Sighting Sine Die

Today, both the House and Senate have a slew of Conference Committees with several bills still proceeding through the legislative process. We are expected to go to the floor, simultaneously at 10:00 am to consider bills and, perhaps, Sine Die. Though I am a bit unsure as the calendar for today just shows a COW calendar, with no third readings or final passages scheduled. For a time yesterday there was talk of working over the weekend or even straight through to Monday. I doubt this is the case but lately reason has not prevailed.

With the passage of this abominable budget, I am feeling deflated. In addition to this, I am greatly disturbed about several things that took place yesterday including a brief yet incredibly rude interaction I had with several of my senior colleagues. The chauvinism they displayed was shocking and extremely distasteful. Perhaps I will have to chalk it up to the stress of the past few days...I will try to frame their bad behavior in this light, though at some point in time it might be interesting to examine the chauvinism alive and well in our Arizona Legislature.

My day needs to move forward so I will complete my post. Rest assured that thought the battle over the budget may be lost, I will not give up my fight to protect your hard-earned money, your private property rights, your precious personal freedoms and important individual liberties!

House Schedule & The Plan of Action

Tomorrow the House goes to the floor at 10:00 to third read one bill and to vote on one final passage. Click the title of the post for additional information.

Wednesday I have a JCCR committee meeting at 8:30 in the morning (I will post a link to the agenda ~ state university projects to be discussed) and then 9:30 we have an Appropriations Committee meeting. The agenda of the committee will be compiled of all budget-related bills. The bills will be discussed and voted on in committee. With their passage, the House Democrats and Republicans will separately caucus the bills. After the bills are caucused, the bills will be COW'd and third read. All of this is expected to happen on this Wednesday. Tune in to the action via Capitol TV or watch via the Internet.

As usual, I will answer any of your questions on the process or the budget proposal, just email me at tgroe@azleg.gov. I look forward to hearing from you!

T.G. I. F....Oh Wait

Caffeine IV, STAT!

After an exhausting, emotionally draining (listened to testimony from family members of victims of 9/11 and their opinions on the Arizona 9/11 Memorial), & unexpectedly long work day yesturday, I am in great need of refreshing.

Wednesday started out with my favorite committee mtg, Health (ugh!), followed by a lunch mtg with the folks from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Floor, Third Read, and an eight-hour Appropriations Committee meeting. I left for work at 7:00am and returned home after 10:00pm!

Today, no Water and Agriculture Committee mtg but instead, Republican Caucus at 10:15 am. Floor at 1:00 where we have several Third Reads and eight COW Calendars, then a special Appropriations meeting that looks to be lengthy as there is a controversial ELL-related bill on the agenda.

Because of the long day, I am going to be unable to attend the London Bridge Friends of the NRA Banquet taking place at Shugrue's in Lake Havasu City this evening. Although I attempt to attend this event every year, I have yet to make the celebration as they take place on a weeknight during session. Sorry LB Friends of the NRA but KUDOS to all you do!

Note to self: Describe, in future blog post, how the committee meeting was derailed by a Minister representing United Methodist Church and Valley Interfaith Project. Testimony from this "gentleman" blindsided the entire committee membership.

Catching Up

Last week I was in PHX working from my office at the Capitol, catching up with the Speaker, talking with Russel Pearce, getting to know my new assistant, Christina Miller, who I share with Representative Andy Tobin. Yes, that is right, share! In the Senate members each have their own assistant, but in the House, unless you are leadership you usually have to share.

I am getting ready to attend the Governor’s Rural Economic Conference next week. Ron Walker, the Mohave County Manager and Jonas Peterson, the Deputy Director of the Mohave County Community and Economic Development office are going to be there also. (I sold Jonas and his wife a house when they moved to Lake Havasu and now they attend our church.)

At the end of this month I am participating in the League of Cities & Towns annual conference where the theme is “Today’s Choices: Tomorrow’s Reality”. Kingman Mayor Les Byram is one of the conference planners so I expect him to attend and I believe Charlie Cassens will be there representing Lake Havasu City. Some of the topics being discussed at these events will include: Planning for Future Water Supplies, Planning for Growth at the Local, Regional, and State Level, Impact Fees, Workforce Housing~Inovative Ideas and Solutions, & Transportation~The Road (Rail, Air, & Transit) to the Future. I am looking forward to lively discussions on all of these vital areas and cannot wait to expand upon my knowledge!

The legislature is supposed to be holding CPS hearings at the end of the month, though I think they might be moved into September. The hearings will possibly be open to the public, which is unusual, but I do not think that they are planning on taking public testimony. I will let post the details as soon as Representative Kirk Adams, the chairman of the Government Committee, provides the information.

There is a little talk of special session whether to address the illegal immigration legislation or the unbalanced budget. I do not believe that this will come to fruition and from what I took from my time with Speaker Weier’s last week, he agrees.

Coming Soon: The Auditor General takes a look at Colorado City schools!