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Two more Obama protests planned tomorrow

February 17, 2009 By 10 Comments

Bruce Jacobs from KFYI and Arizona Right to Life are both planning protests tomorrow for Obama’s Mesa visit. Bruce is asking protesters to show up with signs demanding what handouts they’d like.

The AZ Right to Life protest is being organized by 40 Days for Life.

CALL TO ACTION:
President to Make First Presidential Visit
to the Valley
Arizona Right to Life urges community members to assemble and demonstrate in support of innocent life

Phoenix, AZ -Arizona Right to Life urges you to seize this opportunity to publicly demonstrate your outrage over the President’s extreme anti-life positions, during his first Presidential visit to the Valley, this Wednesday, February 18, 2009. We strongly encourage you to assemble and display signs that decry his support of FOCA, his repeal of a ban on federal funding of abortions overseas, his selection of extreme pro-abortion cabinet members, his support of embryonic stem cell research and his categorical unwillingness to protect the most innocent of the human community, and to challenge him to a radical change of heart and mind.

Rarely do we have the opportunity to exercise our First Amendment Rights to speak freely and peacefully assemble, directly to the audience of the President, in our own community. We invite you to come together to impress upon him that Arizona stands for life, in an unignorable demonstration, unforgettably and overwhelmingly characterized by unwavering courage to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Doors open to the ticketed public at 8:30 am on February 18th. The President is expected to speak at 10:15 am. Dobson High School is located at 1501 W Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202.

Filed Under: State Budget, State Economy, State Government

Goldwater Institute Sues Maricopa County for $20 Million

February 17, 2009 By 4 Comments

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2009

Goldwater Institute Files $20 million in Prop 207 Claims against Maricopa County
Institute seeks compensation for homeowners whose property rights have been violated

Phoenix–The Goldwater Institute filed legal claims today against Maricopa County totaling $20 million on behalf of more than 175 property owners. The compensation claims were filed under provisions of Proposition 207, the Private Property Rights Protection Act, which requires government to compensate property owners when it passes laws or rules that reduce existing property values.

In 2004 the Arizona Legislature passed a law requiring Maricopa County to implement a series of building and development restrictions on land surrounding Luke Air Force Base. The county believes the law is illegal for a variety of reasons and in 2008 took the state to court to have it thrown out. Pending an outcome in that lawsuit, the county issued a moratorium on building permits in the “Clear Zone” and other areas adjacent to the base.

“While the Goldwater Institute strongly agrees with efforts to protect the base, it is unfair to ask a handful of homeowners to bear the cost,” said Carrie Ann Sitren, the Goldwater Institute attorney representing the property owners. “In any event, stopping homeowners from installing solar panels or a swimming pool doesn’t protect Luke.”

The moratorium has caused severe reductions in property values–95 percent for vacant lots that were already zoned for housing and 50 percent for lots with single-family homes already built–and has prevented homeowners from doing simple renovations.

Residents in restricted areas are being denied permits for maintenance and upkeep of their existing homes including the installation of pools, fences, and standard repairs on plumbing and electrical work. For example, Robert Landers, a six-year Air Force veteran, has been denied a permit to install a therapeutic spa his doctor prescribed as a precursor to surgery.

“The county is stuck between a rock and a hard place,” said Ms. Sitren. “On one hand it’s being forced by the state to limit these people’s property rights, but on the other its moratorium is overly broad and unnecessary. The people of Arizona spoke loud and clear when they passed Prop 207 by a two-to-one margin in 2006. If the government takes away the value of someone’s property, the owner must be compensated.”

Filing a claim for compensation is the first step in a formal Prop 207 lawsuit. Today’s claims were filed with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors by the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation. The county has 90 days to respond to the claims, and can either repeal the moratorium, grant waivers to property owners, or pay the requested compensation.

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: County Government, Economic Development, Press Release, Property Rights, Regulations

Did the City of Phoenix spend $35 MILLION on NBA all-star event?

February 17, 2009 By 17 Comments

What is going on, Phoenix Mayor Gordon asks the federal government for a bailout, and then possibly spends $35 million on an NBA all-star event? The article in the Republic says the event was put on to show off Phoenix’s “new $1.4 billion light-rail line, the $600 million Phoenix Convention Center expansion and the $350 million Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.” (the latter two subsidized by your tax dollars and the former paid for entirely by your tax dollars, shoved through the ballot using a dishonest media disinformation campaign) It is not clear from the article how much was footed by taxpayers, but it should be determined, this is outrageous.

To recap, here is the list of essential services and jobs Phoenix is cutting currently due to its million dollar deficits. The City of Phoenix has irresponsibly spent well beyond its budget over the past few years under the leadership of Democrat Mayor Phil Gordon and the mostly Democrat City Council. Consequently, Phoenix needs to make $70 million in cuts over the next 18 months. More people are already moving to Phoenix over any other city in the nation next to Las Vegas, so attracting more people and big events IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE SPENDING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY ON!!!!

UPDATE: The City of Phoenix contacted Sonoran Alliance and requested that we clarify the title of the post. According to a deputy with the public information office,

The actual amount, which is still being calculated by the vested city departments, will be nowhere near that $35 million figure. We will be more than happy to forward that figure to you once it’s determined.

Filed Under: City Government, Economics, Spending