Downtime...with a Side of Links

I made it into town last Saturday evening and promised myself (and my family) that I would take a week to relax before jumping full speed into campaign mode. I am thankful for this down time and relishing having the grandkids in town!

Please excuse the lighthearted posts but my heart just sings having the two boys around. Besides boating on Lake Havasu, we have been swimming in the pool, making cupcakes, playing Wii bowling, watching Veggie Tales, and countless other fun activities. I have roasted two herb and garlic-rubbed pork loins, slow-cooked two tri-tips for BBQ sandwiches, grilled chicken for my famous chicken pasta salad, and tried a new recipe for Brown-Sugar Bacon that I saw Billy Joel's wife make this on the Food Network last week. Yummmmm...

For those of you who need some meat and potatoes to accompany this family fluff I gladly provide the following Arizona-related links:

Sports authority for Pima County fails in Phoenix

Gas station owners upset over pump fines

Don't mess with the autism community in Pennsylvania

New law may delay Arizona railroad project

Arizona budget calls for higher fees on businesses, consumers

State's budget is irresponsible in its spending : Opinion - Editorials

Our Opinion: Making sausage at the Legislature

Budget Pain Hits States, With Relief Not in Sight

That's it for now...there is a messy kitchen and a couple of hungry kids calling my name!

A New Day

It is a sunny new day today and I am thankful for all that it brings!

This morning I am quickly straightening the RV before heading home to Lake Havasu City. Though I am not looking forward to the 4 hour drive, I am tremendously excited to be going home after 6 months in Phoenix. I am excited about reuniting with my friends after this time away and looking forward to the opportunity to assist and serve my community on a local level. The icing on the cake, too, is that our boat is in the slip at the Lake Havasu Marina for the summer and I plan on taking some relaxing evening tours of the lake!

The Arizona House and Senate adjourned Sine Die last night at 10:09 pm after an unusually long and contentious day. In past years, we have adjourned immediately after passing a budget but this session but, in order to allow certain bills to continue through the process (like the marriage amendment) we worked until late last night. Here are three media interpretations to what transpired last night:

Legislature's session ends with testy finale

Contention rules floor on last day of session

Finally! Legislature ends session on 166th day

For any of you reading this in the Kingman area, I will be attending a Candidate Meet and Greet later on this afternoon at the home of Lenny and Nancy Moschcau. The gathering is between 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm. For more information, call me on my cell phone: (928) 230-5641.

Price Rises to Secure Names for Ballot Petitions

Thought that I would provide another perspective on signature gathering by linking this story. Since the legislative sessions seem to get longer each year I wonder if we are going to see this type industry pop up in our district? I have considered hiring folks to assist in the signature gathering process though it has not come to that yet. I am hoping to succeed in getting the amount of signatures needed (450 minimum) with the help of family and friends. Let me know if you want to join Team Groe and be a part of this process.