A Concert with Lindsay Rush

Saturday, May 10th

6-8 PM Lake Havasu High School

Lindsay Rush is a young singer and song writer who is a dedicated mental health advocate. Her songs tell stories about mental health challenges. She has reached young and old with her passion about her experiences and the issues of mental health.

Telephone: (928) 230-8784 for tickets (NO CHARGE)

Sponsored by:
MIKID,Lake Havasu Unified School District, #1Mohave Mental Health Clinic, & Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority

NOTE: To sample some of Lindsay's music, click the title to this post and enjoy!

CAP Spring Dinner Event

The Center for Arizona Policy's Annual Spring Dinner event "Making Our Days Count ~An Evening with Tony Snow" is coming soon. Click on the title of this post for further details!

Budget Talks Resume

Budget talks have resumed; a large group of legislators including House and Senate Leadership, Russell Pearce and Bob Burns~the House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen, and about 10 or so rank and file Republican Members are meeting daily to grapple with the ways and means to address the $1.8 Billion Dollar deficit.

As appropriations Vice-Chair, I am participating in this process. I am somewhat comforted in knowing that Senator Gould, Representatives Biggs and Pearce, while included in the discussions, add to to mine their loud voices of reason and true constitutional conservatism.

Monday's meeting should begin with a discussion of the cost and value of welfare and social services provided by you, the Taxpayer, via the State of Arizona.

Let Them Eat Ethanol

Mona Charen on Food Fight on National Review Online:

• Five people are dead in Port Au Prince, Haiti after a week of food riots.
• Unions in Burkina Faso have called a general strike to protest the high cost of grain.
• Food riots have rocked Egypt, Cameroon, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and other nations.
• In Manila, police with M-16s have supervised the sale and distribution of subsidized grain.
• Hoarders have been threatened with life imprisonment.
• In Thailand and Pakistan, troops are guarding fields and warehouses.
• In Egypt, the army has been called out to bake bread.

"In our search for cleaner energy we jumped aboard the “biofuels” bandwagon. This debacle should be an object lesson. Fighting global warming (if there is global warming) is a tricky business and can only be undertaken after careful review of the costs and benefits."

Red State Arizona: National and Pima County GOP funneling money (illegally?) to defeat conservative candidate in NM

More of the same from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Hungry Like The Ethanol Wolf

From the Editors on Ethanol on The National Review Online:

The federal government can do something right now to provide relief to Americans facing higher food prices: Repeal the ethanol mandate.

The diversion of one-third of the American corn crop into ethanol production is a direct result of the 2005 law that required gasoline makers to buy 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol — a mandate that the 2007 energy bill President Bush signed in December increases to 36 billion gallons by 2022.We realize that a repeal is highly unlikely, given that the machinery of government is currently calibrated to move in the opposite direction on biofuels, but as food prices keep going up, pro-ethanol politicians will find it increasingly difficult to justify their position. Food riots in developing countries are becoming more frequent. Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club has started limiting sales of rice because immigrants are buying all the rice they can and sending it to relatives in countries suffering from food shortages. In the U.S., the Labor Department reported this month that the price of bread is up 14.7 percent from last year. Milk prices are up 13.3 percent.

More insight from the article in the National Review:

* Congress has created an artificial demand for ethanol to satisfy the farm lobby, which is one of the most powerful in Washington.

* John McCain somehow made it through the early primary gauntlet without going back on his long-held opposition to ethanol subsidies. To be sure, he took a lower profile on the issue and made some comments about how ethanol "makes sense" now that oil prices are so high, but when questioned about these pro-ethanol comments he reiterated his opposition to the federal government’s meddling in the market.

FOXNews.com - Mexican Embassy: Official Fired After Getting Caught With White House BlackBerries - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

FOXNews.com - Mexican Embassy: Official Fired After Getting Caught With White House BlackBerries

Economic stimulus pushed by universities gets support

Please, please read this and weep!

Economic stimulus pushed by universities gets support

"People will wonder how the state can be $1.9 billion in the hole next year and yet approve a plan for $1.4 billion in construction," said House Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-Tucson.

www.windaction.org

Since Mohave County has approved wind generation facilities, I urge everyone to gather all of the facts they can related to this issue. I myself am going to be investigating this proposal and will bring the facts I learn to light.

From this website:

"It's also apparent the Federal government does NOT treat all renewables equally. Subsidies for wind far exceed those paid for Biomass, Geothermal, Hydro, and Landfill gas combined."

and

"Yet, given the unpredictable, intermittent nature of the fuel source, wind energy is the least able, of all renewables, to reliably supply generation during peak periods. Further, wind requires companion generation to address low or no winds conditions, and extensive, costly transmission upgrades to deliver power long distances to load centers."

FY09 Budget News

Today at 2:00 Representative Pearce, Biggs, and myself have a meeting with fellow colleagues in the Senate to begin working on a FY09 Budget that does not include borrowing. I am unsure that this can actually be accomplished, to say the least but I am now "at the table" so to speak, involved in budget talks. A wrong has been righted now that leadership is allowing, so far, the FY09 budget proposal to progress through the Appropriations committee, with input from appropriations committee members. Kudos to Appropriations Chairman Russell Pearce for standing his ground and going to bat for the proper process of developing a budget through the Approps commitee!

Debunking the "Tax Thee, But Not Me" Myth: Five Reasons Why Non-Smokers Should Oppose High Tobacco Taxes

"Whether or not an individual uses tobacco, tax hikes hurt everyone by encouraging the growth of government. As demonstrated in this Issue Brief, high cigarette taxes reflect a tendency to grow total tax burdens. Furthermore, tobacco tax hikes rarely precipitate tax relief elsewhere or even stave off future tax hikes. If tied to new spending, tobacco tax hikes can trigger future tax hikes once cigarette revenues decline. Finally, tobacco tax hikes don't correlate with economic growth.

While tobacco tax increases will assuredly come up as funding 'solutions' in the future, taxpayers – smokers and non-smokers alike – would be better served by extinguishing such a notion and instead focusing on cutting the size of government."

Virtual fence on Mexican border to be replaced

I could say "I told you so" but I won't. What a will tell you is that I am angry about the federal government wasting time and $20 Million Dollars of taxpayer money on a failed virtual fence. This administration's talk about national security is just that...talk.

How the Government Spends Taxpayer's Money

by Phyllis Schlafly

Are you having a hard time paying your bills, making your mortgage payments, or putting your kids through college? You need to know how much of your hard-earned income the government is skimming off and diverting into handouts to immigrants and illegal aliens. You can read the depressing details in the new 70-page document called "The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Immigration" written by Edwin S. Rubenstein. A Manhattan Institute adjunct fellow with a mile-long scholarly resume, he has been doing financial analysis ever since he directed the studies of government waste for the prestigious Grace Commission of 1984.

The bottom line, which you need to know for your own bottom line, is that U.S. taxpayers are giving more than $9,000 a year in cash or benefits to each immigrant, a third of whom are illegal aliens. That's $36,000 for each immigrant household of four.

Since the U.S. has 37 million immigrants, legal and illegal, the national cost was more than $346 billion last year, which was twice our fiscal deficit. The cost of immigrants is so high because, as Rubenstein writes, "Immigrants are poorer, pay less tax and are more likely to receive public benefits than natives." Big Brother hasn't told you this bad news, perhaps because the government doesn't want you to know why your paychecks are shortchanged. Even the huge amnesty bill that was defeated last year didn't contain one word about its budgetary consequences.

The financial burden that immigrants impose on education starts with the 3.8 million K-to-12 students enrolled in more-expensive classes for the non-English-speaking. When we add up the costs of hiring specialized teachers, training regular teachers, student identification and assessment, and administration costs, the total amounts to an estimated $1,030 per pupil, or $3.9 billion. Of the 48.4 million pre-K through 12 public school children, 9.2 million or 19 percent are immigrants or the children of immigrants. In the next few years, immigration will account for virtually all the increase in public school spending.

Look at the $1.5 billion cost of incarcerating 267,000 criminal aliens in federal prisons. That's not the worst of it; prison capacity is limited, so 80,000 to 100,000 other criminal aliens have been prematurely released to prowl our streets. Criminals also impose heavy private costs on their victims. Rubenstein estimates the losses of income and property, hospital bills, and emotional suffering at $1.6 million per assault- or property-crime offender.

Rubenstein's report includes all sorts of costs that other observers conveniently ignore, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. EITC gives an average cash payment of $1,700 per year to 1 in 4 immigrant households.

The emergency medical treatment given free to illegal aliens is another enormous cost, causing some hospitals and emergency rooms to close. Emergency means any complaint from hangovers to hangnails, gunshot wounds to AIDS.

Even after some restrictions were imposed in 1996, 24.2 percent of immigrant households receive Medicaid, whereas the figure for native-born Americans is 14.8 percent. Rubenstein calculates that Hispanics account for 19.2 percent of Medicaid enrollment, while they are 13.7 percent of the U.S. population.

The FHA has had a policy of increasing home ownership among low-income immigrants and therefore approved FHA mortgages on homes with a down payment of only $200 to $300 and marginal income. Since mortgagors have so little invested in the house, they can walk away from it when they can't meet the payments, and this has resulted in neighborhoods of abandoned, boarded-up housing.

Refugees are a large and growing fiscal burden because they become immediately eligible for generous taxpayer-paid benefits. Evidence shows they stay dependent on these programs and start chain-migrating relatives under the "family reunification" law.

The Interior Department spends millions of dollars to clean up the mountains of trash discarded by illegal aliens crossing into California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Some immigration advocates peddle the notion that immigration will solve the future financial burdens of Social Security. Rubenstein shows how foolish is this prediction because today's low-wage workers will surely become tomorrow's expensive retirees.

Another cost that few talk about is that immigrant workers depress the wages received by native-born Americans, and that causes a $100 billion shortfall in federal tax revenue. Harvard University Professor George Borjas found that each 10 percent increase in the U.S. labor force from immigration reduces wages of native-born Americans by 5.25 percent.

Some liberals are trying to tell us to fight a recession by bringing in more immigrants, but that would only raid the pockets of U.S. taxpayers to support more millions of non-taxpayers. It's hard to say which is more outrageous: the diversion of Americans' personal income into cash handouts to foreigners, or the federal government's policy of concealing the fiscal impact of immigration.

Choice & Education Across the States - by Michael Van Winkle - The Heartland Institute

Choice & Education Across the States ranks state efforts to increase accountability and improve student achievement with four kinds of school choice: vouchers, charters, tax credits, and public school choice. With 23 being the highest possible score on the evaluation, the median score was just five points. However, many states are experimenting with choice as a way to provide a quality public education. A few states, like Arizona and Florida—scoring 15 and 14, respectively (grades of A in the curved grading system)—are innovating at an impressive pace, willing to try new and better ways to educate children.

I am proud to say that I have voted to support these "new and better ways" to educate children by supporting sound pro-voucher and scholarship legislation while in office!

Action Alert: Your Help Needed

Senator Gould and I need your help as our signature gathering moves into full swing. Besides needing signatures to assure that our names appear on the ballot, we are also collecting signatures to place a property tax measure on the ballot in an attempt to reduce your property tax payments. Let us mail you the petitions so that registered voters in your household, your friends and family can help us to fight the good conservative fight here at the legislature!

FY 08 Budget Gimmicks

Although the recently passed FY08 Budget did not contain any bonding for school construction we are now learning that the plan is to bond for school construction in FY09 with the understanding that a portion of the borrowed money would be used for FY08 school construction. Sneaky and dishonest...and it absolutely makes me sick!

Who knew a “free” source of energy could be so expensive?

Arizona Beware! Tales from Texas tell of trouble! From the blog Planet Gore on National Review Online:

"Robust wind power expansion is expected, as Texas’ Senate Bill 20 (2005) mandated 5,880 MW of renewable energy by 2015 and set a 10,000-MW target for 2025. (There was a similar bill sponsored this year in Arizona.)

To this end, $700 million went into new wind Texas farms in January, thanks in part to government subsidies. In addition to generous federal assistance — namely a 2 cents/kWh production tax credit and five-year, double-declining balance accelerated depreciation for wind-generating equipment — the state of Texas entices wind developers with

1. a franchise tax exemption to manufacturers, sellers, or installers of wind devices;
2. a corporate deduction from the state’s franchise tax for renewable energy sources;
3. and a 100-percent property tax exemption on the appraised value of an on-site wind power generating device.

But even with these federal and state subsidies, electricity from wind is more expensive per kilowatt-hour than that generated by fossil fuels."

Dream Tree Bed

The most beautiful creation I have see in a long time is this tree bed created by Shawn Lovell Metalworks. To sleep in a masterpiece such as this must be heavenly!

Mark Steyn on God and Guns on National Review Online

Mark Steyn on God and Guns on National Review Online:

"Indeed. Senator Obama’s remarks about poor dumb bitter rural losers “clinging to” guns and God certainly testify to the instinctive snobbery of a big segment of the political class. But we shouldn’t let it go by merely deploring coastal condescension toward the knuckledraggers. No, what Michelle Malkin calls Crackerquiddick (quite rightly — it’s more than just another dreary “-gate”) is not just snobbish nor even merely wrongheaded. It’s an attack on two of the critical advantages the U.S. holds over most of the rest of the western world. In the other G7 developed nations, nobody clings to God’n’guns. The guns got taken away, and the Europeans gave up on churchgoing once they embraced Big Government as the new religion."

It Takes a Parent on National Review Online

From It Takes a Parent on National Review Online:

Betsy Hart talks about.....

Divorce, in Dollars and Sense
Divorce doesn’t come cheap in America — and I’m not talking about lawyer fees. According to a new report, divorce in this country is costing taxpayers a whopping $112 billion a year. Of course, that number is not going to discourage folks who really want to split with their partners. But it might persuade our government to be a bit more pro-marriage. A worthwhile pursuit? Maggie Gallagher — columnist and author of The Case for Marriage — helps me add it all up. LISTEN

Cato Comments on High School Dropout Rates

Cato Scholar Comments on High School Dropout Rates
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Andrew Coulson, director, Center for Educational Freedom:

The idea that we can reduce the public school dropout rate simply by measuring it better is misguided. It's like believing that the North Koreans could improve their economy by more accurately measuring the number of people who are starving. As with the North Korean economy, the problem with U.S. public schooling is that it is a monopoly that takes choice away from families, takes professional autonomy away from educators, and takes normal economic incentives away from everyone. Until the monopoly is broken up, expect to see business as usual. And that means millions of kids starving for a real education.

Cato-at-liberty » Does Mandating Diabetes Coverage Lead to Moral Hazard?

With recent actions mandating birth control coverage to autism care, the state of Arizona lawmakers should reflect on this recent article from The Cato Institute.

Cato-at-liberty » Does Mandating Diabetes Coverage Lead to Moral Hazard?

Pictures of an Ice Hotel

Check out this cool place in Sweden that is created each year from snow and ice!

Business groups want penny tax for transportation plan

Business groups want penny tax for transportation plan

Raising your taxes, a penny at a time. Your thoughts?

Third Read Calendar for Monday, April 21, 2008

There are about 28 bills on the calendar for third read on Monday. Most of them non-controversial bills to continue government agencies or government programs. As always, if you need more information about a particular bill, do not hesitate to call me or shoot me a quick email at tgroe@azleg.gov

Legality of Arizona budget fix questioned | Arizona Politics | eastvalleytribune.com

Uh Oh!

Legality of Arizona budget fix questioned Arizona Politics eastvalleytribune.com

Budget Update

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a budget!

That is the news...I cannot share with you whether it is good news or bad news as I have yet to have the opportunity to read and review the one budget bill that should address the FY08 shortfall. (Usually the budget is comprised of 10 or so seperate bills.)

It is 6:15 Thursday evening and I am sitting in my office at the Capitol waiting on a chance to read the budget bill that we are suppose to caucus and vote on later on tonight. Hurry up and wait is the name of the game. We were told to be here at 4:30, then at 4:20 we were told 5:30. At 5:30 pm we received an email from the House Chief of Staff that stated amendments to the budget bill were being drafted and instructed us to be available at 7:00pm.

I do not know the content of the amendments but I did hear from a Democrat that the amendments include some of the provisions agreed upon at the insistence of the Governor and apparently overlooked when the budget bill was drafted today. Word is that the Governor gave the dems their marching orders this morning and instructed them to support the budget bill. All I can say is that if the Governor and the Dems like it, it cannot be good.

All in all, I guess we'll probably have less than 30 minutes to read the proposal and ask questions. There will be no opportunity to make changes or offer suggestions...just the chance to vote "YES" or "NO". I despise this process...and this year it is even worse than usual since the Appropriations committee was left out of the equation.

BTW, a legislator down the hall is violently ill and has been vomiting for the last 45 minutes. When thinking about the injustice taking place here, I feel about as ill as he is.

Action Alert: HCR 2039~Anti-Sanctuary Measure

Tell Arizona Legislative Leaders to Bring Anti-Sanctuary Measure to a Vote!
This is a special message for NumbersUSA members in the State of Arizona.

Dear Arizona Friends,Arizona State Representative Russell Pearce is asking Arizonans to call Speaker Jim Weiers and Senate President Tim Bee to demand a vote on HCR 2039, a resolution that would:

• Bar state or local governments from having any sanctuary policies, official or otherwise, that prohibit police officers from asking about their immigration status;
• Require officers to question anyone arrested about their immigration status;·
• Expand the state crime of trespass to include anyone on public or private property who is in violation of federal immigration laws; and
• Allow police officers to either refer arrested illegal aliens to prosecutors or turn them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rep. Pearce says Speaker Weiers and Senate Bee are holding back a vote on this measure, just as they did last year. If the measure passes the legislature and is vetoed by Gov. Janet Napolitano (a real possibility), it automatically goes to the ballot for voter approval. The four successful immigration reduction initiatives in 2006 were placed on the ballot in this very manner, as opposed to through the gathering of signatures.

Please call and/or email Speaker Weiers and Senate President Bee to ask for an up-or-down vote on HCR 2039, and to remind them that they promised not to hold back another vote on this measure.
It would be helpful to contact the five additional members listed below as well.
Speaker Jim Weiers(602) 926-4173jweiers@azleg.gov
Senate President Tim Bee(602) 926-5683tbee@azleg.gov

Other legislators to call
Senator Tom O'Halloran (602) 926-5584tohalleran@azleg.gov
Rep. Lucy Mason (602) 926-5874lmason@azleg.gov
Rep. Bill Konopnecki (602) 926-5409bkonopnicki@azleg.gov
Rep. Pete Hirschberger (602) 926-5839phershberger@azleg.gov
Rep. John Nelson (602) 926-5872jnelson@azleg.gov

Supporters of HCR 2039 are working on two fronts to enact the measure. In addition to the resolution, signatures are being gathered for the Support Our Law Enforcement (SOLE) initiative, which also would forbid illegal alien sanctuary policies throughout the state.

The Legal Arizona Workers (LAW) initiative, which is being headed up by Don Goldwater, is gathering signatures as well. It would expand on current Arizona law by permanently revoking a business license after the first time a business is caught hiring illegal aliens.Supporters of these initiatives are seeking both signatures and volunteers. Please visit the SOLE and LAW web sites and help get these measures on the ballot this fall.

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.

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

NRA Dinner in Kingman this Saturday

The Mohave County Friends of NRA plans to hold a banquet at the Kingman Elks Lodge, 900 Gates Ave, Kingman, AZ on April 19th at 6:00pm.

Tickets will be $25 per person and may be purchased at On Target Enterprise, 2747 Ashfork Ave, Kingman, AZ 86401 or contact Pierre at (928) 753-4314. This dinner sells out early, so purchase your dinner tickets in advance.

Friends of NRA is a key grassroots event that supports thousands of community service related to firearm education, hunter safety, wildlife conservation, range improvements, youth marksmanship and law enforcement, among others. Working with NRA field representatives, the members and volunteers organize banquets in their communities, complete with auctions, special drawings, and fellowship. Much of the merchandise at the banquets is donated or provided at reduced cost by hundreds of participating vendors.

The upcoming banquet will feature stuffed chicken breast or pork roast, a live and silent auction and lots of games and raffles.

The Friends of NRA is the face of the NRA, run at the grassroots level by people from all walks of life. At a Friends of NRA banquet, you'll meet fire chiefs, engineers, shopkeepers, police officers and teachers--all mainstream citizens working together to support an important cause in preserving our rights and heritage.

Half of the profits raised by each Friends of NRA banquet will be spent in the state in which it was held. The other half supports qualifying national-level programs like the Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program, Women On Target® and other educational and safety services. State Fund Committees made up of volunteers review grant applications from local organizations and make recommendations to The NRA Foundation on how the money might best be used in their areas. For more information about Friends of NRA, visit http://www.friendsofnra.org/.

An Education Report Card

Many of the most respected free-market organizations publish education "report cards." For instance, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has just released its annual Report Card on American Education, which I hope you have the chance to review. The Milton & Rose D. Friedman Foundation also just released its 2007-2008 ABCs of School Choice, a valuable reference tool, analyzing laws in place in each state.

By clicking the following link, you will find The Heartland Institute's contribution to the fight for our children's future. What makes Heartland's 2008 Choice & Education Across the States unique is its "survey" approach to school choice. Using sources like those mentioned above, the report synthesizes a ranking of states' school choice programs, taking into account charter schools, public school choice, tax credits, tax-funded scholarships, and voucher programs in order to give the broadest ranking of school choice programs available.

Inside you will learn:

• 
  The most promising alternative to top-down efforts to create accountability in education is school choice, and there is ample evidence school choice works;
• 
  School choice is politically viable: in poll after poll, respondents agree by wide margins; and
• 
  Florida ranks second-best, Washington state ranks second-worst;flip to pages 8-9 to find out the winners and losers, and where Arizona ranks.

I encourage you to discuss education policy with your colleagues, family and friends. If you are a parent, talk with your children about the experience they have at school.

No doubt this peer-reviewed report will raise some controversy. Mr. Martin welcomes your comments, suggestions, and requests for additional research, commentary, or testimony -- feel free to call him at 312/377-4000 or send him email, tmartin@heartland.org.

Mohave County Sheriff's Office Press Release

April 16, 2008

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s assistance in locating Jimmie Dean Futch, 49, of Dolan Springs. Futch was reported missing on July 10, 2007. He was last seen in the Dolan Springs area on Saturday, July 7, 2007.

A $1,500 reward is being offered in locating Futch. Futch may be a victim of a crime. The family of Jimmie Futch is offering $1,000 while Silent Witness is offering $500 for information in locating Futch.

If the investigation determines that Futch is a victim of a homicide, his family will also offer an additional reward of $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Futch.

Futch is a white male, 6’01 at approximately 180 lbs with hazel eyes and grey hair. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Futch is asked to contact Detective Steve Parker, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, at (928) 753-0753 or Silent Witness at (888) 227-8780.

HCM2013~AZ Temporary Worker Program: Memorial

HCM 2013 urges federal authorization for the Arizona Temporary Worker Program (ATWP). The bill requests that Congress does not increase current visa allocation numbers in order to implement ATWP. I am voting "NO" on this bill as I believe that we first need to secure our borders before implementing this program and I also believe that we need to increase the number of certain visas. (There are 23 different classifications.)

We are currently on the floor of the House voting on this piece of legislation and there are 39 ayes and 19 nays so far. Looks like this is not a party line vote since 4 Democrats are voting against this bill.

The bill passed 39-19.

HCR 2039~Illegal aliens; Enforcement; Trespassing

HCR2039 removes all Sanctuary Policies in the state and allows officers to inquire about legal status and to act on that info, and withholds money from cities or counties that have a policy that restricts law enforcement from enforcing the law only until they change their illegal policy and then restores the money. It also has a Trespass provision that makes it a state crime of trespassing if one enters or remains in Arizona in violation of federal law and allows law enforcement to turn over to ICE or arrest on the trespass provision and that provision was on the request of a couple of Sheriffs.


HCR2039 is endorsed by:

-Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (2500 officers)
-NAILEM: a neighborhood group of over 4000 citizens working for safer neighborhoods
-Sheriff Joe
-County Attorney Andy Thomas
-State Republican Party (endorsed in '07 and '08 unanimously at our state mandatory meeting)
-By over 75% of legal Arizona citizens

"This country has lost control of its borders. And no country can sustain that kind of position." - President Ronald Reagan

We are a nation of laws. We must have the courage – the fortitude – to enforce, with compassion but without apology, those laws that protect the integrity of our borders and the rights of our lawful citizens.

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

Mohave County Teen Challenge Spring Banquet

Friday - May 2, 2008

6:30 p.m.

$25 per person/ $200 per table

Nautical Inn Resort & Conference Center
1000 McCullough Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Contact: Mohave County Office-928.680.3329 or Phoenix Men's Induction Center Public Relations Office-602.271.4084 ext. 303

FEATURING: Henry Lozano

Henry Lozano is a member of the Board of Directors for the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) and a Commissioner for President George W. Bush's Advisory Commission on Drug Free Communities in the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He is a graduate of Teen Challenge, a faith-based, global ministry program for substance abuse treatment, and served as the director of Teen Challenge in California from 1974 to 1985. He is also the CEO of Californians for Drug Free Youth, Inc.

Lozano is a Board member of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and has served three Presidents in substance abuse rehabilitation advisory positions. He is currently promoting President George W. Bush's Access to Recovery Initiative, a competitive grant program providing federal funds to states and tribal governments for voucher programs that expand access to a range of effective substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services, including those provided by faith- and community-based programs.

Supervisor Johnson Town Hall Meeting

Supervisor Buster Johnson will host a Town Hall Meeting with Arizona Corporation Commissioner Jeff Hatch-Miller on Wednesday the 16th of April. The Town Hall Meeting will be held at the Mohave County Library in the K-Mart Shopping Center, 1770 N. McCulloch Blvd., starting at 4:00 p.m.

The Corporation Commission has a direct effect on all of us. They set the rates for our electricity, gas and phones. They have jurisdiction over water companies. Railroad and pipeline safety is also an important part of their duties. Alternative power is a major concern for the Corporation Commission. If you want to learn more about how we are going to break our dependence on fossil fuels, stop by.

I encourage anyone with a question regarding their utilities and those who want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet Commission Hatch-Miller to attend this informative meeting.

Saturday at the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at The Phoenix International Raceway

That's me in front of the UPS #44 Toyota Camry. Michael Waltrip, a winner of both the Nationwide and Sprint series, is the team owner with two drivers: David Reutimann and Dale Jarrett. F.Y.I...Dale's driving suit is predominately brown while David's is primarily white.

General Mills and the Cheerios Brand have once again teamed up with Bobby Labonte and crew for 2008. Bobby Labonte is racing this Car Of Tomorrow #43 Cheerios Dodge Avenger racecar for the 2008 Nascar season.
Lowe's driver Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus were back on victory lane Saturday after using excellent fuel strategy to win the race.

Michael McDowell, the 23 year old driver of the 00 Aarons Car stopped by the PIR Corporate Tent to speak with us and answer any racing questions we might have. McDowell, Rookie of the Year 2007, is an Arizona native.

Representative Warde Nichols, his wife and United States Senator Jon Kyl. Senator Kyl is a serious race fan and told us he tries to attend every NASCAR race at the Phoenix International Raceway. Frank and I sat behind him in the stands and I can tell you he watched intently almost every minute of the race, only taking the briefest moments to chat when the racers were under a caution flag.

April 15th Caucus Calendar

NOTE: These bills, after caucus, will go to COW (committee of the whole) for a debate in front of the entire body of the House of Representatives. There they can be amended, pass or fail. If they pass, they will be third read. Click on the bill number to see the bill summary.


Bill Number Short Title

SB 1006 professional license extensions; military members

SB 1169 military family relief; fund; committee

SB 1180 state land department; sunset continuation

SB 1238 adjudication monitoring committee; repeal
(Now: adjudication monitoring committee; funding information)
(CMMA S/E: outdoor fires; counties)

SB 1288 local stormwater quality programs
(Now: local stormwater pollution prevention)

SB 1125 occupational safety; employee death; penalties

SB 1176 security guards; technical correction

SB 1258 timeshares; trustee's sales; foreclosures

SB 1417 contractor regulation

SB 1031 school facilities board; project management

SB 1032 school facilities board; omnibus

SB 1266 schools; postemployment benefits
(Now: post employment benefits; schools)

SB 1269 JTEDs; report; programs.

SB 1334 compact; educational opportunity; military children.

SB 1336 sexual conduct; minor; school teacher

SB 1488 schools; teacher performance pay programs

SB 1086 insurance producers; examinations; applicability

SB 1285 cease and desist orders; disclosure.

SB 1097 GITA; state treasurer's office exemption

SB 1137 Arizona pioneers' home; continuation

SB 1279 review committee; Arizona national rankings

SB 1123 homeopathic medical examiners board; continuation

SB 1287 dental board; omnibus

SB 1419 cosmetic procedures; lasers; injections; regulation

SB 1100 integrated family court; court orders
(Now: CPS services; court order)

SB 1219 extended school year; technical correction
(Now: developmental disability providers)

SB 1121 emergency response commission; continuation.

SB 1015 presidential preference election; early voting
(JUD S/E: elections; procedures; ballots)

SB 1022 jury fees; technical correction

SB 1211 primary election date; conforming changes
(JUD S/E: conforming changes; primary election date)

SB 1332 DNA testing; arrest

SB 1354 accomplice liability

SB 1405 election laws; county provisions
(JUD S/E: equine tripping; violation)

SB 1486 notary public; name change.

SB 1029 AMA water districts; conflicting versions
(NRPS S/E)

SB 1048 DUI abatement council; chairperson
(Now: chairperson; DUI abatement council)
(NRPS S/E: definition; partial-birth abortion)

SB 1264 mineral inventory; technical correction
(Now: public rights-of-way; claims)

SB 1338 state forester; wildfire suppression funding

SB 1438 mine inspector; surplus property
(Now: mine inspector; abandoned mines; donations)

SB 1030 economic development; conflicting laws; repeal
(PIR S/E: PSPRS; medical personnel; service definition)

SB 1037 disabled persons; organizations; license plates
(TRANS S/E: delinquent juveniles; restitution; parent assistance)

SB 1291 towing companies; release of vehicles

SB 1431 nursing programs; jurisdiction
(Now: exemption; nursing assistant programs)

SB 1464 venture trucks; regulation

SB 1466 rest area privatization; state highways

SB 1468 ADOT continuation; five years

SB 1289 flood protection districts; financing

SB 1297 state telecommunications program; exemption

SB 1380 drought emergency groundwater transfers

SB 1189 private historic cemeteries; historic preservation

Studying the Principles of Freedom

Frank and I are getting ready to take a class called "Principles of Freedom". It is about the fundamental beliefs of the Founding Fathers which they said must be understood and perpetuated by every people who desired peace, prosperity, and freedom.

According to State Representative Russell Pearce, Bill Norton, the class instructor, is amazing. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Gilbert Constitution Week . He is also the Chair of the Arizona State Constitutional Commemoration Committee. He was Chair of the District 22 Republican Party for 3 years and a Member of the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Party for 3 years.

LHC Governmental Conservation Ordinance/Draft Version

This document is to be discussed in an upcoming City Council Work Session on April 17th at 5:00pm. Please take the time to read this important 6 page document that proposes many drastic changes to the way/amount/rate homeowners can use water.

Well Said, Mr. Sowell

From Thomas Sowell's editorial in Investor's Business Daily:

"Senator John McCain could never persuade me to vote for him. Only Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama can cause me to vote for McCain."

To read more of his editorial, please click the title of this post.

Chambers of Commerce Letter to the Governor Re: HB 2220 Property Tax Repeal

UPDATE: The Governor vetoed this bill.

NOTE: I am so pleased to see that both the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bullhead City Chamber of Commerce signed on in support of the bill. I wonder where the Kingman Chamber of Commerce stands.

April 11, 2008

The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Office of the Governor
1700 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Dear Governor Napolitano:

As chambers of commerce across Arizona, we encourage you to sign HB 2220 to
permanently repeal the state equalization property tax. Signing this legislation would
prevent an approximately $250 million annual tax hike on businesses and residential
property owners during a time when Arizonans are experiencing economic strain.

The statewide business community has made permanent repeal of the state equalization
rate a top priority for the 2008 legislative session. Currently, commercial property owners in Arizona pay more than twice the amount in taxes that residential property owners pay. That places Arizona in the top highest for commercial property taxes and far above our neighboring states, thus harming our competitiveness.

The business community recognizes the severity of the state’s fiscal crisis. We remain
convinced; however, that the economy is best stimulated by private enterprise. Creating an environment in which businesses can flourish will allow companies to make additional investments that will advance our economy in a powerful way. During this economic crisis, we have an opportunity to put policies in place that position us for future success. Permanently repealing the statewide equalization rate is one important step in that direction.

Sincerely,
Ajo District Chamber of Commerce
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce
Benson-San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce
Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce
Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce
East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance:
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce
Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce
Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce
Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce
Tempe Chamber of Commerce
Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce
Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce
Prescott Chamber of Commerce
Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce
Sedona Chamber of Commerce
Southern Arizona Chambers of Commerce Alliance:
Marana Chamber of Commerce
Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
Northern Pima County Chamber of Commerce
Rio Rico Chamber of Commerce
Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
St. John’s Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tri-City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
West Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance:
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce
Glendale Chamber of Commerce
Peoria Chamber of Commerce
Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce
Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce
Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce

More Failure of Windpower

Hawaii Reporter: Hawaii ReporterMore Failures of Wind EnergyBy Michael R. Fox Ph.D., 4/6/2008 4:49:27 PM

While wind energy is being wildly supported by many in the U.S., there have always been drawbacks to the performance and costs of these machines. The U.S. has had a heavily subsidized romance with them for nearly 40 years and too few of the state and federal policy makers have taken a close look at what the tens of billions in subsidies have actually done for the taxpayers.

These wind energy programs have made many companies such as Florida Power and Light very wealthy because of the heavy subsidies, tax credits, and accelerated depreciation allowance. Additional benefits come from local taxing authorities. This source of energy remains very unreliable and limited, having produced only about 1% of the nation’s energy for decades.

Such companies are far less interested in windmills than in the legalized tax evasion programs at their disposal. There is little promise that this will improve in the future, for the simple reason that the wind remain unpredictable, unreliable, and intermittent. For example, during the years of 2002 and 2003, Florida Power and light owner of the majority of windmills in the US did not pay any taxes on revenues of more than $2 billion dollars (http://tinyurl.com/5tb7pj). It was estimated that FPL took more than $1.2 billion in deductions during those two years, avoiding payments of hundreds of millions in taxes (http://tinyurl.com/5tb7pj). You and I paid those for them.

Remarkably, even after all this time such tax evasion programs are wildly supported by state legislatures, Congress, the media, the greens, and too many state and federal agencies. Many states now have the onerous Renewable Portfolio Standards which require utilities to have a sizable fraction (often 20%) of their energy sales to be from “renewable” energy sources such as wind energy. That is, state legislators require that its citizens to pay the taxes for large corporations. We are not being protected from our own government’s costly edicts.

Biofuels Hit the Fan

From a recent news article in the Hawaii Reporter:

"Time Magazine has a cover story called “The Clean Energy Scam” (http://tinyurl.com/2w84uj). Author Michael Grunwald illuminates a number of well-known problems connected to ethanol, as well as discussing some of the newer ones. He points out that ethanol production increases global warming, destroys forests, and inflates food prices. And as stated above, ethanol contains 33% less energy, gallon for gallon, than gasoline. In other words, your car’s mileage will decrease."


"People often talk about “unintended consequences”, but with a worrying level of declining science literacy among the public and their elected officials, “unintended consequences” looks more like government sponsored willful negligence. As P.J. O’Rourke said “Some people will do anything to save the planet except take a science course”."


Hawaii Reporter: Hawaii Reporter

A Plea To My Colleagues

According to the Parks Department, in 2003 – the last year for which figures are available -- 43 percent of SLIF funds were generated in Mohave County, which means boating on Lake Havasu. The next closest contributor was Maricopa County at 18 percent.

When you consider the high percentage of boaters from out of state that visit Lake Havasu, I think it is reasonable to conclude that about one quarter of money that flows into the SLIF fund each year comes from out-of-state. In effect, we are taxing our own customers to pay for improvements and public safety on the Lake. These improvements, and public safety spending in turn, create facilities and an environment that attract additional visitors to Lake Havasu. Let me ask you to look at this a different way: Some of the money that is in the SLIF fund now, is directly attributable to SLIF funded facilities that were approved by this committee in the past ten years.

If you sweep funds earmarked for improvements on the busiest lake in the state, then you WILL also reduce SLIF funds for years to come. And keep in mind, much of that money comes from out-of-state.

I understand that we all face a difficult budget next year. But I ask if you must cut SLIF funding (or preserve the option of cutting such funding in the future) – do so with a scalpel and not a meat axe. Let the projects that will boost revenues in Mohave County move forward today and delay a decision on the other SLIF grants until after the budget is completed.

Illegal Immigration Legislation

NOTE: The following is list of important bills from my good friend, State Representative Russell Pearce, who asked me to pass along this information.


HCR2039 that eliminates ALL sanctuary policies that restrict law enforcement from enforcing immigration law and creates a Trespass provision for anyone that enters or remains in Arizona in violation of federal law.

ENDORSED: Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, NAILEM, along with Sheriff Joe and County Attorney Andy Thomas.HCR2063; the election of Superior Court Judges in Maricopa and Pima Counties like currently exist in the other 13 counties. In Maricopa County after 78% of the public passed Prop. 100 last November, judges set bond for 94.7% of illegal aliens who were arrested for serious felonies all in violation of the Constitution as Amended by 78% of the public. (ENDORSED BY SHERIFF JOE AND ANDY THOMAS AND THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY)

HCR2041; This eliminates all affirmative action programs in the state. Does not stop proper exceptions for proper work discrimination. (supported by Andy Thomas and about 80% of the public)

HB2625; Goes after Commercial activities (smuggling, drop houses, etc) and allows the properties to be seized, including vehicles, also requires landlords or renting agents to not knowingly or recklessly rent to any illegal alien with up to $250 per day for any violations.

HB2745; Employer Sanctions HB2745 is strengthening HB2779. In 2007, the Legislature passedHB 2779: fair and legal employment act, establishing the most comprehensive employer sanctions legislation in the country. As is a result with most legislation, it is necessary this year to follow with a clean-up bill in order to clarify any unanticipated, and unintended, consequences of last year's legislation and strengthen the current language. At this time we will continue with the initiatives unless we get a real deal with the folks pushing the illegal employers initiative to drop theirs first. I do believe we have a good law, much stronger than the initiative in many ways, but if theirs pass it will gut our law. (ENDORSED BY EAST VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SEVERAL OTHER CHAMBERS, ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND MANY BUSINESSES AND OVER 80% OF THE PUBLIC)

HB2751; Returns the NO Drivers License to a Criminal violation, so one does not have to release someone with no ID and potential fugitive from justice, etc. Discretion of officer like it use to be (Supported by all of law enforcement)

Constituent Mail ~ Arizona Marriage Referendum

NOTE: I will be voting to send this issue to the ballot so that the voters may voice their support or opposition to this proposal.

Dear Representative Groe:

I urge your support of HCR2065/SCR1038, which would put a marriage amendment to the state constitution on the November ballot. The amendment would state: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

Marriage is so important that it is uniquely protected in the law and culture. It predates the law and the Constitution and is an anthropological and sociological reality, not primarily a legal one. No civilization can survive without it, and those societies that allowed it to become irrelevant have faded into history.

Please vote "yes" on HCR2065/SCR1038 - the Arizona marriage referendum. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. It is very important to me and my family.

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Public

Photo Radar ~ Big Money Maker

Just heard on the news that the City of Scottsdale has made over $2 Million Dollars since installing photo radar cameras two years ago.

HB2132 ~ Points to Ponder

UPDATE: This bill is being held in the Senate by Chairman Bob Burns.

1. This is probably the only water with an industrial only designation, but that doesn't make it a good thing. Local officials should be who decide which is the best use at any given time. Certainly Kingman, LHC, BHC and MVIDD all have water which is used by industry and all are recruiting additional industry. Related issue : do high water use industries make sense in a desert?

2. Industry certainly could have used the temporary water since it could have been leased to them long term. We also had permanent water which could have been leased to an industry. We have not been approached by a single industry seeking water since our formation in 1996. No doubt it is more valuable as a permanent supply but , again, who should be making decisions on the best use of water in our local communities?

3. It is prudent to take steps to avoid losing this water under the "use it or lose it" doctrine. Kingman's allocation would have been lost to the Phoenix area if MCWA had not been formed to facilitate its transfer to Mohave County's river communities.

4.. If there were a reasonably priced way to get Colorado River water to Griffith Energy and nearby industrial properties the City of Kingman would have kept their allocation. The construction and operating costs of such a pipeline are cost prohibitive for such a small (3500a/f) amount of water.

House Water and Ag Agenda

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WATER AND AGRICULTURE

DATE: Thursday, March 27, 2008
ROOM: HHR 1
TIME: 9:30 A.M. NOTE TIME CHANGE
Members:
Mr. Alvarez Mrs. Pancrazi Mr. Tom
Mr. Brown Mr. Paton Mr. Kavanagh, Vice-Chairman
Ms. Burns J Mr. Stump Mrs. Mason, Chairman
Mrs. Groe

Bills

SB1120
_____
navigable stream adjudication commission; continuation
(Flake, Brown, Burns J, et al)
WA, RULES

SB1158
_____
continuation; veterinary medical examining board
(Gray C, Nelson)
WA, RULES

*SB1168
_____
department of agriculture omnibus act
(Arzberger, Aguirre, Landrum Taylor, et al)

SB1181
_____
Arizona beef council; sunset continuation
(Flake)
WA, RULES

*SB1289
_____
flood protection districts; financing
(Flake)

SB1326
_____
exempt wells; internal reference corrections
(Flake, Aguirre, Arzberger, et al)
WA, RULES

*SB1373
_____
poultry husbandry
(Burns, Aguirre, Arzberger, et al)

*SB1380
_____
drought emergency groundwater transfers
(Arzberger, Hale, Miranda, et al)

SB1394
_____
racing; commission; department; continuation
(Gray C)
WA, RULES

*If assigned

Third Read Calendar for Wednesday, March 26, 2008

ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Forty-eighth Legislature - Second Regular Session

THIRD READING CALENDAR

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Bill Number Short Title Committee Date Action

HB2111 department of revenue closing agreements
(Now: tax credit; charter schools; contributions)
SPONSOR: YARBROUGH

HB2117 CORP; disability retirements
(Now: CORP; member contributions; disability)
SPONSOR: MCCLURE

HB2127 ASRS; LTD; unclaimed monies
SPONSOR: MCCLURE

HB2141 home sales; water supply disclosure
(Now: water supply status; disclosure)
SPONSOR: ABLESER

HB2250 organization special plates; personalization
SPONSOR: WEIERS JP

HB2258 civil air patrol; hangar space
(Now: civil air patrol; funding)
SPONSOR: NICHOLS

(ON RECONSIDERATION)
HB2339 I didn't pay enough fund
SPONSOR: BURGES

HB2371 critical infrastructure; pipelines; review
SPONSOR: CAMPBELL CH

HB2440 condominiums; planned communities; political petitions
SPONSOR: NICHOLS

HB2522 state board of accountancy; terms.
(Now: adjutant general; term of office)
SPONSOR: CRANDALL

HB2527 JTEDs; adult students
SPONSOR: CRANDALL

HB2557 schools; standards; PE; art; music
SPONSOR: ANDERSON

HB2571 low income housing; property tax
SPONSOR: DRIGGS

HB2589 income tax credit; other states
SPONSOR: CRANDALL

HB2622 prime contracting classification; contract services
(Now: exemption; preconstruction services)
SPONSOR: BOONE

HB2640 public officers; financial disclosure
SPONSOR: MURPHY

HB2652 homeland security councils; coordinating; advisory
SPONSOR: BROWN

HB2696 schools; American competitiveness project fund
SPONSOR: SCHAPIRA

HB2723 community facilities districts; counties; limited areas.
(Now: special districts; excise tax)
SPONSOR: TOBIN

HB2726 emergency management; compensation; determination
(Now: condominium statutes; applicability)
SPONSOR: NICHOLS

HB2740 graffiti; parent responsibility
SPONSOR: CAMPBELL CH

HB2759 legislative vacancies; precincts; election
SPONSOR: MIRANDA B

HB2766 omnibus energy act of 2008
SPONSOR: MASON

HB2788 misconduct involving weapons; vehicles
SPONSOR: MCGUIRE

HB2802 newborns; testing; confidentiality
SPONSOR: NELSON

HB2816 schools; TAPBI programs
SPONSOR: CRANDALL

HB2822 pest control; department of agriculture
SPONSOR: CRANDALL

HB2829 workers' compensation; employee misconduct
SPONSOR: MCCOMISH

HB2842 forgery; drop house property transactions
SPONSOR: DRIGGS

HCR2016 US senator advisory election; repeal
(Now: statewide transportation plan; recommendations)
SPONSOR: NELSON

HCR2026 redistricting commission; elected members
SPONSOR: PATON

HCR2028 recognition of Indian tribes
SPONSOR: CHABIN

HCR2041 discrimination; preferential treatment; prohibition
SPONSOR: PEARCE

Senate Judiciary Committee Agenda

Agendas can be viewed at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/CommitteeAgendas.asp

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the Senate Secretary’s Office, (602) 926-4231 (voice). Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

DATE: Monday, March 31, 2008
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
ROOM: SHR 1

SENATORS: Cheuvront Miranda Gould, Vice-Chairman
Hale Waring Gray C, Chairman Johnson


1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Consideration of Bills

Bills

Short Title
Subject of Strike Everything
Amendment

HB2190
____
constable ethics; board; membership(Driggs)

HB2207
____
sentencing; reorganization(Farnsworth, Adams, Biggs, et al)

HB2321
____
identity theft; factual innocence(now: factual innocence; judicial determination; procedure)(Driggs, Pancrazi, Schapira, et al)

*HB2451
____
election security provisions(Reagan, Barto, Paton, et al)

HB2478
____
redaction orders; expiration; notice; funds(Adams: Crandall, Crump, et al)

HB2480
____
aggravated luring; minors; sexual exploitation(Adams: Burges, Campbell CH, et al)

HB2623
____
constables; peace officers status(Pearce, Burges, Burns J, et al)

*HB2660
____
joint; several liability; criminal offenses(now: obscene or dangerous material; liability)(Nichols)

HB2793
____
census; precinct line freeze(McComish: Clark)

HB2813
____
ballot measures; publicity pamphlets(now: civil action; affirmative defense)(Kavanagh)

**HB2842
____
forgery; drop house property transactions(Driggs, Paton: Adams, et al)


*Pending Committee Assignment
**Pending passage by the House, Introduction, First Reading and Committee Assignment

Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Retirement

Agendas can be viewed at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/CommitteeAgendas.asp

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the Senate Secretary’s Office, (602) 926-4231 (voice). Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT

DATE: Monday, March 31, 2008
TIME: 1:30 P.M.
ROOM: SHR 2

SENATORS: McCune Davis, Verschoor, Gorman, Chairman Rios, Huppenthal, Vice-Chairman

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Consideration of Bills

Bills

Short Title
Subject of Strike Everything
Amendment

*HB2017
____
joint underwriting and reinsurance organizations(Konopnicki)
state treasurer; employee test

HB2031
____
insurance; technical changes; definitions(Konopnicki)

*HB2060
____
ASRS; required distributions; citation correction(McClure)
ASRS: benefits; refunds

HB2081
____
captive insurers; authority(Konopnicki)

HB2224
____
service company contracts(McLain)

HB2282
____
schools; textbook purchases; technical correction(now: insurance transactions; false disclosures)(Tobin)

HB2513
____
insurance; authorized reinsurance(now: stranger originated life insurance)(Konopnicki)

HB2649
____
prearranged funeral agreements(McComish)

*Strike everything amendment may be offered

Senate Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

Agendas can be obtained at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/CommitteeAgendas.asp

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the Senate Secretary’s Office, (602) 926-4231 (voice). Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.

ARIZONA STATE SENATE Forty-eighth Legislature - Second Regular Session


MEETING NOTICE

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT


DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 2008
TIME: 10:00 A.M. NOTE TIME CHANGE
ROOM: SHR 3


SENATORS: Allen Gorman Blendu, Vice-Chairman
Burton Cahill Miranda Leff, Chairman
Cheuvront Tibshraeny


1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Executive Nomination

ARIZONA AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE COMMISSION
Matthew John Korbeck

COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Fred Price DuVal
Vicki Lynn Chandler

STATE BOARD OF FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS
Richard W. O'keeffe

ARIZONA HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY
Carol Jacqueline Parry

ARIZONA STATE LOTTERY COMMISSION
Leo Victor Valdez


5. Consideration of Bills

Bills

Short Title
Subject of Strike Everything
Amendment
____
HB2123
____
park model trailer spaces(now: landlord charges; utilities)(McClure)


HB2483
____
ignition strength of cigarettes; regulation(McComish, Reagan, Schapira, et al)


HB2526
____
border regional port authority(Crandall, Ulmer)

HB2590
____
school bonds; computer hardware(Crandall, Reagan, Sinema, et al)


HB2658
____
insurance contracts; small employer coverage(Reagan, Adams, Cajero Bedford, et al)


HB2826
____
liquor wholesalers; promotional items.(McComish: DeSimone, Cheuvront)