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Sonoran Alliance Launches Political Arizona

February 13, 2009 By 7 Comments

Sonoran Alliance is pleased to announce the debut of Political Arizona.

Since the beginning of Sonoran Alliance, several writers have cut their teeth on SA before venturing out on their own to start up other successful blogs.

Now it’s my turn to put a one-stop political news site in place where anyone can catch up on the most current breaking news stories and blog posts from across the political spectrum.

Of course, the challenge for me will be to keep up with the pace!

Please bookmark and visit Political Arizona often.

Filed Under: Media

City of Phoenix wastefully appealing CityNorth decision

February 13, 2009 By 5 Comments

Another example of irresponsible spending. The City of Phoenix is going to appeal a ruling striking down as unconstitutional its $97.4 million subsidy to a wealthy developer to build the luxury retail complex CityNorth. (item 50) Considering the dire fiscal straits Phoenix is in, why are taxpayers footing the bill for them to appeal this? The City of Phoenix is facing layoffs and interruptions of services, and needs to find $70 million in cuts over the next 18 months.

Cuts to city services, including library hours, park maintenance and graffiti cleanup, are all but certain….the city’s willingness to cut its public-safety budget, long held sacrosanct by City Council members, illustrates the tough times in which Phoenix finds itself. Five years ago, during the last round of significant cuts, police and fire escaped with their budgets intact.

So what is so important about preserving this developer subsidy?

The Court of Appeals found that the subsidy to a private developer violated the Arizona Constitution’s prohibition against gifts to private companies. Clint Bolick, the attorney for the Goldwater Institute, said that considering the city’s budget problems, walking away from the agreement would be a “sensible decision.”

Specific proposals to trim the budget won’t be unveiled until Feb. 19, followed by two weeks of hearings to solicit resident feedback. The budget is scheduled to be adopted March 11, with most cuts going into effect April 14.

Let’s hope appealing the CityNorth decision ends up on the chopping block.

Filed Under: City Government, Spending, Taxation

2010 Gubernatorial Candidates: A First Look

February 13, 2009 By 9 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2009
CONTACT: Michael O’Neill, PhD2010 Gubernatorial Candidates: A First Look

Arizona small businesses were asked about their support for various possible candidates for Governor of Arizona. Each group was only asked the possible primary candidates for their own party.

Among the 69% of Arizona small businesses who are Republicans, Governor-apparent Jan Brewer would appear to be the default choice. Fifty-eight percent (58%) indicated support for nominating her for an elected term as governor. This proportion dwarfed that given to any other potential candidate: Andrew Thomas (13%), Tom Horne (11%), Hugh Hallman (9%), Mary Peters (8%), Dean Martin (1%). This suggests to us at this point that the nomination is Jan Brewers’ to lose.

Among Democrats, more than three-fourths (77%) of Arizona small businesses expressed a preferences for Terry Goddard over Mayor Phil Gordon (23%). While 2010 is a long way off, this strikes us as a formidable starting point for Goddard.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections