Sorry for the lack of posts this week...I am on the mend from the sickness that has infected the Capitol these past few weeks. Thank goodness for the greatest D.O. I know, Dr. Kelli Ward (LHC)! Due to her urging, I got a flu shot in December and have successfully managed to stave off the flu where others have not been so lucky.
I have two posts I am close to completing and hope to have them up late tomorrow, after church in the morning and a Pregnancy Care Banquet tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, as I am no longer contagious, F & I are headed to Kingman for the last of three Lincoln Day Dinners held annually in our district. I am looking forward to seeing all of my friends from the many republican organizations in the area as I miss them tremendously when in Phoenix during session. Also, Congressman Trent Franks is the featured speaker this evening and I always enjoy listening to what he has to say!
Later!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Defining Marriage
Let the people of Arizona define marriage
Cathi Herrod
Arizona Daily Star
February 21, 2008
Arizonans could have an opportunity to decide the future of marriage in our state in November. Resolutions introduced in the Senate and House would refer to the voters a constitutional amendment defining marriage.
The amendment simply states, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
The majority of Arizonans agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman. Gov. Napolitano has stated on multiple occasions that she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
This amendment allows voters to decide if the Arizona Constitution should reflect and protect that belief.
Marriage is a unifying issue — for Arizonans and for all Americans. A November 2007 poll found that 65 percent of Arizonans support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Nationwide, an average of 70 percent of people agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman. This belief cuts across religions, cultural backgrounds and political associations.
Arizonans previously have not been given an opportunity to voice their opinion on a definition of marriage that does not involve debate over domestic-partnership benefits.
This amendment is not about disagreements about benefits or domestic partnerships. This amendment is about what the majority of Arizonans agree on — defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A constitutional amendment is necessary to protect the rights of the people of Arizona to decide on marriage. The future of marriage in Arizona should not be a judge's decision, and it should not be a politician's decision. The people should decide.
We have seen what happened in Massachusetts in 2003, when the state Supreme Court imposed a redefinition of marriage that the people of the commonwealth never agreed to. We also see active legal challenges in California, Connecticut and Iowa, where courts are being asked to overrule state statutes that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The bottom line is that a state statute cannot control what a future court or legislature might do with marriage. Approving a constitutional amendment defining marriage eliminates that uncertainty. The people of Arizona have the right to decide the future of marriage in Arizona.
So let the people decide.
Cathi Herrod
Arizona Daily Star
February 21, 2008
Arizonans could have an opportunity to decide the future of marriage in our state in November. Resolutions introduced in the Senate and House would refer to the voters a constitutional amendment defining marriage.
The amendment simply states, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
The majority of Arizonans agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman. Gov. Napolitano has stated on multiple occasions that she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
This amendment allows voters to decide if the Arizona Constitution should reflect and protect that belief.
Marriage is a unifying issue — for Arizonans and for all Americans. A November 2007 poll found that 65 percent of Arizonans support a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Nationwide, an average of 70 percent of people agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman. This belief cuts across religions, cultural backgrounds and political associations.
Arizonans previously have not been given an opportunity to voice their opinion on a definition of marriage that does not involve debate over domestic-partnership benefits.
This amendment is not about disagreements about benefits or domestic partnerships. This amendment is about what the majority of Arizonans agree on — defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A constitutional amendment is necessary to protect the rights of the people of Arizona to decide on marriage. The future of marriage in Arizona should not be a judge's decision, and it should not be a politician's decision. The people should decide.
We have seen what happened in Massachusetts in 2003, when the state Supreme Court imposed a redefinition of marriage that the people of the commonwealth never agreed to. We also see active legal challenges in California, Connecticut and Iowa, where courts are being asked to overrule state statutes that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
The bottom line is that a state statute cannot control what a future court or legislature might do with marriage. Approving a constitutional amendment defining marriage eliminates that uncertainty. The people of Arizona have the right to decide the future of marriage in Arizona.
So let the people decide.
Revenue Forcast Meeting
The next Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held in Senate Hearing Room 1.
The FAC is made up of academic, business and government economists and other knowledgeable individuals who will present their views on the state of the U.S. and Arizona economies over the next two years.
This is an essential element of the state's revenue estimating process. If you have an interest in this process, you may want to attend.
The FAC is made up of academic, business and government economists and other knowledgeable individuals who will present their views on the state of the U.S. and Arizona economies over the next two years.
This is an essential element of the state's revenue estimating process. If you have an interest in this process, you may want to attend.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sure Could Use a Little Good News Today
For now, Greg Patterson's post about the state of the state will paint the bloody picture of our budget woes. Follow the link.
I promise a post on the House proposed budget, the budget process and the bad news, bad budget, bad bills blues that are wreaking havoc at the capitol, causing many a member stressful days and sleepless nights. I am struggling to find the good in this situation we face and praying that, in attempting to address the crisis, we lawmakers don't do more harm, than good. The task tonight feels weighty and my shoulders worn. I am grateful I know a lighter yoke and for the respite it provides. May today's stumbling blocks be tomorrow's stepping stones.
And, along those lines, may tomorrow's bills have plenty of amendments, to make them palatable, at the very least. There is a reason "they" say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
I promise a post on the House proposed budget, the budget process and the bad news, bad budget, bad bills blues that are wreaking havoc at the capitol, causing many a member stressful days and sleepless nights. I am struggling to find the good in this situation we face and praying that, in attempting to address the crisis, we lawmakers don't do more harm, than good. The task tonight feels weighty and my shoulders worn. I am grateful I know a lighter yoke and for the respite it provides. May today's stumbling blocks be tomorrow's stepping stones.
And, along those lines, may tomorrow's bills have plenty of amendments, to make them palatable, at the very least. There is a reason "they" say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
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