Maricopa County Losing Influence*

* Maricopa County is still Arizona's "big dog" and is still growing, but AZ's other "dogs" grew more from 2000 to 2010.  Given that the overall "pie" of Arizona didn't get any bigger, that means that Maricopa is getting a slightly smaller part of that pie.

Over a month ago, the Census Bureau held a conference call where they talked about some of the 2010 census numbers that were already available to them.

The post about that call is here.

During the call, one point that piqued my interest was that the vast majority of the state "actual" totals were close to what had been estimated by statisticians.  34 of the 50 states were within +/- 1%, and 46 of 50 were within +/- 2% of 2010 estimates.

Only one state was more than 2% below estimate.

That state?

Arizona.  Of course.

Graph courtesy the U.S. Census Bureau.












The local level data released Thursday by the Census Bureau shines some light on that phenomenon.

While the state's actual count total came in more than 203K below the estimate, the variance wasn't evenly spread out across the state (based on 2009 estimates because I couldn't find the 2010 estimates, and this is only a rough analysis.  The Census Bureau is sure to put out a far more detailed analysis in the coming months).

The state's total drop from 2009 estimate was >203K; more than 206K of that total, or more than the statewide total difference, was in Maricopa County alone.

With the actual numbers, Maricopa County contains 59.7% of the state's population; the 2009 estimates (and the Census Bureau's statisticians are pretty good at estimating) showed Maricopa County with 62% of the state's population.  Not only that, Maricopa County didn't even hold the percentage that it had after the 2000 census, dropping to 59.7% from 59.9%. 

.2% doesn't sound like a big deal, until we remember that Maricopa County is the population, political and economic hub of Arizona.  A small loss here translates to large gains elsewhere.  In this case, the biggest beneficiary is Pinal County, which grew by more than 109% between 2000 and 2010, and saw its share of the state's population grow by more than 2.37%.

Some of the raw data ("difference" is the difference between the 2010 actual number and the 2009 estimate) -


Geographic Area       pop 2000     pop 2010     pop est 2009  difference

Arizona                     5,130,632      6,392,017      6,595,778           - 203,761


Maricopa County    3,072,149      3,817,117      4,023,132          - 206,015


Pima County               843,746          980,263      1,020,200          - 39,937

Pinal County               179,727         375,770         340,962             34,808

Yavapai County         167,517         211,033         215.686             - 4,653

Mohave County        155,032         200,186         194,825                5,361

Yuma County             160,026         195,751         196,972              - 1,221

Coconino County      116,320         134,421         129,849                4,572

Cochise County         117,755          131,346        129,518                1,828

Navajo County            97,470          107,449         112,975             - 5,526

Apache County          69,423            71,518           70,591                   927

Gila County                 51,335            53,597            52,199               1,398

Santa Cruz County    38,381            47,420             43,771              3,649

Graham County         33,489            37,220             37,045                 175

La Paz County           19,715            20,489            20,012                  477

Greenlee County         8,547             8,437               8,041                 396

Numbers on some of the cities and towns tomorrow...

Arizona's census data released

I'm still sorting through the data - it's available on the Census website as three very large zipped files and is a bit of a pain in the _ _ _ to work with.

However, Ronald Hansen of the Arizona Republic already has a story up.  It contains some bad news for Russell Pearce and his fellow travelers.

From the story -

Soaring numbers of Hispanics and overall growth in Phoenix and the West Valley helped make Arizona the second-fastest growing state in the nation, newly released census data show.

Arizona had nearly 1.9 million Hispanic residents as of April 1, 2010, and their share of the overall population rose to 29.6 percent. It was 25.3 percent in 2000. The total count of Hispanics rose by nearly 600,000 over the decade.

Oopsie.  Maybe it's time for SB1070 and its siblings to come back and bite the Rs in the butt.

Anyway, an interactive map with some top-level data, courtesy the Census Bureau -



The complete data files can be found here; if you go that route, read the "readme" file (aka - the directions) and visit the Census Bureau's "Tech Tips" site here.

Total population, by county (courtesy the U.S. Census Bureau)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Percent change, by county (Courtesy the U.S. Census Bureau)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
More analysis later...

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...