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Congressman Franks Statement on “Stimulus Package”

January 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2009

Franks Statement on Democrats’ Trillion Dollar Spending Bill
Rejects “Stimulus” Spending Package as Yet Another Flawed Government Bailout

January 28, 2009 – U.S. Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) gave the following statement today as the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, by a vote of 244-188. Despite repeated calls from Republicans to replace misguided spending measures with pro-growth tax relief, congressional Democrats pushed through the largest borrowing-and-spending bill in American history.

“Obviously there is no limit to Democrats’ capacity to contort the English language in their attempt to depict today’s bill, a massive government spending spree, as a “stimulus” for an ailing economy. As bad as it is, the $825 billion price tag is a completely misleading figure, when after figuring in interest the so-called stimulus package is estimated to cost between $1 trillion and 1.5 trillion.

“Over 1.3 billion of that is allocated to over 32 new government programs that in all likelihood will never be phased out and will only continue adding inefficient bureaucracies contributing to the national debt. The pet-projects contained in the bill are equally appalling during a time when nearly all other hard-working Americans are being forced to tighten their belts.

“If there is any proof that Washington cannot borrow-and-spend money it doesn’t have to create prosperity and reinvigorate a lagging economy, it is in the failure of each bailout package it has passed thus far to do anything more than increase the debt burden we are handing to our children. Any true economic stimulus must place the emphasis on spurring the development of small business through tax relief and the regulatory reform necessary to unleash the creativity, determination, and resourcefulness of the American people.

“Whether President Obama and Congressional Democrats will work with Republican to advance those critical priorities remains to be seen.”

Note: The Republican Study Committee has introduced H.R. 470, the Economic Recovery Act, legislation based on three main themes: 1) Support Families through Tax Relief; 2) Provide Economic Relief for American Businesses and Entrepreneurs; and 3) Save Future Generations from a Crushing Debt Burden. For a full summary, click here.

Congressman Franks is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Military Readiness Subcommittee, Committee on the Judiciary, and is Ranking Member on the Constitution Subcommittee.

Filed Under: Press Release, Spending

How They Voted – House Stimulus Package

January 28, 2009 By 10 Comments

Late this afternoon, the US House passed HR1 – The House Stimulus Package – by a vote of 244-188.

All Republican voted against the bill. Eleven Democrats joined with those 177 Republicans.

Arizona’s House Delegation voted as follows:

Ann Kirkpatrick (D-1) – YEA
Trent Franks (R-2) – NAY
John Shadegg (R-3) – NAY
Ed Pastor (D-4) – YEA
Harry Mitchell (D-5) – YEA
Jeff Flake (R-6) – NAY
Raul Grijalva (D-7) – YEA
Gabrielle Giffords (D-8) – YEA

(Official Roll Call)

The bill now moves over to the US Senate where it will likely pass.

Elections have consequences…

Filed Under: Economics, Spending

Occam’s Razor: AZ Budget Needs More Than Stimulus

January 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

by Gayle Plato-Besley

If our economy seems limp to you, have no fear. This federal financial flat line is vital to the Donkey Dems in Congress. They need the Fiscal Erectile Dysfunction (F-ED), in order to pop the pill- aka Stimulus Bill ‘09—Viva Viagra!

All of the politico palms will be good and greasy soon in this latest ponzi scheme, and there is nothin’ you can really do about it. Alas in AZ, we are all wimpy in the wallet area, back here where Janet used to lie. So forget about drinking Kool-aid; get the lil blue pill for the hard times.

Where’s the romance gone? The Ol’ West lured those stuck in the Ice Age back East: property sold easily and everybody was either buying it or brokering the deal. Small businesses flourished, tax bases were strong, and we all drank $4.00 lattes. We were young and strong, playing in the sun, and living for the moment of quick bucking. We were so in love.

But the F-ED and the AZ version don’t always need Stimulus. Sometimes it just needs to be let alone. Sometimes the best thing is to slim down too. Cuz we all know, when you get too fat, it’s just harder to see whatchya got that still works.

I’ve recently written of a need to help AZ by using lottery money in a new way. There was some clever finance schmoozing once upon a time to get lots of the money shuffled into transportation. Yet, is there a parent out there who’s rather see Light Rail get a billion and us not even a port-o potty on the route? Would we rather a bus stop with artsy seats over a school reading program or public healthcare for kids? Get real and stop this shell game.

Some complained that I was jumping on with Janet and agreeing to sell the gold mine that is the lottery. No. We need to revamp and funnel the money brought in from this voluntary revenue raising. If the Arizona legislature can yank back tax credits and change up mandated expenditures, it can revamp the statutes. Get the half a billion dollars raised annually from AZ Lottery; while about half of that goes to prizes and running it, a good deal of it can be used in the ‘general fund’ manner and put forth for the ABSOLUTELY necessary programs. Maybe we could borrow from it’s future profits, but let’s not sell it!

Occam’s Razor- always best in a slash

While readers may see this concept as simplistic or naïve; I say leave up to a 14th century philosopher/thinker to say it: “All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best.”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam’s_razor)

SIMPLY PUT- We cannot find a quarter of a billion dollars ( the half after runnin’ it) ANY OTHER PLACE during this economic downturn.

“The Arizona Lottery took in a record $473 million during the fiscal year that ended in June.” (Arizona Republic – 10/13/08)

Let the people decide and put forth an initiative including a three point proposal:

1) Lottery revenues are distributed through a general fund concept including a bulk of the money going to local transportation programs including mass transit. We feel this is not the best use of the revenue in a budgetary crisis. Public safety, K-12 education and healthcare are priority to all other issues. Each area will need restructuring of expenditures and define critical programs.

2) All state programs submit new budgets showing cuts of a minimum of 25% of overall expenditures immediately. Staffing costs are a bulk of expenditure. Local groups can best determine their cuts, but no funds will be available until full compliance with new guidelines. All new budget proposals will be made available to the public before submission. Projection of how services will be rendered under the new budgets will be delineated in public meetings and announcements. Total transparency will help streamline services in the long run. Recommendations to schools and public programs will be presented and include staff reduction, and a shortened work week where possible. State-wide school summer closures of one month will be mandatory. All agencies will revamp retirement and leave-based status of employees. All state agencies receiving state funds must stop all new programming not dictated by voter mandate (override or bond). All state directors or administrators will have salaries capped at 100K with no raises for any state employees. Any agency receiving lottery revenue must submit accountability checks of how monies were spent and compliance of their scaled back budgets.

3) Add more games and revamp the lottery. There’s been steady growth when there are big jackpots. Review how to increase the sales. Once again, this is a volunteer revenue generator. Let’s make it work for us.

Filed Under: Federal Budget, State Budget, Taxation

US Conference of Mayors’ Pork Projects – Arizona Listing

January 28, 2009 By 4 Comments

Sonoran Alliance thought it might be helpful to see the list of projects sponsored by the US Conference of Mayors that are “Ready to Go.”

The current Stimulus Package in Congress will attempt to route this money to some of these Arizona projects.

Here is the list of cities in Arizona and their “Ready to Go” projects. The first number is the amount of money requested and the second number is the number of jobs it will create.

Total Amount Sought: $5,574,052,875
Total Jobs Created: 34,296

Filed Under: City Government, Federal Budget, Spending

Schriro Follows Napolitano

January 28, 2009 By 3 Comments

As expected, Department of Corrections Director, Dora Schriro, is on her way to Washington, DC to work with her former boss Janet Napolitano at the Department of Homeland Security. Schriro will be taking a position with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department.

Schriro headed Arizona’s corrections system during the infamous Lewis Prison Standoff in which two guards were held hostage and raped during the 15-day period.

Schriro made the annoucement of her resignation on Monday but will officially leave her post on Saturday. Governor Brewer is expected to name her replacement in the days ahead.

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Illegal Immigration

House Stimulus Package Online

January 28, 2009 By 34 Comments

Thanks to the Drudge Report, the House version of the “Economic Stimulus Package” is online.

Just a quick word search reveals that Democrats want to spend:

  • $100,000,000 to fix the National Mall after it was trashed on inauguration day (page 113)
  • $50,000,000 to the arts (page 122)
  • $335,000,000 on sexually transmitted diseases (page 147)

If you have not yet signed the petition to stop this taxpayer-funded nonsense, please go to NoStimulus.com and make your voice heard.

Update: Arizona’s Congressman Jeff Flake (CD-6) has added an amendment to the bill to prevent your tax dollars from being spent on: “duck ponds, museums, skate parks, equestrian centers, dog parks, ski hills, historic homes, ice rinks, splash playgrounds, and speaker systems.”

Flake’s proposal to head off any efforts by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to spend your money on their wish list of pork projects.

(Read Jeff Flake’s statement here.)

Filed Under: Federal Budget, Spending, Taxation

Signs of the Times

January 27, 2009 By 5 Comments

Without sounding too pessimistic and cynical of the new “Administration of Hope,” yet another sign of the times.

Today, Tempe-based Fulton Homes filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Founded by valley resident and philanthropist, Ira A. Fulton, the homebuilder is seeking legal protection from its creditors during a time when homebuilding in Arizona has come to a screeching halt.

Fulton Homes is also a major donor to Arizona State University and Brigham Young University with the ASU College of Engineering and Technology bearing his name.

How Fulton Home’s declaration will impact its private foundation’s philanthropic relationship with ASU and BYU is yet unknown but one can only expect it won’t be positive.

Meanwhile in Chandler, the Intel Corp has announced it will be reducing its workforce at its Chandler facility by several hundred workers.

And if to add insult to injury, the Obama Administration is pursuing raising the minimum wage to $9.50/hour by 2011. The current minimum wage is set at $6.75 and will adjust to $7.25/hour this July.

In addition, President Obama would also like to see each employee guaranteed seven days of sick leave each year. And finally, the Obama Administration would force employers to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to their list of classes protected from discrimination.

Filed Under: Economics

Top 10 Myths About Education Funding and Budget Reductions

January 27, 2009 By 8 Comments

This press release just in from the Goldwater Institute.

Thursday, students are planning a march on the Arizona Legislature to demand that lawmakers not reduce funding of education programs. Lawmakers need not apologize for fixing this huge budget deficit the former governor left. Instead, everyone will need to tighten their belts and practice some fiscal responsibility. There’s no better time to learn this than when you’re a student!For Immediate Release: January 27, 2009

Top 10 Myths about Education Funding and Budget Reductions

Goldwater Institute separates budget myths from reality as lawmakers grapple with billion-dollar budget shortfall

Phoenix–Arizona faces one of the largest budget deficits in the nation and lawmakers are struggling to close the gap. Because half of all General Fund spending goes toward education, schools and universities will necessarily be affected by the state’s across-the-board belt tightening.

While some school administrators and special interest groups have referred to the potential budget cuts “slashing education” and “shortsighted and borderline malicious,” the Goldwater Institute would like to separate the reality of education funding in Arizona from several often publicized myths.

Myth #1: Schools simply cannot afford the budget reductions being proposed by the legislature.

Fact: The budget cuts proposed by the State House leadership amounts to a 2.5 percent reduction. Over the last five years, K-12 funding has increased by 40 percent. Reducing funding by 2.5 percent will still leave schools with more money than they had in 2008 adjusted for inflation.

Myth #2: Schools have tightened their belts as much as possible. There’s simply nothing left to cut.

Fact: Last year Tucson Unified School District lost track of millions of dollars in equipment. With similar highly publicized stories frequently surfacing, there’s room to tighten up. In addition to implementing better controls on equipment and supplies, the Goldwater Institute recommends three more ways schools and school districts can cut their budgets without eliminating teaching positions: 1.) Ban teachers from having non-classroom assignments; 2.) Ban teacher’s union employees from conducting union work on district payroll; 3.) Cut administrative bloat at the district level. Arizona has an unusually large share of non-teaching public school employees. Teachers make up slightly less than half of on-site staff in public schools, placing Arizona fourth worst among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in teachers as a share of on-site public school staff.

Myth #3: Arizona already ranks 49th in the nation in education funding and we don’t want to be number 50.

Fact: When all of Arizona’s funding streams are added up, Arizona school funding ranks in the middle of the states at more than $9,000 per student per year.

Myth #4: Suspending the tax credit for donations toward private school tuition will save money and mitigate the need for education budget cuts.

Fact: Getting children into private schools with $1,000 of foregone tax revenue costs less than the $9,000 spent on a child in the public school system. To save money, the legislature should expand the private school scholarship tax credit and move more children from public to private schools. Suspending it will disrupt these students’ educations and increase costs to the state as children return to public schools.

Myth #5: Student success will suffer if budget cuts lead to increased class size.

Fact: Research shows that students would be much better off if schools did let their most ineffective teachers go, and redistributed the students to more effective instructors. Teacher quality has been found to be 10- to 20-times more important than class size in achieving student learning gains. Schools could thereby cut their spending and improve student learning simultaneously.

Myth #6: All-day kindergarten is essential to successful child development and should not be eliminated by budget cuts.

Fact: Studies have consistently shown that any benefit from all-day kindergarten disappears by the time a child reaches the third grade, a phenomenon termed “fade out.” Also, all-day kindergarten was widespread in Arizona public schools before a specified state funding stream was created two years ago, districts can continue all-day kindergarten if it is a priority.

Myth #7: Individual districts and schools are reluctant to cut their own budgets, so the legislature should direct where cuts will be made.

Fact: Individual districts and schools will be far more effective in determining how to cut their budgets while protecting their students and employees and should be given the flexibility to set their own budget priorities.

To that point, Madison Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Ham said on January 26, 2009:

“The Madison School District understands the crisis the State of Arizona is in economically and knows reductions in education funding will be required. We would ask that districts be allowed to use any of their funding sources to meet their obligations. This would require a temporary suspension of current legal requirements. However, it would provide flexibility, local control, and equality among districts.”

Myth #8: Cuts in university funding will drive Arizona into “Third World” status.

Fact: Statewide, higher education budgets have increased by $332 million since 2004. If the full proposed FY 2009 cut of $80.5 million to ASU’s budget were enacted, it would still receive more state funding than in 2006. Northern Arizona University would lose $31 million in FY 2009, but still receive more state funds than in 2007. The University of Arizona faces a proposed $103 million cut in FY 2009, which would take it back to 2004 state funding levels.

Myth #9: Investment in higher education is critical to the future success of Arizona’s economy.

Fact: Comparing states’ higher-education appropriations and gross state products yields no evidence that spending drives economic growth. From 1991 to 2000, none of the top 10 states in greatest higher-education appropriations were among the top 10 in economic growth.

Myth #10: Cuts to university budgets will make it necessary to double tuition thereby violating the Arizona Constitution’s clause to make higher education “nearly as free as possible.”

Fact: Legal precedent has determined that “nearly as free as possible” means tuition for Arizona public universities must remain in the bottom-third of the nation. Any increase in university tuition is required to meet that standard. As it stands, tuition at Arizona public universities is very low compared to national averages.

The Goldwater Institute is a nonprofit public policy research and litigation organization whose work is made possible by the generosity of its supporters.

Filed Under: Education, State Budget

Brewer Names Education, Health Policy Advisors

January 27, 2009 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2009

Brewer Adds to Policy Staff Team
Names Advisors for K-12 Education, Health & Human Services

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today announced the addition of two policy advisors to her staff, naming Karla Phillips as Policy Advisor for K-12 Education and Beth Kohler Lazare as Policy Advisor for Health and Human Services.

“I am honored to have Ms. Phillips and Ms. Kohler Lazare join my extremely qualified and experienced team,” stated Brewer. “Both women bring to my staff a wealth of expert knowledge and numerous years of pertinent experience. They are highly regarded professionals that will advise me on areas of critical importance to the future of our great state.”

Prior to her appointment to the Brewer Administration, Karla Phillips served as Director of State Government Relations for Arizona State University. In that role she served as the university representative at legislative hearings and stakeholder meetings, advised university officials on issues impacting the university, developed strategies to advance major legislative initiatives, and helped to coordinate legislative activities with the Arizona Board of Regents as well as Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona.

Prior to that, Ms. Phillips worked for seven years as a senior policy advisor for the Arizona House of Representatives. She advised the Speaker and other elected officials on issues relating to K-12 and university policy and finance, minority issues, welfare and child welfare issues. She was also responsible for researching, drafting, summarizing and advancing major legislative initiatives.

Ms. Phillips received her Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from Indiana University. She also received her Masters in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

For the past year, Beth Kohler Lazare has worked as a Managing Consultant in the Phoenix office of Navigant Consulting, where she assisted numerous clients with Medicaid and other healthcare projects. Her projects included assessing the adequacy and appropriateness of Title XIX reimbursement rates for service providers, conducting program evaluations, assisting with procurement and reprocurement of contractors for a range of healthcare program types as well as analyzing Medicaid cost containment and health reform issues across the country.

Prior to her work in the private sector, Ms. Kohler Lazare served on the research staff of the Arizona Senate. She was the Legislative Research Analyst for the Health Committee for three years, the last year of which she was also the Research Staff Assistant Director. As Assistant Director, she was responsible for all operations of the research staff and for conducting comprehensive public policy research and analysis. She advised senators on health and policy issues including Medicaid, health insurance, small business health coverage, regulatory policy and health care finance and reform issues. She was also responsible for tracking and analyzing proposed legislation and for monitoring federal legislation and policy to determine the impact on state programs.

Ms. Kohler Lazare also served as Senior Fiscal Analyst for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of the Arizona Legislature, advising legislators on fiscal and policy issues including Medicaid, long-term care, children’s health coverage, prescription drug issues, state employee health insurance, public health programs and health care regulations.

Ms. Kohler Lazare earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with High Distinction in Government from the University of Virginia. She went on to earn her Masters in Public Affairs with a concentration in health policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

View the press release here.

Filed Under: Education, Health Care, Press Release

State Department of Economic Security bans Bible Studies from cafeteria

January 27, 2009 By 11 Comments

This sounds like a constitutional violation. State employees are complaining that they are prohibited from having a Bible Study over lunch in the DES cafeteria, the most popular state cafeteria for state employees. When a group of employees tried to hold a Bible Study at a table off in a corner of the cafeteria, they were told it was prohibited. Meanwhile, an employee at an adjoining table shuffled tarot cards. The Alliance Defense Fund should look into this, and Governor Brewer needs to inform the cafeteria this is a violation of the 1st Amendment, which applies to government buildings. If the cafeteria is going to permit Tarot card readings, then it must permit Bible Studies.

Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Government, Religion, State Government

Mainstream media cartoon of Obama looks like monkey

January 27, 2009 By 22 Comments

We don’t like Obama, but this isn’t right. For all their political correctness, the mainstream media portrays Obama in a political cartoon resembling a monkey? Where is the outrage? This ran in the West Valley View this week.
Obama characterized as a monkey

Filed Under: Media, Political Correctness, Political Parties

Democrats losing their spokesperson?

January 27, 2009 By 6 Comments

We hear that Emily Bittner-DeRose is leaving for a job in D.C. Shouldn’t be a problem, however, since the Democrat Party has had a press spokesperson all along, the Arizona Republic. We thought the Republic was writing the Democrats’ press releases. The Republic’s political reporters arent’t independent, they’re working for the Democrat Party. Emily won’t be missed, the Democrat Party doesn’t need another spokesperson. But she was so extreme we’ll kinda miss her, she made even moderate Dems cringe. Between her mouth and the eerie crAZyspace website the Dems ran, it wasn’t as hard defeating Democrats last year.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Media, Political Parties

No Stimulus Package! Sign The Petition!

January 26, 2009 By 81 Comments

Some of you know that I serve as the Treasurer of the Arizona Taxpayer Action Committee – the political action committee for the Arizona Chapter of Americans for Prosperity. This evening, I participated in a nationwide conference call sponsored by Americans for Prosperity. There were over 4,400 other conservative activists on this call and the focus was to shut down the Democratic-led sham also known as the “Stimulus Package.”

As early as this Wednesday, Congressional Democrats may try to shove this financial attrocity down our throats. And that means you still have time to act!

Please take a moment to visit NoStimulus.com and sign the petition that will be handed off to your Congressman and Senators McCain and Kyl.

Now I normally don’t advocate signing online petitions but this is extremely important. As we have been hearing over and over, elections have consequences. If you remain silent on this matter, it will send the message that its OK to throw our grandchildren’s money down a rat hole.

Let your voice be heard. Get involved today!

Filed Under: Economics, Federal Budget, Spending, Taxation

Winners and Losers

January 26, 2009 By 42 Comments

With the GOP Convention finally behind us, its time to take a look at the day’s winners and losers.  Before the comments sections asks why Lisa James isn’t listed on either list, we would suggest that it is far too early to judge that.  Like almost every campaign, things got a bit rough and Pullen fans might rate her poorly for that.  Then again, she handled the outcome with class and James fans (as well as nice Pullen fans) would rate her highly for that.  Put those two diverse groups together and you really haven’t settled anything.  We suggest that it is the next 12 months that will determine how she is to be rated.  If she disappears from the Arizona Republican Party in general, she would be doing poorly.  If she followed up on her campaign pledges to get involved, raise money and help the Party win in 2010, she would be doing very well.  She didn’t have to win her race to keep most of her promises, and we’re hoping that she does just that.  Now, on to the fun stuff.

LOSERS:

Kyl, Shadegg, Flake – If showing up is half the battle, then it was over before it began.  On top of that, their candidate lost and staff members for one Congressman in particular were very active in the divisive nature of the race and the attacks on Pullen.  How they imagine that will benefit their boss if and when he decides to run for higher office is a mystery.  This is two conventions in a row that they have all ended up as a minority in their own party.  When do you think the message will sink in?

Dean Martin – In some dramatic plays, the hero of the play is engaged in a fight with an enemy when the cowardly villain sneaks up behind him and stabs him with a long knife.  Of course, the hero dies a lot in dramatic plays, so maybe that’s why Dean Martin thought it would work in real life.  His speech shocked numerous conservatives who used to think well of him.  We say used to, because this bridge was burned down by Martin’s flame-throwing attacks on Pullen.  For whatever reason or reward, Martin agreed to take on the roll of attack dog, but came across as childish and petty.  In terms Dean should understand, his investment was high-risk, low yield, and has cost him a very pretty penny.

Wake Up! Arizona – Okay, in fairness, it wasn’t just this weekend.  These guys have blown millions and gotten their collective butts kicked since last year.  The lobbyists, headliners, blogs, cheerleaders, and consultants associated with this effort find themselves wearing a Scarlet Letter within the Republican Party that may not go away for a long time, if ever.

Barry Goldwater Jr. – Want to hurt your reputation and damage your credibility?  Spend a couple of days calling the Ron Paul State Committeemen to urge them to vote for Rudy Giuliani’s State Chairman.  Sure, we’re quite sure they’ll fall for that, right Barry?  From what the RPers were saying, it didn’t get James any votes, but it cost Goldwater more than a few.

Arizona Democrat Party – Janet’s gone, their state party is in disarray, and they’ve just elected a Pima County liberal whose first proclamation is that our taxes are too low.

Kevin DeMenna – The lobbyist bet big, at least with his mouth, against Pullen.  After explaining the GOP wins in 2008 as a “blind squirrel tripping over an acorn now and again”, he has to deal with a Party Chairman who appears to be stocking up on acorns.  Bad news Kevin, the squirrel can see, he’s hungry, and he’s looking for nuts.  Got any?

WINNERS:

Randy Pullen – Okay, that was an easy one.  He won his race, and with a U.S. Senate seat and a Governor’s race in 2010, the Congressional delegation cannot afford to pout or withhold support from the State Party anymore.  Pullen’s margin was larger than many expected, and he already has the support of most of the County and LD leaders, as well as members of the Legislature.  He is in a much stronger position than he was in 2008.  And rumor has it that he is the front-runner for the post of RNC Treasurer, which will be a real boon to the Arizona GOP as well.

Trent Franks – He did not take sides in the contest, making him the only House member in the delegation to properly gauge the pulse of the conservative grassroots of the party.  His speech was also given very high marks by those in attendance.  Plus, these meetings are rare and feature State Committeemen from all over Arizona, and Trent was the only member of the entire delegation who cared enough to show up.

Jan Brewer – Great speech, and she is finally holding Napolitano responsible for the mess that was made over the last six years.  The people of Arizona deserve the truth about that and the Arizona GOP will be stronger when people learn that it was our members who were fighting against Janet’s insane budgets.

Brett Mecum – He’s only thirty years old and he’s already the Executive Director of a red-state Republican Party.  No, its not the first time its ever happened, but folks in both the Pullen and James camp seemed to have good things to say about this guy and if you can manage to pull that off, during a heated campaign?  Well then, you must have some pretty good political skills.

Rob Haney – Up from the ashes, he lost in LD11 only to win higher office as County Chairman of the fourth largest county in the country.  Then, his backed candidate won re-election as State Chairman.  And the amnesty folks thought Haney was a problem to them before?

Rural GOP Counties – Pullen swept a number of rural counties, from Mohave in the North to Pinal and Cochise in the South.  It is likely a result of their seeing Pullen quite a bit more over the last two years than their own Congressional delegation, so its fair to say that Pullen earned it.  Still, they were the margin of victory for Pullen and he would be well served to remember that.

J.D. Hayworth – The worse Jeff Flake and his staff did, the better it was for whoever ends up in the primary for Arizona’s next U.S. Senate seat.  We’re sure Flake & Company had their reasons for antagonizing the party’s conservative base, but we can’t figure out what it is.  The end result is the same though.  A louder call for a reliable, conservative alternative, who will listen to the Party.  You hear us J.D.?  We know you do.

The Arizona Republican Party – Of course, we couldn’t finish without stating the obvious.  The theme over the weekend was “unity”, even if not all of the various players were acting that way.  Still, the sense among the Committeemen was that unity would prevail when the contest was over and, judging from the numbers of people wearing James stickers that stayed around to wish Randy well, their sense might just be right.  Add to that a new Republican governor and an Arizona Democrat Party in disarray, and things are very good indeed for the AZGOP.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties

Governor Brewer Names Director of Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting

January 26, 2009 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2009

Brewer Names Director of Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today announced her appointment of Eileen Klein as Director of the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting (OSPB). The mission of OSPB is to facilitate the effective and efficient allocation of resources in accordance with fiscally sound principles that will enable the Governor and state government to provide quality services to the citizens of Arizona. As Director, Ms. Klein will directly serve the Governor presenting fiscal and budgetary recommendations and will oversee long term planning and performance management objectives for state government agencies.

“Ms. Klein is an experienced and highly respected leader in the business community and I am thrilled to have her as a member of my senior team,” stated Brewer. “Ms. Klein has an outstanding record of achievement throughout her professional career, and will be a tremendous asset in these challenging economic times.”

Before her appointment as Director of OSPB, Ms. Klein served as Chief Operating Officer for Arizona Physicians IPA by UnitedHealthcare, a $1B corporation with 250 personnel dedicated to serving Arizonans with special health care needs enrolled in AHCCCS, DDD and ADHS programs. Prior to that, Ms. Klein served for three years as Vice President of State Affairs, representing all UnitedHealthcare lines of business in government relations and public policy in Arizona, Utah and Idaho.

Prior to joining the private sector, Klein spent over twelve years in state government in Arizona and Florida. She was the director of policy for the Arizona House of Representatives, where she served as chief advisor to the majority leadership. In that role, she oversaw the development of the state’s $10B budget and was responsible for directing policy staff in advancing major legislative initiatives and state government reforms. During her tenure, Ms. Klein served four House Speakers.

Klein’s legislative experience also includes work at the Office of the Auditor General, where she performed audits to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of state programs.

Klein is an executive committee member of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she serves as Chair of Public Affairs and in 2008 was named the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year. She is a board member of the Arizona Business and Education Coalition, for which she is co-chair of the K-12 school finance reform project, and in 2008 was named the Business Partner of the Year. She was also honored by the Arizona Capitol Times as a Leader of the Year in Public Policy.

Klein earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business and French from Florida State University. She also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University.

View the press release here.

Filed Under: Press Release, State Budget

Arizona Revised Statutes- §5-522 Holds the Key to the Future of AZ Education

January 26, 2009 By 4 Comments

by Gayle Plato-Besley, M.Ed.

The Arizona Lottery may be the best chance at directly defraying the state budget deficit. All the distribution of the funds is determined by state statute. This is a voluntary activity, not a tax.

How can Lottery Funds be used and redistributed with a restructuring of the statute? Would a voter initiative help or can the legislators make a move toward resolution?

Total Money to Date: $2,208,815,700
Total Money this Year: $474,478,400 (FY08)

“Last fiscal year, the Arizona Lottery had nearly $473 million in sales, of which 6.7 percent was distributed to retailers, 7.5 percent went for operating costs, 30.5 percent was used for programs and 55.5 percent was paid out in prizes,” - Art Macias, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery.

Mr Macias discussed the lottery as a funding option for the state budget crisis with a reporter at the Yuma Sun:

Asked whether he thought the Legislature would look to the lottery as a source of revenue to help alleviate the state’s budget deficit, Macias said that it is a concern….That makes it vital, he said, that community members communicate to their legislators the importance of the lottery-funded programs. Lawmakers don’t hear often enough how the lottery benefits the community.

CASE STUDY OF BUDGET REALITY- ARIZONA SCHOOLS

Phoenix area school districts range in size, socio-economic make-up and services offered. Consistently high achieving districts in the northeast valley are seen as the communities of the ‘haves’ v. the ‘have nots’. Yet, Cave Creek Unified, Paradise Valley Unified, and Scottsdale Unified face just as many issues of voter rejection of bonds and overrides. Voters don’t like waste and they watch for it.

Parental involvement can be too much at times, with many school council meetings about budget or programming brimming with people. These school districts are known for Excelling schools, A+ rated administrators, programs, and staff, with lots of competition amongst each to lure students in the door. Some schools have experienced waiting lines during Open Enrollment application times.

Savvy helicopter parents, with 401Ks flat lining and mortgage equity evaporating, hover at the bus stop and student drop off gates. They are talking about class size, favorite programs, and teacher ratios like bookmakers for the Super Bowl.

What are the public schools of upscale communities going to do when the state money is dried up? Frontline programs circling for final call include enrichment and support services such as  teacher aides, prevention and counseling programs, but also basic teaching fundamentals like some special education services and  All-Day Kindergarten.  But with all of the concern over testing for accountability, how does a school account for the apples and oranges of results coming over the next few years?  If some children had more class time and support, the ones to follow will have had totally different learning environments.  AIMS cannot adapt to the validity issue. How will the ‘haves’ perform when they become the ‘have nots’?

I discussed the budget concerns with a number of the northeast valley school district finance directors and administrators envisioning the cuts to come. I asked each to highlight how All-Day Kindergarten funds might be hit, how each district is tackling the budget, and what they see as the real pitfalls.  The administrators  responded last week and I thank each for their time.

Here are their own words:

Tom Elliott, Assistant Superintendent Business Services, Paradise Valley Unified School District:

PV just had a renewal of its K-3 override and it called for full day kindergarten, so by law we could not eliminate it even if we wanted to do so.

We do have a process that we are using to deal with potential budget reductions.  The process calls for regularly scheduled meetings with administrators, a parent committee, a committee of bargaining group leadership as well as the board.  We have been at it since September.

Our district lost its M&O override election in November so we need to cut $5 million just because of that alone.  The funding of education in Arizona is about to take a step back of about ten years.  The cuts will be substantial and will affect everyone.  Programs will be drastically reduced or lost altogether.  These cuts will permanently change how we do business in PV.  I am not sure everyone has a grasp on the size of the cuts coming and the impact they will have.  We will be years recovering from what is about to take place. (January 19, 2009)

Dr. Kent Frison, Associate Superintendent of Operations and Finance, Cave Creek Unified School District #93:

CCUSD uses its K-weight funding to pay for all of our 19 Kindergarten teachers. Cutting all of the funding means a reduction of approximately $981,000. It would affect the district’s ability to offer full-day kindergarten. No one knows for sure when it will be, but indications are next school year.

Our Administrative Team, which includes all district administrators, is in the process of developing a contingency plan for budget reductions, when needed. This plan would then go to the Governing Board for approval.

In my opinion, the only way to take on an additional program without the source of funding that normally comes with it would be to make an equivalent amount of budget expenditure reductions somewhere else in the budget and use those funds to pay for it. (January 22, 2009)

Sherry Celaya, Director of Finance Scottsdale Unified School District:

If SUSD loses full day kindergarten funding we will lose 51 teaching positions.  This will take effect immediately at the start of the 2009-10 school year. SUSD has multiple teams working currently in regard to budget cuts and upcoming budget changes.

The only way we could continue to accommodate full day kindergarten is through our K-3 Override.  Moving full day kindergarten to the K-3 Override will negatively impact the current class size ratios in grades K-3.

These cuts will have a very large negative impact on the way we deliver instruction and services.  The school districts need help. (January 16, 2009)

Gayle Plato-Besley, 44, is a writer, certified social studies teacher, and counselor with over 20 years experience working with children and families. Her experience includes work as a school counselor in local school districts, private practice, and a secondary level teacher of U.S. Government, Economics, and History. For more visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayle_Plato-Besley

Filed Under: Education, State Budget, State Economy, State Government

Eating Crow: The Reality of Higher Education

January 26, 2009 By 11 Comments

Dr. Matthew Ladner has a brief but poignant fact check on the debate taking place over the state budget and Higher Education. We thought you might want to know some basics:

Over the next month, we are going to hear plenty of complaining and screaming as public education advocates pull out the stops in an effort to prevent the State Legislature from making cuts. Now is the time to watch Republican lawmakers carefully and urge them to do the right thing in ensuring the budget gets balanced and cuts are across the board. It’s time to sacrifice or go bankrupt.

Eating Crow: The reality of higher education funding
by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D.

“We could eliminate the nursing school, the journalism school, the law school and the engineering school and still not meet these cuts,” Arizona State University President Michael Crow told the East Valley Tribune regarding proposed higher education cuts. The Arizona Republic quoted President Crow as saying that the budget proposal put Arizona “on the path to resembling a Third World country.”

If the full $150M cut for ASU came to pass, however, ASU would still be getting more general fund revenue in 2009 than they received in 2006. In 2006 Arizonans enjoyed access to journalism training, nursing programs, law schools, electricity and indoor plumbing, despite ASU’s somewhat smaller budget.

Secondly, universities have the opportunity to make up for lost state revenue from other sources, including tuition, private fundraising, and federal funds. How many other revenue sources do state prisons have available?

In any university, departments with high-demand majors (e.g. engineering and business) effectively subsidize departments with low-demand majors. Low-demand majors are an expensive luxury helping to drive up the cost of education, even in the best of times. With the state facing a prolonged and severe downturn in revenues, such extravagance simply cannot be justified. Eliminating low-demand majors will help keep university costs down in the short and long term.

Wrenching, unpleasant decisions lie ahead as lawmakers grapple with the legacy of boom year overspending. In such a situation, reducing costs in state higher education represents choosing the lesser of many evils.

Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president for research at the Goldwater Institute.

Filed Under: Education, State Budget
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