Live blogging the Arizona Senate, March 10, 2011

3:11 p.m. - Measure passes 21 - 9, but mixed opposition and support.  Going into COW, and I will be going home.

3:08 p.m. - Reconsidering SB1279, which failed once.  Looks like it may pass this time around. 

3:04 p.m. - Internet connection lost for a few minutes there.  SCR1032, requiring a 60% vote of the voters to pass a new tax or increase an existing one, passed 16 - 12.

2:57 p.m. - SCR1029, banning photo radar in Arizona.  Passes 18 - 12.

2:56 p.m. - SCR1019, TABOR, passes on a party line vote.  No energy left in the room apparently.

2:52 p.m. - Pearce says that "we're no longer the free-est nation."  I'm guessing the author of the infamous blacklist is not one who appreciates irony.  Measure fails 13 - 17.

2:48 p.m. - Sen. Russell Pearce explaining his vote now.

2:47 p.m. - 30 minutes voting on this one measure.  Measure now failing again.

2:45 p.m. - Sen. Andy Biggs is speaking in opposition.

2:40 p.m. - Apparently, the four-corners offense is working - the measure is passing right now.  Sen. Rick Murphy is speaking now.

2:38 p.m. - Sen. Ron Gould up, but he's opposing the measure.  Not the *concept,* but he believes that this proposal is too broad and too open to hijacking by other interests.

2:31 p.m. - Sen. Nancy Barto, measure sponsor, is up.

2:30 p.m. - The measure is failing, so now it is Sen. Frank Antenori's turn to keep the vote open.

2:26 p.m. - Her mic quits, so she switches to Sen. Bundgaard's (he's here today, BTW), and finishes her speech.

2:24 p.m. - Allen still going on - "This is not about opening the Constitution to change.  It's about amending the Constitution."  For the record, Sen. Sylvia Allen is now my favorite conservative speaker.  :))

2:17 p.m. - SCR1016, calling for a US constitutional convention to require the approval of a majority of state legislatures before the federal debt limit can be raised.  Sen. Sylvia Allen rambling a little as she goes on about why she supports the measure.  "Oil is now at a dollar-four".  I can feel the brain cells seizing up.

2:11 p.m. - SB1499, relating to "probate proceedings, omnibus."  Passed, Gould and Biggs opposing.

2:04 p.m. - SB1430, relating to changes in towing rules, goes down 9 - 21.  Not sure why.  Most or all Ds opposed, as did a majority of Rs.  Not sure why.

1:55 p.m. - SB1365, no payroll deductions for political purposes, an anti-union bill.  Sen. Kyrsten Sinema points out that a law enforcement exemption in the bill could make it legally untenable, but it passes on a party line vote anyway.

1:52 p.m. - SB1282, exempting religious entities from having to register as political committees even if they attempt to influence elections.  Sen. Linda Lopez points out that this measure is another one sponsored by the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy.  Passes on a party line vote, with no Rs rising to go on record with their justification of it.

1:47 p.m. - Right now, they are voting on some relatively non-controversial measures (in other words, they are passing unanimously)...

Little victories...

...VERY little, but these days, it's not to be overlooked...

On Tuesday, I put up a post highlighting the fact that while the Arizona Senate, led by Russell Pearce, was keeping the flag of the United States in deep shadow, they made sure that Arizona's flag was bathed in bright light.

Methinks the post struck a nerve.

The Senate's US flag on Tuesday -

That same US flag today -





Tempe firm among three Arizona companies fined by EPA for hazardous waste violations

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that three Phoenix-area companies have been fined a total of $131,000 for various violations related to the handling and disposal of hazardous waste products.

“We impose strict environmental controls to make sure hazardous waste is properly handled,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.

Acme Aerospace, located in Tempe, was fined $31K.  It is a subsidiary of North Carolina-based Acme Electric, which is in turn a subsidiary of Key Components, Inc. of Tarrytown, NY (no website available, but some info here from the State of New York).

The other companies fined by the EPA:

AZZ Galvanizing Services of Goodyear - $79,700

Hexcel Corporation of Casa Grande - $20,000


While one can make a strong argument for Goodyear being considered a "Phoenix area" location, most Arizonans wouldn't consider Casa Grande to be part of the Phoenix metro area.

Especially residents of Casa Grande.  :)


Related info:

Acme Aerospace, while in Tempe, is located outside of area of the South Indian Bend Wash NPL (National Priorities List) site in Tempe (ADEQ map here; informational overview here).

Arizona-located NPL sites are here and here.


Note:  I live in the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Area (NIBW), hence the reason that the Tempe location of one of the companies caught my eye. :)

Later...

Wisconsin Republicans Try End Around Play To Roll Back Collective Bargaining Rights For Public Employees

Their play may be more "hail mary" than "end around," but either way, if it works, they'll be slapping themselves on the back for months, even years.

From the Seattle Times -

Wisconsin Senate Republicans used a surprise legislative maneuver to pass a bill that would strip collective-bargaining rights from most public-sector workers — a move accomplished without the 14 Democratic senators who had fled the state to stall the measure.


Republicans voted 18-1 Wednesday night to pass nonfiscal provisions of the budget-repair bill — including those that would eliminate or severely limit collective-bargaining rights for most public employees.

Republicans control the Senate but had been blocked from voting on the issue after Democrats left the state Feb. 17 to prevent a quorum. Instead, Republicans used a procedural maneuver to force the collective-bargaining measure through: They removed elements of Gov. Scott Walker's bill that technically were related to appropriating funds, thus removing a requirement that 20 senators be present for a vote.

The move seems to be patently illegal (caveat: I'm not a lawyer, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night :) ).  They went to a conference committee on a bill that hadn't even been considered yet, used that committee to split the original bill, and then reported the new bill back to the WI Senate for a vote.  Additionally, they violated all sorts of public notice laws during the entire process.

However, cynic that I am, I'm not sure this isn't just strategy.

If they can use this to entice the Wisconsin 14 to reenter the state, then they could pass the original measure legally, and just ignore the illegal version, avoiding a public slapping down by a court of law.

Later...

Brewer "vacations" in Alaska, now Palin might be moving to Scottsdale?

From Politico's Ben Smith -

Palin would base campaign in Scottsdale


The prospect of Sarah Palin running for president is, increasingly, dismissed by a political class that sees her facing weak poll numbers -- especially in key early states -- and doing nothing to correct them or to buil the infrastructure for a run.

But I'm told Palin's camp is, at least, holding preliminary talks about how a campaign would look if she decides to run. One early decision, a source says: It would be based in Scottsdale, Arizona, very near where Bristol Palin recently bought a house in Maricopa.

Hey, I suppose we should be grateful - Jan Brewer "vacationed" in Alaska, and now unemployed Republican operatives here are cackling in gleeful anticipation of getting a piece of the big money of a presidential campaign.

Now, if only Brewer would "vacation" with someone who will bring good jobs for average Arizonans...

Quick legislative update, March 9, 2011 -

What a difference a day makes...

...On Tuesday, Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-Domestic Violence Incident) was securely ensconced as the leader of the Republican majority in the Senate, having successfully rebuffed any move to depose him because of the furor surrounding him.

On Wednesday, James King of the Phoenix New Times reported that Bundgaard is all but gone as majority leader, not least because a number of his colleagues aren't buying the story he spun Tuesday, that his girlfriend pulled a gun on him on the night of the incident that has precipitated the angst around him.


...On Tuesday, Senate President Russell Pearce's "hold" on his anti-immigrant bill until the state's budget is complete.

On Wednesday (actually, Tuesday night, but that doesn't fit in with the theme of this post :) ), he was moving the bills at full speed again.

Not really a surprise, but something of a disappointment - eternal optimist that I am, I had 6 days in the pool*. 

The "hold" lasted less than four days, and the lege wasn't even meeting on three of those days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).


...On Tuesday, Scott Bundgaard was at work all day.

On Wednesday, he seems to have missed every vote.

Hmmm...


Gaining final passage in the Senate on Wednesday:

SB1553, school vouchers, under the name of "Arizona Empowerment Accounts" - party line vote

SB1561, giving the legislature the ability to sweep and reappropriate "non-custodial" federal monies such as community block grants - party line vote

SCR1027, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to require that voters reauthorize any ballot measures that reserve or expend monies for a specific purpose (things like First Things First, placing AHCCCS eligibility at 100% of FPL, mandatory education funding, etc.) - party line vote

SCR1051, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to mandate that any voter-approved measure (initiative or referendum) that doesn't identify a funding source other than the state's general fund, then the measure is subject to legislative appropriation (or non-appropriation, as is more likely); a move to circumvent the Voter Protection Act, without seeming to do so - party line vote


Passed the House on Wednesday -

HB2523, expanding current law so that someone driving on a  license that is suspended or revoked for any reason who is involved in an accident resulting in death or injury is guilty of a class four or class five felony - passed on reconsideration, with bipartisan support and opposition

HB2707, further shackling state expenditures (TABOR by another name) - mostly party line vote (three Rs crossed over)

HCM2002, a postcard to the U.S. Congress requesting that they take the gray wolf off of the Endangered Species List - party line vote


...On Thursday, look for -

SB1282, exempting religious entities from registering as a political committee if it doesn't spend a "substantial" amount of its time or assets on attempts to influence elections. (Senate Third Read)

SB1365, banning payroll deductions for political purposes; aimed at unions. (Senate Third Read)

SCR1016, calling for a U.S. constitutional convention to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring that Congress gain the approval of a majority of state legislatures to approve before the federal debt limit is increased. (Senate Third Read)

SCR1019, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to lower the state's revenue expenditure limit; another TABOR bill. (Senate Third Read)

SCR1029, a proposed referendum to permanently ban photo enforcement of traffic laws in Arizona (Senate Third Read)

SCR1032, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution to raise the passage threshold for ballot measure that raise or impose a tax from the current simply majority (50% + 1 vote) to a supermajority of 60%.  (Senate Third Read)

HB2484, taking the authority to fill legislative vacancies away from county boards of supervisors and giving it to the precinct committeement of the party of the vacating member of the legislature of that particular legislative district.  (House Third Read)

HB2501, mandating that if a rule adopted by a government agency or a law or ordinance adopted by a county or municipality, relating to permits, licenses, or zoning, is ambiguous, then that rule, law, or ordinance must be interpreted in favor of the applicant.  (House Third Read)

HB2581, expanding the STO tax credit.  (House Third Read)

HB2701, mandating that counties utilize the same reporting format when transmitting elections data to the Secretary of State; sounds harmless, but it is the brainchild of Jeff Dial, the Republican legislator who proposed a measure to ostracize poor people by mandating that food stamp cards be bright orange and identify the holder as a welfare recipient in big, bold, black lettering; in other words, while I don't know what brand of shoe is involved, I'm sure it's about to drop. (House Third Read)


* - Metaphor only, no actual gambling was taking place.  :)

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...