Most media outlets in AZ are reporting that for all practical purposes, the permanent repeal of the state's equalization property tax (said repeal long being a fervent desire of the Republicans in the lege) is dead because the lege won't be able to pass the repeal by the time that the state's county boards of supervisors set property tax rates.
AZCentral.com story here. The Arizona Guardian and Arizona Capitol Times also have stories on this theme, but those are subscription-only sites.
While waiting for the Senate to get off of its collective duff on Tuesday, a few regular observers were talking in the gallery. The expectation, even before the latest collapse of the latest budget deal, was that in fact that the deal *would* collapse but that there was no rush to do the equalization repeal.
The Reps would just pass one at their leisure with a clause forcing the counties to refund any monies collected, not only reducing revenues for education, but making the counties absorb yet more costs, this time for the refund program.
And to those whose first reaction is "But they can't do that!" -
They've been doing stuff that "they can't do" for months now, whether it was taking voter-protected money from First Things First or refusing to send duly passed and engrossed bills to the Governor. Both tactics and more were slapped down by the courts, but that isn't slowing down the Reps. (Turning off the clocks on June 30 in order to maintain the illusion that they fulfilled their constitutional duty to pass a budget before the start of the new fiscal year is
And even if they don't use that particular route to railroad through the permanent tax cut for their benefactors at Pinnacle West and other large corporations, there are other ways for them to accomplish the same thing.
Sorry to be a wet blanket folks...
Other notes:
...The lege is recessed until Monday at 1. Apparently, they are all going to enthusiastically welcome President Obama to Phoenix on Monday morning.
OK, probably not. :)
...On Thursday, the Senate revived the sales tax referral contained in HB2015 with a motion to reconsider. It could be approved/disapproved early next week.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Back to the House
Well, the Senate passed the same budget today that was passed on June 30* and vetoed on July 1, minus the referral to the ballot of a temporary increase in the sales tax.
Because there are some minor differences between the House version and the Senate version of the package, it returns to the House for them to approve the changes.
Since the only (I think) significant changes are the removal of the referral of the sales tax increase and the amendments that were added to obtain Jack Harper's support in the Senate (anti-Rio Nuevo and anti-state employee, etc.), I expect that it will likely pass the House.
Still, it would be a good idea for all Democrats and Independents to contact their state reps (list here).
- If your reps are Dems, urge them to stay strong against the Rep budget and not to give the Reps even an iota of "bipartisan" cover for this fiscally irresponsible time-bomb of a budget.
- If your reps are Reps, they're probably a lost cause, but call or email them anyway. They're going to vote for this, but don't give them the luxury of saying "none of my constituents told me that they were against this."
And after you are done with that, contact the Governor (contact page here) and urge her to exercise her veto again. She did issue a statement critical of today's developments in the Senate, but nowhere in her statement did she promise to veto the package again.
Keep their phones ringing and their email inboxes full...
Because there are some minor differences between the House version and the Senate version of the package, it returns to the House for them to approve the changes.
Since the only (I think) significant changes are the removal of the referral of the sales tax increase and the amendments that were added to obtain Jack Harper's support in the Senate (anti-Rio Nuevo and anti-state employee, etc.), I expect that it will likely pass the House.
Still, it would be a good idea for all Democrats and Independents to contact their state reps (list here).
- If your reps are Dems, urge them to stay strong against the Rep budget and not to give the Reps even an iota of "bipartisan" cover for this fiscally irresponsible time-bomb of a budget.
- If your reps are Reps, they're probably a lost cause, but call or email them anyway. They're going to vote for this, but don't give them the luxury of saying "none of my constituents told me that they were against this."
And after you are done with that, contact the Governor (contact page here) and urge her to exercise her veto again. She did issue a statement critical of today's developments in the Senate, but nowhere in her statement did she promise to veto the package again.
Keep their phones ringing and their email inboxes full...
Final Senate floor session of the day?
3:31 - Announced Republican caucus meeting for "the purposes of organization." Senate adjourned until tomorrow. Everything goes back to the House now, and it is adjourned until Thursday at 1 p.m.
And I am out of here.
3:28 - HB2014, Environment BRB. Passes. Gorman apologizes for her late return from lunch, which caused a delay earlier.
3:26 - HB2013, Health and Welfare BRB. Passes.
3:25 - SB1025's fact sheet is here. Passes w/17 votes.
3:22 - SB1025, Revenues BRB. It was amended in COW for some kind of correction.
And I am out of here.
3:28 - HB2014, Environment BRB. Passes. Gorman apologizes for her late return from lunch, which caused a delay earlier.
3:26 - HB2013, Health and Welfare BRB. Passes.
3:25 - SB1025's fact sheet is here. Passes w/17 votes.
3:22 - SB1025, Revenues BRB. It was amended in COW for some kind of correction.
Senate back on the floor
2:53 - Going into COW for SB1025. Recess until they get the script written.
2:52 - HB2012 passes.
2:45 - HB2012, Higher Ed BRB. Holding the vote open again. For Gorman, Again.
2:42 - Passes. Finally.
2:40 - HB2011, K-12 Education BRB. Apparently, Burns has embraced his inner Mussolini, because this railroad is running on schedule again. Though Pam Gorman is doing her level best to show her displeasure by withholding her votes until long after the others have voted.
2:35 - HB2010, criminal justice BRB. Passes.
2:32 - HB2009, sale of certain state properties BRB. Passes.
2:30 - HB2008, General Government BRB. Passes with 16 votes.
2:29 - Passes with 16 votes.
2:24 - HB2006, General Appropriations up for vote. I think this is actually just the June 30 budget that was mostly vetoed on July 1.
2:23 - SB1029 fails 15 - 10.
2:22 - Pearce refers to the federal government as "a gangster government."
2:20 - I think that they're waiting for Carolyn Allen.
2:18 - Rios laying into the Republicans for their failures.
2:16 - Burton Cahill wonders how long board will be held open. Burns says that they are waiting for a member who is 10 minutes away.
2:15 - Wonder if the rotator cuffs of Miranda, Gould, and Gorman will be frayed after today.
2:12 - Still holding the vote open at 14 - 8
2:07 - Third read of SB1029. Vote at 14 - 8 and hold, Miranda, Gould, and Gorman not voting yet. If one of them flips, it passes (with Burns' vote)
2:06 - will vote on SB1029, exchange with House bills except for one.
2:05 - Burns calling Senate back into session
2:52 - HB2012 passes.
2:45 - HB2012, Higher Ed BRB. Holding the vote open again. For Gorman, Again.
2:42 - Passes. Finally.
2:40 - HB2011, K-12 Education BRB. Apparently, Burns has embraced his inner Mussolini, because this railroad is running on schedule again. Though Pam Gorman is doing her level best to show her displeasure by withholding her votes until long after the others have voted.
2:35 - HB2010, criminal justice BRB. Passes.
2:32 - HB2009, sale of certain state properties BRB. Passes.
2:30 - HB2008, General Government BRB. Passes with 16 votes.
2:29 - Passes with 16 votes.
2:24 - HB2006, General Appropriations up for vote. I think this is actually just the June 30 budget that was mostly vetoed on July 1.
2:23 - SB1029 fails 15 - 10.
2:22 - Pearce refers to the federal government as "a gangster government."
2:20 - I think that they're waiting for Carolyn Allen.
2:18 - Rios laying into the Republicans for their failures.
2:16 - Burton Cahill wonders how long board will be held open. Burns says that they are waiting for a member who is 10 minutes away.
2:15 - Wonder if the rotator cuffs of Miranda, Gould, and Gorman will be frayed after today.
2:12 - Still holding the vote open at 14 - 8
2:07 - Third read of SB1029. Vote at 14 - 8 and hold, Miranda, Gould, and Gorman not voting yet. If one of them flips, it passes (with Burns' vote)
2:06 - will vote on SB1029, exchange with House bills except for one.
2:05 - Burns calling Senate back into session
Latest budget deal falls apart
By a vote of 14 -11, the Senate failed to refer a temporary sales tax increase to the ballot in December.
That effectively kills the entire package, though it could be resurrected.
Expect closed doors and arm-twisting at the Senate for the rest of the afternoon.
That effectively kills the entire package, though it could be resurrected.
Expect closed doors and arm-twisting at the Senate for the rest of the afternoon.
Senate floor session finally in session
1:22 - The late, great, Molly Ivins was once fired from the NY Times for referring to a Georgia chicken festival as a "gang pluck." I don't answer to an editor here, so I won't get in trouble for referring to the Senate as a "Georgia chicken festival."
1:21 - Senate in recess.
1:20 - I think he is trying to substitute SB1029 for HB2015. Ruled out of order.
1:18 - Harper trying something.
1:17 - HB2015 fails 14 - 11.
1:15 - Burns making a last-ditch attempt to get votes. 13 - 11, without his vote yet.
1:12 - 9 Senators haven't voted yet. Some aren't present yet, but even if they were, only four might vote for it, and that includes Miranda.
1:10 - Tibshraeny criticizes Dems for not offering amendments to lock in funds for Education during COW, neglecting to mention that his party always kills Dem amendments.
1:08 - As of the last time the tally was shown on camera, Miranda hasn't voted. Though even with his vote, they probably won't have enough.
1:06 - Rios responds to Leff by calling the bills "disingenuous" because there is no guarantee that tax hike revenues won't be used to backfill further tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, or other funding cuts to Education.
1:05 - Leff criticizing Democrats as not supportive of Education for not supporting the tax package. Vote still stuck at 11-10.
12:59 - Still holding the vote open at 11 -10. They need 16 to pass it.
12:57 - Gould is full of it, and himself, but he's *so* full of it that he's actually on the right side of this. Even if that position was achieved by accident.
12:54 - I'm not sure, but I don't think that they have the votes for this one.
12:53 - immediate vote, no debate.
12:52 - Motion passes. HB2015 up for consideration.
12:51 - Gould moves that HB2015 "be immediately third read." Not sure what this means. Apparently they aren't either, as there is a whispered conference at the president's desk.
1:21 - Senate in recess.
1:20 - I think he is trying to substitute SB1029 for HB2015. Ruled out of order.
1:18 - Harper trying something.
1:17 - HB2015 fails 14 - 11.
1:15 - Burns making a last-ditch attempt to get votes. 13 - 11, without his vote yet.
1:12 - 9 Senators haven't voted yet. Some aren't present yet, but even if they were, only four might vote for it, and that includes Miranda.
1:10 - Tibshraeny criticizes Dems for not offering amendments to lock in funds for Education during COW, neglecting to mention that his party always kills Dem amendments.
1:08 - As of the last time the tally was shown on camera, Miranda hasn't voted. Though even with his vote, they probably won't have enough.
1:06 - Rios responds to Leff by calling the bills "disingenuous" because there is no guarantee that tax hike revenues won't be used to backfill further tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, or other funding cuts to Education.
1:05 - Leff criticizing Democrats as not supportive of Education for not supporting the tax package. Vote still stuck at 11-10.
12:59 - Still holding the vote open at 11 -10. They need 16 to pass it.
12:57 - Gould is full of it, and himself, but he's *so* full of it that he's actually on the right side of this. Even if that position was achieved by accident.
12:54 - I'm not sure, but I don't think that they have the votes for this one.
12:53 - immediate vote, no debate.
12:52 - Motion passes. HB2015 up for consideration.
12:51 - Gould moves that HB2015 "be immediately third read." Not sure what this means. Apparently they aren't either, as there is a whispered conference at the president's desk.
Senate having a COW on tax referral
The Senate is in Committee of the Whole (the "COW" in the title of this post) and is considering HB2015, referral of the sales tax hike to the ballot and imposition of TABOR.
Tedski is reporting that the Reps were successful in peeling off Richard Miranda, so this may pass.
This seems to be more a case of railroading - they're suppressing debate and questions, and there have been a lot of whispered conversations (apparently to keep Senators toeing the line) - but I've used the "railroad" metaphor before and don't want to be too repetitive.
HB2015 passes COW.
Tedski is reporting that the Reps were successful in peeling off Richard Miranda, so this may pass.
This seems to be more a case of railroading - they're suppressing debate and questions, and there have been a lot of whispered conversations (apparently to keep Senators toeing the line) - but I've used the "railroad" metaphor before and don't want to be too repetitive.
HB2015 passes COW.
Wednesday's Senate floor session - via webcast
11:11 - I've got stuff to do. I'll check in later...
11:01 - It's 11:00. Do you know where your Senate is? 'Cuz it sure ain't at work...
10:42 - Still no activity. Probably not going to happen at 10:45.
10:28 - A call to the Senate information desk. Told that the "they're running a little late" (no kidding :) ), and that the meeting will start closer to 10:45.
10:24 - Still nada. Even for a body that is as notoriously "flexible" on the meaning of "on time" as the Senate, this is bad.
AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona opines here, that despite Tedski's reported rumor, the Reps still don't have the votes to pass their budget.
10:20 - OK, nothing is happening right now, at least not within view of the cameras.
10:06 - Can't afford the time to head downtown today, though if the rumor that Tedski has reported is true and a Democrat has been peeled off to be a 16th vote for the Reps' horribly irresponsible budget, I might try to squeeze in a trip to watch the goings-on in the House over this.
Right now, there is some activity on the Senate floor, but no meeting as yet.
11:01 - It's 11:00. Do you know where your Senate is? 'Cuz it sure ain't at work...
10:42 - Still no activity. Probably not going to happen at 10:45.
10:28 - A call to the Senate information desk. Told that the "they're running a little late" (no kidding :) ), and that the meeting will start closer to 10:45.
10:24 - Still nada. Even for a body that is as notoriously "flexible" on the meaning of "on time" as the Senate, this is bad.
AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona opines here, that despite Tedski's reported rumor, the Reps still don't have the votes to pass their budget.
10:20 - OK, nothing is happening right now, at least not within view of the cameras.
10:06 - Can't afford the time to head downtown today, though if the rumor that Tedski has reported is true and a Democrat has been peeled off to be a 16th vote for the Reps' horribly irresponsible budget, I might try to squeeze in a trip to watch the goings-on in the House over this.
Right now, there is some activity on the Senate floor, but no meeting as yet.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Hey, we're better than Mississippi!!
From AZCentral.com -
On the other hand, Mississippi has a balanced budget in place.
Maybe we're not in a better position than they are.
Arizonans who find themselves unemployed for the first time can face a hard reality when they file for unemployment benefits.Only Mississippi, with a base maximum rate of $230/week, is lower.
The absolute maximum amount a person can earn per week is $240 -- plus $25 from the stimulus legislation. That $265 per week translates into $1060, before taxes.
On the other hand, Mississippi has a balanced budget in place.
Maybe we're not in a better position than they are.
Teabaggers' civility is still nonexistent
From USA Today -
Yup. They're just "good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm"...
U.S. Rep. David Scott, a fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, today found a swastika painted on the sign outside his metro Atlanta office.
Scott said the Nazi symbol was spray-painted sometime between last night and this morning. The U.S. Capitol Police are investigating it as a hate crime.
Yup. They're just "good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm"...
Senate floor session
1:22 - We're done until 10 tomorrow morning.
1:20 - Cheuvront responds by reminding members that he probably employs more people than anyone else in the chamber. Calls the budget proposal with its massive tax cuts for large corporations "fiscally irresponsible." Time to get a budget done.
1:17 - Leff (R-not sure right now) talks about AZ making the Wall Street Journal's editorial page.
1:16 - Hale (D-Window Rock) remembers Eunice Kennedy Shriver on her passing.
1:15 - Resolution passes, moment of silence for Officer Rosas.
1:13 - Pearce uses Rosas' death as another reason to militarize the border between AZ and Mexico.
1:11 - It's a memorial to a slain Border Patrol Officer, Robert Rosas.
1:08 - Intro of SCR1003, some kind of Russell Pearce anti-immigrant resolution.
1:20 - Cheuvront responds by reminding members that he probably employs more people than anyone else in the chamber. Calls the budget proposal with its massive tax cuts for large corporations "fiscally irresponsible." Time to get a budget done.
1:17 - Leff (R-not sure right now) talks about AZ making the Wall Street Journal's editorial page.
1:16 - Hale (D-Window Rock) remembers Eunice Kennedy Shriver on her passing.
1:15 - Resolution passes, moment of silence for Officer Rosas.
1:13 - Pearce uses Rosas' death as another reason to militarize the border between AZ and Mexico.
1:11 - It's a memorial to a slain Border Patrol Officer, Robert Rosas.
1:08 - Intro of SCR1003, some kind of Russell Pearce anti-immigrant resolution.
No budget vote in the Senate likely today
...Apparently the Reps don't have the votes, so they pulled the COW agenda with the two tax package bills.
A "pledge, prayer, and procrastinate" floor session about to start...
A "pledge, prayer, and procrastinate" floor session about to start...
"Quiet week." Not a concept the Maricopa County Supes embrace
On Sundays, I write a post laying out the list of scheduled political meetings of boards and bodies that affect the area of Scottsdale and Tempe.
This week, I wrote that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors was not scheduled to meet.
At the time, that was true.
What a difference a couple of days makes.
Now, they're planning to meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in executive session.
A specific topic was not listed on the agenda, but my guess is that the meeting will have to do with Joe Arpaio's MCSO possibly violating labor laws by not paying overtime to its detention officers (to the tune of millions of dollars) [the reports are here and here, courtesy AZCentral.com], Arpaio's retaliatory investigation of the release of the overtime practices report, and the detention officers' $8 million lawsuit to recover some of the unpaid overtime.
Of course, the topic of the meeting could also be one of the scads of other lawsuits that the supes are part of.
Later...
This week, I wrote that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors was not scheduled to meet.
At the time, that was true.
What a difference a couple of days makes.
Now, they're planning to meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in executive session.
A specific topic was not listed on the agenda, but my guess is that the meeting will have to do with Joe Arpaio's MCSO possibly violating labor laws by not paying overtime to its detention officers (to the tune of millions of dollars) [the reports are here and here, courtesy AZCentral.com], Arpaio's retaliatory investigation of the release of the overtime practices report, and the detention officers' $8 million lawsuit to recover some of the unpaid overtime.
Of course, the topic of the meeting could also be one of the scads of other lawsuits that the supes are part of.
Later...
Monday, August 10, 2009
What will the future look like if this budget passes? Here's the answer (warning, it's scary).
Copied from Rep. Kyrsten Sinema's Facebook page, with a few links added at the end for those who want to do some further research -
Today, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC)* issued this estimate of what future budget years will look like if the current budget passes.All posted JLBC budget documents are available here; the July 2009 Monthly Fiscal Highlights report is here.
Scenario 1 - The Sales Tax Referral is PASSED by the voters
Ending balances
• $367 Million in FY 2010
• $-892 Million in FY 2011
• $-2.2 Billion in FY 2012
• $-2.7 Billion in FY 2013
Folks, that's if the sales tax measure is approved by the voters. Which i can't imagine would happen, since no voter wants to pay more in taxes so that corporations and the rich pay less (which is what this budget does).
Scenario 2 - The Sales Tax Referral is REJECTED by the voters
Ending balances
• $624,900 in FY 2010 (yes, that's thousands)
• $-1.9 Billion in FY 2011
• $-3.0 Billion in FY 2012
• $-3.1 Billion in FY 2013
Yes, the little "-" signs mean NEGATIVE. As in, deficit. As in, a big huge hole, just like we've got now. See the concern here people???? This budget doesn't fix ANYTHING! It makes things worse!
So, why would anyone who wants to protect education, health care, social services, or public safety vote for this budget? I CANNOT fathom.
In fact, this budget looks like a great recession expander. For those who just think the recession might end too quickly, this budget is your fix. Watch the recession linger for years and years in Arizona...
Now would be a good time to call your Senator (heck, call all of them) and show them the money. http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp?Body=S
*(P.S. JLBC are the non-partisan staff economist smartie guys and gals who do all the number crunching for the Legislature).
Coming up Tuesday at the lege - AZ thrown under the bus
...and it turns out that there may be a couple of Democratic hands getting dirty right along with the Republican caucus'...
As expected, the Senate adjourned after the two tax bills passed committee (one bill kills the state equalization property tax and cuts corporate income tax rates; the other bill refers a sales tax increase to the ballot, a sales tax that disproportionately impacts working and middle class families).
The bills are expected to reach the Senate floor tomorrow.
A number of sources, including Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (via her Facebook page) and Tedski at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion, are reporting that Senate President Burns is attempting to peel off a couple of Democratic votes by with all sorts of blandishments.
The names that are circulating are Sens. Richard Miranda and Albert Hale.
I wish I could say that I think that the info is wrong, but I heard similar rumors in the back halls of the Senate building today, with the same names attached to them.
Rep. Sinema, Tedski, and now I, am recommending that every one who reads this and cares about the future of Arizona to contact them, and their own Senators, and to urge them to stand firm against the Reps' profoundly irresponsible budget.
Hale's and Miranda's contact info:
Richard Miranda
rmiranda@azleg.gov
O: 602/926-5911
F: 602/417-3271
Albert Hale
ahale@azleg.gov
O: 602/926-4323
F: 602/417-3160
The contact info for the other Senators is here.
No guarantees here, but I'll try to be at the lege tomorrow, other committments permitting...
As expected, the Senate adjourned after the two tax bills passed committee (one bill kills the state equalization property tax and cuts corporate income tax rates; the other bill refers a sales tax increase to the ballot, a sales tax that disproportionately impacts working and middle class families).
The bills are expected to reach the Senate floor tomorrow.
A number of sources, including Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (via her Facebook page) and Tedski at Rum, Romanism, Rebellion, are reporting that Senate President Burns is attempting to peel off a couple of Democratic votes by with all sorts of blandishments.
The names that are circulating are Sens. Richard Miranda and Albert Hale.
I wish I could say that I think that the info is wrong, but I heard similar rumors in the back halls of the Senate building today, with the same names attached to them.
Rep. Sinema, Tedski, and now I, am recommending that every one who reads this and cares about the future of Arizona to contact them, and their own Senators, and to urge them to stand firm against the Reps' profoundly irresponsible budget.
Hale's and Miranda's contact info:
Richard Miranda
rmiranda@azleg.gov
O: 602/926-5911
F: 602/417-3271
Albert Hale
ahale@azleg.gov
O: 602/926-4323
F: 602/417-3160
The contact info for the other Senators is here.
No guarantees here, but I'll try to be at the lege tomorrow, other committments permitting...
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