009, honoring Hopi Code Talkers.
- Joint Appropriations will meet on Tuesday at ~9:15 a.m. in HHR1. They will receive a presentation on the Governor's budget proposal. Probably the week's most significant committee hearing.
- Banking and Insurance will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3. Only bill on the agenda: SB1102, making changes to law to continue/complete the privatization of the state's Worker's Compensation Fund.
- Appropriations will meet Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109. Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and School Facilities Board/Statewide Debt.
- Public Safety and Human Services will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR3. Seven bills on the agenda that didn't look to bad upon a cursory examination.
- Governrment Reform will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR1. Housekeeping meeting.
- Commerce and Energy will meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR109. Presentations from SRP and APS and consideration of SB1086, banning the use of fake ID by minors to purchase tobacco products and prohibiting the manufacture, sale or distribution of "blunt wraps," defined in the bill as "an individual tobacco wrapper, also known as a wrap or roll-your-own cigar wrap, which is made wholly or in part from tobacco, including reconstituted tobacco, whether in the form of tobacco leaf, sheet or tube, if the wrap is designed to be offered to or purchased by a consumer.”
- Water, Land Use, and Rural Development will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3. Presentations by Central Arizona Water Conservation District and Natural Resource Conservation Districts.
- Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR1. A few items on the agenda. One interesting one: SB1122, making "health care sharing ministries" tax exempt. This one is from Nancy Barto, who is vehemently opposed to making health care more accessible to the general public, but apparently if one is devout enough...?
- Economic Development and Jobs Creation will meet Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109. Presentations on ecconomic development from Arizona State University, Curis, AECOM, Arizona's Workers' Compensation System.
- Finance will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR1. A number of technical bills on the agenda that I don't completely understand.
- Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR109. Let the nativist looniness begin. Presentations from the Cochise County Sheriff, Pinal County Sheriff, US Border Patrol, and a civilian representative of the Arizona Department of Public Safety's GITEM Task Force (gang task force). Consideration of SB1046 ("juvenile corrections; discharge; ICE detainers"); SB1136 (a move to block a Tohono O'odham resort in the West Valley); and SR1001 (a resolution declaring that a casino in the West Valley is a "state sovereignty" issue and they will fight against it with every taxpayer dollar at their disposal [OK, they didn't use the language in that last part. But it's what they mean.])
Judiciary will meet Thursday upon adjournment of the Senate floor session in SHR1. Let the ugly begin. The lowlights include consideration of SB1117, allowing the legislature, independent of the executive branch (i.e. - the Governor and AG), to "direct counsel" to appear in state or federal court on behalf of the respective chambers of the lege to protect last year's SB1070 from legal challenges and SCR1010, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution that would bar Arizona courts from considering "the legal precepts of other nations or cultures" when rendering their decisions. Many of the other bills on the agenda have a high potential for ideologically-based mischief, too.
- On Friday at 9 a.m., the three subcommitteesof the Appropriations Committee will hold budget hearings for various agencies and departments. Agendas here, here, and here.
Other events posted for the Capitol (and environs) this week:
Tuesday is the Annual Tribal Day at the Legislature (a number of events taking place all day)
Wednesday, the Nucleus Club will host Greg Stanton, a member of the Phoenix City Council and candidate for mayor.
Saturday, both the Arizona Democratic Party (9 a.m - 6 p.m., Wyndham Phoenix) and the Arizona Republican Party (8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Church of the Nations, Phoenix) will hold their biennial reorganization meetings.
Redistricting update: AZ Supreme Court Hearing On Tuesday
As most observers of AZ's political scene already know, there has already been a lawsuit filed over redistricting even though the redistricting commission has yet to be formed, much less do any of its work.
The Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments waded through the applications of 79 people interested in being a part of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) and forwarded a list of 25 applicants, 10 Democrats, 10 Republicans, and 5 Independents, to the leadership of the legislature.
There, the leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses of each chamber will select one member of the AIRC, and the four members thus selected will select a fifth member from the list of Independents to serve as the chair of the AIRC.
Russell Pearce and Kirk Adams, President of the Arizona State Senate and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, weren't pleased with the list of candidates, and filed suit to force the Appellate Court Appointments commission to reopen nominations for the AIRC. They want some candidates more to their liking and they want to knock off one of the Independent candidates, Professor Paul Bender.
Their stated objection to Bender is that he has served as a judge for a couple of tribal nation courts, and the law that creates the AIRC specifically excludes anyone who has held public office in Arizona within the previous three years from serving on the AIRC.
Pearce and Adams argue that Bender's work for a tribal court renders him ineligible for the AIRC and his name should be removed from consideration.
It seems more likely they object both to Bender's political opinions (he's done work for the ACLU! Horrors!) and the unlikelihood of their being able to persuade/intimidate him in the event he is selected to chair the AIRC.
Due to the immediate nature of the work of the AIRC and the need to resolve the lawsuit quickly, the Arizona Supreme Court set an expedited date to hear arguments.
The case is set for a hearing on Tuesday at 2 p.m in the State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington in Phoenix.
Three groups have filed "amicus curiae," or "friend of the court" briefs with the Court, weighing in on the matter.
Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney has weighed in on the case, supporting the request of Pearce and Adams. Her filing focused on both Bender's activities with the tribal courts and a perceived lack of geographical diversity on the part of the applicants whose names were forwarded to the legislative leadership (nine out of the 10 Rs in the pool are from Maricopa County).
Republican Congressmen Trent Franks, Ben Quayle, Paul Gosar, David Schweikert, and Jeff Flake also weighed in on the side of Pearce and Adams, focusing on eligibility issues. They argue that public service *anywhere*, even in a non-Arizona office, disqualifies someone from membership on the AIRC.
Lattie Coor (retired ASU president), Paul Johnson (former Mayor of Phoenix), the Valley Citizens League, and the Arizona Latino Research Enterprise filed a brief in support of Professor Bender. They argue that holding a tribal office doesn't qualify as a public office in Arizona because the State of Arizona has no say in how such an office is filled by the tribe in question.
Mary O'Grady, Solicitor General for the State of Arizona, responded on behalf of the Arizona Attorney General. In her response to the Pearce/Adams suit, she argued that all 25 members of the applicant pool are eligible to serve on the AIRC. In addition, the response argued that the underlying suit was premature and shouldn't have been filed until the applicants that Pearce and Adams feel are unqualified are actually appointed to the AIRC.
All of the filings with the court cite scads of precedents in support of their arguments, and not being a lawyer, I truly have no idea who has presented the strongest legal arguments.
Guess we'll find out Tuesday.
Later...
The Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments waded through the applications of 79 people interested in being a part of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) and forwarded a list of 25 applicants, 10 Democrats, 10 Republicans, and 5 Independents, to the leadership of the legislature.
There, the leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses of each chamber will select one member of the AIRC, and the four members thus selected will select a fifth member from the list of Independents to serve as the chair of the AIRC.
Russell Pearce and Kirk Adams, President of the Arizona State Senate and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, weren't pleased with the list of candidates, and filed suit to force the Appellate Court Appointments commission to reopen nominations for the AIRC. They want some candidates more to their liking and they want to knock off one of the Independent candidates, Professor Paul Bender.
Their stated objection to Bender is that he has served as a judge for a couple of tribal nation courts, and the law that creates the AIRC specifically excludes anyone who has held public office in Arizona within the previous three years from serving on the AIRC.
Pearce and Adams argue that Bender's work for a tribal court renders him ineligible for the AIRC and his name should be removed from consideration.
It seems more likely they object both to Bender's political opinions (he's done work for the ACLU! Horrors!) and the unlikelihood of their being able to persuade/intimidate him in the event he is selected to chair the AIRC.
Due to the immediate nature of the work of the AIRC and the need to resolve the lawsuit quickly, the Arizona Supreme Court set an expedited date to hear arguments.
The case is set for a hearing on Tuesday at 2 p.m in the State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington in Phoenix.
Three groups have filed "amicus curiae," or "friend of the court" briefs with the Court, weighing in on the matter.
Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney has weighed in on the case, supporting the request of Pearce and Adams. Her filing focused on both Bender's activities with the tribal courts and a perceived lack of geographical diversity on the part of the applicants whose names were forwarded to the legislative leadership (nine out of the 10 Rs in the pool are from Maricopa County).
Republican Congressmen Trent Franks, Ben Quayle, Paul Gosar, David Schweikert, and Jeff Flake also weighed in on the side of Pearce and Adams, focusing on eligibility issues. They argue that public service *anywhere*, even in a non-Arizona office, disqualifies someone from membership on the AIRC.
Lattie Coor (retired ASU president), Paul Johnson (former Mayor of Phoenix), the Valley Citizens League, and the Arizona Latino Research Enterprise filed a brief in support of Professor Bender. They argue that holding a tribal office doesn't qualify as a public office in Arizona because the State of Arizona has no say in how such an office is filled by the tribe in question.
Mary O'Grady, Solicitor General for the State of Arizona, responded on behalf of the Arizona Attorney General. In her response to the Pearce/Adams suit, she argued that all 25 members of the applicant pool are eligible to serve on the AIRC. In addition, the response argued that the underlying suit was premature and shouldn't have been filed until the applicants that Pearce and Adams feel are unqualified are actually appointed to the AIRC.
All of the filings with the court cite scads of precedents in support of their arguments, and not being a lawyer, I truly have no idea who has presented the strongest legal arguments.
Guess we'll find out Tuesday.
Later...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Governor's proposed budget: tells home owners, poor, students, that she thinks that they're #1...
...only she that isn't her *index* finger that she's waggling in the air...
Corporations and their executives and lobbyists are smiling today. The Governor released her budget proposal Friday, to loud praise from Republicans in the legislature, and louder criticism from Democrats...educators...students...human service advocates...home owners....
Her budget...
...transfers at least $62 million in tax burden from corporations to individual home owners
...seeks to deny health care services for 280K Arizonans, including the seriously mentally ill
..cuts another quarter BILLION dollars from higher education, all but ensuring more massive tuition hikes for Arizona's next generation
...forces Arizona's cash-strapped K-12 school districts, already reeling from years of state-level attacks on their fiscal stability, to absorb millions more in borrowing costs foisted off on them by the state's mismanagment
This is just the first step in what is likely to be a long process (but not as long as it could be - the Rs have supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature and will pass anything that they want to, even if one or two individual members of their caucus balks at the ugliness proposed by Jan Brewer and her lobbyist-advisers).
State Rep. Carl Seel (R-Minuteman) has already proposed an amendment to the Arizona Constitution to reduce the income eligibility level for AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program), currently at 100% of the federal poverty level.
On Tuesday, there will be a meeting of the joint appropriations committees of the House and Senate in HHR1 at approximately 9:15 a.m. At that time, they'll receive a presentation on the budget proposal from the Governor's Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting.
More:
From the Governor: the central web page on the budget is here; a presentation on the background of the budget here; a presentation on the budget proposal here; summary of the proposal here; a detailed version here; appendices are here.
Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic has a story on the budget proposal here; Mary K. Reinhart of the Republic has a story here; Alia Beard Rau has an analysis of the proposal's effect on higher ed is here; Reinhart has a piece on public safety impacts here; an AZ Republic uncredited piece with more numbers and reaction from legislators and those affected by the proposal is here.
The Arizona Capitol Times has coverage also, but that coverage is behind a subscription firewall.
Later...
Corporations and their executives and lobbyists are smiling today. The Governor released her budget proposal Friday, to loud praise from Republicans in the legislature, and louder criticism from Democrats...educators...students...human service advocates...home owners....
Her budget...
...transfers at least $62 million in tax burden from corporations to individual home owners
...seeks to deny health care services for 280K Arizonans, including the seriously mentally ill
..cuts another quarter BILLION dollars from higher education, all but ensuring more massive tuition hikes for Arizona's next generation
...forces Arizona's cash-strapped K-12 school districts, already reeling from years of state-level attacks on their fiscal stability, to absorb millions more in borrowing costs foisted off on them by the state's mismanagment
This is just the first step in what is likely to be a long process (but not as long as it could be - the Rs have supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature and will pass anything that they want to, even if one or two individual members of their caucus balks at the ugliness proposed by Jan Brewer and her lobbyist-advisers).
State Rep. Carl Seel (R-Minuteman) has already proposed an amendment to the Arizona Constitution to reduce the income eligibility level for AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program), currently at 100% of the federal poverty level.
On Tuesday, there will be a meeting of the joint appropriations committees of the House and Senate in HHR1 at approximately 9:15 a.m. At that time, they'll receive a presentation on the budget proposal from the Governor's Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting.
More:
From the Governor: the central web page on the budget is here; a presentation on the background of the budget here; a presentation on the budget proposal here; summary of the proposal here; a detailed version here; appendices are here.
Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic has a story on the budget proposal here; Mary K. Reinhart of the Republic has a story here; Alia Beard Rau has an analysis of the proposal's effect on higher ed is here; Reinhart has a piece on public safety impacts here; an AZ Republic uncredited piece with more numbers and reaction from legislators and those affected by the proposal is here.
The Arizona Capitol Times has coverage also, but that coverage is behind a subscription firewall.
Later...
Friday, January 14, 2011
The AZGOP, staunch defenders of private property rights...except when they aren't
There has been an ongoing battle going on between the Tohono O'odham Nation (a southern AZ tribal nation) and the City of Glendale and some state legislators.
The Nation legally acquired some unincorporated land near Glendale in the west Valley part of metro Phoenix and is planning to put up a resort and casino on the parcel. The City of Glendale has objected to the plan, and aided and abetted by a group of legislators, have sued to block the transfer of the land to reservation status (that change in status is necessary before the Nation can construct a casino there).
Thus far, the City and the legislators have, thus far, been unsuccessful in court, but the litigation is continuing.
Now, the Republicans in the legislature are trying a different tactic.
They've introduced SB1136, which if passed and signed into law, would allow cities and towns in counties "with a population of more than three hundred fifty thousand persons" to annex unincorporated land that the city or town encircles or borders on three sides if the land owner applies to the federal government to take ownership or to hold in trust the land.
Reservations are considered "trust" lands.
In addition, the measure only requires a majority vote of the city or town council of the annexing municipality, and a 2/3 vote of that body would make the annexation immediately effective.
In short, the way the bill is worded, it could forestall efforts to place the land in trust for the Tohono O'odham Nation, especially if the bill is passed before the court fight works itself out.
The bill has an "emergency clause" attached to it, so if it is passed by a 2/3 vote (and the Rs have a 2/3 majority in each chamber of the legislature), it will go into effect immediately.
It also is being fast-tracked - it is already scheduled for a committee hearing on next Thursday.
The R railroad of ugly legislation may have taken the week off in the aftermath of Saturday's shootings, but it look like it will be back up to full speed by next week.
And the word "ugly" is the right one here.
ARS 9-471 covers the municipal annexation process currently in effect, and to sum up very briefly, takes public notice, working with the land owners and residents of the affected area, and more than a year to complete.
However, this bill would make the process of annexing land that is legally owned by a tribal nation, but is not part of a reservation, as simple as calling a meeting of the local city council, notwithstanding any objections from the affected land owner.
On the other hand, if a city wants to annex land that is owned by someone else, saaayyyyyy an Anglo or a corporation, there are all sorts of hoops that the municipality must go through, and it's a relatively easy move to block if a majority of affected land owners object.
I've got phone calls and an email out to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to for more info on this one, but it seems likely that the Legislature is leading us toward another lawsuit, one that will be both expensive and futile.
Look for an update next week.
Notes:
- Currently, there are only two counties in Arizona with more than 350K people - Maricopa and Pima. Maricopa is the epicenter of this legal fight, and Pima is the home of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
- The Tohono O'odham Nation is located in LD25, where the delegates to the legislature are Reps. Peggy Judd and David Stevens, and Sen. Gail Griffin (Rs all). None have signed onto the bill as yet, but Griffin is a member of the committee that is scheduled to hear the bill on Thursday.
Should be an interesting hearing for the freshman senator.
- Tucson area Sens. Al Melvin (R-LD26) and Frank Antenori (R-LD30) have cosponsored the bill, as has Sen. Steve Smith (R-LD23) of Pinal County. The other 11 sponsors/cosponsors are from Maricopa County or points north.
The Nation legally acquired some unincorporated land near Glendale in the west Valley part of metro Phoenix and is planning to put up a resort and casino on the parcel. The City of Glendale has objected to the plan, and aided and abetted by a group of legislators, have sued to block the transfer of the land to reservation status (that change in status is necessary before the Nation can construct a casino there).
Thus far, the City and the legislators have, thus far, been unsuccessful in court, but the litigation is continuing.
Now, the Republicans in the legislature are trying a different tactic.
They've introduced SB1136, which if passed and signed into law, would allow cities and towns in counties "with a population of more than three hundred fifty thousand persons" to annex unincorporated land that the city or town encircles or borders on three sides if the land owner applies to the federal government to take ownership or to hold in trust the land.
Reservations are considered "trust" lands.
In addition, the measure only requires a majority vote of the city or town council of the annexing municipality, and a 2/3 vote of that body would make the annexation immediately effective.
In short, the way the bill is worded, it could forestall efforts to place the land in trust for the Tohono O'odham Nation, especially if the bill is passed before the court fight works itself out.
The bill has an "emergency clause" attached to it, so if it is passed by a 2/3 vote (and the Rs have a 2/3 majority in each chamber of the legislature), it will go into effect immediately.
It also is being fast-tracked - it is already scheduled for a committee hearing on next Thursday.
The R railroad of ugly legislation may have taken the week off in the aftermath of Saturday's shootings, but it look like it will be back up to full speed by next week.
And the word "ugly" is the right one here.
ARS 9-471 covers the municipal annexation process currently in effect, and to sum up very briefly, takes public notice, working with the land owners and residents of the affected area, and more than a year to complete.
However, this bill would make the process of annexing land that is legally owned by a tribal nation, but is not part of a reservation, as simple as calling a meeting of the local city council, notwithstanding any objections from the affected land owner.
On the other hand, if a city wants to annex land that is owned by someone else, saaayyyyyy an Anglo or a corporation, there are all sorts of hoops that the municipality must go through, and it's a relatively easy move to block if a majority of affected land owners object.
I've got phone calls and an email out to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to for more info on this one, but it seems likely that the Legislature is leading us toward another lawsuit, one that will be both expensive and futile.
Look for an update next week.
Notes:
- Currently, there are only two counties in Arizona with more than 350K people - Maricopa and Pima. Maricopa is the epicenter of this legal fight, and Pima is the home of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
- The Tohono O'odham Nation is located in LD25, where the delegates to the legislature are Reps. Peggy Judd and David Stevens, and Sen. Gail Griffin (Rs all). None have signed onto the bill as yet, but Griffin is a member of the committee that is scheduled to hear the bill on Thursday.
Should be an interesting hearing for the freshman senator.
- Tucson area Sens. Al Melvin (R-LD26) and Frank Antenori (R-LD30) have cosponsored the bill, as has Sen. Steve Smith (R-LD23) of Pinal County. The other 11 sponsors/cosponsors are from Maricopa County or points north.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Legislators and guns in public buildings
Update on 1/14 -
After I wrote this post yesterday, KPHO (Phoenix channel 5) posted a piece on this same subject.
From that piece -
End edit...
State law prohibits guns from being carried into public buildings, however, the state Legislature is allowed to have its own rules.
Slightly obscured by the hubbub of the week was the fact that at least one legislator, Sen. Lori Klein (R-LD6), had a firearm in her possession on the floor of the House during the Governor's speech on Monday.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -
Caveat regarding what I'm about to write: I am NOT a lawyer, just a reasonably intelligent layman who is taking the time to research the laws in Arizona. I freely concede that I could have missed something significant. For example, I don't have access to case rulings, nor do I even have access to WestLaw to begin even basic research in that area. All of what follows is based on reading the text of applicable laws and provisions in the Arizona Constitution.
The applicable section of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) seems to be Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 31.
ARS 13-3102 states -
I cannot find any section of the ARS that "authorizes" or exempts from this section legislators solely by virtue of being legislators. Individual legislators may fall into one or another exemption because of some other criteria (retired law enforcement?), but legislators as a group do not seem to have an exemption. There does seem to be a little wiggle room in the language "after a reasonable request by the operator of the establishment."
Other than Monday, I've never seen anyone who was screened prior to entering the House or the Senate, nor have I ever seen someone asked if they were carrying a weapon. If no one on the operations staff asks a legislator if they're "packing heat", and the legislators don't tell anyone, there may not be a violation under this section.
Call it Arizona's version of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Of course, Arizona's legislators keep "telling."
However, even that possible loophole isn't actually an *exemption*.
It's more a "wink and a nod."
Other folks brought to my attention clauses in the Arizona Constitution that might provide an "exemption" cover for Klein and the other "pistol packin' " legislators. They don't seem to, to me anyway, but you be the judge.
Article 4, Part 2, Section 8 of the AZ Constitution states -
The closest thing to an actual exemption that I could find was in Article 4, Part 2, Section 6 -
Based on that provision of the AZ Constitution, she (and the other carriers in the lege) seem to be immune from *arrest* for a misdemeanor, but I can't find anything that immunizes them from *prosecution.* A citation, summons, and fine wouldn't seem to violate the immunization from arrest clause.
I can understand the practical reasons why the Arizona Capitol Police don't want to cite a sitting legislator for something like this (talk about kicking over a political hornet's nest!), but even they shouldn't be expected to protect legislators from their own verbal diarrhea.
Any lawyers reading this are welcome, even requested, to provide clarifications and corrections to what I've written. Please provide links in your comments.
Thanks!
After I wrote this post yesterday, KPHO (Phoenix channel 5) posted a piece on this same subject.
From that piece -
Senate President Russell Pearce of Mesa told CBS 5 News that even though the signs are up, there has always been a "don't ask, don't tell policy" when it comes to lawmakers carrying weapons.Wonder if he got that phrase from reading this post? :)
End edit...
State law prohibits guns from being carried into public buildings, however, the state Legislature is allowed to have its own rules.
Slightly obscured by the hubbub of the week was the fact that at least one legislator, Sen. Lori Klein (R-LD6), had a firearm in her possession on the floor of the House during the Governor's speech on Monday.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -
New state Sen. Lori Klein brought a special guest to the state Capitol Monday, and it wasn't Joe the Plumber, the subject of her first news release."Exempt"? Really?? It doesn't seem so, well, not exactly anyway.
It was her .38 special, which she carried in her purse.
“I pack,” the Anthem Republican said. “Our safety is our personal responsibility.”
Klein carried the gun with her at the Senate, and then to the House, where the chamber was crammed with 90 lawmakers, their families and friends, the Supreme Court justices, dignitaries from across Arizona and others, all awaiting Gov. Jan Brewer's State of the State speech, which had a somber, reflective tone in light of the mass shooting in Tucson.
{snip}
House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, said he was unaware that Klein had entered the House floor with a gun, and declined to comment on the matter.
House rules, he said, are silent on the issue of whether members can carry guns on the floor.
Klein, who took the oath of office Monday, said she believes lawmakers aren't subject to gun restrictions.
“We're exempt, so we can carry,” she said.
Caveat regarding what I'm about to write: I am NOT a lawyer, just a reasonably intelligent layman who is taking the time to research the laws in Arizona. I freely concede that I could have missed something significant. For example, I don't have access to case rulings, nor do I even have access to WestLaw to begin even basic research in that area. All of what follows is based on reading the text of applicable laws and provisions in the Arizona Constitution.
The applicable section of the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) seems to be Title 13 (Criminal Code), Chapter 31.
ARS 13-3102 states -
A. A person commits misconduct involving weapons by knowingly:
{snip}
10. Unless specifically authorized by law, entering any public establishment or attending any public event and carrying a deadly weapon on his person after a reasonable request by the operator of the establishment or the sponsor of the event or the sponsor's agent to remove his weapon and place it in the custody of the operator of the establishment or the sponsor of the event for temporary and secure storage of the weapon pursuant to section 13-3102.01.
{snip}
K...Misconduct involving weapons under subsection A, paragraph 1, subdivision (b) of this section or subsection A, paragraph 10 or 11 of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor.
{snip}
L. For the purposes of this section:
{snip}
2. "Public establishment" means a structure, vehicle or craft that is owned, leased or operated by this state or a political subdivision of this state.
I cannot find any section of the ARS that "authorizes" or exempts from this section legislators solely by virtue of being legislators. Individual legislators may fall into one or another exemption because of some other criteria (retired law enforcement?), but legislators as a group do not seem to have an exemption. There does seem to be a little wiggle room in the language "after a reasonable request by the operator of the establishment."
Other than Monday, I've never seen anyone who was screened prior to entering the House or the Senate, nor have I ever seen someone asked if they were carrying a weapon. If no one on the operations staff asks a legislator if they're "packing heat", and the legislators don't tell anyone, there may not be a violation under this section.
Call it Arizona's version of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Of course, Arizona's legislators keep "telling."
However, even that possible loophole isn't actually an *exemption*.
It's more a "wink and a nod."
Other folks brought to my attention clauses in the Arizona Constitution that might provide an "exemption" cover for Klein and the other "pistol packin' " legislators. They don't seem to, to me anyway, but you be the judge.
Article 4, Part 2, Section 8 of the AZ Constitution states -
Each house, when assembled, shall choose its own officers, judge of the election and qualification of its own members, and determine its own rules of procedure.I'm pretty sure that the rules of procedure for each chamber of the legislature don't supercede the state's criminal code, but even if they did, the rules for each chamber don't broach this subject.
The closest thing to an actual exemption that I could find was in Article 4, Part 2, Section 6 -
Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session.Since the act of possessing a weapon in a "public establishment," like one of the legislative buildings, is a class one misdemeanor under ARS 13-3102 and, as someone who was sitting less than 10 feet away from Senator Klein on the House floor during Monday's activities, I can say that she sat peacefully (not sure what the technical definition of "breach of the peace" is, but I'd be surprised if she committed one on Monday), this section seems to have some relevance, but stops short of an outright exemption.
Based on that provision of the AZ Constitution, she (and the other carriers in the lege) seem to be immune from *arrest* for a misdemeanor, but I can't find anything that immunizes them from *prosecution.* A citation, summons, and fine wouldn't seem to violate the immunization from arrest clause.
I can understand the practical reasons why the Arizona Capitol Police don't want to cite a sitting legislator for something like this (talk about kicking over a political hornet's nest!), but even they shouldn't be expected to protect legislators from their own verbal diarrhea.
Any lawyers reading this are welcome, even requested, to provide clarifications and corrections to what I've written. Please provide links in your comments.
Thanks!
Thoughts on the memorial service in Tucson
My thoughts are still disjointed, so the writing of them probably will be too. Thanks for your patience. :)
- I wasn't able to journey to Tucson for the event :( , but was able to make it to the headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party in Phoenix. There, dozens of people from all over the Valley gathered together to view the service.
- The service was marked less by politics (there weren't any, and no one where I was complained about that fact, either) and more by *humanity*. The opening blessing by Dr. Carlos Gonzalez was a personalized Native American one - after asking the Creator for blessings for all, he asked for a "little blessing" for his son in Afghanistan.
The blessing...
- Daniel Hernandez, the UA student and Giffords intern whose quick thinking and actions are credited with saving Congresswoman Giffords' life, received a standing ovation that reached all the way to Phoenix.
I don't want to use this pic (Jon Kyl is in the middle of it), but it's the best one...
He tried to humbly claim that he isn't a real hero, that people like Congresswoman Giffords, Dr. Rhee (Giffords' doctor), the first responders, and anyone else who has dedicated their lives to public service is a real hero.
The crowd in Tucson and in Phoenix, and later the Commander-in-Chief, disagreed.
I think it's safe to defer to the Commander-in-Chief's judgement on this one. :)
- Governor Jan Brewer spoke. She needs to stop reading other people's words. At Saturday's press conference held in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, her words were heartfelt and sincere. Today, her words sounded stilted and calculated. She sounded like she was reaching for emotional profundity. She didn't succeed.
She could also learn a lesson from two of the other speakers, Janet Napolitano and Eric Holder. While neither can be called a "gifted" public speaker, both are "skilled" public speakers. They hit their marks and got off the stage.
- Based on the reaction of the crowd, Janet Napolitano is more popular today than even when she left Arizona for D.C. and the job of Secretary of Homeland Security. The cheers for her were much longer for her than for Brewer, and if that didn't send the message, the shout of "We miss you Janet!" from the crowd did.
Napolitano speaking
- As for President Obama's remarks, there were too many high points to list them all here, but for me, the passage invoking the youngest victim, Christina Taylor Green, and her asprirations, so tragically cut off, was the most moving of all of his remarks -
The video of the President's speech, courtesy PBS Newshour -
In other news, at least tangentially-related to the events -
- Sarah Palin signalled the end to her presidential ambitions with a video response to recent calls to tone down her rhetoric, laden with militant and violent imagery. She essentially said that her violent words don't contribute to violence, but others' criticism of her violent words does (huh?). She also used a hateful anti-semitic slur, "blood libel," to portray herself as much a victim as the Jewish Congresswoman laying critically injured in a hospital.
On a day that was all about community, shared grief, and collective hope (Gabby opened her eyes! YES!!), Palin tried to make it all about herself.
- LD20 GOP chairman Anthony Miller resigned from his position due to threats to himself and his family from tea party types.
- Conservative folks have, of course, criticized the way the event was conducted, possibly because they don't dare criticize the event itself.
Later...
- I wasn't able to journey to Tucson for the event :( , but was able to make it to the headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party in Phoenix. There, dozens of people from all over the Valley gathered together to view the service.
- The service was marked less by politics (there weren't any, and no one where I was complained about that fact, either) and more by *humanity*. The opening blessing by Dr. Carlos Gonzalez was a personalized Native American one - after asking the Creator for blessings for all, he asked for a "little blessing" for his son in Afghanistan.
The blessing...
- Daniel Hernandez, the UA student and Giffords intern whose quick thinking and actions are credited with saving Congresswoman Giffords' life, received a standing ovation that reached all the way to Phoenix.
He tried to humbly claim that he isn't a real hero, that people like Congresswoman Giffords, Dr. Rhee (Giffords' doctor), the first responders, and anyone else who has dedicated their lives to public service is a real hero.
The crowd in Tucson and in Phoenix, and later the Commander-in-Chief, disagreed.
I think it's safe to defer to the Commander-in-Chief's judgement on this one. :)
- Governor Jan Brewer spoke. She needs to stop reading other people's words. At Saturday's press conference held in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, her words were heartfelt and sincere. Today, her words sounded stilted and calculated. She sounded like she was reaching for emotional profundity. She didn't succeed.
She could also learn a lesson from two of the other speakers, Janet Napolitano and Eric Holder. While neither can be called a "gifted" public speaker, both are "skilled" public speakers. They hit their marks and got off the stage.
- Based on the reaction of the crowd, Janet Napolitano is more popular today than even when she left Arizona for D.C. and the job of Secretary of Homeland Security. The cheers for her were much longer for her than for Brewer, and if that didn't send the message, the shout of "We miss you Janet!" from the crowd did.
Napolitano speaking
- As for President Obama's remarks, there were too many high points to list them all here, but for me, the passage invoking the youngest victim, Christina Taylor Green, and her asprirations, so tragically cut off, was the most moving of all of his remarks -
I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us – we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.
The video of the President's speech, courtesy PBS Newshour -
In other news, at least tangentially-related to the events -
- Sarah Palin signalled the end to her presidential ambitions with a video response to recent calls to tone down her rhetoric, laden with militant and violent imagery. She essentially said that her violent words don't contribute to violence, but others' criticism of her violent words does (huh?). She also used a hateful anti-semitic slur, "blood libel," to portray herself as much a victim as the Jewish Congresswoman laying critically injured in a hospital.
On a day that was all about community, shared grief, and collective hope (Gabby opened her eyes! YES!!), Palin tried to make it all about herself.
- LD20 GOP chairman Anthony Miller resigned from his position due to threats to himself and his family from tea party types.
- Conservative folks have, of course, criticized the way the event was conducted, possibly because they don't dare criticize the event itself.
Later...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The text of President Obama's speech at tonight's memorial service in Tucson
From The American Spectator (as prepared for delivery; there were some differences between what is here and what was actually said - Gabby opened her eyes!! :))) ) (link courtesy Sonoran Alliance. The comments at both The American Spectator and Sonoran Alliance, unfortunately, show that President Obama words didn't reach everybody. :( ) -
To the families of those we’ve lost; to all who called them friends; to the students of this university, the public servants gathered tonight, and the people of Tucson and Arizona: I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow.More on tonight's service later...
There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts. But know this: the hopes of a nation are here tonight. We mourn with you for the fallen. We join you in your grief. And we add our faith to yours that Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the other living victims of this tragedy pull through.
As Scripture tells us:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
On Saturday morning, Gabby, her staff, and many of her constituents gathered outside a supermarket to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and free speech. They were fulfilling a central tenet of the democracy envisioned by our founders – representatives of the people answering to their constituents, so as to carry their concerns to our nation’s capital. Gabby called it “Congress on Your Corner” – just an updated version of government of and by and for the people.
That is the quintessentially American scene that was shattered by a gunman’s bullets. And the six people who lost their lives on Saturday – they too represented what is best in America.
Judge John Roll served our legal system for nearly 40 years. A graduate of this university and its law school, Judge Roll was recommended for the federal bench by John McCain twenty years ago, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, and rose to become Arizona’s chief federal judge. His colleagues described him as the hardest-working judge within the Ninth Circuit. He was on his way back from attending Mass, as he did every day, when he decided to stop by and say hi to his Representative. John is survived by his loving wife, Maureen, his three sons, and his five grandchildren.
George and Dorothy Morris – “Dot” to her friends – were high school sweethearts who got married and had two daughters. They did everything together, traveling the open road in their RV, enjoying what their friends called a 50-year honeymoon. Saturday morning, they went by the Safeway to hear what their Congresswoman had to say. When gunfire rang out, George, a former Marine, instinctively tried to shield his wife. Both were shot. Dot passed away.
A New Jersey native, Phyllis Schneck retired to Tucson to beat the snow. But in the summer, she would return East, where her world revolved around her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 year-old great-granddaughter. A gifted quilter, she’d often work under her favorite tree, or sometimes sew aprons with the logos of the Jets and the Giants to give out at the church where she volunteered. A Republican, she took a liking to Gabby, and wanted to get to know her better.
Dorwan and Mavy Stoddard grew up in Tucson together – about seventy years ago. They moved apart and started their own respective families, but after both were widowed they found their way back here, to, as one of Mavy’s daughters put it, “be boyfriend and girlfriend again.” When they weren’t out on the road in their motor home, you could find them just up the road, helping folks in need at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ. A retired construction worker, Dorwan spent his spare time fixing up the church along with their dog, Tux. His final act of selflessness was to dive on top of his wife, sacrificing his life for hers.
Everything Gabe Zimmerman did, he did with passion – but his true passion was people. As Gabby’s outreach director, he made the cares of thousands of her constituents his own, seeing to it that seniors got the Medicare benefits they had earned, that veterans got the medals and care they deserved, that government was working for ordinary folks. He died doing what he loved – talking with people and seeing how he could help. Gabe is survived by his parents, Ross and Emily, his brother, Ben, and his fiancée, Kelly, who he planned to marry next year.
And then there is nine year-old Christina Taylor Green. Christina was an A student, a dancer, a gymnast, and a swimmer. She often proclaimed that she wanted to be the first woman to play in the major leagues, and as the only girl on her Little League team, no one put it past her. She showed an appreciation for life uncommon for a girl her age, and would remind her mother, “We are so blessed. We have the best life.” And she’d pay those blessings back by participating in a charity that helped children who were less fortunate.
Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing. Our hearts are broken – and yet, our hearts also have reason for fullness.
Our hearts are full of hope and thanks for the 13 Americans who survived the shooting, including the congresswoman many of them went to see on Saturday. I have just come from the University Medical Center, just a mile from here, where our friend Gabby courageously fights to recover even as we speak. And I can tell you this – she knows we’re here and she knows we love her and she knows that we will be rooting for her throughout what will be a difficult journey.
And our hearts are full of gratitude for those who saved others. We are grateful for Daniel Hernandez, a volunteer in Gabby’s office who ran through the chaos to minister to his boss, tending to her wounds to keep her alive. We are grateful for the men who tackled the gunman as he stopped to reload. We are grateful for a petite 61 year-old, Patricia Maisch, who wrestled away the killer’s ammunition, undoubtedly saving some lives. And we are grateful for the doctors and nurses and emergency medics who worked wonders to heal those who’d been hurt.
These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle. They remind us that heroism does not require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, all around us, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, just waiting to be summoned – as it was on Saturday morning.
Their actions, their selflessness, also pose a challenge to each of us. It raises the question of what, beyond the prayers and expressions of concern, is required of us going forward. How can we honor the fallen? How can we be true to their memory?
You see, when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations – to try to impose some order on the chaos, and make sense out of that which seems senseless. Already we’ve seen a national conversation commence, not only about the motivations behind these killings, but about everything from the merits of gun safety laws to the adequacy of our mental health systems. Much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self-government.
But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized – at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do – it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.
Scripture tells us that there is evil in the world, and that terrible things happen for reasons that defy human understanding. In the words of Job, “when I looked for light, then came darkness.” Bad things happen, and we must guard against simple explanations in the aftermath.
For the truth is that none of us can know exactly what triggered this vicious attack. None of us can know with any certainty what might have stopped those shots from being fired, or what thoughts lurked in the inner recesses of a violent man’s mind.
So yes, we must examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of violence in the future.
But what we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another. As we discuss these issues, let each of us do so with a good dose of humility. Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.
After all, that’s what most of us do when we lose someone in our family – especially if the loss is unexpected. We’re shaken from our routines, and forced to look inward. We reflect on the past. Did we spend enough time with an aging parent, we wonder. Did we express our gratitude for all the sacrifices they made for us? Did we tell a spouse just how desperately we loved them, not just once in awhile but every single day?
So sudden loss causes us to look backward – but it also forces us to look forward, to reflect on the present and the future, on the manner in which we live our lives and nurture our relationships with those who are still with us. We may ask ourselves if we’ve shown enough kindness and generosity and compassion to the people in our lives. Perhaps we question whether we are doing right by our children, or our community, and whether our priorities are in order. We recognize our own mortality, and are reminded that in the fleeting time we have on this earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.
That process of reflection, of making sure we align our values with our actions – that, I believe, is what a tragedy like this requires. For those who were harmed, those who were killed – they are part of our family, an American family 300 million strong. We may not have known them personally, but we surely see ourselves in them. In George and Dot, in Dorwan and Mavy, we sense the abiding love we have for our own husbands, our own wives, our own life partners. Phyllis – she’s our mom or grandma; Gabe our brother or son. In Judge Roll, we recognize not only a man who prized his family and doing his job well, but also a man who embodied America’s fidelity to the law. In Gabby, we see a reflection of our public spiritedness, that desire to participate in that sometimes frustrating, sometimes contentious, but always necessary and never-ending process to form a more perfect union.
And in Christina…in Christina we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic and full of magic.
So deserving of our love.
And so deserving of our good example. If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost. Let’s make sure it’s not on the usual plane of politics and point scoring and pettiness that drifts away with the next news cycle.
The loss of these wonderful people should make every one of us strive to be better in our private lives – to be better friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents. And if, as has been discussed in recent days, their deaths help usher in more civility in our public discourse, let’s remember that it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy, but rather because only a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to our challenges as a nation, in a way that would make them proud. It should be because we want to live up to the example of public servants like John Roll and Gabby Giffords, who knew first and foremost that we are all Americans, and that we can question each other’s ideas without questioning each other’s love of country, and that our task, working together, is to constantly widen the circle of our concern so that we bequeath the American dream to future generations.
I believe we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved lives here – they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us. I believe that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.
That’s what I believe, in part because that’s what a child like Christina Taylor Green believed. Imagine: here was a young girl who was just becoming aware of our democracy; just beginning to understand the obligations of citizenship; just starting to glimpse the fact that someday she too might play a part in shaping her nation’s future. She had been elected to her student council; she saw public service as something exciting, something hopeful. She was off to meet her congresswoman, someone she was sure was good and important and might be a role model. She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted.
I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us – we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.
Christina was given to us on September 11th, 2001, one of 50 babies born that day to be pictured in a book called “Faces of Hope.” On either side of her photo in that book were simple wishes for a child’s life. “I hope you help those in need,” read one. “I hope you know all of the words to the National Anthem and sing it with your hand over your heart. I hope you jump in rain puddles.”
If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today. And here on Earth, we place our hands over our hearts, and commit ourselves as Americans to forging a country that is forever worthy of her gentle, happy spirit.
May God bless and keep those we’ve lost in restful and eternal peace. May He love and watch over the survivors. And may He bless the United States of America.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Well, that didn't take long: Republican legislators propose a bill that would effectively impair the investigation into the Tucson massacre
On Saturday, January 8, six people were murdered and 14 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, were injured in a mass shooting at a Tucson Safeway.
On Monday, January 10, obscured by all of the nationwide uproar, with freshman Republican Representative Chester Crandell as the primary sponsor and fellow R frosh Brenda Barton, Kate Brophy McGee, Jeff Dial, John Fillmore and Peggy Judd as cosponsors, HB2077 was "prefiled" for the legislative session starting later that day.
The text of this gem of a proposal -
tribute "fee" payment.
While I am confident that Sheriff Dupnik of Pima County would *not* impose a fee, the second clause, confiscating any "fines, fees, or penalties" into the state's general fund isn't optional.
And if that agency was investigating a crime in the Fiefdom of Maricopa?
The federal budget would double.
On Monday, January 10, obscured by all of the nationwide uproar, with freshman Republican Representative Chester Crandell as the primary sponsor and fellow R frosh Brenda Barton, Kate Brophy McGee, Jeff Dial, John Fillmore and Peggy Judd as cosponsors, HB2077 was "prefiled" for the legislative session starting later that day.
The text of this gem of a proposal -
11-453. Federal registration with county sheriffSo, if this law went into effect (and with 2/3 majorities in each chamber and Jan Brewer residing on the 9th floor of the Executive Tower, passage is a distinct likelihood), the FBI, DOJ, U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Marshal's Service, and every other federal agency involved in the investigation of the attack on a federal elected official that also left a federal judge dead, would have to pay for the privilege if the county sheriff demanded a
A. ANY FEDERAL AGENCY THAT COMES INTO A COUNTY TO CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BUSINESS SHALL REGISTER ITS PRESENCE WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF. THE SHERIFF MAY IMPOSE A REASONABLE FEE ON THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOR COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION APPLICATION.
B. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, A FEDERAL AGENCY THAT REGISTERS WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A SHALL FORWARD ALL MONIES COLLECTED AS A RESULT OF FINES, FEES OR PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE AGENCY ON A PERSON, BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WITHIN THE COUNTY TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF. THE SHERIFF SHALL IMMEDIATELY FORWARD THE MONIES TO THE STATE TREASURER FOR DEPOSIT IN THE STATE GENERAL FUND.
While I am confident that Sheriff Dupnik of Pima County would *not* impose a fee, the second clause, confiscating any "fines, fees, or penalties" into the state's general fund isn't optional.
And if that agency was investigating a crime in the Fiefdom of Maricopa?
The federal budget would double.
Giffords, redistricting, funeral protests: Updates
Just a few quick updates...
...Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is now breathing on her own according to the latest update from the medical team providing her care.
....The Arizona House and Senate have each passed a bill that would disallow protest pickets within 300 feet of a funeral service or a burial site. Reports are that the bill passed by far more than the 2/3 majority needed to enact an "emergency clause." That clause would make the law effective immediately, not 90 days after the end of the legislative session. The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
...The Supreme Court of Arizona has released an order relating to next week's proceeding relating to Russell Pearce's and Kirk Adams' lawsuit over the pool of applicants for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC). Three groups have requested permission to file "Amicus Curiae" briefs ("Friend of the Court") briefs, and that permission has been granted.
Groups that will file briefs related to the case:
Later...
...Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is now breathing on her own according to the latest update from the medical team providing her care.
....The Arizona House and Senate have each passed a bill that would disallow protest pickets within 300 feet of a funeral service or a burial site. Reports are that the bill passed by far more than the 2/3 majority needed to enact an "emergency clause." That clause would make the law effective immediately, not 90 days after the end of the legislative session. The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
...The Supreme Court of Arizona has released an order relating to next week's proceeding relating to Russell Pearce's and Kirk Adams' lawsuit over the pool of applicants for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC). Three groups have requested permission to file "Amicus Curiae" briefs ("Friend of the Court") briefs, and that permission has been granted.
Groups that will file briefs related to the case:
- Lattie Coor, Paul Johnson, the Valley Citizens League, and Arizona Latino Research Enterprise
- U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake, Ben Quayle, Trent Franks, Paul Gosar, and David Schweikert, Republicans all
- Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk
Later...
Text of Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira's remarks at the opening of the 50th Arizona Legislature
Courtesy the website of the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus -
Let us all hope that they reach the ears of the people who need to hear them.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is a friend and colleague to many of us in this room. She sat there, where Michelle Reagan sits today when she served in the Arizona Senate. She held the seat that Paula Aboud now holds. As I said, many of us count Gabby as a friend, but my heart especially goes out to those who have been with her in Tucson in recent days, Paula Aboud and Linda Lopez. Know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers as you were there to console the close friends and family of the Congresswoman and the others injured on Saturday.Like the remarks of Speaker Kirk Adams, given across the quad in the AZ House, Schapira's words were heartfelt and moving.
In addition to a friendship, Congresswoman Giffords and I share a religious tradition. Part of the tradition is the principle of “Tikkun Olam” or “repairing the world.” As Jews, we are commanded by God to exercise our compassion, our strength and our skills to make the world a better place. This has been my mission as an elected leader, and I know it’s Gabby’s as well.
I want to send thoughts and prayers on behalf of myself, my family and all of us here today to the families of Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Dorwin Stoddard, Christina Greene, Dorthy Murray and Phyllis Scheck and to those who are still fighting for their lives in Tucson. Although, we will spend lots of time talking about our friend Gabby today, it is important to recognize that she was not the only victim of this senseless act.
I know that over the last two days and in the coming weeks and months, all of us try to make sense of this tragedy, but it makes no sense. This was an act of a deranged young man. Those of us in this room know how to have political discourse without resorting to violence, but there are those out there who don’t. That’s why it’s incumbent on us as elected leaders in the public eye to maintain civility, to avoid hate-filled labels and to treat each other with respect both away from and in front of TV cameras. If this horrendous act is to teach us anything, it should be that we are all human and all of us are granted certain inalienable rights by our creator.We must treat all people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, party or immigration status as such.
This morning, I contemplated where I would like to be for the moment of silence asked for by President Obama. I thought about coming here or going to the Democratic Party, but I finally decided that the most important place for me to be was at home with my infant daughter. I held her and hugged her, and thought of the nine year-old girl who tragically lost her life Saturday.
We need to be better, all of us, so this doesn’t happen again.
I ask that as we each deal with this tragedy in our own ways, we all remember the principle of “Tikkun Olam.” The world needs healing, our nation needs healing, our state needs healing. As our friends begin their process of physical healing at hospitals in Tucson, let’s honor them and honor those who lost their lives on Saturday by starting Arizona’s healing today.
Let us all hope that they reach the ears of the people who need to hear them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Text of Speaker Kirk Adams' remarks at the opening of the 50th Arizona Legislature
Never let it be said that I don't give credit where credit is due.
In terms of emotional oomph, the only thing that topped Kirk Adams' opening speech was Rep. Steve Farley's recounting of Saturday's events (especially moving was his telling of how his daughter spent an hour in the ER holding the hand of Gabrielle Giffords' mom). I don't have Farley's comments (I hope one of the MSM outlets present today posts a recording of them), but I do have a copy of Adams' speech.
From an email, the text of the speech -
Kirk Adams changed job titles today, shedding the mantle of "politician," ascending to "statesman."
In terms of emotional oomph, the only thing that topped Kirk Adams' opening speech was Rep. Steve Farley's recounting of Saturday's events (especially moving was his telling of how his daughter spent an hour in the ER holding the hand of Gabrielle Giffords' mom). I don't have Farley's comments (I hope one of the MSM outlets present today posts a recording of them), but I do have a copy of Adams' speech.
From an email, the text of the speech -
As I assume this office of Speaker, a little more than 48 hours separate us from that horrific act of violence in Tucson. The very hand of evil has touched our state, taking innocent life, and causing injury to both body and soul.I may never say anything positive about Adams again, and almost certainly will never agree with him politically, but on Monday, January 10, 2011, let the record show that I said this -
This was an act meant not only to kill, but also to incite terror in the hearts of Arizonans and all Americans. I am certain that parents all across Arizona found themselves trying to answer unanswerable questions from children seeking comprehension of the incomprehensible. I am also certain, that many parents found themselves in the same situation as I found myself Saturday night, soothing my own child’s fears and offering assurances of safety.
Like you, my heart aches for those whose lives have been directly and forever changed. Rep. Gabby Giffords served in this very body, then in the Senate across the mall, and finally the United States Congress. She stood on this floor and took the same oath of office that we just took; offering up herself, like you, to service for Arizona and our Nation, following in the great American tradition of citizen legislators.
Many of us in this body know Gabby personally. It may be as an acquaintance, a colleague, a friend, or a mentor. Gabby and I both share the honor of being Rodel Fellows. I last spoke with Gabby at a small dinner of Arizona Rodel Fellows at a private home here in Phoenix last April. There are many attributes of Gabby Giffords, but that night I was struck by her grace and kindness. May God grant us the miracle of her recovery.
Equal in tragedy is the injury to 13 others. We join our pleas to the pleas of their friends and family. May God guide their caretakers, comfort their families, and restore their health.
We are horrified at the loss of six innocent lives: Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, Dorothy Murray, Dorwin Stoddard, Phyllis Scheck, and Christina Taylor Green, age 9. Having experienced myself the unrelenting sorrow of the loss of a child, my heart joins with the Green family in the grief they now feel.
In great contrast to how we feel now, today was a day designated for celebration. The opening of the 50th Legislature, the Centennial Legislature. Plans were carefully made, special programs printed, and speeches written. We even returned to the House some of the portraits and artifacts of our own history, to give us a sense of place and to inspire us as we plan for Arizona’s second century.
Instead of remembering our history, we now find ourselves living history. And like all history, there are good times and bad, lightness and darkness. This is a dark day indeed.
So close to the horrible day, our emotions feel like a scorching fire. Anger, grief, fear. Our thoughts swirl with the question…why? We may never really know the inner workings of a mad mind and a numb soul. But in the end the why question does not matter nearly as much as the “what now” question. What now can we do to treasure life and each other a little more? What does this bitter experience teach us?
For me, it is a cold reminder that life is precious and faint. That no one can be assured what the future will hold. That second chances to seek forgiveness and repair relationships sometimes never come. That the defining difference between civil society and anarchy is the ability to respect and value those with whom we disagree.
It is my prayer that this lesson re-learned will be evident in the communications of this body and in our society.
Finally, to the assembled media and the ubiquitous pundits listening, I would like to add this: Arizona is a beautiful state, with great people. Our state was built from dusty deserts and rough terrain. We are a hearty people, a determined people. We will grieve for our dead, pray for our injured, and hope in our future. And through this tragedy we will become stronger and build a better Arizona for our second century.
Per House Rules I request that these remarks, written by my own hand, be included in the Journal of January 10, 2011.
Kirk Adams changed job titles today, shedding the mantle of "politician," ascending to "statesman."
Notes and scenes from the opening of the 50th Arizona Legislature
...First, a report (via Facebook) from Taegan Goddard's Political Wire: "President Obama will go to Tucson, AZ on Wednesday" No details at this time, but will post as they become available.
...Committee schedules are in flux this week because of Saturday's massacre. Some are expected to meet, but the schedule may change.
...However, one thing that won't be heard in committee is any bill to restore transplant funding to AHCCCS. According to a Facebook update, the chair of Senate Appropriations (Sen. Andy Biggs) told Sen. David Schapira (D-LD17) that the committee will not hear such a bill "under any circumstance. (quoting Schapira's posting; not sure if that is a direct quote of Biggs).
...Possibly getting it - Speaker Kirk Adams and (possibly) Governor Jan Brewer. Adams' remarks today were heartfelt and moved many people, including many Democrats (even this one). I have a copy of them, and may post it later. Jan Brewer's remarks were a little less moving, but she hit the right notes, and I'll cut her some slack on this one - she was reading from a teleprompter today, and she seemed genuinely upset at her press conference on Saturday.
....Probably not getting it: Russell Pearce, President of the Arizona Senate, and (apparently) new Senator Lori Klein.
Where the House, led by Adams, cut back on its opening day pomp out of respect for the victims of the massacre on Saturday, cancelling a speaker and not allowing "points of personal privilege" to minimize the political rhetoric today, Pearce went ahead with Buzz Aldrin telling jokes and Senators talking about things like who the next chair of the AZGOP will be.
Sen. Lori Klein was apparently packin' some heat in her purse while she was on the House floor for Brewer's speech. (I've got a call out to verify this one)
Update on 1/11 -
Senator Klein graciously returned my call today and indeed confirmed that she "always carries" a weapon for personal protection, and had it with her yesterday.
End update...
...Probably never going to get it: ...Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is God's gift to writers - stick a microphone in front of him, and he's going to give any writer plenty of topic material.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Ronald Hansen -
Good freakin' God...
Pics from the day -
Jan Brewer during her address to the joint session
...Committee schedules are in flux this week because of Saturday's massacre. Some are expected to meet, but the schedule may change.
...However, one thing that won't be heard in committee is any bill to restore transplant funding to AHCCCS. According to a Facebook update, the chair of Senate Appropriations (Sen. Andy Biggs) told Sen. David Schapira (D-LD17) that the committee will not hear such a bill "under any circumstance. (quoting Schapira's posting; not sure if that is a direct quote of Biggs).
...Possibly getting it - Speaker Kirk Adams and (possibly) Governor Jan Brewer. Adams' remarks today were heartfelt and moved many people, including many Democrats (even this one). I have a copy of them, and may post it later. Jan Brewer's remarks were a little less moving, but she hit the right notes, and I'll cut her some slack on this one - she was reading from a teleprompter today, and she seemed genuinely upset at her press conference on Saturday.
....Probably not getting it: Russell Pearce, President of the Arizona Senate, and (apparently) new Senator Lori Klein.
Where the House, led by Adams, cut back on its opening day pomp out of respect for the victims of the massacre on Saturday, cancelling a speaker and not allowing "points of personal privilege" to minimize the political rhetoric today, Pearce went ahead with Buzz Aldrin telling jokes and Senators talking about things like who the next chair of the AZGOP will be.
Sen. Lori Klein was apparently packin' some heat in her purse while she was on the House floor for Brewer's speech. (I've got a call out to verify this one)
Update on 1/11 -
Senator Klein graciously returned my call today and indeed confirmed that she "always carries" a weapon for personal protection, and had it with her yesterday.
End update...
...Probably never going to get it: ...Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise!) is God's gift to writers - stick a microphone in front of him, and he's going to give any writer plenty of topic material.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Ronald Hansen -
While her doctors sounded an optimistic tone on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' recovery, the political discourse is growing harsher.
State Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, partly blamed the shooting on Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who has himself blamed caustic political rhetoric and lax gun-control as contributing to the massacre.
"If he would have done his job, maybe this doesn't happen," Harper told USA Today on Monday. "Sheriff Dupnik did not provide for the security of a U.S. congresswoman."
"When everyone is carrying a firearm, nobody is going to be a victim," Harper continued. "The socialists of today are only one gun confiscation away from being the communists of tomorrow."
Good freakin' God...
Jan Brewer during her address to the joint session
Impromptu tribute to Gabrielle Giffords
Random crowd shot from the House floor
Demonstrators outside the Capitol
Post-speech press conference - Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, Rep. Tom Chapin, Sen. David Schapira (speaking), Rep. Albert Hale, Rep. Ruben Gallego in pic
Rep. Steve Farley, speaking about Saturday
Daniel Hernandez, one of the heroes of Saturday's tragedy, speaking to the crowd
Flags at half mast
Sunday, January 09, 2011
What does Jon Kyl know of "inappropriate"?
From Talking Points Memo, quoting Kyl from an appearance on this morning's Face The Nation on CBS -
Nice lack of credibility there, Senator Kyl.
It's too bad that one of the few times in recent memory that Kyl has noticed events in Arizona (you know, the state that he is elected to represent), it took a massacre to gain his attention.
Or that his "attention" consisted of criticizing one of the people who has been dealing with the fallout from his (and the legislature's) less-than-benign neglect of the state.
Kyl: Arizona Sheriff's Remarks InappropriateReminder: Kyl is the Republican Senator that argued that having the U.S. Senate work during the week between Christmas and New Year's would be "disrespecting" Christmas and Christians.
In a Sunday morning appearance on Face the Nation, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) took issue with Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who criticized Arizona hours after the Giffords shooting.
"I didn't really think that that had any part in a law enforcement briefing," Kyl said.
Nice lack of credibility there, Senator Kyl.
It's too bad that one of the few times in recent memory that Kyl has noticed events in Arizona (you know, the state that he is elected to represent), it took a massacre to gain his attention.
Or that his "attention" consisted of criticizing one of the people who has been dealing with the fallout from his (and the legislature's) less-than-benign neglect of the state.
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