Saturday, February 9, 2008
SB1482~Temporary Guest Worker Program
Howard Fischer's article in the Arizona Daily Star provides a few more details on the proposterous piece of proposed legislation that is Senate Bill 1482.
SCR 1009~No Taxpayer Money for Lobbyists
Tough road ahead for ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying. Tell Sponor Senator Linda Gray to keep up the good fight!
In an effort to end the use of taxpayer funds for lobbying, Arizona Senator Linda Gray (R-Northwest Phoenix) introduced SCR 1009, a referendum bill also known as No Taxpayer Money for Lobbyists (NTML).
If passed during the current legislative session, NTML would allow Arizona voters in November to prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying, while safeguarding the ability of elected officials, public agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and political subdivisions to provide expert testimony and information to members of the Legislature.
Although it started off the session with more than a dozen sponsors, and earned the endorsement of the state GOP at its mandatory meeting on January 26th, NTML was held in the Senate’s Government Committee this week. The difficulties faced by the bill in that committee show just how tough it will be to get the reform through the Legislature.
One of the committee members, Sen. Meg Burton Cahill (D-Tempe), expressed the view that the democratic election of local government officials confers legitimacy on all of their decisions, including the decision to give public funds to lobbyists. That is a common view down at the Legislature, although it was not the view of the framers of the US and Arizona Constitutions, who believed that government should have limited powers.
Sen. Robert Blendu (R-Litchfield Park, Goodyear) expressed worries that a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying would disrupt the information-providing function of the lobbying system. While he is correct that lobbying does facilitate the flow of information about policies, it does not follow that lobbyists should have access to public funds. Instead, elected officials and government employees should raise lobbying money the way other interest groups do—by means of private, voluntary contributions.
Sen. Jake Flake (R-Gila and Apache Counties) argued that there is no inherent big-government bias to taxpayer-funded lobbying. He is correct that we should not make blanket statements about the aims of all taxpayer-funded lobbying, but examples of big-government bias come readily to mind. In recent years, lobbyists in Arizona have used public funds to oppose popular efforts to end eminent domain abuse, reduce income and property taxes, and extend educational opportunities to children through school choice.
Sen. Flake also expressed some understandable concerns about geographical equity: the mayor of Snowflake will have more difficulty getting to legislative hearings than the mayor of Glendale. However, there is nothing in NTML that would prevent the Legislature from reimbursing city and county officials for travel expenses when they are invited to Phoenix to testify before legislative committees.
Facing opposition from the Committee’s majority—Senators Blendu, Burton Cahill, Flake, and the nearly silent Jorge Luis Garcia (D-Tucson)—Senator Gray held the bill.
From here, NTML faces a tough road. Perhaps an amended version of the bill can get out of committee and go to a vote before the full Senate. Or perhaps a House version of the bill can move forward. If the Legislature fails us, taxpayer activists will have to wait until next year to collect signatures and put a citizen initiative on the 2010 ballot.
Meanwhile, please send Senator Linda Gray an email (lgray@azleg.gov) or a phone message (602-926-3376) to thank her for her efforts to end taxpayer-funded lobbying. And please tell her to keep up the good fight!
URL for text of the January 26th state GOP resolution in favor of NTML:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=4794&state=az
Contact: Tom Jenney, Arizona state director, Americans for Prosperity
tjenney@afphq.org (602) 478-0146
In an effort to end the use of taxpayer funds for lobbying, Arizona Senator Linda Gray (R-Northwest Phoenix) introduced SCR 1009, a referendum bill also known as No Taxpayer Money for Lobbyists (NTML).
If passed during the current legislative session, NTML would allow Arizona voters in November to prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying, while safeguarding the ability of elected officials, public agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and political subdivisions to provide expert testimony and information to members of the Legislature.
Although it started off the session with more than a dozen sponsors, and earned the endorsement of the state GOP at its mandatory meeting on January 26th, NTML was held in the Senate’s Government Committee this week. The difficulties faced by the bill in that committee show just how tough it will be to get the reform through the Legislature.
One of the committee members, Sen. Meg Burton Cahill (D-Tempe), expressed the view that the democratic election of local government officials confers legitimacy on all of their decisions, including the decision to give public funds to lobbyists. That is a common view down at the Legislature, although it was not the view of the framers of the US and Arizona Constitutions, who believed that government should have limited powers.
Sen. Robert Blendu (R-Litchfield Park, Goodyear) expressed worries that a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying would disrupt the information-providing function of the lobbying system. While he is correct that lobbying does facilitate the flow of information about policies, it does not follow that lobbyists should have access to public funds. Instead, elected officials and government employees should raise lobbying money the way other interest groups do—by means of private, voluntary contributions.
Sen. Jake Flake (R-Gila and Apache Counties) argued that there is no inherent big-government bias to taxpayer-funded lobbying. He is correct that we should not make blanket statements about the aims of all taxpayer-funded lobbying, but examples of big-government bias come readily to mind. In recent years, lobbyists in Arizona have used public funds to oppose popular efforts to end eminent domain abuse, reduce income and property taxes, and extend educational opportunities to children through school choice.
Sen. Flake also expressed some understandable concerns about geographical equity: the mayor of Snowflake will have more difficulty getting to legislative hearings than the mayor of Glendale. However, there is nothing in NTML that would prevent the Legislature from reimbursing city and county officials for travel expenses when they are invited to Phoenix to testify before legislative committees.
Facing opposition from the Committee’s majority—Senators Blendu, Burton Cahill, Flake, and the nearly silent Jorge Luis Garcia (D-Tucson)—Senator Gray held the bill.
From here, NTML faces a tough road. Perhaps an amended version of the bill can get out of committee and go to a vote before the full Senate. Or perhaps a House version of the bill can move forward. If the Legislature fails us, taxpayer activists will have to wait until next year to collect signatures and put a citizen initiative on the 2010 ballot.
Meanwhile, please send Senator Linda Gray an email (lgray@azleg.gov) or a phone message (602-926-3376) to thank her for her efforts to end taxpayer-funded lobbying. And please tell her to keep up the good fight!
URL for text of the January 26th state GOP resolution in favor of NTML:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=4794&state=az
Contact: Tom Jenney, Arizona state director, Americans for Prosperity
tjenney@afphq.org (602) 478-0146
The Governor's Cash Cow: More on the Photo Radar Fiasco
Driver beware! Coming to a street near you...photo radar vans & stand alone cameras...the latest ploy by our Governor and her appointed state agency directors (cronies) in attempt to fill the state's coffers to sustain her reckless spending!
This information comes on top of the of over the recent dismissal of 500 photo radar tickets that were issued mistakenly due to faulty radar equipment. (See 1/30 Post)
This information comes on top of the of over the recent dismissal of 500 photo radar tickets that were issued mistakenly due to faulty radar equipment. (See 1/30 Post)
Biofuel Crops Increase Carbon Emissions
Interesting article in the Las Angeles Times regarding biofuels is worth a read.
"The rush to grow biofuel crops -- widely embraced as part of the solution to global warming -- is actually increasing greenhouse gas emissions rather than reducing them, according to two studies published Thursday in the journal Science."
"The rush to grow biofuel crops -- widely embraced as part of the solution to global warming -- is actually increasing greenhouse gas emissions rather than reducing them, according to two studies published Thursday in the journal Science."
AZ State Rep. Kavanagh's Anti-Illegal Immigration Website
My colleague State Representative John Kavanagh, from LD 8 sent me this email update:
The new issue of http://www.protectazborder.com/, the anti-illegal immigration website of Arizona State Representative John Kavanagh, is now online. Read the latest news articles about national and Arizona-based illegal immigration topics. Also read about the negative effects illegal immigration has on Arizona and the United States.
In this issue:
1. Arizona's Employer Sanctions Law Survives Legal Challenge
2. Arizona Legislators Propose State Immigration Agency for Farm Workers
3. Could State Employer Sanctions Laws Be Heading for a Showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court?
... and much more
The new issue of http://www.protectazborder.com/, the anti-illegal immigration website of Arizona State Representative John Kavanagh, is now online. Read the latest news articles about national and Arizona-based illegal immigration topics. Also read about the negative effects illegal immigration has on Arizona and the United States.
In this issue:
1. Arizona's Employer Sanctions Law Survives Legal Challenge
2. Arizona Legislators Propose State Immigration Agency for Farm Workers
3. Could State Employer Sanctions Laws Be Heading for a Showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court?
... and much more
Friday, February 8, 2008
House Third Reading of Bills for 2/11/08
Third reading of bills is the voting of the entire body of the House or Senate on bills that have passed though their assigned committees and COW (Committee of the Whole). This is the final action on these bills before they go to the other body (the body from which the bills do not originate) to be assigned committees where the process starts all over again.
Any questions?
Third Reading calendars for the House and Senate can be found at http://www.azleg.gov/ where information such as name/bill number, sponsor, and a brief description of the legislation is available.
Now that you know how to follow the bills that are up for a vote in front of the entire body, I look forward to hearing from you all more often!
Any questions?
Third Reading calendars for the House and Senate can be found at http://www.azleg.gov/ where information such as name/bill number, sponsor, and a brief description of the legislation is available.
Now that you know how to follow the bills that are up for a vote in front of the entire body, I look forward to hearing from you all more often!
Arizona Municipal Water User's Association Weekly Update
The third edition of AMWUA's 2008 Legislative Summary is now available on the AMWUA website. The summary is usually posted the close of business every Friday evening during the Legislative Session.
The link to view, download, and print the document is:
http://www.amwua.org/legislative/legislativesummary-2008.pdf
The link to view, download, and print the document is:
http://www.amwua.org/legislative/legislativesummary-2008.pdf
House Schedule for Upcoming Week
Arizona House of Representatives
Schedule for the week of February 11, 2008
**Events and times are subject to change.
Monday
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Financial Institutions and Insurance
Homeland Security and Property Rights
Public Institutions and Retirement
Ways and Means
Tuesday
10:00 a.m. Rules
10:00 a.m. Caucus
(or upon adjournment of Rules)
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Counties, Muncipalities and Military Affairs
Government
Higher Education
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. K-12 Education
Health
Commerce
Natural Resources and Public Safety
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Environment
Appropriations
4:00 p.m. COW amendment deadline
Thursday
9:00 a.m. Human Services
Judiciary
Transportation
9:30 a.m. Water and Agriculture
1:00 p.m. Floor
Schedule for the week of February 11, 2008
**Events and times are subject to change.
Monday
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Financial Institutions and Insurance
Homeland Security and Property Rights
Public Institutions and Retirement
Ways and Means
Tuesday
10:00 a.m. Rules
10:00 a.m. Caucus
(or upon adjournment of Rules)
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Counties, Muncipalities and Military Affairs
Government
Higher Education
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. K-12 Education
Health
Commerce
Natural Resources and Public Safety
1:00 p.m. Floor
1:30 p.m. Environment
Appropriations
4:00 p.m. COW amendment deadline
Thursday
9:00 a.m. Human Services
Judiciary
Transportation
9:30 a.m. Water and Agriculture
1:00 p.m. Floor
Pro-Family Legislation
Track the progress of pro-family legislation through the Center for Arizona Policy's helpful and informative website then email your legislators and share your opinion.
Constituent Mail: SB1214~Concealed Weapons, School Grounds
Letter to the Editor, Tucson Citizen: My Opinion Regarding LEGAL Guns on Campus.
In reply to your 06-Feb-08 OpEd condemning Sen. Karen Johnson and her co-sponsorship of SB1214, I see that you are reciting the same old disingenuous anti personal rights and responsibilities chorus of the Brady-Bloomberg-Feinstein-Schumer-Soros clan.
To borrow your words, “Let’s be straight and upfront about it” – legally owned firearms in the hands of trained, screened, licensed adults (21 years old minimum) duly motivated to provide security and protection for themselves and their charges (if any) always have been, are today, and will remain, a serious deterrent to most violent criminal activity.
While many violent criminals and murderers are mentally deficient – few are so stupid as to plan an attack on an armed target. Your claim that such persons don’t “think clearly or logically, so he would not reason through the possibility of confrontation with an armed teacher” (a.k.a. victim) lacks credibility and logic. Why do these same attackers target schools (‘gun free zones’) instead of police stations, National Guard Armories, Military Installations, or even sportsmen at the local gun club/range? Is your logic so skewed by your anti-gun owner fervor that you refuse to see truth in front of your nose?
Your assertion that despite passing law enforcement investigation, finger print searches, classroom training, legal deadly force briefings, range safety, and live-firing exercises – CCW holders lack “the judgment, training and emotional stability to bring guns onto school campuses” is a sham at best.
Have you taken the CCW course? Could you pass the intensive background investigation? Could you pass the exams and practical exercises? I’d guess the answer to most, if not all of these questions is “no”; not that this stops you from slamming those who have.
You paint with the broadest possible brush to obscure your real fear of citizens standing up for themselves and/or others – versus being helpless dependants of the ever (not so) present government. Where were the “law enforcement officers who have the training, judgment and experience” while victims were being slaughtered at Columbine, West Nickel Mines School, Virginia Tech, SuccessTech Academy, etc.? Law enforcement wasn’t inside these schools until the carnage was already over – but qualified adult CCW holders (actual or potential) were present throughout. However, they were as helpless as the rest of the victims – thanks to your idea that the 2nd Amendment is geographically applicable.
I wonder how loud you would scream if the government decided your beloved 1st Amendment was null and void on a geographical basis?
Do not distort my words or miss my point; I am not blaming or casting aspersions at any LEO, office, or agency for any of these murders. I am pointing out the blatantly obvious truth that police/law enforcement cannot be everywhere all the time. What a pity, if they could – as in your panacea – we would have no robbery, no car-jacking, no mugging, no rape, no crime… Ah what a dream world – but not a reality!
Does SB1214 require anyone to carry a weapon – anywhere? Does SB1214 demand, under penalty of law, that anyone use a weapon – in any circumstance? Again, the answer to these questions is “no”. Sen. Johnson’s bill proposes that individuals, meeting rigid state-sanctioned requirements, be permitted (not required or obligated) to carry a weapon in the heretofore ‘gun free school zones’ should they wish. Whereas, you propose to deny self defense rights to all persons regardless of ability or legality – based simply on your unsubstantiated fear. Also, please note the obvious fact that school zones are only ‘gun free’ to law abiding citizens – criminals and gang-bangers carry weapons wherever they want.
In closing, your fear-based attack against Sen. Johnson and SB1214 lacks reason, logic, and recognition of fact. Arizona did not turn into a Wild West shooting gallery when the CCW law passed some years ago, despite the Chicken Little-like cries of the anti-gun press. Nor did Texas, Florida, Georgia, or any other state that dutifully recognizes the rights of law abiding qualified citizens to bear arms, fall into chaos with scenarios you are trying to paint.
If you have any moral honestly and/or civic integrity, you will consider these points of fact and reassess your slam against Sen. Johnson, her co-sponsors, SB1214, and perhaps even (though I sincerely doubt it) – your anti-gun owner fervor.
SB1214 is a good idea – one which gets the full support of citizens like myself that are willing, able, and fully qualified to protect myself, my charges, and even you.
Respectfully,
Joe Walker
Nationally Certified Firearms Instructor
AZ State Certified Firearms Instructor
Former US Army Ranger
In reply to your 06-Feb-08 OpEd condemning Sen. Karen Johnson and her co-sponsorship of SB1214, I see that you are reciting the same old disingenuous anti personal rights and responsibilities chorus of the Brady-Bloomberg-Feinstein-Schumer-Soros clan.
To borrow your words, “Let’s be straight and upfront about it” – legally owned firearms in the hands of trained, screened, licensed adults (21 years old minimum) duly motivated to provide security and protection for themselves and their charges (if any) always have been, are today, and will remain, a serious deterrent to most violent criminal activity.
While many violent criminals and murderers are mentally deficient – few are so stupid as to plan an attack on an armed target. Your claim that such persons don’t “think clearly or logically, so he would not reason through the possibility of confrontation with an armed teacher” (a.k.a. victim) lacks credibility and logic. Why do these same attackers target schools (‘gun free zones’) instead of police stations, National Guard Armories, Military Installations, or even sportsmen at the local gun club/range? Is your logic so skewed by your anti-gun owner fervor that you refuse to see truth in front of your nose?
Your assertion that despite passing law enforcement investigation, finger print searches, classroom training, legal deadly force briefings, range safety, and live-firing exercises – CCW holders lack “the judgment, training and emotional stability to bring guns onto school campuses” is a sham at best.
Have you taken the CCW course? Could you pass the intensive background investigation? Could you pass the exams and practical exercises? I’d guess the answer to most, if not all of these questions is “no”; not that this stops you from slamming those who have.
You paint with the broadest possible brush to obscure your real fear of citizens standing up for themselves and/or others – versus being helpless dependants of the ever (not so) present government. Where were the “law enforcement officers who have the training, judgment and experience” while victims were being slaughtered at Columbine, West Nickel Mines School, Virginia Tech, SuccessTech Academy, etc.? Law enforcement wasn’t inside these schools until the carnage was already over – but qualified adult CCW holders (actual or potential) were present throughout. However, they were as helpless as the rest of the victims – thanks to your idea that the 2nd Amendment is geographically applicable.
I wonder how loud you would scream if the government decided your beloved 1st Amendment was null and void on a geographical basis?
Do not distort my words or miss my point; I am not blaming or casting aspersions at any LEO, office, or agency for any of these murders. I am pointing out the blatantly obvious truth that police/law enforcement cannot be everywhere all the time. What a pity, if they could – as in your panacea – we would have no robbery, no car-jacking, no mugging, no rape, no crime… Ah what a dream world – but not a reality!
Does SB1214 require anyone to carry a weapon – anywhere? Does SB1214 demand, under penalty of law, that anyone use a weapon – in any circumstance? Again, the answer to these questions is “no”. Sen. Johnson’s bill proposes that individuals, meeting rigid state-sanctioned requirements, be permitted (not required or obligated) to carry a weapon in the heretofore ‘gun free school zones’ should they wish. Whereas, you propose to deny self defense rights to all persons regardless of ability or legality – based simply on your unsubstantiated fear. Also, please note the obvious fact that school zones are only ‘gun free’ to law abiding citizens – criminals and gang-bangers carry weapons wherever they want.
In closing, your fear-based attack against Sen. Johnson and SB1214 lacks reason, logic, and recognition of fact. Arizona did not turn into a Wild West shooting gallery when the CCW law passed some years ago, despite the Chicken Little-like cries of the anti-gun press. Nor did Texas, Florida, Georgia, or any other state that dutifully recognizes the rights of law abiding qualified citizens to bear arms, fall into chaos with scenarios you are trying to paint.
If you have any moral honestly and/or civic integrity, you will consider these points of fact and reassess your slam against Sen. Johnson, her co-sponsors, SB1214, and perhaps even (though I sincerely doubt it) – your anti-gun owner fervor.
SB1214 is a good idea – one which gets the full support of citizens like myself that are willing, able, and fully qualified to protect myself, my charges, and even you.
Respectfully,
Joe Walker
Nationally Certified Firearms Instructor
AZ State Certified Firearms Instructor
Former US Army Ranger
Arizona Temporary Worker Program
Friends, this is proposed legislation that you soon will be hearing about...I believe there is a press conference scheduled for Monday around 11:00 on the Senate lawn. Read the details of this bill & make your voices heard. Whether you support or oppose this legislation, please let me know.
Elements of the Arizona Temporary Worker Program:
1. The program is contingent upon authorization by Congress for an Arizona-only, state-administered temporary worker program.
2. Employers who state that they have a labor shortage and are unable to find local workers with the skills needed will submit an application of request to the Arizona Industrial Commission, which will administer the program. The employers will pay an application fee. The fees will fund the administration of the program.
3. Only citizens of Mexico will be eligible for the program.
4. Employers will recruit workers in Mexico with the skills they need. Workers will submit applications, and photographs and fingerprints will be taken, at Arizona State Offices within Mexico. The employer will submit the names and background information to the Arizona Industrial Commission. The names will be criminal background checked by the Department of Public Safety in cooperation with federal agencies, and a criminal background check will be done in Mexico through agreements with the Department of Public Safety and the appropriate law enforcement agency in Mexico .
5. Tamper-proof Legal worker cards will be printed by the Arizona Department of Transportation and delivered to the requesting employers. A second fee may be charged for the cards. Employers will send their recruiting agents to Arizona State Offices within Mexico to deliver the cards to the selected workers. Employers are charged with verifying that the worker who is issued the card is the same person that submitted the application.
6. Legal workers possessing an Arizona Temporary worker card will be legally able to enter the United States through ports of entry on the Mexico border (upon authorization by Congress) and return through these ports.
7. The Arizona Temporary Worker legal identification card will allow a non-citizen from Mexico to work in ARIZONA ONLY. Employers are required to explain to the workers they recruit that the card does not allow them to work in any other state, and if they are absent from work their card will be revoked and reported to law enforcement authorities.
8. If a worker does not show up for work for fourteen days and the employer is unable to locate him or her, the employer is required to notify the Arizona Industrial Commission, and the Department will cancel the legal worker card and notify the Department of Public Safety that that person no longer has legal authorization to be in the United States. The Department of Public Safety will notify appropriate federal agencies. If the employer offers vacation time, the worker is required to provide an address where he or she will be located.
9. The Arizona Temporary Worker program cards will be issued for a two-year period and will be renewable if the employer files another verification of need and application for foreign labor.
10. The intent of the program is to recruit needed foreign labor from our neighboring country of Mexico. Many agriculture workers currently live in Mexico and work legally during the day in Arizona, returning to Mexico every night. The program is limited to Mexico because that country will be able to conduct a criminal background check within their boundaries and coordinate with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and appropriate federal officials.
11. Industries included in this program may include but are not limited to: agriculture and meat producing industries; hotel and hospitality industries; contractors, homebuilders and subcontractors such as roofing and landscaping; hospitals and nursing homes; and other businesses that are in need of foreign labor.
12. Temporary workers with a criminal record in the United States or in Mexico are ineligible from the program.
UPDATE: More details should be forthcoming after the bill sponsors hold their press conference Monday morning at 11:00 am on the Senate Lawn. Hopefully, they will make time for legislators, including myself, to ask questions. Please feel free to forward me your questions and concerns and I will attempt to garner additional information on both the intended and unintended consequences of the passage of this bill.
Elements of the Arizona Temporary Worker Program:
1. The program is contingent upon authorization by Congress for an Arizona-only, state-administered temporary worker program.
2. Employers who state that they have a labor shortage and are unable to find local workers with the skills needed will submit an application of request to the Arizona Industrial Commission, which will administer the program. The employers will pay an application fee. The fees will fund the administration of the program.
3. Only citizens of Mexico will be eligible for the program.
4. Employers will recruit workers in Mexico with the skills they need. Workers will submit applications, and photographs and fingerprints will be taken, at Arizona State Offices within Mexico. The employer will submit the names and background information to the Arizona Industrial Commission. The names will be criminal background checked by the Department of Public Safety in cooperation with federal agencies, and a criminal background check will be done in Mexico through agreements with the Department of Public Safety and the appropriate law enforcement agency in Mexico .
5. Tamper-proof Legal worker cards will be printed by the Arizona Department of Transportation and delivered to the requesting employers. A second fee may be charged for the cards. Employers will send their recruiting agents to Arizona State Offices within Mexico to deliver the cards to the selected workers. Employers are charged with verifying that the worker who is issued the card is the same person that submitted the application.
6. Legal workers possessing an Arizona Temporary worker card will be legally able to enter the United States through ports of entry on the Mexico border (upon authorization by Congress) and return through these ports.
7. The Arizona Temporary Worker legal identification card will allow a non-citizen from Mexico to work in ARIZONA ONLY. Employers are required to explain to the workers they recruit that the card does not allow them to work in any other state, and if they are absent from work their card will be revoked and reported to law enforcement authorities.
8. If a worker does not show up for work for fourteen days and the employer is unable to locate him or her, the employer is required to notify the Arizona Industrial Commission, and the Department will cancel the legal worker card and notify the Department of Public Safety that that person no longer has legal authorization to be in the United States. The Department of Public Safety will notify appropriate federal agencies. If the employer offers vacation time, the worker is required to provide an address where he or she will be located.
9. The Arizona Temporary Worker program cards will be issued for a two-year period and will be renewable if the employer files another verification of need and application for foreign labor.
10. The intent of the program is to recruit needed foreign labor from our neighboring country of Mexico. Many agriculture workers currently live in Mexico and work legally during the day in Arizona, returning to Mexico every night. The program is limited to Mexico because that country will be able to conduct a criminal background check within their boundaries and coordinate with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and appropriate federal officials.
11. Industries included in this program may include but are not limited to: agriculture and meat producing industries; hotel and hospitality industries; contractors, homebuilders and subcontractors such as roofing and landscaping; hospitals and nursing homes; and other businesses that are in need of foreign labor.
12. Temporary workers with a criminal record in the United States or in Mexico are ineligible from the program.
UPDATE: More details should be forthcoming after the bill sponsors hold their press conference Monday morning at 11:00 am on the Senate Lawn. Hopefully, they will make time for legislators, including myself, to ask questions. Please feel free to forward me your questions and concerns and I will attempt to garner additional information on both the intended and unintended consequences of the passage of this bill.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Growing Government
Over the past seven years, the state budget has increased 94%, while the population has only increased 24%. According to the Goldwater Institute and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, total state spending for fiscal year 2008, which began July 1, 2007 will be an estimated $27 billion – or $855 every second. This is one of the reasons, besides the steep economic decline, that the state is facing the current budget crisis today and, hopefully, explains my consistant opposition to the budgets presented the past three sessions.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Constituent Mail
Represenatives Biggs, Burges, and Groe,
Thank you so much for leading the way on HCM 2003 opposing a NORTH AMERICAN UNION.
You have reached the true meaning of a PATRIOT ...and know exactly what your job is...defending the sovereignty of the UNITED STATES.
You three are heroes.
In my own community of Douglas we are having issues with the port of entry. This port of entry that is really a NAFTA FREEWAY...is being built in the wrong place and will cause great traffic issues for our community. They have no evacuation plan in place and plan to put commercial traffic with the regular traffic..which is illegal but the report that the GOA OFFICE did...says differently.
Thank you!!
Thank you so much for leading the way on HCM 2003 opposing a NORTH AMERICAN UNION.
You have reached the true meaning of a PATRIOT ...and know exactly what your job is...defending the sovereignty of the UNITED STATES.
You three are heroes.
In my own community of Douglas we are having issues with the port of entry. This port of entry that is really a NAFTA FREEWAY...is being built in the wrong place and will cause great traffic issues for our community. They have no evacuation plan in place and plan to put commercial traffic with the regular traffic..which is illegal but the report that the GOA OFFICE did...says differently.
Thank you!!
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