God is so Good

Thank you all so much for your support!

Gram, I want to let you and the other two folks that read this blog that this chapter of my life has come to an end and therefore, this will be my last post.

It has been an awesome journey! Thank you to my wonderful husband Frank, and my family and friends who continue to inspire me!

What lies behind us and what lies before us

are but small matters compared to what lies within us.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Election Results for Coconino County, AZ

Primary Election September 2, 2008
*** Unofficial Until Final Canvass ***
Results will be posted beginning 8:00pm MST

*Since legislative district 3 covers Mohave, La Paz and Coconino Counties, I have included this link, in addition to the previous post which contained Mohave County Voting Information. I cannot locate a link for La Paz County Election Results.

Hat Tip to Gram for suggesting I post the links for election results!

Mohave County - Election Results

Mohave County - Election Results: Click Here

Allen Tempert, Elections Director
P.O. Box 7000
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86402-7000
Telephone: 928-753-0733
Fax: 928-718-4956

September 2, 2008 Primary


View Results by Precinct

Mohave County Polling Places

Click the title of this post for a list of polling place in Mohave County or call the elections department at 928-753-0733.

VOTING YOUR BALLOT - DO'S AND DON'TS

Check your current address on your ID with the current address registered with Voter's Registration -- THEY MUST MATCH.

Use BLACK or BLUE ink--not pencil, color crayons or other colored pens

If you mis-mark your Ballot, request a new Ballot--do not put an X thru it, write 'no' or 'oops' and/or inital it. The voting machine can not read anything other then the bubble that is marked. Counting Boards can not interpret your intent--it is against the law!

Your printed messages are misdirected--send them to your elected representatives. The Elections Department can not change the law nor do we write the laws.

You must sign your Early Ballot affidavit exactly as you did when you registered to vote. (Check your registration card with your signature on it, make sure they match--if your signature has changed or you can no longer mark the ballot yourself, contact Voter Registration and they will gladly help you solve this problem.)

Remember: Your signature on the affidavit envelope is your proof of ID and does not remain with the ballot once your signature has been identified as your's and not your neighbor's--your secrecy is not jeopardized. Don't sign the ballot itself!

No political material should be worn or taken to the polls with you--this is against the law.

If you are going to the polling site, check to make sure you are listed in the correct precinct, find the correct location of your polling place, take your ID with you, and announce your name to the poll workers at the ID table so they may begin processing your ballot request.

If your ID does not match the Voter Registration Register, and you choose not to return home to get other forms of ID, then you will have to fill out a Provisional Ballot form so Voter Registration can verify your signature. Allow some extra time for this situation.

If you need special assistance let the poll workers know so they can assist you.

Valley View Medical Center

At the invitation of CEO Allen Peters, CNO Dana Rice, & others, I recently had the opportunity to tour Valley View Medical Center located in Fort Mohave, for the first time. Wow! Not only is the facility gorgeous, with state of the art equipment but everyone on staff whom I came into contact with was friendly & professional. I came away from the visit with a better understanding of the positive impact on the community made by Valley View & all those who comprise the Valley View family. From the cleanliness of the hospital to the numerous community outreach programs, the dedication to customer service & attention to detail is apparent. Valley View Medical Center is indeed a shining jewel in the desert sand.

Thank you to all who work so hard on behalf of our community!

BIONIC

“BIONIC ~ Believe It or Not, I Care”

Frank & I attended a graduation ceremony last night at the Arizona State Prison-Kingman. ASP – Kingman is a low custody private prison under contract with the Arizona Department of Corrections to provide custody and substance abuse treatment for 1400 adult male offenders who have demonstrated a need for substance or alcohol abuse intervention.

What a celebration this was!

After Ralph McKie, the 1st VP of Vietnam Veterans of America, Mohave County Chapter 975 led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, the festivities began with a bang when the band playing praise music warmed up the crowd of family & friends. With inmates on the guitar, tambourine, & drums, guests clapped their hands to a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Though I cannot remember the name of the “lead singer,” his powerful voice does stick in my memory.

Kingman Mayor John Salem then delivered a motivational message regarding attitude & the choices we are presented with each day…how our attitude frames our perspective of events that occur in our daily life. Mayor Salem's stories were met with a few laughs and cheers from the inmates and their families.

Proud instructors, led by Dr. Elizabeth Gwynne, MTC's Education Administrator, passed out over 60 diplomas to inmates who successfully completed GED, Creative Writing, and Financial Literacy courses. By the time the graduation ceremony concluded my eyes were wet & swollen, my hands red & raw from clapping, & my heart was bursting with happiness over the accomplishment of these inmates. These guys get it! Taking a bad situation and turning it around shows gumption and character and never fails to amaze me. God's grace and forgiveness is awesome. With HIM, through HIM, all things are possible and work together for good! AMEN!

Rising from my chair to leave the prision, I turned over the graduation program & saw it:

BIONIC ~ Believe It or Not, I Care

Warden Elliot, Chaplin Basye, MCC Instructors, MTC Staff, thank you...I do believe it & so do those men you inspire.

THE RIGHT (!) CHOICE FOR VP

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is Senator McCain's choice for Vice President!!!!!! On John McCain's birthday, he gives conservative republicans a great gift by choosing SP! For the very first time in this presidential campaign I have hope...praise God! I now am enthusiastically supporting the Republican ticket and cannot wait to watch the upcoming speeches and debates. Senator McCain's choice is inspiring and I thank him for this greatest birthday present.

What we know about Governor Palin:

• 44 years old



• tough political operative



• has been known since high school as "Sarah Barracuda"



• married to a professional fisherman, celebrating their 20 year anniversary today



• has 5 children. Her youngest has Downs Syndrome, her oldest son is in the Army who will begin serving in Iraq next month.



• solid on energy policy



• proponent of drilling in ANWAR



• saved the state hundreds of thousands of dollars by getting rid of the state-owned jet and travels on commercial airlines



• pro-life advocate



• pro-gun

Home Builders Endorsement

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 28, 2008
CONTACT: Spencer Kamps:(602) 274-6545

Home Builders Association of Central Arizona Endorses District 3 Incumbents

The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) is proud to endorse incumbent Senator Ron Gould, Representative Trish Groe and Representative Nancy McLain for re-election in legislative District 3. Gould, Groe and McLain have all proven to be strong allies of the home building industry, consistent with their commitment to lower taxes and limited government.

Additionally, Gould, Groe and McLain have repeatedly stood up against legislation that would have increased costs and further prolong Arizona's housing recovery. In the face of such uncertain economic times, District 3 is fortunate to have such strong, dedicated leaders at the legislature.

Republican Corporation Commission Candidates

GROE NOTE: Choosing your Arizona Corporation Commissioners is an important decision that impacts your utility rates. If you would like my input or assistance in making this important decision, please call or email me before voting on September 2nd.

AZ Federation for Taxpayers/Americans for Prosperity Ratings for ACC Candidates:

Candidate *Party *Previous Office *Year *Score *Scorecard Designation

John Allen R State Representative 2006 72% Friend of the Taxpayer
John Allen R State Representative 2005 82% Champion of the Taxpayer

Rick Fowlkes R None recorded n/a n/a No record available

Joseph Hobbs R None recorded n/a n/a No record available

Marian McClure R State Representative 2008 72% Friend of the Taxpayer
Marian McClure R State Representative 2007 40% Friend of Big Government

Bob Robson R State Representative 2008 77% Friend of the Taxpayer
Bob Robson R State Representative 2007 58% Needs Improvement

Bob Stump R State Representative 2008 82% Champion of the Taxpayer
Bob Stump R State Representative 2007 69% Ally of the Taxpayer

Keith Swapp R None recorded n/a n/a No record available

Barry Wong R State Representative 2000 14% Big Spender
Barry Wong R State Representative 1999 24% Big Spender

Note: AFP Arizona does not endorse or oppose any candidates for public office. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Further, the policy matters decided by the ACC may be different from legislative or local government matters.

Welcome to AZforMarriage.com

Please visit YESforMarriage.com!

From the website:

"This website is a temporary home on the Internet while we put the finishing touches on our permanent website. Please sign up for our free email alerts so you can get breaking news on the marriage campaign and also get notification when our official, permanent site comes online (note: we respect your privacy and won’t share your email address with anyone for any reason).

So, what’s this all about?

Arizonans will vote on November 4, 2008 on Ballot Proposition 102 which reads:
“Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”

We urge you to vote “YES” which will place this statement into the Arizona Constitution and secure this principle for our state law."

GF Revenues and Spending for FY09

Here is a quick look at where FY 2009 General Fund Revenues are derived, and how they are spent:

FY 2009 General Fund Revenue--Where It Comes From
Sales and Use Tax: $4,643.6
Individual Income Tax: $3,619.4
Corporate Income Tax: $871.2
Other: $133.7
TOTAL 1/$9,267.9
1/ Includes all legislative revenue changes, but does not include beginning balance or other one-time revenue adjustments.

The projected beginning balance is $1.0 million. Other one-time revenues adjustments equal $711.3 million.

FY 2009 Total General Fund Appropriations--Where It Goes
Education (K-12): $4,141.2
AHCCCS : $1,425.3
Universities: $1,080.4
Corrections: $947.5
Economic Security: $808.3
Health Services: $611.5
School Facilities Bd: $101.2
Other Agencies: $846.6
TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET: $ 9,962.0

Data may be obtained through the JLBC website: http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/09app/apprpttoc.pdf

TIME'S UP!

GROE NOTE: Hooray! I just received this email about the demise of the TIME Initiative and a "dragon-slaying" party to celebrate the good news. Please take a moment, as Tom suggests, to send a note to those who fought on your behalf to kill this tax increase.

Dear Arizona Taxpayer,

You are invited to a Dragon Slaying Party this Friday evening, August 29th, at the George and Dragon Pub in Phoenix. The occasion for the festivities is the demise of the TIME Ballot Initiative, which was thrown off the ballot today by the Arizona Supreme Court:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/08/25/daily27.html

The TIME Initiative would have increased the state sales tax by 18 percent, and thrown $42 billion at unspecified transportation projects, including projects—such as light rail—that have very little to do with transportation. The government largess for rail projects would have been doled out by the members of a “Passenger Rail Projects Committee,” a majority of whose members would have been appointees serving at the pleasure of the Governor.

To learn about the many disastrous provisions of the TIME Initiative, read this analysis by transportation expert John Semmens:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/timeinitiativeanalysis.pdf
And please send a note of thanks to Steve Voeller of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (http://www.azfec.org/), for the work AZFEC did to oppose the TIME Initiative on the legal front. Steve’s email is steve@AZFreeEnterpriseClub.org.

If anyone is interested in organizing festivities outside of the Valley, let me know, and I will help.

For Liberty,
--Tom

Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
(Arizona Federation of Taxpayers)
http://www.aztaxpayers.org/
tjenney@afphq.org
(602) 478-0146

Trish Groe Receives an "A"

I am a member of the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association (founded in 1909 to promote shooting sport) and just received my monthly newsletter announcing a new website and legislative rankings for incumbent legislators. Check out the new website for the ASRPA at http://www.asrpa.com/ and click the "Legislation" button on the left to view their newly posted rankings for those legislators involved in contested primaries only...drum roll please...

Rep. Trish Groe receives an A ranking!

A = Very good, strong pro rights & interests

Thanks ASRPA members, for your continued support. I look forward to working hard during the upcoming legislative session to protect and enhance our 2nd Amendment rights, in addition to protecting our right to safely hunt and fish this great land!

District III Community Profiles

Follow these links for some interesting reading about the communities that make up Legislative District (LD) 3.

Fredonia Community Profile

Kingman Community Profile

Lake Havasu City Community Profile

Page Community Profile

Parker Community Profile

Quartzsite Community Profile

Bouse Community Profile

Bullhead City Community Profile

Chloride Community Profile

Colorado City Community Profile

Dolan Springs Community Profile

Bad, Bad Biden

Visit this link for more on Joe Biden: The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org

Club for Growth PAC White Paper on Joe Biden
Washington – With Barack Obama’s announcement of Joe Biden as his vice-presidential pick, taxpayers should ask themselves: Just how bad is Senator Biden’s record on economic issues? Unfortunately, the answer is: Very bad.

TEAM GROE

Besides recently beating out our own Senator Ron Gould for top honor "Legislator of the Year" and sharing the title "HERO of the TAXPAYER", I have been exceptionally fortunate to receive endorsements from the following organizations:

Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association

Arizona Medical Association

Arizona Academy of Family Physicians

Arizona Technology Council

Arizona Right to Life

Lake Havasu Republican Assembly

National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)

Arizona Association of REALTORS

Sonoran Alliance

Arizona Fraternal Order of Police

Southern Arizona Home Builders

Home Builders of Central Arizona

The Groe Campaign is growing stronger day by day, working hard towards a victory in the Republican Primary on September 2nd but we need your help! Send me an email if you are interested in learning more about joining "TEAM GROE"...we look forward to hearing from you!

2008 Annual Republican Picnic

The Annual Republican Picnic was held in the Haulapai's today and what a fantastic event it was! Hundreds of GOP faithful turned out to enjoy the mild mountain weather, fantastic Tennessee BBQ, and opportunity to fellowship among friends. The message from candidates and voters alike was of similar mind and purpose...success in November! A victory over Obama is a victory for the GOP.

BTW, if you haven't taken the time to attend one of these picnics, you are really missing out on a great party!

Scenes From the Road

Frank and I took a wonderful tour this week visiting Beaver Dam, Littlefield, Colorado City, and Centennial Park. Here are some shots of the scenery that captured our attention during the drive.

Besides breathtaking views, my days were filled with meetings...wonderfully productive meetings where I met new friends and shared with them my passion for protecting our personal liberties and individual freedoms. The response to my message tremendous as folks are eager for government to return to those priorities this country was founded upon.

Back in Lake Havasu City, I send a warm shout-out to my new friends with whom I look forward to working with as we strive towards crafting responsible, positive policy. Thanks for your support; it means a great deal to me.

Burning Questions, Plus an Endorsement

GROE NOTE: I recently received the endorsement of the Lake Havasu Republican Assembly after successfully answering the following questions. I am tremendously proud to have the Republican Assembly endorsement. When I get a bit of time, in the next day or so, I will print my answers to their pointed questions.

1. What in your opinion is the purpose of government?

2. Please name top issues you are most concerned about.

3. Explain your stand on the Second Amendment.

4. In your opinion, what is the role of gaming in Arizona?

5. Do you have any environmental concerns and what are they?

6. Are there any areas of spending that should be increased?

7. Name at least 3 things you hope to accomplish by running for your particular office.

8. Would you co-sponsor a bill to outlaw abortion? Will you vote to outlaw abortion?

9. Would you support government benefits to unmarried but cohabitating individuals…?

10. What would you say is the difference between a Democracy and a Republic?

11. Explain your views on current immigration policies; what if any changes would you make?

12. Do you favor the participation of the United States in international government?

13. Do you think we need federal help for our crime problems in Arizona?

14. What % of land in AZ should belong to the federal government? the state? private hands?

15. What is the role of state government in protecting private property?

16. Where do you think we need to increase state welfare?

17. What is your opinion of tax breaks for big businesses over small businesses?

18. What is the role of government in lower education, i.e. kindergarten through 12th grade?

19. What is your stand on the Governor’s plan to increase tax dollars to help state education costs? Do you feel the necessity to change the method of funding education in Arizona?

20. How would you improve the state highway system?

21. Do you favor a Balanced Budget Amendment?

22. How would you interpret the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights?

23. Do you favor a Constitutional Convention?

24. What is the role of the state in providing language learning of non-English-speaking students?

Easy Ways to Stay Informed

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club is an fiscally conservative organization that sends out email updates during the Arizona Legislative Session discussing the pros & cons of proposed legislation. I am almost always in agreement with their position. If you click on the red circled envelope at the bottom right corner of their website, you can sign up for their email updates.

Americans For Prosperity or, as the Arizona Chapter is known, Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, is also a great source of information during the legislative session. Tom Jenney, the ATF’s president, sends out email updates on budget issues & legislative proposals that effect the taxpayer. Some of his emails serve as “action alerts” so that you can organize a group of like-minded folks to call or email legislators.

The Goldwater Institute sends emails almost daily during session about all types of legislative proposals, weighing in on both fiscal & social proposals. They also rate legislators each year & compile a scorecard, much like Americans for Prosperity/Arizona Federation of Taxpayers.

Groe Named Top Champion of the Taxpayer

Groe Note: WOW!!!! After catching your breath and regaining your balance, make sure you check out the complete scorecard. You might be quite surprised at the scores of some fellow republicans.

Arizona’s FY 2008-2009 state budget, which is more than a billion dollars over budget, produced sharp divisions in legislators’ scores on the 24th annual “Friend of the Taxpayer” Legislative Scorecard, sponsored by the Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), formerly the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers. Legislators voting against the budget bills scored an average of 82 percent, while legislators voting in favor scored an average of 10 percent.

The top award stayed in Lake Havasu City, with Rep. Trish Groe narrowly beating out Sen. Ron Gould, who earned the top spot the last three years in a row. Joining Groe and Gould in the category “Hero of the Taxpayer” were Gilbert Reps. Andy Biggs and Eddie Farnsworth, scoring 90 percent or higher.
To view the complete Scorecard, visit http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/2008azlegislativescorecard.pdf.

With their combined high scores, Mohave County legislators Groe, Gould, and McLain made Legislative District 3 the highest-scoring district in the state. In second place was LD 22 (Gilbert), and in third place was LD 9 (Glendale/Peoria/Sun City). The average Republican legislator scored 70 percent (Friend of the Taxpayer), while the average Democratic legislator scored 9 percent (Hero of Big Government). Last year’s Party averages were 65 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

Widening the divide in scores were the failure of the Governor and legislative majorities to prevent a possible $300 million increase in property taxes next year, advance school choice legislation, allow for private enterprise to provide for Arizona’s transportation infrastructure, or enact budget reforms that would help to rein in runaway spending.

For AFP-AZ, the brightest spot in the 2008 Legislative Session was the passage of transparency legislation that will allow Arizona taxpayers to go online and view all state expenditures made to all vendors. AFP-AZ hopes the 2009 Session will extend transparency to the county and city levels.

For the second year in a row, Rep. Steve Farley (R-Tucson) was at the bottom of the scorecard, this time with a score of 3 percent. Farley, who received last year’s Empty Wallet Award, secured his spot at the bottom by casting the lone vote against the transparency legislation.

Contact: Tom Jenney, (602) 478-0146, or Phil Kerpen (202) 349-5796

State Taxpayer Protection Pledge

Today, once again, I committed to the taxpayers of Legislative District 3 and to all of the people of this state that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes by signing the State Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

A complete list of signers of the pledge can be found on the following link:

http://www.atr.org/content/pdf/2008/july/071508ot-stateincumbentslist.pdf

Senator Gould's name appears on the list. One notable name missing? That of my seatmate...CURIOUS.

Quick Facts on Education

Have you ever wondered how much of the state’s general fund budget they believe goes to education?

The reality is that the Legislature appropriates over 50% of the state’s general fund monies for education!

The Legislature appropriated 41% of general fund dollars to K-12 education ($4.3 billion) and 11% ($1.1 billion) to universities. [1]

(Caveat: Federal funds are outside the Legislature’s control. Educational programs and many, many other state programs receive federal funds (like welfare programs). When you add together all legislatively appropriated state general fund dollars and all other funds such as federal funds, then the state spends 21% of all funds for K-12 education and 12% on universities. Either way, K-12 education is the top funded item in Arizona.)

**To clarify the data presented, the average per pupil funding quoted includes all funding (maintenance and operations and capital) from all sources (federal, state and local), and represents a statewide average. Although I do not have the district by district breakdown for all funding sources and expenditures in front of me, I do have district reported data for FY 2007 for maintenance and operations spending, and this includes teachers' and teachers' aides' salaries and benefits, instructional supplies, instructional aids (textbooks, software, etc.) and activities. This constitutes classroom dollars, and excludes administration, food service, support services (counselors, librarians, etc), transportation and building operation and maintenance (this is non-classroom). Again, this is self-reported data from the school districts for FY 2007. As you know, an average is calculated by taking the total expenditures and dividing that by the number of students. An average does not represent an exact amount, and some districts will always be above the average and some below and there are many reasons for this average.

The statewide average for the classroom dollars in FY 2007 was $4,277 (again, this number does not include the items listed above) and total dollars was $7,382 (the discrepancy can be accounted for in lots of ways as some items are not accounted for in different comparisons, ie. this number may not include all sources of revenue, but looks at expenditures while the original number quoted is revenue per student from all sources). For Bullhead City Elementary, the classroom dollars average per pupil was $3,728 (total was $6,218) and for Lake Havasu City Unified the average was $4,040 (total was $6,598). There is no single reason why these districts are at these amounts, as the complexity of school funding and expenditures prevents an analysis of generalized data. Additionally, some school districts levy local taxes while others do not, thus raising the averages over those that do not levy locally. For Bullhead City Elementary, some of this difference may be in the average teacher years of experience (5.8 years) versus the state average (8.1 years) which can affect the average teacher salary ($38,700 versus state average of $43,833) and classroom dollars.

These districts would need to do a detailed analysis of their revenues and expenditures in order to determine if they are maximizing their available dollars.

As for school building renewal monies, these amounts have been cut in the past due to the failure of school districts to use the funds that they had been provided, and the federal courts have upheld that this failure to use these monies, along with failing to provide proof that these funds are necessary, have allowed the Governor and the Legislature to cut these funds.

Superintendent Horne on the AIMS Test

NOTE: As I am attempting to answer the 474+ emails in my legislative inbox, I came across this letter from Tom Horne, Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction. The letter is dated July, 9, 2008 ~ about a week or so after session ended.

OPEN LETTER TO STATE LEGISLATORS REGARDING THE AIMS TEST

I. The AIMS Test is Our Only Mechanism for Holding Schools Accountable.

In a poll required and financed by the state legislature, the public was asked “Do you favor or oppose using statewide tests to determine how schools are performing?” Sixty-six percent favored, 30 percent opposed, and 4 percent had no opinion. Carolyn Warner[1] had CUES, Diane Bishop* dumped that and started ASAP, Lisa Graham Keegan* dumped that and started AIMS. When you keep dumping what you have and start something new, there are enormous start up costs each time, there is no opportunity for stability and continuous improvement, and teachers take nothing seriously because they know it will soon be replaced. We have now had AIMS for 12 years, and have the opportunity for continuous improvement.

AIMS is the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards. To understand AIMS, one must understand the standards movement throughout the country.

II. The Standards Movement.

The quality of public education in the United States began sinking in the 1960s, and the downward trend accelerated. One of the great qualities of a representative republic is its capacity for self correction. The public noticed how little high school graduates knew, and demanded a change. That change was the standards movement.

Standards are developed by teachers brought together from around the state, and ultimately approved by the State Board. They set out in detail what every student should know and be able to do in a given subject at a given grade level. You can review the performance objectives for any grade in any subject at our website www.azed.gov, click on “Standards.” Teachers are now teaching the academic standards to their students.

Every question on the AIMS test is a measurement of a performance objective. This is what makes AIMS unique. AIMS is the only test where you know the students have been taught the subject of the test questions, because the teachers have agreed to teach the standards, and every question is a measurement of a standard. That is why AIMS is the only test that can fairly hold schools, teachers, and students accountable.

AIMS is no longer a secret test. You can take a sample AIMS test by going to www.azed.gov “AIMS – Take the Test.”


III. Was the AIMS Test “Dumbed Down?”

Some people charged that the AIMS has lost value because it has been “dumbed down.” But last year there were 3,000 students whose teachers had given them passing grades, and who had the credits to graduate, but who could not pass the AIMS test after five tries. The same people who claim that AIMS has lost value because it has been dumbed down, often support the decision of the governor to sign a bill that permitted these same students to graduate with “augmentation” using the subjective grades that they received from teachers. You can’t have it both ways. If the AIMS test is too easy, or was dumbed down, then the governor should not have signed a bill permitting graduation by the students who could not pass an objective test, based on subjective grades given by teachers.

The difficulty of the test has not been changed since 2005. In 2005, the AIMS tests had to be revised because for the first time we had standards for every grade level, and needed new AIMS tests to assess these new standards. That is the only change since the test started in 1996, except high school math in 2001.

The method used to determine the cut scores (the percentage of right answers needed to pass) had to follow certain standards, as required by the federal government. The determinations were initially made by task forces of teachers drawn from all over the state, who decided what level of difficulty constituted “proficient.” This then had to be approved by the State Board.

The level of difficulty for grades three through seven did not change significantly. Eighth grade math had always had a much higher failure rate than all other grades, (including high school) and its failure rate was brought into line with the other grade levels. In high school math, I thought the recommendation of the teachers reduced the level of difficulty too much and recommended to the State Board that a higher level be applied. The vote was eight to one against me. The other eight board members wanted to follow the process that had been set up with the teachers, and I can understand their position. I still believe I was right. But understand that if the Board voted as I recommended, the number of students with the credits to graduate who could not graduate because they did not pass the AIMS test would have been higher than 6,000. Here again, no one can consistently criticize the Board’s decision, yet support the governor’s decision to allow students to graduate who had not passed the AIMS test.

The only way I could have seen to it that the level of difficulty was higher in the recommendation that went to the State Board would have been to limit the task force to a group of elite teachers, rather than the diverse group that we did use. I believe that would have been wrong.

IV. Is AIMS a “Bad” Test?

Some people have been quoted as saying that AIMS is a “bad” test. There is absolutely no basis for their saying that, and it is a totally false statement. Although Arizona teachers write the questions, the psychometrics are validated by one of the largest two companies in the country in that field. Knowing that we could be sued over students not graduating, as many other states have been, we have had a national advisory board of the very top national leaders in psychometrics approve every step that we take. Under No Child Left Behind, the federal government must approve the standards-based test (in our case AIMS) that every state must have. Arizona was one of the first ten states approved out of 50 states. The Fordham Foundation is the principal institution for ranking standards. Arizona standards ranked 7th out of 49 states. Arizona ranks first out of 50 states in the category “curricular content, standards-based reform, and school choice.”

V. AIMS Rewards Not Only Proficiency, But Also Excellence.

To be a highly performing or excelling school, the school must have not only a given percentage of students proficient, but also a given percentage of students as exceeding proficiency. Students who exceed on all three AIMS tests, and meet certain other academic requirements, receive a full tuition scholarship at our state universities. 3,800 students now receive this benefit, and I believe their families are appreciative.

VI. 2:00 A.M. Legislation Is Not Good Public Policy.

At approximately 2:00 A.M. the night that the Senate passed its budget, a provision was added regarding the AIMS test. It called for a task force to study switching from AIMS to something new called AAAT. It would combine current AIMS questions with the ACT college entrance test, as is now done in Michigan. It prohibited the State Board from entering into any contracts for the AIMS test for more than one year.

Representative Crandall, a member of the governor’s P-20 Council, has bragged to the media that he got the Senate to add this provision to the budget at about 2:00 A.M. He has bragged further that he had previously met with education stakeholder groups about this provision, but carefully kept it secret from the Department of Education, because he feels that I am an obstructionist. I am not a committee chair, and I do not have the power to obstruct anything. I only have the power to give you information, because the Department of Education has detailed information that can be valuable to you in making decisions about education. His purpose was to keep you ignorant of the information that I could have provided you, and that you could have considered before making a decision. This is not good public policy making.

Here is what I could have told you had I been given the opportunity.

First, there was no need to restrict the State Board from entering into a contract for more than one year for AIMS. Even if you were to decide to adopt the AAAT test, the fastest that it could be implemented would be 2012 (see Exhibit A, showing the time line).

Second, we are in the fifth year of our current five-year contract for the AIMS test. We were ready to send out bids for a new five-year contract. When the bid can only be for one year, the costs become prohibitively high. Asking vendors to submit a bid every year means the vendor will have to charge much more to recoup the costs of developing and managing the test.

Third, Arizona’s cost for all of its statewide tests (both AIMS and TerraNova) is about $11 per student. Michigan, the state that the 2:00 A.M. provision seeks to copy, anticipates its cost next year at $115 per student – TEN TIMES AS MUCH. (See Exhibit B, document received from the Michigan Department of Education.)

Fourth, Michigan made a presentation to the Council of Chief State School Officers regarding this combining of the statewide test with the ACT. Exhibit C is a copy of one of the pages from the Michigan PowerPoint. It states:
Sticker Shock

· Lobbying claims
· ACT-based NCLB test will be less expensive
· Better aligned to Michigan standards
· Take less time to administer

· Reality
· More than triple the cost
· Requires significant augmentation
· Takes significantly more time to administer

I do not deny that there can be benefits from combining the statewide test with the ACT. I believe that reasonable people can differ about it, and I am certainly willing to study it with an open mind. But making a policy decision like this, which ties the Board’s hands to a one-year contract and thereby makes Arizona’s cost skyrocket, at 2:00 A.M. so that legislators can be kept ignorant of any input from the Department of Education, is not good public policy making.


Tom Horne Superintendent Tom Horne Arizona Department of Education 1535 W. Jefferson Street, Bin #2 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542-5460 (602) 542-5440 Email: tom.horne@azed.gov

[1] For the more youthful readers: these are former state school superintendents.

Medical Malpractice Legislation

I want to give you some background of our malpractice statutes in Arizona.

According to A.R.S. Section 12-542, there is a two year statute of limitation for medical malpractice cases. Defendants are proportionally liable for damages in direct proportion to their percentage of fault, unless the defendant acted in concert with another person (A.R.S. Section 12-2506). Also, the Constitution prohibits any limits on damages (Article 2, Section 31).
Sen. Allen has run legislation for several years that would have established statutory elements of proof for medical malpractice cases related to emergency health care professionals or hospitals. The bills have either been vetoed by the Governor, died in the process or used as vehicle bills somewhere in the process. Inevitably, the bill always dies.

In 2005, the Legislature added Laws 2005, Chapter 183, Section 1 (now A.R.S. Section 12-2604), which outlined the requirements of medical expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases. On June 17, 2008, the Court of Appeals, Division 1 held A.R.S. Section 12-2604(A) was unconstitutional because the statute "cannot be harmonized" with A.R.S. Rules of Evidence, Rule 702, which was established by the Arizona Supreme Court. Rule 702 relates to testimony by experts and the court felt that A.R.S. Section 12-2604(A) precluded witnesses that were otherwise qualified under Rule 702 from testifying in a malpractice case unless that witness met the additional criteria established in A.R.S. Section 12-2604(A).

Additionally, in 2007 Senator Leff sponsored SB 1505 which would have prohibited the admission of scientific opinion testimony in an action for person injury, death or damage to property unless the court determined that the expert's opinion is reliable and useful, based on the consideration of criteria that were outlined in the bill. The bill died in the Senate when it was Third Read. It is my understanding that the bill had similar issues as those of A.R.S. Section 12-2604(A). Some felt that the bill was unconstitutional and that it was really a separation of powers issue. It was mentioned that by establishing certain criteria, some testimony would be excluded.

Attached are the relevant statutes, sections of the Constitution, bill summaries.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/ars/12/00542.htm&Title=12&DocType=ARS
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/ars/12/02604.htm&Title=12&DocType=ARS
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/ars/12/02506.htm&Title=12&DocType=ARS
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/const/2/31.htm

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/legtext/47leg/2r/summary/h.sb1351_04-17-06_asengrossedandaspassedhouse.doc.htm

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/summary/h.sb1036_04-20-05_astransmittedtogovernor.doc.htm

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.aspinDoc=/legtext/48leg/1r/summary/s.1505ced_caucus-floor.doc.htm

Immigration = Global Warming

New findings from the Center for Immigration Studies:

The findings of a new study indicate that future levels of immigration will have a significant impact on efforts to reduce global CO2 emissions. Immigration to the United States significantly increases world-wide CO2 emissions because it transfers population from lower-polluting parts of the world to the United States, which is a higher-polluting country.

Perhaps this is the argument we need to use with "certain folks".

Wind Turbine Syndrome

This is an excerpt of testimony from a physician-scientist appearing before New York State Legislature's Energy Committee:

Three doctors that I know of are studying the Wind Turbine Syndrome: myself, one in England, and one in Australia. We note the same sets of symptoms. The symptoms start when local turbines go into operation and resolve when the turbines are off or when the person is out of the area. The symptoms include:
1) Sleep problems: noise or physical sensations of pulsation or pressure make it hard to go to sleep and cause frequent awakening.
2) Headaches which are increased in frequency or severity.
3) Dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea.
4) Exhaustion, anxiety, anger, irritability, and depression.
5) Problems with concentration and learning.
6) Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Her research says wind turbines should never be built closer than two miles from homes. . . .

Your thoughts?

Disheartening, Frustrating, and Unbelievable

Chandler police have arrested this man who was caught shoplifting shrimp and octopus by stuffing them down his pants. Ugghhh! REALLY? DISGUSTING!

When the police asked him for identification, he gave them a false name. When he did produce ID, police were able to ascertain that the man had one outstanding misdemeanor warrant and two outstanding felony warrants. The shoplifter, who was caught wearing a false beard and mustache, has several aliases.

An illegal immigrant, the man has already been deported once! HEY FEDS! LISTEN UP! CLOSE THE @#%^&*^# BORDER!

Fraternal Order of Police Endorsement

Today I received a letter from Bryan Soller, the President of the Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. He was writing to inform me that they have endorsed my candidacy for the state legislature.

Endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police signifies that the FOP, Arizona's largest police organization, believes that I support Arizona's law enforcement officers and their mission.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in Arizona, with more than 6500 members state-wide. The Arizona Fraternal Order of Police represents the interest of professional law enforcement officers. Many of the benefits and rights afforded to Arizona Law Enforcement are the results of efforts by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Thanks, Mr. Soller! I proudly accept the endorsement of the FOP!

Quick Facts on K-12 Education

Hey folks...I just recieved an email from majority staff at the Arizona House of Representatives that included some interesting facts and I thought that I would pass them along. As usual, I welcome your input or comments on these numbers.

Per pupil K-12 education funding from all sources has increased from $5,721 per pupil in FY 1998 to almost $9,400 in FY 2007. This per pupil amount reflects an increase of funding equal to approximately 64%. Over this same timeframe, average daily membership pupil counts for K-12 education have increased from 770,013 to an estimated 1,030,811, reflecting a pupil count increase of approximately 34%. Sources of estimated FY 2007 funding:

State Funding FY 2007 estimated

Basic State Aid (BSA) $3,505,087,300

Additional State Aid $323,961,600

Other Formula Programs $35,915,200

Non-Formula Programs $91,226,300

ADE Administration $11,164,700

BSA--Permanent State School Fund $45,220,700

SFB--New School Facilities $250,000,000

SFB--Building Renewal $86,283,500

Proposition 301--Classroom Site Fund $440,190,800

Proposition 301--Other $102,780,500

Subtotal $4,891,830,600

County and Local (formula and non-formula) $3,530,596,100

Federal $1,261,734,506

Total $9,684,161,206

Fueling Trouble

Gov Backs Tax Hike

From the Arizona Free Enterprise Club:

Napolitano Backs Two Tax Hikes as Arizona Economy Struggles ~
Sales tax increase would add $1.2 billion and property taxes another $250 million
annually in new tax burden.

Phoenix, AZ – Steve Voeller, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, today warned
Arizonans to brace for a heavy tax burden in 2010. Against the backdrop of a slowing economy,
a $1.5 billion deficit next year, and billions more in total state debt, Gov. Napolitano is
supporting two major tax increases.

This year the governor vetoed a bill that would have prevented a statewide property tax
increase from coming back on the books in 2009. Without further action, a property tax cut that
passed in 2006 will return next year at a cost of $250 million a year.

In her veto message, Napolitano said that making the tax cut permanent would “be the
height of fiscal irresponsibility.” Soon thereafter, the governor signed a budget into law that
added $2 billion in new debt, including $1 billion in university construction that is financed by a
planned expansion of the Arizona lottery.

The governor is also the lead proponent of a new statewide sales tax increase for various
transportation projects, grants to non-profit organizations, and wildlife habitat preservation (the
TIME initiative). This tax would add $1.2 billion annually to the Arizona tax burden beginning
in 2010. The new state sales tax rate would be 6.6 percent (a 17.8 percent increase) and would
give Arizona the fifth-highest sales tax rate in the country.

“Arizona’s economy just had one of the worst quarters in recent history and an
unemployment rate jump not seen since 1991,” Voeller said. “The last thing we need now is
a tax increase.”

According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Arizona personal income grew by
3.8 percent in the first quarter, the slowest growth rate since October 2003. On an annualized
basis, Arizona personal income growth ranked 42nd in the nation.

“You can’t tax your way to prosperity,” Voeller said. “What our economy needs now
is a freeze on all tax increases and a serious dose of spending restraint.”

District III Endorsements

Martin Swanty

Al & Alice Gray

Mike & Kathie Schuler

Dori Meadows

Gerald Winsko

Ann Howe

Lori Dee Doefler

Catching Up ~ Fun in Flagstaff

Hello from Flagstaff! Wow, is it gorgeous here...and quite a bit cooler!

Frank, my parents, and I packed our campers and headed to Flagstaff on Tuesday evening as I was the guest speaker at the Grand Canyon State Electrical Co-Op Association's annual summer conference luncheon yesterday. We are camping at a local KOA, enjoying the change in scenery...the guys especially are relishing the respite from pounding campaign signs.

After my speech we visited the Museum of Northern Arizona where we learned much about the geology, anthropology, fine art, and biology of Arizona. There was also a dinosaur exhibit as well as a fascinating exhibit honoring Native American Code Talkers. Today we are driving out to Sunset Crater, the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau.

I have been awarded two more endorsements:

Sonoran Alliance

Arizona Technology Council

Ciao for now!

AZ Right to Life Endorsements

I am excited to learn that I once again, received an endorsement from Arizona Right to Life. Click the title of this post for the complete list of endorsements for most state-wide offices.

NRA Endorsement

Returning home from Bullhead City, I rushed out to check the mail. (As much as I use email predominately for communication, nothing compares to recieving good old-fashion snail mail, in my opinion.) I was ecstatic when I read the printing on a small-sized bright orange postcard. One side of the postcard exclaimed "ELECTION ALERT". The flip side held the held this message:

VOTE FREEDOM FIRST IN THE SEPTEMBER 2 PRIMARY ELECTION!

Dear Arizona NRA Member,

Tuesday, September 2 is a Primary Election Day. Your National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (www.NRAPVF.org) has endorsed Trish Groe and Nancy McClain for re-election in State House District 3.

The postcard mentions that I am an "A" rated lawmaker, that I have been a strong advocate for the Second Amendment, and have helped pass numerous bills critically important to Arizona gun owners. I am also credited for co-sponsoring HB 2629, which would have clarified defensive display of a firearm, and HB 2630, which would have made carrying a concealed weapon a petty offense instead of a misdemeanor.

If you are a registered voter, you are eligible to participate in this election! Be sure to spread the word to your family, friends, and fellow gun owners to re-elect Trish Groe!

Sincerely, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, http://www.nrail.org/

On the Road with Team Groe

Yesterday Team Groe, comprised of my husband Frank, my wonderful parents and myself, headed out to Bullhead City for the last of the sign installation. As we drove towards our destination, the heavens opened up and the rain fell. HARD. Thankfully, Team Groe is a very dedicated bunch and we pressed on towards the goal ~ an empty truck bed. (We could not stop at our eventual destination, the Sam's Club with the truck loaded up with signs; there would be no room for the important purchases of STUFF we NEED.)





* A very special thanks to a Team Groe member not featured in these photos ~ my mother, the faithful (and talented) photographer!

New Law: More Changes to the Employer Sanctions Law

House Bill 2745, which retro-actively takes effect on May 1, 2008 makes numerous additional changes to the employer sanctions bill.

Some of the details include identity theft provisions:

• expands the definitions of "identity theft" to include theft for the purposes of obtaining or continuing employment
• adds the offense of "knowingly accepting the identity of another person," a class 4 felony which applies to employers who knowingly accept false employment documents

Some details related to the complaint process include:

• Requires the Attorney General (AG) to create a form to be used by persons wishing to file a complaint against a company for hiring an unauthorized alien, and specifies that the complaint form may not be required to include a complainant's social security number or a notary's authorization. If a complaint is submitted on this form, the county attorney must investigate the complaint; if a complaint is presented to a county attorney, but not submitted on the prescribed form, the county attorney may investigate the complaint.
• Notes that anoymous complaints not submitted on the prescribed form are not prohibited by the act.
• Prohibits a county attorney from investigating a complaint based solely on race, color, or national origin.
• Permits a county sheriff or other local law enforcement agency to assist in investigation a complaint.

New Law: Disciplinary Records; Open to Inspection

Requires a public body to maintain all records of disciplinary actions and employee responses and make the records open to inspection and copying, unless the specific records are otherwise protected by law. Exempts the home address, phone number, and photograph of protected law enforcement officers from disclosure. Chapter 277

New Law: SB 1083 Special License Plates

Creates the Gold Star Family special license plate and the Arizona Professional Basketball Club special plate and specifies that $8 of the $25 special plate fee must be deposited in the State Highway Fund.

New Law: SB 1332 DNA Testing; Arrest

• Requires juveniles arrested for homicide, burglary, certian sexual offenses, or a serious offense involving a weapon to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement.
• Requires an adult charged with a felony or certain misdemeanors to submit a DNA sample within five days of being released on bond.
• Allows a court to revoke a person's (juvenile or adult's) release if the requirement is not met.

New Law: SB 1021 Community Notification; Sex Offender

Allows a court to continue, defer, or terminate a sex offender's community notification after a probation hearing. Chapter 9

New Law: HB 2643 OUI & DUI Related Legislation

OUI

• Removes a civil penalty for refusing a test for alcohol concentration or drug content
• For a first violation, stipulates that an offender be sentenced to at least 10 days in jail, except under certain conditions, whereby the sentence may be suspended if the offender completes drug or alcohol treatment. Allows a judge to order drug or alcohol screenings or community restitution.
• For a second violation within 48 months, allows a judge to suspend all but 30 days of the sentence, only if the offender did not recklessly endanger a person. Requires a person to perform 30 hours of community restitution.
• Makes changes to the definition and classification of Aggravated OUI. Requires an Aggravated or Extreme OUI offender to pay an additional assessment of $250, which is directed to the DUI Abatement Fund. Separates Extreme OUI into two categories for offenders with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .15 and 2.0 and 2.0 and above, and specifies separates penalties and fines for each.

DUI

• Permits a person whose driving license has been suspended for refusing a test for alcohol concentration or drug content, or or vehicular homicide involving DUI, to have their license reinstated only if they complete alcohol or drug screening.
• Separates Extreme DUI into two separate categories for offenders with BAC between .15 and .20 and 2.0 and above, and specifies separate penalties and fines for each. Prohibits a judge from suspending any portion of an extreme DUI jail term.
• Allocates five percent of a restaurant's annual fee to the DUI Abatement Fund

New Law: HB 2486 Prohibited Possessors; Undocumented Aliens

Defines an undocumented alien, non-immigrant alien (traveling with or without documentation), or a foreign student as a "prohibited possessor." Prohibited possessors may be charged with misconduct involving weapons for possessing a deadly weapon. Exempts certain classes of immigrants, including diplomats, those with hunting licenses, or permission form the attorney general, and immigrants participating in firearm-related events. Chapter 3

New Law: HB 2193 Publication; County Minutes

Removes the requirement that counties publish minutes in newspapers and instead requires them to be made available at the clerk of the board's office, in public libraries, and as required by open meeting laws. Chapter 214

New Law: HB 2620 Budget Adjustments; FY 2007-2008

This bill is NOT the most recently enacted budget but the budget changes/fixes that we voted on earlier this year to address the $1.8 Billion Dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that ended this past June. This bill revises the FY 2007-2008 budget.

• $4.1 Million revents to the GF (general fund) from the State Lake Improvement Fund
• $18.1 Million revents to the GF from the State Aviation Fund
• $1 Million from the FY 07 Appropriation for the Yuma Welcome Center reverts to the GF
• $1.5 Million from the 2006 conditional appropriation for the Yuma Welcome Center reverts to the GF
• $42 Million appropriated from the State Highway Fund to the Statewide Transportation Acceleration Needs Account (STAN) is now transferred to the Department of Public Safety for Highway Patrol costs.

New Law: SB 1049 Safe Haven Providers; Notices

Requires fire stations, hospitals, and outpatient treatment centersto post a safe haven notice at all entrances. Mandates the notice must be placed in a conspicuous area on the exterior of the building.

New Law: HB 2410 Open Meetings; Public Opinion

Clarifies that if a member of a public body individually expresses an opinion or discusses an issue with the public, through public broadcast, or at a venue other than a public meeting, the member is not in violation of A.R.S. Title 38, article 3.1 (Public Meetings and Proceedings) if the opinion is not directed at another public official and there is no concerted plan to engage in collective deliberation to take legal action.

New Law: Employer Sanctions Clarification

HB 2745 Now found in ASRS Chapter 152

Effective after September 30, 2008

Governmental entities are required to check legal status of license applicants, ensure contractors verify their employees' status and only grant economic incentives to employers registered with and participation in the e-verify program. The applicants and employers have the onus of proof in these situations.

Another Groe Endorsement!!!

National Federation of Independent Business, a small business association that promotes and protects the right of small business owners to own and operate their businesses has announced their endorsement of my re-election!

Constituent Mail: Stolen SLIF Monies

This afternoon I recieved a passionate email from a property owner in Lake Havasu City who had read an article about the recent robbing of State Lake Improvement Funds from the Arizona State Parks Department for the purpose of attempting to balance the state budget.

Along with my response, I have included a link to the article about this that appeared in the Today's News Herald.

http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2008/07/23/news/doc4886b360e247b023412416.txt


Dear Mr. John Q Public,

Thank you for taking the time to write me, voicing your outrage at the announcement of the cancellation of SLIF grants previously awarded to Lake Havasu City by the AZ State Parks Department. I fought tooth and nail to prevent State Lake Improvement Funds from being stolen. Unfortunately uncontrolled spending and unrestrained greed by our current governor and legislators on both sides of the aisle have contributed to the $2.3 Billion Dollar Shortfall we now face. To address this issue, supporters of the recently enacted budget stole money from every designated fund in addition to borrowing $2 Million MORE dollars to dig us further into debt. Mr. JQ Public, as a fiscal conservative I continuously fight for prudent spending of taxpayer money with priorities on transportation infrastructure (including SLIF dollars), public safety, and education.

I understand your frustration as it echos my own. If I am re-elected I hope to continue this battle, restoring and then preserving stolen designated funds.

Most respectfully,

Recent Press

For those of you who do not subscribe to our local news print, here are some recent articles in which I have been featured:

http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=16677

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2008/07/24/news/local/local1.txt

http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=16664

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2008/07/23/news/top_story/top1.txt

http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2008/06/27/news/doc48647913ef9d1165969932.txt

The articles are a bit informative, some of them full of (hopefully) typos. One of the articles attributes a quote to me that there are 15 new bills proposed every year...try 1500! Out of about 1500 bills proposed, only just over 300 become law. Still, in my opinion, more new laws than we need each year. As I mention in a previous post, the focus needs to be on enforcement, not new mandates and restrictions. If you have any questions after reading these articles, please leave a comment on this blog or shoot me an email.

Ciao!

Groe Campaign Endorsement

I just got a phone call letting me know that I have received the endorsement of the Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association.

SAHBA's purpose is to stimulate business within the home building industry; influence political decisions by virtue of member strength; and provide a format for networking, information, training, and support for members. SAHBA is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders.

Cap & Trade Boondoggle

Arizona backs climate plan:

"Arizona is joining six Western states and four Canadian provinces with a proposal to limit greenhouse-gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system that would be the largest of its kind in North America.
The plan, a draft of which was released this week, would apply market fundamentals to the fight against global warming, which many climatologists warn will result in higher temperatures and worsening drought across the West.
A final version of the plan is due in September, with the recommendations left to each state and province to adopt. It's unknown how much of the plan could be implemented administratively in Arizona and how much would require legislative approval."

LHC Locals Rally for Private Property Rights

This past Wednesday’s Lake Havasu City Government Planning Division work session focused on additional potential restrictions to residential parking. I was excited that so many folks attended the meeting to voice their opposition to any new proposals. Private property rights are under assault from all levels of government and every effort must be made to protect these valuable rights. Glenn Conroy, a local REALTOR, was right on the mark when he stated that focus should be on enforcement of current ordinances.

This issue will continue to be discussed at the next Planning Division work session. The next meeting is Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. Please plan on attending or, if you prefer, e-mail Stuart Schmeling at schmelings@lhcaz.gov, Janice Sorenson at sorensonj@lhcaz.gov or Dan Kassik at kassikd@lhcaz.gov with your opinions and input.

2008 "TIME" COALITION TRANSPORTATION TAX INITIATIVE: LET’S PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS ONE

by Dennis Kavanaugh, Councilmember, District 3, City of Mesa

"Recently, the Arizona Republic ran a column on the challenges facing the Time Coalition’s initiative to raise taxes for transportation. The column outlined some obstacles facing this proposal. Problems like bad timing given the economy and limited support for a tax increase."

Please take the time to read the rest of this article by clicking on the title of this post, then help me rally opposition to this voter initiative.

Catching Up: The Tri-City Council Brief

Both the Kingman and Bullhead City press covered the Tri-City Council meeting that was held at the lovely Hampton Inn in Kingman this past Wednesday and I have to say that the article in today's Kingman Daily Miner comes closest to describing the exchange between myself and BHC Mayor Jack Hakim.

Mayor Hakim wrongly attempted to lay blame for the current budget fiasco on Rep.McLain and myself. He was way off base and truthfully knew not about what he was talking. Mayor Hakim is a FOJ (Friend of Janet), has appeared on a list of Republicans endorsing her,and I believe, even served on her inaugural committee. Hakim refuses to accept that the budget recently enacted is essentially the Governor's budget. (Thanks Senator Bee!)

Read about the meeting here:
Leaders from county's Big 3 meet in Kingman

Read about Hakim's endorsement of Napolitano here:
http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t62694.html

I applaud the leaders and representatives from the three cities for gathering together on a regular basis and working towards common goals. That said, I am disappointed that the mayors of all three cities appear (from their comments at the meeting) to support the Governor-backed TIME Initiative that will be on the ballot in November. This is a tax increase to fund transportation needs primarily for Maricopa County. The passage of this tax increase will free up money currently spent on transportation needs so that the Governor and her lackeys can grow other government programs.

Western Governors Offer Greenhouse Emissions Plan

Read this article and then alert every one of your neighbors, friends, and family members who live in Arizona...the horrible farce of a cap and trade system is coming to Arizona. Make no mistake about it, the Governor has joined with other western states in pushing this policy that will cause utility costs to skyrocket!!!! Other policy wonks have named this proposal "cap and spend". Please check past blog posts for further information on this policy and then write and call the Governor's office urging her to put a stop to this nonsense.

Here are some additional links on Cap & Trade articles found on well-respected conservative think-tanks:

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Economy/wm1723.cfm

http://www.junkscience.com/Cap_and_Trade_Economic_Analysis_September_2007.pdf

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26621

http://www.newsweek.com/id/139454

Americans for Prosperity Press Release

Dear LD3 (Mohave County) Taxpayer:

The Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP Arizona) has called the Legislative Session that ended June 27th the “worst in memory” for fiscal conservatives.

Fortunately, your LD3 delegation did a good job, from the point of view of fiscal conservatism, which aims to 1) restrain government spending, 2) prevent tax increases, 3) balance budgets without resorting to debt or accounting gimmicks, and 4) avoid using tax dollars for wasteful corporate-welfare boondoggles.

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, aided by slim majorities in the Senate and House, failed Arizona taxpayers on all four counts.

The final General Fund budget was officially $9.9 billion, but roughly one billion in spending commitments were pushed off the books, meaning that the real budget is closer to $11 billion. In any case, the actual available cash is projected to be $9.2 billion at most, meaning that even the official budget is $700 million in the hole.

(And although the budget had very little in the way of real program cuts, the Governor and her allies did cut $5 million in funding for school choice vouchers for disabled and foster children. With an average amount of $4,000, the foster vouchers actually save the state money when children transfer out of traditional government school districts.)

Coming after four years of irresponsibly large budgets, the budget passed in June will continue to push the state toward a constitutional crisis in which the Arizona Supreme Court may choose between Prop 108, the rule that mandates a two-thirds legislative majority for tax increases, and Props 301 and 204, which mandate large automatic spending increases for government schools and government-subsidized health care. With Prop 108 safely out of the way, the Big Spenders can raise taxes and increase per-capita government spending to the economy-strangling levels of California, Michigan, or New Jersey.

Happily, your LD3 delegation voted against the budget (HB2209, et al):

Sen. Ron Gould (R) rgould@azleg.gov
Rep. Trish Groe (R) tgroe@azleg.gov
Rep. Nancy McLain (R) nmclain@azleg.gov

Further, the Governor and her allies in the Legislature prevented the passage of measures that would permanently repeal the state equalization property tax rate. That failure leaves open the strong possibility that Arizona politicians will attempt to increase property taxes on homeowners and businesses by $250 million next year.

Your LD3 Legislators voted against allowing a $250 million property tax hike (HB2220):

Sen. Ron Gould (R) rgould@azleg.gov
Rep. Trish Groe (R) tgroe@azleg.gov
Rep. Nancy McLain (R) nmclain@azleg.gov

(Reps. Groe and McLain also voted in favor of an important property tax levy limitation bill, HB2586. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass the House…)

On the corporate-welfare boondoggle front, the Governor and Legislature approved a scheme to grant the special privileges of issuing tax-free bonds and levying taxes to the developer of a rock and roll theme park in Eloy.

LD3 Legislators who voted in favor of the Eloy theme park scheme (SB1450) were:

Rep. Nancy McLain (R) nmclain@azleg.gov

LD3 Legislators who voted against the Eloy theme park scheme (SB1450) were:

Sen. Ron Gould (R) rgould@azleg.gov (see note)
Rep. Trish Groe (R) tgroe@azleg.gov

Special thanks to Sen. Gould, for his efforts to engage in a “silent filibuster” against the Eloy theme park bill during the Senate vote. The Senate voted to “excuse” him in order to finish the roll-call vote, which is why his vote appears as an “E” instead of an “N” in the tally on the Senate vote.

On the bright side, one of the small victories for fiscal conservatives this year was blocking the creation of a new taxing district for baseball stadiums in Pima County.

LD3 Legislators who voted to allow Pima County to institute a baseball stadium tax (SB1084) were:

Rep. Nancy McLain (R) nmclain@azleg.gov

LD3 Legislators who voted against allowing Pima County to institute a baseball stadium tax (SB1084) were:

Rep. Trish Groe (R) tgroe@azleg.gov

(Thankfully, the Senate did not get a chance to vote for the bill…)

For Liberty,

--Tom

Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
(Arizona Federation of Taxpayers)
www.aztaxpayers.org
tjenney@afphq.org
(602) 478-0146