Scottsdale couple indicted for voter fraud

Turns out the years of Republican hysteria over imagined but rampant (oh-so-rampant) voter fraud by Mexicans and Democrats, warranting all kinds of restrictive laws on voter registration, identification at the polls and worse, has a basis in fact.

Well, except for the fact that it doesn't involve people from Mexico.  Or Democrats.

From the Arizona Republic -

Two Scottsdale residents have been charged with voter fraud after a cross-search of voter rolls in Arizona and Nevada revealed they had voted once in each state in the November 2008 general election, according the Secretary of State's Office.

Peter Canova and Gina Thi Canova were charged March 4 with 15 counts of voter fraud, including false registrations, illegal voting and filing false instruments, according to Maricopa County Superior Court documents.

As readers can see from the above story, the Canovas aren't from Mexico, they're from Nevada, the home of Sharron "Second Amendment Remedies" Angle and Sen. John "I'll Use My Parents To Funnel Hush Money To My Girlfriend And Her Husband, Who Is Also My Close Friend" Ensign.

What readers can't see from the above story, but can be gleaned from a check of voter registration records is that Peter Canova is a registered Republican.

One of the charges involves Gina Canova and use of a fake name, so her partisan registration status is murkier and warrants further research.

At least one good thing has come out of this already.

From a press release from Ken Bennett, Arizona's Secretary of State (emphasis mine) -

“When we find the rare instance of voter fraud, rest assured we are vigorously prosecuting the offenders to the fullest extent of the law."

Either he's being honest about the prevalence of voter fraud, or he's down-playing it because the alleged perpetrators in this case aren't the typical boogeymen in Republican tall tales.

Either way, however, he's on record as acknowledging an already well-documented fact - incidents of actual voter fraud are few and far between.


More info:

The case number in Maricopa County Superior Court is CR2011-005543.  The current defense attorney of record is Alfred Donau.

The Canovas face 15 counts between them -

8 for illegal voting - 3 for Peter, 5 for Gina

5 for filing a false instrument - 2 for Peter, 3 for Gina

2 for false registration - 1 count each


I attempted to search the Douglas County (Nevada) website for more information, but it seems to be down.

Pictorial evidence of what Russell Pearce thinks of the United States

So, I wonder -

How long will it be before Russell Pearce orders the Senate to rise and pledge allegiance to the flag of Arizona?

The Arizona Senate during a vote.  Note the one lower level light, just to the right of the screen in the middle of the pic.

In the middle of this pic, and to the left of the screen in the wider angle pic - the American flag, deep in shadow.

In the center of this pic, and to the right of the screen in the wider angle pic - the Arizona state flag, bathed in light.

Live blogging the Senate floor session - Tuesday, March 8, 2011

4:11 p.m. - I'm out of here.  Time to get ready of tonight's LD17 meeting...

4:10 p.m. - Fails 12 - 18.  Yes!!

4:08 p.m. - Pearce says feds should just run the state.  Complains about judges, Congress, and the President overstepping their authority.  His way of saying that they do things that he doesn't approve of.

4:07 p.m. - Russell Pearce's turn.  Now he's saying that the feds are attacking free speech.  What about the blacklist?

4:06 p.m. - Gould is now spouting off about the Civil War.  What a shock.

4:05 p.m. - Now Sylvia Allen is keeping the vote open with her speech.  OK, now it's Ron Gould's turn.

3:57 p.m. - Now Rs Gray, Reagan, and Nelson have voted no.  Rick Murphy is speaking, urging the "no" votes to switch sides.

3:48 p.m. - Reconsidering SB1433, nullification of federal laws and regulations.  All Ds opposed, as are Rs Driggs, Crandall, McComish, Pierce (Steve), Yarbrough, Barto.  Vote still going on, but failing right now.

3:47 p.m. - SB1402 passes on party lines, Pearce claiming that the tea party isn't a political party.

3:42 p.m. - SB1402, creating a slew of new special license plates, including one to funnel money to Tea Party causes.  Sinema mentions that all other special plates are for charitable purposes, not political.

My question is:  why do we need even more special plates?  Just a couple of years ago, a new law was passed mandating a specific type of plate holder because all of them have "Arizona" in the same place, and the police in Arizona can no longer keep recognize Arizona's license plates.

3:40 p.m. - Now considering SB1363, protecting employers from labor actions.  Passing along party lines, all Rs in favor.

3:34 p.m. - Banning public employees from lobbying during work hours.  Targets teachers.  Passes on a party line vote.  If they could, the Rs would vote for this one twice.

3:19 p.m. - Senate passing SB1188, mandating a preference for married couples when placing children for adoption.  Single people will have to jump through some serious hoops, and same sex couples need not apply.

US flag, in shadow

Arizona flag brightly lit (not a great pic, sorry)












3:08 p.m. - The gentleman sitting next to me just noticed that the US flag on the floor of the Senate, one that we all stood and pledge allegiance to earlier, is in shadow, while the Arizona flag is brightly lit.

3:04 p.m. - Passing a postcard commemorating the friendship between the country of Turkey and the Arizona State Senate.  Steve Smith wondering why Democrats haven't objected to this the way that they objected to a resolution last week supporting Republican Scott Walker of WI in his quest to strip public workers of collective bargaining rights.  What an ass.

2:51 p.m. - Back in regular session. 

2:47 p.m. - Gallardo floor amendment passes, conditioned on his support of the underlying bill.  Bill passes COW.

2:44 p.m. - SCR1028, barring payroll deductions for political purposes.  Aimed at teachers and unions.  Gallardo proposed amendment would add corps to list of groups who cannot payroll deduct without annual permission.

2:42 p.m. - SCR1016, constitutional convention for federal debt, passed without anybody rising to debate.

2:35 - Third Schapira amendment defeated.  He pointed out that the current STO program is basically a student loan program, with the taxpayers repaying the loan.

2:30 p.m. - Schapira points out that his amendment's language is exactly the same as is in statute for corporate contributions to STOs.  Amendment defeated.

2:28 p.m. - Schapira amendment #2, restoring language that would bring the STO program back to being for financial need.  Rs opposed, naturally.  Murphy says that people with high incomes might still have "financial need" and that Schapira's amendment is only about income level.

2:26 p.m. - Schapira amendment #1 goes down, voice vote.

2:24 p.m. - Reps killed an amendment by one of their own, Linda Gray.  Onto a Schapira amendment.

2:16 p.m. - Rick Murphy stated that Schapira's objections and remarks are filled with "inaccuracies"; Schapira points out that Murphy's rebuttal itself is inaccurate.

2:10 p.m. - STOs fraught with "fraud and abuse." - Schapira

2:05 p.m. - Considering SB1312, expanding the school tuition tax credits for money given to STOs.  Schapira sinking his teeth into this one.

1:59 p.m. - Scott Bundgaard introduces guests, moves to go into COW.  Oh yeah - Bundgaard is still Senate Majority leader.  Al Melvin taking over as chair of COW session.

1:57 p.m. - First and Second Reading of bills.  I can't understand what the reader is saying, but I'm pretty sure no one else can - he's got a future as an auctioneer. :)

1:52 p.m. - David Schapira politely asks that any future rule changes are communicated directly to the members.  Apparently they found out about the new press rules 2nd and 3rd hand.  Oops.

1:50 p.m. - Pearce responding.  Declaring that no one other than members can be on the floor without permission, and the new policy is a response to "member concerns" that they don't have any privacy at their desks.  Call this the "Bundgaard is sick of answering questions" policy?

Pearce objecting to "misstatements," saying that there aren't any restrictions on the public.  That press conferences are for the press, but pep rallies for the public should be outside.

1:48 p.m. - Russell Pearce ignored the question.  Linda Gray making a comment.

1:47 p.m. - It's a long question. :)

1:45 p.m. - Steve Gallardo questioning changes to media policy, restricting them to a specific part of the floor.

1:45 p.m. - More guest introductions.

1:44 - John McComish announcing that tomorrow is "Coke Day" at the Capitol.

1:43 p.m. - Kyrsten Sinema introducing a student from Duke U., who is shadowing her.

1:42 p.m. - All present.

1:40 p.m. - In session.

1:37 p.m. - Running a little late, but the floor session is about to start.  Most of the senators are here though.

Breaking - Republican Senators in a closed caucus meeting over Bundgaard

No details yet, as the meeting is still going on, but the Republican caucus of the Arizona State Senate is meeting in closed session to discuss the status of Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-Domestic Violence).

More details as they become available...

Pay attention to the Legislature's floor session today...

Today at the Arizona Legislature, most of the action is expected to be on the floors of both chambers.  The committee agendas are relatively sparse and look fairly innocuous.

However, "innocuous" is NOT a word that most observers would use to describe the floor calendars today.  Things like nullification of federal laws and rules, school vouchers, expanding use of force, and anti-union measures are on tap today.

It's going to be an "ugh" kind of day.


The floor calendars can be found here; all bills can be found here.

Scheduled to go up before the Senate, and this is just a very brief list -

SB1188, mandating a preference in adoptions for married couples.  Single folks had better have extraordinary ties to the prospective adoptee, and same-sex couples need not apply. (Third Read, or final passage)

SB1288, barring the suspension or revocation of a professional license of someone who fails to fulfill their professional duties due to their religious beliefs. (Third Read)

SB1329, barring a public employee from lobbying a public entity during their work hours (with certain exceptions).  Targeted at teachers who dared to protest cuts to education funding. (Third Read)

SB1469, expanding the justifications for using force against another person.  (Third Read)

SB1495, creating a Arizona-based military force, answerable only to the governor of Arizona, and funded with monies siphoned away from the Arizona National Guard. (Third Read)

SB1363, protecting employers from labor demonstrations. (Third Read)

SB1433, the return of the "nullification" bill that was defeated last week.  (Third Read)

SB1610, naming a state firearm. (Third Read)

SB1518, barring new school construction, instead mandating that school districts in need of more capacity contract with charter schools. (COW, or Committee of The Whole)

SCR1016, calling for a federal constitutional convention to mandate approval by the legislatures of the states before the federal debt limit can be increased. (COW)

SCR1028, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to bar payroll deductions for political purposes, with a few exceptions.  Aimed at unions.  (COW)


In the House (all bills going through COW, as no Third Read calendar has been posted) -

HB2706, creating "Arizona Empowerment Accounts" for parents to utilize state funds for private schools.  "Vouchers" by another name.

HB2484, taking the power to select people to fill vacancies in legislative seats away from county supervisors and giving it solely to the the precinct committeemen of the same party as the person who vacated the office.

The rest of the week is probably going to be as "colorful," so check back in the late afternoon to see if the next day's calendars have been posted.

New AZ campaign contribution limits

The Arizona Secretary of State's office has formulated new campaign contribution limits for statewide, legislative and local campaigns.  These are valid for the 2011 - 2012 election cycle for Arizona races.  Races for Federal offices have their own limits, published by the Federal Election Commission.

The limits are set under ARS 16-905.  While the limits were specifically set in the statute initially, paragraph H of the statute creates a mechanism for biennial adjustments.

The new AZ limits -

Individual contributions to a candidate:

Local - $430
Legislative - $424
Statewide -  $872

Political committee contributions to a candidate:

Local - $430
Legislative - $424
Statewide - $872

Committees certified by the AZSOS as "SuperPACs":

Local - $2170
Legislative - $1736
Statewide - $4352

Combined total from all political committees other than political parties:

Local - $10880
Legislative - $14032
Statewide - $86952

Nominee's total from political party and all political organizations combined:

Local - $10880
Legislative - $8704
Statewide - $86952

Total contributed by an individual to candidates and committees who give to candidates:

$6100 per calendar year


The new federal limits are here.

While I won't list them all, the important one for most readers is the individual contribution limit to a candidate - $2500, for each of the primary election and for the general election ($5000 total).

Later...

Arizona Legislature week in review

For lege-watchers, it was a colorful week, with a LOT of bad bills gaining passage in one of the chambers, and one going to the governor...

...State Sen. Scott Bundgaard's domestic violence incident kept him in the news all week, as did the fact that he used legislative immunity to avoid arrest.

After issuing some press releases proclaiming his apparent candidacy for sainthood (Catholic variety, not Latter Day variety), Bundgaard took to the Senate floor Monday to pour forth some tears, announce his deep affection for Aubry Ballard, the other person in the domestic violence incident, and request privacy.  Throughout the weekend, Bundgaard's camp hinted/suggested/claimed outright that the incident was due to Ballard's jealousy over his dancing with another woman at a charity event.

That story was blown out of the water when Ballard was interviewed by the media, refuting the spin and handling herself with far more class and aplomb than Bundgaard.

Things got worse when the police released the reports of the incident, including the part where one of the responding officers recommended that Bundgaard face charges after the legislative session is complete.

And then things took a bizarre turn when Senate President Russell Pearce declared that Bundgaard was the real victim in all of this.

Expect more developments in this situation...

...In the first piece of significant good news during this session of the legislature, on Wednesday one of the anti-U.S. government bills, SB1433, went down to defeat in a Senate floor vote.  The bill would have created a legislative committee to oversee the "nullification" of federal laws and regulations.

Alas, the good news lasted all of one day for on Thursday, the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Lori Klein, "moved to reconsider" the bill, and the motion passed.  The bill will be brought back to the Senate floor just as soon as Klein, Pearce, Ron Gould, and the others of their clique have enough votes to secure its passage.

...SB1352, banning municipalities from utilizing photo enforcement systems for traffic laws, failed on a 15 - 15 vote, all nine Democrats and six Republicans opposing.  Could still come back under reconsideration if one of the "yes" votes can persuade one of the "no" votes to move to reconsider the bill.

...On Tuesday, Colleen Mathis of Tucson was selected as the fifth and final member of the new Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).  This coming week, the U.S. Census Bureau will release Arizona's local level data from last year's census, and redistricting will begin in earnest.

...In "this would be funny, if so many of them didn't really believe it" news:  on Thursday, Sen. Sylvia Allen blamed colleges for the rise in street gangs. (thanks to Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion for noticing this).

...Late in the week, Senate President Pearce declared that he is "holding" his anti-immigrant bills until the budget is done.  Most observers think that this indicates that A) the budget negotiations between legislative leadership and the governor's office are almost done, and B) the anti-immigrant legislation isn't going away.  Look for the measures, assuming that they actually are held, to start moving again by the end of the month.

Bills passing one chamber and moving across the quad to the other chamber ("interstate compact" bills relate to forming alliances with other states, usually in opposition to federal law in a given subject area):

HB2002, barring school districts from spending district funds to join organizations that attempts to influence an election, passed the House by 40 - 18, 2 not voting.  Party line vote.

HB2191, prohibiting Arizona courts from awarding punitive damages to undocumented immigrants, passed the House on a mostly party line vote (a few Democrats crossed over).  Intended to help Roger Barnett, a southern Arizona rancher who held some undocumented immigrants at gunpoint and was sued for his trouble.  He lost the suit, a development which has upset certain members of the legislature.

HB2577, allowing the legislature to sweep and reappropriate "non-custodial" federal monies, such as block grants, passed the House on a mostly party line vote (a few Democrats crossed over).

HB2710, creating a legislative committee to study transitioning school funding from a per-pupil basis to a system based on "student achievement" passed the House by a mostly party line vote.  It sounds like they are looking for a way to punish already underfunded schools by taking away more money.

SB1334, allowing hunting within city limits, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1521, requiring school districts to implement policies for students with head injuries and school sponsored athletic events, passed the Senate with two dissenting votes, both Republicans (Biggs and Bundgaard).

SB1546, allowing the state to take federally-owned land via eminent domain, passed the Senate by a party line vote.

SB1157, requiring that municipalities can charge only the users of municipal wastewater and trash collection services for those services, not absentee property owners (unless the owners actually contract for the services), passed the Senate on a party line vote.  Bill sponsor Sen. Gail Griffin objects to a bill for "capital" charges that she received on a rental property of hers that is vacant, so she ran this measure.

SB1231, lowering the state's revenue expenditure limit, passed the Senate on a mostly party line vote.  The current limit is 7% of total personal income.  Expenditures have never exceeded or even reached that number; for FY2011, actual expenditures are at 5.95%.  The bill would lower the limit to the previous fiscal year's actual percentage.

SB1403, barring the award of public project contracts being contingent on the use of union labor, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1406, an "interstate compact" bill, to unite with other states to build a fence along the border with Mexico, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1465, prohibiting the state or its political subdivisions from accepting consular ID cards as valid identification, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1525, redefining and limiting municipalities' ability to assess and collect development related fees, passed the Senate 16 - 13, with all nine Democrats and four Republicans opposing.

SB1530, creating a position (unpaid) of State Poet Laureate, passed the Senate.

SCR1024, a legislative postcard to D.C., declaring that the federal government (particularly the EPA) has no jurisdiction over waters that are contained within Arizona, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SCR1025, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to bar the use of public funds for political candidates (aka - ending Clean Elections), passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1088, an anti-health care reform bill, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1393, stating that state legislative authority is superior to that of federal authority when it comes to regulating manmade emissions of pollutants in Arizona, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1394, an "interstate compact" bill related to SB1393 above, titled the "freedom to breathe" act, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

HB2153, barring municipalities from adopting a code or ordinance requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in residential buildings of two or fewer units, passed the Senate on a mostly party line vote (two Republicans joined the nine Democrats in opposition).  This one now goes to the Governor for her signature.

The Governor's contact info and web contact form is here.

SB1490, requiring a county to obtain proof of citizenship or immigration status prior to issuing a food service worker card, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1368, defining a "human smuggling organization" and creating related offenses and penalties, passed the Senate with four Democrats opposing.

SB1522, relating to harvested rainwater (rainwater that is captured for future use prior to it reaches a ground channel.  Pushed by former state senator Carol Springer, lobbying for Yavapai County (she's a county supervisor there), which is looking for a way to supplement its dwindling groundwater supply.  Passed the Senate, over the reservations of water professionals, on a party line vote.

SCR1059, a Republican resolution supporting the efforts of Wisconsin Republicans to roll back collective bargaining rights for public employees, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1201, a firearms "omnibus" bill that makes multiple changes to laws related to firearms, passed the Senate on a party line vote.  Innocuous sounding title, but REALLY bad.  Legislative summary here.

SB1286, putting a 60-day time limit on a municipality to approve or deny a permit request.  If no decision is rendered within that time, the permit is deemed to be approved.  Passed by the Senate on a mostly party line vote (four Republicans crossed over).

SB1391, an "interstate compact" bill, relating to minimal firearms restrictions, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1412, making numerous changes to early voting laws, including making possession of more than six voted early ballots for delivery to election officials a class 5 felony.  Aimed at Democratic Party GOTV efforts.  Passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1472, requiring the publication of arguments against (and for) retaining a judge up for a retention election in a pre-election publicity pamphlet, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1590, relating to multiple employers pooling health insurance risk, passed the Senate on a party line vote.

SB1592, an "interstate compact" bill relating to uniting with states that pass laws in opposition to federal health care reform, passed the Senate on a party line vote.


Later...

The coming week: Legislative edition

As usual, all info gathered from the website of the Arizona Legislature, and subject to change without notice.

The "highlight" of the week, if you want to call it that, came this past week when Senate President Russell Pearce announced that he was "holding" all immigration bills until the budget is done.  Don't get too excited though - it's only a delay.  The bills' passages through the legislative process aren't stopped, only held in abeyance for a week or two.

This probably signals that the behind-closed-door negotiations between the governor the Republican leadership in the lege are nearly complete, and that a budget will be railroaded through in the next couple of weeks.

The Governor is on vacation during the early part of the week, though she has some speaking engagements scheduled for later in the week.

Notes:  "Third Read" is legislative-speak for final passage in a given chamber of the legislature; "COW" or Committee Of the Whole, is a session where committee amendments are approved by the whole body, floor amendments are proposed and considered, and actual debate takes place.  Also, an "SHR" designation before a room number indicates a Senate Hearing Room, while "HHR" indicates a House Hearing Room.

All floor calendars can be found here, once posted.

All Senate committee agendas can be found here.

All House committee agendas can be found here.

While Monday's Third Read and COW calendars have been posted and mentioned here, check back frequently for updates or for postings for floor sessions taking place later in the week.

Notes2:  While I try to cover bills that are obviously controversial, some bills may be subtle enough to escape notice.  Readers should be sure to check each agenda of a committee that covers an area of interest for such bills.

On the Senate side of the Capitol -

Rules will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in Caucus Room 1.  Long agenda, rubber stamp.  The agenda is worth checking out as a preview of floor activity later in the week.

Natural Resources and Transportation will meet on Monday at 2 p.m. in SHR109.  Looks pretty quiet thus far - two executive nominations and four bills on the agenda.

Judiciary will meet on Monday at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  Looks quiet so far.

Education will meet on Monday at 2 p.m. in SHR3.  Looks quiet, but there will also be a presentation on school district unification/consolidation.

Banking and Insurance will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3.  Looks quiet thus far.

Appropriations will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109. On the agenda:  something that is a rare sighting this session - a good bill.  HB2227, barring the legislature from "sweeping" and appropriating funds that were gifted to a state agency or institution, unless specifically authorized by the giver.

Public Safety and Human Services will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR3.  Looks quiet so far, though HB2003, basically declaring state control over local emergency service fees, generated a little controversy in the House.

Commerce and Energy will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda:  HB2341, repealing the language in the law that allowed the Registrar of Contractors to assess a fee to maintain a minimum balance in the Contactor's Recovery Fund.

Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  Looks quiet so far.

Economic Development and Jobs Creation will meet on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda:  HB2536, reducing the number of races that a dog track needs to run in order to legally simulcast races from other tracks.

Finance will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR1.  Looks quiet so far.

Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  Right now, the agenda is a placeholder with no bills on it, something that is sure to change once the new week starts.  This committee is chaired by Sylvia Allen, who last week blamed the rise of street gangs on colleges.  Seriously.  Who knows what this week will hold?  Blaming male pattern baldness on chili peppers?

This one definitely bears watching.

On Monday's Senate COW calendars (here and here) -

- SB1561, allowing the legislature to sweep and reappropriate, as it sees fit, "noncustodial" federal monies, such as block grants

- SB1577, removes the power of county school superintendents to appoint people to fill vacancies on school boards

- SCR1005, a resolution declaring the legislature's support for private higher education businesses

- SCR1028, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution barring payroll deductions for political purposes.  Aimed at unions

- SCR1040, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to re-politicize the judge selection process at all levels (there are a number of really bad provisions in this one)

- SB1089, adding "evaporative salt materials" to Arizona's legal definition of "mineral."  Not quite sure what this one does, but they snuck it through Sylvia Allen's BSFSS committee, and not Natural Resources, for a reason.

- SB1256, an education "omnibus" bill, making a number of changes to education-related laws


On the House side -

Rules will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR4.  Long agenda, bad bills, rubber stamp.  The agenda includes anti-federal government, anti-judiciary, and anti-public employee pension bills.  Look for these bills to pop up on floor calendars later in the week.

Ways and Means will meet on Monday at 2 p.m.  in HHR1.  Looks quiet, but one of the bills on the agenda, SB1313, involves the legislature taking away the authority of county supervisors to establish a public health services district via a unanimous vote.  It looks like a "small government" move, but in a "do as we say, not as we do" way - this legislature never reduces its own authority..

Education will meet on Monday at 2 p.m or upon recess or adjournment of the floor session. in HHR3.  On the agenda:  SB1521, requiring school districts to implement specific policies regarding with concussions and other head industries of students participating in school-sponsored athletic activities (very good bill); SB1554, requiring the Arizona Department of Education to contract with a private provider for liability insurance for teachers.  Currently, most teachers obtain liability insurance at a group rate through their union.  Looks to be intended to weaken the teachers' union financially (bad bill);  and SB1064, adding "philosophy" to the list of academic programs for which schools may receive a grant from the American Competitivness Project Fund.  The Fund consists solely of donations.  No taxpayer money is involved (good bill).

Banking and Insurance will meet ong Monday at 2 p.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda:  SB1122, Sen. Nancy Barto's bill to make faith-based "health care sharing ministries" exempt from insurance regulations; SB1214, an "interstate compact"/new Confederacy bill, relating to health care insurance; SB1590, allowing two or more businesses to set up virtually unregulated health insurance pools.  If there are any "problems" with such a pool, "the free market" would take care of it, at least according to sponsor Nancy Barto.  There are two other "bad" bills on the agenda, but they haven't even passed the Senate yet, much less been assigned to a House committee.  More on those once they've been sent to the House.

Government will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda:  SB1160, barring municipalities from imposing or increasing a transaction privilege tax (aka - sales tax) on residential property leases or rentals.

Environment will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m., offsite at the PM-10 air quality monitor on West 43rd Ave in Phoenix.  No bills on the agenda, only a presentation.

Employment and Regulatory Affairs will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda:  SB1403, barring Arizona agencies and political subdivisions from conditioning the award of public works contracts on using union labor (yes, it's an anti-union bill.)

Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda:  SB1406, an "interstate compact"/new Confederacy bill, relating to the construction of a border fence;

Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR2.  Looks pretty quiet at this point; one bill and a presentation from the Arizona Board of Regents on the agenda.

Health and Human Services will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda:  SB1592, a measure directing the governor to enter into an "interstate compact" regarding health care.

Commerce will meet on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in HHR5.  On the agenda:  SB1178, the putative "intrastate commerce act," declaring that goods and services created and sold within Arizona are not subject to the authority of the U.S. Congress, and making it a felony for any employee of the federal government to enforce a federal law or regulation in regard to such a good or service (for state employees, it would be a misdemeanor).

Transportation will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda:  SB1262, creating yet another special license plate, this one commemorating Arizona's centennial next year (not a " bad" bill, per se, but a definite "how did this rate so high on the list of priorities?" bill);  SB1270, an ADOT "omnibus" bill.

Technology and Infrastructure will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m in HHR1.  Looks to be a placeholder agenda (no bills or presentations right now) that will be amended during the week.

Judiciary will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR4.  Looks quiet so far.

Agriculture and Water will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5.  Looks quiet so far.


On Monday's House Third Read and COW calendars (here and here) -

- HB2415, an anti-bullying measure, defining requirements for schools when addressing bullying incidents (Third Read)

- HB2565, giving college students a religious "out" on their coursework and protecting them from responsibility for their actions or words (Third Read)

- HB2656, creating a commemorative license plate dedicated to women veterans.  Again, not a bad bill per se, but Arizona already offers nearly 50 of these "special" license plates, and we still haven't balanced the budget for this year or the next (COW)

- HB2707, reducing the state's expediture limit (COW)

- HB2718, Speaker Kirk Adams' $5 million gift to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu Pinal County for border security equipment and supplies (note:  Pinal County doesn't actually border Mexico, but that's a minor detail) (COW)

- HB2297, repealing the Arizona escrow recovery fund and sweeping the fund balance into the state's general fund (COW)

- HB2581, expanding the School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit (COW)


Capitol Events, courtesy the lege's website, here.

The Arizona Capitol Times' "Capitol Calendar" here.

...Whew... :)

Well, that didn't take long: Nullification bill returns, one day after defeat

Wednesday, SB1433, creating a legislative committee to oversee the "nullification" of federal laws that they don't like, was defeated in a bit of a surprise.

Thursday, Sen. Lori Klein (R-Armed and Dangerous), the original sponsor of the bill, moved to reconsider the measure.

The motion passed on a voice vote, and SB1433 will be coming back to a Senate calendar near you. 

I'm guessing that the bill will be back on the Senate floor next week, but Senate floor calendars haven't been posted for next week as yet.

Later...

Wisconsin Republicans hiring bounty hunters and ordering the arrest of the Wisconsin 14

Just a few weeks ago, the 14 members of the Democratic caucus of the Wisconsin State Senate left Wisconsin in order to block a vote on a bill to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights.

And since then, Republican Governor Scott Walker and the Republicans in their state senate have been throwing a fit, whining about the Wisconsin 14.

Apparently having figured out that threatening fines and the loss of parking places isn't going to intimidate the 14 into returning to the state, Wisconsin's Republicans have authorized the arrest of the 14 Democrats.  They have ordered the police in Wisconsin to find, arrest, and bring the Democrats back to the Capitol there.

However, they have a problem - the arrest authority doesn't extend beyond Wisconsin.  Even if Wisconsin police wanted to, and thus far there hasn't been any indication that they want to be involved in this mess to the slightest degree, they can't cross into Illinois to chase down the Democratic state senators.

So, the Republicans are bringing in bounty hunters, who don't respect little things like state lines.  Or civil rights. 

Or sometimes even human life.

One of the 14, Sen. Fred Risser, is 83 years old; another, Sen. Julie Lassa, is almost seven months pregnant. No chance of anything going catastrophically wrong there, right?

I don't know if the Republicans' efforts will be successful, but if any of the Democrats or other innocent bystanders are hurt in any way by the Republicans' escalation here, using force to impose their will on a political minority....?

Let's just say that "hell to pay" will be far too mild a term to describe the aftermath.

Schweikert votes to protect oil companies

Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res 44, a resolution continuing government operations for another two weeks, by a vote of 335 - 91.  As one can see from those totals, support for the measure was bipartisan, even if a lot of that support was of the "I'll hold my nose and vote for this anyway" variety.

Less bipartisan was the vote on a proposal by Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) to add a clause to the measure "prohibiting the use of funds to be used for tax benefit or relief for any major integrated oil company."

What is possibly the single most profitable industry in the world is also one of the most highly subsidized.

Arizona's David Schweikert (R-CD5), a self-professed fiscal hawk, someone who never fails to grab an opportunity to rail about the federal deficit, had an opportunity to vote to cut the federal deficit by BILLIONS of dollars.

So what did he do?

Voted with every other Republican in the House of Representatives to continue the budget-busting (but oh-so-campaign-contribution-friendly) corporate subsidies.

The proposal to end oil company subsidies for as long as the federal government is operating under a continuing resolution (as opposed to an actual budget) went down 176 - 249.

Of course.

More Bundgaard info getting out there....

Right now, I'm betting the State Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-LD4) is rueing the day that the internet was invented, because the reports surrounding his domestic violence incident are going viral.

Now, the Phoenix New Times' Stephen Lemons has posted the police reports related to Bundgaard's fight with his now ex-girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, and those reports show that while Bundgaard has been consistent about blaming the fight on Ballard, citing her "jealousy," a witness' independent recounting of the part of the events that he saw corroborates Ballard's story.

In addition to that, the responding officer recommended that Bundgaard face charges once the legislative session is completed.

Note:  According to KPNX's late newscast on Wednesday, charges have been dropped against Aubry Ballard.
I wonder if that development has anything to do with the fact the the independent witness' account most closely resembled Ballard's account, not Bundgaard's.

See below.

From the officers' reports.

First up, Officer Patterson (their ALL CAPS, and most of the typos are theirs, too) -

I ASKED SCOTT WHY HE HAD PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND HE STATED THE FOLLOWING.  SCOTT WAS OUT AT A CHARITY EVENT WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND OF 8 MONTHS AP1 AUBRY BALLARD AND DECIDED TO LEAVE.  IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT AUBRY SPENDS THE NIGHT AT SCOTTS HOUSE ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND.  SCOTT WAS DRIVING AUBRY TO HIS PARENTS HOUSE BECAUSE AUBRY HAD LEFT HER CAR PARKED THERE.  SCOTT SAID  AUBRY WAS UPSET THAT HE WAS DANCING WITH ANOTHER WOMEN DURING THE EVENT.  SCOTT SAID AUBRY WAS MAKING STATEMENTS THAT HE DIDN'T LOVER HER ANYMORE AND BEGAN TO YELL AT HIM.  SCOTT STATED THAT AUBRY SAID SHE WAS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR INTO TRAFFIC AS THEY WERE DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON THE SR-51.  SCOTT SAID AUBRY THREW HIS SUIT OUT OF THE WINDOW JUST AS THEY PASSED SHEA BOULDEVARD.  SCOTT ALSO STATED THAT AUBRY HIT HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FACE AND TRIED TO GRAB THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO THE CEMENT MEDIAN.  SCOTT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE HIS SUIT AND WHEN HE WAS RETURNING TO HIS VEHICLE AUBRY GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED TO THROW ITEMS ONTO THE FREEWAY AND TRIED TO PUT AUBRY BACK INTO THE VEHICLE.  SCOTT STATED THAT HE WAS A STATE SENATOR.  I SAW SCOTT'S RIGHT EYE WAS BRUISED AND HAD A SMALL CUT UNDERNEATH IT.  SCOTT'S LIP WAS ALSO SWOLLEN AND HE POINTED TO WHERE THE TOP BUTTON ON HIS SHIRT WAS BUT SAID AUBRY RIPPED IT OPEN AND THE BUTTON FELL OFF.  SCOTT ALSO HAD A SMALL CUT UNDERNEATH HIS NOSE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FACE.

SCOTT WAS PLACED INTO THE BACK OF A DPS PATROL VEHICLE AND AUBRY WAS PLANCE IN ANOTHER ONE.  BOTH PARTIES WERE TRANSPORTED OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE PARK PARKING LOT AT 3500 EAST CACTUS ROAD FOR THEIR SAFETY.  I DROVE SCOTTS VEHICLE TO THAT LOCATION AS MY PARTNER FOLLOWED ME IN THE PATROL VEHICLE.

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE PARK I PLACED SCOTT IN THE BACK OF MY PATROL VEHICLE AND TOOK HIS HANDCUFFS OFF.  SINCE SCOTT STATED THAT HE WAS A STATE SENATOR AND THAT HE WAS IN SESSION, MY SUPERVISOR SERGEANT RODARME #6999 CONTACTED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION.  AT 2347 HOURS I READ SCOTT HIS MIRANDA RIGHTS AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT UNDER ARREST BUT STILL UNDER INVESTIGATIVE DETENTION.  SCOTT REPLIED "YES" WHEN ASKED IF HE UNDERSTOOD HIS RIGHTS BUT SAID HE WOULD NOT ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WITHOUT HIS LAWYER PRESENT.

SGT RODARME WAS ADVISED BY OUR ON DUTY LEGAL ATTORNEY THAT UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT IF THE SENATE WAS IN SESSION AND UNLESS SCOTT COMMITTED TREASON OF BREACH OF THE PEACE THEN HE WAS IMMUNE TO ARREST.  IT WAS VERIFIED THAT LEGISLATION WAS IN SESSION.

I CONTACTED W1 RICH MAIOCCO BY TELEPHONE AND HE STATED THE FOLLOWING.  RICH WAS ENTERING THE SR-51 NORTH BOUND FROM SHEA BOULEVARD WHEN HE WITNESSED A GOLD COLORED SEDAN PARKED NEXT TO THE CEMENT MEDIAN.  RICH SAID HE WITNESSED A MAN PUSHING OR PULLING A FEMALE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF THE GOLD COLORED SEDAN.  RICH ALSO STATED THAT THE FEMALE FELL TO THE GROUND NEAR THE PASSENGER DOOR WHILE THE MALE HAD HIS HANDS ON HER.  RICH IS WILLING TO TESTIFY AND CAN IDENTIFY THE MALE AND FEMALE.

OUR INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SENATOR BUNDGAARD WAS IMMUNE FROM THIS CRIME.  I REMOVED SCOTT FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND HIS INJURIES WERE PHOTOGRAPHED BY OFC GRABER #9448.  OFC GRABER ALSO PHOTOGRAPHED AUBRY'S INJURIES.  BASED ON SENATOR BUNDGAARD'S POSITION HE WAS RELEASED.  HIS GIRLFRIEND AUBRY WAS BOOKED INTO 4TH AVENUE JAIL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSAULT.  I AM REQUESTING THAT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSAULT CHARGE BE SUBMITTED ON SENATOR BUNDGAARD WHEN THE LEGISLATION IS NOT IN SESSION.  PLEASE REFER TO OFC WERNER #9412 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AUBRY'S STATEMENT.  SCOTT DOES NOT DESIRE PROSECUTION AND WILL NOT TESTIFY AGAINST AUBRY.

Aubry Ballard's story was somewhat different.  From Officer Werner's report -

ON 022611 AT APPROXIMATELY 2319 HOURS, I RESPONDED AS ONE MAN UNIT RADIO CALL LOCATED ON NORTH PIESTEWA PARKWAY JUST OF EAST CACTUS ROAD ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE OF THE FREEWAY.

UPON ARRIVING, I FOUND SP1 SCOTT BUNDGAARD AND AP1 AUBRY BALLARD.  FOR THE PURPOSE OF SAFETY, THE TWO SUBJECTS AND THE VEHICLE WERE MOVE TO 11229 NORTH 36TH STREET IN THE PARKING LOT.

UPON ARRIVING, I ASKED AUBRY TO EXPLAIN THE INCIDENT.  IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MS BALLARD AND SENATOR BUNDGAARD HAVE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WHERE MS BALLARD FREQUENTLY STAYS THE NIGHT ON WEEKENDS AT SENATOR BUNDGAARD'S RESIDENCE.  THEY HAVE BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS.

MS BALLARD STATED THAT ON 022611 AT APPROXIMATELY 2319 HOURS, SENATOR BUNDGAARD WAS IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND MS BALLARD WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT.  THEY WERE IN THE CARPOOL LANE GOING NORTHBOUD ON THE I-51 OR THE PIESTEWA PARKWAY JUST BEFORE THE CACTUS ROAD EXIT.  SHE SAID THAT THEY VERBALLY ARGUING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING.  DURING  THE ARGUMENT, SENATOR BUNDGAARD USED HIS RIGHT ARM IN A SWINGING MOTION AND HIT MS BALLARD OVER HER CHEST.  THE STRIKE CAUSED BRUISING ON THE LEFT UPPER CHEST AREA OF MS BALLARD.  MS BALLARD STATE THAT HE STRUCK HER TWICE.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MS BALLARD DENIED ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER INJURIES.

MS BALLARD THEN SAID. "YOU HIT ME" AND STRUCK SP1 BUNDGAARD IN THE FACE WITH HER LEFT ARM USING AN OPEN HAND.  MS BALLARD ATTEMPTED TO THEN USE HER PHONE TO CALL HER PARENTS FOR SOME HELP.  SP1 BUNDGAARD GRABBED HER PHONE OUT OF HER HAND AND THREW IT OUT OF HIS DRIVER SIDE WINDOW.  MS BALLARD STATED THAT AFTER 20 TO 30 SECOND, SENATOR BUNDGAARD STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE INSIDE SHOULDER OF THE NORTHBOUND CARPOOL LANE TO GO BACK FOR HER PHONE.  BOTH SUBJECTS LEFT THE VEHICLE AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO FIND HER PHONE WHEN SENATOR BUNDGAARD RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, THREATENING TO LEAVE MS BALLARD ON THE FREEWAY.  MS BALLARD WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOORS.  AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, SENATOR BUNDGAARD OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND PUSHED MS BALLARD TO THE GROUND WITH A TWO HANDED IMPACT PUSH, MAKING HER FALL TO THE GROUND CAUSING A LACERATION ON HER RIGHT KNEE AND A CAUSED A SCRAPE ALSO ON HER RIGHT HAND.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT MS BALLARD HAD DIFFICULTY REMEMBERING ALL THE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT, BUT SHE STATED THAT HE PUSHED HER DOWN AT LEAST TWICE.

AT THIS TIME, MS BALLARD WAS PLACED UNDER ARREST ON 022611 AT APPROXIMATELY 0046 HOURS.  MIRANDA WARNING WAS READ DIRECTLY FROM THE CARD AT 0048 HOURS.  MS BALLARD STATED YES TO UNDERSTANDING HER RIGHTS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING MS BALLARD'S STATEMENTS, PLEASE LOOK TO HER RECORDED STATEMENTS WHICH WERE IMPOUNDED AS EVIDENCE ON A CASSETTE TAPE AT DESERT HORIZON PRECINCT.

MS BALLARD THAT SHE DOES NOT WAS PROSECUTION AGAINST SENATOR BUNDGAARD.

MS BALLARD WAS BOOKED ON 13-1203A WHICH IS ASSAULT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  SHE WAS PROCESSED AT DESERT HORIZON PRECINCT AND TRANSFERRED DOWN TO 4TH AVENUE JAIL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS REPORT, PLEASE LOOK TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT BY OFFICER PATTERSON #9314.

New Times coverage here, here, and here.

One nullification bill goes down...for now

Today, the Arizona State Senate defeated SB1433 by a 12 - 18 vote.  SB1433 would have created a legislative committee with the authority to "nullify," or ignore, any federal law, regulation, or order that they don't like.

This was one of the new Confederacy bills that have clogged up legislative agendas and calendars for weeks.

All nine Democratics senators voted against the measure, as well as nine out of 21 Republican senators.

Democrats who voted against the measure:

David Schapira
Leah Landrum Taylor
Paula Aboud
Olivia Cajero Bedford
Steve Gallardo
Jack Jackson Jr.
Linda Lopez
Robert Meza
Kyrsten Sinema

Republicans who voted against the measure:

Nancy Barto
Rich Crandall
Adam Driggs
Linda Gray
John McComish
John Nelson
Michele Reagan
Steve Yarbrough
Lori Klein

Klein's "no" vote wasn't an expression of opposition to the bill - she was the originating sponsor of it.  She just voted "no" today because under the rules of the Senate, only a Senator who voted with the majority in defeating a measure can move to reconsider, or bring the bill back to the Senate floor for another vote. 

When it was obvious that the bill wasn't going to pass, she changed her vote from "yes" to "no."

As such, they need three, not four, votes to switch to pass the measure.  My guess, and it's only a guess, is that they (meaning R leadership and Klein) will target Barto, Gray, and Reagan and/or Yarbrough.  All have weaknesses or ambitions (pet bills, Congressional aspirations, etc.) that could make them vulnerable to entreaties or threats from their caucus' leadership.  The others, while thoroughly conservative (though they'll be denounced as "RINOs" or worse in the RW blogosphere, have been pretty consistent about having a line that even they won't cross.

Some serious arm-twisting is going on down on West Washington tonight...

Redistricting Update: The numbers will be here next week

...and then the real work begins.

From a U.S. Census Bureau press release -

Media Advisory — Census Bureau to Release Local 2010 Census Data for Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

What:  Next week, the U.S. Census Bureau anticipates releasing local-level 2010 Census population counts for Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. For each state, the Census Bureau will provide summaries of population totals, as well as data on race, Hispanic origin and voting age for multiple geographies within the state, such as census blocks, tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts.


According to Public Law 94-171, the Census Bureau must provide redistricting data to the 50 states no later than April 1 of the year following the census. As a result, the Census Bureau is delivering the data state-by-state on a flow basis in February and March. All states will receive their data by April 1, 2011.

When:  Each state's geographic products and redistricting data are first delivered to the state's leadership, such as the governor and majority and minority leaders in the state legislative body. Upon confirmation of delivery to the state leadership, we will release a news release with five custom tables of data. Within 24 hours, the full set of five detailed tables will be available to the public online at http://factfinder2.census.gov/.

For more information on the Census Bureau's Redistricting Data Program, visit http://www.census.gov/rdo/.

Online Press Kit:  For more information about the U.S. Census Bureau, please visit http://www.census.gov/ and http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/redistricting.html and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube (/uscensusbureau).

While I and many other observers have been caught up covering the bits of drama surrounding the formation of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, those events were nothing more than a few spring training games taking place prior to a long regular season.

Now there's an Arizona metaphor for ya... :)

Arizona should add a sixth "C" to it's civics curriculum...and maybe a seventh...

It's been sort of a tradition for Arizona's schools to teach about the "5 C's" of Arizona's history - Copper, Cotton, Citrus, Cattle, and Climate.

Recent developments in the state have led some to observe that it may be time to add a sixth "C" - 

Crazy.

A list of pieces of evidence bills, courtesy the Arizona House Democrats (I've been thinking of a post in this vein, but since they did a list before I did, they get the credit :) ) -

HB 2675, Shaming struggling Arizonans: Makes food stamp cards safety orange and include in large black print the phase “Government Food Stamp Card,” which profiles food stamp holders. (Dial)


HB 2070, State guard: Authorizes the governor to establish the Arizona State Guard for any reason the governor considers to be necessary. (Harper)

SB 1519, Health care annihilation: Terminates the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which would make Arizona ineligible for $4.8 billion in federal funding and leave thousands of Arizonans without health care. (Biggs)

SB 1610, Declaring an official state firearm: Would make the Colt Single Action Army revolver Arizona’s official firearm, instead of focusing on the real issues – economy, jobs and education. (Gould)

HB 2490, Happy Meal toys: Would bar cities and counties from enacting regulations that limit the ability of restaurant incentives like toys, which restricts local governments’ rights. (Gowan)

HB 2384, HB 2416, HB 2443, Absurd anti-choice bills:

· Prohibits abortions sought based on race or sex of the child, when the sex of a fetus is not known when abortions are performed. (Montenegro)

· Dictates what colleges can teach by prohibiting them from using public funds, tax monies or tuition for medical training that includes abortions. (Lesko)

· Requires a woman performing an abortion to listen to the heartbeat of the fetus before termination. (Yee)

HB 2165, Kicking Arizonans when they’re down: Changes the Unemployment benefits paid to individuals temporarily from 26 weeks to 16 weeks through Oct. 31, 2012, which leave Arizonans stranded. (Olson)

HB 2471, Waste of taxpayer dollars: Prohibits the legislature from enacting any statute that involves a monetary federal mandate, which would be overturned due to federal law. (Gowan)

HB 2191, Benefits only one person: Prohibits any person who is illegally in this state in violation of federal immigration law from being awarded punitive damages by any Arizona court, which is a bill introduced to benefit one rancher. (Weiers)

HB 2313, Waste of taxpayer dollars: Broadens the classification of property to the state’s eminent domain laws by including property possessed by the federal government, which would be overturned due to federal law. (Jones)

HB 2077, Waste of taxpayer dollars: Requires any federal agency that comes into a county to conduct authorized business to register its presence with the county sheriff, which would be overturned due to federal law. (Lesko)

SB 1433, Waste of taxpayer dollars: Asserts that the state is not required to recognize or live under any federal legislation that has been nullified by simple majority vote of the legislature, which will bring the state costly lawsuits, which would be overturned due to federal law. (Klein)

HB 2140, Stops local control: Prohibits property rental agreements from requiring a tenant to waive any fundamental gun right. (Harper)

SB 1115, Eliminates ABOR: Would eliminate the Arizona Board of Regents and scrap the existing funding formula structure for community colleges and universities. (Biggs)

HB 2581, STO alcohol contributions: Would allow a credit for contributions to an STO, which would allow the makers and distributors of alcoholic beverages to contribute to the corporate private school tuition tax credit. (Mesnard)

I might quibble with that list, but only because it barely scratches the surface of the craziness that has taken hold of the Arizona State Capitol.

However, if "crazy" is the sixth "C," then there is now a strong case for a seventh.


Exhibit A - Senate President Russell Pearce has ordered that the first row of the Senate gallery be closed off to the public, and for Senate security personnel to stand in that area while the Senate is in session.

Exhibit B - Pearce no longer walks across the courtyard between the Senate and House for fear of contact with the general public.  If for some reason he needs to visit the House, he utilizes the not-so-secret tunnel between the Senate and House buildings.

Exhibit C - Early in the session, when faced with the possibility that members of the legislature could be brought to heel over their penchant for carrying firearms within the buildings of the Capitol, in violation of state law, Pearce handed down an  edict stating the sitting legislators don't have to adhere to that law.

Exhibit D - Pearce has created a "blacklist," while simultaneously denying its existence, barring certain of his critics from the Senate building, even those who have done nothing more "dangerous" than clapping during Senate hearing in a room, away from the hearing itself, that had no senators in it.

Exhibit E - Responding to criticism of that move against his critics, Pearce has now barred the public from attending open press conferences in the Senate building.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby present to you Arizona's seventh "C" =

Control Freak.


The Recall Pearce has a website here.  Consider helping them any way you can.