As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
As with last week, the current schedule is a light one due to the holiday on Friday.
...In Congress, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are in recess until the new year, at which point they will start wrangling over health care reform.
...The Arizona legislature is doing its most beneficial work of the year for the people of AZ this week - no committee hearings, no legislative sessions, no nothing this week. They won't be actively making things worse for Arizonans this week (though some legislators may be making plans for just that during the coming session).
...The Arizona Corporation Commission has no public meetings scheduled this week, though there is a light hearing schedule. Everything seems to be focused on rates for Litchfield Park Service Co. and Global Water-Palo Verde Utilities Co.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting scheduled for Monday at noon. The agenda includes an executive session component as well as an open meeting component. The highlight of the open meeting portion is the adoption of financial disclosure standards for county elected officials. You know, the kind of stuff that Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas have used to cause so many problems for Supervisor Don Stapley et. al.
MCBOS' 2010 meeting schedule is here. There are already a couple of adjustments - the 1/5/2010 meeting will be held on 1/7 and the 1/13 meeting will be held on 1/12.
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week, though their Council Calendar is here. It's all Insight Bowl-related events.
...The Scottsdale City Council also isn't meeting this week. Their Community Meeting Notice is kind of light - nothing is planned for the week.
...The biggest meeting of the week looks to be AHCCCS' Public Hearing on Governor Brewer's recently-ordered cap on KidsCare enrollment, a hearing that will take place on Tuesday. Full details at this earlier post.
Not meeting at all this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Boards of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System and the Central Arizona Project, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College System, and the Arizona Board of Regents.
Later...
Showing posts with label MCCCD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MCCCD. Show all posts
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted), and subject to change without notice...
This will be a quick post, mostly because almost everybody is on a holiday schedule this week. Meaning that almost nothing will be happening.
...Having said that, let's start off with the highest profile exception to that statement, the U.S. Senate. They'll be in session most of the week, considering health care reform (LA Times). Expectations are that a final vote will be taken by Christmas, meaning that the bill won't go to conference committee until after the new year as the House is adjourned for the holidays. (Actually, there's a session planned for Wednesday, but that seems to be a pro forma session. I'll update if that changes.) The Senate's committee schedule is here; there's only one committee scheduled to meet this week - Judiciary on Thursday.
...Back here in AZ, the Arizona Corporation Commission has a Securities and Utilities meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Agenda here. The ACC's full hearing schedule is here. It's a light one.
...The Arizona Board of Regents isn't meeting this week. However, they are looking for a President of the Board.
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week, but their Council Calendar is here. There's one item on it this week - a holiday open house on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week, but the Community Meeting Notice is here. Summary: there's nothing scheduled this week. You might think that there is a holiday or something coming up. :)
...Everybody else isn't going to meet this week: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona State Legislature.
Have a happy and safe Christmas everybody, even Republicans...and a certain Libertarian commenter! :))
This will be a quick post, mostly because almost everybody is on a holiday schedule this week. Meaning that almost nothing will be happening.
...Having said that, let's start off with the highest profile exception to that statement, the U.S. Senate. They'll be in session most of the week, considering health care reform (LA Times). Expectations are that a final vote will be taken by Christmas, meaning that the bill won't go to conference committee until after the new year as the House is adjourned for the holidays. (Actually, there's a session planned for Wednesday, but that seems to be a pro forma session. I'll update if that changes.) The Senate's committee schedule is here; there's only one committee scheduled to meet this week - Judiciary on Thursday.
...Back here in AZ, the Arizona Corporation Commission has a Securities and Utilities meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Agenda here. The ACC's full hearing schedule is here. It's a light one.
...The Arizona Board of Regents isn't meeting this week. However, they are looking for a President of the Board.
...The Tempe City Council isn't meeting this week, but their Council Calendar is here. There's one item on it this week - a holiday open house on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week, but the Community Meeting Notice is here. Summary: there's nothing scheduled this week. You might think that there is a holiday or something coming up. :)
...Everybody else isn't going to meet this week: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona State Legislature.
Have a happy and safe Christmas everybody, even Republicans...and a certain Libertarian commenter! :))
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.
...In the U.S. House, the agenda looks to be pretty non-controversial, with the notable exception of possible consideration of a conference report on H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. Anything with that much money attached to it is certain to generate a fuss.
The House is expected (no guarantees on this however) to finish its business for the calendar year by Friday.
...The U.S. Senate will also be in session. Its committee schedule is here. Of interest to Arizonans: An Armed Services Committee hearing considering, among other things, the nominations of AZers Douglas Wilson as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Mary S. Matiella as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller.
Wilson's bio is on this page near the bottom (summary - he's a DLC Dem who spent most of the 1990s working for the Clinton administration); Matiella's bio is part of this article (she's held a number of finance-related positions in government, including for HUD and the Forest Service. She has been appointed to the Audit Subcommittee of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.)
...Back here in Arizona, the intersession makework schedule seems to be nearing its end.
- On Tuesday, the House Study Committee on Sentencing will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5.
- Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Capital Review will meet in SHR109 at 1 p.m. and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) will meet at 2 p.m in the same room. Both agendas contain an executive session component on private prisons. The item language on the respective agendas differs slightly so they may or may not pertain to the same matter. Either way, they address sending public money to private corporations that exist to profit from incarceration.
No sign of a special session. There were rumors that one more would develop before the end of the month, but that doesn't seem likely at this point. Things could change Monday morning, but... :)
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda of that "utilities" meeting is here. Its hearing calendar is here.
...The Citizens Clean Elections Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Agenda here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has an "informal" meeting scheduled for Monday, agenda here. The highlight of this one is the presentation and discussion regarding adoption of financial disclosure standards for County elected officials.
Whatever comes out of this one, you can be sure that Andrew Thomas and Joe Arpaio a) won't like it, and b) won't think it applies to themselves.
The supes have a "formal" meeting scheduled for Wednesday, agenda here.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District looks to have a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday night, at least according an item on the previous meeting's agenda. I can't find an agenda for a meeting this week, though a phone call to the district on Monday morning should definitively confirm/refute the existence of a special meeting.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week; the Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week; the Community Meeting Notice is here. The highlights of that are a meeting of the Charter Review Task Force on Monday and a meeting of the City Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee on Tuesday (members: Mayor Lane and Council members Littlefield and McCullagh).
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and Maricopa Integrated Health System.
Later...
...In the U.S. House, the agenda looks to be pretty non-controversial, with the notable exception of possible consideration of a conference report on H.R. 3326, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010. Anything with that much money attached to it is certain to generate a fuss.
The House is expected (no guarantees on this however) to finish its business for the calendar year by Friday.
...The U.S. Senate will also be in session. Its committee schedule is here. Of interest to Arizonans: An Armed Services Committee hearing considering, among other things, the nominations of AZers Douglas Wilson as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Mary S. Matiella as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller.
Wilson's bio is on this page near the bottom (summary - he's a DLC Dem who spent most of the 1990s working for the Clinton administration); Matiella's bio is part of this article (she's held a number of finance-related positions in government, including for HUD and the Forest Service. She has been appointed to the Audit Subcommittee of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.)
...Back here in Arizona, the intersession makework schedule seems to be nearing its end.
- On Tuesday, the House Study Committee on Sentencing will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR5.
- Wednesday, the Joint Committee on Capital Review will meet in SHR109 at 1 p.m. and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) will meet at 2 p.m in the same room. Both agendas contain an executive session component on private prisons. The item language on the respective agendas differs slightly so they may or may not pertain to the same matter. Either way, they address sending public money to private corporations that exist to profit from incarceration.
No sign of a special session. There were rumors that one more would develop before the end of the month, but that doesn't seem likely at this point. Things could change Monday morning, but... :)
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda of that "utilities" meeting is here. Its hearing calendar is here.
...The Citizens Clean Elections Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Agenda here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has an "informal" meeting scheduled for Monday, agenda here. The highlight of this one is the presentation and discussion regarding adoption of financial disclosure standards for County elected officials.
Whatever comes out of this one, you can be sure that Andrew Thomas and Joe Arpaio a) won't like it, and b) won't think it applies to themselves.
The supes have a "formal" meeting scheduled for Wednesday, agenda here.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District looks to have a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday night, at least according an item on the previous meeting's agenda. I can't find an agenda for a meeting this week, though a phone call to the district on Monday morning should definitively confirm/refute the existence of a special meeting.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week; the Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week; the Community Meeting Notice is here. The highlights of that are a meeting of the Charter Review Task Force on Monday and a meeting of the City Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee on Tuesday (members: Mayor Lane and Council members Littlefield and McCullagh).
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Boards of Directors of the Central Arizona Project and Maricopa Integrated Health System.
Later...
Sunday, December 06, 2009
The coming week....
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice.
...This should be the last "busy" week of the year as most political bodies try to get a month's work into the first two weeks of that month.
...In the U.S. House, the agenda includes the as-yet-unnumbered Tax Extenders of 2009 act some info here; it looks to be a bill to extend some tax relief for charitable contributions, alternative fuels development and more. Also on the agenda is H.R. 4173, The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. CBO summary here. House Rules hearing on Tuesday.
This will pass the House but the Republicans will absolutely hate it, and enough Senate Dems (Baucus, Schumer, Lincoln, etc.) could cross over on this one and block it from passing the Senate or at least balk enough to remove any teeth from this bill.
...The Senate will continue to consider health care reform. They have hundreds ofobstructions amendments proposed by the Rs to slog through. Other than that, the Senate's committee schedule is here. Perhaps of greatest interest to Arizonans is Wednesday's hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. There, they will consider a number of executive branch nominations, including that of Phoenix's P. David Lopez as general counsel (chief lawyer) for the EEOC. Lopez' statement from a November hearing is here. Lopez is an ASU alum and has worked for the EEOC since 1994, primarily as a trial attorney.
...Back here in Arizona, the Legislature's makework schedule is abating somewhat.
- On Monday, Sen. Sylvia "6000 years" Allen's Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR1.
- Also on Monday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Regulations will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR1.
Look for these to be industry lobby-fests, and nothing more.
- Still on Monday, the Senate's Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastucture, and Public Debt will meet at 2:30 p.m. in SHR109 to discuss the state of the state's finances with JLBC and State Treasurer Dean Martin.
Look for this to be a combination bashfest (blaming Democrats for everything) and stump speech/posturing by unofficial candidate for governor Martin.
- In other lege news, House Democrats is inviting the public to legislative issue and advocacy forums in Tucson (Monday), Yuma (Tuesday), and Sierra Vista (Wednesday.) There will be more opportunities to meet with legislators about the state's budget issues and learn how to make their voices heard on West Washington.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to hold a special open meeting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday concerning resource planning/rulemaking and APS' permanent rates. ACC's complete hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has special meetings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Monday's agenda is devoted hearing a presentation on the issues facing the County in the next five years and strategic planning.
Tuesday's agenda isn't posted yet, but an executive session regarding the latest litigation spawned by Joe Arpaio and Andy Thomas is well within the realm of possibility.
,,,The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System will hold a special meeting Monday afternoon. The agenda includes both executive and open session components regarding assignment of contracts from MedPro to the newly-formed District Medical Group.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes an executive session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. The current agenda looks to be pretty mundane, though there will be special meetings on Wednesday (5:00 p.m.) and next Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) and officer elections in January, all of which promise to be interesting.
...The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The Council's Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. The regular meeting agenda includes the appointment of a new City Attorney while the agenda for the executive session (planned for 2 p.m.) includes items regarding discussion of and legal advice pertaining to the acquisition of real property, including assets of Arizona American Water within Scottsdale. More on that last in a later post.
Scottsdale's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
...This should be the last "busy" week of the year as most political bodies try to get a month's work into the first two weeks of that month.
...In the U.S. House, the agenda includes the as-yet-unnumbered Tax Extenders of 2009 act some info here; it looks to be a bill to extend some tax relief for charitable contributions, alternative fuels development and more. Also on the agenda is H.R. 4173, The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. CBO summary here. House Rules hearing on Tuesday.
This will pass the House but the Republicans will absolutely hate it, and enough Senate Dems (Baucus, Schumer, Lincoln, etc.) could cross over on this one and block it from passing the Senate or at least balk enough to remove any teeth from this bill.
...The Senate will continue to consider health care reform. They have hundreds of
...Back here in Arizona, the Legislature's makework schedule is abating somewhat.
- On Monday, Sen. Sylvia "6000 years" Allen's Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR1.
- Also on Monday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Regulations will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR1.
Look for these to be industry lobby-fests, and nothing more.
- Still on Monday, the Senate's Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastucture, and Public Debt will meet at 2:30 p.m. in SHR109 to discuss the state of the state's finances with JLBC and State Treasurer Dean Martin.
Look for this to be a combination bashfest (blaming Democrats for everything) and stump speech/posturing by unofficial candidate for governor Martin.
- In other lege news, House Democrats is inviting the public to legislative issue and advocacy forums in Tucson (Monday), Yuma (Tuesday), and Sierra Vista (Wednesday.) There will be more opportunities to meet with legislators about the state's budget issues and learn how to make their voices heard on West Washington.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to hold a special open meeting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday concerning resource planning/rulemaking and APS' permanent rates. ACC's complete hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has special meetings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Monday's agenda is devoted hearing a presentation on the issues facing the County in the next five years and strategic planning.
Tuesday's agenda isn't posted yet, but an executive session regarding the latest litigation spawned by Joe Arpaio and Andy Thomas is well within the realm of possibility.
,,,The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System will hold a special meeting Monday afternoon. The agenda includes both executive and open session components regarding assignment of contracts from MedPro to the newly-formed District Medical Group.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes an executive session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. The current agenda looks to be pretty mundane, though there will be special meetings on Wednesday (5:00 p.m.) and next Tuesday (6:30 p.m.) and officer elections in January, all of which promise to be interesting.
...The Tempe City Council will meet on Thursday. The Council's Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet on Tuesday. The regular meeting agenda includes the appointment of a new City Attorney while the agenda for the executive session (planned for 2 p.m.) includes items regarding discussion of and legal advice pertaining to the acquisition of real property, including assets of Arizona American Water within Scottsdale. More on that last in a later post.
Scottsdale's Community Meeting Notice is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Arizona Board of Regents, the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
This will be a brief post due to other pressing matters, but I'll try to hit the high points.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, they'll be reconvening after their holiday recess on Tuesday. Much of the week's agenda will be taken up with post office namings and the like, but one highlight will be consideration of H.R. 4154, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009. From the CRS summary -
Oh yeah...
...The most interesting week should be in the U.S. Senate - they'll be holding floor debate on health care reform. Because of the cloture vote taken on November 21, there will be limits on the debate (though there will still be a lot of it). As such, expect Republican obstructionists to whine that there won't be "enough time" to properly consider all of the ramifications of health care reform.
That's crap.
The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a securities meeting on Monday; the ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Arizona Board of Regents will meet on Thursday and Friday at U of A. The agenda is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will meet in "informal" session on Monday and *formal* session on Wednesday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a regular meeting on Thursday.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week, but the Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. At 2 p.m., they will hold an executive session to interview three candidates for the vacant City Attorney job. At 5 p.m., they will hold a regular meeting. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Later...
This will be a brief post due to other pressing matters, but I'll try to hit the high points.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, they'll be reconvening after their holiday recess on Tuesday. Much of the week's agenda will be taken up with post office namings and the like, but one highlight will be consideration of H.R. 4154, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009. From the CRS summary -
Repeals provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) eliminating the tax on estates and generation-skipping transfers and the step-up in basis provisions for property acquired from a decedent for estates of decedents dying after 2009. Declares that the sunset provision (general terminating date of December 10, 2010) of EGTRRA shall not apply to title V of such Act (Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Provisions).Yup, there will be serious controversy over this one.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a $3.5 million estate tax exclusion and a reduction in the maximum estate and gift tax rate to 45% after 2009.
Oh yeah...
...The most interesting week should be in the U.S. Senate - they'll be holding floor debate on health care reform. Because of the cloture vote taken on November 21, there will be limits on the debate (though there will still be a lot of it). As such, expect Republican obstructionists to whine that there won't be "enough time" to properly consider all of the ramifications of health care reform.
That's crap.
The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a securities meeting on Monday; the ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Arizona Board of Regents will meet on Thursday and Friday at U of A. The agenda is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will meet in "informal" session on Monday and *formal* session on Wednesday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a regular meeting on Thursday.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week, but the Council Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. At 2 p.m., they will hold an executive session to interview three candidates for the vacant City Attorney job. At 5 p.m., they will hold a regular meeting. The City's Community Meeting Notice is here.
Later...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...
This week's schedule is pretty sparse due to the holiday on Thursday, though there will be some excitement at the Arizona legislature early in the week.
...The U.S. House and Senate are in recess this week. I was going to offer a quip about the turkeys having some turkey this week (or something else equally trite), but since the Senate Dems held together long enough to break a Republican filibuster on health care reform, I'll be nice. :)
...The Arizona legislature will meet again on Monday to attempt to pass the latest budget patch. They may get something done, or they may not. I'm not betting on this one. If it doesn't get done this week, a patch may have to wait until the next special session, rumored to be taking place early next month.
It's already looking like the next regular session of the lege (starting in January) will see the ideologues of the Arizona chapter of the Flat Earth Society running roughshod over pragmatism - the first two House bill proposals are already posted on the lege's website. HB2001 would establish the "I didn't pay enough fund" for taxpayers to voluntarily pay more in taxes; HCR2001 would proclaim Arizona's sovereignty from federal laws under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (aka the "we're going to ignore any federal law that we want to" Act).
Those measures are sponsored or cosponsored by 46 and 47 of the most extreme members of the lege GOP caucus.
Of course, given that there are only 53 GOPers in the lege, that should tell you something about how nutty this bunch is.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but they do have an abbreviated hearing schedule (nothing on Thursday, Friday, or next Monday).
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting on tap for Monday at 1 p.m. The highlight looks to be a settlement/surrender in the case of the lawsuits (here and here) brought by County Treasurer Charles Hoskins. Some background from AZCentral.com here. No word on if the results of the latest audit of the Treasurer's office played a part in the settlement.
...On Monday, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings on tap - an executive session at noon and a regular meeting at 1 p.m. The exec session will focus mostly on employment issues.
...On Tuesday, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will hold a regular meeting. The agenda is light. There is an executive session (contracts and compensation) followed by an open meeting that is almost entirely consent agenda stuff.
In short, they should be adjourned by 7:30 p.m. And given that it is a holiday week and there is another meeting scheduled for early December, they may just make it on this one.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week, but their brief Council Calendar is available here.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week either, but their Community Meeting Notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
This week's schedule is pretty sparse due to the holiday on Thursday, though there will be some excitement at the Arizona legislature early in the week.
...The U.S. House and Senate are in recess this week. I was going to offer a quip about the turkeys having some turkey this week (or something else equally trite), but since the Senate Dems held together long enough to break a Republican filibuster on health care reform, I'll be nice. :)
...The Arizona legislature will meet again on Monday to attempt to pass the latest budget patch. They may get something done, or they may not. I'm not betting on this one. If it doesn't get done this week, a patch may have to wait until the next special session, rumored to be taking place early next month.
It's already looking like the next regular session of the lege (starting in January) will see the ideologues of the Arizona chapter of the Flat Earth Society running roughshod over pragmatism - the first two House bill proposals are already posted on the lege's website. HB2001 would establish the "I didn't pay enough fund" for taxpayers to voluntarily pay more in taxes; HCR2001 would proclaim Arizona's sovereignty from federal laws under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (aka the "we're going to ignore any federal law that we want to" Act).
Those measures are sponsored or cosponsored by 46 and 47 of the most extreme members of the lege GOP caucus.
Of course, given that there are only 53 GOPers in the lege, that should tell you something about how nutty this bunch is.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any full meetings scheduled this week, but they do have an abbreviated hearing schedule (nothing on Thursday, Friday, or next Monday).
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a special meeting on tap for Monday at 1 p.m. The highlight looks to be a settlement/surrender in the case of the lawsuits (here and here) brought by County Treasurer Charles Hoskins. Some background from AZCentral.com here. No word on if the results of the latest audit of the Treasurer's office played a part in the settlement.
...On Monday, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings on tap - an executive session at noon and a regular meeting at 1 p.m. The exec session will focus mostly on employment issues.
...On Tuesday, the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District will hold a regular meeting. The agenda is light. There is an executive session (contracts and compensation) followed by an open meeting that is almost entirely consent agenda stuff.
In short, they should be adjourned by 7:30 p.m. And given that it is a holiday week and there is another meeting scheduled for early December, they may just make it on this one.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week, but their brief Council Calendar is available here.
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week either, but their Community Meeting Notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice.
This is shaping up to be a busy week as most political entities try to clear as much work as possible off of their dockets before the holiday season hits full force.
...The U.S. House of Representatives is back in session this week, starting Monday afternoon. The official agenda doesn't list "health care reform politicking", but that activity is certain to grab most of the media's attention this week and every week until a final bill is passed by both chambers.
The House does have some regular work to do this week, and while none of the items at hand shape up to be as interesting or contentious as health care reform, this will still be a busy week for politics-watchers.
Of interest to Arizonans -
H.R. 1834, the Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009, sponsored by AZ1's Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. The purpose of the bill is to "..amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians..." CRS summary here. Heard under suspension of the rules, so a 2/3 majority is required for passage.
H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. The bill is sponsored by AZ5's Rep. Harry Mitchell. CRS summary is here. CBO analysis here (cost estimate: $2.7 billion thru 2014, $2.1 billion thereafter, assuming funds are appropriated. This is only an authorization bill). This bill will be the subject of a House Rules Committee hearing on Tuesday at 3 p.m. (EST).
- Of more general interest, but certain to generate some serious controvery -
H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. CRS summary here. CBO estimates here (expected to increase federal spending by $210 billion over 10 years).
Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. CRS summary here. This one has some "interesting" provisions, like prohibiting the use of funds "to implement, administer, or enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion."
Who wrote this stuff? Bush appointees?
...Over in the U. S. Senate, expect some serious arm-twisting over health care reform. The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...Back here in Arizona, the Arizona Legislature may or may not be holding a special session this week. And whether or not they do, in fact, hold a session this week, few Capitol watchers expect any significant progress toward a real fix for the budget mess until after the new year.
However, special session or no, the makework schedule continues unabated.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Energy and Water Development will meet on Monday at 8:30 a.m. in SHR1.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR1. The meeting will be chaired by the mining industry's personal representative to the State Senate, Sylvia Allen. She will be asking mining industry lobbyists and executives what kind of government regulations they want for their business.
Look at the agenda (linked above). I'm not exaggerating.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Regulations will meet on Monday at 3 p.m. in HHR1. Agribusiness' personal rep in the State Senate, Steve Pierce, will be in the same place doing the same thing for his keepers that Sylvia Allen was doing for hers two hours earlier.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tuition Tax Credit Review will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR5. It's already apparent that Speaker Adams' hand-picked committee to look into STOs and the tax credit program is less an "inquiry" and more a "pep rally."
One of the scheduled presenters at the hearing is Dr. Charles M. North, an economics professor from Baylor University.
I thought that Waco, Texas (home of Baylor U) was a *little* far to go in search of an economics expert who could discuss the economic impacts of STOs and tuition tax credits on Arizona. U of A, ASU, and NAU have economics faculty who are competent. Even renowned.
And UA, ASU, and NAU are a LOT closer.
Hmmm...I wonder who's paying for Dr. North's trip to AZ? I would love to get a look at the expense records of the lege and a couple of STOs to find out.
Anyway, a little quick research on Dr. North found he has authored publications like "Going to College, Getting a Job: What Happens when Mom and Dad Take Their Kids to Church," "Must the poor always be with us? What do we do?" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger? The Role of Vouchers in Regulating Private Schools."
And that was just stuff from his official bio at Baylor, linked above.
Instead of handing out copies of the agenda before this meeting, why don't they just hand out copies of the script, so everyone can follow along???
- The House Government and Senate Government Institutions Committee of Reference will meet on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in HHR5. The meeting is for the sunset reviews of the Arizona Legislative Council, the Office of the Auditor General, and the Arizona State Library, Archive and Public Records.
- The Ad Hoc Legislative Committee on Agency Information Technology will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5.
...Anyway, I've got something else to do this afternoon, so I will complete this post later today...
Edit later on 11/15 to complete this post with info from county, local, and other state political bodies/agencies...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday. The agenda is a long one. Many of the items will impact readers all over the state (rate hikes and related items) but the one that could have the most direct impact on readers in my vicinity (LD17 and environs) is this one -
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. No agenda posted online as of this writing.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has its normal schedule of meetings for the week - an "informal" meeting with an executive session component on Monday and a "formal" meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Both agendas look to be pretty mundane, but there is a *lot* of stuff here as they try to clear the decks in preparation for the holiday season.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has a special session on tap for Monday. It will primarily be an executive session discussing the contract of Betsey Bayless, the CEO of MIHS. On Wednesday, the Board has a "retreat" scheduled - discussion of objectives, best practices, and the like.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project doesn't have a full board meeting scheduled this week, but it will still be active.
- On Wednesday, CAP's Systems Operations Advisory Group will meet at 9 a.m.
- On Thursday, their Public Policy Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m.
- On Thursday, the Board (or such members as show up) will hold a work/study session on Recovery Planning/Projects.
...The Tempe City Council will meet Thursday. The agenda looks pretty boring except for initial consideration of a resolution expressing support for a consolidation plan from the City Manager for Tempe city government.
The Council's Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, and the agenda looks to be an interesting one.
- Item 10, on the consent agenda, covers the referral to a special election of charter amendments. Assuming approval, the election would be held on March 9, 2010.
- Items 13 and 14, also on the consent agenda, are related to lawsuits against the City. 13 is funding for the settlement of one suit, 14 is for paying an attorney to fight another one.
An AZ Republic article on the lawsuit behind #14 here.
- Item 23 relates to discussion and possible initiation of a Zoning Ordinance text amendment to update current regulations of live entertainment. This one was requested by Council member Lisa Borowsky.
- Item 24 concerns the appointment of an Acting City Manager (candidates David Ellison, David Richert, and Brent Stockwell, all current City employees) and the establishment of a process for finding a permanent City Manager (includes the creation of a Mayor-appointed "City Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee). This one has a possible executive session component associated with it.
- Item 25 (no hyperlink available) is "requested" by Council member Borowsky but it looks like it is straight out of Mayor Jim Lane's "outsource everything" playbook.
The City's Community Meetings notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District. The Arizona Board of Regents has *something* going on, but I'm not sure what.
This is shaping up to be a busy week as most political entities try to clear as much work as possible off of their dockets before the holiday season hits full force.
...The U.S. House of Representatives is back in session this week, starting Monday afternoon. The official agenda doesn't list "health care reform politicking", but that activity is certain to grab most of the media's attention this week and every week until a final bill is passed by both chambers.
The House does have some regular work to do this week, and while none of the items at hand shape up to be as interesting or contentious as health care reform, this will still be a busy week for politics-watchers.
Of interest to Arizonans -
H.R. 1834, the Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009, sponsored by AZ1's Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. The purpose of the bill is to "..amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians..." CRS summary here. Heard under suspension of the rules, so a 2/3 majority is required for passage.
H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. The bill is sponsored by AZ5's Rep. Harry Mitchell. CRS summary is here. CBO analysis here (cost estimate: $2.7 billion thru 2014, $2.1 billion thereafter, assuming funds are appropriated. This is only an authorization bill). This bill will be the subject of a House Rules Committee hearing on Tuesday at 3 p.m. (EST).
- Of more general interest, but certain to generate some serious controvery -
H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. CRS summary here. CBO estimates here (expected to increase federal spending by $210 billion over 10 years).
Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. CRS summary here. This one has some "interesting" provisions, like prohibiting the use of funds "to implement, administer, or enforce any EEOC guidelines covering harassment based on religion."
Who wrote this stuff? Bush appointees?
...Over in the U. S. Senate, expect some serious arm-twisting over health care reform. The Senate's committee schedule is here.
...Back here in Arizona, the Arizona Legislature may or may not be holding a special session this week. And whether or not they do, in fact, hold a session this week, few Capitol watchers expect any significant progress toward a real fix for the budget mess until after the new year.
However, special session or no, the makework schedule continues unabated.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Energy and Water Development will meet on Monday at 8:30 a.m. in SHR1.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR1. The meeting will be chaired by the mining industry's personal representative to the State Senate, Sylvia Allen. She will be asking mining industry lobbyists and executives what kind of government regulations they want for their business.
Look at the agenda (linked above). I'm not exaggerating.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture Regulations will meet on Monday at 3 p.m. in HHR1. Agribusiness' personal rep in the State Senate, Steve Pierce, will be in the same place doing the same thing for his keepers that Sylvia Allen was doing for hers two hours earlier.
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tuition Tax Credit Review will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR5. It's already apparent that Speaker Adams' hand-picked committee to look into STOs and the tax credit program is less an "inquiry" and more a "pep rally."
One of the scheduled presenters at the hearing is Dr. Charles M. North, an economics professor from Baylor University.
I thought that Waco, Texas (home of Baylor U) was a *little* far to go in search of an economics expert who could discuss the economic impacts of STOs and tuition tax credits on Arizona. U of A, ASU, and NAU have economics faculty who are competent. Even renowned.
And UA, ASU, and NAU are a LOT closer.
Hmmm...I wonder who's paying for Dr. North's trip to AZ? I would love to get a look at the expense records of the lege and a couple of STOs to find out.
Anyway, a little quick research on Dr. North found he has authored publications like "Going to College, Getting a Job: What Happens when Mom and Dad Take Their Kids to Church," "Must the poor always be with us? What do we do?" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger? The Role of Vouchers in Regulating Private Schools."
And that was just stuff from his official bio at Baylor, linked above.
Instead of handing out copies of the agenda before this meeting, why don't they just hand out copies of the script, so everyone can follow along???
- The House Government and Senate Government Institutions Committee of Reference will meet on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in HHR5. The meeting is for the sunset reviews of the Arizona Legislative Council, the Office of the Auditor General, and the Arizona State Library, Archive and Public Records.
- The Ad Hoc Legislative Committee on Agency Information Technology will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR5.
...Anyway, I've got something else to do this afternoon, so I will complete this post later today...
Edit later on 11/15 to complete this post with info from county, local, and other state political bodies/agencies...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday. The agenda is a long one. Many of the items will impact readers all over the state (rate hikes and related items) but the one that could have the most direct impact on readers in my vicinity (LD17 and environs) is this one -
26. Arizona-American Water Company (W-01303A-08-0227 and SW-01303A-080227) – Application for a Determination of the Current Fair Value of its UtilityThe ACC's full hearing schedule is here.
Plant and Property and for Increases in its Rates and Charges Based Thereon For Utility Service by its Agua Fria Water District, Havasu Water District, Mohave Water District, Paradise Valley Water District, Sun City West Water District and Tubac Water District; Application for a Determination of the Current Fair Value of its Utility Plant and Property and for Increases in its Rates and Charges Based
Thereon For Utility Service by its Mohave Wastewater District.
...The Citizens Clean Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. No agenda posted online as of this writing.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has its normal schedule of meetings for the week - an "informal" meeting with an executive session component on Monday and a "formal" meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Both agendas look to be pretty mundane, but there is a *lot* of stuff here as they try to clear the decks in preparation for the holiday season.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has a special session on tap for Monday. It will primarily be an executive session discussing the contract of Betsey Bayless, the CEO of MIHS. On Wednesday, the Board has a "retreat" scheduled - discussion of objectives, best practices, and the like.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project doesn't have a full board meeting scheduled this week, but it will still be active.
- On Wednesday, CAP's Systems Operations Advisory Group will meet at 9 a.m.
- On Thursday, their Public Policy Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m.
- On Thursday, the Board (or such members as show up) will hold a work/study session on Recovery Planning/Projects.
...The Tempe City Council will meet Thursday. The agenda looks pretty boring except for initial consideration of a resolution expressing support for a consolidation plan from the City Manager for Tempe city government.
The Council's Calendar is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, and the agenda looks to be an interesting one.
- Item 10, on the consent agenda, covers the referral to a special election of charter amendments. Assuming approval, the election would be held on March 9, 2010.
- Items 13 and 14, also on the consent agenda, are related to lawsuits against the City. 13 is funding for the settlement of one suit, 14 is for paying an attorney to fight another one.
An AZ Republic article on the lawsuit behind #14 here.
- Item 23 relates to discussion and possible initiation of a Zoning Ordinance text amendment to update current regulations of live entertainment. This one was requested by Council member Lisa Borowsky.
- Item 24 concerns the appointment of an Acting City Manager (candidates David Ellison, David Richert, and Brent Stockwell, all current City employees) and the establishment of a process for finding a permanent City Manager (includes the creation of a Mayor-appointed "City Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee). This one has a possible executive session component associated with it.
- Item 25 (no hyperlink available) is "requested" by Council member Borowsky but it looks like it is straight out of Mayor Jim Lane's "outsource everything" playbook.
Request: At the request of Vice Mayor Borowsky, discussion and possible action or direction to staff on reorganizing the Government Relations Department, including budgetary matters, possible initiation of the RFP process to use outside contractors to provide government relations services, and location of the Government Relations Department within the city organizational structure.The City's Charter Review Task Force is scheduled to meet on Monday. Agenda here.
The City's Community Meetings notice is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District. The Arizona Board of Regents has *something* going on, but I'm not sure what.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted), and subject to change without notice...
...After the rare Saturday hubbub in the U. S. House (over health care reform), the House will be in recess for a week. Which probably explains the need to hold a Saturday session...
...The U. S. Senate is also expected to recess for a week, though their committee schedule will continue...
...Here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the legislature is still out of session.
There are rumors that a special session is in the works, but a special session hasn't actually been called yet.
The intersession makework schedule continues, however -
- On Monday, the House Health and Human Services and Senate Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform Committee of Reference will meet in SHR1 at noon for sunset reviews of the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Board of Psychologist Examiners, Advisory Council on Aging, Board of Homeopathic and Integrated Medicine Examiners, Department of Health Services, Maricopa Integrated Health System, and Arizona Athletic Trainers Association.
Note: Some of the Auditor General's sunset review audits can be found on their website.
- On Tuesday, the House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary Committee of Reference will meet at 10 a.m. in HHR5 to consider the sunset review of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
- On Tuesday. the Joint Committee on Capital Review will meet at 2 p.m. in SHR109. The agenda includes an executive session on a prison concession agreement.
- On Thursday, the House Military Affairs and Public Safety and Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee of Reference will meet at 10 a.m. in HHR5 for the sunset review of the Department of Juvenile Corrections.
- On Thursday, the Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR2. This meeting will include a presentation from the Attorney General's office on the status of their investigation in the abuses by STOs, as well as a call to the public for their input on the matter.
Not to say that the Republican leadership of the lege is showing their pettiness, but this committee is chaired by a Democrat (D17's own Rep. David Schapira) and it is *not* included on the schedules of activities at the lege. The committee hearings chaired by their members are, and yesterday's Nazi rally at the Capitol was (as is a teabagger rally coming up on Wednesday), but not this.
Hmmm...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any meetings of the full Commission scheduled, but their hearing schedule is here. It's a light one, with a holiday on Wednesday and an off day on Friday.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a few things on tap this week.
- On Monday, they are holding a special meeting, with both executive session and open session components. This one involves continuing an agreement with the MCSO over computer use and operation. This one should be simple, but given the rancor between MCBOS and MCSO, this could blow up at any moment.
- On Tuesday, the Board is holding another special session, though this one will be less contentious - it's ceremony to honor Veterans' Day on Wednesday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project does not have a regular meeting scheduled for this week, but it still has the "eye-opener" of the week, at least as far as this list of events is concerned.
- On Thursday, the CAWCD Insurance Company, Inc. (insuring the Central Arizona Project) is holding its annual membership meeting and its annual directors meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A little pre-Thanksgiving junket to Hawaii? Nice work if you can get it...
There's a good reason for it, though (really!! :)) ) - this corporation, which exists solely to insure CAP, a quasi-governmental entity in Arizona, is incorporated in Hawaii. Not in Arizona.
Hmmm2...
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week, but their Community Meetings notice is here.
...The Tempe City Council also is not scheduled to meet this week; their Council Calendar is here.
Also not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
...After the rare Saturday hubbub in the U. S. House (over health care reform), the House will be in recess for a week. Which probably explains the need to hold a Saturday session...
...The U. S. Senate is also expected to recess for a week, though their committee schedule will continue...
...Here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the legislature is still out of session.
There are rumors that a special session is in the works, but a special session hasn't actually been called yet.
The intersession makework schedule continues, however -
- On Monday, the House Health and Human Services and Senate Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform Committee of Reference will meet in SHR1 at noon for sunset reviews of the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Board of Psychologist Examiners, Advisory Council on Aging, Board of Homeopathic and Integrated Medicine Examiners, Department of Health Services, Maricopa Integrated Health System, and Arizona Athletic Trainers Association.
Note: Some of the Auditor General's sunset review audits can be found on their website.
- On Tuesday, the House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary Committee of Reference will meet at 10 a.m. in HHR5 to consider the sunset review of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
- On Tuesday. the Joint Committee on Capital Review will meet at 2 p.m. in SHR109. The agenda includes an executive session on a prison concession agreement.
- On Thursday, the House Military Affairs and Public Safety and Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee of Reference will meet at 10 a.m. in HHR5 for the sunset review of the Department of Juvenile Corrections.
- On Thursday, the Bipartisan Task Force on the Private School Tuition Tax Credits program will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR2. This meeting will include a presentation from the Attorney General's office on the status of their investigation in the abuses by STOs, as well as a call to the public for their input on the matter.
Not to say that the Republican leadership of the lege is showing their pettiness, but this committee is chaired by a Democrat (D17's own Rep. David Schapira) and it is *not* included on the schedules of activities at the lege. The committee hearings chaired by their members are, and yesterday's Nazi rally at the Capitol was (as is a teabagger rally coming up on Wednesday), but not this.
Hmmm...
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any meetings of the full Commission scheduled, but their hearing schedule is here. It's a light one, with a holiday on Wednesday and an off day on Friday.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a few things on tap this week.
- On Monday, they are holding a special meeting, with both executive session and open session components. This one involves continuing an agreement with the MCSO over computer use and operation. This one should be simple, but given the rancor between MCBOS and MCSO, this could blow up at any moment.
- On Tuesday, the Board is holding another special session, though this one will be less contentious - it's ceremony to honor Veterans' Day on Wednesday.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project does not have a regular meeting scheduled for this week, but it still has the "eye-opener" of the week, at least as far as this list of events is concerned.
- On Thursday, the CAWCD Insurance Company, Inc. (insuring the Central Arizona Project) is holding its annual membership meeting and its annual directors meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A little pre-Thanksgiving junket to Hawaii? Nice work if you can get it...
There's a good reason for it, though (really!! :)) ) - this corporation, which exists solely to insure CAP, a quasi-governmental entity in Arizona, is incorporated in Hawaii. Not in Arizona.
Hmmm2...
...The Scottsdale City Council isn't meeting this week, but their Community Meetings notice is here.
...The Tempe City Council also is not scheduled to meet this week; their Council Calendar is here.
Also not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice...
This week looks to be an active one at all levels of the political food chain.
...In the U.S. House, the agenda has many of the usual memorials and such, as well as a couple of more controversial bills, but most of the country's attention will be focused on one bill that *may* be heard this week -
H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Preliminary analysis of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) here. Also, the CBO has a brief explanation of its analyses and a comparison of this bill and the health care reform measure passed by the Senate Finance Committee here.
...Over in the Senate, their work will probably be overshadowed by the hubbub in the House, but their committee schedule is here.
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the lege and Governor are still fiddling around. The pace of the make-work is picking up though, so maybe they'll start thinking about doing their real job.
Of course, they may just want to be in town early to get the best seats for next weekend's Nazi rally at the Capitol (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Senate lawn).
On to the schedule of make-work -
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR1. The committee's co-chair is Sen. Sylvia Allen, so expect something along the lines of "the Earth was created without regulations 6000 years ago, and if no regulation worked then, it'll work now."
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Energy and Water Development will meet on Monday at 9 a.m. in HHR3.
- The House Education and Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee of Reference will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR1. The subject of the meeting will be the school district performance audits of Tempe Union High School District as well as the unified school districts of Apache Junction, Ash Fork, Lake Havasu, and St. Johns.
The Auditor's report is here; TUHSD's response is here.
This one *could* have a minor impact on next year's elections.
The school board of TUHSD is headed up by Mary Lou Taylor, a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The co-chair of the committee of reference is Rep. Rich Crandall, someone who has been rumored to be interested in that position, too. If he really is interested in the job, he could see that the heat is turned up on TUHSD.
Given that TUHSD's response to the audit report was one of agreement, I expect this one to be fairly uneventful.
- The Joint Legislative Audit Committee will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR1.
- The House Commerce and Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee of Reference will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. They'll be doing sunset reviews of the office of the Auditor General (it's controlled directly by the lege leadership, so it is safe), the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (not so safe - who needs the DLLC and control, when there are now plenty of guns in bars to keep things under control? :) ), and the Sports and Tourism Authority (spends a lot of taxpayer money to help out corporate interests, so it is probably safe).
- The House Banking and Insurance and Senate Finance Committee of Reference will meet on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in HHR5. They'll be doing the sunset review of the State Board of Investment.
- The House Banking and Insurance and Senate Retirement and Rural Development Committee of Reference will meet at 1:30 p.m on Wednesday in HHR5 to consider the sunset review of the Department of Insurance.
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee of Reference will meet on Thursday at 2 p.m. in HHR4 to consider the sunset reviews of ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division and the Gila County Transportation Excise Tax (report here).
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a securities meeting on Thursday (agenda here). Radical Bunny LLC is part of the ACC's regular hearing schedule (Tuesday, 11 a.m.). That one should be familiar to people who follow fraud cases in AZ.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold two meetings this week. At Monday's "informal" meeting (agenda here) the highlight looks to be an item to consider and approve a settlement of legal actions between the County and former County School Superintendent Sandra Dowling.
The agenda for Wednesday's "formal" meeting includes an item to establish a photo enforcement fee for photo radar tickets adjudicated through the justice courts system. The justice courts are currently swamped under the load stemming from the increased use of photo enforcement, and need the revenue to hire pro tem judges specifically dedicated to hearing those cases.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is holding a special meeting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. to formulate a plan for addressing the matters brought out in the recent complaint to the Higher Learning Commission.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a meeting in Tucson on Thursday. The agenda includes consideration of legislative activities and a presentation on EPA rulemaking on emissions from the Navajo Generating Station.
...The Tempe City Council is holding a meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Agenda here; council calendar here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will be busy this week. In addition to the previously covered activities on Monday, they've got a regularly scheduled meeting on tap for Tuesday. The highlight of that agenda could be item 20, a reorganization of the City's Financial Services Division that would remove most of that area from the City Manager's purview (whoever that might be after Monday's special meeting on the employment status of John Little.) Also of interest is a proposal to increase the city's bed tax in order to provide more tourism development support.
The City's community meetings calendar is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, and the Arizona Board of Regents.
This week looks to be an active one at all levels of the political food chain.
...In the U.S. House, the agenda has many of the usual memorials and such, as well as a couple of more controversial bills, but most of the country's attention will be focused on one bill that *may* be heard this week -
H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Preliminary analysis of the bill from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) here. Also, the CBO has a brief explanation of its analyses and a comparison of this bill and the health care reform measure passed by the Senate Finance Committee here.
...Over in the Senate, their work will probably be overshadowed by the hubbub in the House, but their committee schedule is here.
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the lege and Governor are still fiddling around. The pace of the make-work is picking up though, so maybe they'll start thinking about doing their real job.
Of course, they may just want to be in town early to get the best seats for next weekend's Nazi rally at the Capitol (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Senate lawn).
On to the schedule of make-work -
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Mining Regulations will meet on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR1. The committee's co-chair is Sen. Sylvia Allen, so expect something along the lines of "the Earth was created without regulations 6000 years ago, and if no regulation worked then, it'll work now."
- The Ad Hoc Committee on Energy and Water Development will meet on Monday at 9 a.m. in HHR3.
- The House Education and Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee of Reference will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR1. The subject of the meeting will be the school district performance audits of Tempe Union High School District as well as the unified school districts of Apache Junction, Ash Fork, Lake Havasu, and St. Johns.
The Auditor's report is here; TUHSD's response is here.
This one *could* have a minor impact on next year's elections.
The school board of TUHSD is headed up by Mary Lou Taylor, a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The co-chair of the committee of reference is Rep. Rich Crandall, someone who has been rumored to be interested in that position, too. If he really is interested in the job, he could see that the heat is turned up on TUHSD.
Given that TUHSD's response to the audit report was one of agreement, I expect this one to be fairly uneventful.
- The Joint Legislative Audit Committee will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in SHR1.
- The House Commerce and Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee of Reference will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. They'll be doing sunset reviews of the office of the Auditor General (it's controlled directly by the lege leadership, so it is safe), the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (not so safe - who needs the DLLC and control, when there are now plenty of guns in bars to keep things under control? :) ), and the Sports and Tourism Authority (spends a lot of taxpayer money to help out corporate interests, so it is probably safe).
- The House Banking and Insurance and Senate Finance Committee of Reference will meet on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in HHR5. They'll be doing the sunset review of the State Board of Investment.
- The House Banking and Insurance and Senate Retirement and Rural Development Committee of Reference will meet at 1:30 p.m on Wednesday in HHR5 to consider the sunset review of the Department of Insurance.
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee of Reference will meet on Thursday at 2 p.m. in HHR4 to consider the sunset reviews of ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division and the Gila County Transportation Excise Tax (report here).
...The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a securities meeting on Thursday (agenda here). Radical Bunny LLC is part of the ACC's regular hearing schedule (Tuesday, 11 a.m.). That one should be familiar to people who follow fraud cases in AZ.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold two meetings this week. At Monday's "informal" meeting (agenda here) the highlight looks to be an item to consider and approve a settlement of legal actions between the County and former County School Superintendent Sandra Dowling.
The agenda for Wednesday's "formal" meeting includes an item to establish a photo enforcement fee for photo radar tickets adjudicated through the justice courts system. The justice courts are currently swamped under the load stemming from the increased use of photo enforcement, and need the revenue to hire pro tem judges specifically dedicated to hearing those cases.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is holding a special meeting on Friday at 8:30 a.m. to formulate a plan for addressing the matters brought out in the recent complaint to the Higher Learning Commission.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold a meeting in Tucson on Thursday. The agenda includes consideration of legislative activities and a presentation on EPA rulemaking on emissions from the Navajo Generating Station.
...The Tempe City Council is holding a meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Agenda here; council calendar here.
...The Scottsdale City Council will be busy this week. In addition to the previously covered activities on Monday, they've got a regularly scheduled meeting on tap for Tuesday. The highlight of that agenda could be item 20, a reorganization of the City's Financial Services Division that would remove most of that area from the City Manager's purview (whoever that might be after Monday's special meeting on the employment status of John Little.) Also of interest is a proposal to increase the city's bed tax in order to provide more tourism development support.
The City's community meetings calendar is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, and the Arizona Board of Regents.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice...
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, the agenda contains a large number of memorials and congratulatory resolutions, but there will be a few measures that generate some controversy.
As well as some serious posturing over health care reform. :)
However, this post concerns agendized items only. :))
On the agenda -
- H.R. 3854, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009. "To amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve programs providing access to capital under such Acts..." AZ's Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) is a cosponsor of the measure. This measure will be subject to a Rules Committee hearing, as will the next two bills.
- Conference report on H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
- An as-yet-unnumbered resolution to serve as a budget continuing resolution.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, the agenda looks light right now, though that will probably change as the week progresses. The Senate's committee schedule is here.
However, there will be plenty ofarm-twisting negotiating over health care reform behind the scenes (and in front of TV cameras.)
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still $2 billion out of balance and the lege and the governor are still fiddling around. There is some makework going on this week, though.
- On Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Agency Information Technology will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. They will hear presentations from the IT departments of the Department of Revenue, AHCCCS, ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division, and the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA).
- On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the House Water and Energy and Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee of Reference will meet in HHR5 for the sunset review of the Residential Utility Consumer Office.
- Also on Wednesday, at 10 a.m. the House Water and Energy and Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee of Reference will meet in HHR5. The subject of the meeting will be the sunset review of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission isn't meeting this week, but its hearing schedule is here.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings scheduled for the week - an executive session on Monday at 1 p.m. and a regular meeting on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Highlights of that agenda should include MIHS' monthly financial report, a report on the impact of state funding reductions, a presentation on the transition from MedPro to District Medical Group (a physician provider group, it's actually MedPro reformed as a non-profit group), some kind of legislative update, and something on the contract of MIHS' director, Betsey Bayless.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, in executive session at 5:30 p.m. and in regular session an hour later. The agenda looks pretty mundane, though the recent report by the main college accreditation agency that was critical of the Board is likely to come up.
Note: The public is invited to participate in Scottsdale Community College's strategic planning initiative, SCC2020. The first public meeting is Wednesday night from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week in formal session, but the Council's calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council has a General Plan Amendment meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The main item on the agenda is a GP amendment proposed for 6500 E. Camelback Road (warning: large .pdf). There will also be consideration of an item regarding the "possible" formation of a Council Subcommittee on Economic Development.
"Possible" is in quotes because it seems that the Council is expected to approve the creation of that Subcommittee - next week's agenda includes an item making appointments to the Subcommittee.
Scottsdale's community meeting notice is here.
On Monday, Scottsdale's Charter Review Task Force will meet 5 p.m. in the City Hall Kiva. A preview from the AZ Republic is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (the supes usually find a reason to have a short-notice exec session meeting, however), Arizona Board of Regents, and Citizens Clean Elections Commission.
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, the agenda contains a large number of memorials and congratulatory resolutions, but there will be a few measures that generate some controversy.
As well as some serious posturing over health care reform. :)
However, this post concerns agendized items only. :))
On the agenda -
- H.R. 3854, Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009. "To amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve programs providing access to capital under such Acts..." AZ's Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) is a cosponsor of the measure. This measure will be subject to a Rules Committee hearing, as will the next two bills.
- Conference report on H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
- An as-yet-unnumbered resolution to serve as a budget continuing resolution.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, the agenda looks light right now, though that will probably change as the week progresses. The Senate's committee schedule is here.
However, there will be plenty of
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still $2 billion out of balance and the lege and the governor are still fiddling around. There is some makework going on this week, though.
- On Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Agency Information Technology will meet at 9 a.m. in HHR3. They will hear presentations from the IT departments of the Department of Revenue, AHCCCS, ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division, and the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA).
- On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the House Water and Energy and Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee of Reference will meet in HHR5 for the sunset review of the Residential Utility Consumer Office.
- Also on Wednesday, at 10 a.m. the House Water and Energy and Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee of Reference will meet in HHR5. The subject of the meeting will be the sunset review of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission isn't meeting this week, but its hearing schedule is here.
...The Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System has two meetings scheduled for the week - an executive session on Monday at 1 p.m. and a regular meeting on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Highlights of that agenda should include MIHS' monthly financial report, a report on the impact of state funding reductions, a presentation on the transition from MedPro to District Medical Group (a physician provider group, it's actually MedPro reformed as a non-profit group), some kind of legislative update, and something on the contract of MIHS' director, Betsey Bayless.
...The Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, in executive session at 5:30 p.m. and in regular session an hour later. The agenda looks pretty mundane, though the recent report by the main college accreditation agency that was critical of the Board is likely to come up.
Note: The public is invited to participate in Scottsdale Community College's strategic planning initiative, SCC2020. The first public meeting is Wednesday night from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet this week in formal session, but the Council's calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council has a General Plan Amendment meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The main item on the agenda is a GP amendment proposed for 6500 E. Camelback Road (warning: large .pdf). There will also be consideration of an item regarding the "possible" formation of a Council Subcommittee on Economic Development.
"Possible" is in quotes because it seems that the Council is expected to approve the creation of that Subcommittee - next week's agenda includes an item making appointments to the Subcommittee.
Scottsdale's community meeting notice is here.
On Monday, Scottsdale's Charter Review Task Force will meet 5 p.m. in the City Hall Kiva. A preview from the AZ Republic is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (the supes usually find a reason to have a short-notice exec session meeting, however), Arizona Board of Regents, and Citizens Clean Elections Commission.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Why is it that when elected Republicans fail, they blame everyone but themselves?
This is what happens when you elect people to oversee government who have nothing but contempt for the professionals who work in public services...
Whether it is GOP Mayor Jim Lane of Scottsdale blaming his own City Manager, John Little, for all that ails Scottsdale or nativist Republican Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio crying about the unfairness of it all when the professionals at ICE decline to continue official Federal sanction to the anti-Mexican railroad he's been engineering at MCSO, GOP elected officials invariably blame everyone but themselve for their own shortcomings as public officials.
While the likes of Arpaio and even Lane are fairly high-profile examples of this phenomenon, there are incidents of it even at the lower-levels of government.
From AZCentral.com -
Of course, the Board couldn't let these criticisms of their acts go unchallenged.
From Board member Jerry Walker, published in the East Valley Tribune -
Nope, it's the fault of those "durned" bureaucrats. Government and public service would just be so much better without actual public service professionals getting in the way of pure-hearted folks from the GOP. {For the snark-deficient, that what is called "sarcasm."}
BTW - Walker may be the wrong Board member to serve as pointman of the Board members' defense of their actions, attitudes, and statements, If anything, he may be the worst offender. More info here, though be warned, the source very definitely has a viewpoint. The comments, particularly the one regarding the custom license plate that Walker has on his truck, lend some insight into Walker's mentality and the root of his disdain for the District's Chancellor.
Whether it is GOP Mayor Jim Lane of Scottsdale blaming his own City Manager, John Little, for all that ails Scottsdale or nativist Republican Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio crying about the unfairness of it all when the professionals at ICE decline to continue official Federal sanction to the anti-Mexican railroad he's been engineering at MCSO, GOP elected officials invariably blame everyone but themselve for their own shortcomings as public officials.
While the likes of Arpaio and even Lane are fairly high-profile examples of this phenomenon, there are incidents of it even at the lower-levels of government.
From AZCentral.com -
An out-of-state team investigating the Maricopa County Community College District governing board released a 55-page report this week validating complaints about the board overstepping its authority and engaging in "rogue" behavior.
"The evidence is compelling that there are many elements of board behavior that urgently need to be addressed," the report released to the governing board states.
{snip}
Among the report's findings:
• Board members treat one another and college officials with a lack of respect and civility, creating "a climate of fear and intimidation" and "a culture of mistrust throughout the organization."
The board members have made 156 information requests of staff, impinged on their responsibilities, called employees at home on weekends and threatened to have employees fired.
• Four of five board members are acting "without any discernible understanding or appreciation of either the complexity of the (college) district or of the role/responsibility of the board as a governing body."Further, several board members have "no desire to learn to act appropriately or to understand that their role and authority is primarily as a group that governs."
• The board has on various occasions usurped the authority of Chancellor Glasper and the Chancellor's Executive Council, choosing in one case to draft the 2010-11 operating budget without input from staff.
• Input from leadership, faculty and staff is discouraged and ignored by the board.
• Board members engage in bad behaviors, including making religious comments at board meetings; uttering inappropriate and offensive comments about race, ethnicity, religion and gender; and harassing students and employees.• Some board members have tried to control content in college courses and influence admission into preferred college programs.
Of course, the Board couldn't let these criticisms of their acts go unchallenged.
From Board member Jerry Walker, published in the East Valley Tribune -
The recent “review” of the governing board for the Maricopa County Community College District by a team from the Higher Learning Commission is yet another example of how too few individuals fully understand the state-defined role of the five-member, publicly elected board. Simply put, the buck stops with us, the board members, and we are the ones who are ultimately responsible for stewardship of the public monies entrusted to us.So, the majority of the Governing Board members have messed up (actually, "messed up" may not be the right term here since most of their bad acts appear to have been deliberate) and have endangered the accreditation and future viability of the very organization they were elected to oversee and nurture, and it isn't their fault.
{snip}
Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission is important for academic programs, but this voluntary review and approval of curriculum will not impose itself on the role and responsibilities voters have entrusted me and other board members to perform.
My style may be direct, but voters in my district and throughout Maricopa County can rest assured that I will continue to work lawfully with integrity, loyalty, fairness and consistency despite bureaucratic efforts at the district and the colleges to blame the board for their ills. They resist accountability and change that will ultimately benefit the students and taxpayers alike.
Nope, it's the fault of those "durned" bureaucrats. Government and public service would just be so much better without actual public service professionals getting in the way of pure-hearted folks from the GOP. {For the snark-deficient, that what is called "sarcasm."}
BTW - Walker may be the wrong Board member to serve as pointman of the Board members' defense of their actions, attitudes, and statements, If anything, he may be the worst offender. More info here, though be warned, the source very definitely has a viewpoint. The comments, particularly the one regarding the custom license plate that Walker has on his truck, lend some insight into Walker's mentality and the root of his disdain for the District's Chancellor.
Monday, October 19, 2009
More 2010 campaign committees...
Nothing earth-shattering here...but I get to use the word "apace" in a sentence. :))
As we approach the end of the year, the formation of political committees for next year's elections continues apace.
From the AZ Secretary of State's website (and elsewhere, as noted) -
- Steven Slaton of Winslow, filer ID 201000264, has filed for a run at the Republican nomination for governor. I don't know much about him, having never heard of him, but based on what I could find on the 'net, he probably wouldn't be considered to be part of the mythical "moderate" wing of the AZGOP. Also, he doesn't seem to be the running back for the NFL's Houston Texans. :)
. Kelly Townsend of Gilbert, filer ID 201000268, is running for the GOP nomination for state rep in LD22. She's a self-identifiedteabagger "tea party patriot."
- Jackie Thrasher of Glendale, filer ID 201000270, is running for the Democratic nomination for state rep in LD10. She is running to reclaim the seat that she held in 2007-2008. She was victimized by the Rep scheme of having some of their members changing their registrations to "Green Party" and running as Greens to dilute support for Democratic candidates in certain districts. It worked in LD10.
- Jorge Luis Garcia of Tucson, the Democratic leader in the State Senate, has opened an exploratory committee for a run at a seat on the Corporation Commission (filer ID 201000271). He is the first Democrat to officially express an interest in the ACC.
- Jerry Walker of Mesa, has filed paperwork with Maricopa County for a reelection bid for his seat on the Maricopa County Community College District's Governing Board. Walker is the winger who, upon seeing a student who was expressing political views that he doesn't agree with, harassed her until she broke down in tears. He did this while "chaperoning" a trip to D.C. by some District students.
He represents County Supervisor District 2, which encompasses most of Mesa and Scottsdale, and his is the only Board seat scheduled to be up for election next year.
Edit later on 10/19 to add -
- Ken Cheuvront of Phoenix, currently a Democratic state senator from LD15, has opened an exploratory committee to look at a run at the Encanto Justice of the Peace spot.
This sets up a primary battle with incumbent Encanto JP, C. Steven McMurray, who has held a JP post since 1996 and is highly respected within the judiciary in general and the Justice Court community in particular.
- Kathy Hayden of Tempe has filed for a run at the Democratic nomination for the University Lakes Justice of the Peace slot. The incumbent is Republican John Ore.
- Matt Nelson of Tempe has filed for a run at the Democratic nomination for the University Lakes Constable spot. The incumbent is Republican Joe Arredondo.
Note: I live in the University Lakes Justice Precinct, hence their inclusion here. Neither Ore nor Arredondo has filed paperwork as yet, but both are expected to run for re-election.
End edit...
...At the rumored stage - Republican Bob Littlefield, currently a member of the Scottsdale City Council, may be interested in a run at an LD8 seat in the lege or ACC. It's still just a rumor (courtesy Robert Leger of the AZ Republic), but gains some credence because of the three members of the Scottsdale City Council whose terms expire next year (the others being Wayne Ecton and Tony Nelssen), he is the only one who hasn't formed a reelection committee with the City.
While most of my focus in the blog is on the legislature and offices affecting Scottsdale and Tempe, those readers who are interested in elections in other parts of the Valley can find a complete list of non-municipal offices on the ballot in Maricopa County here (courtesy the Maricopa County Recorder's Office) and here (courtesy the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools).
Later...
As we approach the end of the year, the formation of political committees for next year's elections continues apace.
From the AZ Secretary of State's website (and elsewhere, as noted) -
- Steven Slaton of Winslow, filer ID 201000264, has filed for a run at the Republican nomination for governor. I don't know much about him, having never heard of him, but based on what I could find on the 'net, he probably wouldn't be considered to be part of the mythical "moderate" wing of the AZGOP. Also, he doesn't seem to be the running back for the NFL's Houston Texans. :)
. Kelly Townsend of Gilbert, filer ID 201000268, is running for the GOP nomination for state rep in LD22. She's a self-identified
- Jackie Thrasher of Glendale, filer ID 201000270, is running for the Democratic nomination for state rep in LD10. She is running to reclaim the seat that she held in 2007-2008. She was victimized by the Rep scheme of having some of their members changing their registrations to "Green Party" and running as Greens to dilute support for Democratic candidates in certain districts. It worked in LD10.
- Jorge Luis Garcia of Tucson, the Democratic leader in the State Senate, has opened an exploratory committee for a run at a seat on the Corporation Commission (filer ID 201000271). He is the first Democrat to officially express an interest in the ACC.
- Jerry Walker of Mesa, has filed paperwork with Maricopa County for a reelection bid for his seat on the Maricopa County Community College District's Governing Board. Walker is the winger who, upon seeing a student who was expressing political views that he doesn't agree with, harassed her until she broke down in tears. He did this while "chaperoning" a trip to D.C. by some District students.
He represents County Supervisor District 2, which encompasses most of Mesa and Scottsdale, and his is the only Board seat scheduled to be up for election next year.
Edit later on 10/19 to add -
- Ken Cheuvront of Phoenix, currently a Democratic state senator from LD15, has opened an exploratory committee to look at a run at the Encanto Justice of the Peace spot.
This sets up a primary battle with incumbent Encanto JP, C. Steven McMurray, who has held a JP post since 1996 and is highly respected within the judiciary in general and the Justice Court community in particular.
- Kathy Hayden of Tempe has filed for a run at the Democratic nomination for the University Lakes Justice of the Peace slot. The incumbent is Republican John Ore.
- Matt Nelson of Tempe has filed for a run at the Democratic nomination for the University Lakes Constable spot. The incumbent is Republican Joe Arredondo.
Note: I live in the University Lakes Justice Precinct, hence their inclusion here. Neither Ore nor Arredondo has filed paperwork as yet, but both are expected to run for re-election.
End edit...
...At the rumored stage - Republican Bob Littlefield, currently a member of the Scottsdale City Council, may be interested in a run at an LD8 seat in the lege or ACC. It's still just a rumor (courtesy Robert Leger of the AZ Republic), but gains some credence because of the three members of the Scottsdale City Council whose terms expire next year (the others being Wayne Ecton and Tony Nelssen), he is the only one who hasn't formed a reelection committee with the City.
While most of my focus in the blog is on the legislature and offices affecting Scottsdale and Tempe, those readers who are interested in elections in other parts of the Valley can find a complete list of non-municipal offices on the ballot in Maricopa County here (courtesy the Maricopa County Recorder's Office) and here (courtesy the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools).
Later...
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice...
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, the agenda, thus far, looks to be somewhat light on serious controversy.
The highlights include -
- H.R. 3763, To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for an exclusion from Red Flag Guidelines for certain businesses. Those businesses include small accounting, legal, and health care firms, small meaning having less than 20 employees.
- H.Res. 672, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom. Gotta support fellow bloggers...
- H.R. 3619, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. (Money bill. There will be some controversy here. Probably not much though.)
- H.R. 3585, Solar Technology Roadmap Act. This bill's primary sponsor is AZ's own Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ8). Giffords' press release on the bill's passage through the Science and Technology Committee is here.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, most of the action will be behind the scenes negotiating over the health care reform bills in the Senate, but with frequent appearances of TV cameras by most of the participants. This week's committee schedule here.
Of possible interest to AZers here is the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Indian Energy and Energy Efficiency on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. (EDT). It wouldn't be surprising if the Navajo Generating Station and its recent controversies (here, here, and here) pop up during the hearing.
...Back here in the Arizona Legislature, the budget is still way out of balance and the Governor and the Republican "leadership" still is doing nothing to address the state's fiscal crisis.
Pending that (you know, doing what should have been done months ago), various members of the lege are doing some makework. To whit:
- Monday at 9 a.m., the Ad Hoc Committee On Energy And Water Development will meet in SHR1.
- Wednesday at 9 a.m., the Senate Education Accountability And Reform and the House of Representatives Education Committee of Reference will meet in HHR1 for school district performance audits of:
Gilbert Unified School District
Phoenix Union High School District
Washington Elementary School District
Toltec Elementary School District
Miami Unified School District
Glendale Elementary School District
- I'll update if there are any definitive developments regarding a special session.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a regular meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda is here. The Commission's upcoming hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two meetings scheduled for this week.
- The agenda for Monday's informal meeting includes an executive session (of course).
- The agenda for Wednesday's formal meeting includes an item (#11) where they get to formally appoint the high-profile private attorneys that County Attorney Andrew Thomas has brought in as his personal hitters against one of the Supes' own, Don Stapley.
Just a guess here, but there will probably be a few dirty looks exchanged by the Supes and Thomas during that one.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project is not holding a meeting of the full board this week, but on Thursday it will be holding an orientation meeting of the Arizona Water Banking Association, a meeting of the Finance, Audit, and Power Committee, and a meeting of the Executive Committee.
...Also on Thursday, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission will be holding a meeting, but the agenda has not been posted online yet.
...The Tempe City Council is meeting on Thursday. The regular agenda is here; issue review session agenda here; executive session agenda here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes an item to send changes to the City Charter regarding elections to the ballot of a special election in March and a couple of items (here and here) regarding the ongoing tiff between the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor and Council members that the CofC didn't endorse last year, but who won anyway. AZCentral.com coverage here.
Note: On Monday, candidate packets for next year's council races in Scottsdale will be available.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
Later...
...In the U.S. House of Representatives, the agenda, thus far, looks to be somewhat light on serious controversy.
The highlights include -
- H.R. 3763, To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide for an exclusion from Red Flag Guidelines for certain businesses. Those businesses include small accounting, legal, and health care firms, small meaning having less than 20 employees.
- H.Res. 672, Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom. Gotta support fellow bloggers...
- H.R. 3619, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. (Money bill. There will be some controversy here. Probably not much though.)
- H.R. 3585, Solar Technology Roadmap Act. This bill's primary sponsor is AZ's own Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ8). Giffords' press release on the bill's passage through the Science and Technology Committee is here.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, most of the action will be behind the scenes negotiating over the health care reform bills in the Senate, but with frequent appearances of TV cameras by most of the participants. This week's committee schedule here.
Of possible interest to AZers here is the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Indian Energy and Energy Efficiency on Thursday at 2:15 p.m. (EDT). It wouldn't be surprising if the Navajo Generating Station and its recent controversies (here, here, and here) pop up during the hearing.
...Back here in the Arizona Legislature, the budget is still way out of balance and the Governor and the Republican "leadership" still is doing nothing to address the state's fiscal crisis.
Pending that (you know, doing what should have been done months ago), various members of the lege are doing some makework. To whit:
- Monday at 9 a.m., the Ad Hoc Committee On Energy And Water Development will meet in SHR1.
- Wednesday at 9 a.m., the Senate Education Accountability And Reform and the House of Representatives Education Committee of Reference will meet in HHR1 for school district performance audits of:
Gilbert Unified School District
Phoenix Union High School District
Washington Elementary School District
Toltec Elementary School District
Miami Unified School District
Glendale Elementary School District
- I'll update if there are any definitive developments regarding a special session.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission is holding a regular meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda is here. The Commission's upcoming hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two meetings scheduled for this week.
- The agenda for Monday's informal meeting includes an executive session (of course).
- The agenda for Wednesday's formal meeting includes an item (#11) where they get to formally appoint the high-profile private attorneys that County Attorney Andrew Thomas has brought in as his personal hitters against one of the Supes' own, Don Stapley.
Just a guess here, but there will probably be a few dirty looks exchanged by the Supes and Thomas during that one.
...The Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project is not holding a meeting of the full board this week, but on Thursday it will be holding an orientation meeting of the Arizona Water Banking Association, a meeting of the Finance, Audit, and Power Committee, and a meeting of the Executive Committee.
...Also on Thursday, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission will be holding a meeting, but the agenda has not been posted online yet.
...The Tempe City Council is meeting on Thursday. The regular agenda is here; issue review session agenda here; executive session agenda here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. The agenda includes an item to send changes to the City Charter regarding elections to the ballot of a special election in March and a couple of items (here and here) regarding the ongoing tiff between the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor and Council members that the CofC didn't endorse last year, but who won anyway. AZCentral.com coverage here.
Note: On Monday, candidate packets for next year's council races in Scottsdale will be available.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
Later...
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevent political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice.
This week is relatively light on the political activity, perhaps because of Monday's quasi-holiday, Columbus Day. It's a "quasi" holiday because almost everyone outside of the government still has to work.
...As with last week, floor action in the U.S. House of Representatives will be dominated by budget issues.
Among the topics on the agenda for the week:
- H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009. CRS summary here. Note: this one was on last week's agenda too.
- Conference report on H.R. 2892, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
Most of the bills scheduled to be heard under suspension of the rules (2/3 majority required for passage) look to be pretty non-controversial, post office namings and the like.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, the floor action will similarly be dominated by budget matters. Specifically, they will be considering H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
The country's attention will be focused on this week's committee schedule, especially Tuesday's Finance Committee vote onthe health insurance industry's Max Baucus' idea of health care reform (LA Times report here).
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the legislature and Governor still can't be bothered to address it. As with last week however, there is some intersession make-work and posturing taking place at the lege.
- On Tuesday, the Senate Government Institutions and House Appropriations Committee of Reference will conduct a sunset hearing on the Joint Legislative Budget Committee at 1:30 p.m. in HHR1.
- On Wednesday, Speaker Kirk Adams' Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tuition Tax Credit Review will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR3. Expect hours of testimonials about the benefits of the tax credit. And that will just be from State Rep. Steve Yarbrough.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any Commission meetings scheduled for this week, but its hearing schedule is here.
...The Arizona Board of Regents is holding an executive session on Monday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss "transition of the Executive Director."
...the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold "Customer Workshop" on Thursday to discuss the 2010/2011 budget.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet in formal session this week, but the Council's calendar of events for the week is here.
Edit on 10/12: Because I originally linked to the agenda for 10/20, not this week's meeting on 10/13. I've corrected the writeup without noting the changes because everything changed.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet Tuesday night in a regular meeting. The highlight of the evening's agenda is a proposal to refer an increase in the city's bed tax to the ballot during a special election in March. There will also be a number of residents appointed to many of Scottsdale's boards, commissions, and task forces.
Scottsdale's community meeting schedule is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Citizens Clean Elections Commission. But don't be shocked if the Board of Supes finds a reason to call an emergency executive session.
...And in the first event of the 2010 campaign season, on Thursday, the Maricopa County GOP will be holding the first candidate forum in the race for its nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Of course, they're calling it an "education forum" but when two of the panelists have already formed committees for the race (John Huppenthal and Margaret Dugan) and a third is rumored to be strongly interested in running (Rich Crandall), it's going to be all about next year's race for the Rep nomination.
Later...
This week is relatively light on the political activity, perhaps because of Monday's quasi-holiday, Columbus Day. It's a "quasi" holiday because almost everyone outside of the government still has to work.
...As with last week, floor action in the U.S. House of Representatives will be dominated by budget issues.
Among the topics on the agenda for the week:
- H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009. CRS summary here. Note: this one was on last week's agenda too.
- Conference report on H.R. 2892, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2996, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
Most of the bills scheduled to be heard under suspension of the rules (2/3 majority required for passage) look to be pretty non-controversial, post office namings and the like.
...Over in the U.S. Senate, the floor action will similarly be dominated by budget matters. Specifically, they will be considering H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
The country's attention will be focused on this week's committee schedule, especially Tuesday's Finance Committee vote on
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out of balance and the legislature and Governor still can't be bothered to address it. As with last week however, there is some intersession make-work and posturing taking place at the lege.
- On Tuesday, the Senate Government Institutions and House Appropriations Committee of Reference will conduct a sunset hearing on the Joint Legislative Budget Committee at 1:30 p.m. in HHR1.
- On Wednesday, Speaker Kirk Adams' Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tuition Tax Credit Review will meet at 1 p.m. in HHR3. Expect hours of testimonials about the benefits of the tax credit. And that will just be from State Rep. Steve Yarbrough.
...The Arizona Corporation Commission doesn't have any Commission meetings scheduled for this week, but its hearing schedule is here.
...The Arizona Board of Regents is holding an executive session on Monday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss "transition of the Executive Director."
...the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project will hold "Customer Workshop" on Thursday to discuss the 2010/2011 budget.
...The Tempe City Council isn't scheduled to meet in formal session this week, but the Council's calendar of events for the week is here.
Edit on 10/12: Because I originally linked to the agenda for 10/20, not this week's meeting on 10/13. I've corrected the writeup without noting the changes because everything changed.
...The Scottsdale City Council will meet Tuesday night in a regular meeting. The highlight of the evening's agenda is a proposal to refer an increase in the city's bed tax to the ballot during a special election in March. There will also be a number of residents appointed to many of Scottsdale's boards, commissions, and task forces.
Scottsdale's community meeting schedule is here.
...Not scheduled to meet this week: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District, Board of Directors of the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Citizens Clean Elections Commission. But don't be shocked if the Board of Supes finds a reason to call an emergency executive session.
...And in the first event of the 2010 campaign season, on Thursday, the Maricopa County GOP will be holding the first candidate forum in the race for its nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Of course, they're calling it an "education forum" but when two of the panelists have already formed committees for the race (John Huppenthal and Margaret Dugan) and a third is rumored to be strongly interested in running (Rich Crandall), it's going to be all about next year's race for the Rep nomination.
Later...
Saturday, October 03, 2009
The coming week...
As usual, all info gathered from the websites of the relevant political bodies/agencies (except where noted) and subject to change without notice.
...The floor action in the U.S. House is going to be dominated by money issues, but there will be a few other issues of interest.
- H.R. 3590, Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009;
- H.R. 1016, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, CRS summary here (note: this one is cosponsored by CD5's Harry Mitchell and most of the Democratic members of the Arizona delegation);
- S. 1717, "A bill to authorize major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes."
...all of the above bills will be heard under suspension of the rules, meaning that a 2/3 majority will be needed to pass the measures.
The following budget-related items will be heard "under a rule" -
- The conference report for H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010;
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2892, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010;
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2647, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
- Also to be heard under a rule, H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009.
...Over in the Senate, scheduled floor action includes consideration of H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Committee schedule here.
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out-of-balance and the legislature is still out of session. However, there is still activity on West Washington this week.
- On Monday at 9 a.m. in HHR1, the Senate Education Accountability and Reform and House of Representatives Education Committee of Reference will meet regarding the school performance audits of Chandler Unified School District, Tolleson Union High School District, Somerton Elementary School District and Flagstaff Unified School District.
- On Thursday at 1:30 p.m., the Senate Government Institutions and House of Representatives Government Committee of Reference will meet in HHR4 regarding the sunset review of: Arizona Neighborhood Preservation and Investment Commission, Legislative Council; Ombudsman for Private Property Rights, Office of Ombudsman-Citizens Aide, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Board of Library Examiners, and State Board on Geographic and Historic Names.
- Also on Thursday in HHR4, but at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Commerce and Economic Development and House of Representatives Government Committee of Reference will meet regarding the sunset review for the Board of Athletic Training.
...On Thursday at 10 a.m., the Arizona Corporation Commission will hold an open meeting dealing mostly, but not exclusively, with securities matters. The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two meetings this week.
The highlight of Monday's informal meeting is item 3 -
Authorize legal action including filing and/or defending an appeal and taking other legal actions as may be appropriate regarding the Judgment in the matter of Andrew Thomas et al v. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, CV-2008-033194 (C-06-10-114-M-00)
There will also be an executive session.
Wednesday's formal meeting agenda looks to be fairly non-controversial, though there are a number of items related to the offices of the county sheriff and county attorney.
There is a special/executive meeting scheduled to take place immediately after the formal meeting.
...The Tempe City Council is meeting on Thursday. The agenda is here. The Council's calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is meeting on Tuesday. The agenda includes an item for approving the employment agreement with the interim City Treasurer, David Smith.
The Council has an executive session scheduled immediately prior to the regular meeting.
- The City's Charter Review Task Force is scheduled to meet Monday evening at 5 in the City Hall Kiva. The agenda includes consideration of language that would allow the Council and Mayor to directly appoint City Staff, apparently to bypass the City Manager's influence over the hiring of professional employees.
Yippee - when the Task Force isn't pushing language to protect the profit margins of favored corporations, they're helping Jim Lane gather power to himself and his professional staff.
I wonder if everyone, even *anyone*, involved realizes that they are supposed to be working to help Scottsdale, not just themselves or their friends.
Scottsdale's community meetings schedule is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the Boards of Directors of both the Maricopa Integrated Health System and Central Arizona Project, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
...The floor action in the U.S. House is going to be dominated by money issues, but there will be a few other issues of interest.
- H.R. 3590, Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009;
- H.R. 1016, Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009, CRS summary here (note: this one is cosponsored by CD5's Harry Mitchell and most of the Democratic members of the Arizona delegation);
- S. 1717, "A bill to authorize major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes."
...all of the above bills will be heard under suspension of the rules, meaning that a 2/3 majority will be needed to pass the measures.
The following budget-related items will be heard "under a rule" -
- The conference report for H.R. 2997, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010;
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2892, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010;
- Possible consideration of the conference report on H.R. 2647, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.
- Also to be heard under a rule, H.R. 2442, Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009.
...Over in the Senate, scheduled floor action includes consideration of H.R. 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Committee schedule here.
...Back here in Arizona, the budget is still out-of-balance and the legislature is still out of session. However, there is still activity on West Washington this week.
- On Monday at 9 a.m. in HHR1, the Senate Education Accountability and Reform and House of Representatives Education Committee of Reference will meet regarding the school performance audits of Chandler Unified School District, Tolleson Union High School District, Somerton Elementary School District and Flagstaff Unified School District.
- On Thursday at 1:30 p.m., the Senate Government Institutions and House of Representatives Government Committee of Reference will meet in HHR4 regarding the sunset review of: Arizona Neighborhood Preservation and Investment Commission, Legislative Council; Ombudsman for Private Property Rights, Office of Ombudsman-Citizens Aide, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Board of Library Examiners, and State Board on Geographic and Historic Names.
- Also on Thursday in HHR4, but at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Commerce and Economic Development and House of Representatives Government Committee of Reference will meet regarding the sunset review for the Board of Athletic Training.
...On Thursday at 10 a.m., the Arizona Corporation Commission will hold an open meeting dealing mostly, but not exclusively, with securities matters. The ACC's hearing schedule is here.
...The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has two meetings this week.
The highlight of Monday's informal meeting is item 3 -
Authorize legal action including filing and/or defending an appeal and taking other legal actions as may be appropriate regarding the Judgment in the matter of Andrew Thomas et al v. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, CV-2008-033194 (C-06-10-114-M-00)
There will also be an executive session.
Wednesday's formal meeting agenda looks to be fairly non-controversial, though there are a number of items related to the offices of the county sheriff and county attorney.
There is a special/executive meeting scheduled to take place immediately after the formal meeting.
...The Tempe City Council is meeting on Thursday. The agenda is here. The Council's calendar of events is here.
...The Scottsdale City Council is meeting on Tuesday. The agenda includes an item for approving the employment agreement with the interim City Treasurer, David Smith.
The Council has an executive session scheduled immediately prior to the regular meeting.
- The City's Charter Review Task Force is scheduled to meet Monday evening at 5 in the City Hall Kiva. The agenda includes consideration of language that would allow the Council and Mayor to directly appoint City Staff, apparently to bypass the City Manager's influence over the hiring of professional employees.
Yippee - when the Task Force isn't pushing language to protect the profit margins of favored corporations, they're helping Jim Lane gather power to himself and his professional staff.
I wonder if everyone, even *anyone*, involved realizes that they are supposed to be working to help Scottsdale, not just themselves or their friends.
Scottsdale's community meetings schedule is here.
Not scheduled to meet this week: Arizona Board of Regents, Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the Boards of Directors of both the Maricopa Integrated Health System and Central Arizona Project, Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District.
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