You are here: Home / 2009 / Archives for March 2009

What is the Arizona Economic Council?

March 26, 2009 By 2 Comments

You can add The Ahwatukee Foothill News to the list of organizations that have been duped by this shadowy group named the Arizona Economic Council. In running commentary authored by the Arizona Economic Council critical of Jan Brewer and the Republican Legislature (“Budget Cuts Hinder Tax Collections, 3/23/09), the Foothill News described the Arizona Economic Council as “an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization aimed [sic] to promote ideas to create jobs, strengthen our economy and educate Arizonans about the economic issues facing our state.”

The Yellow Sheet has also reprinted a couple of news releases from this group attacking Republicans, and also referred to it as “independent” and “nonpartisan.”

This is a joke. The Arizona Economic Council is led by Seth Scott, who actually authored the piece in the Foothill News. A quick Google search reveals that Scott is former spokesman for liberal Congressman Harry Mitchell.

George Cunningham, who is also quoted in the article and identified as a member of the group, was a top staffer for liberal former Governor Janet Napolitano. Democrat Cunningham also amassed a far left-wing voting record as an extremist legislator from Pima County. Cunningham voted against a bill requiring people to show identification in order to register to vote, and even voted against a ban on partial birth abortion.

And the other member of the group mentioned in their propaganda piece, Enrique Lopezlira? Their propaganda merely calls him a “Valley economist.” But a look at FEC and state campaign finance records reveals he has donated thousands of dollars to candidates and causes over the last couple years. And every penny has gone to left-wing candidates and causes.

You can call this sloppy journalism, but had a group of conservatives formed a similar group that tried to phony itself up as nonpartisan and independent, I doubt this would have escaped the media’s attention. And it is shameful that such a nakedly partisan, leftist group would try to paint itself as nonpartisan.

The Arizona Economic Council, nonpartisan and independent? Not hardly.`

Filed Under: Economic Development, Economics, State Budget

Don’t buy Light Rail propaganda

March 26, 2009 By 7 Comments

Anyone who reads The Arizona Republic knows that they are unapologetic cheerleader for light rail.  And it’s impossible to miss the fact that they are constantly writing articles about how ridership has exceeded “predictions.”

If it seems to you like every light rail system opened recently exceeds “predictions,” there is a good reason for it.  They have.  Which begs the question of whether the predictions are really predictions or simply propaganda tools that allow advocates for light rail to declare light rail a success because it is performing beyond expectations?

Clearly it is the latter.  Of the six new light rail systems in cities west of the Mississippi, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, St. Louis, Portland and Salt Lake City, guess how many failed to exceed ridership expectations?  NONE. There was one light rail system in New Jersey that failed to meet expectations, but also one in Charlotte that, once again, exceeded expectations.

So the next time you hear someone from the Republic pretending to be a journalist and trumpeting the claim that light rail exceeded predictions, you will know exactly what they mean by “predictions”–it’s the level at which light rail propagandists must set expected ridership in order to ensure that it will be exceeded no matter how poorly the system is utilized by the public.  It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book-set expectations low so you can declare victory later no matter what.  It may not be clever, but it is enough to fool light rail fawning journos.

Filed Under: Media, Taxation, Transportation

Yellow Sheet reports on another botched illegal immigration prosecution by Goddard

March 26, 2009 By 1 Comment

In a post titled “Goddard Loses Another Big One,” the Yellow Sheet Report (paid-subscription only) relays how a judge dismissed Goddard’s civil racketeering case against an operation that was flying illegal immigrants around the country out of Las Vegas.  The company, Iberoamericana Travel, had 47 local affiliates in Arizona and Nevada. The company’s attorney said the case was dismissed for lack of evidence, saying that the local affiliates Goddard went after had no idea of plots in California to move illegal immigrants. This is a terrible record and goes to show Goddard is not really making much of an effort to fight illegal immigration, he’s only putting up a weak effort to pretend he is, which in the end is doing more harm than good since taxpayers have to foot the bill. Wonder how much it cost taxpayers to bring this failed lawsuit? This incompentent attorney general wants to run for governor? <shudder>

Filed Under: Illegal Aliens, Illegal Immigration, Spending, State Government

New Technology, New Candidate, New Gilbert

March 25, 2009 By 3 Comments

Here is a link to the latest technology being used in the race for Town Council in Gilbert.

When you click on the link you will see and hear Chandler Councilman, Jeff Weninger, tell you why he is supporting political newcomer, Jenn Daniels, in her bid for Town Council.

Using a product called Talk Fusion Councilman Weninger is able to sit down at his Mac or PC and deliver a video message and within minutes, broadcast it to his constituents or in this case, politically active friends on behalf of Gilbert Town Council candidate, Jenn Daniels.

This form of campaigning is joining Twitter, FaceBook and other technology to get messages out in a flash and at vitually no cost.

Jenn DanielsI should disclose that I am helping Jenn Daniels in her campaign for one of the Gilbert council seats and urge all our Gilbert readers to do the same.

Jenn Daniels is a new, energetic and savvy resident of Gilbert and will be a great addition to a town that has undergone tremendous growth and change and has a great future especially for young families.

You can find out more about Jenn Daniels by visiting her website at www.VoteforJenn.com or following her on Twitter and FaceBook.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Technology

Press Release: Brewer Appoints Directors of Housing, GITA

March 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Congratulations to my friend Chad Kirkpatrick on his appointment by Governor Brewer to Director of Government Information Technology Agency (GITA). The State’s IT will be in good hands under Chad’s leadership.

Here are the press releases issued today by Governor Brewer:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 25, 2009

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Director of Housing, Director of GITA

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Donald E. Cardon as Director of the Department of Housing, and Chad Kirkpatrick as the Director of the Government Information Technology Agency (GITA).

“These individuals will be tremendous assets to their respective agencies and to the State of Arizona,” stated Brewer. “Mr. Cardon brings with him expertise and innovation that will prove invaluable to Arizona citizens coping with the current housing climate. Mr. Kirkpatrick is widely respected and recognized in his field and possesses a unique blend and broad range of technical and leadership skills.”

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Cardon served as President and CEO of Cardon Development Group, LLC, creating low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects throughout the State. His company was responsible for creating affordable housing communities in Phoenix, Gilbert, Eloy and Winslow. In addition, he helped envision and initiate the formation of Phoenix Future, which assembled the key business leaders, political leaders and financial institutions necessary to create CityScape, a mixed-use development in downtown Phoenix. He also has several years of experience in the public sector of the housing industry. Mr. Cardon has worked as Deputy Housing Director at the City of Phoenix, where he was responsible for overseeing eight housing programs and all housing development activities within the City of Phoenix. He began his career in Longview, Washington, where he served as Executive Director for the Longview Housing Authority, and then as Community and Economic Development Director at the City of Longview. In these capacities he gained knowledge in financial planning, zoning activities, marketing and partnership development.

Mr. Cardon received his Masters of Public Administration from Lewis and Clark College, and his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Point Loma College. He is a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and a board member of Helping Hands Housing Services.

Mr. Kirkpatrick’s appointment as Director of GITA, places him at the helm of an agency created in 1996 to serve as Arizona’s official entity for strategic planning and coordination of all state information technology. He will oversee day-to-day operations of: IT coordination and planning, IT project review and monitoring, and maintenance of e-government.

Kirkpatrick comes to GITA from Wells Fargo where he has served since 2003, most recently in the role of Vice President and Business Systems Manager of Compliance Services MIS (Management Information Services). While with Wells Fargo, he created the “MIS Roadmap” to assess the current MIS environment, identify MIS goals and develop an action plan to align technology and business needs. He was also responsible for: fully automating the business process for regulatory compliance testing, managing the Information Security process for the Phoenix location; developing an innovative data analysis program to proactively identify potential regulatory issues, tracking corrective action and delivering critical information to the compliance team; working with the finance, operations and marketing teams to develop the next generation of reporting and leading corporate efforts to create common data definitions and corporate reporting standards. He has won two Leadership Excellence Awards: Team Leadership and the annual Excellence in Action Award as well as 19 Legendary Service awards.

Mr. Kirkpatrick has also served as Chairman of Americans for Prosperity Arizona, a group that he helped grow into one of Arizona’s largest grassroots organizations. He also built up and turned around finance and IT teams for two Fortune 500 companies.

Mr. Kirkpatrick received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, DC and went on to earn his Master of Arts in Applied Economics from The American University.

Filed Under: Press Release, State Government

English Translation

March 25, 2009 By 5 Comments

There’s nothing like an English translation to an American crisis:

YouTube Preview Image
Filed Under: Spending, Taxation

Press Release: Brewer Appoints Director of GOCYF

March 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 25, 2009

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Director of Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Cassandra A. Larsen as the new Director of the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families.

“Ms. Larsen is extremely knowledgeable in education and issues facing Arizona families,” stated Brewer. “Her expertise in prevention strategies and education management, as well as her ability to work in partnerships will make her a tremendous asset for Arizona’s youth and families and for my Administration.”

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Larsen served as Director of the Arizona Prevention Resource Center after serving as Associate Director and Community Initiatives Coordinator. The APRC provides technical assistance and training to educators and various organizations for the prevention of gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and bullying. She was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and community partnerships, as well as overseeing grant writing, budget preparation and implementation, and conducting analysis of the effects of various programs. She also worked simultaneously as a Managing Member of CA Larsen Associates, LLC.

Ms. Larsen has a strong background in education management. She has served as Chief of Staff for the Arizona Department of Education and Executive Director of the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. In both positions, she learned about issues facing Arizona’s school system and worked to create solutions and programs to address those issues. In addition, she gained experience in building community relationships and public outreach while working for KSAZ Fox 10 news as Community and Public Affairs Director.

Ms. Larsen received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English from Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

Filed Under: Press Release, State Government

The War on Domestic Prosperity

March 24, 2009 By 9 Comments

If you just watched the same Presidential news conference that I watched then you should have heard President Obama announce a “War on Domestic Prosperity.”

Citing a new “Doctrine of Preemptive Corporate Takeover,” the Obama Administration will now begin looking to head off any possibility of failure by seizing and taking control of companies which may pose any possibility of failure.

Standby for more takeovers. Stand by for government-run industry. Standby for a socialized economy. Say goodbye to freedom and an America we all love.

Filed Under: Spending, Taxation

Senate Republican: We Have A No Tax Hike Solution

March 23, 2009 By 10 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY MARCH 23, 2009

Senate Republicans take on challenge to resolve budget without tax increase

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) – Senate leadership is calling upon members to tap creative and innovative resources to work in concert with the traditional work of the Appropriations Committee to balance the FY 2010 budget without a tax increase.

“As members of the Appropriations Committee are going line by line through JLBC spreadsheets, looking to reduce expenditures and define efficiencies, we are calling upon other members to help us identify new ways to balance this budget,” said Senate President Bob Burns, R-Peoria.

Throughout the session in standing committees, caucus meetings and member briefings, Senate leadership has gathered input from a variety of sources on a multitude of topics to solve the budget crisis.

“Right now we’ve got the equivalent of a yellow pad of ideas that we have to winnow down to viable budget solutions,” said Senate Majority Whip Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem. “We also need to do what we can to make it easy for the public who have suggestions, especially ones backed by expertise and experience, to get those to us.”

“We are working hard to solve the problem and I am optimistic we can close this gap without increasing taxes,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray, R-Mesa. “Even President Obama is not suggesting a tax increase during a recession.”

In response to cries of Democrats being shut out of the budget process, President Burns said at a press briefing, “That is not true.” He went on to say his door continues to be open to all members who want to talk to him about new ideas to resolve the budget deficit.

“I meet with Sen. Garcia every week,” Burns said. “If Democrats feel they are being cut out of the process, they need to talk to their minority leader.”

Filed Under: Press Release, Spending, State Budget, Taxation

Arizonans In Action to Governor: Rescind the Order!

March 23, 2009 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 23, 2009

AIA REMINDS GOVERNOR OF OBLIGATION TO TAXPAYERS; RESCIND THE ORDER! THE TIME FOR A DECISION AND ACTION HAVE COME

Phoenix, AZ – Arizonans In Action (AIA) Executive Director Nathan Nascimento today reminded Governor Brewer that the waiting period to make a decision on the Napolitano executive order is drawing to a close.

In December, former Governor Napolitano issued the executive order allowing for a “meet and confer” status with executive level public employees. Governor Brewer, upon taking office, placed a freeze on hiring and the implementation of workplace regulations until the budget fix of 2009 and the budget of 2010 were addressed.

“Governor Brewer put this issue on the backburner until the end of April. The timeline that she set is now drawing to a close and she will soon need to make a decision — either stand with the taxpayers that are demanding that this union payoff executive order be rescinded or follow the same path as Napolitano by selling out the taxpayers for political favor,” said Nascimento.

“This move by Napolitano back in December was clearly a payoff to the union bosses for their money, loyalty, and muscle during her tenure. Clearly this is pay to play politics at its worst and the taxpayers are the victims,” continued Nascimento. Arizonans In Action released a study in January showing the political contributions from two public employee unions to the Arizona Democrat Party. The results can be found on the AIA website.

In February, Arizonans In Action began an online petition to Governor Brewer calling on her to rescind the order. The petition can be viewed here.

“We have heard from taxpayers from across the state voicing their concern about the Napolitano executive order and wanting to know what Governor Brewer is going to do about it. People are upset. Governor Brewer has the opportunity to restore honor and integrity back to the office of governor, protect the rights of state workers, and the preserve the voice of the taxpayers,” said Nascimento.

Filed Under: Press Release, State Government

Superior Court moans cuts, but won’t cut a cent from building new $340 million court tower

March 23, 2009 By 11 Comments

The Republic ran a sob story about cuts at the Maricopa Superior Court Sunday. The legislature has ordered $11 million in cuts at the Superior Court this year, and next year’s cuts may be more severe. But nowhere in the article was the $340 million proposed new top of the line, state of the art Taj Majal court tower mentioned. For the past couple of years, when discussing how to deal with the budget and slow revenues, county government has frequently pondered cutting back on the scope of the tower, either by delaying it or decreasing the scope of the project.

So why all of a sudden, when the budget has really tanked, is the county tower suddenly off the table? The Superior Court would rather lay off 50-60 employee this spring than delay or shrink the size of the tower. We smell a rat. Is it because the construction companies awarded the job contributed to high-level county employees’ political campaigns? Maybe it’s because it would prevent them from forcing Sheriff Arpaio and other agencies like the Treasurer’s Office to make cuts, weakening them, if they admit they can cut millions – maybe even hundreds of millions – from this project. Frankly, we’re disappointed that the Republic article failed to cover the tower. The Superior Court can manage without a pricey new courthouse for awhile. The Sheriff can’t continue cutting back on prison guards.

Filed Under: County Government, Judicial, Spending

AZ Tea Party- Fair Noblemen Onto St. Crispin’s Day

March 22, 2009 By 7 Comments

By Gayle Plato

In the face of powerful men, grabbing 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; grassroot 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, of Shakespeare and the battle of St. Crispin’s Day. 

Angincourt was a real battle, fought over rights to land, taxation issues, and years of dispute.  It was already of legend in the time of William Shakespeare.  Henry was young, vastly outnumbered, and his men, sick, weak.  They were the underdog of discontent, strapped, cornered.  Yet, they did not give up.  It is said that in truth of history, Henry V gave a rousing speech, of which Shakespeare dramatically wrote. In my mind and many others, the greatest piece of writing, drama, and historical perspective all rolled into one.  We, fair citizens for freedom, can also rally.  Onto Agincourt! 

Please see the best redition of the great Kenneth Branagh as Henry V-

St. Crispin\’s Day

more on the great battle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt

 

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

Please let the organizers know you will attend by sending an email to infoAZ@afphq.org

Filed Under: Taxation Tagged With: , ,

Yellow Sheet verifies botched prosecution job by Goddard of dealer who provided guns to drug cartels

March 20, 2009 By 8 Comments

We’d like to thank the Yellow Sheet for doing the legwork following up on our prior post about Democrat Attorney General Goddard fumbling the prosecution of a gun dealer who provided weapons to Mexican drug cartels. Here are parts of the Yellow Sheet article explaining how Goddard (who is soft on illegal immigration and has a history of carrying water for Napolitano on the issue) screwed up the case (we cannot reproduce the entire article without violating copyright, and the Yellow Sheet is a subscription-only website)

Maricopa Superior Court Judge Robert Gottsfield found that although several “straw” purchasers lied on ATF gun-buying forms, the offense did not amount to a “material misrepresentation” needed to prosecute under state fraudulent schemes law.

The buyers in question did lie, but they were still legal purchasers and the state provided “no proof whatsoever that any prohibited possessor ended up with the firearms,” wrote Gottsfield.

Ain’t over ‘til it’s over: Goddard spokeswoman Anne Hilby did not return calls for comment, but Goddard did tell the New York Times the ruling confused him, and his office is “still trying to make sense of it.”

“We believe it was an error, and we are going to do everything we can in the system to correct that error,” Goddard, said in an interview Thursday. “It’s not over by any means.”

Mel McDonald, a defense attorney who spent seven years as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge, said he could not comment specifically to the case, but, granted Rule 20 motions that lead to dismissals (as in the case of Iknadosian) usually mean a case is dead and cannot be prosecuted again if a jury was already empanelled.

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Illegal Aliens, Illegal Immigration, State Government

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Policy Advisor for Local Government

March 19, 2009 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Policy Advisor for Local Government

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Page Gonzales as her Policy Advisor for Local Government.

“I am thrilled to have Ms. Gonzales join my staff,” stated Brewer. “Her proven ability to develop policy, and advocate for issues facing local entities will be essential to my administration and the citizens of Arizona.”

Ms. Gonzales has been a presence at the State Capitol for 13 years. Prior to her appointment, she worked as Director of State Relations and Associate Director of Government Relations for the Maricopa Community Colleges. In these capacities she developed legislative priorities, built relationships with elected officials, and represented the Maricopa Community Colleges in national higher education associations, community organizations and legislative committees. She has also served as Legislative Officer for the Administrative Office of the Courts, at the Arizona Supreme Court, organizing legislative priorities and acting as liaison between the Courts and the Legislature.

Ms. Gonzales has also represented Maricopa County as Legislative Liaison, researching and advocating for the County on its most pressing issues. Before her time at the County, she worked at the Arizona House of Representatives as Assistant Research Analyst and Constituent Services Coordinator. Throughout her career she has served on several subcommittees, including the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Government Relations and Education subcommittees and the Government Relations subcommittees for both the Tempe Chamber and the East Valley Partnership.

A native of Arizona, she received her Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies from Arizona State University, and is finishing her Masters in Public Administration, also at Arizona State University.

Filed Under: City Government, Press Release

Goddard flubs major case against Mexican cartel gun supplier – and this guy wants to run for Governor?

March 19, 2009 By 3 Comments

How embarrassing. Democrat Attorney General Terry Goddard bungled the prosecution of a gun dealer who was supplying weapons to the Mexican drug cartels so badly that a judge threw out the charges. The case was considered a landmark case because of the cooperation with the Mexican authorities, who provided evidence that guns from the gun shop were used in criminal operations south of the border. It should have been a slamdunk. Now, the earlier convictions of co-defendants may be also thrown out.

A liberal Democrat, Goddard has a history of balking on enforcing laws against illegal immigration. He talks tough occasionally but has actively thwarted laws against illegal immigration, including interpreting Prop. 200 so narrowly its half applying to welfare benefits lost all its teeth. We would not be surprised if his careless attitude toward illegal immigration led to the botched prosecution. He’s been laying off experienced prosecutors and using the money to pay political appointees inflated salaries instead. It’s unfortunate that taxpayers get stuck footing the bill for a prosecution that goes nowhere. This is not anyone we want running our state, as AG or Governor.

Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Illegal Immigration

Goldwater Institute panel on Federalism next Friday

March 19, 2009 By 2 Comments

Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Government, Special Event, State Government

Lincoln Day Luncheon next Saturday

March 19, 2009 By 1 Comment

Filed Under: Political Parties, Special Event
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »