Is the Tea Party uniform a white sheet and hood?

From the Washington Post -

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) issued a statement late Saturday saying that he was spit upon while walking to the Capitol to cast a vote, leading the Capitol Police to usher him into the building out of concern for his safety. Police detained the individual, who was then released because Cleaver declined to press charges.

Other African-American members of Congress, including the highly respected civil rights era icon Rep. John Lewis, were also targeted with racial slurs as they walked to floor votes.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has issued a statement condemning the behavior, available here; House Minority Leader John Boehner has issued a similar statement, available nowhere, as he apparently hasn't condemned the behavior. I don't expect him to do so, as on Friday, he reminded the Tea Party types that "it isn't too late to make your voices heard."

His followers listened, and on Saturday, they did "make [their] voices heard."

Mission accomplished, Mr. Boehner. Hope you are proud of your influence.

Thank you Harry!!

A very good note to end the week on...

From AZStarnet.com -

Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell, one of the final holdouts on the health care reform bill, announced Friday that he'll support the package.

Mitchell cited proposed fixes for the Senate-passed legislation that would help Arizona. The Democrat represents a Republican-leaning suburban congressional district centered on Scottsdale and Tempe.

Here I was, all set to write a "it's time for D.C. Dems to grow a spine and pass health care reform already" rant, hoping to help push a few wavering Dems into the "yes" column, and I come home to read the above news.

You know, as much as I like ranting, I like being deeply proud of my Congressman even more. :)


Whooo hoooo!!

Housekeeping

Regular readers may have noticed an addition to the right sidebar - a list of links to the websites of Democratic candidates for statewide offices and to legislative districts (U.S. and AZ) covering Scottsdale (CD5, LD8 and LD17).

I've tried to include all such candidates, however I couldn't find websites for two candidates - David Bradley for Corporation Commission and W. John Williamson for LD8 House. When those candidates' sites go live (or are pointed out to me if already live), I'll link to them. Also, if I've missed any Democratic candidates who fall within the above categories, drop a note to me in an email or a comment and I'll update the list.

Lastly, while I've tried to group candidates for the same office together, there is no rhyme, reason, or secret endorsement involved in the order they are listed. They all seem to be good Democrats and better yet, good candidates. I'm not choosing a side in any of the primaries, at least not in this blog.

Later...

Terry Goddard challenges Jan Brewer on taxes

In a letter to Brewer, Goddard challenged Brewer to pledge that any revenues raised via an increase to the state's sale tax won't be given to deep-pocketed corporations in the form of targeted tax cuts.

The letter, from an email from the Goddard campaign -

March 17, 2010

Dear Governor Brewer:

I have been giving careful consideration to your proposal to temporarily increase the State sales tax in response to Arizona’s fiscal crisis. That crisis, which has significantly worsened in the last year, threatens our schools, our health and security, and our quality of life. It has been exacerbated by your and the Legislature’s continued failure to produce a balanced budget despite Arizona’s constitutional requirement for one that was due nearly nine months ago.

Your proposed sales tax increase offers a temporary and incomplete solution. In addition to the fact that it raises only about one-third of the revenue needed to cover the projected deficit, your plan suffers from the significant flaw that it imposes new tax burdens on consumers – including Arizona’s struggling middle class – whose collective buying power will be crucial to pulling us out of our current slump. It does so without even considering the possibility of more equitable and long-term solutions, such as closing the many tax loopholes that favor the rich and big corporations. Under your plan, for example, a family that must buy a car for work or school faces higher taxes, while someone buying a membership in an elite country club pays no sales tax whatsoever.

Most troubling to me, however, is the fact that voters are being asked to pass this tax increase without knowing the status of other tax proposals still being considered by the legislature, including a plan to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate taxes. Middle-income Arizonans simply should not be asked to finance through temporary higher sales taxes a permanent non-targeted cut in corporate taxes. Such a result is not only grossly unfair to working Arizonans, but would stymie our economic recovery and leave Arizona with a deeper, long-term budget hole.

To my knowledge, you have never publicly stated where you stand on the corporate tax breaks being considered by the legislature, but I sincerely hope that you recognize the folly of funding any such tax breaks through a sales tax on middle-income Arizonans – particularly on the heels of devastating cuts to our schools, health care and public safety. Arizonans like my wife and me cannot support your proposed sales tax increase if you intend to follow it with across-the-board corporate tax cuts. I call upon you to pledge your veto to any non-targeted corporate tax giveaways that would appreciably offset the short-term revenue gains from Prop. 100. Arizonans deserve meaningful assurances from you that the increased revenues from your tax increase will truly benefit our schools, public health, and public safety.

Sincerely,

Terry Goddard

Go to Goddard's website to learn about Terry, his vision for Arizona, and to volunteer to help him.

Payday loan industry DOA

...For now, anyway.

I missed the end of the Senate Appropiations meeting, but according to an article from YourWestValley.com and a couple of Facebook updates, the measure failed in committee today by a 3 - 5 vote.

It could be brought back later via another striker, so it won't be completely dead until the end of the legislative session. However, it's an election year, and all members of the lege are up for reelection in November and very few want to be viewed as someone who thwarted the will of the voters on this topic.

So for now, enjoy this small victory, perhaps the only one the average Arizonan will see until the November elections when they'll have the opportunity throw out the ideologues who have worked so diligently to undermine Arizona's future.

Later...

Live blogging Senate Approps - payday loan reauthorization

5:25 - OK, this is taking too long, and I have to leave. I recommend going to the lege's website to watch the live video feed. Later!

5:19 - Considers the industry to be a highlight of the "free market." Next proposal: leg breaking by mobsters becomes a legally-acceptable debt collection technique.

5:17 - The CEO of Checksmart is speaking in support of Pearce's striker.

5:11 - The AARP guy is hitting the Rs where they live - pointing out his members from 29 of the 30 LDs have voted to oppose this bill.

5:08 - Just received an email from the Rabago for AG campaign opposing the striker. Will post later if there is time.

5:07 - An AARP volunteer leader is speaking now. Speaking in opposition.

5:03 - Pearce is trying to drown out Aboud, calling votes on measures in other states regarding payday loans as votes on "deceptive measures." Thinks that expressed public opinion on such measures are irrelevent to this situation.

5:00 - The CFA person is responding to a question from Sen. Aboud about what happened in North Carolina when they allowed their payday loan statute to expire. A: All sorts of good things.

4:48 - Aarons done, finally. Another opponent has been called up to the podium, one from the Consumer Federation of America.

4:39 - I missed the context, but Braswell is going on about buying a "GI Joe with Kung Fu Grip." Huh?!?

4:34 - Allen wishes that "there was a math genius in the room." Aboud has tried to explain it to Allen. Pearce is now out front, blocking for Allen. Too late. Most people in the room are now chuckling when Allen starts speaking - they know that whatever is coming will be embarrassing to her.

4:33 - No Sylvia Allen is trying to undermine Aarons' position.

4:30 - Yawn.

4:25 - Sen. Braswell is questioning Aarons' use of "predatory."

4:23 - Barry Aarons is speaking against the bill. Calls it "predatory" lending.

4:11 - Harper is worried about his capitalization amendments. He thinks that the language may not be proper. Not sure what the response was, but his proposed amendments stand.

4:10 - Turns out that the language of the striker is very vague on the subject of enforcement. There are provisions about license revocation, but no clue as to when they kick in or who decides.

4:05 - Gould asks about a "do not loan" list. Turns out the striker has language creating a voluntary list where a customer could add himself to a list of folks who couldn't be loaned money, but could then remove himself from that list. That would be an effective reform, wouldn't it?

4:01 - Pearce is arguing for the striker during the time that the public is supposed to have to speak on the bill. The chair should rule him out of order...oh, wait - Pearce *is* the chair.

Never mind. :)

4:00 - Pearce thinks that the reforms in his striker are tremendous. Just ask him.

3:58 - Pearce thinks that the payday loan industry has been unfairly oppressed, and considers the striker a push for freedom, unlike "the Obama health care plan."

3:56 - The baby that was crying in the main meeting room is now in the hallway outside the overflow room. :)

3:53 - Aboud pointing out a number of issues with the striker and the regulations. Like that with the budget cuts facing the state, there won't actually be a regulator to oversee the industry.

3:44 - Harper amendment to the striker, to earmark the fees and fines from the payday loan industry to pay for regulating the industry. Another Harper amendment to make sure no payday loan industry money goes to ACORN or similar organizations. Yet another Harper amendment to eliminate a capitalization requirement, calls it "anti-competitive".

3:40 - HB2370, pay day loans striker. Fact sheet here.

3:37 - HB2423, updating reporting requirements for municipal and county budgets. Passes unanimously.

3:35 - The sound quality is good - a baby crying in the main hearing room sounded like it was here in the overflow room. :) Bill passes.

3:31 - HB2142, Board of Athletic Training omnibus. House Approps chair John Kavanagh just strolled by the overflow room, moving toward the Senate meeting room.

3:29 - HB2031, reauthorizing the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (AZ's analog to the Congressional Budget Office). Passes, Gould voting no. He's like Mikey from the old Life Cereal ads - he hates everything..

3:25 - HB2370 will be fourth on the agenda. Pearce has announced that both sides on that one will get three speakers on that measure.

3:24 - Into order.

3:21 - Waiting for the committee to achieve a quorum so that they can start the meeting. The meeting room is packed, so I am in the overflow seating area in SHR3.

Live Blogging the Senate floor session, March 16

3:07 - Committee announcements. No Third Read, no ban on texting while driving. Off to Appropriations.

3:06 - End COW.

3:04 - SB1375, regarding contactor payments. Passes COW with some minor amendments.

3:00 - SB1330, deregulating "commercial" fireworks, retained on the calendar (held for future consideration).

2:57 - First up: SB1200, creating a commission to make recommendations concerning appointments to the Game and Fish Commission. SB1200 passes COW.

2:53 - Regular session. Entering COW, chaired by Cap'n Al Melvin.

2:51 - Senate adjourning sine die. Now all we need is for the governor to sign the abomination that they just finished passing for the lawsuits to begin.

2:35 - Recessing regular session, preparing to go back into special session in order to adjourn it sine die.

2:30 - Entering regular session for some housekeeping kind of stuff.

2:22 - Senate in recess, waiting to adjourn the special session sine die.

2:21 - Passes 17 - 13, all Ds and R Jay Tibshraeny voting no.

2:20 - Carolyn Allen is now excoriating FTF.

2:17 - Gray is blaming FTF for the R's destruction of KidsCare.

2:16 - Now it's Linda Gray's turn. At least she is a little more on point with her comments.

2:12 - Allen still going on with a mish-mash of economic theory, statistics, and radical right ideology. Now talking about the federal budget.

2:11 - Sylvia Allen calls today an illustration of "why socialism doesn't work". I'm not kidding.

2:06 - Rios is criticizing the measure, calling it "offensive", and thinks it will be defeated, votes No.

2:04 - Huppenthal, the man who would be in charge of educating Arizona's children, expresses reservations about the resolution, but votes for it anyway.

2:01 - Sen. Linda Lopez calls the R's budget "stealing" money from children. Gould rises to complain about First Things First because he feels that they have too many employees.

2:01 - My opinion: The lege wants to take money dedicated to early childhood health care and education, and use it to pay for corporate tax cuts.

1:56 - Voting now. It's going to pass, earlier info notwithstanding. Thus far, the only R vote against is Tibshraeny, the former (and future?) mayor of Chandler.

1:55 - HCR20o1 being substituted for the identical SCR1001.

1:47 - Senator Landrum Taylor introducing a number of guests in the gallery who are from the PAFCO coalition, here to express opposition to the lege's inhumane budget (my term, not theirs).

1:43 - Senate gavelled into special session - 30 present.

1:39 - They have a short third read (final passage) agenda for the day - 1 item. SB1334, banning texting while driving. Again. Have no idea if it will pass this time.

1:35 - The 10-minute bell just sounded, and there are a few senators milling around on the floor.

1:23 - Was just informed that the session schedule was changed to start at 1:30. Since that it is less than 10 minutes away, and the 10 minute bells haven't sounded yet, don't hold your breath waiting for this to start on time.

1:06 - They haven't even sounded the bells to let members know they will be needed on the floor within 10 minutes, so I'm not sure when the session is going to go off. However, the last report (roughly 30 minutes ago) said that the Rs don't have the votes to pass the budget. However, the situation is fluid and may change by the time they gavel the session into order. I expect that to happen soon - the Senate gallery is filling up and there is activity on the Senate floor (pages bringing in and setting up members' computers, representatives of the MSM have started taking their positions, Senate staffers are wandering around, etc.)

The delay in the start of the floor session could cause a delay in the start of the meeting of Senate Appropriations where they are expected to hear a striker to reauthorize the payday loan industry.

Updates in a few minutes...

Health care vote coming up in Congress

Later this week, or perhaps early next week, the US House will vote on a health care reform bill. Its passage (assuming it passes, a likely occurrence but far from a guaranteed one) won't signal the end of the HCR debate - the Senate will still have to deal with it.

However, now is the time to help ensure HCR's passage through the House - contact your Congressional representative and urge them to support it.

My brief letter to Congressman Harry Mitchell, doing just that -

Dear Congressman Mitchell,

Within the next week or so, Congress will be voting on a health care reform bill.

Last year, you supported an HCR bill with a strong public option (Thank you!), and I am writing to you to urge you to continue to do so.

The current system of health insurance caters to the whims and desires of corporate bigwigs and lobbyists, while denying care for the patients who need it.

Throughout your political career, you have been known for standing up for the needs of your constituents. Right now, thousands of your constituents need you to stand strong one more time, this time against against the falsehoods and smears of those who are profiting from the current dysfunctional system of health insurance.

Congressman Mitchell, thank you for all that you have done for the people of your district.

Regards,

[cpmaz]

At this point, I expect that long and involved missives aren't necessary, but short notes to let our Congressmen and -women know that people are still watching and care about HCR are definitely in order this week.

Congressman Mitchell's online contact/email form is here.

For those who live in districts other than CD5...

Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) can be contacted here
Ed Pastor (CD4) can be contacted here
Raul Grijalva (CD7) can be contacted here
Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) can be contacted here

If you live in CDs 2, 3, and 6, you are represented by hardcore Republicans who are opposed to any kind of health care reform, no matter how much their constituents urgently need it to pass. Whether you support or oppose HCR, those reps don't care - they made up their minds before it was even proposed.

Later...

Live blogging: Senate floor activity, Regular and Special Session

1:18 - They don't have the votes to finish off the budget/social safety net, and have adjourned the special session until Tuesday. #$#$!@&!*!!! I drove down here for this?!?

1:17 - As with the regular session, 28 present, 2 excused.

1:15 - Announcing committee meetings for tomorrow. Jack Harper is griping about being misquoted in the AZRepublic by EJ Montini. Boo hoo. Calls it "yellow journalism." About to start special session.

1:13 - Doing 2nd Read and assignment of bills to committees. HB2250, the Rs' corporate bailout bill not assigned as yet.

1:09 - 28 present, 2 excused, including Frank Antenori ("R-Don't say I'm from Tucson, even though I live there!"). Doing first read of bills.

Update from Thrasher for Congress

John Thrasher, a veteran and a career educator, is a candidate in CD2, looking to unseat Trent Franks (R-one of our most embarrassing elected officials).

Via email, Thrasher's latest campaign update -

My name is John Thrasher, and like you, I am disappointed with Congress.

Our current District 2 Congressman has not passed a single piece of his own legislation. He has failed to represent your needs for eight years. By pushing his narrow and ideologically driven agenda, Trent Franks has increasingly established his anti-Arizona voting record. He has damaged the future of our district by voting against increasing funding for public education, against legislation that would create good jobs, against measures that call for improving our infrastructure in District 2. Mr. Franks even has trouble answering constituent phone calls when there is a differing point of view. For these and other reasons, I am running for Congress in Arizona's Congressional District 2.

Around election time, politicians make promises that often ring hollow after the election. As an educator, and a leader, I was held to a higher standard. When I make a promise, I stick to it. My honor, and my reputation, depends on it. Therefore, without reservation, I promise to be visible, available, and a good listener. Then, I will take the action needed to find solutions to problems you bring to my attention. AND, I know how to answer my telephone no matter who is calling.

The citizens of District 2 have suffered from inaction, and ideology, long enough. I will not waste my time, or your taxpayer dollars, by going to Washington to bicker with others. You want action, not rhetoric. I will join with your voice in demanding members of Congress, me included, do the job the voters sent them to do.

I strongly believe we can move Arizona forward by developing jobs for District 2 in Solar and New Energy. This will not only ensure cleaner air and water, I predict we will see a significant impact in the over $2 Billion spent importing foreign Oil every day.

My challenge to you is this. If you are pleased with the way things are today in Washington, do nothing. If you are disappointed, like me, invest NOW in our future by sending me, John Thrasher, to Washington on November 2, 2010.

Thank you for your support.

John

How to Contribute or Volunteer

Contribute today at:

www.thrasherforcongress.org


Or by mail:

John Thrasher For Congress

5350 W Bell Rd C-122 #484

Glendale, Arizona 85308

Volunteer Opportunities are available:

info@thrasherforcongress.org


Forward to all your friends and make your contribution today. Give John Thrasher the support needed to bring back the American Dream.

That sound you hear?

It's the sound of Republican legislators sharpening their knives in preparation for another round of gutting Arizona's future...even before the current round has been finalized by the Senate.

From AZCentral.com -

The Legislature finished the heavy lifting on the state budget Thursday, but returns today to wrap up work on two bills in the Senate.

{snip}

Brewer won't get the budget bills until lawmakers end their special session, which is likely to happen today. She has indicated she'll sign the bills, which cut $1.1 billion from state programs, ending many of the services - such as the cash-assistance program - permanently.

The remaining work concerns two bills. House Bill 2013 would repeal a tax credit given to businesses to defray the cost of complying with state sales-tax collections.

House Concurrent Resolution 2001 would send a repeal of First Things First, an early-childhood education and health program, to the November ballot. Lawmakers want voters to abolish the program and redirect the $325 million it generates from a special tobacco tax to the state general fund.

Both bills passed the House but were collateral damage in the Senate, where tempers flared as the budget debate wore on Thursday.

And the really instructive party of the article -

"One deficit down, another one to go - the jobs deficit," said House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa.

He is pressing for quick work on his bill that cuts taxes and offers various incentives to attract manufacturing jobs to Arizona. House Bill 2250 cleared the House six weeks ago, but Senate President Bob Burns held it up until the budget was completed.

The bill's various tax cuts would take effect beginning in July 2011, at an estimated cost to the state general fund of $171.5 million. By 2017, when the bill is fully in effect, the cost would be $941.8 million a year, according to an analysis by legislative budget staff.

The estimates don't include the money that new jobs would generate in Arizona as it is hard to predict future job growth.

Gotta love those Rs - the costs to Arizona/benefits to their corporate patrons are clear ($941 billion/year by 2017) while the benefits to Arizona (jobs) are too "hard to predict", so there is no cost/benefit analysis to justify the bill, only ideology to drive the R support of this mess.

This session has cut approximately $1 billion from the state's budget, and the Rs are pushing a bill that would necessitate that again...and again, and again.

Welcome to Arizona, where partisan ideology trumps fiscal reality.

Right now, HB2250 hasn't been assigned to a committee in the Senate, and that would be the first sign to indicate that Senate President Bob Burns is allowing it to go forward.

Look for such a move shortly after the Senate finishes its special session budget work, possibly later this week so it can be heard in committee before the end of the month.

More later...

The Coming Week: Legislative Edition, chapter 2 - the House

As usual, all info from the website of the Arizona Legislature, except where noted, and subject to change without notice...

...The post on this week's Senate committee schedule is here.

On the House side of the Capitol quad this week their committees are taking up consideration of Senate bills.

- Rules is meeting on Monday at 1 p.m. in HHR4 (that agenda is covering some of the remaining House bills that are still moving but have yet to reach the House floor)

- Ways and Means will meet on Monday at 2 p.m. in HHR1. A little goofiness, but basically it looks quiet thus far.

- Education will meet on Monday at 2 p.m. in HHR3. Quiet thus far.

- Government will meet on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in HHR4. The agenda includes SB1100, exempting audit files and working papers from audits of county officers from public records disclosure; SB1153, mandating that state law preempts any local laws governing knives (carrying, making, etc.)

- Military Affairs and Public Safety will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR3. Highlight here: a striker (text not posted yet) to SB1014 about arming college faculty; SB1027, a Russell Pearce-spawned measure to require DPS to start a pilot program of using seismic sensors along the border to detect illegal immigration activity.

- Health and Human Services will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR4. Highlight here: SB1305, barring any political entity in the state from expending funds on any insurance plan that provides coverage for abortions.

- Commerce will meet on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in HHR5. Quiet thus far.

- Judiciary will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. in HHR4. Quiet thus far.


Later...

The Coming Week: Legislative Edition, chapter 1 - the Senate

As usual, all info gathered from the website of the Arizona Legislature, except where noted, and subject to change without notice.

...On the Special Session front, the Senate is expected to complete railroading through passing a budget package. (AZCentral.com)

...On the regular session front -

The Senate committee schedule and highlights -

- Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Public Debt will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday in SHR109.

- Judiciary will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday in SHR1. On the agenda is John Kavanagh's measure to criminalize those who look for work as day laborers while standing on the side of the road.

- Commerce and Economic Development will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in SHR1.

- Appropriations will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in SHR109. The highlight here is a striker to HB2370 that would override the will of the voters and reauthorize the existence of payday loan operations. The striker is the brainchild of Russell Pearce.

- Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in SHR1.

- Public Safety and Human Services will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday in SHR3. On the agenda: HB2148, giving preference to married couples in adoptions.

- Veterans and Military Affairs will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in SHR2.

- Finance will meet at 1:30 p.m on Wednesday in SHR3. On the agenda: HB2001, the Rs' scheme to set up an "I didn't pay enough" voluntary tax fund. There will also a "presentation" from Republican activist Don Goldwater on the "debt crisis and Arizona." His website pimps for an investment firm. Wonder where this is going?

- Education Accountability and Reform will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in SHR1. On the agenda: HB2227, mandating that teachers must accept contracts from schools within 15 days (currently they have 30 days) and HB2261, a bill to expand the membership of the Governing Board of the Maricopa County Community College District by adding two members who would be elected on an "at large" basis. Also known as the "Keep Republicans in charges of MCCCD for as long as possible" bill.

- Government Institutions will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday in SHR1.

...House agendas tomorrow...

Live blogging: ASU roundtable discussion on new media and civic engagement along the border

I've been invited to live blog a roundtable discussion on civic engagement in border states at ASU. Donna from Democratic Diva and Rachel Alexander from IC Arizona are also here. Donna will do a summary later, while Rachel will be doing a "live blog" sort of report on her site.

This post will hereafter be best read from bottom to top.
___________________________________________________

12:59 - meeting over. Another event starting up, but I have to go to work. Later!

12:56 - An ASU law prof is asking about information collection/availability from the government, stating that there are gaps between what the government knows on a topic (in this case, border issues) and what academics know.

12:52 - DHS advises that if people on the site ask for a conversation with a senior official on the site, it will happen. Folks just have to sign up and ask.

12:49 - Others are pointing out that making the site "value-neutral" could (and probably will) make it "valueless".

12:47 - One attendee is pointing out the website is "fluff" with no room for criticism/discussion of government border policies. He thinks it will be ineffective.

12:44 - It turns out that academics can ask long, convoluted questions that cannot be easily summarized. Who knew? :) In other words, I have no idea what the next question was really asking.

12:40 - An activist is wondering if the website can be used to highlight the plight of students caught up in immigration snafus, if the site can be used to get the attention of senior officials. Short answer: yes.

12:37 - There is a high-level group working on facilitating secure cross-border trade. Wants to use social media to get info out on both sides of the border.

12:35 - ASU prof? reminds folks that border issues go far beyond just immigration (commerce, environment, etc.)

12:32 - Erin Gross (sp?) of Canadian consulate advises against conflating immigration and fighting crime.

12:24 - Braun is highlighting an example where social media can be used as a "force multiplier", getting information out about an issue such as human trafficking. In larger cities, people are aware of the issue, but in smaller cities and towns, the average person may not realize that it is an issue in their hometown.

12:19 - This program, highlighted on this website, will be focused on utilizing social media to help address Southwest border issues and to promote government transparency to the average citizen.

12:14 - Jake Braun, a White House liason from the Department of Homeland Security is the featured speaker/moderator today. We are doing introductions right now - lots of ASU staff and students, as well as some interested folks (including from the Canadian consulate).

Arizona Legislature: No respect for voters, no respect for the law

Just things that they've done recently or are planning to do in the next week...


- The Senate approved SB1324, mandating that the state's Department of Administration procure and make available to state employees pre-paid identity theft protection services. The only non-legislator who signed in as supporting the measure was the lobbyist for Lifelock, a firm that claims to provide such services.

The same Lifelock that is paying $12 million to settle some false advertising claims, as announced this week by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.

On one side of the Capitol, one conscientious public servant was working to protect Arizonans; on the other side, not so much.

To be fair, the bill sounded innocuous enough to garner a few Democratic votes on the Senate floor, but it's time that the Ds at the Capitol understand that there is nothing innocuous in the measures proposed by their R colleagues.

- This coming Tuesday, Senate Appropriations will be considering a striker to HB2370. The striker would apparently reauthorize the existence of the payday loan industry. I say "apparently" because the lege is keeping the text of the striker under wraps so far.

Less than a year-and-a-half ago, the voters rejected (by over 400,000 votes) an industry-sponsored initiative to do just that, and since then, the industry and their minions in the lege have been working to thwart the will of the voters.

I'm not the only one who has noticed the Rs' attempt at stealth here and is publicizing it - Tucson City Councilman Fimbres has a piece on it in his blog, here.

- Then, of course, is the lege's scheme to "balance" the state's budget by rolling back voter-mandated early childhood education and health care and AHCCCS eligibility levels.

The lege has been told *many* times that Arizonans support a basic social safety net, yet Republican legislators never stop working to destroy anything that even resemble public services.

Maybe this year, instead of sending the "same old, same old" to the Capitol, where most of them will only ignore the best interests of Arizonans, the will of the voters, and even the law, Arizona's voters will finally elect legislators based on dedication to public service, not obeisance to ideology.