...I don't often make predictions about Republican primaries (mostly because I'm usually wrong - something about not being a Republican :) ), but I don't think that it's going too far out on a limb to predict that Pinal Sheriff Paul Babeu is toast in the R primary in the new CD4.
One thing that I won't predict is whether the information in the linked article from the Phoenix New Times was planted by the Gould campaign or the Gosar campaign, but I'm guessing that both campaigns spent Friday night toasting to the fact that Babeu is toast.
Babeu held a press conference Saturday where he admitted that he is gay, but he denied all of the other allegations in the article.
In a Democratic primary, the fact that he is gay wouldn't be relevent; in a Republican primary...well, R primary voters hate gay people (and brown people, and poor people, and women, and...) even more than they love nativists and "Joe Juniors".
And Babeu is a Republican.
,,,Seems we have a two-fer in the category of "certain messengers shouldn't carry certain messages":
- Regardless of what one thinks about the Catholic Church's opposition to the recent rule changes published by the Obama Administration (requiring religious employers that provide health insurance for their employees to cover birth control measures, with the exception of direct employees of a church), is the hierarchy of the Church the best choice to carry a message based on moral credibility? Really?
- Back here in AZ, the legislator who is fronting bills to bar improper language from teachers and barring the teaching of partisan doctrine in the classroom is not the best judge of what is improper behavior or the inappropriate use of a position of public trust to disseminate partisan propaganda.
That last would pretty much bar the teaching of anything mandated by the state lege (while the measure is mostly targeted at the supporters of Tucson's ethnic studies program, it is written so broadly that many of the mandates that the lege has added or will add to AZ's classroom curricula fall under the measure's rubric). As for the first, barring teachers from using profanity and other "inappropriate" material, the measure would ban the reading aloud in class (or at least the watering down) of the following books, some of which you may have heard of:
Catch-22
1984
Romeo and Juliet
As I Lay Dying
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Bible
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
A Clockwork Orange
The Great Gatsby
The Catcher in the Rye
Of Mice and Men
The full list is much too long for inclusion here, but the list of books with "offensive" material includes many of the classics of Western literature and even some volumes to which the Rs profess near-absolute devotion.
...Later...
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Richard Miranda resigns from the AZ House of Representatives...
According to this story from the Arizona Capitol Times, written by Caitlin Coakley Beckner (subscription required), Rep. Richard Miranda (D-Tolleson) has resigned from the Arizona House of Representatives, effective Monday.
In his letter, he cited health and family concerns as the reason for his resignation.
In short order, the Democratic PCs in LD13 will gather to select three nominees, whose names will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. They will then select the person who will serve the remainder of Miranda's term.
While it isn't an official rule, traditionally, the supervisor in whose district the affected legislative district is located usually has the final say on the selection. The other supes generally rubber-stamp that decision.
LD13 is located in the supervisorial district of Mary Rose Wilcox, the lone Democrat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. While there could be some game playing by the Rs on the MCBOS, there probably won't be - they have nothing to gain from it. Under state law, they must select a D to fill a vacancy in the lege left by a D, and the Rs in the lege will retain a supermajority in the lege regardless of who is chosen to fill the LD13 seat.
In addition, after their protracted recent battles with Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas (which, to be clear, were mostly the fault of Arpaio and Thomas), the supes may not be itching for another unnecessary pissing match.
I've got a call out to the chair of the LD13 Democrats for info about the schedule of events to select candidates to replace Miranda, but she hasn't returned that call as of this writing.
More updates when they become available...
In his letter, he cited health and family concerns as the reason for his resignation.
In short order, the Democratic PCs in LD13 will gather to select three nominees, whose names will be forwarded to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. They will then select the person who will serve the remainder of Miranda's term.
While it isn't an official rule, traditionally, the supervisor in whose district the affected legislative district is located usually has the final say on the selection. The other supes generally rubber-stamp that decision.
LD13 is located in the supervisorial district of Mary Rose Wilcox, the lone Democrat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. While there could be some game playing by the Rs on the MCBOS, there probably won't be - they have nothing to gain from it. Under state law, they must select a D to fill a vacancy in the lege left by a D, and the Rs in the lege will retain a supermajority in the lege regardless of who is chosen to fill the LD13 seat.
In addition, after their protracted recent battles with Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas (which, to be clear, were mostly the fault of Arpaio and Thomas), the supes may not be itching for another unnecessary pissing match.
I've got a call out to the chair of the LD13 Democrats for info about the schedule of events to select candidates to replace Miranda, but she hasn't returned that call as of this writing.
More updates when they become available...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
The coming week: the lege's power grab continues
Trying a format change on this post in an attempt to make it more readable. Comments (be they compliments or constructive criticism) always welcome.
All agendas and calendars are subject to change without notice.
The theme of this week's legislative activity seems to be the ongoing one - an attempt by the members of the current Republican supermajority in the lege to gather as much power unto the lege and their pet governor before they likely lose that supermajority in November's elections.
Oh, and the war on reproductive choice is going full blast this week, too.
Nice way to celebrate Arizona's centennial.
Thursday looks to be the big day for Jan Brewer and the lege's attack on the civil service/merit protections for state employees.
The House Committee on Employment and Regulatory Affairs is holding a special meeting at 2 p.m. in HHR3. On the agenda is one item, a striker with a subject of "state personnel system". The text isn't available online as yet, but it is likely to be Brewer's scheme turned into legislative language.
Note: this committee's regular meeting will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR3.
Also on Thursday, the Senate's Banking and Insurance Committee will hold a special meeting in SHR3 upon adjournment of the Senate floor session (roughly 2 p.m.) The only item on the agenda relates to auto glass industry practices and doesn't really merit a special meeting. Expect the agenda to be amended to include something on the state personnel system.
Note: this committee's regular meeting will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3.
Not that government workers should feel like they are the only target that is in the sights of the legislature.
HB2789 would require the Arizona Corporation Commission to submit any and all of its rules for legislative approval, and bar enforcement of any rules that don't gain legislative approval (House Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4)
HB2729 would both expand the ability of firearms owners to carry a weapon (or many weapons) in public facilities except under some very specific conditions and severely restrict or ban the ability of anyone but the lege to say "boo" about it (House Military Affairs and Publiic Safety, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3)
HB2181 would turn state higher education funding into a voucher system that would funnel public monies into private schools and away from public schools (House Higher Education, Innovation and Reform, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR1, and it's probably not a coincidence that a number of corporate education lobbyists are presenting to the committee on Wednesday)
Other power amassing or reproductive rights reducing items up for consideration this week include -
...SB1304, taking away the authority of municipalities and counties to enact ordinances regulating the discharge of firearms within a quarter-mile of occupied structures (Senate Judiciary, Monday, 3:15 p.m., SHR1)
...A striker to SB1009 that would mandate that schools present adoption and childbirth as preferable to elective abortion, and barring the use of any educational materials that do not present such (Senate Education, Monday, 2:00 p.m., SHR3)
...SB1358, creating a joint legislative committee to "neutralize" any federal laws, orders, rules, or policies that the Rs don't like (Senate Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109)
...SB1488, the lege's annual move to seize the authority to appropriate "noncustodial federal monies" (block grants, etc.) from the governor. Passed by leges since time immemorial, and vetoed by governors for just as long. This one was passed by last year's lege, and vetoed by Jan Brewer, so they added a sweetener - a clause delaying enactment until after Brewer is out of office. (Senate Appropriations - a very bad agenda overall)
...A striker to SB1083, creating an "Arizona Special Missions Unit" as part of the Arizona State Guard. The "Special Missions Unit" would be focused on anti-Mexican/immigrant activities and would be authorized to cross on to federal lands or into other states in pursuit of their prey (Senate Appropriatons again. Told ya this one was bad. Take the time to check out the rest of the agenda.)
...HB2774, expanding the religious exemption to property taxes (in AZ, those provide revenue for schools, municipalities, counties and certain other lower level political subdivisions, but not the state) by exempting all property owned by a self-proclaimed religious organizations, not just churches. (House Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1)
...A striker to HB2416 that would bar cities and towns in Maricopa and Pima counties from refusing to provide water and wastewater services to users outside their municipal boundaries if those users meet certain conditions, essentially forcing those cities and towns to expand their municipal water utilities to cover people who built up property without ensuring a guaranteed water supply for that property. (House Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4)
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the Senate Committee on Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform (Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1) has a number of bills targeting abortion and non-coital (for lack of a better term) methods of conception.
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the Senate Committee on Government Reform (Wednesday, 8 a.m., SHR1) has some interesting strikers on it. The text isn't available yet, but the subjects are "taxation", "prohibition; teachers; partisan doctrine", "curriculum transparency", and "schools; parental options".
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., HHR4) is entirely devoted to measures that would reduce an individual's ability to win and collect judgements in civil cases
And this list doesn't even cover half of the bad bills up for consideration this week. I think they are planning to get out of town early this year ("adjourn sine die", to put it into lege-speak) and have crammed the committee agendas with all sorts of ugly early on in an effort pass as many of the bills as possible before heading out to campaign for re-election/election to new offices.
The complete list of House committee agendas is here.
The complete list of Senate committee agendas is here.
The list of floor calendars is here
The lege's calendar of events at or near the Capitol is here.
The Arizona Capitol Times' Calendar of Events is here.
The calendar of AZ centennial-related events is here.
All agendas and calendars are subject to change without notice.
The theme of this week's legislative activity seems to be the ongoing one - an attempt by the members of the current Republican supermajority in the lege to gather as much power unto the lege and their pet governor before they likely lose that supermajority in November's elections.
Oh, and the war on reproductive choice is going full blast this week, too.
Nice way to celebrate Arizona's centennial.
Thursday looks to be the big day for Jan Brewer and the lege's attack on the civil service/merit protections for state employees.
The House Committee on Employment and Regulatory Affairs is holding a special meeting at 2 p.m. in HHR3. On the agenda is one item, a striker with a subject of "state personnel system". The text isn't available online as yet, but it is likely to be Brewer's scheme turned into legislative language.
Note: this committee's regular meeting will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR3.
Also on Thursday, the Senate's Banking and Insurance Committee will hold a special meeting in SHR3 upon adjournment of the Senate floor session (roughly 2 p.m.) The only item on the agenda relates to auto glass industry practices and doesn't really merit a special meeting. Expect the agenda to be amended to include something on the state personnel system.
Note: this committee's regular meeting will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR3.
Not that government workers should feel like they are the only target that is in the sights of the legislature.
HB2789 would require the Arizona Corporation Commission to submit any and all of its rules for legislative approval, and bar enforcement of any rules that don't gain legislative approval (House Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4)
HB2729 would both expand the ability of firearms owners to carry a weapon (or many weapons) in public facilities except under some very specific conditions and severely restrict or ban the ability of anyone but the lege to say "boo" about it (House Military Affairs and Publiic Safety, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3)
HB2181 would turn state higher education funding into a voucher system that would funnel public monies into private schools and away from public schools (House Higher Education, Innovation and Reform, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR1, and it's probably not a coincidence that a number of corporate education lobbyists are presenting to the committee on Wednesday)
Other power amassing or reproductive rights reducing items up for consideration this week include -
...SB1304, taking away the authority of municipalities and counties to enact ordinances regulating the discharge of firearms within a quarter-mile of occupied structures (Senate Judiciary, Monday, 3:15 p.m., SHR1)
...A striker to SB1009 that would mandate that schools present adoption and childbirth as preferable to elective abortion, and barring the use of any educational materials that do not present such (Senate Education, Monday, 2:00 p.m., SHR3)
...SB1358, creating a joint legislative committee to "neutralize" any federal laws, orders, rules, or policies that the Rs don't like (Senate Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109)
...SB1488, the lege's annual move to seize the authority to appropriate "noncustodial federal monies" (block grants, etc.) from the governor. Passed by leges since time immemorial, and vetoed by governors for just as long. This one was passed by last year's lege, and vetoed by Jan Brewer, so they added a sweetener - a clause delaying enactment until after Brewer is out of office. (Senate Appropriations - a very bad agenda overall)
...A striker to SB1083, creating an "Arizona Special Missions Unit" as part of the Arizona State Guard. The "Special Missions Unit" would be focused on anti-Mexican/immigrant activities and would be authorized to cross on to federal lands or into other states in pursuit of their prey (Senate Appropriatons again. Told ya this one was bad. Take the time to check out the rest of the agenda.)
...HB2774, expanding the religious exemption to property taxes (in AZ, those provide revenue for schools, municipalities, counties and certain other lower level political subdivisions, but not the state) by exempting all property owned by a self-proclaimed religious organizations, not just churches. (House Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1)
...A striker to HB2416 that would bar cities and towns in Maricopa and Pima counties from refusing to provide water and wastewater services to users outside their municipal boundaries if those users meet certain conditions, essentially forcing those cities and towns to expand their municipal water utilities to cover people who built up property without ensuring a guaranteed water supply for that property. (House Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4)
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the Senate Committee on Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform (Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1) has a number of bills targeting abortion and non-coital (for lack of a better term) methods of conception.
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the Senate Committee on Government Reform (Wednesday, 8 a.m., SHR1) has some interesting strikers on it. The text isn't available yet, but the subjects are "taxation", "prohibition; teachers; partisan doctrine", "curriculum transparency", and "schools; parental options".
...The agenda for this week's meeting of the House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., HHR4) is entirely devoted to measures that would reduce an individual's ability to win and collect judgements in civil cases
And this list doesn't even cover half of the bad bills up for consideration this week. I think they are planning to get out of town early this year ("adjourn sine die", to put it into lege-speak) and have crammed the committee agendas with all sorts of ugly early on in an effort pass as many of the bills as possible before heading out to campaign for re-election/election to new offices.
The complete list of House committee agendas is here.
The complete list of Senate committee agendas is here.
The list of floor calendars is here
The lege's calendar of events at or near the Capitol is here.
The Arizona Capitol Times' Calendar of Events is here.
The calendar of AZ centennial-related events is here.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Mark your calendars: Attack on civil servants up for committee consideration on Thursday, February 16
Strap in folks, the ride is only going to get bumpier from here...
On Thursday, the House Committee on Employment and Regulatory Affairs is holding a a special meeting at 2 p.m. There is one item on the agenda -
The text of the striker isn't available on line as yet, but Steve at Arizona Eagletarian has the scoop on the details of Governor Jan Brewer's scheme to turn the Arizona state government personnel system into a political patronage system where the spoils go to the governor and her allies. His post includes a memo giving an overview of her plan.
If you are a state employee, know a state employee, or just simply believe that state government exists to serve the needs of the people of Arizona, not the whims (and wallets) of certain elected officials, contact the members of the committee - Reps. Eddie Farnsworth, Sally Ann Gonzalez, John Kavanagh, Justin Olson, Lynne Pancrazi, Daniel Patterson, Kimberly Yee, John Fillmore, and Bob Robson (emails and phone numbers available here) and plan to be there on Thursday to show your support for the state's workers, and the integrity of the state's employment system.
More details as they become available...
On Thursday, the House Committee on Employment and Regulatory Affairs is holding a a special meeting at 2 p.m. There is one item on the agenda -
HB2571 public employees; unlawful acts; termination
Doesn't sound too bad, until you see the subject of the strike-everything amendment that is being proposed for the bill -
S/E: state personnel system
The text of the striker isn't available on line as yet, but Steve at Arizona Eagletarian has the scoop on the details of Governor Jan Brewer's scheme to turn the Arizona state government personnel system into a political patronage system where the spoils go to the governor and her allies. His post includes a memo giving an overview of her plan.
If you are a state employee, know a state employee, or just simply believe that state government exists to serve the needs of the people of Arizona, not the whims (and wallets) of certain elected officials, contact the members of the committee - Reps. Eddie Farnsworth, Sally Ann Gonzalez, John Kavanagh, Justin Olson, Lynne Pancrazi, Daniel Patterson, Kimberly Yee, John Fillmore, and Bob Robson (emails and phone numbers available here) and plan to be there on Thursday to show your support for the state's workers, and the integrity of the state's employment system.
More details as they become available...
Shake up coming in EV political circles
...and I'm not talking about just East Valley Congressman Jeff Flake choosing to run for US Senate, opening up his spot in the US House of Representatives.
The creation of a new Congressional district, combined with the continuing fallout from the now-famous recall election loss of former state senator Russell Pearce, is serving as the catalyst for a shake up among politicos in Mesa.
While checking for open campaign committees, I found that five people, State Rep. Cecil Ash, former Mesa city council member Kyle Jones, automotive technician instructor David Lane, Town of Gilbert purchasing specialist Jess Romney (Rs one and all) and corporate pilot Fred Sossaman (I), all have open committees for a run at the North Mesa Justice of the Peace slot currently held by Lester Pearce.
Who doesn't have an open committee for that particular race?
Pearce himself.
Hmmmm. It's rather unusual for that many folks of the same party as an entrenched incumbent to go after a seat held by that incumbent. Unless they know that incumbent isn't trying to keep his job. That discrepancy piqued my interest, piqued it enough to inspire me to engage in some intense research.
"Intense" meaning that I called a friend in Mesa and asked him if he had heard anything. :)
According to the rumor mill there, Lester Pearce is facing possible disciplinary action for his direct involvement with both his brother's campaign and with putting a "sham" candidate on the ballot in an attempt to split the "anti-Pearce" vote in the recall election. Turns out that it is frowned on when sitting judges do such things. Who knew? :)
According to the rumors, he has been quietly advised that it would be best for all concerned that he not run for reelection.
Note: the specifics of the rumors could be a little off as my friend is not hard-wired into the smoke-filled backrooms of R politics in Mesa. However, they do fit the known facts.
Besides this stuff, Lester is known to be as "creative" in his worldview as his brother and for bringing that creativity to work with him (lots of complaints filed, lots of defense motions for a change of venue/judge.)
Now add into this mix Don Stapley, current Maricopa County supervisor, who is mulling a run at the new 9th Congressional District.
It seems that Lester Pearce is eyeing Stapley's seat on the MCBOS in turn. The only real question is if Pearce would challenge Stapley in a primary if Stapley chooses to forego a run for Congress (best guess: Pearce would go for it).
On top of that, Russell Pearce is making moves to run for AZ senate again, though he may go in another direction (say...if Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio resigns or retires in the face of the ongoing USDOJ inquiry).
Now, just to spice things up a little, the rumors are that the next generation of Pearces are thoroughly peeved at the travails of their elders and are looking for a little payback/redemption for the Pearce brand. One or more of them may run for an office (JP?, constable?, city council?, lege?).
Note on the above: even my source admitted the least confidence in the last rumor, but it is well-known that the Pearces in general are still ticked off, which isn't really a surprise.
Still, regardless of which Pearce(s) runs for which office(s), it's going to be an interesting spring, summer, and fall...
Note: As of this writing, I can't find any paperwork for any new campaign committees in the name of Pearce or Stapley at the county, state, or federal levels.
The creation of a new Congressional district, combined with the continuing fallout from the now-famous recall election loss of former state senator Russell Pearce, is serving as the catalyst for a shake up among politicos in Mesa.
While checking for open campaign committees, I found that five people, State Rep. Cecil Ash, former Mesa city council member Kyle Jones, automotive technician instructor David Lane, Town of Gilbert purchasing specialist Jess Romney (Rs one and all) and corporate pilot Fred Sossaman (I), all have open committees for a run at the North Mesa Justice of the Peace slot currently held by Lester Pearce.
Who doesn't have an open committee for that particular race?
Pearce himself.
Hmmmm. It's rather unusual for that many folks of the same party as an entrenched incumbent to go after a seat held by that incumbent. Unless they know that incumbent isn't trying to keep his job. That discrepancy piqued my interest, piqued it enough to inspire me to engage in some intense research.
"Intense" meaning that I called a friend in Mesa and asked him if he had heard anything. :)
According to the rumor mill there, Lester Pearce is facing possible disciplinary action for his direct involvement with both his brother's campaign and with putting a "sham" candidate on the ballot in an attempt to split the "anti-Pearce" vote in the recall election. Turns out that it is frowned on when sitting judges do such things. Who knew? :)
According to the rumors, he has been quietly advised that it would be best for all concerned that he not run for reelection.
Note: the specifics of the rumors could be a little off as my friend is not hard-wired into the smoke-filled backrooms of R politics in Mesa. However, they do fit the known facts.
Besides this stuff, Lester is known to be as "creative" in his worldview as his brother and for bringing that creativity to work with him (lots of complaints filed, lots of defense motions for a change of venue/judge.)
Now add into this mix Don Stapley, current Maricopa County supervisor, who is mulling a run at the new 9th Congressional District.
It seems that Lester Pearce is eyeing Stapley's seat on the MCBOS in turn. The only real question is if Pearce would challenge Stapley in a primary if Stapley chooses to forego a run for Congress (best guess: Pearce would go for it).
On top of that, Russell Pearce is making moves to run for AZ senate again, though he may go in another direction (say...if Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio resigns or retires in the face of the ongoing USDOJ inquiry).
Now, just to spice things up a little, the rumors are that the next generation of Pearces are thoroughly peeved at the travails of their elders and are looking for a little payback/redemption for the Pearce brand. One or more of them may run for an office (JP?, constable?, city council?, lege?).
Note on the above: even my source admitted the least confidence in the last rumor, but it is well-known that the Pearces in general are still ticked off, which isn't really a surprise.
Still, regardless of which Pearce(s) runs for which office(s), it's going to be an interesting spring, summer, and fall...
Note: As of this writing, I can't find any paperwork for any new campaign committees in the name of Pearce or Stapley at the county, state, or federal levels.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Lege's GOPers hide from public to prepare next salvo against state workers
The Arizona Capitol Times has a story up, written by Luige del Puerto (subscription required) about how the GOP members of the Arizona Senate went behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss the ways they plan to remove Arizona's few employment protections for state workers.
Among the "highlights" of the scheme, which is pretty much the same as a scheme she pushed at the end of the 2011 legislative session -
- Removal of merit protection for state employees. All would serve at the governor's pleasure, essentially turning the state government into one giant nest of patronage and corruption.
- Current employees would still enjoy some protections - until they wanted a pay raise or a change in duties. To get either, employees would have to waive their protections.
- Supervisors and new employees would have no protections at all, starting immediately.
- The appeals process for employment related decisions and actions would be "streamlined", to put it mildly. In addition to all-but-eliminating appeals within the state's personnel system, employees who thought a disciplinary action was"capricious" or "arbritrary" would no longer be able to take the matter to superior court.
Combined with their all out attack on the unions representing the state's public sector employees, including teachers, police, and firefighters, the Republicans are set up to turn the state's government employment system into their private "profit center".
Something tells me that when and if the Rs get their way, anybody who wants a state job will be "encouraged" to proffer the appropriate politicalbribes contributions, or maybe slip the right lobbyist a little brown bag.
Look for the Rs in the lege and Jan Brewer to work out a deal on how to best eviscerate the state's employees..."best" for the Rs anyway...
Among the "highlights" of the scheme, which is pretty much the same as a scheme she pushed at the end of the 2011 legislative session -
- Removal of merit protection for state employees. All would serve at the governor's pleasure, essentially turning the state government into one giant nest of patronage and corruption.
- Current employees would still enjoy some protections - until they wanted a pay raise or a change in duties. To get either, employees would have to waive their protections.
- Supervisors and new employees would have no protections at all, starting immediately.
- The appeals process for employment related decisions and actions would be "streamlined", to put it mildly. In addition to all-but-eliminating appeals within the state's personnel system, employees who thought a disciplinary action was"capricious" or "arbritrary" would no longer be able to take the matter to superior court.
Combined with their all out attack on the unions representing the state's public sector employees, including teachers, police, and firefighters, the Republicans are set up to turn the state's government employment system into their private "profit center".
Something tells me that when and if the Rs get their way, anybody who wants a state job will be "encouraged" to proffer the appropriate political
Look for the Rs in the lege and Jan Brewer to work out a deal on how to best eviscerate the state's employees..."best" for the Rs anyway...
Monday, February 06, 2012
It must be spring - candidates are just sprouting everywhere
...In CD8 (Tucson), Ron Barber, the long-time district director for Gabby Giffords, is likely to enter the race to serve out the rest of her term. He seems most likely to enter the race as a placeholder, finishing out the term but not running for a full term of his own. If that is so, most of the Ds who have expressed interest in the seat will probably forego a run in the special election and focus on the fall election.
...State Rep. Vic Williams (R-Tucson). former state representative Nancy Young Wright (D) and former AZGOP chair Mike Hellon (R) are running for District 1 spot on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
...The outgoing mayor of Tempe, Hugh Hallman (R), is considering a run for Congress, most likely in the new CD9. Not exactly breaking news, that. His interest in higher office is well-known around Tempe, and this particular interest has been talked about for months.
...In other not-exactly-breaking news, freshman GOP congressman Ben Quayle has chosen to run against fellow freshman GOPer David Schweikert in the R primary in the new CD6. Quayle lives in the new CD9, but that's a competitive district. CD6 is so strongly Republican, the winner of the primary is likely to be the winner of the general election.
...A number of other folks have filed paperwork for Congress. I'll call them "minor" candidates, but not out of disrespect. It only means that I've never heard of them before. When they show that they have some game (like by gathering enough sigs to gain a spot on the ballot), I'll list them.
...Also, there have been a number of filings for legislative seats. As the AZ lege is basically "entry level" for politics in AZ, it isn't surprising that I haven't heard of most of them. It will take some time to research them all.
Expect the candidate filings to accelerate over the couple of months.
...State Rep. Vic Williams (R-Tucson). former state representative Nancy Young Wright (D) and former AZGOP chair Mike Hellon (R) are running for District 1 spot on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
...The outgoing mayor of Tempe, Hugh Hallman (R), is considering a run for Congress, most likely in the new CD9. Not exactly breaking news, that. His interest in higher office is well-known around Tempe, and this particular interest has been talked about for months.
...In other not-exactly-breaking news, freshman GOP congressman Ben Quayle has chosen to run against fellow freshman GOPer David Schweikert in the R primary in the new CD6. Quayle lives in the new CD9, but that's a competitive district. CD6 is so strongly Republican, the winner of the primary is likely to be the winner of the general election.
...A number of other folks have filed paperwork for Congress. I'll call them "minor" candidates, but not out of disrespect. It only means that I've never heard of them before. When they show that they have some game (like by gathering enough sigs to gain a spot on the ballot), I'll list them.
...Also, there have been a number of filings for legislative seats. As the AZ lege is basically "entry level" for politics in AZ, it isn't surprising that I haven't heard of most of them. It will take some time to research them all.
Expect the candidate filings to accelerate over the couple of months.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Picture of the week: Jobs situation
There are many on the R side of the aisle that urge a vote for their presidential candidate (likely Romney, but the primary/caucus season is still ongoing) because they are "better for jobs and the economy".
Barack Obama has been president for 36 months, entering office in 2009 at the depths of the deepest economic recession/depression since the Great Depression.
Businesses were collapsing everywhere and people (other than the 1%) were losing their jobs, homes, and the lives they had built up over decades of hard work.
By the beginning of 2011, Obama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) was faced with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives that, that for partisan political purposes, was implacably opposed to any ideas or efforts to improve the economic condition of the country. Or anything else about the country.
In spite of that, the country has seen 23 consecutive months of private sector job growth, and 33 consecutive month of positive trends (meaning there were 10 months of shrinking job loss numbers)
Things aren't perfect, and it will be years before the country returns to "normal" (whatever that may be), but the choice in November will be between one candidate who is working to make things better for the entire country (Obama) and one who has made a career out of generating personal wealth from destroying companies in the most profitable way (in the words of one of his R opponents, "managing the decay").
Barack Obama should be re-elected, and a vote for him isn't just the best choice, it's an easy choice.
Barack Obama has been president for 36 months, entering office in 2009 at the depths of the deepest economic recession/depression since the Great Depression.
Businesses were collapsing everywhere and people (other than the 1%) were losing their jobs, homes, and the lives they had built up over decades of hard work.
By the beginning of 2011, Obama (and the rest of the country, for that matter) was faced with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives that, that for partisan political purposes, was implacably opposed to any ideas or efforts to improve the economic condition of the country. Or anything else about the country.
In spite of that, the country has seen 23 consecutive months of private sector job growth, and 33 consecutive month of positive trends (meaning there were 10 months of shrinking job loss numbers)
Things aren't perfect, and it will be years before the country returns to "normal" (whatever that may be), but the choice in November will be between one candidate who is working to make things better for the entire country (Obama) and one who has made a career out of generating personal wealth from destroying companies in the most profitable way (in the words of one of his R opponents, "managing the decay").
Barack Obama should be re-elected, and a vote for him isn't just the best choice, it's an easy choice.
The coming week....
First: an apology to readers for not finishing last week's legislative schedule post. My personal schedule got tight, and these posts take 6 - 8 hours to put together when the lege's committees are going full speed.
Hence, the early start on this is meant to ensure that this is done by Monday. And since I'm going to spend most of Sunday watching or in preparation for watching the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl... :)
Those visiting the Arizona Capitol this week may want to think about wearing body armor - thegun nuts firearms industry lobbyists will be out in force this week. Lots of gun-related bills on a number of different agendas.
As usual, all agendas are subject to change without notice.
On the House side of the Capitol -
...Monday at 1 p.m., Rules will meet in HHR4. Long agenda. It may take them all of five minutes to approve it. Preview of coming floor calendars.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Ways and Means will meet in HHR1. Lots of mischief on this one. Many of the bills look to carve out tax breaks for special interests. One lowlight: a same subject striker to SB1047, increasing the allowable tax credits for contributions toSteve Yarbrough school tuition organizations. The fiscal note attached to rhe original bill estimates that it would cost the state $4 million in revenue starting in FY2013, but they also low-ball the estimate. The striker doesn't look to be too different from the original, but I haven't closely looked at the differences.
Note: when a Senate bill reaches a House committee this quickly, the measure is being fast tracked. In a big way.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Energy and Natural Resources will meet in HHR4. Short agenda, but one very bad bill - HB2640, allowing hunters to use ammunition magazines of unlimited size. 'Cuz you never know when you are going to miss that jackrabbit with the first 15 rounds.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Education will meet in HHR3. On the agenda: HB2505, "adjusting" high school academic curriculum standards by added financial literacy to mathematics classes, and free market economics and the history of capitalism to social studies classes (there is a proposed amendment to the bill striking the social studies clause, but don't expect this attempt at propagandizing school curriculums to go away).
...Monday at 2 p.m., Banking and Insurance will meet in HHR5. Mostly features bills relating to workmen's compensation and unemployment insurance. HB2519 is a measure intended to make life a little tougher for the unemployed.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Government will meet in HHR4. Included: a same subject striker to HB2168, mandating municipalities with more than 100K residents to implement a process for building permits that would allow builders/developers to "self-certify" their compliance with building codes.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet in HHR3. Up for consideration: HB2728, allowing the use of silencers while hunting. I'd make another "jackrabbits" wisecrack, but combined with the "limitless" magazines bill above, the cynic in me thinks that the intended prey for these hunters is a little browner and a lot taller than the average jackrabbit. And that isn't something to joke about.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Health and Human Services will meet in HHR4.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Commerce will meet in HHR5. On the agenda: a striker to HB2606 titled "liquor omnibus" (text not available as yet). "Omnibus" bills often have nuggets of nastiness, so keep an eye on this one.
...Wednesday at 10 a.m., Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform will meet in HHR1.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Appropriations will meet in HHR1. On the agenda: Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and AHCCCS. Also, HB2736, requiring any state agencies, boards, or commissions that apply to the federal government for any grants or financial assistance greater than $500K to submit the application to the lege's Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) for "review". I think this bill would set up JLBC, aka the lege, as a gatekeeper between executive branch organizations and federal funding.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Transportation will meet in HHR3. On the agenda: HB2678, creating a "virtual" driver's license; HCM2004, a memorial (aka - letter to Congress) asking them to stop collecting the federal highway tax, which is dedicated to funding transportation projects, so that states can get their hands on the money directly; HB2358, authorizing the creation of public-private partnerships for the operation of highway toll facilities; and Rep. Steve Farley's HB2046, barring license plate covers or anything else that diminishes the readability of characters on a license plate (hey, I have to include at least one decent bill per week, right?).
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Technology and Infrastructure will meet in HHR1. On the agenda: HB2403, the annual attack on newspapers but removing one of their primary sources of revenue - the mandatory publication of legal notices; a striker to HB2417 that would allow government communications that are, by law, required to be in writing to be by email. I'm not sure, but this measure seems so broadly written that things like legal summonses, court orders, and other court documents are covered by it; HB2647, a Rio Nuevo bill (there are many provisions in this where I don't understand the impact, so I will leave the commentary on this one to the southern AZ experts at Blog for Arizona).
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Judiciary will meet in HHR4. Long agenda, many bad bills. Lowest of the lowlights: HCR2005, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to mandate that any voter-approved measures that mandate any kind of spending or revenues must be reauthorized every six fiscal years. Guess the Rs don't like the voters interfering in the drive to destroy Arizona's social safety net.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Agriculture and Water will meet in HHR5. On the agenda: HJR2002, surrendering Arizona's rights to a certain quantity of water from the Colorado River to some contractors.
...The House's Third Read (final approval) Calendar is here. Nothing that appears to be too controversial.
On the Senate side of the Capitol -
...Monday at 1 p.m., Rules will meet in Senate Caucus Room 1. As with the agenda before the Rules committee in the House, the agenda is long and best serves as a preview of floor calendars for the rest of the week and early next week.
...Monday at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the floor session, Natural Resources and Transportation will meet in SHR109.
...Monday at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the floor session, Judiciary will meet in SHR1. The nastiest agenda of the week. Up for consideration: SB1304, removing the ability of counties and municipalities to pass laws restricting or barring the discharge of firearms within a quarter mile of an occupied structure (you know, like a house); SB1448, making is OK to pack heat in a public building if access to that building is not restricted by a cop or security guard; SB1474, the annual "guns in schools" bill; SB1479, a bill with too many provisions to summarize quickly here, but it's another in the pro-gun/anti-society group of gun bills this year; and SCR1021, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to end Clean Elections.
...Monday at 2 p.m., or upon adjournment of the floor session, Education will meet in SHR3. Lowlight: SB1443, creating state mandated standards for teacher performance pay (heavily weighted toward scores on statewide tests).
...Tuesday at 9 a.m., Veterans, Military, and Government Affairs will meet in SHR3. Looks quiet so far.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Banking and Insurance will meet in SHR3. On the agenda: at least a couple of bills that Sen. Nancy Barto is shilling for the health insurance industry.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Appropriations will meet in SHR109. Looks fairly quiet right now, but that will change as budget time looms.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Government Reform will meet in SHR1.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Public Safety and Human Services will meet in SHR3. On the agenda: SB1364, further easing regulations of fireworks in Arizona and barring municipalities and counties from crafting stronger regulations; SB1365, allowing licensed professionals to engage in unprofessional behavior without repercussion if they cite religious beliefs as justification for those actions; would also allow people and businesses to breach contracts if they cite religious beliefs; includes a clause that would bar public bodies, including the state's courts and judicial branch boards and commissions, from refusing to nominate or appoint someone to a position because of his/her religious beliefs. Directly aimed at the Arizona Commission of Appellate Court Appointments. In late 2010, when the Commission was screening applicants for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, one of the members of the judicial commission expressed reservations about an applicant because of the applicant's belief that church and state shouldn't be separate.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Commerce and Energy will meet in SHR109. On the agenda: SB1510, messing with the state lottery.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Water, Land Use, and Rural Development will meet in SHR3. Best summary for this agenda: Why don't they just name this committee the "Senate Anti-Enviroment Committee"?
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet in SHR3. Lots of Nancy Barto-pushed bills for the health insurance industry.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Economic Development and Jobs Creation will meet in SHR109. One bill on the agenda thus far: SB1301, creating a tax credit for "community development entities" certified by Jan Brewer's Commerce Authority.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Finance will meet in SHR1. Analogous to the Ways and Means Committee in the House, and like that committee, focused on carving out exemptions for special interests.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Border Security, Federalism, and States Security will meet in SHR109. The agenda is short on items, but as is the pattern for this committee, long on lunacy. On the agenda: SB1332, which directs the federal government to surrender all federal lands in the state to Arizona by the end of 2014 or those lands will be subject to state taxes (ummm, yeaaahhhh. Good luck with that one.); SB1358, creating a legislative committee to "neutralize" any federal laws that it doesn't like (ditto).
...The lege's events calendar for the week is here; the Arizona Capitol Times' Capitol Calendar is here.
Hence, the early start on this is meant to ensure that this is done by Monday. And since I'm going to spend most of Sunday watching or in preparation for watching the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl... :)
Those visiting the Arizona Capitol this week may want to think about wearing body armor - the
As usual, all agendas are subject to change without notice.
On the House side of the Capitol -
...Monday at 1 p.m., Rules will meet in HHR4. Long agenda. It may take them all of five minutes to approve it. Preview of coming floor calendars.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Ways and Means will meet in HHR1. Lots of mischief on this one. Many of the bills look to carve out tax breaks for special interests. One lowlight: a same subject striker to SB1047, increasing the allowable tax credits for contributions to
Note: when a Senate bill reaches a House committee this quickly, the measure is being fast tracked. In a big way.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Energy and Natural Resources will meet in HHR4. Short agenda, but one very bad bill - HB2640, allowing hunters to use ammunition magazines of unlimited size. 'Cuz you never know when you are going to miss that jackrabbit with the first 15 rounds.
...Monday at 2 p.m., Education will meet in HHR3. On the agenda: HB2505, "adjusting" high school academic curriculum standards by added financial literacy to mathematics classes, and free market economics and the history of capitalism to social studies classes (there is a proposed amendment to the bill striking the social studies clause, but don't expect this attempt at propagandizing school curriculums to go away).
...Monday at 2 p.m., Banking and Insurance will meet in HHR5. Mostly features bills relating to workmen's compensation and unemployment insurance. HB2519 is a measure intended to make life a little tougher for the unemployed.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Government will meet in HHR4. Included: a same subject striker to HB2168, mandating municipalities with more than 100K residents to implement a process for building permits that would allow builders/developers to "self-certify" their compliance with building codes.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet in HHR3. Up for consideration: HB2728, allowing the use of silencers while hunting. I'd make another "jackrabbits" wisecrack, but combined with the "limitless" magazines bill above, the cynic in me thinks that the intended prey for these hunters is a little browner and a lot taller than the average jackrabbit. And that isn't something to joke about.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Health and Human Services will meet in HHR4.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Commerce will meet in HHR5. On the agenda: a striker to HB2606 titled "liquor omnibus" (text not available as yet). "Omnibus" bills often have nuggets of nastiness, so keep an eye on this one.
...Wednesday at 10 a.m., Higher Education, Innovation, and Reform will meet in HHR1.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Appropriations will meet in HHR1. On the agenda: Budget presentations from the Department of Corrections and AHCCCS. Also, HB2736, requiring any state agencies, boards, or commissions that apply to the federal government for any grants or financial assistance greater than $500K to submit the application to the lege's Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) for "review". I think this bill would set up JLBC, aka the lege, as a gatekeeper between executive branch organizations and federal funding.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Transportation will meet in HHR3. On the agenda: HB2678, creating a "virtual" driver's license; HCM2004, a memorial (aka - letter to Congress) asking them to stop collecting the federal highway tax, which is dedicated to funding transportation projects, so that states can get their hands on the money directly; HB2358, authorizing the creation of public-private partnerships for the operation of highway toll facilities; and Rep. Steve Farley's HB2046, barring license plate covers or anything else that diminishes the readability of characters on a license plate (hey, I have to include at least one decent bill per week, right?).
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Technology and Infrastructure will meet in HHR1. On the agenda: HB2403, the annual attack on newspapers but removing one of their primary sources of revenue - the mandatory publication of legal notices; a striker to HB2417 that would allow government communications that are, by law, required to be in writing to be by email. I'm not sure, but this measure seems so broadly written that things like legal summonses, court orders, and other court documents are covered by it; HB2647, a Rio Nuevo bill (there are many provisions in this where I don't understand the impact, so I will leave the commentary on this one to the southern AZ experts at Blog for Arizona).
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Judiciary will meet in HHR4. Long agenda, many bad bills. Lowest of the lowlights: HCR2005, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to mandate that any voter-approved measures that mandate any kind of spending or revenues must be reauthorized every six fiscal years. Guess the Rs don't like the voters interfering in the drive to destroy Arizona's social safety net.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Agriculture and Water will meet in HHR5. On the agenda: HJR2002, surrendering Arizona's rights to a certain quantity of water from the Colorado River to some contractors.
...The House's Third Read (final approval) Calendar is here. Nothing that appears to be too controversial.
On the Senate side of the Capitol -
...Monday at 1 p.m., Rules will meet in Senate Caucus Room 1. As with the agenda before the Rules committee in the House, the agenda is long and best serves as a preview of floor calendars for the rest of the week and early next week.
...Monday at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the floor session, Natural Resources and Transportation will meet in SHR109.
...Monday at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the floor session, Judiciary will meet in SHR1. The nastiest agenda of the week. Up for consideration: SB1304, removing the ability of counties and municipalities to pass laws restricting or barring the discharge of firearms within a quarter mile of an occupied structure (you know, like a house); SB1448, making is OK to pack heat in a public building if access to that building is not restricted by a cop or security guard; SB1474, the annual "guns in schools" bill; SB1479, a bill with too many provisions to summarize quickly here, but it's another in the pro-gun/anti-society group of gun bills this year; and SCR1021, a proposed amendment to the AZ constitution to end Clean Elections.
...Monday at 2 p.m., or upon adjournment of the floor session, Education will meet in SHR3. Lowlight: SB1443, creating state mandated standards for teacher performance pay (heavily weighted toward scores on statewide tests).
...Tuesday at 9 a.m., Veterans, Military, and Government Affairs will meet in SHR3. Looks quiet so far.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Banking and Insurance will meet in SHR3. On the agenda: at least a couple of bills that Sen. Nancy Barto is shilling for the health insurance industry.
...Tuesday at 2 p.m., Appropriations will meet in SHR109. Looks fairly quiet right now, but that will change as budget time looms.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Government Reform will meet in SHR1.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Public Safety and Human Services will meet in SHR3. On the agenda: SB1364, further easing regulations of fireworks in Arizona and barring municipalities and counties from crafting stronger regulations; SB1365, allowing licensed professionals to engage in unprofessional behavior without repercussion if they cite religious beliefs as justification for those actions; would also allow people and businesses to breach contracts if they cite religious beliefs; includes a clause that would bar public bodies, including the state's courts and judicial branch boards and commissions, from refusing to nominate or appoint someone to a position because of his/her religious beliefs. Directly aimed at the Arizona Commission of Appellate Court Appointments. In late 2010, when the Commission was screening applicants for the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, one of the members of the judicial commission expressed reservations about an applicant because of the applicant's belief that church and state shouldn't be separate.
...Wednesday at 9 a.m., Commerce and Energy will meet in SHR109. On the agenda: SB1510, messing with the state lottery.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Water, Land Use, and Rural Development will meet in SHR3. Best summary for this agenda: Why don't they just name this committee the "Senate Anti-Enviroment Committee"?
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet in SHR3. Lots of Nancy Barto-pushed bills for the health insurance industry.
...Wednesday at 2 p.m., Economic Development and Jobs Creation will meet in SHR109. One bill on the agenda thus far: SB1301, creating a tax credit for "community development entities" certified by Jan Brewer's Commerce Authority.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Finance will meet in SHR1. Analogous to the Ways and Means Committee in the House, and like that committee, focused on carving out exemptions for special interests.
...Thursday at 9 a.m., Border Security, Federalism, and States Security will meet in SHR109. The agenda is short on items, but as is the pattern for this committee, long on lunacy. On the agenda: SB1332, which directs the federal government to surrender all federal lands in the state to Arizona by the end of 2014 or those lands will be subject to state taxes (ummm, yeaaahhhh. Good luck with that one.); SB1358, creating a legislative committee to "neutralize" any federal laws that it doesn't like (ditto).
...The lege's events calendar for the week is here; the Arizona Capitol Times' Capitol Calendar is here.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Pearce throwing in papers to run for state senate seat: He's baaaaack...
From the Arizona Capitol Times, written by Jeremy Duda -
In the article, Pearce is indirectly quoted (from this article from Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services) as saying this is not a guarantee that he will run, that the paperwork was only a "technical" matter.
However, given the arrogance of Pearce and his supporters, I expect that he will have to be defeated two or even three times before he (and they) start to get the message.
If he does actually run (and I think that he will run for *something*, but for now, I'm presuming that he is going to run for the senate), because the maps of the new legislative districts place his house in the new LD25, he will face current Sen. Rich Crandall. Crandall is often referred to as a moderate Republican in the media, but he is the guy who is pushing a bill in the lege to allow Arizona's schools to opt out of the federal free/subsidized lunch program for poor students.
In other words, calling him a "moderate" Republican says a *lot* about where the Arizona GOP is located ideologically these days, but it doesn't really say much for Crandall.
Anyway, Pearce's candidate committee information is here.
Recalled former Sen. Russell Pearce is eyeing a return to the Capitol.
Pearce, who was ousted in a historic recall election in November, filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office on Jan. 30 to run for the Senate in the new District 25.
In the article, Pearce is indirectly quoted (from this article from Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services) as saying this is not a guarantee that he will run, that the paperwork was only a "technical" matter.
However, given the arrogance of Pearce and his supporters, I expect that he will have to be defeated two or even three times before he (and they) start to get the message.
If he does actually run (and I think that he will run for *something*, but for now, I'm presuming that he is going to run for the senate), because the maps of the new legislative districts place his house in the new LD25, he will face current Sen. Rich Crandall. Crandall is often referred to as a moderate Republican in the media, but he is the guy who is pushing a bill in the lege to allow Arizona's schools to opt out of the federal free/subsidized lunch program for poor students.
In other words, calling him a "moderate" Republican says a *lot* about where the Arizona GOP is located ideologically these days, but it doesn't really say much for Crandall.
Anyway, Pearce's candidate committee information is here.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
More candidate updates and other stuff...
...First, the "other stuff" -
On a sad note, Michael D. Ryan, the highly-regarded former Arizona Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Monday. His funeral services will be held Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church on Central Avenue in Phoenix at 3 p.m. Services will be preceded by visitation at 2 p.m. As a veteran (a hero, actually), his body will probably be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Calling him "highly regarded" is an understatement. He is one of the reasons that the Arizona Judicial branch is the branch of Arizona government that is respected across the country for its professionalism, in many ways because it now reflects the professionalism, diligence, and fairness that he brought to it as a prosecutor, Superior Court judge, and finally, as a Supreme Court justice.
My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
...Now for the "candidate" stuff -
...State Rep. Matt Heinz (D-Tucson) has announced his candidacy for the CD8 seat recently vacated by the recovering Gabby Giffords. He is a likely candidate for the special election in June (though he has said that he will support Giffords staffer Ron Barber if Barber runs in the special) and a definite candidate in the regular election in November. Because he is in the last year of his term in the lege, he won't have to resign under Arizona's "resign to run" law.
He may be the first candidate to jump into the race, and is the first state legislator to jump in, but he won't be the last, on either count.
Note: State Sen. Frank Antenori (R-Bully) has announced that he will run for the seat in November. I'm not sure about his plans for the special election.
...Maricopa County Supervisor Fulton Brock has announced that he will not seek reelection. He has been fighting the effects of a sex scandal involving his wife, his daughter, and an underaged boy. He was already facing a strong GOP challenger, but this should open up the race completely.
On a sad note, Michael D. Ryan, the highly-regarded former Arizona Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Monday. His funeral services will be held Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church on Central Avenue in Phoenix at 3 p.m. Services will be preceded by visitation at 2 p.m. As a veteran (a hero, actually), his body will probably be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Calling him "highly regarded" is an understatement. He is one of the reasons that the Arizona Judicial branch is the branch of Arizona government that is respected across the country for its professionalism, in many ways because it now reflects the professionalism, diligence, and fairness that he brought to it as a prosecutor, Superior Court judge, and finally, as a Supreme Court justice.
My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
...Now for the "candidate" stuff -
...State Rep. Matt Heinz (D-Tucson) has announced his candidacy for the CD8 seat recently vacated by the recovering Gabby Giffords. He is a likely candidate for the special election in June (though he has said that he will support Giffords staffer Ron Barber if Barber runs in the special) and a definite candidate in the regular election in November. Because he is in the last year of his term in the lege, he won't have to resign under Arizona's "resign to run" law.
He may be the first candidate to jump into the race, and is the first state legislator to jump in, but he won't be the last, on either count.
Note: State Sen. Frank Antenori (R-Bully) has announced that he will run for the seat in November. I'm not sure about his plans for the special election.
...Maricopa County Supervisor Fulton Brock has announced that he will not seek reelection. He has been fighting the effects of a sex scandal involving his wife, his daughter, and an underaged boy. He was already facing a strong GOP challenger, but this should open up the race completely.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Resignations, plants, and rumors: Candidates update
...Confirming rumors of long standing, Andrei Cherny has resigned as chair of the Arizona Democratic Party to run for Congress in the new CD9. He joins State Senator David Schapira and Kyrsten Sinema in the field pursuing the Democratic nomination. No paperwork is up on the FECs website, but his campaign website is already up (bare bones, but it's there). His entry muddies up the race somewhat. Rumored results of recent polling (in other words, take this with a grain of salt) point toward Cherny not being able to win a three-way race, and it looks like he would be unlikely to defeat Sinema straight up. He trails but is closer to Schapira. It will be interesting to see in which direction his attacks are aimed.
...As for the Congressional seat recently vacated by the recovering Gabby Giffords, there's an email circulating saying that Tim Sultan, a former candidate for Congress and the lege and an active member of the Democrats of Greater Tucson, is going to jump into that race. As of last week, he was still officially just "considering" the move, but the email makes it sound like a done deal.
...One John Rowan has entered the race for the Democratic nomination for Maricopa County Sheriff. He's touting himself as a "conservative Democrat". Given that the job of county sheriff in any county in any state should filled by a non-ideological professional, it was a little surprising to read about Rowan's proclamation of his ideological position. However, becomes less surprising when one finds out that until recently, Rowan was a registered Republican.
His organizational paperwork is here. He is serving as both his own committee chair and committee treasurer.
...In Scottsdale, Virginia Korte, a long-time presence in the business community, has opened a committee for a run, not at mayor as was rumored, but for city council. Her campaign co-chairs are Carolyn Allen, a retired state senator, and Jim Bruner, a former Maricopa County supervisor.
...As for the Congressional seat recently vacated by the recovering Gabby Giffords, there's an email circulating saying that Tim Sultan, a former candidate for Congress and the lege and an active member of the Democrats of Greater Tucson, is going to jump into that race. As of last week, he was still officially just "considering" the move, but the email makes it sound like a done deal.
...One John Rowan has entered the race for the Democratic nomination for Maricopa County Sheriff. He's touting himself as a "conservative Democrat". Given that the job of county sheriff in any county in any state should filled by a non-ideological professional, it was a little surprising to read about Rowan's proclamation of his ideological position. However, becomes less surprising when one finds out that until recently, Rowan was a registered Republican.
His organizational paperwork is here. He is serving as both his own committee chair and committee treasurer.
...In Scottsdale, Virginia Korte, a long-time presence in the business community, has opened a committee for a run, not at mayor as was rumored, but for city council. Her campaign co-chairs are Carolyn Allen, a retired state senator, and Jim Bruner, a former Maricopa County supervisor.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The coming week, part 1
Due to the lateness of the hour, this post will cover only Monday's schedule at the Arizona Capitol. A post on the rest of the weeks schedule will go up Monday night. I'm not going into a lot of depth here tonight, so if an agenda or committee covers an area that you are interested in, click on the agenda and check out the rest of the bills...
All agendas and their specifics, including but not limited to, times, places, and bills to be considered, are subject to change without notice.
Note: All rooms beginning with an "HHR" prefix are in the House of Representatives building; "SHR" indicates the room is in the Senate building.
On the House side of the Capitol -
Rules will meet at 1 p.m. on Monday in HHR4. Long agenda, and mostly, but not completely, non-controversial. Most of the measures will appear on a floor agenda later in the week.
Ways and Means will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday in HHR1. Lots of mischief on this agenda, much of it focused on gutting or completely ending the state's capital gains tax.
Energy and Natural Resources will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday in HHR4. Some "red meat" kind of bills on the agenda, mostly of the "federal government is bad" variety.
Education will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR3. Some bad bills on this agenda, but the "highlight" of the agenda is a presentation on "Biblical Literacy and Academic Achievement" by an academic hired gun from California.
Banking and Insurance will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR5. Short agenda that looks to be pretty harmless.
On the Senate side of the Capitol -
Rules will meet upon adjournment of the floor session in Senate Caucus Room 1. Long agenda.
Natural Resources and Transportation will meet at 2 p.m or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR109. The agenda looks short and relatively harmless.
Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR1. Some very bad bills on this one. The worst: SB1241, mandating that weapons and explosives used in crimes that are forfeited must be sold off by the confiscating entity within a year, and removes local influence over the process. Note: it is already a requirement in Arizona that such confiscated items be sold and not destroyed. This measure would add a time requirement.
Education will meet at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR3. Short agenda, and not too bad. Yet. It's early in the session, though.
All agendas and their specifics, including but not limited to, times, places, and bills to be considered, are subject to change without notice.
Note: All rooms beginning with an "HHR" prefix are in the House of Representatives building; "SHR" indicates the room is in the Senate building.
On the House side of the Capitol -
Rules will meet at 1 p.m. on Monday in HHR4. Long agenda, and mostly, but not completely, non-controversial. Most of the measures will appear on a floor agenda later in the week.
Ways and Means will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday in HHR1. Lots of mischief on this agenda, much of it focused on gutting or completely ending the state's capital gains tax.
Energy and Natural Resources will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday in HHR4. Some "red meat" kind of bills on the agenda, mostly of the "federal government is bad" variety.
Education will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR3. Some bad bills on this agenda, but the "highlight" of the agenda is a presentation on "Biblical Literacy and Academic Achievement" by an academic hired gun from California.
Banking and Insurance will meet at 2 p.m. in HHR5. Short agenda that looks to be pretty harmless.
On the Senate side of the Capitol -
Rules will meet upon adjournment of the floor session in Senate Caucus Room 1. Long agenda.
Natural Resources and Transportation will meet at 2 p.m or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR109. The agenda looks short and relatively harmless.
Judiciary will meet at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR1. Some very bad bills on this one. The worst: SB1241, mandating that weapons and explosives used in crimes that are forfeited must be sold off by the confiscating entity within a year, and removes local influence over the process. Note: it is already a requirement in Arizona that such confiscated items be sold and not destroyed. This measure would add a time requirement.
Education will meet at 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of Rules in SHR3. Short agenda, and not too bad. Yet. It's early in the session, though.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Andy Tobin taking the lead in the Republican fight against independent redistricting
...and the fun part is: he wants the voters to pay $8 million for the privilege of subverting their own will...
Rep. Andy Tobin (R-Paulden), the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, has introduced HB2710, HCR2051, HCR2052, HCR2053, and HR2005. If passed, they would mandate a special election in May where the voters would be "asked" to amend the independent redistricting provisions in the Arizona constitution.
HB2710 would call the special election.
If passed by the voters, HCR2051 would take the "independent" out of "independent redistricting commission". It would take the current 5-member Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC), where no political hacks are allowed (meaning no party precinct committeemen, or PCs. Full disclosure: I'm a Democratic PC, so I can call PCs "hacks." :) ) and turn it into a cesspool of hackery, with 12 politically-appointed members. It would also remove the requirement under current law that there be an Independent member of the AIRC. In addition, it would remove the requirement that the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments screen the applicants.
[start sarcasm] Obviously, as the judicial branch of government in Arizona is the only branch the receives, or is even worthy of, respect for its professionalism, so it shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the redistricting process. [end sarcasm]
If passed by the voters, HCR2052 and HCR2053 would scrap the the legislative and Congressional maps, respectively, in favor of maps drawn by Tobin.
HR2005 is a resolution where the legislature (or to be realistic, the Republicans in the legislature) pledge to base their maps on the scribblings and the electoral alchemy of the Republicans' own Andy Tobin.
It's "alchemy" because Tobin is trying to turn the iron clauses of the Arizona constitution into a golden opportunity for job security for the Capitol's elected Republicans.
Even more infuriating than Tobin et. al.'s open contempt for the will of the voters (we are the ones who created the independent redistricting process specifically to take it away from legislators interested only in serving their own self interests above all else) or even the best interests of the people of Arizona (we are served best by public officials who have to answer to the entire electorate in their districts, not just a few partisan extremists) is his plan to have the voters pay (subscription required) more than $8 million for the special election/Hail Mary pass. On top of that, Tobin has defended (subscription required) the secrecy that shrouded his drawing of the maps that he wants to implement, and the use of a taxpayer-funded employee of the legislature, John Mills, to aid him in his quest to overthrow the voters' independent redistricting process.
An interesting two-step for someone who has criticized the AIRC for spending too much money (expenses incurred in part to deal with the litigation stemming from previous attempts to subvert the process by elected Republicans) and has complained that the AIRC's dozens of meetings and hearings with hundreds of hours of testimony isn't transparent enough.
Note: in this context, "interesting" is a synonym for "hypocritical." In case you couldn't figure that out on your own. :)
Of course, Tobin's scheme pre-supposes that...
a) the other Republicans in the lege go along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, highly likely);
b) the voters go along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, less likely, but given that a special election would be a low-turnout affair dominated by partisan GOTV efforts, definitely possible); and
c) the US DOJ goes along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, highly unlikely given the secrecy and deliberate exclusion of minority groups specifically and the public in general from the crafting of his maps).
On the other hand, Tobin's proposals are so sloppily written that it makes me wonder if this is more about posturing for his caucus or for the inevitable redistricting-related lawsuits than anything else.
As written, HCRs 2052 and 2053 appear to be mutually exclusive. They each propose to amend the same part of the Arizona constitution by inserting identically labelled clauses.
From HCR2052
From HCR2053
Now, I'm just a layman with no advanced (or even beginning-level) legal education or experience, but it seems any credible attempt to amend the Arizona constitution would at least be correctly written, especially as it comes from putative subject matter experts such as Tobin and his "associate" Mills.
However, given that Tobin's maps guarantee him a safe district, credibility may not have been a consideration in Tobin's scheming, just ensuring his continued seat on the West Washington Gravy Train.
As near as I can tell, the measures haven't been agendized for committee consideration as yet, probably because they haven't been assigned to any as yet while they await for the Speaker to "first read" the bills and assign them to committee. The timing of that and the specific committee that they are assigned to is completely within the Speaker's discretion and is often subject to the vagaries of the relationship between the introducing sponsor and the Speaker.
In this case, I expect the measures to be formally introduced, First Read, and assigned to committee on Monday.
Something tells me that Rep. Andy Tobin is on good terms with Speaker Andy Tobin. :)
Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services has coverage here, via the East Valley Tribune.
AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona has his take here.
Steve at Arizona Eagletarian offers his take here.
The Democratic caucus of the Arizona House of Representatives has a statement from Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader, here.
Rep. Andy Tobin (R-Paulden), the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, has introduced HB2710, HCR2051, HCR2052, HCR2053, and HR2005. If passed, they would mandate a special election in May where the voters would be "asked" to amend the independent redistricting provisions in the Arizona constitution.
HB2710 would call the special election.
If passed by the voters, HCR2051 would take the "independent" out of "independent redistricting commission". It would take the current 5-member Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC), where no political hacks are allowed (meaning no party precinct committeemen, or PCs. Full disclosure: I'm a Democratic PC, so I can call PCs "hacks." :) ) and turn it into a cesspool of hackery, with 12 politically-appointed members. It would also remove the requirement under current law that there be an Independent member of the AIRC. In addition, it would remove the requirement that the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments screen the applicants.
[start sarcasm] Obviously, as the judicial branch of government in Arizona is the only branch the receives, or is even worthy of, respect for its professionalism, so it shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the redistricting process. [end sarcasm]
If passed by the voters, HCR2052 and HCR2053 would scrap the the legislative and Congressional maps, respectively, in favor of maps drawn by Tobin.
HR2005 is a resolution where the legislature (or to be realistic, the Republicans in the legislature) pledge to base their maps on the scribblings and the electoral alchemy of the Republicans' own Andy Tobin.
It's "alchemy" because Tobin is trying to turn the iron clauses of the Arizona constitution into a golden opportunity for job security for the Capitol's elected Republicans.
Even more infuriating than Tobin et. al.'s open contempt for the will of the voters (we are the ones who created the independent redistricting process specifically to take it away from legislators interested only in serving their own self interests above all else) or even the best interests of the people of Arizona (we are served best by public officials who have to answer to the entire electorate in their districts, not just a few partisan extremists) is his plan to have the voters pay (subscription required) more than $8 million for the special election/Hail Mary pass. On top of that, Tobin has defended (subscription required) the secrecy that shrouded his drawing of the maps that he wants to implement, and the use of a taxpayer-funded employee of the legislature, John Mills, to aid him in his quest to overthrow the voters' independent redistricting process.
An interesting two-step for someone who has criticized the AIRC for spending too much money (expenses incurred in part to deal with the litigation stemming from previous attempts to subvert the process by elected Republicans) and has complained that the AIRC's dozens of meetings and hearings with hundreds of hours of testimony isn't transparent enough.
Note: in this context, "interesting" is a synonym for "hypocritical." In case you couldn't figure that out on your own. :)
Of course, Tobin's scheme pre-supposes that...
a) the other Republicans in the lege go along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, highly likely);
b) the voters go along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, less likely, but given that a special election would be a low-turnout affair dominated by partisan GOTV efforts, definitely possible); and
c) the US DOJ goes along with Tobin's scheme (IMO, highly unlikely given the secrecy and deliberate exclusion of minority groups specifically and the public in general from the crafting of his maps).
On the other hand, Tobin's proposals are so sloppily written that it makes me wonder if this is more about posturing for his caucus or for the inevitable redistricting-related lawsuits than anything else.
As written, HCRs 2052 and 2053 appear to be mutually exclusive. They each propose to amend the same part of the Arizona constitution by inserting identically labelled clauses.
From HCR2052
From HCR2053
Now, I'm just a layman with no advanced (or even beginning-level) legal education or experience, but it seems any credible attempt to amend the Arizona constitution would at least be correctly written, especially as it comes from putative subject matter experts such as Tobin and his "associate" Mills.
However, given that Tobin's maps guarantee him a safe district, credibility may not have been a consideration in Tobin's scheming, just ensuring his continued seat on the West Washington Gravy Train.
As near as I can tell, the measures haven't been agendized for committee consideration as yet, probably because they haven't been assigned to any as yet while they await for the Speaker to "first read" the bills and assign them to committee. The timing of that and the specific committee that they are assigned to is completely within the Speaker's discretion and is often subject to the vagaries of the relationship between the introducing sponsor and the Speaker.
In this case, I expect the measures to be formally introduced, First Read, and assigned to committee on Monday.
Something tells me that Rep. Andy Tobin is on good terms with Speaker Andy Tobin. :)
Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services has coverage here, via the East Valley Tribune.
AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona has his take here.
Steve at Arizona Eagletarian offers his take here.
The Democratic caucus of the Arizona House of Representatives has a statement from Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader, here.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wendy Rogers talking up a run for Congress
According to a little birdie (meaning a source I can't name, but who I trust) Republican Wendy Rogers, late of a losing campaign for state senate (she challenged and lost to David Schapira in 2010), was at a Republican LD meeting this week talking up a run for Congress in the new 9th Congressional District.
Apparently, she is still so ticked at Schapira for defeating her once, she wants to give him a chance to do it again (Schapira is already running in CD9)...
Anyway, the rumor looks spot on - while her paperwork isn't on the FEC's website, her legislative campaign website has been reborn as a Congressional campaign site.
Apparently, she is still so ticked at Schapira for defeating her once, she wants to give him a chance to do it again (Schapira is already running in CD9)...
Anyway, the rumor looks spot on - while her paperwork isn't on the FEC's website, her legislative campaign website has been reborn as a Congressional campaign site.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)