President Obama Speaks on the Affordable Care Act

Time for a BOLO in Tucson?

From the Twitter feed of former state senator Frank Antenori, posted a few minutes ago -

Tennessee man shows that the need for tolerance in the US has never been greater; ABC News shows that the need for editors in the US has never been greater

First, the part about tolerance, or the lack thereof, in the US.

From ABC News/Good Morning America, via Yahoo! News, written by Alexis Shaw -

A Tennessee school district has cancelled some field trips to religious venues after a parent complained that a teacher was pushing "Islamic tolerance" on students.

Mike Conner, 46, of Hendersonville, Tenn., told ABC News that he felt his 14-year-old step daughter's teacher was intentionally giving Islam a greater emphasis than other religions in her Honors World Studies curriculum. The popular elective at the suburban Nashville school with 1,500 students examines five major world religions but only schedules field trips to two houses of worship – a mosque and a Hindu temple. 

In some parts of the country apparently the possibility that children may be taught that "people with different religious beliefs (or non-beliefs) aren't all wild-eyed terrorists" is the sort of un-American activity that must be sniffed out and snuffed out.

Now, the part about editors, or the lack thereof, in the US.

Using snippys (in case someone wants to claim that a "copy-and-paste" can be altered) -

Aside from the fact that the statement is utter crap (there is hardly a "lack" information regarding Christ and/or Gandhi out there), it's "lack *of* information".

Still, one such error could just be a typo.

Typos happen; I know that I've made share. ;)

Unfortunately, there's more than one in the story.

 Ummm..."an" Islamic Center (and I'm not sure that the capitalization here is correct, but this post is about using incorrect words; things like capitalization and punctuation can be addressed another day...of course, the capitalization would work if "and" was replaced with "the", so maybe this is just a case of using the wrong word...) and, in this situation, the parents have "objections".

Both of these mistakes are part of quotes, and I suppose that it's possible that the people being quoted are both grammar-challenged.

However, two people quoted in the same story, making the same mistake, and one of them is a college professor?  Doesn't seem likely.

What seems a little more likely is that Ms. Shaw is a truly unqualified writer.

However, given that the preponderance of the story was serviceable, it seems more likely that someone assembled the story from notes where the quotes were written by someone in a rush who wrote what they needed to remember the actual statement.

And what is not "likely" but definite?

The fact that none of ABC News' editors caught the errors.

Investigative journalism: Republican AG candidate Mark Brnovich and his ties to private prison corporation CCA

While the current Arizona Attorney General, Republican Tom Horne, has proven to be such an embarrassment to the "powers that be" in the AZGOP have allowed at least one of their water carriers to mount a primary challenge to him.

Mark Brnovich, director of Arizona's Department of Gaming and a long-time Republican apparatchik, has announced that he is running for the office.

To the best of my knowledge, he didn't give his girlfriends taxpayer-funded jobs, commit hit-and-run accidents, violate campaign finance laws, or has been permanently banned from securities trading by the SEC.

However, he does seem to have a very questionable association in his closet, one that a state's top law enforcement officer wannabe is going to have trouble explaining away.

From an in-depth article published by the Center for Media and Democracy's PR Watch, written by Beau Hodai -

A former Corrections Corporation of America “senior director of business development” and lobbyist is planning to run for the office of Arizona's top law enforcement officer, Attorney General.

On September 3, Arizona Department of Gaming Director Mark Brnovich sent a letter to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, declaring his intention to resign his post, effective September 20. Although Brnovich has yet to file any formal campaign/committee registration documents with the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State Division of Elections, the Capitol Times reported on September 4, that Brnovich had reserved the website address, "mark4ag.com," on August 23.

{snip}

According to statements of financial disclosure filed with the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State Division of Elections by Brnovich’s wife, former Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner and current Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Susan Brnovich, Mark Brnovich served as a “senior director of business development” for CCA during the course of 2005, 2006 and 2007. CCA was not Brnovich's sole source of employment during at least part of this time. He also worked as a federal prosecutor while working for or on behalf of CCA during part of this time, according to the financial disclosure forms of his wife.

Statements of financial disclosure filed by Susan Brnovich, per her employment with the courts, are only available with the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State Division of Elections dating back to 2005. There are no publicly-available records of Mark Brnovich's financial interests or employment prior to this point.

Biographical data submitted to the Arizona Legislature pursuant to Mark Brnovich's March 31, 2009, appointment as the director of the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) states that Mark Brnovich began his employment with CCA in 2005. Similarly, lobbyist records maintained by the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor show that Mark Brnovich was a registered lobbyist for CCA in that state during 2005 and 2006. (Utah lobby reports filed for Brnovich during 2006 and 2007 pertain to Brnovich lobby activity on behalf of CCA during 2005 and 2006).

The entire article is well-researched, well-sourced, well written and well worth a read.

Especially as the 2014 election season ramps up...

In the wake of the Navy Yard mass shooting, a University of Kansas professor posts a tweet critical of the NRA; professor placed on leave

From the New York Daily News, written by Michael Walsh -

The University of Kansas placed a tenured journalism professor on administrative leave Friday after a controversial Tweet in which he suggested victims for the country's next mass shooting: children of National Rifle Association members.

"The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you," tenured associate professor David Guth said in the wake of the Navy Yard shooting in Washington, D.C.

A snippy of the tweet at issue, courtesy the same article -

When asked about the tweet, Guth stated that his tweet was in no way threatening or advocating violence, and upon reading it, I agree.  

I would have phrased it differently, something along the lines of "if the NRA's adherents and families were doing the dying instead of the killing, maybe their reaction to calls for better gun safety measures would be more thoughtful and reasoned than their current standard of reflexively hysterical."

In other words, if they were directly experiencing the same tragedies and losses as civil society, maybe they would be a little less enthusiastic about the effect of their attitude that the best way to deal with gun violence in society is to introduce more guns into society

However, Republicans in the Kansas legislature aren't fans of free speech, especially when they disagree with the speech in question.  

They are calling for the University to fire Guth and threatening the school's budget if it doesn't accede to their demands.

From Huffington Post -

While the university has taken steps against Guth, Republican state lawmakers want Guth fired. If he isn't, they say, the school could face consequences. State Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) and Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce (R-Hutchison) have both issued statements calling for Guth's dismissal. State Sen. Greg Smith (R-Overland Park) released a statement Friday saying that unless further action is taken against Guth, he will react.

"As a public educator in the Kansas high school education system, I am often consulted by my students as to which college they should attend," Smith said in his statement. "As long as Professor Guth remains employed by the University of Kansas I will no longer recommend the university as an institution worthy of attendance by any of my students nor, as a state senator, will I support any budget proposals or recommendations for the University of Kansas."

Much of the rightwing echo chamber has leaped on this, twisting Guth's words in ways ranging from "he wants to kill the children of NRA members" to "he wants to take the guns of, and kill the children of, NRA members".

Guth, to his credit, hasn't backed down from his tweet, saying that perhaps his words were too "nuanced" for certain segments of society.

For what it's worth, I don't think that his words were nuanced, not even a little bit.

I think that they were words very obviously filled with outrage, frustration, and grief.

I also think that certain segments of society have deliberately misinterpreted them in order to cover their own bloodlust with a mask of false equivalency.

Guth has a blog here.  While I don't agree with everything that he's published, I give credit where it is due - he's not afraid to call people out for their BS as he sees it.

The Winnowing Begins: Hallman Withdraws From GOP Race For Governor

Earlier this week, State Rep. Chad Campbell, Democratic leader in the Arizona House announced his decision to *not* seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014.

That decision leaves Fred Duval as the only "name" candidate currently in the race for the Democratic nod.

Thursday, a Republican candidate did something similar, with one difference.

There are still like half a bajillion Republicans in the race for their nomination.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -

Hugh Hallman on Thursday jumped from the 2014 race for governor to the race for state treasurer, saying he was urged to do so by an influential group of business and civic leaders.

Hallman leaves behind a crowded GOP field vying for the state’s top spot and expands the field for treasurer.

Former Chandler City Councilman Martin Sepulveda and businessman Jeff DeWit also have filed to run for the treasurer’s post.

Still in the GOP race for their gubernatorial nomination, or strongly rumored to be getting in:

Disgraced former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas
Former GoDaddy executive Christine Jones
State Sen. "Atomic" Al Melvin
AZ Secretary of State Ken Bennett (exploring)
AZ Treasurer Doug Ducey (exploring)
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith (rumored)

It's too early to make more than a WAG as to who will be the next GOPer to drop out of the race, but if I had to guess, I expect that the next to go will be Melvin or Thomas -

They're both trying to gain the support of the "bay at the moon" wing of the AZGOP, and while that wing isn't without its influence, it may not be a broad enough base to support two candidates.

Campaign and committees update: busy day

...First, the big news:  Rep. Chad Campbell, Democratic leader in the AZ House, announced his decision to not seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014.

His statement, via Facebook -

It’s been no secret that for the last few months I have been considering running for Governor of Arizona.  Our analysis, as well as independent polling, confirms that I would be in a very strong position if I entered the race.  I have talked with Arizonans across the state about the need to move Arizona in a new direction.  We must focus on job creation, improving our education system and instilling transparency at all levels of government.  However, there are other issues that need to be considered outside of purely political factors when deciding whether or not to run.  It is with these considerations in mind that I have decided to not run for Governor of Arizona at this time.  This decision was not made lightly. I need to focus on my family and other new business opportunities that will allow me to improve communities not only in Arizona, but also across the nation.  To the countless number of people across Arizona who have encouraged me to run, I cannot thank you enough.  While I look forward to serving my last year in the Arizona Legislature as the House Democratic Leader, this decision by no means marks the end of my public service.  I will continue looking at all options in the future to determine how best I can serve Arizona.

Campbell's departure from the race leaves Fred Duval as the only "name" Democrat in the race.  While there is still time for someone else to enter, it's going to have to be soon.

Note:  I didn't have a "favorite" in the projected race but I thought, and think, that a robust primary at the top of the ticket would benefit all Democratic candidate by generating interest and media coverage.

...Human Rights Campaign and other groups announced their plans to support an effort to repeal the state's constitutional prohibition of same-sex marriage.

From the Arizona Daily Sun, written by Howie Fischer of Capitol Media Services -

Hoping to create a change in attitudes, various civil rights groups are taking the first steps today to convince Arizonans that letting gays wed would be a good thing.

The education campaign being launched comes just five years after 56 percent of those who went to the polls voted to put an amendment in the Arizona Constitution defining marriage in this state as strictly between one man and one woman. But supporters of rescinding the ban contend there are Arizonans who can be convinced — if not now, then by 2016 — to support repeal. And they say there already is evidence of a sharp change in public attitudes.

“For example, Wisconsin in 2006 passed a similar amendment,” said Paul Guequierre, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, one of several groups involved in today’s event. “And yet this past year (they) elected their first openly gay senator in history.”

Irony alert, from the same article (emphasis added) -

But Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said supporters of gay marriage are reading far too much into last year’s election of Baldwin, a seven-term member of Congress who edged out former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson.

“I would not say that the voters of Wisconsin elected that senator because of her sexual orientation and that reflects a change in attitudes,” Herrod said. “People judge candidates on the basis of their qualities, where they stand on the issues.”

I wonder if Ms. Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy, actually understands the significance of what she said, because for the first time in, like, EVER, I find myself in agreement with one of her statements.

...A candidate with a last name that's famous in AZ politics has entered the race for the Republican nomination to the Arizona House of Representatives in LD 25.  Mesa school board member Michelle Udall has opened a committee for a run.

...Gary Kiehne, campaign address in Eagar, has opened a committee for a run at the Republican nomination in CD1.  Arizona Republic story here.

Washington Naval Yard Shooting Press Conference - Hard Truths

AHCCCS holding a series of community meetings on Medicaid restoration

The meeting schedule from the publicity flyer:

AHCCCS Community Forums
 
General - Sessions for Families, Advocates, and Community Partners
 
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Casino del Sol Conference Center
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85757
RSVP: ForwardTucson@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Friday, October 11, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Flagstaff Medical Center - McGee Auditorium
1200 North Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
RSVP: ForwardFlagstaff@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
1 -3 p.m.
3:15 - 5 p.m.
The Disability Empowerment Center
5025 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85034
RSVP: Both sessions full
 
Monday, November 4, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
The Disability Empowerment Center
5025 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85034
RSVP: ForwardPhoenix@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
 
 
Tribal - Sessions for Tribal Stakeholders
 
Monday, September 16 and September 23, 2013
1 - 3 p.m.
Native American Community Service Center
4520 North Central Avenue, 6th Floor Conference Room
Phoenix, AZ 85012
RSVP: ForwardPhoenix@AZAHCCCS.gov
 
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Casino del Sol Conference Center
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85757
RSVP: ForwardTucson@AZAHCCCS.gov

Friday, October 11, 2013
10:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.
Flagstaff Medical Center - McGee Auditorium
1200 North Beaver Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
RSVP: ForwardFlagstaff@AZAHCCCS.gov


If you plan to attend one of the meetings and speak, you can download a Speaker Slip here.

More information from AHCCCS on Medicaid restoration here.

Sen. Ed Ableser (LD26) hosting a forum on capital punishment tomorrow...

From a press release -

Senator Ed Ableser will host a forum on capital punishment at the Arizona Senate on Friday, September 13^th. Joined by legislators from both sides of the aisle and guests from government, law enforcement, criminal defense, religious institutions, victims’ rights groups and academics, Sen. Ableser will lead the discussion of the current state of capital punishment in Arizona and its future role in crime deterrence and punishment.

 

WHAT:           Legislative Forum on Capital Punishment

 

WHO:             Guests scheduled to attend include:

·       Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery

·       Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

·       Alan Tavassoli of the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender

·       Reverend Oscar Tillman, President of the Maricopa County branch of the NAACP

·       Carol Gaxiola, Director of Homicide Survivors

·       Timothy LaSota of the law firm Tiffany & Bosco PA

·       Larry Hammond of the law firm Osborn Maledon PA

·       John Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Justice Studies at Arizona State University

 

WHEN:           Friday, September 13^th at 9 a.m.

 

WHERE:         Senate Hearing Room 1

 

 

 

RBB: Tea party types taking down Gilbert school district

It's been well-known for a while that tea party types don't play well with others; turns out that they don't play well with each other, either.

Here in AZ, that fact has been evident nearly from the start. 

In 2011, tea party types in the then-LD20 Republican district organization were apoplectic over the fact that the majority of that district's GOP activists elected a supporter of Sen. John McCain*, Anthony Miller, as the district chair.  The threats, while marginally veiled, were extreme enough for him to fear for the safety of his family and himself, and he ended up resigning the post.

* - I'm sure the fact that Mr. Miller is African-American had absolutely nothing to do with their outrage over his election as chair.  /end sarcasm

Just this year, Andy Biggs, the Republican president of the state senate, declared the seat of Sen. Rich Crandall, a fellow Republican, vacant.  Crandall had announced that he was resigning to take a job in Wyoming, but tried to time his resignation so that his children would have continuous health insurance coverage (they have pre-existing conditions, and a gap in insurance coverage would give any future insurance providers an excuse to deny coverage.

Now, Mike McClellan, a blogger at AZCentral.com has the scoop on what some tea party types are doing down in Gilbert.

...Since the November election created an ultra conservative majority, the [Gilbert] school board has taken these steps:

Forced the resignation of the superintendent.

Decertified the teachers’ union.

Withdrew from the Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) . . . sort of.

Cut the salaries of school janitors and cafeteria workers and other classified staff.

Threatened to end an anti-bullying campaign.

Claimed that Gilbert’s high AIMS scores could be the result of “gaming the system.”

Argued that a curriculum adopted by the district was “socialistic."

 

{snip}

 

But board member Julie Smith has been the busiest recently. After examining the new curriculum for language arts, Smith argued that the curriculum was “socialistic.” Her evidence? Well, it included the suggested writing assignments teachers could use. Assignments like, “Should schools stop selling pop?”

She also argued that the World of Difference anti-bullying program should be stopped. Why?   It’s sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League?

So what, you ask? Well, from Smith’s view that’s the socialistic camel’s nose in the tent. Because, you see, the Anti-Defamation League supports gay marriage. Ergo, an anti-bullying campaign somehow is a de facto support of gay marriage.

Her opposition to the anti-bullying is ironic, given the actions of her husband, David Smith.

Seems that the school board president, Staci Burk, began receiving anonymous threatening text messages this summer. Ms. Burk was rightly frightened, so much so that her health was damaged. Eventually, she learned the texts came from the Julie Smith home.

Burk is a tea party favorite.

Smith is a tea party favorite.

Burk endorsed Smith during Smith's last election.


It'll be interesting to see what the endorsement lists look like during next year's campaigns...


...BTW, am I the only one to notice that the welfare of children is usually placed at risk when tea party types get "rambunctious"?

The 2014 Republican Dream Team is assembling...

...well, "Dream" by my standards; probably not so much by the GOP's...

The Republican fields for the various statewide offices that are up for election next year are becoming clearer, to the point that in many of the races, there are favorites.

As in, candidates who people who are not Republicans hope emerge victorious in the Republican primary.

Under the theory that many of candidates have weaknesses that are so overwhelming that they should be easy to defeat in the general election.


...The team "Cap'n" of the Dream Team is, of course, candidate for governor "Atomic" Al Melvin.

Currently a state senator, he's part of the "Bay at the Moon" caucus at the state lege.  In fact he's one of the leaders.

When he isn't trying to turn Arizona into a nuclear waste dump or pushing to expand slave prison labor here, he is spouting off, like with his recent assertion that trees cause drought conditions.

He's looking to pull off the same play that the notorious Ev Mecham pulled off more than a quarter century ago.  If he does gain the office, he has the potential to embarrass and even damage the state even more than Mecham.  However, his presence at the top of the ticket will serve as an anchor on the rest of the ticket.


...The Dream Team's candidate for Cap'n in Waiting, aka "Secretary of State", is State Senator Michele Reagan.  She's nowhere near as colorful as Melvin.  Never a true "moderate", she was known as someone who would do the right thing for her district and state.  However, her political hard right turn over the last few years, perhaps in preparation for a statewide run, has her firmly ensconced in the heart (such as it is) of the Republican establishment.  Even though she is running for Secretary of State, the state's chief elections officer, she pushed nearly every anti-voter bill that was heard by the Arizona legislature this year.  The provisions of most of those bills were rolled into the blanket non-Republican voter suppression package known as HB2305.

However, none of the above is the reason she is on this list.

Nope.  It's simple statistics.

Over the past 20 years, literally dozens of sitting Republican legislators have sought higher office* while still in the lege.  Two have succeeded - Matt Salmon ran for Congress in 1994 and John Huppenthal ran for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2010.

And Salmon did it during a period that held the legislature in somewhat higher esteem than it is now.

To be sure, in AZ, many statewide and federal electeds are former legislators.  However, other than the two exceptions, all had at least one term away from the legislature before gaining the higher office.

* = Federal or statewide office.  County and municipal offices in AZ are steps up in esteem level (or at least reductions in notoriety level), but steps down in influence level.


...The Dream Team's candidate for enforcer, aka "Attorney General", is the incumbent, Tom Horne.

Possibly the weakest candidate of a weak bunch, an almost unheard-of description of an incumbent.

However, any state attorney general with a resume that includes a federal investigation over campaign finance violations, charges stemming from a hit-and-run accident while leaving a nooner at his girlfriend's home, and giving that girlfriend a highly-paid taxpayer-funded job probably should be looking for a new job.

However, Horne is looking for another term as AG.  It will be up to the voters to tell him that it's time to leave.

...The Dream Team's candidate for Mr. Moneybags, aka "State Treasurer", is Randy Pullen, former chair of the AZGOP and treasurer of the Republican National Committee.  On Thursday, he announced his "exploration" of a run for treasurer (source: Channel 12's Brahm Resnik).

A candidate for state treasurer who's known more for his divisiveness and his poor judgement (note: those are three sources that I never even imagined that I'd link to :) ) in handling others' money than for his financial acumen?

That would be a gift...to whoever else is on the ballot for that office.


...The Dream Team's candidate for Minister of Propaganda, aka "Superintendent of Public Instruction", is the incumbent, John Huppenthal.

Hates public education in a state where the vast majority of parents can't afford private schools and he hates Hispanic people in a state where the Hispanic population is growing both in size and political influence.

That combination is more ripe for a political Darwin award than it is for re-election.


...Note: I am not including the office of State Mine Inspector because it is too low-profile.  Most people in AZ don't know the office exists; most that do cannot name the officeholder.  Perhaps at the founding of AZ, it was a necessary position, but these days it just a place for former rural legislators to pad their pensions and a chance to hobknob with mining industry lobbyists.


Predictions: If the Rs were to nominate this slate, I would be very happy...and very surprised.

...Melvin doesn't seem likely to emerge from the primary, but neither did Ev Mecham in 1986.  At least by the standards of the AZGOP,  being "bay at the moon crazy" doesn't disqualify someone from being their candidate.

...Reagan is the "establishment" candidate, in a party that is being wracked by paroxysms of anti-"establishment" fervor.  Probably the favorite, for now, but not a prohibitive one.

...Horne should be toast.  Someone who's even a little more polished should have little trouble dispatching him in the primary.  If no one does, however, Felecia Rotellini, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the job, will thoroughly kick his ass in the general election.  Which is the main reason that Horne will face a primary challenger.

...Pullen may very well win the nomination, but he has so many enemies within the AZGOP that it won't be easy for him.

...Huppenthal, well, many people (me among them), have written his political epitaph before.  And we've been wrong each time.  He is utterly unqualified for elected office or any position of public trust.  Having said that, no smack talk until it's proven that he can be defeated.

McCain plays poker during "War in Syria?" hearing...

...It may not be "Nero fiddling while Rome burns", but considering that he is pushing America toward a war that maybe a dozen people want (well, a dozen people, plus defense industry lobbyists all over the Beltway), perhaps he should look like he is paying attention when others are discussing the idea...

At Tuesday's US Senate hearing on Syria, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was caught playing poker on his iPhone by an observant reporter from the Washington Post.

Who took a picture ( :) ) -

After the picture started making the rounds on media websites, both MSM and social, McCain tweeted about the incident, attempting to minimize it -

People from all over the political spectrum have been poking a little fun at our Johnny Mac, and perhaps deservedly so.

But everyone, McCain detractors and supporters alike, should be aware that things could be worse.

At least he stayed awake this time.

Unlike, say, during the 2007 State of the Union speech.

pic courtesy the NY Times

Seriously, this is the man who wanted to be president. 

He can't even do the job of US Senator without taking a time out.

Fight HB2305 and voter suppression

This is the last full week for collecting signatures to refer to the ballot the infamous HB2305, with its spate of provisions aimed at suppressing the vote of anyone who dares to support or vote for candidates who aren't Republicans.

Democrats in Maricopa County will have petitions ready to be signed at a number of locations this week -

Note: While these particular events involve Democrats, any registered voter in Maricopa County can sign the petitions at these events.

Voters in other counties who wish to stand up to those elected officials who wish to betray the public trust should contact -

Arizona Democratic Party
Pima County Democratic Party
Pinal County Democratic Party
Yavapai County Democratic Party
Coconino County Democratic Party
Yuma County Democratic Party
Mohave County Democratic Party
Navajo County Democratic Party
Santa Cruz County Democratic Party
Greenlee County Democratic Party
Cochise County Democratic Party
Gila County Democratic Party
Graham County Democratic Party

Again, while these are Democratic Party organizations, all registered voters in Arizona can (and should) sign the petitions.

Pssst! Didja hear? There's an election coming up in Scottsdale...

Two of them, actually...but they'll be on the same day...

Earlier today, I spotted two signs for an upcoming bond election in Scottsdale.  Not surprised by this, as I've been vaguely aware this has been on the horizon.

What *was* surprising was the fact that a closer look at the two signs reveal that one wasn't related to the Scottsdale bond questions.  Nope, one is related to a school district override election.

I don't have much information on either issue right now.

Information on the Scottsdale bonds election, from the City of Scottsdale -

The City of Scottsdale, Arizona (the “City”), will hold a Special Election, on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 for the purposes of:

1. Seeking approval of bonds for park improvements/community facilities, public safety, flood control and transportation and street upgrades in the principal amount not to exceed $212,100,000 (the estimated average tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is $0.2174 per $100 of secondary assessed valuation); and
2. Submitting to the voters as Question 5 the proposed potable water utility distribution franchise agreement, deemed beneficial to the City by the Scottsdale City Council in Resolution No. 9405.

Bond Question 1 seeks voter authorization to sell $50,400,000 general obligation bonds for parks, libraries and community facilities.

Bond Question 2 seeks voter authorization to sell $43,700,000 general obligation bonds for public safety.


Bond Question 3 seeks voter authorization to sell $19,000,000 general obligation bonds for neighborhood flood protection and storm sewers.


Bond Question 4 seeks voter authorization to sell $99,000,000 general obligation bonds for transportation, streets and trails.

Ballot Language for Questions 1 through 4

Questions 1 through 4 will be presented to the qualified voters of the City of Scottsdale in an informational pamphlet.  The pamphlet will be mailed to the households of all registered voters prior to the start of early voting.  Bonds issued pursuant to Questions 1 through 4 will result in a property tax increase sufficient to pay annual debt service on the bonds.


Arguments supporting or opposing one or more of the bond questions (Questions 1 through 4) may be submitted for publication in the informational pamphlet.  Each argument cannot exceed 300 words in length and must contain the original, notarized signature of each person sponsoring it.  The residence or post office address and phone number of each signer must be on the argument, but will not be printed in the informational pamphlet.  If an argument is sponsored by an organization, the original, notarized signatures of two executive officers of the organization are required.  If an argument is sponsored by a political committee, the original, notarized signature of the committee’s chair or treasurer is required.  A payment of $100.00, to offset a portion of the cost of paper and printing the argument, must accompany the filing of each argument.


Arguments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at the following location:

Scottsdale City Clerk’s Office,
3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Question 5 asks voters to consider whether a franchise shall be granted to EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. and Chaparral City Water Company to maintain and operate a potable water distribution system in the City of Scottsdale, and future additions thereto, in accordance with the agreement submitted by the Mayor and City Council in Resolution No. 9405.
 

Ballot Language for Question 5

Proposed Franchise Agreement

For more information, please call the Scottsdale City Clerk at (480) 312-2411.

The City of Scottsdale will publish an informational pamphlet with pro and con arguments; when available, it should be on their Elections webpage, linked above.


Information on the school district override election from the Scottsdale Unified School District -

They have a full presentation on the override here, but one of the slides is a perfect illustration of where the lege's attitude toward public education has brought Arizona -

SUSD will host a series of informational sessions on the override -

	September 12 – Coronado Learning Community Coronado High School - from 6-8 p.m. 7501 E. Virginia Ave. Scottsdale 85257		September 30 – Arcadia Learning Community Arcadia High School - from 6-8 p.m. 4703 E. Indian School Road Phoenix 85018

September 17 – Chaparral Learning Community Chaparral High School - from 6-8 p.m. 6935 E. Gold Dust Ave. Scottsdale 85253

Full disclosure time:

Scottsdale election: I don't have a position on any of the bond questions as yet, and am leaning toward a "no" vote on the franchise agreement, out of general cynicism, but will find out more before actually casting my vote on any of the questions.

School district override:  Yes.  Duh.