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
Showing posts with label RepGroe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RepGroe. Show all posts
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
HOBY Highschool Students at the Arizona Legislature
Yesterday I hosted a group of Arizona highschool students at the legislature, assisting them in some role-playing activities in order to familiarize them with the legislative process. I will blog more about the day in a later post but want to give you a glimps of the day through these pictures.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
LOOKING BACK: One Year Ago
NOTE: I was going through my archived emails and I found this email that I sent out one year ago tomorrow so I thought I would post it as a reminder of what I have been through and how far I have come. Praise God!!!
Good Morning to all!
(Writing to you from Lake Havasu…great to be home now more than in PHX as budget talks are winding down and session is almost over. Make a note that we can be reached more easily here in LHC for the remainder of the year.)
Just a quick note to let you know how much I love you guys and am very grateful for your prayers, cards, and emails with sweet words of encouragement. Frank and I are so thankful God has surrounded us with family and friends like you that are faithful and forgiving, focused on the future. By the grace of God, with your support I recently received my 60 day chip from AA and have just over 2 months sober!
I can honestly say that I am thankful that my struggles with alcohol are known to all for the publicity motivated me to seek help. Entering rehab at Calvary Center in Phoenix was one of the best decisions I have ever made. They offer a faith-based program for recovery from alcohol, drugs, and gambling addictions in addition to a more traditional tract. I expected the majority of people in rehab would be from the Phoenix area. Was I surprised to find out that it was exactly the opposite…people from all over the country made up the majority of the clients! Apparently Calvary Center has an outstanding reputation (including being praised on the Dr. Phil show) and costs only a fraction of the price of other 30 day programs. God is working there…what a wonderful place!
Click on this link http://wwwdev.psysolutions.com/facilities/calvary/site/ for more information.
I am sure that many of you are curious about my legal situation and so I will give you the straight dirt as opposed to the half-baked stuff you find when you “Google” my name. The truth is that I am in legal limbo. No charges have been filed as of yet, no prosecutor has this case, no court assigned, that is besides the court of public opinion. Some folks think that because of this lack of action that I am getting special treatment. I can tell you this, I would rather the process commence ASAP. I made a horrid decision to drink and drive and am not attempting to escape prosecution, not at all. The actions of the La Paz county prosecutor have caused the delay; he created a conflict of interest when he emailed me shortly after my arrest and now outside authorities are involved. Though I wish this consequence of my poor judgment behind me, I know for certain that my timing is no match for God’s timing and that my future is in His hands. It is unfathomable but Frank and I have great peace despite the unknown and that only comes from Him.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
From the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pp 83-84
"We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not forget the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and out-look upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves".
Again, thank you for your love and forgiveness,
Trish
Good Morning to all!
(Writing to you from Lake Havasu…great to be home now more than in PHX as budget talks are winding down and session is almost over. Make a note that we can be reached more easily here in LHC for the remainder of the year.)
Just a quick note to let you know how much I love you guys and am very grateful for your prayers, cards, and emails with sweet words of encouragement. Frank and I are so thankful God has surrounded us with family and friends like you that are faithful and forgiving, focused on the future. By the grace of God, with your support I recently received my 60 day chip from AA and have just over 2 months sober!
I can honestly say that I am thankful that my struggles with alcohol are known to all for the publicity motivated me to seek help. Entering rehab at Calvary Center in Phoenix was one of the best decisions I have ever made. They offer a faith-based program for recovery from alcohol, drugs, and gambling addictions in addition to a more traditional tract. I expected the majority of people in rehab would be from the Phoenix area. Was I surprised to find out that it was exactly the opposite…people from all over the country made up the majority of the clients! Apparently Calvary Center has an outstanding reputation (including being praised on the Dr. Phil show) and costs only a fraction of the price of other 30 day programs. God is working there…what a wonderful place!
Click on this link http://wwwdev.psysolutions.com/facilities/calvary/site/ for more information.
I am sure that many of you are curious about my legal situation and so I will give you the straight dirt as opposed to the half-baked stuff you find when you “Google” my name. The truth is that I am in legal limbo. No charges have been filed as of yet, no prosecutor has this case, no court assigned, that is besides the court of public opinion. Some folks think that because of this lack of action that I am getting special treatment. I can tell you this, I would rather the process commence ASAP. I made a horrid decision to drink and drive and am not attempting to escape prosecution, not at all. The actions of the La Paz county prosecutor have caused the delay; he created a conflict of interest when he emailed me shortly after my arrest and now outside authorities are involved. Though I wish this consequence of my poor judgment behind me, I know for certain that my timing is no match for God’s timing and that my future is in His hands. It is unfathomable but Frank and I have great peace despite the unknown and that only comes from Him.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
From the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, pp 83-84
"We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not forget the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and out-look upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves".
Again, thank you for your love and forgiveness,
Trish
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Capitol Times Interview/Up Close with Trish Groe
Groe celebrates one year of sobriety, says DUI was a wake-up call
By Jim Small, jim.small@azcapitoltimes.com
The defining moment of Trish Groe’s political career is also the defining moment in her life. A little more than a year ago, the Lake Havasu City Republican was pulled over just outside Parker after police spotted her driving erratically. She failed a roadside sobriety test and was arrested for drunk driving. Less than a week later, she entered a rehabilitation facility to treat an alcoholism problem she said at the time she had struggled with for much of her life. A year has now passed, and Groe — who recently celebrated her first year of sobriety — says the arrest not only provided her with a wake-up call, but it saved her life. She is thankful no one was injured and has a new lease on life.
Groe spoke with Arizona Capitol Times on April 1 about her sobriety, her decision to run for re-election and her status as the only lawmaker who lives in a motor home during the legislative session.
First of all, congratulations on your one-year anniversary of being sober.
Thank you, thank you, I’m very excited about that.
I have to imagine that it’s been a pretty difficult journey just to get to this point. What have been the biggest obstacle and the biggest challenge about that to you?
You know, it’s been terrific. It’s really been awesome. It hasn’t been a struggle with my faith and family and my friends; it has been a wonderful journey. I’m just so thankful for my sobriety and I’m thankful to be here. It’s a shame that it had to happen, but I’m grateful to those law enforcement officers who pulled me over. And I hate that I took such a big risk and I’m glad that nobody was hurt but, you know, I needed that wake-up call. And I didn’t really believe that I had a future and now I think that I do, so to be out from under that beast is just a ray of sunshine.
What’s been the biggest comfort for you during the past year?
Besides my faith, my husband. He has been terrific. And then for as many nasty e-mails that have been rude and crude e-mails, there have been people who have reached out from all over Arizona and sent me e-mails just saying, “We think you’re a good legislator, we really want you to beat this so that you can get back to work.” Or the other day, somebody gave me a book and said, “My sister hasn’t been able to celebrate her one-year anniversary, please pray for her.” So, it’s been nice, I’m speaking at the Teen Challenge event in Mohave County later on in May, so I’m hoping to be able to use my experience to maybe shine a light in other people’s lives and let them know that, as dark as it gets — and it did get very dark for me — there is hope, and you can overcome. There’s victory over this.
You said that you got a lot of e-mails from all over the state, what about your constituents? What’s been the reaction from people in District 3?
My constituents have been awesome, they have really showed mercy and grace and forgiveness. They have sent me cards and letters when I was in rehab here at Calvary Center. I got flowers from a couple of people just after reading some of the stuff that was printed in the paper, so they’ve been great. And I think that they’re definitely interested in character and integrity, but I think hand in hand with that is me being able to admit what I did was wrong and it’s something I do struggle with. And I think people can relate to that. I think we’re all human and we all have our cross to bear. I’m happy to say that I think the bond between myself and my constituents is stronger now, and there’s a lot of communication going on this session.
You’ve said in the past that getting arrested saved your life.
Yes.
How?
Like I said, I didn’t have hope. And I didn’t think that I could have victory over my addiction. It was a very dark place. And being called on the carpet and having to do the press conference and own up to my horrible mistake provided me with impetus to go into rehabilitation and to get help. I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own.
I know that a lot of people called for you to resign after you were arrested and again I think after you pled last year. Why did you choose to serve another term?
I think I do a great job here representing my constituents and so, there never really was any thought of resignation because I think I’ve been very effective here. And I know that I’m here for a reason, sometimes I’m not sure what that reason is, but I think that, for the most part, I speak for my constituents and that was never in question. And I knew that each day that progressed, with my increased sobriety, that I would only be more effective and shine more brightly down here.
Do you expect that this is going to be an issue in your re-election campaign? Maybe not with your constituents, you said that a lot of them have been very understanding and very forgiving. I know that there are a couple other people, at least two other Republicans who have filed for the seat.
I think that perhaps it would be an issue, but that would be so unfortunate. I understand why people want to run for this position and I am frankly shocked that more people don’t, because it’s an extraordinary responsibility, and so, I don’t fault them for running. But I think it would be a mistake on their part if they made this an issue and I hope that they feel called to keep this campaign solely about issues, because that’s what the people deserve to hear about.
Now I think you might be the only lawmaker who lives in a motor home.
(laughing) Down here? Yes. I think Bill Wagner might have when he was in session for a while.
Is this the first year you’ve been doing that?
Yes.
I saw the picture of it online, and it’s gorgeous.
It is very nice. My husband has good taste.
It’s got to be nicer than staying in a hotel or renting an apartment.
Well, we rented an apartment across the street from the Arizona Center last year and it was a nice apartment but it was very small, and it was something to get used to, people living above you and below you and the smoke and stuff like that. So we kind of did a cost analysis and found out that it’s really more cost effective if we park the motor home — not if we drive it these days, with diesel up around $4 a gallon — but if we can live in that motor home. And my district goes all the way to Page and Colorado City and Bouse and all those areas so it’s about nine hours from one end to the other. I’m looking forward to traveling in it during the interim.
Since you’ve been down here, there have been a lot of changes just in the Legislature since 2005, and your caucus specifically seems that it’s borne the brunt of those changes. You guys went from a very solid 38, 39-member caucus…
Those were the days…
…that there was a lot more of an ability to get conservative legislation through. How difficult is it, making that transition, for you — I know that you’re one of the more conservative members of the caucus — to knowing that your ideas and the things that you value were more of a priority for the caucus two years ago?
I think at times I have let that perhaps be a burden, but I have to remember and keep focused that the people that are down here, the diversity that we see in the caucus is the diversity that’s reflected out there in the constituents of Arizona. So I know that my job down here, because I was elected by my constituents, is just to keep voting the way that I vote and not be concerned about how others vote.
Now, saying that, I spend a lot of my time here, because I didn’t run a lot of legislation this year, I spent a lot my time between the House and Senate trying to kill what I think are really bad bills. And I try to tell my constituents, when you’re talking to a legislator, don’t ask what bills they’ve sponsored, ask what bad bills they’ve killed. Because that is much more important than anything that goes on down here. That’s sometimes why I vote on legislation because it’s poorly drafted. The intent of the legislation is good, but it just doesn’t cut it.
I think the off-highway vehicle bill might be an example of ‘poorly drafted.’
It is. I applaud the intent, it’s awesome. But just very dangerous in some of those areas, and it’s difficult. One of the most difficult things I find down here is getting the word to my constituents, not just what’s put in the press where we’re going to create a new license fee and a fund, because that’s all that’s mentioned, but the other aspects of the bill, that are frightening. That’s why I have my blog, that’s why I send out e-mails. I had a new Web site that’s just designed, but that’s really difficult being out-of-county and making sure of those things. And we have a couple small newspapers, they don’t have reporters up here, and we don’t get The Arizona Republic anymore — thank God, in my opinion.
Is that a challenge that you think most of the in-county, the Maricopa County representatives and senators maybe can’t necessarily identify with — having more difficulty communicating with your voters?
I think so. I would love to be able to go home at night and go to an event that’s in my community. That would be neat to be able to visit the schools more or schedule a meeting at seven in the evening, or have coffee with some of my constituents before I come in here, that sounds delightful. And I don’t get that, so when I go in my district I kind of twist arms with people to see if they’ll meet me on a Saturday or Sunday after church before I drive in.
What is the most important bill that you had a hand in either passing or defeating?
I don’t know, there are just so many out there. Just some really crazy ideas, and I used to make a list of all the bills that I called the “Bad Bill Blues.”
What do you think is the most important issue in the state right now?
I think we need to address the situation with illegal immigration because that affects every aspect of our daily lives. Whether it is in the school system or in health care, it influences everything that we do down here. I think that we have got to shut the border; that should be our number one priority. Then we can address some of the other areas.
What else is left for the state to do in that regard?
I think we are on our way. I think we are doing a good job. If we can get this legislation out and we can get it enforced, then I think we are doing a good job with that.
The other thing is just addressing the budget. I was actually excited to come here this session, and I thought ‘OK, we are not in a good situation, but this is a good opportunity to look at some of the redundant programs that we have in government, or some of the programs that are not working so well, or, hey, wait a minute, let’s just look at what our priorities should be and cut funding on that. So, I was really up for the task. Appropriations is my favorite committee. I just spend so much time going over the intricacies of the budget, going in and out of departments and following the money, or at least trying to follow the money. Unfortunately, we are not getting the opportunity to do that, and that saddens me.
You are referring to the negotiations happening behind closed doors?
Not so much the process. I mean the process is what it is, and it is definitely not the best. It is highly unusual for them to take everything out of the Appropriations Committee. In my opinion, the Appropriations Committee has been castrated. I just think we really missed our opportunity to be effective in addressing the budget problem. Right now, because of the time, and because of the way negotiations are going, we are robbing from designated funds and, to me, it makes no sense. It is just scratching at funds.
If you had your druthers how would you address that problem?
If I had my druthers, we would have had a special session. I think we all saw this coming. I used to tell my constituents ‘wow, we are just going to have such a problem when we go in January. I mean, you can see how it affects me. It is just unfathomable that we are in the situation we are in. I think we need to take a look at our social welfare programs. I am not sure that we should be using hard-earned taxpayer money to pay for babysitting. I think our social welfare programs are robbing Peter to pay Paul. I know that there is some redundancy in government, and I certainly know there is some waste in state agencies. I think this is a missed opportunity and for that I am sad. I have spoken to my colleagues, and say ‘how do you explain this to your constituents and say send me back?’
Sounds like you are not going to be one of the green lights on the board when the budget plan comes through.
I would love to be a green. At this point I don’t know what they could do, but I would love to support leadership. That would be nice.
How has this session been different than last session? Last year was rocky, at times, between the leadership and the rest of the caucus. Do you see any difference this year?
I can’t speak for others, but I know for myself that I wouldn’t want their job. I try to give them the respect their position deserves.
Do you have any predictions in the upcoming election? Who is going to win the presidency? How will Arizona fare at the national and state level?
I believe that our Senator McCain is going to win the presidency, and I can say that I am definitely looking forward to being here next year.
By Jim Small, jim.small@azcapitoltimes.com
The defining moment of Trish Groe’s political career is also the defining moment in her life. A little more than a year ago, the Lake Havasu City Republican was pulled over just outside Parker after police spotted her driving erratically. She failed a roadside sobriety test and was arrested for drunk driving. Less than a week later, she entered a rehabilitation facility to treat an alcoholism problem she said at the time she had struggled with for much of her life. A year has now passed, and Groe — who recently celebrated her first year of sobriety — says the arrest not only provided her with a wake-up call, but it saved her life. She is thankful no one was injured and has a new lease on life.
Groe spoke with Arizona Capitol Times on April 1 about her sobriety, her decision to run for re-election and her status as the only lawmaker who lives in a motor home during the legislative session.
First of all, congratulations on your one-year anniversary of being sober.
Thank you, thank you, I’m very excited about that.
I have to imagine that it’s been a pretty difficult journey just to get to this point. What have been the biggest obstacle and the biggest challenge about that to you?
You know, it’s been terrific. It’s really been awesome. It hasn’t been a struggle with my faith and family and my friends; it has been a wonderful journey. I’m just so thankful for my sobriety and I’m thankful to be here. It’s a shame that it had to happen, but I’m grateful to those law enforcement officers who pulled me over. And I hate that I took such a big risk and I’m glad that nobody was hurt but, you know, I needed that wake-up call. And I didn’t really believe that I had a future and now I think that I do, so to be out from under that beast is just a ray of sunshine.
What’s been the biggest comfort for you during the past year?
Besides my faith, my husband. He has been terrific. And then for as many nasty e-mails that have been rude and crude e-mails, there have been people who have reached out from all over Arizona and sent me e-mails just saying, “We think you’re a good legislator, we really want you to beat this so that you can get back to work.” Or the other day, somebody gave me a book and said, “My sister hasn’t been able to celebrate her one-year anniversary, please pray for her.” So, it’s been nice, I’m speaking at the Teen Challenge event in Mohave County later on in May, so I’m hoping to be able to use my experience to maybe shine a light in other people’s lives and let them know that, as dark as it gets — and it did get very dark for me — there is hope, and you can overcome. There’s victory over this.
You said that you got a lot of e-mails from all over the state, what about your constituents? What’s been the reaction from people in District 3?
My constituents have been awesome, they have really showed mercy and grace and forgiveness. They have sent me cards and letters when I was in rehab here at Calvary Center. I got flowers from a couple of people just after reading some of the stuff that was printed in the paper, so they’ve been great. And I think that they’re definitely interested in character and integrity, but I think hand in hand with that is me being able to admit what I did was wrong and it’s something I do struggle with. And I think people can relate to that. I think we’re all human and we all have our cross to bear. I’m happy to say that I think the bond between myself and my constituents is stronger now, and there’s a lot of communication going on this session.
You’ve said in the past that getting arrested saved your life.
Yes.
How?
Like I said, I didn’t have hope. And I didn’t think that I could have victory over my addiction. It was a very dark place. And being called on the carpet and having to do the press conference and own up to my horrible mistake provided me with impetus to go into rehabilitation and to get help. I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own.
I know that a lot of people called for you to resign after you were arrested and again I think after you pled last year. Why did you choose to serve another term?
I think I do a great job here representing my constituents and so, there never really was any thought of resignation because I think I’ve been very effective here. And I know that I’m here for a reason, sometimes I’m not sure what that reason is, but I think that, for the most part, I speak for my constituents and that was never in question. And I knew that each day that progressed, with my increased sobriety, that I would only be more effective and shine more brightly down here.
Do you expect that this is going to be an issue in your re-election campaign? Maybe not with your constituents, you said that a lot of them have been very understanding and very forgiving. I know that there are a couple other people, at least two other Republicans who have filed for the seat.
I think that perhaps it would be an issue, but that would be so unfortunate. I understand why people want to run for this position and I am frankly shocked that more people don’t, because it’s an extraordinary responsibility, and so, I don’t fault them for running. But I think it would be a mistake on their part if they made this an issue and I hope that they feel called to keep this campaign solely about issues, because that’s what the people deserve to hear about.
Now I think you might be the only lawmaker who lives in a motor home.
(laughing) Down here? Yes. I think Bill Wagner might have when he was in session for a while.
Is this the first year you’ve been doing that?
Yes.
I saw the picture of it online, and it’s gorgeous.
It is very nice. My husband has good taste.
It’s got to be nicer than staying in a hotel or renting an apartment.
Well, we rented an apartment across the street from the Arizona Center last year and it was a nice apartment but it was very small, and it was something to get used to, people living above you and below you and the smoke and stuff like that. So we kind of did a cost analysis and found out that it’s really more cost effective if we park the motor home — not if we drive it these days, with diesel up around $4 a gallon — but if we can live in that motor home. And my district goes all the way to Page and Colorado City and Bouse and all those areas so it’s about nine hours from one end to the other. I’m looking forward to traveling in it during the interim.
Since you’ve been down here, there have been a lot of changes just in the Legislature since 2005, and your caucus specifically seems that it’s borne the brunt of those changes. You guys went from a very solid 38, 39-member caucus…
Those were the days…
…that there was a lot more of an ability to get conservative legislation through. How difficult is it, making that transition, for you — I know that you’re one of the more conservative members of the caucus — to knowing that your ideas and the things that you value were more of a priority for the caucus two years ago?
I think at times I have let that perhaps be a burden, but I have to remember and keep focused that the people that are down here, the diversity that we see in the caucus is the diversity that’s reflected out there in the constituents of Arizona. So I know that my job down here, because I was elected by my constituents, is just to keep voting the way that I vote and not be concerned about how others vote.
Now, saying that, I spend a lot of my time here, because I didn’t run a lot of legislation this year, I spent a lot my time between the House and Senate trying to kill what I think are really bad bills. And I try to tell my constituents, when you’re talking to a legislator, don’t ask what bills they’ve sponsored, ask what bad bills they’ve killed. Because that is much more important than anything that goes on down here. That’s sometimes why I vote on legislation because it’s poorly drafted. The intent of the legislation is good, but it just doesn’t cut it.
I think the off-highway vehicle bill might be an example of ‘poorly drafted.’
It is. I applaud the intent, it’s awesome. But just very dangerous in some of those areas, and it’s difficult. One of the most difficult things I find down here is getting the word to my constituents, not just what’s put in the press where we’re going to create a new license fee and a fund, because that’s all that’s mentioned, but the other aspects of the bill, that are frightening. That’s why I have my blog, that’s why I send out e-mails. I had a new Web site that’s just designed, but that’s really difficult being out-of-county and making sure of those things. And we have a couple small newspapers, they don’t have reporters up here, and we don’t get The Arizona Republic anymore — thank God, in my opinion.
Is that a challenge that you think most of the in-county, the Maricopa County representatives and senators maybe can’t necessarily identify with — having more difficulty communicating with your voters?
I think so. I would love to be able to go home at night and go to an event that’s in my community. That would be neat to be able to visit the schools more or schedule a meeting at seven in the evening, or have coffee with some of my constituents before I come in here, that sounds delightful. And I don’t get that, so when I go in my district I kind of twist arms with people to see if they’ll meet me on a Saturday or Sunday after church before I drive in.
What is the most important bill that you had a hand in either passing or defeating?
I don’t know, there are just so many out there. Just some really crazy ideas, and I used to make a list of all the bills that I called the “Bad Bill Blues.”
What do you think is the most important issue in the state right now?
I think we need to address the situation with illegal immigration because that affects every aspect of our daily lives. Whether it is in the school system or in health care, it influences everything that we do down here. I think that we have got to shut the border; that should be our number one priority. Then we can address some of the other areas.
What else is left for the state to do in that regard?
I think we are on our way. I think we are doing a good job. If we can get this legislation out and we can get it enforced, then I think we are doing a good job with that.
The other thing is just addressing the budget. I was actually excited to come here this session, and I thought ‘OK, we are not in a good situation, but this is a good opportunity to look at some of the redundant programs that we have in government, or some of the programs that are not working so well, or, hey, wait a minute, let’s just look at what our priorities should be and cut funding on that. So, I was really up for the task. Appropriations is my favorite committee. I just spend so much time going over the intricacies of the budget, going in and out of departments and following the money, or at least trying to follow the money. Unfortunately, we are not getting the opportunity to do that, and that saddens me.
You are referring to the negotiations happening behind closed doors?
Not so much the process. I mean the process is what it is, and it is definitely not the best. It is highly unusual for them to take everything out of the Appropriations Committee. In my opinion, the Appropriations Committee has been castrated. I just think we really missed our opportunity to be effective in addressing the budget problem. Right now, because of the time, and because of the way negotiations are going, we are robbing from designated funds and, to me, it makes no sense. It is just scratching at funds.
If you had your druthers how would you address that problem?
If I had my druthers, we would have had a special session. I think we all saw this coming. I used to tell my constituents ‘wow, we are just going to have such a problem when we go in January. I mean, you can see how it affects me. It is just unfathomable that we are in the situation we are in. I think we need to take a look at our social welfare programs. I am not sure that we should be using hard-earned taxpayer money to pay for babysitting. I think our social welfare programs are robbing Peter to pay Paul. I know that there is some redundancy in government, and I certainly know there is some waste in state agencies. I think this is a missed opportunity and for that I am sad. I have spoken to my colleagues, and say ‘how do you explain this to your constituents and say send me back?’
Sounds like you are not going to be one of the green lights on the board when the budget plan comes through.
I would love to be a green. At this point I don’t know what they could do, but I would love to support leadership. That would be nice.
How has this session been different than last session? Last year was rocky, at times, between the leadership and the rest of the caucus. Do you see any difference this year?
I can’t speak for others, but I know for myself that I wouldn’t want their job. I try to give them the respect their position deserves.
Do you have any predictions in the upcoming election? Who is going to win the presidency? How will Arizona fare at the national and state level?
I believe that our Senator McCain is going to win the presidency, and I can say that I am definitely looking forward to being here next year.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Letter from Americans for Prosperity Director Tom Jenny
April 16, 2008
Dear Legislative District 3 Taxpayer:
The bad news is that Gov. Janet Napolitano’s veto today of House Bill 2220 will likely result in the return of a $250 million property tax, for an average property tax increase of $100 per year for the Arizona homeowner. Combined with likely increases by city, county, and local special taxing districts, the Governor’s tax increase may contribute to significant increases in the overall property tax bills of home and business owners.
The silver lining in the cloud created by Napolitano is that there is still a small chance of repealing the $250 million state-imposed education equalization property tax, as a part of budget negotiations later in the legislative session.
And the really good news is that all of your LD 3 Legislators—Sen. Ron Gould, Rep. Trish Groe, and Rep. Nancy McLain—are part of the slim majority in the Arizona Senate that wants to help Arizona property taxpayers by repealing the tax.
In the House in March, 32 Arizona Representatives (31 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for the HB 2220 property tax relief bill. We have listed the names and districts of the House Good Guys here:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/goodguyshb2220.pdf
At the same time, 28 Representatives (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) voted against HB 2220. We have listed the names and districts of the House Bad Guys here: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/badguyshb2220.pdf
Last week, 16 Arizona Representatives (15 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for HB 2220. 14 Arizona Representatives (12 Democrats and 2 Republicans) failed to vote to protect property taxpayers. Here is the list of Good Guys and Bad Guys for the Senate:
http://includes/filemanager/files/az/hb2220senategoodbad.pdf
Stay tuned—we will keep you posted on property tax reforms and other taxpayer-related action as the legislative session goes on.
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
http://www.aztaxpayers.org/
tjenney@afphq.org
Dear Legislative District 3 Taxpayer:
The bad news is that Gov. Janet Napolitano’s veto today of House Bill 2220 will likely result in the return of a $250 million property tax, for an average property tax increase of $100 per year for the Arizona homeowner. Combined with likely increases by city, county, and local special taxing districts, the Governor’s tax increase may contribute to significant increases in the overall property tax bills of home and business owners.
The silver lining in the cloud created by Napolitano is that there is still a small chance of repealing the $250 million state-imposed education equalization property tax, as a part of budget negotiations later in the legislative session.
And the really good news is that all of your LD 3 Legislators—Sen. Ron Gould, Rep. Trish Groe, and Rep. Nancy McLain—are part of the slim majority in the Arizona Senate that wants to help Arizona property taxpayers by repealing the tax.
In the House in March, 32 Arizona Representatives (31 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for the HB 2220 property tax relief bill. We have listed the names and districts of the House Good Guys here:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/goodguyshb2220.pdf
At the same time, 28 Representatives (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) voted against HB 2220. We have listed the names and districts of the House Bad Guys here: http://www.americansforprosperity.org/includes/filemanager/files/az/badguyshb2220.pdf
Last week, 16 Arizona Representatives (15 Republicans and 1 Democrat) voted for HB 2220. 14 Arizona Representatives (12 Democrats and 2 Republicans) failed to vote to protect property taxpayers. Here is the list of Good Guys and Bad Guys for the Senate:
http://includes/filemanager/files/az/hb2220senategoodbad.pdf
Stay tuned—we will keep you posted on property tax reforms and other taxpayer-related action as the legislative session goes on.
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
http://www.aztaxpayers.org/
tjenney@afphq.org
Up Close with Trish Groe
I was featured in the April 4th addition of the Capitol Times to mark my one year anniversary of sobriety.
Arizona Capitol Times - Serving Arizona's Business, Government and Political Community since 1946
Arizona Capitol Times - Serving Arizona's Business, Government and Political Community since 1946
Saturday, March 22, 2008
AZ Federation of Republican Women Day at the Legislature
NOTE: I will be attending and participating in this event.
From Cyndi Collins, President AzFRW:
The AzFRW Day at the Legislature will be held next Friday, March 28.
10:00am Group Photo in Wesley Bolin Park
10:30am/11:30am House Hearing Room 1
Hon. Laura Knaperek will be explain the role of lobbyists, how bill are created and we will be role playing.
11:30am/12:30pm House Floor
GOP representatives will explain how bills are created, discussed and voted on as we sit at lawmakers' desks.
1:00pm/1:45pm Lunch/2nd Floor Conference Room of the Executive Tower
Speakers: State Treasurer Dean Martin & State School Superindendint Tom Horne
2:00pm/2:45pm Tour Sec. of State Office, 7th Floor, Executive Towner
Half the group will split and tour Old Capitol Building w/Chloe Kavanaugh
2:55pm/3:30pm Groups exchange tour guides.
Cost: $18 per person includes lunch w/soft drink, cookies and choice of:
Oriental Chicken Salad
Southwest Chicken
Chicken Caesar Salad
Please wear Red to show how proud we are to be Republican women!
tucsonblonde@cox.net
From Cyndi Collins, President AzFRW:
The AzFRW Day at the Legislature will be held next Friday, March 28.
10:00am Group Photo in Wesley Bolin Park
10:30am/11:30am House Hearing Room 1
Hon. Laura Knaperek will be explain the role of lobbyists, how bill are created and we will be role playing.
11:30am/12:30pm House Floor
GOP representatives will explain how bills are created, discussed and voted on as we sit at lawmakers' desks.
1:00pm/1:45pm Lunch/2nd Floor Conference Room of the Executive Tower
Speakers: State Treasurer Dean Martin & State School Superindendint Tom Horne
2:00pm/2:45pm Tour Sec. of State Office, 7th Floor, Executive Towner
Half the group will split and tour Old Capitol Building w/Chloe Kavanaugh
2:55pm/3:30pm Groups exchange tour guides.
Cost: $18 per person includes lunch w/soft drink, cookies and choice of:
Oriental Chicken Salad
Southwest Chicken
Chicken Caesar Salad
Please wear Red to show how proud we are to be Republican women!
tucsonblonde@cox.net
Monday, October 8, 2007
Mohave Republican Forum
YOU ARE INVITED--PLEASE COME!
MOHAVE REPUBLICAN FORUM
October 9, 2007 Meeting
Russell Pearce, Trish Groe, Andy Tobin and Others, Speakers at Republican Forum
The public is invited to hear Russell Pearce, as well as Arizona District 3 Representative Trish Groe and District 1 Representative and Paulden, Arizona resident, Andy Tobin at the Mohave Republican Forum 5:30 PM meeting, Tuesday evening October 9, 2007, at the Elks Club in Kingman. Pearce, a fifth generation Arizonan, is exploring launching his campaign for the U.S. House of Representative, District VI, a seat now held by pro-amnesty Congressman, Jake Flake. As a State Representative Pearce lead in the fight against illegal immigration, amnesty, and wasteful spending, and promulgated strong law enforcement. This gathering, open to the public, includes dinner for $10 per person. For information, please call Shirley at 753-5183, or Kathleen at 692-9872, or Laurie at 753-5581.
Pearce, a retired 23 year Maricopa County Sheriff veteran, has in his various roles of service, championed numerous causes beneficial to Arizona’s residents. Pearce believes that Arizona deserves better than the pro-amnesty “sell out” of a portion of the current Arizona Congressional delegation, and that the flood of illegal immigrants with its many unsavory criminal side effects, must be stopped, before it is too late to stop the unwanted consequences.
Representative Trish Groe, will provide a brief legislative update, and comments on other matters, and will be joined by District 1 Representative and Paulden, Arizona resident, Andy Tobin.
MOHAVE REPUBLICAN FORUM
October 9, 2007 Meeting
Russell Pearce, Trish Groe, Andy Tobin and Others, Speakers at Republican Forum
The public is invited to hear Russell Pearce, as well as Arizona District 3 Representative Trish Groe and District 1 Representative and Paulden, Arizona resident, Andy Tobin at the Mohave Republican Forum 5:30 PM meeting, Tuesday evening October 9, 2007, at the Elks Club in Kingman. Pearce, a fifth generation Arizonan, is exploring launching his campaign for the U.S. House of Representative, District VI, a seat now held by pro-amnesty Congressman, Jake Flake. As a State Representative Pearce lead in the fight against illegal immigration, amnesty, and wasteful spending, and promulgated strong law enforcement. This gathering, open to the public, includes dinner for $10 per person. For information, please call Shirley at 753-5183, or Kathleen at 692-9872, or Laurie at 753-5581.
Pearce, a retired 23 year Maricopa County Sheriff veteran, has in his various roles of service, championed numerous causes beneficial to Arizona’s residents. Pearce believes that Arizona deserves better than the pro-amnesty “sell out” of a portion of the current Arizona Congressional delegation, and that the flood of illegal immigrants with its many unsavory criminal side effects, must be stopped, before it is too late to stop the unwanted consequences.
Representative Trish Groe, will provide a brief legislative update, and comments on other matters, and will be joined by District 1 Representative and Paulden, Arizona resident, Andy Tobin.
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