Links courtesy the blog of the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus.
Bill summaries from the JLBC here; JLBC numbers here (final result: $452 million in cuts and savings measures, but that is before any Republican committee or floor amendments.)
Note: The Joint Committee on Capital Review is scheduled to meet tomorrow at 2 p.m in SHR109.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman announces that he isn't running for statewide office anytime soon
Of course, Hugh being Hugh, he didn't say it directly.
From AZCentral.com (emphasis mine) -
Hallman is treading close to apostasy with that last, but before the the AZGOP or the Goldwater Institute dispatches a re-education squad to Tempe, they should rest assured - Hallman has been drinking your Kool-Aid for decades. He is no threat to join Ben Arredondo in the exodus from the GOP (hell, even he had ever considered it, he wouldn't do so after Arredondo did. Hallman despises Arredondo.)
Still, Hallman showed that he has a smidgen of intelligence remaining. As such, he'd never get through a GOP primary. He's going to wait at least two more years.
From AZCentral.com (emphasis mine) -
Four southeast Valley mayors challenged the Legislature on Tuesday to overhaul Arizona's tax system and think more creatively about how to solve the state's monumental budget problems.
In the process, they warned lawmakers not to pass down those problems to cities and towns, which have been largely successful in coping with their own fiscal issues.
{snip}
"Most of us . . . are funded by sales tax to a large degree," said Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman. "And that is a very volatile sector. . . . It's not going to get better, because the cities don't have the opportunity to change that model. It's going to have to be done at the state level."
Hallman said Arizona should rely less on sales taxes and more on property taxes.
Hallman is treading close to apostasy with that last, but before the the AZGOP or the Goldwater Institute dispatches a re-education squad to Tempe, they should rest assured - Hallman has been drinking your Kool-Aid for decades. He is no threat to join Ben Arredondo in the exodus from the GOP (hell, even he had ever considered it, he wouldn't do so after Arredondo did. Hallman despises Arredondo.)
Still, Hallman showed that he has a smidgen of intelligence remaining. As such, he'd never get through a GOP primary. He's going to wait at least two more years.
The coarsening of public discourse in Scottsdale
Tuesday's meeting of the Scottsdale City Council was notable for some of the actual work (appointing David Richert as acting City Manager).
However memorable as that may be, the meeting will be best remembered for the very snarky personal attacks from the floor on Council members and their families.
Michael Fernandez, owner of the Pottery Paradise business in Scottsdale, spoke during the public comment part of the agenda.
He used his three minutes to take continued shots at now-former City Manager John Little (whom he accused of "looting" the City's treasury). And those shots were used, in turn, to criticize the three members of the Council who most often oppose his friend, Mayor Jim Lane.
Now criticisms of public officials are an integral part of our system of governance, and any elected official who feels that they shouldn't have to at least listen to such criticisms shouldn't bother with running for elected office.
However, Fernandez' criticisms went far past the normal bounds of civility.
The snarky and sarcastic tone of his comments (awarding a "John Little Memorial Goldbrick Award"??) meant that they were less "honest criticisms" and more "petty insults".
Still, one must have a pretty thick skin when serving in public office.
Then Fernandez got unforgivably personal with his bestowing of his "Goldbrick Award" on "Wayneroo" (Councilman Wayne Ecton) and "Martha, too" (Councilman Ecton's wife, Martha.)
I've disagreed with each of the members of the Council, as well as elected officials at all levels, and frequently have used snark and sarcasm to do so.
Here.
Not in the Council Kiva, or a legislative hearing room, or any place where official business is conducted.
And I never have used this or any other forum to attack someone's family members simply because they were related to a public official.
Even in a venue as unregulated at the political blogosphere, anyone wishing to maintain their credibility doesn't go there.
When he did so, Mr. Fernandez demonstrated that credibility wasn't and isn't his objective.
Which is something that I wouldn't care about, except that his behavior and the fact that he wasn't called on it right then and there both undermines the credibility of other, more relevent, public speakers, and encourages further personal attacks.
Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Ecton finally gave voice to his objections to the tone of the earlier comments. He understood that as an elected official, he was subject to criticisms, even unfair ones, but he was offended and outraged at the attack on his wife.
Mayor Lane hemmed and hawed a little bit at that, stating that it was difficult to know what people were going to say before they say it. He then promised to "be more sensitive to that" however.
Mayor Lane's credibility is lacking on this issue, however - he may not have known *exactly* what Fernandez was going to say, but Fernandez was one of his biggest supporters during Lane's mayoral campaign last year, doing a lot of his work through third-party hit pieces targeting then-Mayor Mary Manross and council candidates Ron McCullagh and Suzanne Klapp.
Add in the fact that the targets of Fernandez' invective were Lane critics McCullagh, Klapp, and Ecton (and that Ecton's seat on the Council is up for election next fall), Fernandez' "speech" has all of the hallmarks of a scripted salvo of a smear campaign for next year's elections.
The thing is that Lane and his cronies don't seem to understand is that by undermining the respect that folks have for their elected officials (even if that respect is of the "respect the office, if not the person" variety), they are undermining themselves.
If a "throw all of the bums out!" wave sweeps forth over the Scottsdale electorate next year, it won't be picky about which political careers are drowned.
Video of the meeting can be found on the City's website here. Fernandez' attack starts around the 12:00 mark; Ecton's response can be found at approximately the 3:53:00 point.
Some background on Fernandez' involvement in Lane's campaign here, here, here, here, and here. Info on his post-election ties to Lane here - Fernandez was one of Lane's appointments to the McDowell Corridor/South Scottsdale Economic Development Task Force.
Also, Fernandez' name can be found all over the City of Scottsdale's elections finance reports (start here) - treasurer of No More Manross In 08, treasurer of Republicans For A Bright New Day In Scottsdale, treasurer for No Light Rail For Scottsdale, and others, and financial contributor to those committees and a number of candidates.
Something tells me that this bit of bile won't be the last we hear from Mr. Fernandez and Lane's other surrogates.
It used to be that Mesa was the laughingstock of municipal politics in the Valley; that has changed, partly because Mesa's leaders have improved, and Scottsdale's leaders have degraded.
However memorable as that may be, the meeting will be best remembered for the very snarky personal attacks from the floor on Council members and their families.
Michael Fernandez, owner of the Pottery Paradise business in Scottsdale, spoke during the public comment part of the agenda.
He used his three minutes to take continued shots at now-former City Manager John Little (whom he accused of "looting" the City's treasury). And those shots were used, in turn, to criticize the three members of the Council who most often oppose his friend, Mayor Jim Lane.
Now criticisms of public officials are an integral part of our system of governance, and any elected official who feels that they shouldn't have to at least listen to such criticisms shouldn't bother with running for elected office.
However, Fernandez' criticisms went far past the normal bounds of civility.
The snarky and sarcastic tone of his comments (awarding a "John Little Memorial Goldbrick Award"??) meant that they were less "honest criticisms" and more "petty insults".
Still, one must have a pretty thick skin when serving in public office.
Then Fernandez got unforgivably personal with his bestowing of his "Goldbrick Award" on "Wayneroo" (Councilman Wayne Ecton) and "Martha, too" (Councilman Ecton's wife, Martha.)
I've disagreed with each of the members of the Council, as well as elected officials at all levels, and frequently have used snark and sarcasm to do so.
Here.
Not in the Council Kiva, or a legislative hearing room, or any place where official business is conducted.
And I never have used this or any other forum to attack someone's family members simply because they were related to a public official.
Even in a venue as unregulated at the political blogosphere, anyone wishing to maintain their credibility doesn't go there.
When he did so, Mr. Fernandez demonstrated that credibility wasn't and isn't his objective.
Which is something that I wouldn't care about, except that his behavior and the fact that he wasn't called on it right then and there both undermines the credibility of other, more relevent, public speakers, and encourages further personal attacks.
Toward the end of the meeting, Councilman Ecton finally gave voice to his objections to the tone of the earlier comments. He understood that as an elected official, he was subject to criticisms, even unfair ones, but he was offended and outraged at the attack on his wife.
Mayor Lane hemmed and hawed a little bit at that, stating that it was difficult to know what people were going to say before they say it. He then promised to "be more sensitive to that" however.
Mayor Lane's credibility is lacking on this issue, however - he may not have known *exactly* what Fernandez was going to say, but Fernandez was one of his biggest supporters during Lane's mayoral campaign last year, doing a lot of his work through third-party hit pieces targeting then-Mayor Mary Manross and council candidates Ron McCullagh and Suzanne Klapp.
Add in the fact that the targets of Fernandez' invective were Lane critics McCullagh, Klapp, and Ecton (and that Ecton's seat on the Council is up for election next fall), Fernandez' "speech" has all of the hallmarks of a scripted salvo of a smear campaign for next year's elections.
The thing is that Lane and his cronies don't seem to understand is that by undermining the respect that folks have for their elected officials (even if that respect is of the "respect the office, if not the person" variety), they are undermining themselves.
If a "throw all of the bums out!" wave sweeps forth over the Scottsdale electorate next year, it won't be picky about which political careers are drowned.
Video of the meeting can be found on the City's website here. Fernandez' attack starts around the 12:00 mark; Ecton's response can be found at approximately the 3:53:00 point.
Some background on Fernandez' involvement in Lane's campaign here, here, here, here, and here. Info on his post-election ties to Lane here - Fernandez was one of Lane's appointments to the McDowell Corridor/South Scottsdale Economic Development Task Force.
Also, Fernandez' name can be found all over the City of Scottsdale's elections finance reports (start here) - treasurer of No More Manross In 08, treasurer of Republicans For A Bright New Day In Scottsdale, treasurer for No Light Rail For Scottsdale, and others, and financial contributor to those committees and a number of candidates.
Something tells me that this bit of bile won't be the last we hear from Mr. Fernandez and Lane's other surrogates.
It used to be that Mesa was the laughingstock of municipal politics in the Valley; that has changed, partly because Mesa's leaders have improved, and Scottsdale's leaders have degraded.
Arpaio defies court. Again.
Some things never change, do they? Even when one of his deputies is caught on video rummaging through an attorney's briefcase, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio doesn't think that the laws that govern the rest of us apply to him or his.
From AZCentral.com -
From AZCentral.com -
A Maricopa County Sheriff's detention officer was found in contempt of court Wednesday for his decision to remove a document from a defense attorney's file during a sentencing hearing last month.
The officer was ordered by a judge to hold a press conference to apologize for his actions - an order that Sheriff Joe Arpaio immediately said would be defied.
“My officer was doing his job and I will not stand by and allow him to be thrown to the wolves by the courts because they feel pressure from the media on this situation,” Arpaio said in a press release. He further said, "I decide who holds press conferences and when they are held regarding this Sheriff’s Office.”
Senate Approps meeting
They're meeting in SHR109. It's available via the lege's live streaming function, which is good, because I didn't visit the Capitol today.
The agenda is here.
Meeting begins at approximately 10:15 a.m.
SB1001, general appropriations - Cuts $144 million from K-12 Ed and $155 million from DES. No public speakers have signed up. Pearce amendment to strip 21st Century Fund funding from the bill (correcting a drafting error - they'll be putting it in SB1003).
Aguirre votes no, criticizing the "cuts only" attitude of the Senate.
Gould votes no, no explanation.
Rios criticizes the emphasis on cutting DES and Education, votes no.
Passes 5-4.
SB1002. K-12 budget reconciliation. Hale offers amendment to allow schools receiving federal "impact aid" to cover cuts from that aid. Hale explains the need, Steve Pierce explains that he supports the intent of the amendment, but will be voting against all amendments...except for those that he votes for, like the amendment of the previous bill. Russell Pearce thinks that it is unfair that the schools that receive the impact aid have money that the other schools in the state don't have. Hale points out that the money is given to districts that don't have the benefits of revenue from property taxes. Gould sounds like he might actually support this one, but I'm not sure. Rios points out that the amendment would have no fiscal impact on Arizona. Harper says that he won't be voting against the amendment out of spite or partisanship, but because he pledged to vote the budget package through without amendments. Even though there will be amendments added by Republican members.
Amendment fails via voice vote.
Shocking, ain't it?
Harper, talking about the underlying bill, gripes about "maintenance of effort" in fed stimulus and the restrictions of "citizens initiatives." Pearce admonishes people that the state is "on the verge of insolvency."
Voting -
Aguirre votes yes, because cuts are necessary though painful. Wants to address revenues.
Sylvia Allen wants to "reform" programs, better known as making the neediest members of society pay for any help they receive. Votes yes.
Rios talks about reining in tuition tax credits to cover cuts. Points to Allen's "reform" call, and recommends reforming STOs. Votes nay.
Passes 6-3.
SB1003, general revenues. Includes fee increase authorization and other stuff. Two amendments. Pearce amendment to add 21st Century Fund money, and to force counties to use all available money to transfer to state's general fund. This one is targeted to protecting the excess funds under the control of Joe Arpaio.
Harper gripes about "cash flow" issues, and suspending employer contributions to state employees' pension funds.
Steve Pierce announces he will vote against both amendments. Even though he supported the amendment stripping the funding from SB1001.
Russell Pearce says that law enforcement supports his county-related amendment.
Steve Pierce now announces that he will support the 21st Century Fund fix.
Gould criticizes the whole process for "opaqueness", calls it a "cocktail napkin plan."
Harper doesn't think that Science Foundation Arizona has the money "coming to them"...even though a judge says that they do.
Gould says that they should fight it, like they've fought funding for ELL.
Sylvia Allen - "It's hell if you do, hell if you don't" and then worries that she might have cursed or something.
Division called on amendment vote, by Gould. Amendment passes 6-2, 3 not voting.
Second Pearce amendment, to protect Arpaio.
Rios questions hypocrisy about the Rs opposing the Hale amendment on the previous bill that didn't affect state funds, but supporting this one, which would.
Pearce pontificates on the need to protect law enforcement. Calls his amendment a "fairness doctrine."
I thought the Rs were opposed to "fairness doctrines"??
Aguirre is backing up Rios.
A rep from Maricopa County is speaking in opposition to the amendment.
They're still blathering on about this...
Pearce gets a note from three unnamed members of the MCBOS, assuring him that they will be fair. Pearce withdraws amendment.
Harper, on the underlying bill, criticizes the "abandoned property" time reduction to three years on traveler's checks. Pearce promises that it will be addressed in the next special session.
SB1003 passes 7-2, Gould opposing, calls fees a tax on business.
SB1004, anti-deficiency statutes.
The realtors and bankers support this one; the homebuilders are hesitant about some of the language (spec sales).
Bill passes 9-0. Meeting adjourns.
On to Senate Rules, which I won't be covering. And probably wouldn't even if I was at the Capitol today - they're usually really boring.
Later...
The agenda is here.
Meeting begins at approximately 10:15 a.m.
SB1001, general appropriations - Cuts $144 million from K-12 Ed and $155 million from DES. No public speakers have signed up. Pearce amendment to strip 21st Century Fund funding from the bill (correcting a drafting error - they'll be putting it in SB1003).
Aguirre votes no, criticizing the "cuts only" attitude of the Senate.
Gould votes no, no explanation.
Rios criticizes the emphasis on cutting DES and Education, votes no.
Passes 5-4.
SB1002. K-12 budget reconciliation. Hale offers amendment to allow schools receiving federal "impact aid" to cover cuts from that aid. Hale explains the need, Steve Pierce explains that he supports the intent of the amendment, but will be voting against all amendments...except for those that he votes for, like the amendment of the previous bill. Russell Pearce thinks that it is unfair that the schools that receive the impact aid have money that the other schools in the state don't have. Hale points out that the money is given to districts that don't have the benefits of revenue from property taxes. Gould sounds like he might actually support this one, but I'm not sure. Rios points out that the amendment would have no fiscal impact on Arizona. Harper says that he won't be voting against the amendment out of spite or partisanship, but because he pledged to vote the budget package through without amendments. Even though there will be amendments added by Republican members.
Amendment fails via voice vote.
Shocking, ain't it?
Harper, talking about the underlying bill, gripes about "maintenance of effort" in fed stimulus and the restrictions of "citizens initiatives." Pearce admonishes people that the state is "on the verge of insolvency."
Voting -
Aguirre votes yes, because cuts are necessary though painful. Wants to address revenues.
Sylvia Allen wants to "reform" programs, better known as making the neediest members of society pay for any help they receive. Votes yes.
Rios talks about reining in tuition tax credits to cover cuts. Points to Allen's "reform" call, and recommends reforming STOs. Votes nay.
Passes 6-3.
SB1003, general revenues. Includes fee increase authorization and other stuff. Two amendments. Pearce amendment to add 21st Century Fund money, and to force counties to use all available money to transfer to state's general fund. This one is targeted to protecting the excess funds under the control of Joe Arpaio.
Harper gripes about "cash flow" issues, and suspending employer contributions to state employees' pension funds.
Steve Pierce announces he will vote against both amendments. Even though he supported the amendment stripping the funding from SB1001.
Russell Pearce says that law enforcement supports his county-related amendment.
Steve Pierce now announces that he will support the 21st Century Fund fix.
Gould criticizes the whole process for "opaqueness", calls it a "cocktail napkin plan."
Harper doesn't think that Science Foundation Arizona has the money "coming to them"...even though a judge says that they do.
Gould says that they should fight it, like they've fought funding for ELL.
Sylvia Allen - "It's hell if you do, hell if you don't" and then worries that she might have cursed or something.
Division called on amendment vote, by Gould. Amendment passes 6-2, 3 not voting.
Second Pearce amendment, to protect Arpaio.
Rios questions hypocrisy about the Rs opposing the Hale amendment on the previous bill that didn't affect state funds, but supporting this one, which would.
Pearce pontificates on the need to protect law enforcement. Calls his amendment a "fairness doctrine."
I thought the Rs were opposed to "fairness doctrines"??
Aguirre is backing up Rios.
A rep from Maricopa County is speaking in opposition to the amendment.
They're still blathering on about this...
Pearce gets a note from three unnamed members of the MCBOS, assuring him that they will be fair. Pearce withdraws amendment.
Harper, on the underlying bill, criticizes the "abandoned property" time reduction to three years on traveler's checks. Pearce promises that it will be addressed in the next special session.
SB1003 passes 7-2, Gould opposing, calls fees a tax on business.
SB1004, anti-deficiency statutes.
The realtors and bankers support this one; the homebuilders are hesitant about some of the language (spec sales).
Bill passes 9-0. Meeting adjourns.
On to Senate Rules, which I won't be covering. And probably wouldn't even if I was at the Capitol today - they're usually really boring.
Later...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Is Shadegg channelling his inner Hayworth?
We'll know for certain if Shadegg announces his retirement from Congress in order to start a career in talk radio (not that Hayworth had any real choice about the timing of his retirement from Congress :)) )...
From the Phoenix New Times -
Video below -
From the Phoenix New Times -
Congressman John Shadegg's theatrics on the floor of the House of Representatives are becoming almost legendary. By legendary, we mean borderline insane.The passage in the Congressional Record can be found here (first column, second complete paragraph).
Just over a week ago, the congressman brought a 7-month-old baby named Maddie to the floor with him to illustrate his outrage over the healthcare bill.
{snip}
While addressing members of Congress about the Justice Department's decision to try suspected 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, and his Al Qaeda cronies in New York City, Shadegg had this to say:
"I saw the mayor of New York today. He said 'we're tough; we can do it.' Well mayor, how are you going to feel when it's your daughter that's kidnapped at school by a terrorist? How are you going to feel when it's some clerk -- some innocent clerk of the court -- whose daughter or son is kidnapped? Or the jailer's little brother or little sister?"
Video below -
Special session: summary thus far
They didn't actually do much today, so this recap will be brief -
1. The Governor finally issued the official call for a special session of the legislature. The paperwork authorizing the 3 p.m. opening made it over to the lege a little before 1 p.m.
2. Both chambers then met, recited a prayer, the pledge of allegiance, and then adjourned.
3, The Senate will return to session on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. There are four bills to be considered - SB1001, SB1002, SB1003, and SB1004. No agenda for a meeting of the Senate's Appropriations Committee has been posted yet, but one is expected for tomorrow.
My guess regarding the ambiguity of the Senate's schedule has to do with gathering enough votes to pass anything - while the House bills all have sponsors like House Approps chair John Kavanagh and cosponsors from the ranks of the Republican leadership in the House, all of the Senate bills were dropped under the name of Bob Burns, the Senate President, and have no cosponsors listed.
The rumor circulating at the lege today was that the Senate did, in fact, have enough votes to pass the bills, but those may not be locked in.
We could be looking at another roller coaster ride type of week...
4. The House will return to session on Thursday at 10 a.m. House Approps will meet at 8 a.m. in HHR1. They will consider HB2001 (General Appropriations); HB2002 (K-12 Education Budget Reconciliation); HB2003 (General Revenues); and HB2004 (Anti-deficiency statutes; property).
Assuming that the Senate vote goes according to the plans of the Republican leadership, the bills should all pass on Thursday.
However, given the events of the past few months, that may be an overly ambitious assumption.
KTVK-TV coverage here; EV Tribune coverage here. I'd link to the AZ Rep's coverage, but it's all of three sentences.
Later...
1. The Governor finally issued the official call for a special session of the legislature. The paperwork authorizing the 3 p.m. opening made it over to the lege a little before 1 p.m.
2. Both chambers then met, recited a prayer, the pledge of allegiance, and then adjourned.
3, The Senate will return to session on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. There are four bills to be considered - SB1001, SB1002, SB1003, and SB1004. No agenda for a meeting of the Senate's Appropriations Committee has been posted yet, but one is expected for tomorrow.
My guess regarding the ambiguity of the Senate's schedule has to do with gathering enough votes to pass anything - while the House bills all have sponsors like House Approps chair John Kavanagh and cosponsors from the ranks of the Republican leadership in the House, all of the Senate bills were dropped under the name of Bob Burns, the Senate President, and have no cosponsors listed.
The rumor circulating at the lege today was that the Senate did, in fact, have enough votes to pass the bills, but those may not be locked in.
We could be looking at another roller coaster ride type of week...
4. The House will return to session on Thursday at 10 a.m. House Approps will meet at 8 a.m. in HHR1. They will consider HB2001 (General Appropriations); HB2002 (K-12 Education Budget Reconciliation); HB2003 (General Revenues); and HB2004 (Anti-deficiency statutes; property).
Assuming that the Senate vote goes according to the plans of the Republican leadership, the bills should all pass on Thursday.
However, given the events of the past few months, that may be an overly ambitious assumption.
KTVK-TV coverage here; EV Tribune coverage here. I'd link to the AZ Rep's coverage, but it's all of three sentences.
Later...
Congratulations to Doug Mings! Again!
From an email from Ann Wallack, chair of the Maricopa County Democratic Party -
Doug, the former chair of the LD17 Democrats, was brought in as ED of the county party over a year ago and has done outstanding work in preparation for next year's elections. He's now moving over to the state party, where he will work with legislators and legislative candidates from all over the state as we work to turn the lege blue. His wide knowledge of Democratic grassroots activists, Party organizations, and candidates will help push Democratic candidates over the top.
The next time you see Doug, wish him well. However, when you see a Dem legislative candidate, celebrate with them. Their quests just became a lot easier.
I have some good news to announce to all Maricopa Democratic PC's! Doug Mings, our stellar Executive Director for Maricopa County has been hired by Luis Heredia of the ADP to fill the position of Legislative Director for the state party. Although I will miss Doug's leadership and advice, I know that he will do a great job with our legislative candidates, (incumbents and challengers alike), and that he will be a great asset to our Arizona Democratic Party. And, after all, he will only be twenty feet away in the next office and he promises to help and collaborate with our MCDP efforts.
Doug, the former chair of the LD17 Democrats, was brought in as ED of the county party over a year ago and has done outstanding work in preparation for next year's elections. He's now moving over to the state party, where he will work with legislators and legislative candidates from all over the state as we work to turn the lege blue. His wide knowledge of Democratic grassroots activists, Party organizations, and candidates will help push Democratic candidates over the top.
The next time you see Doug, wish him well. However, when you see a Dem legislative candidate, celebrate with them. Their quests just became a lot easier.
Live blogging the start of the special session
3:21 - House adjourning until Thursday at 10 a.m. Approps to meet at 8 a.m. Thursday.
3:19 - Points of personal privilege, introduction of guests.
3:16 - Senate committee to announce that they are ready to conduct business. House back in session. House rules suspended regarding reading of bills on three separate days. Bills assigned to Approps.
3:10 - Bills posted on the House side of the lege's website.
3:08 - Proclamation for special session read. Recess.
3:05 - Pledge, Prayer, attendance - 47 present, 3 absent, 10 excused.
3:03 - Talk in the gallery is that the bills from the last post will go through Approps tomorrow.
3:00 - Over in the House. Reps gathering.
3:19 - Points of personal privilege, introduction of guests.
3:16 - Senate committee to announce that they are ready to conduct business. House back in session. House rules suspended regarding reading of bills on three separate days. Bills assigned to Approps.
3:10 - Bills posted on the House side of the lege's website.
3:08 - Proclamation for special session read. Recess.
3:05 - Pledge, Prayer, attendance - 47 present, 3 absent, 10 excused.
3:03 - Talk in the gallery is that the bills from the last post will go through Approps tomorrow.
3:00 - Over in the House. Reps gathering.
Special session notes
Well, the Governor finally sent over the proclamation so that they can actually hold the special session.
I arrived at the Capitol at roughly 12:40 p.m. for the D17 press conference. At that point, a little over two hours before the special session was scheduled to go off, the Governor and her staff hadn't sent over the paperwork that would allow the lege to meet in a special session.
However, now everything has been squared away (and deals made?) to allow official business to take place.
On the lege's website, 4 bills have been posted for the special session - SB1001, dealing with general appropriations; SB1002, K-12 budget reconciliation (cut $144 million and soft capital); SB1003, general revenues (taking all license and permit fees from agencies to the general fund, plus other stuff); and SB1004, fixing the problems they created with mortgages.
More later...
I arrived at the Capitol at roughly 12:40 p.m. for the D17 press conference. At that point, a little over two hours before the special session was scheduled to go off, the Governor and her staff hadn't sent over the paperwork that would allow the lege to meet in a special session.
However, now everything has been squared away (and deals made?) to allow official business to take place.
On the lege's website, 4 bills have been posted for the special session - SB1001, dealing with general appropriations; SB1002, K-12 budget reconciliation (cut $144 million and soft capital); SB1003, general revenues (taking all license and permit fees from agencies to the general fund, plus other stuff); and SB1004, fixing the problems they created with mortgages.
More later...
The LD17 team stays strong
In news that broke elsewhere (including R-Cubed and AZCentral.com), Meg Burton Cahill has announced that she will not seek another term in the Senate next year. For health reasons she is taking her public service career in another direction (her doctor advised her that a hostile work environment like the AZ lege is not conducive to good health. For this he needed to spend tens of thousands of dollars for years of medical school? LOL).
Her wisdom, insight, humor, and dedication to the people of D17 and the state will be sorely missed, but someone who has been found to step into the void that she is leaving, someone who is likely one of the few people capable of stepping in who may be as dedicated to the people of D17.
Long-time Tempe City Councilman Ben Arredondo has become a Democrat, moving away from the Republican Party that has moved away from him and all other elected officials who place a premium on community service over partisan ideology.
Councilman Arredondo will run for a House seat; Rep. Schapira will open an exploratory committee for the Senate seat.
More on this later, but I just wanted to write something while waiting for the "special" session to start (Today'stentative schedule - pledge, prayer, first read, adjourn, caucus, go home).
Left to right: Senator Meg Burton Cahill, Councilman Ben Arredondo, Representative Ed Ableser, Representative David Schapira
Monday, November 16, 2009
OK, now they say that a special session will happen this week
Apparently, the tea leaves that I was reading earlier today were actually just grass clippings...
Nothing has been posted on the websites of the lege or the governor, but according to the AZ Republic, there will be a special session of the lege starting this week. (The Rep is unclear on the day; the AZ Capitol Times says it will start tomorrow; the blog of the Senate Democratic caucus says 3 p.m. tomorrow.)
It's shaping up to be a "cuts-only" session (assuming they can even convene the special session) that again, involves no input from the Democratic members of the lege. Still, unless they can get every member of the Republican caucus in the Senate to show up, they may very well need to coax a couple of Dems tosell their souls cross over.
Current talk includes cuts of $144 million and "soft capital" (books, computers, and stuff that goes into classrooms) from K-12 education and $157 million from DES.
Turns out that planning on visiting the Capitol tomorrow was a good idea, even without the press conference mentioned in the previous post...
Nothing has been posted on the websites of the lege or the governor, but according to the AZ Republic, there will be a special session of the lege starting this week. (The Rep is unclear on the day; the AZ Capitol Times says it will start tomorrow; the blog of the Senate Democratic caucus says 3 p.m. tomorrow.)
It's shaping up to be a "cuts-only" session (assuming they can even convene the special session) that again, involves no input from the Democratic members of the lege. Still, unless they can get every member of the Republican caucus in the Senate to show up, they may very well need to coax a couple of Dems to
Current talk includes cuts of $144 million and "soft capital" (books, computers, and stuff that goes into classrooms) from K-12 education and $157 million from DES.
Turns out that planning on visiting the Capitol tomorrow was a good idea, even without the press conference mentioned in the previous post...
Big announcement regarding LD17 tomorrow at the lege
From a press release -
Sen. Burton Cahill has a long and storied career in public service, and it isn't over yet (else I would be far more effusive in my praise for her. Her story isn't over yet, not by a long shot). Only her legislative career is coming to a close, not her public service career.
As for the rest, I'll be at the Capitol on Tuesday. Coverage and pics of the seriously big announcement tomorrow...
Sen. Burton Cahill to announce retirement; Reps. Schapira, Ableser to reveal who will vie for state Senate, House seats
PHOENIX - State Sen. Meg Burton Cahill and state Reps. David Schapira and Ed Ableser will hold a press conference 1 p.m. Tuesday at the State Capitol to announce their plans for the Democratic slate in District 17. The Tempe lawmakers will also introduce a new House candidate who is a well-established leader in the Valley.
Burton Cahill will announce her retirement from the Legislature after 10 years of service. Elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, she served three terms there and will finish her legislative service at the end of her second Senate term.
"I'm proud to have served the communities of Tempe and south Scottsdale in the Legislature," Burton Cahill said. "I went to the Capitol to represent the interests of my neighbors, and I am honored to have had their support for a decade."
At the press conference, Schapira and Ableser will announce which representative is filing an exploratory committee for Burton Cahill's Senate seat. They will be joined by another prominent Tempe leader who will announce a bid for the open House seat.
Sen. Burton Cahill has a long and storied career in public service, and it isn't over yet (else I would be far more effusive in my praise for her. Her story isn't over yet, not by a long shot). Only her legislative career is coming to a close, not her public service career.
As for the rest, I'll be at the Capitol on Tuesday. Coverage and pics of the seriously big announcement tomorrow...
Edward Woodward dies at 79
Most of the readers of this blog probably aren't familiar with the name, but Edward Woodward was the star of one of the most iconic 80s TV shows, The Equalizer.
Woodward was a highly-respected actor in England. Before accepting the role of Robert McCall, a retired and disillusioned Cold War-era spy who helped the helpless in the mean streets of New York as a way of paying penance for some of the sins he committed in the line of duty, he was probably best known in the U.S. for his role in the film Breaker Morant.
The show was gritty, human and had a GREAT opening theme from Police drummer Stewart Copeland.
The Washington Post has a full bio and obit here; the Indianapolis Star has a report on Woodward's passing, as well as the death of another, much younger, icon from the 1980s, Ken Ober. Ober was the host of MTV's first non-music program, Remote Control. Yes, at one point in time, the "M" in "MTV" stood for "Music." Shocking, I know...
Woodward was a highly-respected actor in England. Before accepting the role of Robert McCall, a retired and disillusioned Cold War-era spy who helped the helpless in the mean streets of New York as a way of paying penance for some of the sins he committed in the line of duty, he was probably best known in the U.S. for his role in the film Breaker Morant.
The show was gritty, human and had a GREAT opening theme from Police drummer Stewart Copeland.
The Washington Post has a full bio and obit here; the Indianapolis Star has a report on Woodward's passing, as well as the death of another, much younger, icon from the 1980s, Ken Ober. Ober was the host of MTV's first non-music program, Remote Control. Yes, at one point in time, the "M" in "MTV" stood for "Music." Shocking, I know...
Kevin at Exurban League sums it up thusly - "Great show. Fantastic intro. Gonna miss him."
The folks over at EL are usually spectacularly wrong on all issues political, but they've got some pretty good taste in movies, music, and TV. Though they lose serious points for the David Hasselhoff reference. I know it was the Berlin Wall, but Hasselhoff?
Special session tea leaf reading
Not much to update as yet, but here goes...
The latest rumors are A) that they will try to pull off a one day special session on Thursday, and B) that they'll try for next week before Thanksgiving.
There are obstacles to those potential plans.
As for possibility A, the Governor's public schedule for this week has been posted, and she plans to be in Austin, Texas for the Republican Governors Association annual conference on Wednesday and Thursday.
As for B, there are a number of legislators from both sides of the aisle who will be out of state, and a couple will be out of the country, after this week. Gaining a quorum next week will be difficult; gaining the 31 and 16 votes needed to pass anything will be nearly impossible.
Especially since the Republican Governor, Speaker, and President of the state senate are still adamant in their refusal to work with Democratic members of the lege.
BTW - none of this precludes a special session. The Governor could yet cancel her trip to Austin, or members of the lege could yet cancel their long-planned holiday plans.
Just don't hold your breath waiting for the Capitol leadership to get off of the butts any time soon.
Other lege-related notes:
- Sources report that the Reps had a caucus meeting today. The Governor attended, and when she showed up, the caucus meeting was then closed to the public.
The AZGOP, the party of transparency. Or not.
- Credit Russell Pearce, the State Senator from LD18, with the first bill proposal for the 2nd regular session of the 49th Arizona Legislature. His SB1001 is another attempt to limit the ability of elected officials to put their faces on/publicize themselves in general communications paid for out of public monies.
The only surprise here is that the first bill wasn't one of Pearce's patented anti-Mexican screeds masquerading as a public policy proposal.
On the other hand, it is still early.
- Officially clarifying what had long been expected, LD8 State Rep. John Kavanagh has formed a re-election committee with the AZ Secretary of State's office (filer ID 201000319). Kavanagh, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, had been rumored (reported here and elsewhere) to be interested in the LD8 Senate seat, currently held by the termed-out-after-next-year Carolyn Allen. However, fellow LD8 Rep. Michelle Reagan is also interested, and she may have a stronger base of support in LD8. Kavanagh couldn't be sure he would prevail in a primary battle with her. On the other hand, he is a near-certain lock to retain his House seat, even in LD8's Republican cattle call in the state representative primary (six candidates and counting).
The latest rumors are A) that they will try to pull off a one day special session on Thursday, and B) that they'll try for next week before Thanksgiving.
There are obstacles to those potential plans.
As for possibility A, the Governor's public schedule for this week has been posted, and she plans to be in Austin, Texas for the Republican Governors Association annual conference on Wednesday and Thursday.
As for B, there are a number of legislators from both sides of the aisle who will be out of state, and a couple will be out of the country, after this week. Gaining a quorum next week will be difficult; gaining the 31 and 16 votes needed to pass anything will be nearly impossible.
Especially since the Republican Governor, Speaker, and President of the state senate are still adamant in their refusal to work with Democratic members of the lege.
BTW - none of this precludes a special session. The Governor could yet cancel her trip to Austin, or members of the lege could yet cancel their long-planned holiday plans.
Just don't hold your breath waiting for the Capitol leadership to get off of the butts any time soon.
Other lege-related notes:
- Sources report that the Reps had a caucus meeting today. The Governor attended, and when she showed up, the caucus meeting was then closed to the public.
The AZGOP, the party of transparency. Or not.
- Credit Russell Pearce, the State Senator from LD18, with the first bill proposal for the 2nd regular session of the 49th Arizona Legislature. His SB1001 is another attempt to limit the ability of elected officials to put their faces on/publicize themselves in general communications paid for out of public monies.
The only surprise here is that the first bill wasn't one of Pearce's patented anti-Mexican screeds masquerading as a public policy proposal.
On the other hand, it is still early.
- Officially clarifying what had long been expected, LD8 State Rep. John Kavanagh has formed a re-election committee with the AZ Secretary of State's office (filer ID 201000319). Kavanagh, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, had been rumored (reported here and elsewhere) to be interested in the LD8 Senate seat, currently held by the termed-out-after-next-year Carolyn Allen. However, fellow LD8 Rep. Michelle Reagan is also interested, and she may have a stronger base of support in LD8. Kavanagh couldn't be sure he would prevail in a primary battle with her. On the other hand, he is a near-certain lock to retain his House seat, even in LD8's Republican cattle call in the state representative primary (six candidates and counting).
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