All information available at the Census Bureau's American Factfinder page (watch the instructional videos, trust me :) )...
Census numbers for the state's 30 legislative districts -
Geographic area Total population
Arizona 6,392,017
LD1 (2010) 217,022
LD2 (2010) 177,904
LD3 (2010) 216,687
LD4 (2010) 294,239
LD5 (2010) 192,258
LD6 (2010) 219,170
LD7 (2010) 190,272
LD8 (2010) 185,419
LD9 (2010) 178,499
LD10 (2010) 163,683
LD11 (2010) 161,630
LD12 (2010) 378,298
LD13 (2010) 207,107
LD14 (2010) 158,881
LD15 (2010) 155,897
LD16 (2010) 247,146
LD17 (2010) 171,129
LD18 (2010) 165,729
LD19 (2010) 195,221
LD20 (2010) 176,043
LD21 (2010) 274,260
LD22 (2010) 297,687
LD23 (2010) 370,479
LD24 (2010) 207,694
LD25 (2010) 208,220
LD26 (2010) 195,881
LD27 (2010) 199,340
LD28 (2010) 170,527
LD29 (2010) 184,459
LD30 (2010) 231,236
Average 213,067
A map of the current LDs is here.
Most LDs should experience significant changes to their borders, but with many LDs, significant changes are guaranteed because their populations vary significantly from the average, and the new legislative districts have to be pretty much the same size. There can be a little variation, but it's small.
Looking at the raw numbers of residents in each legislative district, a few things are obvious - LD12 (western Maricopa County), LD21, LD22 (both SE metro Phoenix), and LD23 (mostly Pinal County, but reaching into Maricopa) are going to be split up - they're far too big to continue in anything resembling their current forms.
Also likely to see significant changes are current Phoenix-area LDs 8, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 20 - all have populations significantly below the average of 213K. The areas covered by those LDs will absorb or be absorbed by other areas.
Tucson-area LDs 26, 28, and 29 are in the same boat as the Phoenix-area LDs above.
Congressional districts -
Geographic area Total population
Arizona 6,392,017
CD 1 774,310
CD 2 972,839
CD 3 707,919
CD 4 698,314
CD 5 656,833
CD 6 971,733
CD 7 855,769
CD 8 754,300
Current average (for 8 CDs) 799,002
New average (for 9 CDs) 710,224
Map of the current Congressional districts here.
In some ways, tea leaf reading when looking at potential changes to lege districts is easy - there are 30 LDs now, and there will be 30 LDs after redistricting.
Looking at potential changes to Congressional districts is more difficult because there are 8 districts now but there are going to be 9 after redistricting. Once the new district is carved out (expected to be in the East Valley/Pinal County area or in the West Valley, in the area where the current CDs 2 and 7 meet), there will be a cascade effect of changes to all of the other CDs, and I cannot even begin to predict those changes.
Expect significant changes to all CDs.
More on that as the redistricting process grinds on...
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Arizona Legislature Week In Review...
The non-legislatiion highlights of the week:
- Senate President Russell Pearce announced that his "hold" on his anti-immigrant legislation was off. Last week, he had announced that those bills would be "held" until the state's budget was completed. I could speculate on his reasons for rescinding the hold (nativist orthodoxy is more important to him than fiscal responsibility? ...the budget negotiations between Pearce, House Speaker Kirk Adams, and Governor Jan Brewer aren't going as smoothly as some thought?), but the end result is the same - the nasty stuff is moving again.
- State Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-Domestic Violence Incident) is spinning as fast as he can. He's gone from sending out press releases proclaiming his "good guy" status, to tearing up on the Senate floor, to staving off removal as the leader of the Republican caucus in the Senate by claiming that his now ex-girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, pulled a gun on him during the incident that has precipitated the furor that currently surrounds him.
Now, he is giving interviews where he displays a pistol that he claims is the gun in question, and is promising "more" details to come.
If there are many more "details" like those that Bundgaard has spouted so far, next year, Jason Rose is going to be eligible for an Oscar for his writing.
Passing the Senate this week ("party line vote" = bill passed with all Rs supporting and all Ds opposing):
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
SB1188, mandating that when placing children for adoption, DES must give preference to married couples. Single people will need to jump through some serious hoops, and same sex couples need not apply - mostly a party line vote (one R crossover)
SB1288, giving professionals who refuse to do their jobs properly because of their religious beliefs an out - they get to keep their licenses. Plus there is a clause that is clearly targeted at the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments for refusing to approve a candidate for the Independent Redistricting Commission when that candidate stated that he wanted more religious involvement in/control of secular society - party line vote.
SB1329, barring public employees from engaging in lobbying or political activities during work hours. Aimed at teachers - party line vote.
SB1363, protecting employers from the horror of labor actions - party line vote.
SB1495, establishing a state guard that is answerable only to the governor, but is funded by money siphoned from the Arizona National Guard - party line vote.
SB1598, micromanaging the ability of cities and counties to conduct zoning, inspection, and related regulatory activities, to the point of it becoming the "inability" to do so - passed on a party line vote.
SB1610, proclaiming the Colt Single Action Army Revolver as the official state firearm - passed 18 - 12 (three Rs crossing over).
SCR1026, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution reducing the state's revenue expenditure limit, basically a version of TABOR - party line vote.
SCR1040, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution politicizing judicial appointments - passed 19 - 11 (2 Rs crossing over).
SB1282, exempting religious entities that engage in political activities from having to register as political committees - party line vote.
SB1365, barring payroll deductions for political purposes, targeted at unions, except for those for law enforcement personnel (there's a specific exception carved out for LEO organizations) - party line vote.
SCR1016, calling for a constitutional convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to mandate that the approval of a majority of state legislatures is required before Congress can raise the federal debt limit - FAILED 13 - 17 (8 Rs crossing over).
SB1433, creating a legislative committee to oversee the nullification of federal laws and regulations - FAILED 12 - 18 (9 Rs crossing over). YES!!!
SCR1019, another TABOR-like amendment proposed for the AZ constitution - party line vote.
SCR1029, banning photo radar from Arizona - passed 18 - 12 (3 Rs crossing over)
SCR1032, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to require a 60% vote of the voters to raise a tax, levy a new tax, or to reduce or eliminate an existing tax credit - passed 16 - 14 (5 Rs crossing over)
Passed the House -
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.
HB2565, giving students the right to not do coursework, if they cite religious belief as their reason - mostly a party line vote (1 D crossed over).
HB2718, Kirk Adams' $5 million gift to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu - mostly a party line vote (1 D crossed over).
HB2099, restoring hospice care coverage to AHCCCS; expected to be cost neutral - passed 38 - 22 (18 Rs crossed over). Yes, an actual good bill has passed a chamber of the legislature in 2011.
HB2501, micromanaging state agencies, counties, and municipalities by mandating that any ambiguous language in a rule, ordinance, or law be interpreted in a manner favorable to applicants or licensees (relating to permits, licenses, and zoning) - a mostly party line vote (1 D and 1 R crossed each way).
HB2581, expanding and basically uncapping STO tax credits - mostly a party line vote (1 R crossed over).
HB2617, limiting the ability of workers involved in workers' comp cases to reopen cases if something new but related arises - party line vote.
In non-legislature campaign news this week -
- Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley has formed a campaign committee for reelection to his seat (SD2)
- Jean McGrath, former legislator and current member of the governing board of the Central Arizona Project, has formed a committee to run for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 4. SD4 is currently represented by Max Wilson. A call to Wilson's office inquiring about his plans for next year went unreturned.
- Timothy Coomer of Phoenix has formed a committee to run for Maricopa County Sheriff next year as a Democrat. He's done this before.
- Senate President Russell Pearce announced that his "hold" on his anti-immigrant legislation was off. Last week, he had announced that those bills would be "held" until the state's budget was completed. I could speculate on his reasons for rescinding the hold (nativist orthodoxy is more important to him than fiscal responsibility? ...the budget negotiations between Pearce, House Speaker Kirk Adams, and Governor Jan Brewer aren't going as smoothly as some thought?), but the end result is the same - the nasty stuff is moving again.
- State Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-Domestic Violence Incident) is spinning as fast as he can. He's gone from sending out press releases proclaiming his "good guy" status, to tearing up on the Senate floor, to staving off removal as the leader of the Republican caucus in the Senate by claiming that his now ex-girlfriend, Aubry Ballard, pulled a gun on him during the incident that has precipitated the furor that currently surrounds him.
Now, he is giving interviews where he displays a pistol that he claims is the gun in question, and is promising "more" details to come.
If there are many more "details" like those that Bundgaard has spouted so far, next year, Jason Rose is going to be eligible for an Oscar for his writing.
Passing the Senate this week ("party line vote" = bill passed with all Rs supporting and all Ds opposing):
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
SB1188, mandating that when placing children for adoption, DES must give preference to married couples. Single people will need to jump through some serious hoops, and same sex couples need not apply - mostly a party line vote (one R crossover)
SB1288, giving professionals who refuse to do their jobs properly because of their religious beliefs an out - they get to keep their licenses. Plus there is a clause that is clearly targeted at the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments for refusing to approve a candidate for the Independent Redistricting Commission when that candidate stated that he wanted more religious involvement in/control of secular society - party line vote.
SB1329, barring public employees from engaging in lobbying or political activities during work hours. Aimed at teachers - party line vote.
SB1363, protecting employers from the horror of labor actions - party line vote.
SB1495, establishing a state guard that is answerable only to the governor, but is funded by money siphoned from the Arizona National Guard - party line vote.
SB1598, micromanaging the ability of cities and counties to conduct zoning, inspection, and related regulatory activities, to the point of it becoming the "inability" to do so - passed on a party line vote.
SB1610, proclaiming the Colt Single Action Army Revolver as the official state firearm - passed 18 - 12 (three Rs crossing over).
SCR1026, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution reducing the state's revenue expenditure limit, basically a version of TABOR - party line vote.
SCR1040, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution politicizing judicial appointments - passed 19 - 11 (2 Rs crossing over).
SB1282, exempting religious entities that engage in political activities from having to register as political committees - party line vote.
SB1365, barring payroll deductions for political purposes, targeted at unions, except for those for law enforcement personnel (there's a specific exception carved out for LEO organizations) - party line vote.
SCR1016, calling for a constitutional convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to mandate that the approval of a majority of state legislatures is required before Congress can raise the federal debt limit - FAILED 13 - 17 (8 Rs crossing over).
SB1433, creating a legislative committee to oversee the nullification of federal laws and regulations - FAILED 12 - 18 (9 Rs crossing over). YES!!!
SCR1019, another TABOR-like amendment proposed for the AZ constitution - party line vote.
SCR1029, banning photo radar from Arizona - passed 18 - 12 (3 Rs crossing over)
SCR1032, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to require a 60% vote of the voters to raise a tax, levy a new tax, or to reduce or eliminate an existing tax credit - passed 16 - 14 (5 Rs crossing over)
Passed the House -
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.
HB2565, giving students the right to not do coursework, if they cite religious belief as their reason - mostly a party line vote (1 D crossed over).
HB2718, Kirk Adams' $5 million gift to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu - mostly a party line vote (1 D crossed over).
HB2099, restoring hospice care coverage to AHCCCS; expected to be cost neutral - passed 38 - 22 (18 Rs crossed over). Yes, an actual good bill has passed a chamber of the legislature in 2011.
HB2501, micromanaging state agencies, counties, and municipalities by mandating that any ambiguous language in a rule, ordinance, or law be interpreted in a manner favorable to applicants or licensees (relating to permits, licenses, and zoning) - a mostly party line vote (1 D and 1 R crossed each way).
HB2581, expanding and basically uncapping STO tax credits - mostly a party line vote (1 R crossed over).
HB2617, limiting the ability of workers involved in workers' comp cases to reopen cases if something new but related arises - party line vote.
In non-legislature campaign news this week -
- Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley has formed a campaign committee for reelection to his seat (SD2)
- Jean McGrath, former legislator and current member of the governing board of the Central Arizona Project, has formed a committee to run for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 4. SD4 is currently represented by Max Wilson. A call to Wilson's office inquiring about his plans for next year went unreturned.
- Timothy Coomer of Phoenix has formed a committee to run for Maricopa County Sheriff next year as a Democrat. He's done this before.
More 2010 Census Numbers - Cities and Towns
This past week, the U.S. Census Bureau released Arizona's 2010 local level census data.
On Thursday, I put up a quick post on county population numbers. Summary: Maricopa County grew during the decade, but not as much as some of the other counties.
Today, raw numbers for the 20 largest cities and towns, with brief analysis.
Cities and towns -
City pop 2000 pop 2010
Phoenix 1,321,045 1,445,632
Tucson 486,699 520,116
Mesa 396,375 439,041
Chandler 176,581 236,123
Glendale 218,812 226,721
Scottsdale 202,705 217,385
Gilbert 109,697 208,453
Tempe 158,625 161,719
Peoria 108,364 154,065
Surprise 30,848 117,517
Yuma 77,515 93,064
Avondale 35,883 76,238
Flagstaff 52,894 65,870
Goodyear 18,911 65,275
Lake Havasu City 41,938 52,527
Buckeye 6,537 50,876
Casa Grande 25,224 48,571
Sierra Vista 37,775 43,888
Maricopa 1,040 43,482
Oro Valley 29,700 41,011
The most recent "official" Census Bureau estimates that I could find for cities and towns were from 2006, so those are somewhat less useful than the 2009 county estimates used in the previous post.
However, even those showed some interesting developments.
...Scottsdale (my home) had a 2006 estimate of over 231K, and late in the decade was operating under the belief that the population was between 230K and 240K. The City (electeds, staff, most residents) expected that the 2010 Census would show that Scottsdale would rank 5th, maybe even 4th, in population.
The reality of the 2010 census shows that Chandler and Glendale are easily ahead of it, while Gilbert is gaining fast
...In terms of percentage growth, the Town of Maricopa (which, strangely enough, is NOT in Maricopa County :) ), grew by more than 4000% during the decade, from a population of 1,040 in the year 2000, to a population of 43,482 in 2010. It is now the "City of Maricopa," officially.
...Of the cities that were "cities" in 2000, Surprise led the way in percentage growth during the decade at more than 280%. It grew from 30,848 people in 2000 to 117,517 in 2010.
...The City of Phoenix experienced the greatest raw growth, growing by 124,587 during the decade. However, Phoenix was and remains far and away the largest city in the state, so their percentage growth only 9.4%.
...Of the top 20 cities and towns, Tempe experienced the smallest growth, both as a percentage of year 2000 population and in absolute numbers. During the decade, it grew by 3,094, or 2%. It's one of the few completely land-locked municipalities in the state, so it doesn't really have anywhere to grow. Most of the other cities and towns in the state contain or border on unincorporated areas that can be annexed.
Tempe does contain four "county islands," land that is not incorporated into the city but is completely surrounded by it. However, those are fairly small, and even if Tempe was interested in adding those locations to it, the additional land area (<100 parcels of land) and population count wouldn't make a significant difference.
Legislative and Congressional districts next...
On Thursday, I put up a quick post on county population numbers. Summary: Maricopa County grew during the decade, but not as much as some of the other counties.
Today, raw numbers for the 20 largest cities and towns, with brief analysis.
Cities and towns -
City pop 2000 pop 2010
Phoenix 1,321,045 1,445,632
Tucson 486,699 520,116
Mesa 396,375 439,041
Chandler 176,581 236,123
Glendale 218,812 226,721
Scottsdale 202,705 217,385
Gilbert 109,697 208,453
Tempe 158,625 161,719
Peoria 108,364 154,065
Surprise 30,848 117,517
Yuma 77,515 93,064
Avondale 35,883 76,238
Flagstaff 52,894 65,870
Goodyear 18,911 65,275
Lake Havasu City 41,938 52,527
Buckeye 6,537 50,876
Casa Grande 25,224 48,571
Sierra Vista 37,775 43,888
Maricopa 1,040 43,482
Oro Valley 29,700 41,011
The most recent "official" Census Bureau estimates that I could find for cities and towns were from 2006, so those are somewhat less useful than the 2009 county estimates used in the previous post.
However, even those showed some interesting developments.
...Scottsdale (my home) had a 2006 estimate of over 231K, and late in the decade was operating under the belief that the population was between 230K and 240K. The City (electeds, staff, most residents) expected that the 2010 Census would show that Scottsdale would rank 5th, maybe even 4th, in population.
The reality of the 2010 census shows that Chandler and Glendale are easily ahead of it, while Gilbert is gaining fast
...In terms of percentage growth, the Town of Maricopa (which, strangely enough, is NOT in Maricopa County :) ), grew by more than 4000% during the decade, from a population of 1,040 in the year 2000, to a population of 43,482 in 2010. It is now the "City of Maricopa," officially.
...Of the cities that were "cities" in 2000, Surprise led the way in percentage growth during the decade at more than 280%. It grew from 30,848 people in 2000 to 117,517 in 2010.
...The City of Phoenix experienced the greatest raw growth, growing by 124,587 during the decade. However, Phoenix was and remains far and away the largest city in the state, so their percentage growth only 9.4%.
...Of the top 20 cities and towns, Tempe experienced the smallest growth, both as a percentage of year 2000 population and in absolute numbers. During the decade, it grew by 3,094, or 2%. It's one of the few completely land-locked municipalities in the state, so it doesn't really have anywhere to grow. Most of the other cities and towns in the state contain or border on unincorporated areas that can be annexed.
Tempe does contain four "county islands," land that is not incorporated into the city but is completely surrounded by it. However, those are fairly small, and even if Tempe was interested in adding those locations to it, the additional land area (<100 parcels of land) and population count wouldn't make a significant difference.
Legislative and Congressional districts next...
Bundgaard in full spin mode
State Sen. Scott Bundgaard (R-Domestic Violence Incident) has spent most of the week trying to keep his positions as a state senator and as Republican majority leader in the state senate.
Thus far, he has been successful (barely!) at fending off moves to replace him as majority leader and has not even hinted that he is repentant enough to resign his position.
However, the sharks are circling, and instead of maintain a quiet profile, he has been churning up the waters, putting out outlandish press releases and giving dubious interviews.
His PR flack put out a press release loudly proclaiming that Bundgaard had "aced" a polygraph test administered by someone hired by the Bundgaard camp (the Arizona Republic's EJ Montini has his take here; Donna at Democratic Diva has her take here; Tedski at Rum, Romanism and Rebellion has his take here.)
Then on Friday, he sat down with Laurie Roberts, another Arizona Republic columnist and gave an interview where he presented a gun in a plastic baggy, claiming that it was the gun that his now ex-girlfriend Aubry Ballard pulled on his during the infamous incident on SR-51 two weeks ago.
He even did this in front of a camera crew from KPNX, Phoenix channel 12 (the Republic and KPNX are both owned by Gannett).
Now, I'm not overly familiar with police evidence handling protocols (and I actually consider that to be a good thing), but it seems strange that they would give a vital piece of evidence in the investigation of a possible serious crime to one of the people involved in that possible crime.
A fact serving to further undermine Bundgaard's credibility is the fact that a gun isn't mentioned *anywhere* in the police report about the incident.
Another fact serving to undermine his credibility is that the story of a "gun" didn't come out until pressure from his own Republican colleagues to step aside as majority leader came to a head on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting called to discuss his status.
During the video shown on KPNX, Bundgaard and his flack promised that more facts on the incident would come out next week.
Given the way that his "facts" are destroying his political future, perhaps Bundgaard should fire his current PR flack and hire one whose one and only instruction to Bundgaard is -
SHUT THE [BLEEP] UP!
Jus' sayin'...
Thus far, he has been successful (barely!) at fending off moves to replace him as majority leader and has not even hinted that he is repentant enough to resign his position.
However, the sharks are circling, and instead of maintain a quiet profile, he has been churning up the waters, putting out outlandish press releases and giving dubious interviews.
His PR flack put out a press release loudly proclaiming that Bundgaard had "aced" a polygraph test administered by someone hired by the Bundgaard camp (the Arizona Republic's EJ Montini has his take here; Donna at Democratic Diva has her take here; Tedski at Rum, Romanism and Rebellion has his take here.)
Then on Friday, he sat down with Laurie Roberts, another Arizona Republic columnist and gave an interview where he presented a gun in a plastic baggy, claiming that it was the gun that his now ex-girlfriend Aubry Ballard pulled on his during the infamous incident on SR-51 two weeks ago.
He even did this in front of a camera crew from KPNX, Phoenix channel 12 (the Republic and KPNX are both owned by Gannett).
Now, I'm not overly familiar with police evidence handling protocols (and I actually consider that to be a good thing), but it seems strange that they would give a vital piece of evidence in the investigation of a possible serious crime to one of the people involved in that possible crime.
A fact serving to further undermine Bundgaard's credibility is the fact that a gun isn't mentioned *anywhere* in the police report about the incident.
Another fact serving to undermine his credibility is that the story of a "gun" didn't come out until pressure from his own Republican colleagues to step aside as majority leader came to a head on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting called to discuss his status.
During the video shown on KPNX, Bundgaard and his flack promised that more facts on the incident would come out next week.
Given the way that his "facts" are destroying his political future, perhaps Bundgaard should fire his current PR flack and hire one whose one and only instruction to Bundgaard is -
SHUT THE [BLEEP] UP!
Jus' sayin'...
Friday, March 11, 2011
What state lends an official platform to hate groups? Why, Arizona, of course.
Normally, I'd save a discussion of an agenda item for a legislative committee agenda for a "coming week" post, but this one rates a quick post of its own.
On Thursday, the Arizona Senate's Border Security, Federalism, and States Sovereignty Committee will meet in SHR109 at 9 a.m.
The agenda for the meeting only contains two bills (thus far, anyway) -
HB2718, House Speaker Kirk Adams' $5 million gift to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, and HCM2002, a postcard to Congress asking that the gray wolf be removed from the Endangered Species List.
If those were the only two items on the agenda, while they are "colorful" and would rate individual mention in the weekly schedule post, that would be it.
However, this is Arizona, where the prevailing attitude at the legislature seems to be "why settle for 'colorful' when you can let your freak flag fly?"
Also on the agenda? Two presentations to the committee.
One looks relatively innocuous ("relatively" based on this committee's admittedly skewed-toward-batsh_t-crazy standards) - "State of Texas: Border Security Update (powerpoint)".
Assuming the source of the powerpoint is the actual State of Texas, it probably won't be worse than simple propaganda masquerading as an "official" analysis (don't gasp at the impudence - like a significant portion of the Republican caucus of the Arizona legislature, Texas' governor has some strongly secessionist tendencies.)
The other presentation, however, is nothing more than giving a known hate group a taxpayer-funded pulpit from which to spew its bile.
"Glenn Spencer, President of American Border Patrol: Arizona/Mexico Border -- An Assessment"
When I first glanced at the agenda, I figured "OK, Texas and the Border Patrol" - it'll be a dog-and-pony show, but nothing more than that.
Then I noticed a few discrepancies - *the* Border Patrol is referred to as the U.S. Border Patrol, or maybe "Customs and Border Protection" (its official name); it doesn't have a "President" - the head of the agency is called "Commissioner,"; and "Glenn Spencer" is NOT the Commissioner.
Hmmm....
A quick, but very enlightening search turned up this report on the "American Border Patrol" from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
From the report -
Glenn Spencer is so colorful in his own right, he rates his own profile from SPLC.
From his profile -
I have to wonder how much the taxpayers of Arizona are paying for this shameful event. Even if Spencer is travelling from Sierra Vista on his own dime (and there's no guarantee of that), there are costs associated with setting up and holding a legislative hearing.
Later...
.
On Thursday, the Arizona Senate's Border Security, Federalism, and States Sovereignty Committee will meet in SHR109 at 9 a.m.
The agenda for the meeting only contains two bills (thus far, anyway) -
HB2718, House Speaker Kirk Adams' $5 million gift to Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, and HCM2002, a postcard to Congress asking that the gray wolf be removed from the Endangered Species List.
If those were the only two items on the agenda, while they are "colorful" and would rate individual mention in the weekly schedule post, that would be it.
However, this is Arizona, where the prevailing attitude at the legislature seems to be "why settle for 'colorful' when you can let your freak flag fly?"
Also on the agenda? Two presentations to the committee.
One looks relatively innocuous ("relatively" based on this committee's admittedly skewed-toward-batsh_t-crazy standards) - "State of Texas: Border Security Update (powerpoint)".
Assuming the source of the powerpoint is the actual State of Texas, it probably won't be worse than simple propaganda masquerading as an "official" analysis (don't gasp at the impudence - like a significant portion of the Republican caucus of the Arizona legislature, Texas' governor has some strongly secessionist tendencies.)
The other presentation, however, is nothing more than giving a known hate group a taxpayer-funded pulpit from which to spew its bile.
"Glenn Spencer, President of American Border Patrol: Arizona/Mexico Border -- An Assessment"
When I first glanced at the agenda, I figured "OK, Texas and the Border Patrol" - it'll be a dog-and-pony show, but nothing more than that.
Then I noticed a few discrepancies - *the* Border Patrol is referred to as the U.S. Border Patrol, or maybe "Customs and Border Protection" (its official name); it doesn't have a "President" - the head of the agency is called "Commissioner,"; and "Glenn Spencer" is NOT the Commissioner.
Hmmm....
A quick, but very enlightening search turned up this report on the "American Border Patrol" from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
From the report -
American Border Patrol/American Patrol (the first-listed group was essentially an Arizona extension of American Patrol, which is also known as Voice of Citizens Together) is one of the most virulent anti-immigrant groups around. On the American Patrol website and in self-produced videos, the group rails against Mexican immigrants, accusing them of bringing to the U.S. crime, drugs and squalor and of practicing “immigration via the birth canal.” Mexicans, in the words of group founder Glenn Spencer, are a “cultural cancer” following a secret plan, the Plan de Aztlán, to complete “la reconquista” (the reconquest, or takeover) of the American Southwest, which was once controlled by Spain and/or Mexico.
Glenn Spencer is so colorful in his own right, he rates his own profile from SPLC.
From his profile -
In 2008, Spencer expanded from his usual angry attacks on Latinos to furious, explicitly racist and anti-Semitic tirades. Just before Christmas, Spencer issued a nearly hysterical Web posting entitled "Obama Threatens Nation," in which he described the incoming Obama Administration as "prepared to make a frontal assault on the sovereignty of the United States." In fact, he said, "Barack Obama represents the greatest threat to the United States of America since the Civil War. Brainwashed Americans have just voted to commit national suicide." The same month, Spencer wrote an article on his website with another provocative title: "Is Jew-Controlled Hollywood Brainwashing Americans?" In it, he assured readers that he had Jewish friends but added: "I fear, however, that this small handful of patriotic Americans are far outnumbered by liberal Jews who now have total control over our media."I know 9 a.m. is early for popcorn, but if you can't make it down to the Capitol Thursday morning, pop some popcorn, point your computer's browser at the lege's website for the streaming video, put your feet up, and enjoy the horror show.
I have to wonder how much the taxpayers of Arizona are paying for this shameful event. Even if Spencer is travelling from Sierra Vista on his own dime (and there's no guarantee of that), there are costs associated with setting up and holding a legislative hearing.
Later...
.
In case you missed it: member of Pearce-associated group arrested for atttempted bombing of MLK Day parade
In January, someone planted a shrapnel-filled pipe bomb along the planned route of a parade commemorating Martin Luther King Day. The device was discovered by parade workers (you know, some of the public employees that are under such a virulent attack by Koch-fueled Republicans) and defused before it could harm any parade-goers.
This week, an arrest was made in the case. One Kevin Harpham was arrested for illegal possession of an explosive device and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
As the Southern Poverty Law Center reports, as recently as late 2004, Harpham was a member of the neo-Nazi/white supremacist group National Alliance. Because of the secretive nature of such organizations, so far it is unclear how long Harpham was a member before that time, or if he still is a member.
As recently at fall 2006, Russell Pearce, then a state representative, now president of the Arizona State Senate, campaigned for reelection by forwarding emails from...wait for it...
National Alliance.
Of course.
This week, an arrest was made in the case. One Kevin Harpham was arrested for illegal possession of an explosive device and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
As the Southern Poverty Law Center reports, as recently as late 2004, Harpham was a member of the neo-Nazi/white supremacist group National Alliance. Because of the secretive nature of such organizations, so far it is unclear how long Harpham was a member before that time, or if he still is a member.
As recently at fall 2006, Russell Pearce, then a state representative, now president of the Arizona State Senate, campaigned for reelection by forwarding emails from...wait for it...
National Alliance.
Of course.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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...
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 -
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...
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 ArizonaTheocracy 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)...
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
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 -
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...
“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 -
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...
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.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.
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.
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 -
Now, if only Brewer would "vacation" with someone who will bring good jobs for average Arizonans...
Palin would base campaign in ScottsdaleHey, 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.
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.
Now, if only Brewer would "vacation" with someone who will bring good jobs for average Arizonans...
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
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. :)
...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 -
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) -
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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