As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited here.
Notes:
If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set of bat-shit crazy alarm bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.
A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in the House building.
Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda yourself.
Floor activity:
...As of this writing, no floor calendars have been posted, but those are usually posted the day before, or on the actual day of, floor activity.
Committee activity:
Senate side of the Capitol -
Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1. This is a exercise in rubberstamping; the entire meeting should take less than 10 minutes, but the agenda will serve as a preview of floor activity later in the week.
Judiciary, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor, SHR1. Looks harmless enough, but SB1234 may bear watching. If enacted, it would allow the use of monies in the County Attorney Victim Compensation Fund for purposes other than the current requirement of "medical, counseling and funeral expenses and lost wages of crime victims." What concerns me is the vagueness of the change. There isn't anything in the measure that could prevent or even slow down a corrupt county attorney turning the Victim Compensation Fund into a personal slush fund. [Begin sarcasm] Not that we've *ever* had a corrupt county attorney in Arizona. [End sarcasm]
Government and Environment, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor, SHR3. Not so harmless.
First up, something that in and of itself is harmless, but speaks of a "priorities" problem: a striker to SB1139 that would declare the third Saturday in July to be the "State Day of the Cowboy". Not a legal holiday, so it would have no practical effect in the real world, but not something that needs to be done, either.
After that relatively innocuous measure, things go downhill rapidly - SB1182, attacking public employee unions by making payroll deductions for things like payment of union dues more difficult; SB1210, penalizing a city or town some of its funds from state-shared revenue if the city or town is found to be in violation of one of its own personnel or purchasing policies; SB1288, barring federal agencies from eligibility for funds from the Arizona Water Protection Fund. Seems more like a neo-secessionist attempt to thumb their noses at the feds than anything substantive, since even the legislative staff summary of this bill states that the Fund receives no legislative appropriations and hasn't disbursed funds recently; SB1321, an anti-sustainability measure that would supplant municipal building codes in favor of arbitrary legislative standards, in regard to energy use/conservation; SB1322, extending an exemption from assured water supply requirements for certain subdivisions; SB1349, another payroll deduction bill aimed directly at public employees; and SCR1015, a resolution expressing blind and rabid support for a minimal or no regulation interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Their bill subject/working title is "support; second amendment"; mine is "dancing on graves; Newtown victims".
Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Elections, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. The first meeting of the year for this committee. Three bills on the agenda, all that would impact the political process (duhhh....the committee is called "Elections" for a reason. :) ). Lowlight: SB1261, allowing the AZ Secretary of State to make it more difficult to sign up of the Permanent Early Voting List and easier for the SOS to remove voters from the PEVL. A direct attack on Democrats, as PEVL voting turnout numbers are widely considered to favor Democrats. Note: the committee chair, Sen. Michele Reagan (R), is running for the SOS job in 2014. And wants to make voting more difficult.
Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. Looks harmless so far.
Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR109. On the agenda: SCR1013, the lege's resolution urging Congress to dilute the Endangered Species Act.
Commerce, Energy, and Military, Wednesday, 9 a.m. Looks fairly harmless so far, but the nature of many of the bills means that I don't completely understand the impact of the proposed changes to state law.
Public Safety, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. One bill on the agenda: SB1086, Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges' measure to have police officers trained not to profile people based on their choice to ride a motorcycle or possess motorcycle-related paraphernalia (like leather vests with gang colors, chains, etc.)
Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. On the agenda: SB1115 and SCR1002, mandating that health care providers provide to the public the direct pay prices for the most common procedures performed by the health care providers. That doesn't sound so bad, until you read the punchline - a clause that bars any sort of "punishment" for persons or employers who choose to directly pay medical costs or for health care providers who choose to accept such direct payments. The clause uses the phrase "an adverse consequence" and cites specific examples without any language limiting the definition of adverse consquences to those specific examples. The SCR proposes to make the new requirements a voter-protected change, meaning that it could not be changed in any significant way by future legislatures. It looks like the intent here is to undermine health care reform - the language is so broad that a rule stating that a health care provider that chooses to accept direct payments cannot benefit from a health care exchange could be considered an "adverse consequence" and thus illegal. This is "sneaky bad", but without much emphasis on the "sneaky" part.
Finance, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. On the agenda: SB1028, exempting self-dealing businesses from sales tax liability (aka "transaction privilege tax", or "TPT") for transactions between two related entities involving leases...however, they'll still get to write off the "expense" related to the paper transaction as an expense; SB1173 and SB1174 making changes to two state employee pension plans (I don't understand the details of the state's pension plans well enough to evaluate these measures; I presume that since the measures were proposed by Republicans, state employees will be screwed over by their (potential) enactment; and SB1176, nearly tripling the tax deduction allowed for contributions to "529" college savings plans.
Education, Thursday, 9:30 a.m., SHR1. The agenda is shallow on bills, but deep on ugly. Festivities start with a presentation from John Huppenthal, Arizona's State Superintendent of (anti-) Public Instruction then move on to consideration of SB1239, a $30,000,000 appropriation to the Department of Education for some "reading intervention" software that meets some *very* specific requirements. I'm not saying the two items are related (and if, as of this writing, I had anything more to base my suspicions on than the cynicism borne of years of experience watching this bunch in action, I would say so, and say so loudly), but the measure is proposed by Sen. Al Melvin of Tucson, and there is a company in Tucson that offers a product that seems to meet all of those very specific requirements; and SB1285, mandating that the Department of Education create and distribute a "handbook" publicizing the non-public education options that are available to parents, and requiring the Department to pay for the handbook out of federal monies disbursed to the state to help pay for the education of students from low-income families.
House side of the Capitol -
Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., HHR4. This is a exercise in rubberstamping; the entire meeting should take less than 10 minutes, but the agenda will serve as a preview of floor activity later in the week (yes, I copied and pasted this bit from the section regarding the meeting of the Senate Rules Committee)
Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1. Presentation only, at this time.
Financial Institutions, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR5. Most of the proposed changes are too technical for my knowledge, but HB2428 is worrisome - if enacted, it removes a requirement that licensed investment advisers who have custody of client monies or securities file an audited balance sheet at the end of each fiscal year.
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Interesting in a head-scratching sort of way: HB2301, expanding the carryover time limit for the renewable energy tax credit from five years to twenty. I thought this bunch hated everything about renewable energy?
Education, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR3. On the agenda: HB2494, expanding the current enrollment preference allowed to charter schools for the children of people associated with the charter school to include the grandchildren of people associated with the charter. Seems like a measure targeted to benefit a small group or even just a single person; HB2495, mandating that a school district that receives a refund or rebate related to energy-saving devices use the funds received in a certain way. Not sure that this is a bad bill, but I am always skeptical when this bunch starts tinkering with schools and they way that they spend money.
Insurance and Retirement, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR3. On the agenda: HB2056, making amendments to a state employee pension plan; and HB2279, specifying that sporting event officials are not considered employees of the organization or entity that sponsors or oversees sporting event (unless the officials are otherwise employed by the organization or entity).
Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Lowlight: HB2283, Rep. Steve "Russell Pearce Jr." Smith's bill that would mandate that any government publications, other than voting materials, that are published in languages other than English, be published only on the internet, except for a copy that would be available only at the office of the publishing agency.
Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. One bill on the agenda thus far: HB2285, trying to sneak some of the fiscal limitations of the already thoroughly discredited TABOR movement through the backdoor.
Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3. On the agenda: HB2485, relating to the creation of a "Health and Safety Audit Privilege" in Title 12 of ARS, "Courts and Civil Proceedings".
Health, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR4. Looks to be relatively harmless, but keep an eye on HB2406, loosening the licensing requirements for physicians.
Higher Education and Workforce Development, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR1. On the agenda: HB2203, creating a tax credit for contributions to a state university foundation.
Commerce, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR5. On the agenda: HB2280, declaring that the state has supreme and overriding authority over employee benefits and barring any political subdivisions from enacting any further regulation of employee benefits.
Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. One item on the agenda: HB2396, a measure from Rep. John Kavanagh that requires that monies from "compromises or settlements by or against the state go to the state's General Fund" and that no new funds can be created by court order under such is approved by the lege first. I almost want to see this one pass, just so I can write about the lawsuits. I'm guessing here, but this seems to be related to the flak related to the lege's appropriation of mortgage assistance funds that were accrued to the state to aid homeowners hurt by the mortgage fraud scandal late last decade.
Transportation, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Technology and Infrastructure, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5. Some sneaky bad here: HB2141, allowing "public service corporations" to conduct many of their operations related to telecommunications behind a cloak of secrecy. Specifically, the bill would exempt "proceedings, applications and permits relating to telecommunications services
provided by a public service corporation and the construction and location of
lines, equipment and plants used for telecommunications services on or along
public streets or highways or on private property" from public records disclosure. Also on the agenda: HB2483, the annual proposal to end the requirement that things like legal notices and public meeting notices be published in a newspaper. This year's proposal would change the language in the law to "a public medium". Look for the publisher of the Arizona Capitol Times to make the annual trek over to the Capitol complex, testify at the hearing, the bill to pass the committee and then to never hear of the bill again...unless the the Cap Times pisses off a member of the Republican leadership at the Capitol. The bottom line is that this measure and the ones like it in previous sessions of the lege are less about good public policy than about "cracking the whip" and reminding the Cap Times that the lege is in a position to mess with a huge part of the newspaper's revenue stream. It's an effective way to stop investigative reporting of legislators and their activities even before it starts.
Reform and Human Services, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1. On the agenda: HB2331, limiting the ability of political subdivisions to raise revenue through issuing bonds.
Judiciary, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR4. On the agenda: HB2308, making changes to law regarding probate. Looks harmless, but this isn't an area where I have a lot of specific knowledge.
The lege's Capitol events calendar is here.
The Arizona Department of Administration's list of public meeting notices is here.
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Friday, February 01, 2013
Think that legislative Republicans are mellowing? Don't believe the hype.
There has been some talk that the Rs in the Arizona legislature have moderated a bit this year.
People espousing that position (one that I disagree with, but that will be the subject of *many* future posts) tend to cite two main facts in support of their belief -
1. Noted wingers such as Russell Pearce, Frank Antenori, Ron Gould, and Jack Harper are out of the lege. Whether it was by their own choice (Gould and Harper) or the voters' (Pearce and Antenori), they're gone, and they were some of the loudest voices in support of some of the looniest measures to come out of the lege in recent years.
2. This week, the lege passed an emergency supplemental funding measure so that CPS, Child Protective Services, could hire 50 caseworkers. After the massive budget cuts on the agency over the last few years, CPS finds itself unable to do its job, even minimally well. Governor Jan Brewer, whether looking out for Arizona's abused and vulnerable children, or looking out for her legacy (and no, those aren't mutually exclusive considerations), pushed for the supplemental funding for CPS. The legislature approved the measure unanimously (House, Senate), seemingly lending credence to the idea that the Republicans in the lege have finally grown souls.
That is, until you look at pictures from the ceremony where Brewer signed the measure.
From the Facebook feed of the Arizona Senate Democrats -
There's one thing that all three Republicans in the above pic have in common, aside from being Republicans (of course) - they're not going to be candidates for statewide office next year.
No Republican who is even seriously whispered about as having an eye on statewide office next year wanted to be near the cameras covering the signing.
At the very least, in keeping with the pattern of the leadership of the lege appearing at the signing, House Speaker Andy Tobin (R) should have been there instead of Kavanagh.
However, Tobin is termed out of the House after this term and may not be interested in a run for a rank-and-file slot in the Senate (assuming Biggs wins reelection and isn't deposed from the Senate presidency in 2014). So that leaves running for a statewide office or returning home to Paulden. Now Paulden has its charms, but they may not be enough for someone who has been at the center of the state's political machinations for years now.
As for the ones who *did* show up -
Biggs could make a run, I suppose, but he's more than a little baldly arrogant, and it's not the kind of charming arrogance that might be useful in a statewide campaign. As one of the most intelligent people on West Washington (and even people who don't like him don't underrate his intellect; he may be known as a complete jerk, but he's a *smart* complete jerk).
Kavanagh is termed out of the House, but he has already started laying the ground work for a run at a seat in the state senate.
Brewer is term-limited (in spite of her periodic protestations to the contrary) and won't be on the ballot next year (unless she goes for a down-ballot slot).
"Good governance" measures may make for great photo ops for Democrats and would-be legacy builders, but they are the kiss of death for candidates in a statewide R primary. Biggs and Kavanagh are long-time politicos from "safe" districts, so they can afford one blemish on their records (however, don't be surprised to seem them try to burnish their "mean" cred with a "makeup" bill, maybe a resolution condemning the Puppy Bowl as an al-Quaeda plot or something similar).
Now, in case anyone is thinking that I cherry-picked a picture from a Democratic source to support my point here, here is the picture of the signing from the governor's website -
Now, there are more legislators in this pic than in the one posted by the Senate Democrats, but none of them are among those talked about as potential statewide candidates.
Bottom line: there's no moderation here. Republican primary candidates are just as rabidly anti-society as they ever have been. They have to be - that's where there voters are.
People espousing that position (one that I disagree with, but that will be the subject of *many* future posts) tend to cite two main facts in support of their belief -
1. Noted wingers such as Russell Pearce, Frank Antenori, Ron Gould, and Jack Harper are out of the lege. Whether it was by their own choice (Gould and Harper) or the voters' (Pearce and Antenori), they're gone, and they were some of the loudest voices in support of some of the looniest measures to come out of the lege in recent years.
2. This week, the lege passed an emergency supplemental funding measure so that CPS, Child Protective Services, could hire 50 caseworkers. After the massive budget cuts on the agency over the last few years, CPS finds itself unable to do its job, even minimally well. Governor Jan Brewer, whether looking out for Arizona's abused and vulnerable children, or looking out for her legacy (and no, those aren't mutually exclusive considerations), pushed for the supplemental funding for CPS. The legislature approved the measure unanimously (House, Senate), seemingly lending credence to the idea that the Republicans in the lege have finally grown souls.
That is, until you look at pictures from the ceremony where Brewer signed the measure.
From the Facebook feed of the Arizona Senate Democrats -
 |
| (L-R) Rep. Chad Campbell, House Democratic leader; Sen. Andy Biggs (R), President of the Senate; Governor Jan Brewer (R); Rep. John Kavanagh (R), chair of the House Appropriations Committee; and Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, Senate Democratic leader |
No Republican who is even seriously whispered about as having an eye on statewide office next year wanted to be near the cameras covering the signing.
At the very least, in keeping with the pattern of the leadership of the lege appearing at the signing, House Speaker Andy Tobin (R) should have been there instead of Kavanagh.
However, Tobin is termed out of the House after this term and may not be interested in a run for a rank-and-file slot in the Senate (assuming Biggs wins reelection and isn't deposed from the Senate presidency in 2014). So that leaves running for a statewide office or returning home to Paulden. Now Paulden has its charms, but they may not be enough for someone who has been at the center of the state's political machinations for years now.
As for the ones who *did* show up -
Biggs could make a run, I suppose, but he's more than a little baldly arrogant, and it's not the kind of charming arrogance that might be useful in a statewide campaign. As one of the most intelligent people on West Washington (and even people who don't like him don't underrate his intellect; he may be known as a complete jerk, but he's a *smart* complete jerk).
Kavanagh is termed out of the House, but he has already started laying the ground work for a run at a seat in the state senate.
Brewer is term-limited (in spite of her periodic protestations to the contrary) and won't be on the ballot next year (unless she goes for a down-ballot slot).
"Good governance" measures may make for great photo ops for Democrats and would-be legacy builders, but they are the kiss of death for candidates in a statewide R primary. Biggs and Kavanagh are long-time politicos from "safe" districts, so they can afford one blemish on their records (however, don't be surprised to seem them try to burnish their "mean" cred with a "makeup" bill, maybe a resolution condemning the Puppy Bowl as an al-Quaeda plot or something similar).
Now, in case anyone is thinking that I cherry-picked a picture from a Democratic source to support my point here, here is the picture of the signing from the governor's website -
Now, there are more legislators in this pic than in the one posted by the Senate Democrats, but none of them are among those talked about as potential statewide candidates.
Bottom line: there's no moderation here. Republican primary candidates are just as rabidly anti-society as they ever have been. They have to be - that's where there voters are.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bringing the "AZ" to "crazy": the State Senate gaining on the House
During the current session of the legislature, the Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives have been leading the way in terms of "punchline" legislation (as in the kind of proposals that ensure that Arizona maintains its status as the nation's punchline). The Senate has been a bit of an afterthought when writing about the hot mess that is the AZ legislature.
I was beginning to worry that the turnover in the Senate roster, particularly the "loss" of luminaries such as Russell Pearce, Sylvia Allen, and Frank Antenori had created a "loony deficit" in the Senate's informal-but-oh-so-real competition with the House to see which chamber is the nuttiest.
Shouldn't have worried though - not with nuts of long standing like Al Melvin, Gail Griffin, Don Shooter, Judy Burges, and more taking up the slack left by the not-so-dearly-departed Pearce, Allen, and Antenori.
Recent additions to the list of proposals before the lege this year -
SCR1012 - A resolution whereby the lege would tell the EPA to stop efforts to craft policy to combat "haze" in the air over Phoenix (haze, aka - "air pollution"). Already assigned to the Government and Environment Committee. I expect it to pass, but don't expect it to have any impact on the EPA - they aren't known for following the policy directives of the Arizona legislature (and speaking as someone who likes to breathe clean air and drink clean water, thank you EPA!)
SCR1013 - A resolution urging the US Congress to dilute the Endangered Species Act. Assigned to Natural Resources and Rural Affairs. Even if passed, probably not likely to have a serious impact on the feds.
SCR1016 - A proposed amendment to the Arizona constitution declaring that Arizona can nullify and ignore any "federal action" that the people of AZ, by a vote on a ballot question, deem a violation of the US Constitution. Not assigned to a committee as yet. Neo-secessionism running amok. May pass the lege; if it does, might be passed by the voters; probably won't withstand a legal challenge if it is enacted.
SB1285 - Requiring that the AZ Department of Education publicize charter schools, home schooling, and other education "options" designed to remove public funding from public schools. In a nice touch, the measure mandates that federal funds be used to pay for the publicity, funds dispensed to states to help with the education of children from low-income families. Assigned to Education, and Appropriations. Nasty toward public education and vindictive toward the poor - the Republicans in the lege will trip over themselves in their enthusiasm to pass this bill.
SB1274 - Attacking early voting by requiring that early ballots be returned to the county recorder/elections department by one week before the election. The bill removes the option to drop off ballots on election day at any polling place in the relevant county, and I think it requires that mailed ballots reach the county recorder/elections department by the same deadline (not sure about that; the phrasing and context make it a little unclear; this particular provision may apply only to mail elections). Not so much "crazy" as it is a blatant part of a national R effort to stack election laws in their favor. Assigned to Elections.
SCR1009 - Sen. Al Melvin's annual love letter in support ofslave prisoner labor. Assigned to Judiciary.
To be fair, the House hasn't slacked off on "da crazee" (still proposing bad bills), but the Senate is in the game now.
Good for the Senate, but bad for the people of Arizona.
I was beginning to worry that the turnover in the Senate roster, particularly the "loss" of luminaries such as Russell Pearce, Sylvia Allen, and Frank Antenori had created a "loony deficit" in the Senate's informal-but-oh-so-real competition with the House to see which chamber is the nuttiest.
Shouldn't have worried though - not with nuts of long standing like Al Melvin, Gail Griffin, Don Shooter, Judy Burges, and more taking up the slack left by the not-so-dearly-departed Pearce, Allen, and Antenori.
Recent additions to the list of proposals before the lege this year -
SCR1012 - A resolution whereby the lege would tell the EPA to stop efforts to craft policy to combat "haze" in the air over Phoenix (haze, aka - "air pollution"). Already assigned to the Government and Environment Committee. I expect it to pass, but don't expect it to have any impact on the EPA - they aren't known for following the policy directives of the Arizona legislature (and speaking as someone who likes to breathe clean air and drink clean water, thank you EPA!)
SCR1013 - A resolution urging the US Congress to dilute the Endangered Species Act. Assigned to Natural Resources and Rural Affairs. Even if passed, probably not likely to have a serious impact on the feds.
SCR1016 - A proposed amendment to the Arizona constitution declaring that Arizona can nullify and ignore any "federal action" that the people of AZ, by a vote on a ballot question, deem a violation of the US Constitution. Not assigned to a committee as yet. Neo-secessionism running amok. May pass the lege; if it does, might be passed by the voters; probably won't withstand a legal challenge if it is enacted.
SB1285 - Requiring that the AZ Department of Education publicize charter schools, home schooling, and other education "options" designed to remove public funding from public schools. In a nice touch, the measure mandates that federal funds be used to pay for the publicity, funds dispensed to states to help with the education of children from low-income families. Assigned to Education, and Appropriations. Nasty toward public education and vindictive toward the poor - the Republicans in the lege will trip over themselves in their enthusiasm to pass this bill.
SB1274 - Attacking early voting by requiring that early ballots be returned to the county recorder/elections department by one week before the election. The bill removes the option to drop off ballots on election day at any polling place in the relevant county, and I think it requires that mailed ballots reach the county recorder/elections department by the same deadline (not sure about that; the phrasing and context make it a little unclear; this particular provision may apply only to mail elections). Not so much "crazy" as it is a blatant part of a national R effort to stack election laws in their favor. Assigned to Elections.
SCR1009 - Sen. Al Melvin's annual love letter in support of
To be fair, the House hasn't slacked off on "da crazee" (still proposing bad bills), but the Senate is in the game now.
Good for the Senate, but bad for the people of Arizona.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Another casualty of the epidemic of gun violence sweeping the country: Civility.
From ctpost.com, written by Ken Dixon -
Yes, there are people in the US, loyal "Amurricans" one and all, who think that the most appropriate response to gun violence in the US is to heckle the family members of victims.
HARTFORD -- A false fire alarm, 45-minute waits to get into the Capitol complex, even the heckling of a bereaved parent of a Newtown shooting victim marked Monday's day-long legislative hearing on gun control.
 |
| From the CTPost.com piece: "Gun owner and Vietnam veteran George Rukstela, of Pomfret, wears a "Don't Tread on Me" flag on his hat to the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group hearing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on Monday, January 28, 2013. Photo: Brian A. Pounds" Note: there is no indication in the article that this man was one of the people heckling the parent of a victim. |
"The Second Amendment!" was shouted by several gun enthusiasts in the meeting room as Neil Heslin, holding a photo of his 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, asked why Bushmaster assault-style weapons are allowed to be sold in the state.
Yes, there are people in the US, loyal "Amurricans" one and all, who think that the most appropriate response to gun violence in the US is to heckle the family members of victims.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The coming week...
As usual, all schedules and agendas subject to change at any time and without notice; call ahead to the Legislature before travelling to the Capitol for a committee meeting or any other event to verify that it is still scheduled to take place and that your item of interest is still on the agenda.
Well, this is the week that the nitty-gritty work of pushing bad bills begins. Not the crazy stuff (loyalty oaths, neo-secessionist stuff, anti-science measures, etc.), just the bills that are lower-profile and more insidious because of that.
No floor calendars have been posted as yet, but that will change as the week goes on.
Committee activity ("HHR" refers to a hearing room in the House of Representatives building; "SHR" refers to one in the Senate building) -
House side of the Capitol:
Rules, Monday 1 p.m., HHR4. The first House Rules meeting of the year; this will serve as a preview of one or more future floor calendars as all measures that have been passed by another committee must go through the Rules Committee before proceeding to floor activity. Officially, this is to ensure that all of the bills are "constitutional and proper" (basically, in a form that is acceptable in technical and legal terms). However, the reality is that all bills that receive Rules Committee consideration are rubberstamped, regardless of their adherence to the constitutions of the US and Arizona (witness the number of successful lawsuits challenging measures passed by the lege). This committee serves as the gatekeeper for the Speaker of the House (or for the President of the Senate, in the case of the Senate Rules Committee), who can use it to quietly kill any measure that he doesn't like - he simply makes sure that such measures are never agendized.
Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1. A bunch of bills that reduce revenue for the state, cities, towns, counties, and school districts.
Financial Institutions, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR5. On the agenda: three bills affecting "loan originators" that would serve to reduce the already minimal oversight of the mortgage "industry". Former legislator Jack Harper (R-Surprise!), a long-time part of that business, ran similar bills before he left the legislature.
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Looks harmless so far.
Education, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Looks pretty harmless so far, but I'm a cynic - when this bunch starts tinkering with the state's education system, their ultimate goal is to weaken that system, not strengthen it. And they *never* stop tinkering. One item on the agenda: HB2458, which purports to address fraud in the use of "empowerment scholarship accounts", or ESAs. Biggest clue that this is a meaningless bill: one of the cosponsors is Sen. Steve Yarbrough, who isn't known for supporting any measure that could possibly increase independent oversight of the process of diverting public education funds into private hands. A process that he finds *very* profitable.
Insurance and Retirement, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Three measures on the agenda, but I don't know enough about the nuances of insurance law to even speculate as to their level of badness (for the people of AZ; the bills look great for insurance companies/sellers looking to squeeze ever more money from the public).
Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4. This one has some obvious nuggets of ugly on it, such as HB2026, Rep. Michelle Ugenti's attack on unions by forcing the governing bodies of political subdivisions (non-school district) to specifically vote to allow payroll deduction for payment of their employees' union dues, otherwise such deductions would be forbidden; HB2330, requiring that any meetings with representatives of public employee unions are open to the public and subject to the state's open meeting requirements (contract negotiations are normally done in executive session, whether for rank-and-file employees or for management-level employees); HB2343, barring compensation of employees for union activity, even when such compensation is part of a negotiated contract.
Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility. Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. One item on the agenda thus far: HB2328, a dog-whistle measure concerning an interstate compact and a balanced federal budget. And a requirement that any raises to the federal debt limit be referred to all of the states' legislatures for prior approval.
Agriculture and Water, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5. Looks harmless so far.
Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Health, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR4. A number of AHCCCS and healthcare profession-related measures that are too technical for me to understand clearly in the time available to me for this post. A couple of the bill subjects include the word "omnibus", which mean that a lot of changes are included in the measures.
Higher Education and Workforce Development, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR1. One bill: HB2203, creating a tax credit for contributions to a state university foundation.
Commerce, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR5. A big bunch of ugly here: In addition to the ones that I just don't understand (HB2166, HB2276) but expect are bad because they are sponsored by the "next time we propose a good government measure will be the very first time" crowd, there's HB2280 (prohibiting any regulation of "employee benefits" (compensation, time off, meal breaks, etc.) by any political subdivision below the state level; and the first striker of the 2013 session, a same-subject amendment to HB2147. If enacted, it apparently would make it more difficult for an unemployed person to collect unemployment insurance benefits, but would balance that by making it easier for employers to undermine the UI claims of former employees.
Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Transportation, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3. Looks mostly harmless, but one measure worries me - HB2180. It looks like it will make it easier to repossess vehicles on the basis of faulty paperwork.
Technology and Infrastruction, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5. Presentation only, so far.
Reform and Human Services, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1. Looks quiet, except for HB2331, which seeks to limit the bonding authority (ability to raise revenue) of industrial development authorities.
Judiciary, Thursday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Apparently, Thursday is "Farnsworthpalooza Day" at the Capitol - there are five bills on the agenda. Four are the product of committee chair Rep. Eddie Farnsworth (the fifth is a sop to Rep. Justin Pierce, the committee's vice chair). They include HB2305, adding restrictions on petitions and petition circulators for potential ballot questions; HB2306, doubling the total limit on campaign contributions that can be collected by candidates for office.
Health, Friday, 1 p.m., offsite. The committee will be hold a special meeting for a tour of the AZ State Laboratory and Office of Vital Records.
Senate side of the Capitol:
Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1. Again, this committee is a rubberstamp and best serves as a preview of upcoming floor action.
Judiciary, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor session, SHR1. Doesn't look too bad, so far.
Government and Environment, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor session, SHR3. Doesn't look too bad, so far.
Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. Looks harmless so far.
Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR109. Looks harmless, but keep an eye on SB1098, relating to "marijuana; cultivation; county zoning".
Commerce, Energy, and Military, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Public Safety, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. Not so harmless - SB1086, Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges proposal to require that police officers in AZ be trained not to "motorcycle profile" (OK, provide your own punch lines for this one), and SB1112, barring the enforcement of federal firearms laws in AZ In fact, it makes such enforcement a felony (a neo-secessionist "AZ as a national punchline" proposal).
Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Finance, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. A bunch of bills that I don't understand because they are very technical in nature, but since many affect the state's employee retirement system (ASRS), they are probably bad news for the state's employees.
Education, Thursday, 9:30 a.m., SHR1. A charter school cheerleading session, and three bills to make life easier for charter schools, because they've had it so hard in AZ (yes, that's sarcasm folks).
The lege's schedule of events at the Capitol for the week is here.
Well, this is the week that the nitty-gritty work of pushing bad bills begins. Not the crazy stuff (loyalty oaths, neo-secessionist stuff, anti-science measures, etc.), just the bills that are lower-profile and more insidious because of that.
No floor calendars have been posted as yet, but that will change as the week goes on.
Committee activity ("HHR" refers to a hearing room in the House of Representatives building; "SHR" refers to one in the Senate building) -
House side of the Capitol:
Rules, Monday 1 p.m., HHR4. The first House Rules meeting of the year; this will serve as a preview of one or more future floor calendars as all measures that have been passed by another committee must go through the Rules Committee before proceeding to floor activity. Officially, this is to ensure that all of the bills are "constitutional and proper" (basically, in a form that is acceptable in technical and legal terms). However, the reality is that all bills that receive Rules Committee consideration are rubberstamped, regardless of their adherence to the constitutions of the US and Arizona (witness the number of successful lawsuits challenging measures passed by the lege). This committee serves as the gatekeeper for the Speaker of the House (or for the President of the Senate, in the case of the Senate Rules Committee), who can use it to quietly kill any measure that he doesn't like - he simply makes sure that such measures are never agendized.
Ways and Means, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR1. A bunch of bills that reduce revenue for the state, cities, towns, counties, and school districts.
Financial Institutions, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR5. On the agenda: three bills affecting "loan originators" that would serve to reduce the already minimal oversight of the mortgage "industry". Former legislator Jack Harper (R-Surprise!), a long-time part of that business, ran similar bills before he left the legislature.
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Looks harmless so far.
Education, Monday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Looks pretty harmless so far, but I'm a cynic - when this bunch starts tinkering with the state's education system, their ultimate goal is to weaken that system, not strengthen it. And they *never* stop tinkering. One item on the agenda: HB2458, which purports to address fraud in the use of "empowerment scholarship accounts", or ESAs. Biggest clue that this is a meaningless bill: one of the cosponsors is Sen. Steve Yarbrough, who isn't known for supporting any measure that could possibly increase independent oversight of the process of diverting public education funds into private hands. A process that he finds *very* profitable.
Insurance and Retirement, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Three measures on the agenda, but I don't know enough about the nuances of insurance law to even speculate as to their level of badness (for the people of AZ; the bills look great for insurance companies/sellers looking to squeeze ever more money from the public).
Government, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR4. This one has some obvious nuggets of ugly on it, such as HB2026, Rep. Michelle Ugenti's attack on unions by forcing the governing bodies of political subdivisions (non-school district) to specifically vote to allow payroll deduction for payment of their employees' union dues, otherwise such deductions would be forbidden; HB2330, requiring that any meetings with representatives of public employee unions are open to the public and subject to the state's open meeting requirements (contract negotiations are normally done in executive session, whether for rank-and-file employees or for management-level employees); HB2343, barring compensation of employees for union activity, even when such compensation is part of a negotiated contract.
Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility. Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. One item on the agenda thus far: HB2328, a dog-whistle measure concerning an interstate compact and a balanced federal budget. And a requirement that any raises to the federal debt limit be referred to all of the states' legislatures for prior approval.
Agriculture and Water, Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5. Looks harmless so far.
Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Health, Wednesday, 9 a.m., HHR4. A number of AHCCCS and healthcare profession-related measures that are too technical for me to understand clearly in the time available to me for this post. A couple of the bill subjects include the word "omnibus", which mean that a lot of changes are included in the measures.
Higher Education and Workforce Development, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR1. One bill: HB2203, creating a tax credit for contributions to a state university foundation.
Commerce, Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR5. A big bunch of ugly here: In addition to the ones that I just don't understand (HB2166, HB2276) but expect are bad because they are sponsored by the "next time we propose a good government measure will be the very first time" crowd, there's HB2280 (prohibiting any regulation of "employee benefits" (compensation, time off, meal breaks, etc.) by any political subdivision below the state level; and the first striker of the 2013 session, a same-subject amendment to HB2147. If enacted, it apparently would make it more difficult for an unemployed person to collect unemployment insurance benefits, but would balance that by making it easier for employers to undermine the UI claims of former employees.
Appropriations, Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Transportation, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR3. Looks mostly harmless, but one measure worries me - HB2180. It looks like it will make it easier to repossess vehicles on the basis of faulty paperwork.
Technology and Infrastruction, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5. Presentation only, so far.
Reform and Human Services, Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1. Looks quiet, except for HB2331, which seeks to limit the bonding authority (ability to raise revenue) of industrial development authorities.
Judiciary, Thursday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Apparently, Thursday is "Farnsworthpalooza Day" at the Capitol - there are five bills on the agenda. Four are the product of committee chair Rep. Eddie Farnsworth (the fifth is a sop to Rep. Justin Pierce, the committee's vice chair). They include HB2305, adding restrictions on petitions and petition circulators for potential ballot questions; HB2306, doubling the total limit on campaign contributions that can be collected by candidates for office.
Health, Friday, 1 p.m., offsite. The committee will be hold a special meeting for a tour of the AZ State Laboratory and Office of Vital Records.
Senate side of the Capitol:
Rules, Monday, 1 p.m., Caucus Room 1. Again, this committee is a rubberstamp and best serves as a preview of upcoming floor action.
Judiciary, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor session, SHR1. Doesn't look too bad, so far.
Government and Environment, Monday, upon adjournment of the floor session, SHR3. Doesn't look too bad, so far.
Transportation, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. Looks harmless so far.
Appropriations, Tuesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. Looks harmless so far.
Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR109. Looks harmless, but keep an eye on SB1098, relating to "marijuana; cultivation; county zoning".
Commerce, Energy, and Military, Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Public Safety, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR109. Not so harmless - SB1086, Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges proposal to require that police officers in AZ be trained not to "motorcycle profile" (OK, provide your own punch lines for this one), and SB1112, barring the enforcement of federal firearms laws in AZ In fact, it makes such enforcement a felony (a neo-secessionist "AZ as a national punchline" proposal).
Health and Human Services, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. Looks harmless so far.
Finance, Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR3. A bunch of bills that I don't understand because they are very technical in nature, but since many affect the state's employee retirement system (ASRS), they are probably bad news for the state's employees.
Education, Thursday, 9:30 a.m., SHR1. A charter school cheerleading session, and three bills to make life easier for charter schools, because they've had it so hard in AZ (yes, that's sarcasm folks).
The lege's schedule of events at the Capitol for the week is here.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Q: When is anti-science education legislation not anti-science? A: When the Republican anti-science authors of the bill say it isn't. Just trust them.
The latest evidence that the Republican crazy engine in the AZ lege is warmed up and hitting on all cylinders just two weeks into the new session:
SB1213, relating to "schools; science instruction; requirements".
When I saw that subject on the lege's website, my first thought was "oh shit - what are they up to now?". I calmed down long enough to realize that I was getting ahead of myself and should look at the bill's content before thinking the badly about the measure.
So I read the bill, and came to the conclusion that my deepest fears about the bill were wrong.
The fears weren't unfounded, however. Not hardly.
They were far milder than the reality of the proposal.
The text of the bill (emphasis mine):
SB1213, relating to "schools; science instruction; requirements".
When I saw that subject on the lege's website, my first thought was "oh shit - what are they up to now?". I calmed down long enough to realize that I was getting ahead of myself and should look at the bill's content before thinking the badly about the measure.
So I read the bill, and came to the conclusion that my deepest fears about the bill were wrong.
The fears weren't unfounded, however. Not hardly.
They were far milder than the reality of the proposal.
The text of the bill (emphasis mine):
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Notwithstanding paragraph C above, this bill looks an awful lot like an attempt to force religious
doctrine into Arizona's science classrooms, under the guise of "teaching all sides of controversial issues" (or somesuch BS) while blithely ignoring the fact that much of the "controversy" isn't scientifically-based. While paragraph C purports to state that the bill isn't about religious indoctrination, that paragraph is more than belied by part 2 of the intent clause in the bill.
The legislators who've signed on to this nuggest of crazy are state senators one and all - Judy "Birther"
Burges, Chester "Sylvia Allen's hand-picked successor" Crandell, Rick "I don't know enough him to mock him. Yet." Murphy, Steve "Shoring Up His Right Flank In Preparation For A Run For Governor Next Year" Pierce, Don "Tequila" Shooter, and Steve "Raking It In Hand Over Fist" Yarbrough.
Because of this bill, and the others like it that are in the pipeline, a new post category has been created -
Putting the AZ in crAZy. |
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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Arizona legislature: the strike-everything amendment summed up in two words
One of the pitfalls of writing this blog and being otherwise involved with and observant of the legislative process in AZ is that one becomes familiar with the terminology used and forget that not everyone is as familiar with the terms being used. As such, occasionally explanations are needed, and being somewhat lazy, and more than somewhat a wiseass, I am constantly on the lookout for short, funny, and effective ways of describing a political concept, process, or result.
Arizona's "strike-everything amendment" (also known as a striker) is one such concept that cries out for a pithy and snarky description.
The striker is a process in the Arizona legislature whereby the language in a (usually) harmless measure is completely replaced by new language, (usually) turning it into something dreadful.
Also usually, the new language is from a bad bill that has died, so basically, a strike-everything amendment is taking crap from one body (or bill) and placing it into another body (or bill).
Turns out there is already a term for that, for a legitimate medical procedure -
Fecal Transplant.
And as a bonus, while the medical term and the procedure it describes is icky, it's far less icky than the reality of the Arizona legislature.
(hat tip to the Boston Globe for finding this, and to my cousin for posting a link to the Globe article on her Facebook page)
Arizona's "strike-everything amendment" (also known as a striker) is one such concept that cries out for a pithy and snarky description.
The striker is a process in the Arizona legislature whereby the language in a (usually) harmless measure is completely replaced by new language, (usually) turning it into something dreadful.
Also usually, the new language is from a bad bill that has died, so basically, a strike-everything amendment is taking crap from one body (or bill) and placing it into another body (or bill).
Turns out there is already a term for that, for a legitimate medical procedure -
Fecal Transplant.
And as a bonus, while the medical term and the procedure it describes is icky, it's far less icky than the reality of the Arizona legislature.
(hat tip to the Boston Globe for finding this, and to my cousin for posting a link to the Globe article on her Facebook page)
Monday, January 21, 2013
Arizona Legislature: jokers leave, yet it is still a national punchline
The latest edition of the Arizona legislature is missing the names of some of the nuttiest of the nuttiest (Frank Antenori - lost in the general election; Russell Pearce - lost a Republican primary; Sylvia Allen - chose not to run for reelection).
However, the "crazy caucus" of the AZ lege didn't have to rebuild.
It just reloaded.
Now it is names like Carl Seel, Steve Smith, and Jeff Dial, "leading" a new generation of neo-Cons (short for "Confederates") in pushing the worst of the worst legislation. And pushing to keep Arizona in its now-accustomed place, as the centerpiece of the monologues of late night comedians.
For example, and this is just a sampling -
HB2467 - adding another requirement for high school students to meet before they can receive a diploma - they have to swear an oath that is substantially the same as oaths of office for elected officials and for people joining the armed services. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Smith, Dial, Reps. Bob Thorpe, Sonny Borrelli, David Livingston, T.J. Shope and Sen. Chester Crandell.
HB2475 - Barring from polling places election observers from national or international organizations. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Borrelli, Livingston, Adam Kwasman, David Stevens, Debbie Lesko, Warren Petersen, and Kelly Townsend (a name to watch. A tea party muckety-muck in the SE Valley. She should be the source of a never-ending supply of embarrassing legislative proposals.)
HB2434 - Barring the use of any "public resource" by anyone who may not be in the state legally. I say "may" because the standard of evidence in the bill is rather low. Essentially, it would turn "breathing while brown" in AZ into a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a second "offense" into a Class 6 felony. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Townsend, Lesko, and Ethan Orr.
HB2431 - Allowing anyone who is "eligible for membership in the Arizona State Guard" to ignore any (possible) pending assault weapon, extended magazine, or ammunition measures if those things are purchased for the purpose of "maintaining proficiency of arms" within Arizona. Under the section of AZ law referenced in the proposal, nearly everyone is eligible for membership in the AZ militia. Sponsor: Seel.
HB2318 - Exempting from federal rules and standards, and state standards stemming from federally-funded programs, any schools, particularly charter schools, that don't accept federal funding under a specific section of the US Code. Sponsor: Eddie Farnsworth
HB2284 - Making a daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance mandatory for students in public and charter schools, unless a parent specifically request that their child be excused from doing so. Current law allows time for reciting the pledge of allegiance for those students who "wish" to do so. Sponsor: Farnsworth.
HB2283 - Mandating that when a state agency that publishes material in a language other than English, that material can only be published on the internet. Sponsor: Smith.
HB2291 - Making it a Class 6 felony to enforce or attempt to enforce federal firearms regulations within AZ. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Smith, Kwasman, Seel, Stevens, and Thorpe.
AZBlueMeanie of Blog for Arizona offers his take on this measure here.
And my personal "favorite" (quotes denoting the use of sarcasm, just in case you couldn't figure it out for yourself):
HB2293 - Turning hospitals and emergency rooms into immigration checkpoints, round two (or is it three?). Sponsors: Smith, Kwasman, Seel, Thorpe.
For now, the House seem to be most active on the "crazy", but it's early. Andy Biggs is now in charge of the Senate, and with fellow travelers like Al Melvin, Judy Burges, and Don Shooter around, the Senate Rs are sure to make their howls at the moon heard, and soon. I expect them to catch up by the first week of February.
However, the "crazy caucus" of the AZ lege didn't have to rebuild.
It just reloaded.
Now it is names like Carl Seel, Steve Smith, and Jeff Dial, "leading" a new generation of neo-Cons (short for "Confederates") in pushing the worst of the worst legislation. And pushing to keep Arizona in its now-accustomed place, as the centerpiece of the monologues of late night comedians.
 |
| State Rep. Carl Seel (center, in the striped shirt), "hangin' with his crew" at a pro-gun rally at the state capitol this past weekend. Picture republished with permission of Dennis Gilman. |
For example, and this is just a sampling -
HB2467 - adding another requirement for high school students to meet before they can receive a diploma - they have to swear an oath that is substantially the same as oaths of office for elected officials and for people joining the armed services. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Smith, Dial, Reps. Bob Thorpe, Sonny Borrelli, David Livingston, T.J. Shope and Sen. Chester Crandell.
HB2475 - Barring from polling places election observers from national or international organizations. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Borrelli, Livingston, Adam Kwasman, David Stevens, Debbie Lesko, Warren Petersen, and Kelly Townsend (a name to watch. A tea party muckety-muck in the SE Valley. She should be the source of a never-ending supply of embarrassing legislative proposals.)
HB2434 - Barring the use of any "public resource" by anyone who may not be in the state legally. I say "may" because the standard of evidence in the bill is rather low. Essentially, it would turn "breathing while brown" in AZ into a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a second "offense" into a Class 6 felony. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Seel, Townsend, Lesko, and Ethan Orr.
HB2431 - Allowing anyone who is "eligible for membership in the Arizona State Guard" to ignore any (possible) pending assault weapon, extended magazine, or ammunition measures if those things are purchased for the purpose of "maintaining proficiency of arms" within Arizona. Under the section of AZ law referenced in the proposal, nearly everyone is eligible for membership in the AZ militia. Sponsor: Seel.
HB2318 - Exempting from federal rules and standards, and state standards stemming from federally-funded programs, any schools, particularly charter schools, that don't accept federal funding under a specific section of the US Code. Sponsor: Eddie Farnsworth
HB2284 - Making a daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance mandatory for students in public and charter schools, unless a parent specifically request that their child be excused from doing so. Current law allows time for reciting the pledge of allegiance for those students who "wish" to do so. Sponsor: Farnsworth.
HB2283 - Mandating that when a state agency that publishes material in a language other than English, that material can only be published on the internet. Sponsor: Smith.
HB2291 - Making it a Class 6 felony to enforce or attempt to enforce federal firearms regulations within AZ. Sponsors/co-sponsors: Smith, Kwasman, Seel, Stevens, and Thorpe.
AZBlueMeanie of Blog for Arizona offers his take on this measure here.
And my personal "favorite" (quotes denoting the use of sarcasm, just in case you couldn't figure it out for yourself):
HB2293 - Turning hospitals and emergency rooms into immigration checkpoints, round two (or is it three?). Sponsors: Smith, Kwasman, Seel, Thorpe.
For now, the House seem to be most active on the "crazy", but it's early. Andy Biggs is now in charge of the Senate, and with fellow travelers like Al Melvin, Judy Burges, and Don Shooter around, the Senate Rs are sure to make their howls at the moon heard, and soon. I expect them to catch up by the first week of February.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The coming week...
The first full week of the 2013 session of the Arizona legislature will be a lot like the abbreviated first week - many committees won't be meeting or will have brief agendas.
However, the ones that do have agendas will have at least a few bills under consideration.
As usual all schedules and agendas are subject to change at any time and without notice.
"HHR" refers to a House Hearing Room"; "SHR" refers to a Senate Hearing Room".
Also note: I look for bills and other activity that falls into the category of "batshit crazy" or otherwise bad, in general, for Arizona. When I summarize an agenda's items with "looks harmless, so far", it means that nothing on it twigged my Tea or guano detector, and nothing more. If you are interested in measures that apply to one or another specific area, I strongly recommend conducting some in-depth research on your own. Oh, and let me know if you find anything - that's how I learn.
No floor calendars for either chamber have been posted as of this writing.
Committee activity on the House side:
- Joint Appropriations, Tuesday, HHR1, 9:30 a.m. The Appropriations committees from both the House and the Senate will meet together to receive a presentation on the governor's proposed FY2014 budget.
- Insurance and Retirement, Tuesday, HHR3, 2 p.m. On the agenda are HB2057, HB2058, and HB2059. All have to do with making changes to the state's pension system and I don't pretend to have the knowledge required for an in-depth analysis of these, but HB2057 looks to be the bad one here, limiting survivor benefits and benefits to new employees.
- Government, Tuesday, HHR4, 2 p.m. Agenda items include HB2005, HB2033, HB2082 and HB2086. The most interesting of these is HB2082, which is from Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills). If enacted as written, it would deem the names of people who win prizes from the state lottery to be confidential information, not subject to disclosure without the permission of the prizewinner. Not saying that the items are related, but the Arizona co-winner of the recent record jackpot in the Powerball game is from Fountain Hills. Kavanagh's move to reduce transparency here brings back a memory of a situation in Massachusetts in the early 1990s where an infamous mobster claimed to have won a large lottery prize under suspicious circumstances. The furor over that never would have happened if the names of lottery winners were kept secret. HB2086 is a proposal from Rep. Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) to require municipalities that operate parking meters to keep them in good working order or the people that receive parking tickets based on a meter violation isn't responsible for the ticket(s).
- Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, HHR1, 2 p.m. The one item on the agenda so far is HB2007, Rep. Michelle "Right Hand" Ugenti's measure that would require that the official publicity documents for ballot measures notifying voters that any measure that they pass cannot be changed except under limited circumstances.
- Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs, Wednesday, HHR3, 9 a.m. Looks harmless, so far.
- Higher Education and Workforce Development, Wednesday, HHR1, 10 a.m. Presentations only, so far.
- Health, Wednesday, HHR4, 10 a.m. Looks harmless so far, though HB2066 worries me a little. It purports to simply change "archaic language" in the law, but I don't trust this bunch (geez, is that breaking news for anyone reading this? LOL). Every so often, they try to get sneaky. I don't think that this is one of those times, but...
- Commerce, Wednesday, HHR5, 10 a.m. On the agenda: Current state law bars school districts from spending money to be part of an organization that attempts to influence any election. Rep. John Kavanagh's HB2068 would carve out an exemption to that law to allow school districts to spend money to join chambers of commerce. In other words, if this becomes law, it will be OK for school districts to spend money on an organization that almost always supports Republican candidates and causes.
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Wednesday, offsite, 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the House floor session. They are scheduled to tour the offices of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
- Transportation, Thursday, HHR3, 9 a.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Technology and Infrastructure, Thursday, HHR5, 9 a.m. So far, there's only a presentation on the agenda.
- Reform and Human Services, Thursday, HHR1, 9 a.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Judiciary, Thursday, HHR4, 10 a.m. So far, only an organizational meeting.
- Ways and Means, Thursday, HHR1, 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the House floor session. On the agenda: HB2111, making a change in how AZ invests public monies. I think it is a cosmetic change, but someone who understands the nuances of investments and finance should take a look at this.
On the Senate side:
- Appropriations, Tuesday, SHR109, 2 p.m. After the Joint Appropriations meeting in the morning to receive a presentation on the governor's budget proposal, Senate Appropriations will be holding a regular meeting in the afternoon. The two bills on the agenda, SB1037 and SB1057, look harmless enough, but they are utterly unrelated to appropriations. Not sure what is going on here; under normal circumstances, the Appropriations committees won't start hearing bills that really fall under the purview of other committees until late March or early April. The other committees have a deadline to finish their work, while Appropriations can continue hearing bills until the end of the legislative session.
- Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Wednesday, SHR109, 9 a.m. Presentations and confirmation hearings for executive branch appointments only, so far. Appointments under consideration: Edward Madden, Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Priscilla Storm, Urban Land Planning Oversight Committee.
- Commerce, Energy, and Military, Wednesday, SHR1, 9 a.m. Organizational items, presentations, confirmation hearing (Carlyle Begay, Greater Arizona Development Authority), and one bill, SB1039. SB1039 makes some changes to Arizona law relating to the Uniform Commercial Code. The changes are rather nuanced and I don't know enough about the UCC or Arizona law in this area to fairly evaluate the impact of this measure.
- Health and Human Services, Wednesday, SHR1, 2 p.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Finance, Wednesday, SHR3, 2 p.m. Organizational items, presentation, confirmation hearings (Jeffrey Tyne, Arizona State Retirement System Board; Amy Fellner and Derrick Doba, State Board of Tax Appeals) and two bills - SB1028 and SB1047. Along with the Appropriations committees, this committee will see the most truly bad legislation (not just the headline-grabbing batshit crazy stuff). SB1028 is an example of that - it would exempt from municipal sales tax (known as a transaction privilege tax, or TPT) leases and other transactions between two related LLCs (limited liability corporations).
- Education, Thursday, SHR1, 9 a.m. Presentations on Common Core and its implementation in AZ. Otherwise, looks harmless so far.
- Judiciary, Thursday, SHR1, upon adjournment of the Senate floor session. Two bills that look harmless, but they're from Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges. Take "harmless" with a grain of salt.
- Government and Environment, Thursday, SHR3, upon adjournment of the Senate floor session. Organizational items and presentations.
Other events -
On Tuesday, anti-choice groups will be at the Capitol commemorating the 40th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US, Roe vs. Wade.
Thursday, someone is holding a "Medical Marijuana Update - Press Conference" on the lawn outside the House of Representatives building. The listing doesn't indicate who booked the time, but given that it's a morning reservation (10 a.m.), it seems likely that it is a member of the House. And Rep. John Kavanagh is leading the way in the Republicans' fight to overturn the will of the voters.
The legislature's full weekly calendar of Capitol events is here.
The Arizona Department of Administration's list of (non-legislative) public meeting notices is here.
However, the ones that do have agendas will have at least a few bills under consideration.
As usual all schedules and agendas are subject to change at any time and without notice.
"HHR" refers to a House Hearing Room"; "SHR" refers to a Senate Hearing Room".
Also note: I look for bills and other activity that falls into the category of "batshit crazy" or otherwise bad, in general, for Arizona. When I summarize an agenda's items with "looks harmless, so far", it means that nothing on it twigged my Tea or guano detector, and nothing more. If you are interested in measures that apply to one or another specific area, I strongly recommend conducting some in-depth research on your own. Oh, and let me know if you find anything - that's how I learn.
No floor calendars for either chamber have been posted as of this writing.
Committee activity on the House side:
- Joint Appropriations, Tuesday, HHR1, 9:30 a.m. The Appropriations committees from both the House and the Senate will meet together to receive a presentation on the governor's proposed FY2014 budget.
- Insurance and Retirement, Tuesday, HHR3, 2 p.m. On the agenda are HB2057, HB2058, and HB2059. All have to do with making changes to the state's pension system and I don't pretend to have the knowledge required for an in-depth analysis of these, but HB2057 looks to be the bad one here, limiting survivor benefits and benefits to new employees.
- Government, Tuesday, HHR4, 2 p.m. Agenda items include HB2005, HB2033, HB2082 and HB2086. The most interesting of these is HB2082, which is from Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills). If enacted as written, it would deem the names of people who win prizes from the state lottery to be confidential information, not subject to disclosure without the permission of the prizewinner. Not saying that the items are related, but the Arizona co-winner of the recent record jackpot in the Powerball game is from Fountain Hills. Kavanagh's move to reduce transparency here brings back a memory of a situation in Massachusetts in the early 1990s where an infamous mobster claimed to have won a large lottery prize under suspicious circumstances. The furor over that never would have happened if the names of lottery winners were kept secret. HB2086 is a proposal from Rep. Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) to require municipalities that operate parking meters to keep them in good working order or the people that receive parking tickets based on a meter violation isn't responsible for the ticket(s).
- Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility, Tuesday, HHR1, 2 p.m. The one item on the agenda so far is HB2007, Rep. Michelle "Right Hand" Ugenti's measure that would require that the official publicity documents for ballot measures notifying voters that any measure that they pass cannot be changed except under limited circumstances.
- Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs, Wednesday, HHR3, 9 a.m. Looks harmless, so far.
- Higher Education and Workforce Development, Wednesday, HHR1, 10 a.m. Presentations only, so far.
- Health, Wednesday, HHR4, 10 a.m. Looks harmless so far, though HB2066 worries me a little. It purports to simply change "archaic language" in the law, but I don't trust this bunch (geez, is that breaking news for anyone reading this? LOL). Every so often, they try to get sneaky. I don't think that this is one of those times, but...
- Commerce, Wednesday, HHR5, 10 a.m. On the agenda: Current state law bars school districts from spending money to be part of an organization that attempts to influence any election. Rep. John Kavanagh's HB2068 would carve out an exemption to that law to allow school districts to spend money to join chambers of commerce. In other words, if this becomes law, it will be OK for school districts to spend money on an organization that almost always supports Republican candidates and causes.
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources, Wednesday, offsite, 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the House floor session. They are scheduled to tour the offices of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
- Transportation, Thursday, HHR3, 9 a.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Technology and Infrastructure, Thursday, HHR5, 9 a.m. So far, there's only a presentation on the agenda.
- Reform and Human Services, Thursday, HHR1, 9 a.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Judiciary, Thursday, HHR4, 10 a.m. So far, only an organizational meeting.
- Ways and Means, Thursday, HHR1, 2 p.m. or upon adjournment of the House floor session. On the agenda: HB2111, making a change in how AZ invests public monies. I think it is a cosmetic change, but someone who understands the nuances of investments and finance should take a look at this.
On the Senate side:
- Appropriations, Tuesday, SHR109, 2 p.m. After the Joint Appropriations meeting in the morning to receive a presentation on the governor's budget proposal, Senate Appropriations will be holding a regular meeting in the afternoon. The two bills on the agenda, SB1037 and SB1057, look harmless enough, but they are utterly unrelated to appropriations. Not sure what is going on here; under normal circumstances, the Appropriations committees won't start hearing bills that really fall under the purview of other committees until late March or early April. The other committees have a deadline to finish their work, while Appropriations can continue hearing bills until the end of the legislative session.
- Natural Resources and Rural Affairs, Wednesday, SHR109, 9 a.m. Presentations and confirmation hearings for executive branch appointments only, so far. Appointments under consideration: Edward Madden, Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Priscilla Storm, Urban Land Planning Oversight Committee.
- Commerce, Energy, and Military, Wednesday, SHR1, 9 a.m. Organizational items, presentations, confirmation hearing (Carlyle Begay, Greater Arizona Development Authority), and one bill, SB1039. SB1039 makes some changes to Arizona law relating to the Uniform Commercial Code. The changes are rather nuanced and I don't know enough about the UCC or Arizona law in this area to fairly evaluate the impact of this measure.
- Health and Human Services, Wednesday, SHR1, 2 p.m. Looks harmless so far.
- Finance, Wednesday, SHR3, 2 p.m. Organizational items, presentation, confirmation hearings (Jeffrey Tyne, Arizona State Retirement System Board; Amy Fellner and Derrick Doba, State Board of Tax Appeals) and two bills - SB1028 and SB1047. Along with the Appropriations committees, this committee will see the most truly bad legislation (not just the headline-grabbing batshit crazy stuff). SB1028 is an example of that - it would exempt from municipal sales tax (known as a transaction privilege tax, or TPT) leases and other transactions between two related LLCs (limited liability corporations).
- Education, Thursday, SHR1, 9 a.m. Presentations on Common Core and its implementation in AZ. Otherwise, looks harmless so far.
- Judiciary, Thursday, SHR1, upon adjournment of the Senate floor session. Two bills that look harmless, but they're from Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges. Take "harmless" with a grain of salt.
- Government and Environment, Thursday, SHR3, upon adjournment of the Senate floor session. Organizational items and presentations.
Other events -
On Tuesday, anti-choice groups will be at the Capitol commemorating the 40th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the US, Roe vs. Wade.
Thursday, someone is holding a "Medical Marijuana Update - Press Conference" on the lawn outside the House of Representatives building. The listing doesn't indicate who booked the time, but given that it's a morning reservation (10 a.m.), it seems likely that it is a member of the House. And Rep. John Kavanagh is leading the way in the Republicans' fight to overturn the will of the voters.
The legislature's full weekly calendar of Capitol events is here.
The Arizona Department of Administration's list of (non-legislative) public meeting notices is here.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Budget time: "Let's get ready to rummmbbbbblllllle!"
Turns out that it was even colder here in AZ this week than even our thermometers could measure.
Musta been, 'cuz hell froze over this week.
My evidence supporting this conclusion? Sane people, in the persons of the Democratic leadership at the legislature, actually found some good things to say about the budget proposal released by Governor Brewer on Friday.
In her budget proposal, Brewer advocates restoring a bit of the huge amount of funding cut over the last few years from the education, CPS (Child Protective Services), and health care.
From the Democratic leader in the state senate, Senator Leah Landrum Taylor -
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl and Alia Rau -
Obviously, it is still early, so any predictions should be taken with a big grain of salt, but this year is shaping up to be a lot like 2009 on West Washington.
The governor's budget that year was devastating to the above areas, but it wasn't the "worst case scenario". The Republicans in the lege held out for that worst case, leading to a budget that passed the lege after the new fiscal year had started (every fiscal year starts on July 1, and in 2009, the lege passed the FY2010 budget in the wee hours after midnight on July 1st. They pretended that they passed the budget on time by shutting off the clocks in the chambers. Seriously)
The locus of this conflict in 2009 was the state senate. It takes 16 votes to pass a measure there and the Republicans held an 18 - 12 majority that year. The GOP shouldn't have had a problem passing anything, but there were three flies in the ointment that year -
Senator Carolyn Allen (R-Scottsdale) - the last true "moderate" Republican in the lege, she refused to vote for the draconian budget pushed by the leadership of the lege because it was too harsh. Last seen: enjoying her retirement as much as possible.
Senator Pam Gorman (R-Phoenix) and Senator Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu City) - not exactly moderates; they refused to vote for the budget because they didn't think it was draconian enough. Last seen: lobbying for Big Tobacco and burning a hole in the ozone layer over LHC, respectively.
The atmosphere, at least that between the governor and the members of her caucus in the lege, was less openly hostile over the next three sessions of the lege - 2010 was an election year, and each side needed the other, so they made nice, and in 2011 and 2012, the Rs held a supermajority of the seats in each chamber, meaning that not only didn't Democratic members have a say in the process, Republican members who wanted to "free-lance" had no leverage.
Turn the calendar to 2013, and the Republicans still control both chambers of the lege, but with significantly smaller majorities. In the Senate this year, it will only take two Republicans digging in their heels to cause gridlock.
Add in the fact that Brewer is a lame duck whose influence at the Capitol is on the decline, and my guess is that a lot more than two members of the R caucus will be playing the "more conservative than thou" card over the next few months, with the lives of Arizona's most vulnerable and the futures of Arizona's children on the table as the stakes.
Historical budget-related information from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) here and here.
Musta been, 'cuz hell froze over this week.
My evidence supporting this conclusion? Sane people, in the persons of the Democratic leadership at the legislature, actually found some good things to say about the budget proposal released by Governor Brewer on Friday.
In her budget proposal, Brewer advocates restoring a bit of the huge amount of funding cut over the last few years from the education, CPS (Child Protective Services), and health care.
From the Democratic leader in the state senate, Senator Leah Landrum Taylor -
“The governor is doing the right thing by proposing we expand Medicaid. It’s a smart business decision that’s good for our state’s economy and good for the people of Arizona .From the Democratic leader in the state house of representatives, Representative Chad Campbell -
“The governor’s budget is a good starting point. We appear to have a foundation for a plan that could bring legislators from both parties together to finally enact a common-sense budget for Arizona . I applaud the governor for her proposal to secure Arizona ’s fair share of federal dollars through Medicaid expansion.On the other hand, the Republican leadership has been almost silent on the proposal.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl and Alia Rau -
Senate President Andy Biggs and House Speaker Andy Tobin, both Republicans, released a joint statement responding to the budget proposal. It offers no opinion of her specific proposals but hints strongly that some of her budget hikes may find some opposition at the Republican-led Legislature.
“The balanced budgets of the last two years have provided a wise and responsible framework designed to enhance our state’s economic growth," the statement said. "Our hope is that the final enacted budget will replicate the success we have implemented thus far. There is clear evidence that the conservative approach to state funding is the proper way to bring our state back to full economic recovery.”
Obviously, it is still early, so any predictions should be taken with a big grain of salt, but this year is shaping up to be a lot like 2009 on West Washington.
The governor's budget that year was devastating to the above areas, but it wasn't the "worst case scenario". The Republicans in the lege held out for that worst case, leading to a budget that passed the lege after the new fiscal year had started (every fiscal year starts on July 1, and in 2009, the lege passed the FY2010 budget in the wee hours after midnight on July 1st. They pretended that they passed the budget on time by shutting off the clocks in the chambers. Seriously)
The locus of this conflict in 2009 was the state senate. It takes 16 votes to pass a measure there and the Republicans held an 18 - 12 majority that year. The GOP shouldn't have had a problem passing anything, but there were three flies in the ointment that year -
Senator Carolyn Allen (R-Scottsdale) - the last true "moderate" Republican in the lege, she refused to vote for the draconian budget pushed by the leadership of the lege because it was too harsh. Last seen: enjoying her retirement as much as possible.
Senator Pam Gorman (R-Phoenix) and Senator Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu City) - not exactly moderates; they refused to vote for the budget because they didn't think it was draconian enough. Last seen: lobbying for Big Tobacco and burning a hole in the ozone layer over LHC, respectively.
The atmosphere, at least that between the governor and the members of her caucus in the lege, was less openly hostile over the next three sessions of the lege - 2010 was an election year, and each side needed the other, so they made nice, and in 2011 and 2012, the Rs held a supermajority of the seats in each chamber, meaning that not only didn't Democratic members have a say in the process, Republican members who wanted to "free-lance" had no leverage.
Turn the calendar to 2013, and the Republicans still control both chambers of the lege, but with significantly smaller majorities. In the Senate this year, it will only take two Republicans digging in their heels to cause gridlock.
Add in the fact that Brewer is a lame duck whose influence at the Capitol is on the decline, and my guess is that a lot more than two members of the R caucus will be playing the "more conservative than thou" card over the next few months, with the lives of Arizona's most vulnerable and the futures of Arizona's children on the table as the stakes.
Historical budget-related information from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) here and here.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Early legislative count: 251
251, as in the number of measures proposed so far in the 2013 legislature. If past history serves as an accurate predictor, another 1000 to 1200 or so to go...
So far the Senate has 91 bills and 1 concurrent resolution (proposed amendment to the AZ Constitution), and the House has 144 bills and 5 concurrent resolutions.
Of those, 105, or nearly 42%, are "technical correction" proposals. Those measures are ostensibly to make minor changes to current law that are "technical" changes (fixing typos, grammar errors, outdated verbiage, etc.) and not substantive changes to the law. However, those bills pretty much never make it through the legislative process as "technical correction" bills; they exist to serve as "vehicle" bills for strikers, or strike-everything" amendments, later in the session.
Lawmakers of all stripes introduce these technical corrections bills because there is a time limit on their introduction of bills (early February, varies by chamber). After that, they can introduce no more than seven new proposals. However, there is no limit on the number of their bills that they can amend once they are introduced.
Hence, most of the proposals that are introduced early in the session, even many that aren't technical correction bills, are intended only as placeholders for later amendments.
It's still too early to start categorizing the bills for analysis (good, OK, bad. batshit crazy, and sneaky ugly. Those last are all too often the ones that are resurrected by a striker when/if they die during the legislative process), but one stands out as the early leader in the race for the "most shamelessly hypocritical" bill -
SB1086.
As written, the measure would require that law enforcement training in AZ include "[c]ourses that emphasize the prohibition against motorcycle profiling. For the purposes of this subdivision, "motorcycle profiling" means using the sole fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as the basis for taking any law enforcement action against the person, including arresting, searching or questioning the person, without any other legal basis under the laws of this state or the United States and the constitution of the United States or this state."
Interesting.
This measure is from State Senator Judy Burges (R-Sun City West).
The same Judy Burges who earned the nickname "Birther" for her attempts to have the US' first president of African descent barred from the ballot.
The same Judy Burges who over the last few years has sponsored or supported every measure designed to limit the health care choices available to poor women.
The same Judy Burges who over the last few years has sponsored or supported every anti-worker measure.
The same Judy Burges who in 2009, voted for the infamous SB1070, which as written, would have turned "breathing while brown" into "probable cause" if parts of it hadn't been blocked by the courts.
Now, I don't think that, in and of themselves, riding a motorcycle or wearing "motorcycle-related paraphernalia" constitute probable cause for "law enforcement action", at least an argument can be made that those things are a matter of free choice.
Unlike the color of one's skin, or the national origin of one's parents.
Unlike one's gender or, in most cases, economic class status.
Unlike the necessity of one working for a living in our society (yes, there are some adults in our society who are unable or unwilling to work, but they had better be born to an already wealthy family. If they aren't, their lives will suck.)
Unlike one's own nation of origin, or the color of one's skin (kind of like the first item on the list; say what you want about Burges, at least she's consistent. Consistently bad, but consistent nonetheless.)
Apparently, Burges is OK with discriminating against people based on things that they cannot control, but is aghast at the possibility that people might be judged based on things that they can control.
So far the Senate has 91 bills and 1 concurrent resolution (proposed amendment to the AZ Constitution), and the House has 144 bills and 5 concurrent resolutions.
Of those, 105, or nearly 42%, are "technical correction" proposals. Those measures are ostensibly to make minor changes to current law that are "technical" changes (fixing typos, grammar errors, outdated verbiage, etc.) and not substantive changes to the law. However, those bills pretty much never make it through the legislative process as "technical correction" bills; they exist to serve as "vehicle" bills for strikers, or strike-everything" amendments, later in the session.
Lawmakers of all stripes introduce these technical corrections bills because there is a time limit on their introduction of bills (early February, varies by chamber). After that, they can introduce no more than seven new proposals. However, there is no limit on the number of their bills that they can amend once they are introduced.
Hence, most of the proposals that are introduced early in the session, even many that aren't technical correction bills, are intended only as placeholders for later amendments.
It's still too early to start categorizing the bills for analysis (good, OK, bad. batshit crazy, and sneaky ugly. Those last are all too often the ones that are resurrected by a striker when/if they die during the legislative process), but one stands out as the early leader in the race for the "most shamelessly hypocritical" bill -
SB1086.
As written, the measure would require that law enforcement training in AZ include "[c]ourses that emphasize the prohibition against motorcycle profiling. For the purposes of this subdivision, "motorcycle profiling" means using the sole fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as the basis for taking any law enforcement action against the person, including arresting, searching or questioning the person, without any other legal basis under the laws of this state or the United States and the constitution of the United States or this state."
Interesting.
This measure is from State Senator Judy Burges (R-Sun City West).
The same Judy Burges who earned the nickname "Birther" for her attempts to have the US' first president of African descent barred from the ballot.
The same Judy Burges who over the last few years has sponsored or supported every measure designed to limit the health care choices available to poor women.
The same Judy Burges who over the last few years has sponsored or supported every anti-worker measure.
The same Judy Burges who in 2009, voted for the infamous SB1070, which as written, would have turned "breathing while brown" into "probable cause" if parts of it hadn't been blocked by the courts.
Now, I don't think that, in and of themselves, riding a motorcycle or wearing "motorcycle-related paraphernalia" constitute probable cause for "law enforcement action", at least an argument can be made that those things are a matter of free choice.
Unlike the color of one's skin, or the national origin of one's parents.
Unlike one's gender or, in most cases, economic class status.
Unlike the necessity of one working for a living in our society (yes, there are some adults in our society who are unable or unwilling to work, but they had better be born to an already wealthy family. If they aren't, their lives will suck.)
Unlike one's own nation of origin, or the color of one's skin (kind of like the first item on the list; say what you want about Burges, at least she's consistent. Consistently bad, but consistent nonetheless.)
Apparently, Burges is OK with discriminating against people based on things that they cannot control, but is aghast at the possibility that people might be judged based on things that they can control.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Coming Week...
Welcome to the first weekly legislative preview post of the year. In these posts, I go over the posted committee agendas for the week, any posted floor calendars (usually only Monday's calendars are available when the post is written on Saturday and/or Sunday), and any significant expected events at or affecting the state capitol.
This week's post will be one of the easiest -
- Most committees aren't meeting this week, or will be holding only a brief organizational meeting.
- Any posted floor calendars will be for "First Read", where bills are assigned to committees. There is no guarantee that assigned bills will ever be heard in committee.
- The biggest capitol event will be Monday - the opening of the lege and the Governor's annual State of the State address to the legislature.
Notes:
All agendas and calendars, and basically everything else at the Capitol, are subject to change at any time and without prior notice. Call ahead to confirm the schedule before travelling to the Capitol for a specific meeting or event.
"SHR" refers to a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" refers to a hearing room in the House building.
The main website of the Arizona legislature is here.
The list of bills filed in the lege is here.
The list of the lege's committes is here.
House committee agendas are here; Senate committee agendas are here.
On to the post...
Floor calendars -
- There aren't any floor calendars posted as of this writing.
Committee agendas -
- House side:
Agriculture and Water - Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5. Organizational meeting with two presentations, no bills on the agenda.
Higher Education and Workforce Development, Commerce, Education (three committees) - Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., special joint meeting in HHR1 to hear presentations from businesses and business lobbying groups about the implementation of Arizona's Common Core Standards in Arizona's schools. Interestingly, there aren't any education-focused groups on the agenda. I must admit that I don't know much about Common Core, but the fact that groups that are primarily focused on short-term profits at the expense of long-term viability are the major supporters of Common Core undermines the academic credibility of Common Core.
Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs - Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR3. Organizational meeting.
Health - Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting and presentations..
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources - Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting and a presentation.
Technology and Infrastructure - Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5. Organizational meeting.
Reform and Human Services - Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1. Organizational meeting and a presentation.
Judiciary - Thursday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting.
Education - Thursday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Special meeting. Three presentations from the state Board of Education and the state Department of Education on Common Core (under Republican rule in AZ, those organizations aren't known as being exactly supportive of public education, so the blurb written for the joint meeting above still stands) and one bill, HB2047. That bill appears to simply remove references to AIMS from Arizona law, replacing those with references to Common Core.
- Senate side:
Natural Resources and Rural Affairs - Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR109. Organizational meeting and presentations.
Health and Human Services - Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. Organizational meeting and presentation. One bill on the agenda - SB1023, providing for the continuation of the Board of Massage Therapy for another 10 years.
Judiciary - Thursday, upon adjournment or recess of the Senate floor session, SHR1. Organizational meeting.
Events -
In addition to the State of the State address and other traditional opening day events, there is one "official" rally ("official" meaning that space at the Capitol was booked) - the "When Women Vote, We ALL Win" rally. They'll be there to remind legislators that women are watching, and that further attacks on women and healthcare choice will have political repercussions.
The full week's calendar for events at the Capitol is here.
This week's post will be one of the easiest -
- Most committees aren't meeting this week, or will be holding only a brief organizational meeting.
- Any posted floor calendars will be for "First Read", where bills are assigned to committees. There is no guarantee that assigned bills will ever be heard in committee.
- The biggest capitol event will be Monday - the opening of the lege and the Governor's annual State of the State address to the legislature.
Notes:
All agendas and calendars, and basically everything else at the Capitol, are subject to change at any time and without prior notice. Call ahead to confirm the schedule before travelling to the Capitol for a specific meeting or event.
"SHR" refers to a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" refers to a hearing room in the House building.
The main website of the Arizona legislature is here.
The list of bills filed in the lege is here.
The list of the lege's committes is here.
House committee agendas are here; Senate committee agendas are here.
On to the post...
Floor calendars -
- There aren't any floor calendars posted as of this writing.
Committee agendas -
- House side:
Agriculture and Water - Tuesday, 2 p.m., HHR5. Organizational meeting with two presentations, no bills on the agenda.
Higher Education and Workforce Development, Commerce, Education (three committees) - Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., special joint meeting in HHR1 to hear presentations from businesses and business lobbying groups about the implementation of Arizona's Common Core Standards in Arizona's schools. Interestingly, there aren't any education-focused groups on the agenda. I must admit that I don't know much about Common Core, but the fact that groups that are primarily focused on short-term profits at the expense of long-term viability are the major supporters of Common Core undermines the academic credibility of Common Core.
Public Safety, Military, and Regulatory Affairs - Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR3. Organizational meeting.
Health - Wednesday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting and presentations..
Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources - Wednesday, 2 p.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting and a presentation.
Technology and Infrastructure - Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR5. Organizational meeting.
Reform and Human Services - Thursday, 9 a.m., HHR1. Organizational meeting and a presentation.
Judiciary - Thursday, 10 a.m., HHR4. Organizational meeting.
Education - Thursday, 2 p.m., HHR3. Special meeting. Three presentations from the state Board of Education and the state Department of Education on Common Core (under Republican rule in AZ, those organizations aren't known as being exactly supportive of public education, so the blurb written for the joint meeting above still stands) and one bill, HB2047. That bill appears to simply remove references to AIMS from Arizona law, replacing those with references to Common Core.
- Senate side:
Natural Resources and Rural Affairs - Wednesday, 9 a.m., SHR109. Organizational meeting and presentations.
Health and Human Services - Wednesday, 2 p.m., SHR1. Organizational meeting and presentation. One bill on the agenda - SB1023, providing for the continuation of the Board of Massage Therapy for another 10 years.
Judiciary - Thursday, upon adjournment or recess of the Senate floor session, SHR1. Organizational meeting.
Events -
In addition to the State of the State address and other traditional opening day events, there is one "official" rally ("official" meaning that space at the Capitol was booked) - the "When Women Vote, We ALL Win" rally. They'll be there to remind legislators that women are watching, and that further attacks on women and healthcare choice will have political repercussions.
The full week's calendar for events at the Capitol is here.
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