Shadegg: “Secretary Geithner continued his bizarre and puzzling conduct this week, making flatly contradictory statements about the dollar in a span of only 24 hours. This weakens confidence not only in him, but in the currency he is entrusted to protect.”
WASHINGTON – Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) issued the following statement after Treasury Secretary Geithner expressed openness on Wednesday to moving away from the dollar as the world’s reserve currency after categorically rejecting the idea on Tuesday in sworn testimony before the House Financial Services Committee:
“Beginning with his tax difficulties, and continuing through the puzzling narrative of when and what he knew about the AIG bonuses, Treasury Secretary Geithner has done little to inspire the confidence of the American people. Oddly, Secretary Geithner continued his bizarre and puzzling conduct this week, making flatly contradictory statements about the dollar in a span of only 24 hours. This weakens confidence not only in him, but in the currency he is entrusted to protect.
“On Tuesday, Secretary Geithner testified before the House Financial Services Committee that he ‘categorically renounces,’ recent proposals from China and others to shift away from the dollar as the world’s reserve currency [see hearing transcript below]. The next morning in New York , speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations, he was asked about the same proposals and said he is ‘quite open,’ to them [see press report below].”
“Really, Mr. Secretary? Is it too much to ask that your position remain unchanged over a 24 hour period?”
###
Excerpt from Secretary Geithner’s March 24th testimony before the Financial Services Committee at approximately 11:30am:
http://gop.gov/resources/library/members/az/03/World-Currency-Question-3-24.wmv
Representative Bachmann: We’ve seen both China, Russia, and Kazakhstan, make calls for an international monetary conversion to an international monetary standard as soon as the G20, and I’m wondering would you categorically renounce the United States moving away from the dollar and going to a global currency as suggested this morning by China and also by Russia, Mr. Secretary?
Secretary Geithner: I would, yes.
As reported in the Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/26/geithner-gaffe-on-dollar-roils-stock-bond-markets/
“An unguarded comment by Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on Wednesday set off a sudden drop in the dollar and contributed to a chain of market-rocking events that included a setback in the stock market and a sharp uptick in interest rates.
“Mr. Geithner appeared to lend his support to a proposal by China’s central bank governor to replace the dollar as the world’s reserve currency with a basket of currencies that would be managed by the International Monetary Fund. In an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Wednesday morning, Mr. Geithner raised eyebrows by saying that ‘we’re actually quite open to that’…”
The April 15th Tea Party protests are ramping up to send a powerful message to Congress and President Obama about the government’s runaway spending and bailouts. The first Tea Party protests this year caused a ripple throughout the media and Congress, as support for Obama and Democrats simultaneously began to erode. Obama’s approval rating dropped from 64% in February to 59% this month, according to the Pew Research Center. His disapproval rating increased from 17% to 26%. Obama’s approval ratings are barely higher than G.W. Bush or Clinton at this same time in their first terms, with 56% and 53% approval ratings respectively. Ronald Reagan’s approval rating was higher than Obama’s, at 60%.
Obama’s edge among independents has completely disappeared. According to a recent poll conducted by a Democrat polling company and its Republican counterpart, if an election were held now, 42% of likely voters would vote for a Democrat Congressional candidate, and 42% would vote for a Republican candidate. Senator Judd Gregg, who just a month ago was being considered by Obama for Commerce Secretary, warned that Obama’s current budget proposal will send the country on a path leading to a banana republic. A recent Rasmussen poll found that more people oppose his budget than support it, 46% to 41%.
There is a massive movement growing in opposition to the federal government’s bailouts. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner represents the worst of the government’s current financial excesses. So far, he refuses to step down amidst calls for his resignation, and Obama is standing by him. The April 15th Tea Party protests present an ideal opportunity to pressure the administration into forcing Geithner to resign.
There are three reasons why Geithner must go. The first is because the economy is not improving, even as the administration continues to announce new stimulus plans. The public has failed to gain confidence in Geithner. Last year’s bailout of banking’s failed assets didn’t work. So when Geithner announced another proposed bailout of the banking industry, which would put more than $1 trillion into more failed bank assets, Wall Street took a dive.
The second two reasons Geithner must resign involve his lack of ethics. Geithner cheated on his taxes and lied about the AIG bonuses. He barely squeaked by confirmation in the Senate because of a failure to pay $34,000 in self-employment taxes while working at the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2004. He blamed the program TurboTax for the incredibly large “mistake,” which most people believe was another lie, earning him the nickname “Turbo Tim.”
The $165 million in retention bonuses were for executives in AIG’s Financial Products Division, the division responsible for AIG’s losses. They were signed into contract last April. Geithner claimed that he didn’t know that Congress had agreed to allow AIG to keep its retention bonuses as part of the bailout. But as head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York last year, Geithner played a role in crafting the legislation to bail out AIG. His assertion was also contradicted by AIG CEO Edward Liddy, who testified that Geithner knew about the bonuses a week to ten days earlier. The Washington Post claims Geithner knew three months ago.
Someone who cannot manage his own finances without breaking the law is not someone who should be in charge of the country’s finances. The Tea Party tax protests on April 15 are going to be highly influential. If Geithner has not yet resigned, this will be a powerful opportunity to exert tremendous public pressure on Obama to ask him to step down. Geithner’s resignation should be a sub theme of the protests. Geithner’s credibility is so damaged at this point he can no longer be effective. Americans need to take this opportunity to clean out one of the worst members of Obama’s cabinet. Especially considering unlike honest Americans, Geithner didn’t bother to pay his taxes on April 15.
-Gayle Plato
In the face of powerful men, facing us in fixed stares, we can get off message- become timid. The entire nation rises up but in small ripples on little ponds. The wave of discontent is not a tsunami; grassroots protests flow on to erode injustice, one piece of grit at a time.
Everyone runs to the party, drippy tea bag in hand, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged underarm, trying to ferret out reality from talking points. Noble savages remember one thing: There are no Cliff Notes for Liberty. Thoughtful reflection seeds all clever strategy.
Rand wrote of John Galt because she questioned collectivism and loss of the individual. Has the revelation become reality? It’s hard to say. But the greatest thing you have, your number one tool when going into a battle, is your mind. Your brains are your quiver, with arrows of truth to help you see. Question Authority. Valor and freedom rest in endless review and dissection of talking points. Look between the lines; listen to what the men of power do not say.
You see Rand and Galt, but I say onto Agincourt with Fair Harry, King Henry V, and the battle of St. Crispin’s Day:
St. Crispin\’s Day- HENRY V–W. Shakespeare
You know the State Bar has gone way too far when BOTH liberal newspapers in town are denouncing it for investigating someone. Some excerpts -
In a demonstration of the sort of “judgment” that flows from a foot-stomping fit of pique, the State Bar of Arizona last year investigated (and, in several cases, initiated) over a dozen complaints against Thomas for allegedly unethical behavior. Eight months later, all of those complaints have now been dismissed.(emphasis added)
And has the state Bar demonstrated humility for its foolish vengeance-seeking against Thomas?
Of course not.
Instead, on the very day the last of the 13 politically tainted investigations were finally dropped, the state Bar revealed it has opened yet another investigation, a new charge of ethics violations against Thomas that arose from his criminal prosecution of County Supervisor Don Stapley.
…
But is the state Bar well positioned to objectively assess Thomas’ conduct?
The state Bar zealously guards the interest of the court, an institution Thomas has attacked. And if the last round of fruitless investigations isn’t sufficient to raise doubts, this little fact should be: Ed Novak, president of the state Bar, is one of the private lawyers hired by the county to replace Thomas.
Last summer we cited the state Bar for conducting a “witch hunt” against Thomas, a 13-count expedition we sensed was rife with political motives.
Now, we see the hunters are still in the field, stumbling about drunk on bad-judgment juice.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today launched a new web site dedicated to providing information on the federal stimulus dollars made available to Arizona through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The website, www.azrecovery.gov is intended to serve as Arizona’s one-stop-shop for information on federal stimulus funding and enable citizens to track expenditures in an open, accountable and transparent manner.
“We encourage every Arizonan to participate in the monitoring, allocation and use of Arizona’s received stimulus funds and to keep track of how the Act will serve our fellow citizens and its impact upon Arizona’s future growth and success,” stated Brewer.
As required by Section 1607 of the ARRA of 2009, Governor Brewer submitted a formal letter to President Barack Obama on March 5, 2009, requesting use of funds provided by the Act and formally confirming her intent to utilize federal dollars for the State of Arizona. In the letter, Governor Brewer attests that such funds will be used to create jobs and promote economic growth in a manner that is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Arizona.
“As Governor, I am committed to serving all Arizona citizens, and particularly in these tough economic times,” stated Brewer. “My Administration is committed to utilizing stimulus funds received from the Act to create jobs, to protect our most vulnerable, and grow Arizona’s future; but also, do so without further increasing the state budget deficit.”
Arizona joins a growing number of states that have also unveiled economic recovery Web sites. Because the stimulus initiative is in its early stages, and federal agencies are still determining their rules and regulations, this site does not yet provide the entire spectrum of information that will be provided in the months to follow. Future capabilities being considered for inclusion on this site are:
· Break down of all stimulus funds released to Arizona
· Press Releases on Arizona stimulus package
· Federal ARRA Press Releases
· Interactive search services associated with stimulus data
· Interactive application for grants
Arizona’s recovery web site will update and add information as it becomes available.
CONTACT: Paul Senseman
psenseman@az.gov
Legislative Actions as of 3/13/09
Last Updated 3/15/09
Grades can range from +100% (supports Republican principles) to -100% (opposes Republican principles)
Ratings will be updated on a weekly basis.
Please refer to our FAQs section located after the strike all bills. It responds to some of the questions we have been getting regarding the grades assigned.
Rank for legislators with the same Grade is determined by bill sponsorship and votes cast. For example, a legislator with 3 committee votes would get a better rank than one with 2 committee votes if they have the same Grade.
Legislators are assigned to a Group based on their latest rating.
Over 90 is a Reagan Republican.
Over 75 is a Pro-Freedom Republican.
Over 50 is a Republican.
Over 25 is a Big Government Republican.
Over 0 is a Bipartisan Republican.
Zero or less is a Republican In Name Only (RINO).
All grades shown are cumulative grades as of the date indicated.
Senators
|
Rank
|
Legislator
|
Leg Dist
|
Latest Grade
|
Group
|
|
1
|
Jack W. Harper
|
4
|
99.1
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
2
|
Thayer Verschoor
|
22
|
97.6
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
3
|
Russell Pearce
|
18
|
95.1
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
4
|
Ron Gould
|
3
|
82.8
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
5
|
Jonathan Paton
|
30
|
70.5
|
Republican
|
|
6
|
Sylvia Allen
|
5
|
69.9
|
Republican
|
|
7
|
John Huppenthal
|
20
|
69.1
|
Republican
|
|
8
|
Chuck Gray
|
19
|
61.0
|
Republican
|
|
9
|
Pamela Gorman
|
6
|
59.2
|
Republican
|
|
10
|
Linda Gray
|
10
|
58.8
|
Republican
|
|
11
|
Barbara Leff
|
11
|
57.5
|
Republican
|
|
12
|
Jim Waring
|
7
|
30.5
|
Big Government Republican
|
|
13
|
Robert “Bob” Burns
|
9
|
27.5
|
Big Government Republican
|
|
14
|
Steve Pierce
|
1
|
26.9
|
Big Government Republican
|
|
15
|
Jay Tibshraeny
|
21
|
22.0
|
Bipartisan Republican
|
|
16
|
Carolyn S. Allen
|
8
|
5.3
|
Bipartisan Republican
|
|
17
|
John Nelson
|
12
|
-11.2
|
RINO
|
|
18
|
Al Melvin
|
26
|
-56.6
|
RINO
|
Representatives
|
Rank
|
Legislator
|
Leg Dist
|
Latest Grade
|
Group
|
|
1
|
Judy M. Burges
|
4
|
100.0
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
2
|
Carl Seel
|
6
|
100.0
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
3
|
Sam Crump
|
6
|
99.1
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
4
|
Andy Biggs
|
22
|
97.6
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
5
|
Steve B. Montenegro
|
12
|
96.2
|
Reagan Republican
|
|
6
|
David Gowan
|
30
|
89.3
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
7
|
Frank Antenori
|
30
|
88.7
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
8
|
Laurin Hendrix
|
22
|
88.3
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
9
|
Ray Barnes
|
7
|
82.9
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
10
|
Debbie Lesko
|
9
|
82.2
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
11
|
John Kavanagh
|
8
|
82.0
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
12
|
David W. Stevens
|
25
|
81.0
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
13
|
Warde V. Nichols
|
21
|
80.7
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
14
|
Cecil P. Ash
|
18
|
78.4
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
15
|
Steven B. Yarbrough
|
21
|
78.0
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
16
|
Lucy Mason
|
1
|
76.6
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
17
|
Rick Murphy
|
9
|
75.8
|
Pro-Freedom Republican
|
|
18
|
Nancy K. Barto
|
7
|
73.6
|
Republican
|
|
19
|
Andrew M. Tobin
|
1
|
72.2
|
Republican
|
|
20
|
Tom Boone
|
4
|
69.1
|
Republican
|
|
21
|
Frank Pratt
|
23
|
68.3
|
Republican
|
|
22
|
Jim Weiers
|
10
|
67.1
|
Republican
|
|
23
|
John McComish
|
20
|
61.7
|
Republican
|
|
24
|
Doris Goodale
|
3
|
60.7
|
Republican
|
|
25
|
Doug Quelland
|
10
|
59.5
|
Republican
|
|
26
|
Nancy McLain
|
3
|
59.3
|
Republican
|
|
27
|
Kirk Adams
|
19
|
58.6
|
Republican
|
|
28
|
Jerry Weiers
|
12
|
58.4
|
Republican
|
|
29
|
Rich Crandall
|
19
|
54.5
|
Republican
|
|
30
|
Steve Court
|
18
|
54.5
|
Republican
|
|
31
|
Adam Driggs
|
11
|
52.9
|
Republican
|
|
32
|
Michele Reagan
|
8
|
52.1
|
Republican
|
|
33
|
Vic Williams
|
26
|
33.3
|
Big Government Republican
|
|
34
|
Russell L. Jones
|
24
|
13.3
|
Bipartisan Republican
|
|
35
|
Bill Konopnicki
|
5
|
-0.5
|
RINO
|
Average Grades for each Party in each Body of the Legislature
If people tell you, “Political parties don’t mean anything,” show them this table!
|
Average Grades
|
Party
|
|
Republican
|
Democrat
|
|
Body
|
House
|
70
|
-65
|
|
Senate
|
48
|
-87
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
Bills Used In Evaluation |
 |
|
 |
Bills used in Evaluation
Summary of criteria used to weight bills:
1) Supports US Constitution
2) Supports Republican Party Platform
3) Supports individual / private sector empowerment over government empowerment
4) Supports national security (including illegal alien issues)
5) Reduces government spending
6) Reduces tax rates in general
7) Will have a significant impact
|
Bill Number
|
Short Title
|
Weight
|
Sponsor Weight
|
Description
|
Category
|
Explanation
|
|
HB2010
|
license plate attachment and display
|
4
|
4
|
license plate attachment and display
|
Civil Rights
|
Avoid easy excuse for Police stops
|
|
HB2026
|
peace officers; firearms; school grounds
|
5
|
5
|
peace officers; firearms; school grounds
|
Public Safety
|
Improves public safety as schools.
|
|
HB2027
|
weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves.
|
2
|
2
|
Allows AZPOST certified members members of reserve or posse to carry concealed weapons without a permit.
|
Govt Admin
|
They already have the training, so it avoids wasting time and money.
|
|
HB2068
|
schools; parental educational choice grants
|
10
|
10
|
schools; parental educational choice grants
|
K-12 Ed
|
Will reduce costs to state while improving education opportunities for K-12 school children.
|
|
HB2069
|
school choice scholarships; failing schools
|
9
|
9
|
school choice scholarships; failing schools
|
K-12 Ed
|
Allows students in failing schools to opt out of government schools to get a decent education instead of being pawns for school districts and teachers unions.
|
|
HB2073
|
state equalization property tax repeal..
|
10
|
10
|
Make tax cut permanent
|
Taxes
|
We need to keep taxes low and keep government spending down.
|
|
HB2106
|
prohibit photo radar; state highways
|
9
|
9
|
prohibit photo radar; state highways
|
Civil Rights
|
Having big brother watching is not conducive to freedom. Plus, there are constitutional issues related to equal treatment under the law (out of state and commercial vehicles are often not cited).
|
|
HB2120
|
school districts; bonds; purposes.
|
-8
|
-2
|
allows school districts to bond for the purchase of computers and furniture with amendment does not require life of purchased item to exceed term of bond
|
Govt Admin
|
allows financially reckless behavior by school boards. Amendment changed weight from -2 to -8.
|
|
HB2124
|
photo enforcement; allowable uses
|
1
|
1
|
photo enforcement; allowable uses
|
Civil Rights
|
Keep big brother at bay.
|
|
HB2168
|
photo enforcement; highways; DPS study
|
3
|
3
|
photo enforcement; highways; DPS study
|
Civil Rights
|
Limit photo radar.
|
|
HB2170
|
traffic tickets; complaints; photo enforcement
|
1
|
1
|
traffic tickets; complaints; photo enforcement
|
Civil Rights
|
Limit photo radar.
|
|
HB2171
|
firearms; restaurants
|
9
|
9
|
Allows patrons of restaurants serving primarily food rather than alcohol to carry concealed weapons, if they have a CCW permit, if they are not consuming alcohol. Restaurants may post a sign prohibiting firearms.
|
Gun Rights
|
Based on assumption that restaurant owner can post a sign prohibiting guns. It allows people to protect themselves from criminal activity while in restaurants.
|
|
HB2174
|
firearms; game refuges
|
4
|
4
|
firearms; game refuges
|
Gun Rights
|
Allows bow hunters and others without hunting firearms to protect themselves from animals and criminals.
|
|
HB2191
|
cellular telephones; use while driving
|
-9
|
-9
|
cellular telephones; use while driving
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state not welcome.
|
|
HB2213
|
license plate attachment and display..
|
4
|
4
|
license plate attachment and display..
|
Civil Rights
|
Easy excuse for traffic stop.
|
|
HB2235
|
game and fish commissioners; appointment
|
2
|
2
|
game and fish commissioners; appointment
|
Govt Admin
|
Having knowlegable people will be a net benefit for those impacted by these officials and for the state in general.
|
|
HB2237
|
AHCCCS; verification of eligibility
|
6
|
6
|
AHCCCS; verification of eligibility
|
Govt Admin
|
Help prevent welfare fraud.
|
|
HB2238
|
AHCCCS; DES; fraud reduction
|
7
|
7
|
AHCCCS; DES; fraud reduction
|
Govt Admin
|
Help discover state healthcare fraud.
|
|
HB2273
|
health services districts; voter approval
|
7
|
7
|
requires voter approval to establish public health districts
|
Taxes
|
requires voter approval for creating a new public health district (which has property tax authority)
|
|
HB2274
|
paycheck deductions; political purposes; limitation
|
9
|
9
|
Prevents payroll deductions for political purposes without explicit employee consent.
|
Civil Rights
|
Protects employees from having their money used for political purposes by default payroll deductions.
|
|
HB2286
|
tax credit; charitable organizations
|
3
|
3
|
tax credit; charitable organizations
|
Taxes
|
Reduces the complexity regarding the tax credit for charitable contributions to support social services.
|
|
HB2287
|
tax credits; withholding tax reduction
|
5
|
5
|
tax credits; withholding tax reduction
|
Taxes
|
Makes it easier to reduce state income tax withholding to take state tax credits into account.
|
|
HB2288
|
premium tax credit; STO contribution
|
9
|
9
|
premium tax credit; STO contribution. Makes program permanent.
|
K-12 Ed
|
This helps fund student tuition organization scholarships. Helping students to leave public schools and go to private schools also results, on average, in a net reduction in government money spent on education while giving parents of students more choices.
|
|
HB2298
|
schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes
|
-9
|
-9
|
schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes. Establishes special classes of victims.
|
Civil Rights
|
There should be no special protected classes. All bullies should be neutralized regardless of the types of people they bully.
|
|
HB2299
|
smoking in vehicle with minors
|
-9
|
-9
|
smoking in vehicle with minors
|
Civil Rights
|
No nanny state needed.
|
|
HB2313
|
process servers; criminal liability
|
-4
|
-4
|
process servers; criminal liability. Exempts private process servers from some trespass laws and makes an assault against them automatically aggravated assault. Gives them access to personal information.
|
Civil Rights
|
This provides a special class to be protected, and there is insufficient oversight on who will benefit from these protections. There are also privacy issues.
|
|
HB2342
|
photo enforcement; urban speed limits
|
3
|
3
|
photo enforcement; urban speed limits
|
Public Safety
|
Makes more reasonable rules regarding setting speed limits to photo enforce.
|
|
HB2357
|
public education; students’ religious liberties
|
10
|
10
|
public education; students’ religious liberties. Allows students to express religious beliefs in public schools with the same freedom any student can express any views on campus.
|
Civil Rights
|
Religious freedom for public school students. In the name of “separation of church and state,” some teachers forbid students from privately praying, reading bibles, or wearing religious objects while in school. This is designed to prevent that.
|
|
HB2386
|
firearms; prohibition; postsecondary institutions
|
-9
|
-9
|
firearms; prohibition; postsecondary institutions
|
Gun Rights
|
This would reduce rather than help safety on campuses. It also infringes on 2nd amendment rights.
|
|
HB2400
|
partial-birth abortions; definition
|
10
|
10
|
partial-birth abortions; definition
|
Pro-Life
|
Helps eliminate partial birth abortions.
|
|
HB2418
|
concealed weapons; federal firearms licensee
|
2
|
2
|
concealed weapons; federal firearms licensee
|
Govt Admin
|
People with this level of vetting do not need to go through an additional course that would teach them nothing new.
|
|
HB2420
|
misconduct involving weapons; vehicles
|
3
|
3
|
Creates an exception for weapons carried inside a vehicle in a closed purse belonging to a CCW holder.
|
Gun Rights
|
This keeps someone from getting in trouble because of someone else’s purse left in a car he is driving.
|
|
HB2426
|
enhanced driver licenses; prohibition
|
10
|
10
|
enhanced driver licenses; prohibition
|
Civil Rights
|
We oppose what is essentially a national ID card. It violates states rights and threatens individual privacy.
|
|
HB2439
|
concealed weapons permit; safety course
|
4
|
4
|
Someone with previous firearms and firearms safety training would have to take only the portion of the CCW class concerningArizona laws.
|
Govt Admin
|
It makes sense to avoid the cost and trouble of training people who are already trained.
|
|
HB2449
|
mandatory fingerprinting; central state repository
|
-3
|
-3
|
mandatory fingerprinting; central state repository. Even those not convicted would be included.
|
Civil Rights
|
It would be too easy for this database to be misused against citizens.
|
|
HB2486
|
health insurance; purchase outside state
|
7
|
7
|
Allows purchasing health insurance from an out of state insurer.
|
Econ Freedom
|
More competition will give Arizonaconsumers more choices and lower prices.
|
|
HB2492
|
text messaging while driving; prohibition
|
-8
|
-8
|
text messaging while driving; prohibition
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state not welcome.
|
|
HB2494
|
photo enforcement; speed violations
|
3
|
3
|
photo enforcement; speed violations
|
Civil Rights
|
There are equal protection issues because some people are excluded from photo enforcement (out of state and commercial drivers).
|
|
HB2507
|
enhanced driver licenses; border travel
|
-10
|
-10
|
enhanced driver licenses; border travel
|
Civil Rights
|
We oppose what is essentially a national ID card.
|
|
HB2508
|
central state repository; crime information
|
-7
|
-7
|
central state repository; crime information
|
Civil Rights
|
Applies to those arrested rather than just those convicted.
|
|
HB2541
|
budgets; posting on websites
|
5
|
5
|
Puts all state and local government expenditures on a database accessible on the Internet.
|
Govt Admin
|
Greater transparency in government spending will, we hope, lead to more prudent spending – and less of it.
|
|
HB2551
|
criminal damage; classification
|
-4
|
-4
|
Lowers threshholds for property damage to become a more serious crime.
|
Public Safety
|
The existing laws are sufficient. This is overkill when we already have overworked courts. If violence is involved, the crime will automatically become more serious.
|
|
HB2566
|
nuclear security guards; weapons; ranges
|
5
|
5
|
Gives guards at nuclear reactors some rights regarding firearms that police officers have.
|
Public Safety
|
Ensuring that our nuclear reactors are guarded as effectively as possible is critical to our safety.
|
|
HB2590
|
cellular telephones; minors; driving use
|
-4
|
-4
|
Makes it illegal for minors to drive while using celluar phones.
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state not welcome.
|
|
HB2604
|
schools; ADM audits; repayment
|
-6
|
-6
|
allows school districts to take 5 years to repay overpayments due to errors they made reporting student enrollment
|
Govt Admin
|
reduced incentives for school districts to report enrollment accurately which potentially encourages fraud
|
|
HB2607
|
schools; disruption; interference; concealed firearms
|
8
|
8
|
Prohibits public schools from forbidding a CCW permit holder from carrying a concealed weapon on campus. Applies to K-12 and college campuses.
|
Gun Rights
|
People who are already certified to carry concealed weapons will only ADD to the safety of campuses if they carry concealed weapons.
|
|
HB2616
|
living wills; health care directives
|
5
|
5
|
Keep life support is default with no directive
|
Pro-Life
|
Making keeping a feeding tube in patients the default makes sense. Anyone who objects can execute a living will or give someone a power of attorney.
|
|
HB2628
|
parents’ rights; education; health; discipline
|
10
|
10
|
Ensures parental rights over children are respected.
|
Children
|
So who else should have these rights? Parents are generally the best people to have making decisions on behalf of their children. That should be presumed unless there is solid evidence to the contrary.
|
|
HCR2008
|
eminent domain; slum clearance; repeal
|
-10
|
-10
|
eminent domain; slum clearance; repeal
|
Civil Rights
|
This is a way to undo voter protections against unreasonable seizure of their property. It is a way to allow private developers to get governments to force people to sell them property on terms unfavorable to the property owner.
|
|
HCR2019
|
justices and judges; senate confirmation.
|
7
|
7
|
justices and judges; senate confirmation.
|
Govt Admin
|
This would be a big improvement over the current method of having an unelected committee appoint judges.
|
|
HCR2020
|
state appropriation limit; reduction.
|
7
|
7
|
state appropriation limit; reduction.
|
Taxes
|
Lower spending limited by reasonable growth criteria will result in lower taxes and streamlined government.
|
|
HCR2024
|
sovereignty; tenth amendment.
|
7
|
7
|
sovereignty; tenth amendment.Send message to Federal government in support of state sovereignty.
|
Civil Rights
|
Important 10th amendment issue. Even though it has no legislative effect, it puts the state on record as insisting on having its sovereignty respected.
|
|
HCR2028
|
voter-protected funding; temporary deficit suspension
|
6
|
6
|
Allows referendum dedicated funds to be used in cases of a budget deficit without increasing taxes.
|
Taxes
|
Adds needed budget flexibility required to reduce pressure for tax increases when there are budget deficits. Allows the money available to be used more effectively.
|
|
HCR2031
|
state budget; continuation
|
6
|
6
|
Continues the same state budget into the next year if one is not passed in time. Automatic reductions will be in effect when there are revenue shortfalls.
|
Govt Admin
|
Provides a reasonable rule to handle cases where there is a budget deadlock. Ideally, this should never happen if the legislature and governor can work together effectively. When they can’t, it can help reduce the pressure to increase spending to get a budget agreement.
|
|
HCR2032
|
constitutional gift clause; purpose
|
5
|
5
|
Further restricts governments in the state from providing benefits to specific private organizations.
|
Econ Freedom
|
It keeps all private enterprises on an equal footing with respect to government policies. Governments whould not pick economic winners and losers. That’s the job of consumers.
|
|
HCR2033
|
initiative and referendum reform
|
-5
|
-5
|
|
Govt Admin
|
We don’t need these laws changed. These changes will not help the public.
|
|
SB1004
|
unlawful false compartment; motor vehicles
|
-8
|
-8
|
unlawful false compartment; motor vehicles. Makes it illegal to have a firearm in any compartment that a police officer regards as hidden.
|
Civil Rights
|
It is too broad and can be too easily used against innocent citizens.
|
|
SB1075
|
license plates; obscuring name; warning
|
-1
|
-1
|
license plates; obscuring name; warning
|
Civil Rights
|
Still permits traffic stops based on this law.
|
|
SB1076
|
license plate attachment and display.
|
4
|
4
|
license plate attachment and display.
|
Civil Rights
|
It provides too easy an excuse for a traffic stop.
|
|
SB1107
|
state equalization property tax repeal
|
10
|
10
|
state equalization property tax repeal
|
Taxes
|
We don’t need to have this tax come back.
|
|
SB1113
|
handguns; restaurants; posting
|
8
|
8
|
handguns; restaurants; posting
|
Gun Rights
|
Restaurant patrons with a CCW should be able to carry a concealed weapon in a restaurant if the restaurant has no objections.
|
|
SB1142
|
public expenditure transparency database
|
5
|
5
|
public expenditure transparency database
|
Govt Admin
|
Companion bill to HB2541.
|
|
SB1143
|
enhanced driver licenses; border travel.
|
-10
|
-10
|
enhanced driver licenses; border travel.
|
Civil Rights
|
We oppose what is essentially a national ID card.
|
|
SB1206
|
dissolution of marriage
|
6
|
6
|
dissolution of marriage. Allows marital misconduct to be taken into consideration during a divorce proceeding.
|
Children
|
Allowing judges to make decisions regarding property and child custody based on the behavior of a couple in a marriage protects the rights of a victimized spouse and will help ensure children are better cared for.
|
|
SB1212
|
central state repository; hate crimes
|
-8
|
-8
|
central state repository; hate crimes
|
Civil Rights
|
All crimes should be handled similarly. There should not be special classes of victims.
|
|
SB1242
|
weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves
|
2
|
2
|
weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves
|
Govt Admin
|
Companion bill HB2027
|
|
SB1243
|
justification; defensive display of firearm
|
9
|
9
|
justification; defensive display of firearm
|
Gun Rights
|
A person who feels threatened should not be prosecuted for displaying a firearm in self defense.
|
|
SB1270
|
firearms possession; concealed weapons permit
|
10
|
10
|
firearms possession; concealed weapons permit. Eliminates penalty for carry a concealed weapon without carry the CCW permit. Increases penalties for using a firearm to commit a crime.
|
Gun Rights
|
It makes sense to punish criminals rather than innocent citizens.
|
|
SB1291
|
state photo enforcement system
|
-7
|
-7
|
state photo enforcement system
|
Civil Rights
|
Photo radar is too “big brother” and has equal protection constitutional issues.
|
|
SB1324
|
corporate income tax rate
|
8
|
8
|
Lowers Corporate income tax over several years
|
Taxes
|
Will improve job creation.
|
|
SB1329
|
central state repository; crime information.
|
-7
|
-7
|
central state repository; crime information.
|
Civil Rights
|
Applies to those arrested rather than just those convicted.
|
|
SB1347
|
photo enforcement; DPS; signage
|
3
|
3
|
photo enforcement; DPS; signage
|
Public Safety
|
This helps prevent police from setting up speed traps.
|
|
SB1348
|
misleading public officials; violation
|
-5
|
-5
|
misleading public officials; violation
|
Civil Rights
|
This threatens free speech of private citizens and goes too far to establishe public officials as a class with special privileges compared to private citizens.
|
|
SB1355
|
photo radar; prohibition on highways
|
9
|
9
|
photo radar; prohibition on highways
|
Civil Rights
|
Will get rid of big brother cameras. There are also equal protection issues with photo radar.
|
|
SB1364
|
speeding citations; photo enforcement systems
|
3
|
3
|
speeding citations; photo enforcement systems
|
Civil Rights
|
Limit photo radar.
|
|
SB1391
|
photo radar; minimum speed
|
3
|
3
|
photo radar; minimum speed
|
Public Safety
|
Set reasonable speed limits for enforcement.
|
|
SB1410
|
schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes.
|
-9
|
-9
|
schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes.
|
Civil Rights
|
There should be no special protected classes. All bullies should be neutralized regardless of the types of people they bully.
|
|
SB1411
|
seat belt violations
|
-8
|
-8
|
seat belt violations
|
Civil Rights
|
Excuse for traffic stop. Nanny state not welcome.
|
|
SB1434
|
publicity pamphlet; judicial performance; comment
|
3
|
3
|
publicity pamphlet; judicial performance; comment
|
Govt Admin
|
This will make it easier to get out information about judges before retention elections.
|
|
SB1439
|
passengers; pickup truck beds; prohibition
|
-9
|
-9
|
passengers; pickup truck beds; prohibition
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state rules infringe on personal freedom even if done for “the children” or any other valued group.
|
|
SB1440
|
minors in vehicle; smoking prohibited
|
-9
|
-9
|
minors in vehicle; smoking prohibited
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state rules infringe on personal freedom even if done for “the children” or any other valued group.
|
|
SB1443
|
cellular telephone use; texting; driving
|
-8
|
-8
|
cellular telephone use; texting; driving
|
Civil Rights
|
Nanny state not welcome.
|
|
SB1460
|
photo enforcement; rights of drivers
|
3
|
3
|
photo enforcement; rights of drivers
|
Civil Rights
|
Limits photo radar.
|
|
SB1466
|
council on efficient government
|
-2
|
-2
|
council on efficient government
|
Govt Admin
|
It will create another layer of bureaucracy and may be in conflict with existing state laws. There is an small quorum which could allow a minority to move things through the council.
|
|
SCR1006
|
state appropriation limit; reduction
|
7
|
7
|
state appropriation limit; reduction
|
Taxes
|
Companion to HCR2028
|
|
SCR1009
|
voter-protection; temporary budgetary suspension
|
6
|
6
|
voter-protection; temporary budgetary suspension
|
Taxes
|
Companion to HCR2028
|
|
SCR1011
|
taxpayer bill of rights
|
10
|
10
|
taxpayer bill of rights
|
Taxes
|
Limiting government to the growth of the private citizens growth in wealth makes sense.
|
|
SCR1012
|
spending accountability and transparency act
|
4
|
4
|
spending accountability and transparency act
|
Govt Admin
|
Referendum verson of SB1142.
|
|
SCR1026
|
secret ballot; fundamental right
|
10
|
10
|
secret ballot; fundamental right. Allows secret ballots in all public elections and elections for labor union representation.
|
Govt Admin
|
This will help protect workers from being pressured to support unions.
|
|
SCR1033
|
photo radar; prohibition on highways.
|
9
|
9
|
photo radar; prohibition on highways.
|
Civil Rights
|
Companion to SB1355.
|
|
SCR1034
|
constitutional convention; rescinding of call
|
2
|
2
|
constitutional convention; rescinding of call
|
Civil Rights
|
Rescind previous call for a constitutional convention. If one is called, our entire USconstitution could be rewritten and our liberties would be at greater risk.
|
|
SCR1039
|
speeding citations; photo enforcement systems
|
2
|
2
|
speeding citations; photo enforcement systems
|
Civil Rights
|
Limit photo radar.
|
Strike Everything Bills used in Evaluation
|
Bill number
|
Short_Title
|
Now_Title
|
Weight
|
Description
|
Category
|
|
HB2051
|
technical correction; cease; desist order
|
2008-2009; appropriations; budget revisions
|
-9
|
Appropriations with pork barrel spending
|
Govt Admin
|
|
SB1184
|
technical correction; boating rules
|
2008-2009; appropriations; budget revisions
|
-9
|
Appropriations with pork barrel spending
|
Govt Admin
|
|
|
What: Arizona Tax Day Tea Party
When: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Where: Arizona State Capitol, Senate Lawn
Who: The AZ chapter of American for Prosperity
-Allied pro-taxpayer organizations
-Hundreds of taxpayer activists from around the state
-Arizona’s best legislators
Why: We need to protest (and stop!) the tax increases proposed by big-spending politicians at the federal, state, and local levels.
How: Please let us know you will attend by sending an email to infoAZ@afphq.org.
More details to come, including information about AFP Arizona’s 2009 Day at the Capitolevent, which will take place at the Capitol from noon to 5pm on April 15th, before the Tax Day Tea Party. The Day at the Capitol event will feature training for grassroots taxpayer activists, policy panel discussions, and interaction with state legislators.
Thank you for taking a stand to defend American prosperity!
And please forward this announcement to your friends and family in Arizona.
For Liberty,
–Tom
Tom Jenney
State Director
Americans for Prosperity
by Patrick Gleason
Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen has posted what he calls “A Modest Response to Americans for Tax Reform,” on the official blog of the state party, which addresses a letter that ATR sent to all Arizona lawmakers last week urging them to oppose Governor Jan Brewer’s proposal for a multi-billion dollar tax hike. In his response, Pullen explains why he thinks it’s a good idea, in the middle of a a recession, to impose the largest tax increase in state history on Arizona taxpayers.
What the chairman fails to address in his retort is just who, exactly, he thinks isn’t paying enough. Not only does this tax increase do nothing to address the fundamental and structural problems with the state budget, but it is the worst thing to do when Arizona families are experiencing such a severe economic downturn.
What about the underemployed single mom who is just trying to keep the job she has, keep gasoline in her car and keep food on her kids’ table.
Randy doesn’t think she’s paying enough? Randy just wants to raise her taxes and go fishing.
What about seniors and those approaching retirement who have seen their savings decimated over the past year. Some may never recover sufficiently to enjoy the savings that they built and planned to use.
Randy just wants to raise their taxes and play on his boat.
And what about the small businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open in this slowing economy, just trying to keep employees on payroll and afford health care?
Randy just wants to raise their taxes and go fishing.
If Randy was more interested in supporting Arizona taxpayers, Arizona working families and Arizona’s future, he would at least seek counsel of someone who could explain to him that at times of recession, the answer is to conceive of policies that encourage growth and economic development, not suffocate it.
Arizona lawmakers don’t need to look very far for a demonstration in why raising taxes in the current economic climate is a bad idea. California just enacted the largest tax increase in their state’s history last month. Yet, not even four weeks later, the California legislature’s budget analyst has stated that those tax hikes will miss their revenue projections by $8 billion. This is a perfect example of what Napolitano, and now Brewer and Pullen, failed to understand – the behavior and actions of people and employers responds to adjustments in tax rates.
If Brewer and Pullen are successful in enacting their proposal – companies like Intel that have fled the hostile tax climate of California for Arizona – in the future will just skip over the Grand Canyon State on their way to ribbon cutting ceremonies in Texas.
Let’s be clear, raising taxes is not governing. Tax hikes are the preferred policy of those that abdicate responsibility in governing.
In his response to ATR, Pullen justifies the burden of Brewer’s multi-billion dollar tax hike by claiming that the net effect will be that Arizonans will give back “20% of their tax rebate from Obama.” While Obama, Pelosi, and Reid must be just tickled pink to know that state officials are using their legislative monstrosity, the stimulus bill, as justification to further raise taxes at the state level, what Pullen fails to recognize is that this money that Obama is dropping from the sky is not free money. Point of fact, Obama and the feds can’t give anything other than what they have already stolen from Arizona taxpayers.
The only gift Randy and the AZ Republican Party are giving to anyone is a perfect lesson on how not to brand your party.
Americans for Tax Reform is, and will continue, working with lawmakers on crafting a budget that does not raise taxes on hard working Arizona families who already spend 194 days out the year, well over half the year, just to pay for the cost of their government. Apparently Governor Jan Brewer and Chairman Randy Pullen think that’s not enough.
Click here for a pdf copy of the original letter that ATR sent to all Arizona legislators.
Board Denies County Officers Representation in Challenge to Board’s Illegal Public Records Policy And Tries to Replace the County Attorney with a New Legal Department under Its Control
County Attorney Andrew Thomas is challenging a series of actions the Board has taken to dismantle the checks and balances of County Government. The Board took these actions immediately after one of their own, County Supervisor Don Stapley, was indicted on charges alleging perjury, forgery, and false swearing.
On March 16, the Board voted to de-fund the resources for outside counsel. In response County Attorney Thomas is seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (see attached). The Order also seeks the disclosure of the names of the attorneys the Board has hired and how much the
Board is paying these attorneys.
County Manager David Smith also claimed the Board could deny the County Attorney the ability to hire outside counsel to assist in investigating and prosecuting Supervisor Donald Stapley and his connections to business associate Conley Wolfswinkel. Smith, who works for indicted Supervisor Stapley and the four other supervisors, asserts the right to de-fund outside counsel for the investigation despite the County Attorney’s need for specific outside counsel to fend off legal challenges from the Stapley and Wolfswinkel criminal defense teams.
This is the latest in a series of attempts by the Board to consolidate power at taxpayer expense. The Board has illegally hired private attorneys who make more than $250 an hour to essentially deprive other elected officials such as the Sheriff and the County Treasurer of their legal rights when they have a dispute with County Government. The Board has also attempted to illegally change its Public Records policy when dealing with County Elected Officers.
In fact County Manager Smith threatened to personally sue County Attorney Thomas and Mrs. Thomas if Thomas attempts to fund lawsuits by other county officers who seek to challenge the Board’s unlawful actions in court. Smith specifically threatened to sue Thomas and his wife to seek reimbursement, even for internal staff time (see accompanying memo), despite clear authority in statute and case law for such a lawsuit. Counsel for the three elected officials responded that the County Attorney has a legal right to challenge unlawful actions by the Board in court and to represent other county officers, including the Sheriff and Treasurer, when their rights are infringed.
In recent years, the Board of Supervisors has conducted a series of power grabs resulting in a wave of lawsuits against the county. These include suits by the County Treasurer (appointed by the Board itself), the County Medical Examiner (likewise an employee of county management), and multiple suits by the Superintendent of Schools, Sheriff and County Attorney. All of these suits have challenged alleged power grabs by the Board. By dismantling the Civil Division of the County Attorney’s Office, the Board is attempting to fast track these power grabs and illegally go around a system of checks and balances designed to keep the Board’s powers in check.
The East Valley Tribune ran an editorial highly critical of the Arizona Bar Association for its ongoing investigations of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Read the entire editorial here.
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