Constituent Mail: BHC Photo Radar

NOTE: I received this email from a constituent in BHC who, much like myself, strongly opposes Photo Radar. The constituent asked me to print this on the blog as he/she doubted it would be printed in the paper.

Dear Editor,

Bullhead City is not a sleepy little fishing town anymore. We are on the map as the home of the Arizona Tax Revolt that has taxing entities across the state realizing that the jig is up and that property taxes will soon be reduced and future increases limited. In the tradition of Paul Revere, Neil Young’s article has alerted us to the very real possibility of Photo Radar. This technology can be used to ticket BOTH red light runners and someone going a few miles per hour over the speed limit.

See their Press Release: http://www.redflex.com/public_documents/asx_announcements/2008-02-18%20Chillicothe%20Ohio.pdf

I am very much opposed to the deployment of this technology because it is simply too Orwellian, and frankly it being considered merely as a means of revenue enhancement. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Council approve it guided only by staff’s desire that the bureaucracy be sustained at its present level at a time when sales tax revenue has dipped. Of course the Council may be looking at Photo Radar as a means to fund expensive new pet projects like an aquatic or convention center. Apparently some Council members don’t consider speeding tickets given out by robots to be a tax on motorists, each of which will likely net several hundred dollars shared between the Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. and Bullhead City.

I believe that Bullhead City residents, already angry at the Police crackdown on traffic infractions while crimes like burglaries and worse go unsolved, would be willing to circulate a Referendum petition to require that Council approval of these systems be decided by the people. Or of course the Council could refer this question to the ballot themselves rather than deciding such a contentious issue for us. Speak up now or it may be too late!

Mohave County PC Meeting

Mohave County Republican Central Committee PC Quarterly Meeting

When: Saturday, April 5th at 9:00am

Where: Shriner's Building, 2580 Miracle Mile, BHC, AZ

Directions: From the south, coming north on Hwy 95, turn right on Marble Canyon, just north of Wal-Mart, then left onto Miracle Mile. The Shriner's building is on the right a few blocks down.

From the north, coming south on Hwy 95, turn left at the signal Marina Drive, then right at the stop sign, Miracle Mile. Shriner Building will be on the left a few blocks down.

Contact: Buster Johnson 928-566-7529

Legislative Salute Dinner

The Arizona Republican Party
Invites you to

Honor our Republican Legislators
at the

Legislative Salute Dinner

with very special guest speaker

Grover Norquist
of American’s for Tax Reform

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
6:00 p.m. VIP Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner & Program

The Chaparral Suites Hotel
5001 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250


Please RSVP to Amilyn Gordon at 602-957-7770 or via email at agordon@azgop.org .

Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.
Contributions by foreign nationals are prohibited.

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

HB 2269 ~Prevents Nurses from Performing Abortions

NOTE: Click the above link and you will be taken to the summary of the bill. Now, notice the title of the bill refers to Behavioral Health Copying Fees but the language of the bill has been amended to reflect the subject discussed below. This is an example of a "striker" or a bill that has been amended with a "strike-everything" amendment. The old language of the bill is stricken and the new language added.


From Cathi Herrod, President of the Center for Arizona Policy:

Two weeks ago, I told you about a nurse practitioner who has been performing surgical abortions for Planned Parenthood. For months, the Board of Nursing has been reviewing the situation but failing to take any action.

This week, the Board of Nursing again looked at the matter, and many Board members expressed doubt that a surgical abortion is within a nurse’s scope of practice. Amazingly, the Board refused to intervene, allowing this nurse to continue to perform first and second trimester surgical abortions! State law does not authorize non-doctors to perform abortions, but, according to Planned Parenthood, this has been their regular practice for the past eight years. Because the Board of Nursing continues to delay and Planned Parenthood continues to defy the obvious implications of current law, Rep. Bob Stump proposed a bill (HB 2269) specifically prohibiting nurses from performing surgical abortions. The reaction from abortion advocates has been bordering on panic, as they struggle to find doctors willing to take the lives of preborn babies. This is a huge safety issue. If something goes wrong, women need a doctor, not a nurse. Abortion advocates claim to care about women’s health but oppose a reasonable bill like this one that will protect women from having a risky surgical procedure performed by a non-doctor.

HB 2269 passed through the House Rules Committee and the party caucuses and will be debated during COW on the House floor next week.

Constituent Mail: SB1214~Concealed Weapons, School Grounds

NOTE: This piece of constituent mail was written to a Senator (not our Senator Gould) who voted against SB 1214 which allows people with a valid CCW permit to carry on the grounds of a community college or university.

Dear Senator "XYZ",

We are two of your voting constituents (District "007") and voted for you in your last election. You are our voice and we want you to vote YES on SB 1214!

This bill is to allow people with a concealed weapons (CCW) permit "to carry" on a school campus. Have you taken a Concealed Weapons training course, Senator "XYZ"? We are trained not only on how to use a weapon, but when NOT TO USE a weapon. If I am in fear for my life, my weapon "might" be used only if certain safety criteria are met first before shooting. We are taught gun safety! A CCW permit holder is not imitating the Wild West days of Jesse James and running ramped or firing a gun at will.

You have upheld our Second Amendment rights in the past and we demand that our rights to carry a concealed weapon even on a school campus be honored as well.

Thank you for your YES vote on SB 1214, and we look forward to hearing back from you on this matter.

THE FISCAL NOTE

An Examination of Tax and Fiscal Matters by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club

Economic Stimulus: What to Embrace, What to Avoid

Former U.S. Treasury economist Stephen Entin wrote: There is no such thing as a quick, temporary fiscal stimulus for the economy that does not lead to offsetting damage down the road. The only worthwhile tax changes that are beneficial in the short run are those that are also beneficial in the long run, ones that lead to a tax system with fewer obstacles to production.

There has been much discussion recently around designing an “economic stimulus” package for Arizona. It is easy to see why. Revenues for fiscal year 2008 will be up only 1%, and we’ll be lucky if 2009 is any better. What to do? Given the backdrop from Mr. Entin, here are some suggestions.

AVOID: Do not incur additional debt to “stimulate” construction activity. A plan being circulated by universities and contractors to borrow $1.4 billion to facilitate construction at Arizona’s three universities is not an economics stimulus package. Here’s why. If the state needs to issue additional debt to cover the activity of construction, it is simply borrowing the economic benefit created by the construction, leaving no additional benefit to the public, since they (we) own the debt. Arizona already faces a state and local debt burden of $32 billion, which is 16th highest in the country as a percentage of personal income, and the state has a $3 billion budget deficit. The added debt from this proposal will be extremely painful long-term.

AVOID: Do not advance a plan comprised of tax credits, new spending items, and new debt packages. In the face of Arizona’s huge budget deficit, a plan being discussed in the House to add new credits, grants, and spending would exacerbate the problem. With mounting debt and flat revenues, adding new subsidies and spending items will further choke off economic growth. Economic stimulus packages require an incentive effect. When tax rates are cut, for example, the incentive to earn the next dollar increases, since the return on investment is now greater. Tax credits, like rebates or subsidies, have no incentive effect, do not increase output or demand, and simply leave fewer taxpayers to pay for existing services.


SUPPORT: Make the 2006 state equalization tax cut permanent. Isn’t it ironic that proponents of a construction “stimulus package” are some of the same people who oppose making permanent the temporary elimination of the state equalization rate? There is no compelling reason to not make permanent a tax cut that lawmakers and the governor saw fit to provide in 2006. There is no negative impact to the state’s general fund next year by passing this permanent moratorium. Raising taxes $250 million in an economy that is already experiencing anemic growth, however, will further slow economic recovery. It will drive up expenses for everyone from latte drinkers to the construction industry (and everyone in between). Any economic stimulus plan that doesn’t include making this tax cut permanent isn’t a serious plan.


Given the state’s $3 billion budget deficit for 2008 and 2009 and the membership of the House and Senate, it is well-understood that asking for more than the permanent repeal of the state equalization tax is pushing the envelope. If, however, there is interest in other stimulus plans that will have both a short and long-term benefit to our economy and tax code, here are two:

SUPPORT: Reduce Arizona’s business personal property tax. Reducing the tax on business equipment, or allowing for immediate expensing, would spur new spending on plants and equipment, increase wages, increase jobs, and ultimately increase tax revenue to the state. A recent study completed for Idaho by Stephen Entin at the Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation demonstrates the economic benefits of this rate cut.

SUPPORT: Reduce Arizona’s corporate income tax rate. Arizona’s tax on corporate income is 6.968% and is among the highest in the west (behind only California and New Mexico). Corporate taxes affect three things: 1) customers, through prices; 2) shareholders, through returns on invested capital; and 3) employees, through employment opportunities and wage growth. According to a new study by Fritz Foley and Mihir Desai of Harvard and James Hines of the Univ. of Michigan, workers share between 45 and 70 percent of the corporate tax burden. Reducing corporate taxes down to 4.76%, the average among western states, would instantly make Arizona more competitive in the region and across the country, increase after tax profits, increase employment opportunities, and increase wage growth. Reducing this tax to 4.54% would place the corporate income tax on equal footing with Arizona businesses and individuals who file income taxes in the state’s highest personal income tax bracket. In a fair tax system that encourages growth, neutrality is paramount.


Finally, the adage of “First, do no harm,” applies to this debate. Cutting taxes on capital would be the preferred tax changes to help Arizona’s economy both short and long-term. Short of that, however, doing nothing is far better than some of what’s being discussed at the Capitol.

###

The Arizona Free Enterprise Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization whose mission is to advance policies that promote a strong and vibrant Arizona economy. The Club believes that entrepreneurs and private enterprise are the principle drivers of our economy. The Club lobbies Arizona lawmakers in support of policies that allow the market to flourish and vigorously opposes policies that hinder private industry. Visit us at www.azfec.org.

Havasu Heals Havasu

A message from Kathy Hodel and the Havasu Community Health Foundation:

Our local Cancer Association of Havasu created a new educational program called "Havasu HEALS Havasu". The program includes a 30 minutes television show on TV 45 hosted by Theresa and a quarterly newsletter that will be inserted in our newspaper.

The goal is to educate our residents on cancer prevention and also inform them what services are available in Havasu if you have cancer. IT'S ALL LOCAL!

Our TV show will be airing on TV 45:

Wednesdy & Sunday at 5:00pm

Monday and Sat at 10:00am.

OUI Bill Heads To House

Senator Linda Gray's OUI bill, SB 1080 passed out of the Senate last week and now comes to the House. Critics lament the elimination of the civil penalty of $1,250 for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration test that was a part of the original bill. Watch to see if there will be an attempt in the House to amend the bill to include this provision.

The Way Things Work

Why oh why, would a county official author a press release against a bill I co-sponsored urging others to contact me before talking with me himself?

Weird.

Difficult to understand are the actions of this gentleman, especially since he spends so much time at the Capitol. Why would he not mention his stance on this bill when we stood together last weekend, in silence under the sun? (Special Olympics, LHC)

Strange, the way things work sometimes...

This particular bill has been in the system since January. It is nothing new. It was heard in a House Committee meeting at least two weeks ago (February 7th actually, I just checked) where many representatives from District III testified of its need. (Not one person signed in against this legislation.)

I am not "married" to the bill as they sometimes say at the Capitol, explaining the unhealthy relationship members have with a bill they sponsor. I signed on to this out of respect for my seatmate and the local officials who explained their need for such a law. Since then I have written here about the bill and have also noted it's existence in other forums. Not a peep have I heard in opposition of this bill.

Until now.

Who knows, this bill may be terrible and full of unintended consequences. I am certainly open to killing the bill if it is awful, holding it if it is bad, and amending it, if it is only good, in order to make it better. But that is not my point.

MY POINT:

Mr. Supervisor, why the press release?
Am I that unapproachable?
Forget where my office is?
On the third floof, 309.

Mr. Supervisor, you're the "good one", not the name caller
Not a phone caller?
Thought you were reasonable
What gives?

Hoping to hear from you Mr. Supervisor!

602-926-5408

Arizona Municipal Water User's Association Weekly Update

UPDATE: I look forward to talking with Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson regarding his concerns about this particular piece of legislation.

HB 2132 County Water Authority; Colorado River
AMWUA Position: Support
MCWA Postition: Support

Bill Provisions:

HB 2132 amends ARS § 45-2244 to eliminate the industrial use restriction on a portion of Mohave County Water Authority’s Colorado River allocation.

Background:

In 1994, legislation was adopted to provide for the formation of the Mohave County Water Authority (MCWA).

The members of MCWA are Bullhead City, City of Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Mohave County, Golden Shores Irrigation District, Mohave Valley Irrigation and Drainage District, and the Mohave Water Conservation District.

The impetus to forming MCWA was to put to use the City of Kingman’s Colorado River contract for 18,500 acre-feet of 4th priority water, while at the same time providing Kingman with funds to develop its groundwater resources. A.R.S. § 45-2244 prescribes the uses for which this water may be used. Late in the negotiations, the Department of Interior set aside 3,500 acre-feet of the 18,500 acre feet for other uses, leaving MCWA with 3,500 acre-feet of 5th and 6th priority water, which is a less stable supply than the higher priority, 4th priority water. This 3,500 acre-feet was recently converted back to 4th priority water pursuant to provisions in the Arizona Water Settlements Agreement and would now be available to the MCWA as a permanent supply, however, A.R.S. §45-2244 A.2. limits the 3,500 acre-feet to industrial uses. Industrial uses are defined in A.R.S. §45-2201 (8) as a “nonagricultural use of water not supplied by a city, town or private water company, including animal industry use as defined in § 45-402.”

Since MCWA’s formation in 1996, it has not received a single request for water for an industrial use. During that same time frame, MCWA’s members have sought additional water for municipal purposes, which can include industrial uses.

The MCWA Board voted unanimously to seek this legislation at its meeting held September 25, 2007.

Issues:

This legislation would result in additional water for municipal as well as industrial uses. It would provide the City of Kingman with additional funds to develop its groundwater resources.

Status

HB 2132 was heard in the House Water and Agriculture Committee on Thursday, February 7 and passed unanimously, unamended. Community (LHC and BHC) representatives spoke on behalf of the bill.

HB 2132 was heard in the House Counties, Municipalities and Military Affairs Committee on February 12. Rep.McLain testified in support of the bill and reiterated that the Mohave County Water Authority had never received a request to use the 3,500 acre-foot Colorado River allocation for an industrial purpose. The bill passed unanimously.

HB 2132 was heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee on March 19. LHC representatives testified in support of the bill, as did one of the Mohave County supervisors. Another member of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors testified in opposition to the legislation, expressing concern that the communities’ economies would suffer if water were not available to support industry needs. It was pointed out that the legislation did not limit the use of the water strictly to municipal purposes. The water could be used for municipal and industrial purposes.

SB1449~Minors, Blood Donors

Tomorrow in the House Health Committee, SB 1449, blood donors, will be heard. The American Red Cross supports thh

SB 1449 recently passed the Senate by a vote of 24-1 and seeks to clarify existing statute relating to blood donations and lowers the blood donor age to include 16 and 17 year-old minors with written parental consent.

Background

Nationally and in Arizona, there is a need for additional blood donor collections in order to provide our hospitals with the necessary blood supplies they need to operate efficiently. Today, the majority of American Red Cross Blood Services regions operate with less than one day’s supply of blood.

Due to age, previously eligible donors often become unable to donate and may become blood recipients themselves. Continuing to grow a healthy donor base will greatly assist in meeting the needs of Arizona’s patients. Furthermore, being eligible to donate is an important opportunity to expose young people to the benefits of a lifetime of community service through blood donation. The Red Cross views the requirement of parental consent for minor donors a vital tool in educating parents and their children on the importance of blood donation as an important civic duty.

Collection of blood donations from 16-year olds has proven to be a safe, acceptable practice and 16 states have adopted this as their minimum donation age. Additionally, legislation is being prepared or pending in the states of Kentucky, Georgia, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin to enable blood donations from 16-year olds.

BlueStatePrison

BlueStatePrison has a post about California lawmakers proposing a similar bill to HB 2678 ~Drug Testing;Welfare Recipients. This measure, which I co-sponsored, would require all welfare applicants to be drug tested before receiving benefits.

ALCOHOL USE #1 CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN BOATING FATALITIES

According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics alcohol use is ranked number one as a contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in the United States. There were 133 alcohol use related boating fatalities in 2006 (latest statistics available) this is more than doubles the second highest ranking contributing factor; hazardous waters which contributed to 63 boating fatalities. Operator inattention ranked third with 51 fatalities.

What is alarming is that statistics show that responsible boaters can take a few simple steps to prevent most serious problems while on the water:

• Always wear a lifejacket since even though the factors listed above contribute to boating fatalities, ultimately drowning is the cause of death by far. Wearing a lifejacket alone will substantially reduce the likelihood a boating accident will result in a fatality.
• Take a boating safety class
• Avoid alcohol or drugs while boating

The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced. The courses are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information about Coast Guard Auxiliary safety classes please visit http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/index.html.

For more boating accident statistics visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety website at http://www.uscgboating.org/

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard’s motto is SEMPER PARATUS (ALWAYS READY). The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United Sates Coast Guard.

Hunting ~ A Constitutional Right?

Some state lawmakers want to make the ability to hunt and fish a constitutional right in hopes of keeping their colleagues - and voters - from deciding that people shouldn't be killing certain animals. They have sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 2037 , which amends the Arizona Constitution to ensure the right of Arizona citizens to hunt, fish, and harvest game animals.

What say you? Do you see your freedom to hunt and fish as a constitutional right? Do we need to go this far to protect this right? Please, discuss amongst yourselves and let me know your thoughts!

Bad Behavior at Bullhead City Bar

8 Illegal Immigrants Arrested at Bullhead City Bar Serving Minors!

Northwest Arizona Watershed Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008
3 PM TO 5:00 PM

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE
101 EAST BEALE,
KINGMAN, ARIZONA

AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Welcome and Introductions – Elno Roundy, Chairman
2. News from Arizona Department of Water Resources – John Fortune, ADWR
3. News from Mohave County – Kevin Davidson, Planning and Zoning Dept.
4. News from City of Kingman – Dean Wolslagel
5. News from Cooperative Extension – Aline Parker
6. News from Bureau of Land Management – Paul Hobbs
7. Developing a Water Fact Sheet for the Sacramento Aquifer – Elno Roundy
8. Drugs in our Water?– Discussion – Earl Engelhardt **
9. Watershed Council Website – Discussion – Denise Bensusan
10. Any other water topic – open discussion

Meeting Sponsored by: Arizona Department of Water Resources

**Just a little FYI...several years ago, I sponsored and the Governor signed into law, a bill that would allow the recycling of unused prescription medications. I was motivated to sponsor this legislation for severalreasons including lessening the contamination of our water when disposing ofunused meds. See A.R.S. 32-1909.