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Gift Clause in Arizona Constitution has meaning again

January 28, 2010 By 3 Comments

by Clint Bolick 
Goldwater Institute
 
The Goldwater Institute’s constitutional challenge to the $97.4 million CityNorth subsidy was the signature test for an untried idea: a litigation center dedicated to vindicating largely unused protections of individual rights and written restraints on government in our state constitution. Monday’s decision by the Arizona Supreme Court in Turken v. Gordon illustrates the potential for such endeavors.

Before we filed the case, cities across Arizona were engaged in subsidy wars to attract businesses that might contribute to their sales-tax coffers. Savvy developers peddled grandiose schemes, playing one city against another. Small businesses, which are the engine of our economy yet never receive special benefits, were forced to help subsidize much bigger competitors.

No one had the resources to take on the powerful combination of government and special interests. Even worse, decades of court precedents had diluted the Gift Clause–which categorically prohibits gifts of taxpayer funds “by subsidy or otherwise”–almost to the point of nonexistence. So when Phoenix gave a massive subsidy to a Chicago developer to build a luxury shopping mall, it seemed like a case tailor-made for litigation.

Things looked bleak when the trial court upheld the subsidy, crediting the developer’s promises of massive tax revenues and other benefits to the City. But the Arizona Court of Appeals, meticulously applying the original intent of the Gift Clause, struck down the deal.

The Supreme Court could have returned matters to business as usual. It did allow the CityNorth deal to proceed, pointing to the confusion the Court felt its prior precedents had sown. And it deferred to the City’s judgment that the CityNorth deal served a legitimate “public purpose.” But the Court held that promises of “indirect” economic benefits–such as jobs that may result from a proposed project–are insufficient consideration for tax-dollar giveaways. From now on, economic development agreements must produce tangible benefits and fair-market value for taxpayers. That ought to curb the worst excesses, and we’ll be on the watch to make sure that government behaves.

In the meantime, score one for the little guy–and for the idea that with the right cases brought to them, courts will hold governments to their constitutional boundaries.

Clint Bolick is director of the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

Filed Under: City Government, Constitutional Law, Economic Development, Judicial, Spending

There is no viable third way

January 28, 2010 By 3 Comments

Emil FranziMany conservatives and libertarians were so turned off by recent sins of the GOP leadership in both the Bush administration and the Congressional leadership that they either became or stayed independent voters. A vocal handful drifted off to other parties like Libertarian or Constitution, but the meager voter returns those options garnered recently should illustrate their current lack of general appeal. I sympathize with them and was once an advocate of that approach.

In 1976, the GOP was far more liberal than now. Those thinking John McCain too far to the left should study Richard Nixon. Wage-price controls defines what a real RINO is. Those claiming McCain’s loss hurt the Republican Party should note how injured it was by Nixon’s victory.

After the 1974 election, Republicans were reduced to 37 Senators and 144 House members. States with a GOP governor and state legislature consisted of Kansas. Worse, there was little fight left on the right. Former Governor Reagan made his second try for the presidency against Gerald Ford, but the attitude of too many conservatives was best expressed by the late syndicated columnist James J. Kilpatrick, who told us that Gerald Ford was the most conservative president we’d ever get. Too many suffered from political post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ford won the nomination. I’d had it with squishies. I switched registration to Libertarian and had my name on a ballot for the first (and last) time as an elector pledged to Roger McBride. I stubbornly remained with the LP after it was obvious that third parties no longer work.

Political parties are coalitions. In coalitions you support some policies that you care little about to secure those you do. The LP has been with us for 39 years, had some marginal success at the local level, once broke a million votes for President with Ed Clark in 1980 and has made the word “libertarian” generally understood. I always shared its core belief in Austrian economics and the part of that sojourn I most treasure is friendship with its great exponent, the late Murray Rothbard, and others. But there are too many deal-breaker issues for me.

Libertarian blogs are filled with nut cases from 9-11 truthers to those so anti-cop they claim we’re a police state. They should try living in a real one or chatting with older black folks who grew up in parts of the South or Eastern big cities. They don’t believe America had a foreign threat since George III. Many favor real open borders. Not a coalition I, nor most people, care to be part of.

I voted for Ron Paul for President – in 1988. If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t. But that he now survives as a voice for most libertarian views as a member of the GOP should make the point. His 2008 campaign and his bully pulpit are far more useful to his cause than his prior LP effort.

The differences between the two major parties have never been this clear. Real liberal Republicans and genuine conservative Democrats are far more endangered than polar bears. Those who possess reasonably coherent political ideologies that lean one way or the other can best advance their agenda by being part of one or the other. There is no viable third way, either in the center or outside it. Both parties have open nominating processes. That differs from earlier times when third parties were sometimes viable options.

Boss Tweed once said he didn’t care who did the votin’ long as he did the nominatin’. You get to do the nominating now. Quit whining and go help take over your local party.

Hear Emil Franzi and Tom Danehy Saturdays 1-4 p.m. on KVOI 1030AM.

Filed Under: Political Parties

No Better Place than the Super Bowl

January 27, 2010 By 15 Comments

The latest leftist assault is the condemnation of Tim and Pam Tebow for their audacity to be part of a pro-life commercial scheduled to air during the Super Bowl.  Sports pundits, political talking-heads, and news reporters are all over this story.   Liberal “women’ s groups” have asked CBS to deny Focus on the Family the right to buy air time to broadcast the ad and sports analysts are denouncing the Tebow  effort as damaging to his career.  One writer likened Tim Tebow to a full-time evangelist moonlighting as a football player.  Did he think that was insulting?

I could go on and on about what sort of false religion and destructive values are being exploited every day in pro-sports…. But I digress.

Apparently that writer has no idea the call on the life of the Tebow family and has no understanding of service to something greater than you.  Tim Tebow could no more turn his back on the opportunity to tell the world the miraculous truth of his healthy birth than a sports writer could turn away the scoop of a lifetime.   It is what he was put here to do.  And he knows it. On Florida game days, the most frequent Google search is for whatever scripture Tebow has on his eye black.

With that said, all the hyperbole about this being a sporting event and not a religious venue is a distortion of the truth.  The faulty premise is in the concept that the sanctity of life should be viewed only as a religious cause; it should be a humanitarian cause.  Protecting the life of the unborn, giving hope to women and families who are facing odds they see as insurmountable, and telling the truth where a lie has been accepted is not religious. If there were a call for aid to the people of The Sudan, or any region were genocide is practiced, would it be religious or humanitarian? It may be the love of Christ that empowers them but since when is love a religious act not to be confused with the real world?

An unborn child is a life, a real person with a real soul.  Life does not spontaneously occur and that which is not alive cannot become alive; it is formed and developed just as the unborn child is within the womb of the mother.  We all grow, change and have different stages of our being.  Such is the reality of life…and it starts at conception.

Filed Under: Culture, Freedom of Speech, Liberals, Media, Political Correctness, Religion, Sanctity of Life, Sports

New Zealand rolled back government and rebuilt economy

January 27, 2010 By 10 Comments

By Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
I recently attended a meeting with Maurice McTigue, director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a former member of the New Zealand Parliament, and a man with wide experience in government reform. Attendance at the meeting, arranged by State Senator Sylvia Allen, should have been required for everyone in our state government.

Prior to comprehensive reforms 20 years ago, New Zealand was an economic mess, suffering from debt, continual deficits, and a stagnating economy. Out of desperation, New Zealand’s political leaders reduced government spending and enacted fundamental, wide-ranging reform. Since then, New Zealand’s national government has seen a single deficit; it was this year and due to the worldwide recession.

One instructive example given by Mr. McTigue concerned agriculture subsidies, which, among other things, were artificially inflating land prices. Everybody knew land prices would collapse when those subsidies ended. Some estimated 31 percent of farmers and at least seven major banks would go bankrupt. Yet, with no bailout or any other government involvement, only one-half of 1 percent of farmers went bankrupt. And not a single bank went under.

An outbreak of “spontaneous economic order,” as Mr. McTigue described it, resulted. Banks re-valued loans to avoid defaults. Farmers renegotiated payment schedules. People figured out how to navigate the changing economy without government intervention.

This example may seem most applicable to federal financial policies in response to the U.S. real estate meltdown; but, the lesson is broader. We commonly hear stories that if Arizona cuts spending on parks or education or health care, our economy will collapse. Yet New Zealand’s experience illustrates that fundamental reform, rethinking, and shrinking of government should be welcomed, not feared.

Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., is the director of the Goldwater Institute’s Center for Economic Prosperity.

Filed Under: Economic Development, Economics, Regulations, State Economy, Taxation

PR: Joe Jaraczewski Enters CD-1 Race, Tells Rusty Bowers to Go Home

January 27, 2010 By 30 Comments

Joe Jaraczewski

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2010

Joe Jaraczewski, father of 5, small businessman from Cottonwood, announces his intention to run in the Republican Primary for Arizona Congressional District #1. Asks Phoenix Lobbyist Rusty Bowers to leave race for good of party. Dr. Gosar, Attorney Beauchamp lack the political courage to lead.

Joe’s Army for Congress

My fellow citizens of Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, my name is Joe Jaraczewski, father of 5, small businessman, proud to call Cottonwood, AZ home. What we know as uniquely American is being fundamentally transformed by elite politicians under the direction of lobbyists from big business. Before we return our government to the people, we must return our party to the people. That is why I am forming a homegrown campaign to restore the First District of Arizona to the people. You can rest assured that I will stand up for you in Washington.

Our first order of business will be to ask the mining industry to remove their candidate, Rusty Bowers, from the race. I respect Mr. Bowers as a family man, but in 2001 he crossed the line and became a lobbyist. The silent majority is tired of the lines being blurred. Hard working, red-blooded Americans want their interests represented, not the interests of big business. The Republican Party needs to restore itself as the party of the people. We cannot do that by putting another lobbyist from Phoenix on the ballot this November, just as we had done in the past. We need to gain the trust of the general electorate. In order to do so, another “carpet bagger” cannot be placed on the ballot.

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So Rusty, for the good of our district and party, go home to the real Rusty Country. Continue your lucrative lobbying career in Phoenix. We cannot sacrifice the energy and resources of our district for your career.

Dr. Gosar and Attorney Beauchamp, I have watched you stand idle, unable to stand up to Rusty and the special interests. If you cannot stand up to a member of your own party, how can we expect you to stand up to the lobbyists and big government officials in Washington? Please step aside; the people want a politician with conviction, a fighter. You both have demonstrated anything but. As a political party, we must engage in the culture. As we saw in the 2008 presidential elections, culture affects politics. We are losing our youth to the mind-numbing morals and economic idiocy of the elites in Washington. We must seek out our youth and articulate that peace, truth, and justice is the conservative movement. So, to take a line from the skatepark, “Dr. Gosar, Attorney Beauchamp, you are posers. Please move aside.”

The people of the 1st District want a leader that is capable of building the trust to form a coalition that includes not only the LDS and the Tea Partiers, but the Ron Paul Libertarians, Hispanic Republicans, Reagan Democrats, as well as the rank and file Republicans. Also, let us reach out to people who never thought of joining our party. Let’s give them a political home. We can be that coalition. Remember, 1+God is an army. Please join us at www.joesarmyforcongress.com.

We can restore that shining city on the hill. The time to march is now.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

JD Hayworth on Hardball

January 26, 2010 By 11 Comments

JD Hayworth was on with Hardball’s Chris Matthews today. Here is the video from his appearance:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Media

PR: Jesse Kelly Inspires Crowd

January 26, 2010 By 5 Comments

Jesse Kelly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2010

TUCSON, AZ Jesse Kelly was excited about the outcome of tonight’s debate in Vail, AZ. The audience responded enthusiastically to Jesse’s clear answers to the questions and conservative views on the issues.

“As attendees left the debate, our table was mobbed with people taking literature and materials. It was a great night and fits right into our strategy for victory in November,” stated Jesse. Even a Democrat came up to Jesse’s table and stated that he would be voting for him in the fall. Another voter commented, “Jesse clearly led with the most enthusiasm and energy. He is the one who can beat Giffords.”

Jesse Kelly is a candidate for Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District in the southeastern region of the state. For more information on the Jesse Kelly campaign please visit VoteJesseKelly.com.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections Tagged With: ,

Send JD to Washington – Defeat the tyrants

January 26, 2010 By 19 Comments

COMMON SENSE

“In the following sheets, the author hath studiously avoided every thing which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well as censure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise and the worthy need not the triumph of a pamphlet; and those whose sentiments are injudicious or unfriendly, will cease of themselves, unless too much pains is bestowed upon their conversion.”

Send JD to Washington – Defeat the tyrants

In 1776, just two days before Christmas, Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls…Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.”

The Continental Army was in tatters, and the British were confident of victory. During the night of December 25th, 1776, General George Washington led his ragged army across the Delaware and marched them south to Trenton, NJ, leaving a trail of blood seeping from the burlap-bound feet of shoeless soldiers determined to defend the new nation. Cold to the bone, and weary from the march, they attacked and defeated Hessian troops loyal to the oppressive British Crown. Their victory marked a turning point in the fight to bring us liberty.

Tyranny has returned to our shores, and we are once again confronted by an implacable enemy. Thomas Paine was right. Like hell, tyranny is not easily conquered. It takes tireless, courageous people to overcome tyrants. JD Hayworth is one of those people.

We do not ask you to cross icy rivers nor march shoeless into battle. We ask only that you help fund the battle against those who would bind us in virtual chains as real as any of hardened steel.

It is just a small thing to write a check, but together our efforts can make the difference between liberty and slavery. To honor those who gave us freedom, and to preserve it for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, please give generously to the cause of liberty.

All contributions are greatly appreciated, but are limited by law to no more than $2,400. Please make your check payable to JD 2010. It is the least we can do.

Mail to:
JD 2010
P.O. Box 28604
 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Soon a website will be up at www.jd2010.com

Who the author of this Production is, is wholly unnecessary to the Public, as the Object for Attention is the Doctrine itself, not the Man. Yet it may not be unnecessary to say, That he is unconnected with any Party, and under no sort of Influence public or private, but the influence of reason and principle.

Philadelphia, February 14, 1776.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

JD Hayworth Going Live, Going National!

January 26, 2010 By 23 Comments

JD HayworthIf you haven’t noticed already, JD Hayworth is about to launch a major challenge to Senator John McCain. This statewide race is about to go national as indicated by JD’s media appearances in the last 24 hours. He’s been all over the radio from Denver to Philadelphia and San Diego back to Phoenix. Tonight he appears on nationally syndicated Lars Larson’s show at 6:30 but before that, you’ll be able to watch him play Hardball with Chris Matthews at 3:30 (Here’s the lead up story from the other night).

There’s no doubt that this race will go national – even more so than the Florida Primary where Governor Charlie Crist is facing a challenge from Marco Rubio for the Florida Senate seat.

Sonoran Alliance is being hammered by requests for how to contact and support JD Hayworth as his campaign ramps up. Although his website is not up and running, it should be within the next 24 hours. (Watch for it at www.JDHayworth2010.com) In the meantime, if you want to donate to the campaign please send donations to:

JD Hayworth 2010
P.O. Box 28604
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Media Tagged With:

Proposal to Limit State Health Contracts to Nonprofits Unnecessary

January 26, 2010 By 4 Comments

Goldwater Institute
News Release

PHOENIX—A proposal being considered at the Arizona Capitol would require that state contracts with companies that provide behavioral health services only be open to nonprofit health providers. But a report released today from the Goldwater Institute shows there is no evidence that nonprofits provide better care and recommends that government remain neutral toward nonprofits and for profits that are competing for government contracts.

Policymakers and community activists pushing this idea are concerned that for profit health care providers won’t treat low-income patients, and that the desire to make a profit results in a lower standard of care. “Nonprofits in Health Care: Are They More Efficient and Effective?” by Goldwater Institute economist Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., examines both of these arguments and finds them false.

First, when it comes to state contracts to provide health services, the state sets the standards for who must be treated. So, whether the contract goes to a nonprofit or for profit, the company cannot turn patients away that the government requires them to treat. Second, while there is limited research available on the difference in care between nonprofits and for profits, sophisticated studies show that nonprofit nursing facilities are less efficient than for-profit ones.

Arizona has been down this road before. Until 1996, only nonprofits were allowed to bid on Regional Behavioral Health Authorities contracts (a company that contracts with the state to provide mental health services), but when only one bidder applied in Maricopa County the auditor general recommended allowing for profits to also compete for the contracts. Since then, for profits have met contract obligations just as successfully as nonprofits did before.

“There is no reason for the government to favor nonprofits in health service contracting. The state’s role should be to find the health care provider who will provide the best service at the lowest price, whether they are for profit or nonprofit is irrelevant,” said Dr. Schlomach. 

Click here to read “Nonprofits in Health Care: Are They More Efficient and Effective?” or call (602) 462-5000 to have a copy mailed to you.

The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.

Filed Under: Government, Health Care, Press Release, State Government

President Obama should transfer Head Start funds to D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

January 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
On March 10, 2009, President Barack Obama gave a major education speech before the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In that speech, he declared that Secretary of Education Arne Duncan “will use only one test when deciding what ideas to support with your precious tax dollars: It’s not whether an idea is liberal or conservative, but whether it works.”

On March 13, 2009, Senate majority whip Dick Durbin (D- Ill.) wrote of the Washington, D.C., scholarship program for students to improve their education by attending the school of their choice in the Chicago Tribune: “Many benefiting from this program want no questions asked about its efficacy. I think the taxpayers deserve better.”

As it turns out, the U.S. Department of Education has subjected both school vouchers and the popular early education program “Head Start” to random assignment studies. The results are now in: the voucher program improves reading scores and students’ satisfaction with their schools. The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program works, and it is one of the few programs funded by the Department of Education about which we have supportive evidence of the highest possible scientific quality.

The Department found, however, that Head Start fails to produce lasting student gains when subjected to a random assignment evaluation.

Some have written that all of President Obama’s promises come with expiration dates, but perhaps that is unfair. If so, President Obama could keep the promise he made before the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by supporting the idea that works and calling for all Head Start funding to be transferred into the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

After all, as Senator Durbin said, the taxpayers deserve better.

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

Filed Under: Education, Government

Supervisor Wilcox indicted on 42 new criminal counts

January 26, 2010 By 14 Comments

This Just in from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office……

January 25, 2010

A Maricopa County grand jury has handed up a 42 count indictment against County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox alleging:

Perjury, a class 4 felony (8 counts)
Forgery, a class 4 felony (8 counts)
False Swearing, a class 6 felony (8 counts)
Conflict of Interest, a class 6 felony (18 counts)

This new indictment, obtained by a new grand jury, supervenes a previous indictment which listed 36 counts. Six additional charges of Conflict of Interest were filed in the indictment handed up on January 25, 2010.

Wilcox obtained three known loans from Chicanos Por La Causa, an organization that assists the disadvantaged, through its lending arm, Prestamos. She allegedly voted on numerous contracts or grants involving that agency as a member of the Board of Supervisors. However she never filed any type of conflict notice with the Clerk of the Board as required by law. Between 2000 and 2008 she obtained more than $177,500 in loans from Chicanos Por La Causa and its lending arm Prestamos. Information gained from the search warrant on Chicanos Por La Causa and other documents recently received resulted in additional evidence supporting the new indictment.

If you have any questions please contact Mike Anthony Scerbo at
602-506-3170 (office)
602-489-6913 (cell)

Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Ethics

Politics on the Rocks event with Grover Norquist

January 26, 2010 By 3 Comments

GroverNorquistReaganBust

Politics on the Rocks is honored to host Grover Norquist, President and Founder of Americans for Tax Reform on Thursday, February 4th 6:00 PM at the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley. Norquist is considered one of the most influential Conservatives in the United States.

Grover Norquist lives in Washington D.C. and was asked by Ronald Reagan in the 1985 to create Americans for Tax Reform. ATR is a coalition of taxpayer groups, individuals and businesses opposed to higher taxes at both the federal, state and local levels. ATR organizes the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which asks all candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases.

David Schweikert, Candidate for United States Congressional District 5, will be speaking at this event. David was the former Maricopa County Treasurer and a resident of Fountain Hills, AZ. Schweikert received his MBA from the ASU W.P. Carey Executive Program and also holds a BA from the ASU School of Business.

Mayor Vernon Parker, former Gubernatorial Candidate and now running for United States Congressional District 3 will address our organization. When Mayor Parker ran for the Paradise Valley Town Council he received more votes than anyone in the history of the town with 67% of the vote. Mayor Parker received his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center, in Washington, D.C. where he served as Editor in Chief of the Georgetown American Criminal Law Review.

Also speaking at this free event is former Unites States Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr. Barry is also author of “Pure Goldwater,” served as a U.S. Congressman from 1969-1983, and is a regular member of Politics on the Rocks.

We look forward to seeing everyone at one of our most important events of the year on Thursday, February 4th 6:00 PM at the Montelucia Resort!

Please RSVP today!

Regards,

Politics on the Rocks Executive Board
www.PoliticsontheRocks.com

Facebook RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=287840392385&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=287840392385&index=1

Evite RSVP: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/QEVBXYKYKHIJRWXGBMSW/GroverNorquist

Filed Under: Special Event

PR: Rasmussen Reports Dean Martin Leads Governor’s Race

January 25, 2010 By 9 Comments

NEWS RELEASE
Rasmussen Reports:
Dean Martin Leads Governor’s Race
Monday, January 25, 2010

Independent research organization Rasmussen Reports released results of a new poll showing a surge by Treasurer Dean Martin into the lead in the race for Governor just one week after his announcement.

“A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely Arizona voters finds Martin with a nine-point lead over Goddard, 44% to 35%. In November, the race was a toss-up, with Goddard up by two.” The release continued, “State Treasurer Dean Martin for now looks like the Republican who’s offering the biggest challenge to likely Democratic candidate Terry Goddard in Arizona’s race for governor.”
In addition “Martin holds a 10-point lead over Goddard [with independent voters]” a double digit lead with males and even with female voters. By contrast Brewer is behind Goddard by 17 points with female voters.

“Thirty-seven percent (37%) approve of the job Brewer is doing as governor, while 60% disapprove. Those numbers include only seven percent (7%) who Strongly Approve versus 29% who Strongly Disapprove. These findings are little changed from November.” Margin of Sampling Error, +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence

The poll also shows that Treasurer Martin is leading with likely primary voters with very high favorables among likely voters both in the primary and the general election.

“I am pleased to see we have surged into the lead so quickly just one week after my announcement. This proves that our plan for Arizona’s future which focuses on fiscal responsibility, job creation, education achievement, and border security is resonating with voters.” Treasurer Dean Martin said regarding the poll, “We have a long way to go until the race is over, and a lot of work to do, but you can obviously see that voters are tired with the status quo and are ready for a new generation of leadership for Arizona.”
Treasurer Dean Martin is an elected statewide constitutional officer serving as the state’s Chief Financial Officer. Treasurer Martin warned state leaders about impending financial crisis three years ago, in time to avoid the current budget mess, but was ignored as “Chicken Little”. Facing a government that was showing itself to be more out of touch with fiscal sanity and taxpayers, Treasurer Martin announced his candidacy for Governor on January 13th.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

PR: Paton: Cook Report: Giffords More Vulnerable!

January 25, 2010 By 12 Comments

Over the weekend, the Arizona Daily Star called the Democratic Party’s attempts to downplay Jonathan Paton’s chances of winning in Congressional District 8 “whistling past the graveland.” Apparently, the Cook Political Report agrees.

A week after Paton entered the Congressional District 8 race against Gabrielle Giffords, Cook has downgraded Giffords’ chances of winning reelection, changing their nonpartisan listing of the race from “Likely Dem” to “Leans Dem.” This comes just two months after Giffords voted for Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill, prompting Cook to move the race from “Solid Dem” to “Likely Dem.”

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Giffords has already started using Paton’s entry into the race to motivate her supporters to donate more to her wealthy campaign operation. And the consensus that Giffords will have an easy ride to reelection is eroding in other ways, too, after Paton’s announcement. Phoenix’s Channel 3 discussed the race over the weekend, and called Giffords a “vulnerable Democrat.”

Paton was also mentioned by CQ Politics. In a story today titled “Can Democrats Reverse Free Fall,” the publication writes: “Right now, even with huge majorities in the House and Senate and control of the White House, Democrats appear to be in political free-fall.”

And on Friday, Inside Tucson Business said: “… more than any other Republican who has run against (Giffords) before, Paton will fight the fight.”

“Momentum is building for real change in Washington,” Paton said. “The support I’ve seen for new representation in this district just over the last week has been incredible. As I’ve said before, this won’t be easy. We’re challenging one of the richest political machines in the country. But I’m committed to holding Gabrielle Giffords accountable in this election for rubber-stamping one Nancy Pelosi policy after another.”

“Join me and we can end one party dominance in Washington and get this country back on track.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Polls, Press Release

The Conservative Revolution of 2010

January 25, 2010 By 2 Comments

Jesse Kelly

“This morning the British army in Boston…disgracefully quitted all their strongholds in Boston and Charlestown, fled from before the army of the United Colonies, and took refuge on board their ships…The joy of our friends in Boston, on seeing the victorious and gallant troops of their country enter the town almost at the heels of their barbarous oppressors, was inexpressibly great.”

-As reported by an American newspaperman after the first Washington-led, American victory in Boston, 1776.

Just think about what conservatives have accomplished in 2010. Not in my wildest dreams could I have thought that a fiscally conservative candidate could be Massachusetts’ newest senator. Like General Washington’s victory at Dorchester Heights, the war for the future of liberty in America won its first great battle in the Bay State.

Like many of you, I saw the storm clouds gathering for over a year. The previous administration began an attack on our constitution and our free market system through big government conservatism. President Obama continued the assault on our liberties by putting big government into overdrive. Obama, Pelosi, Reid and Giffords all supported nationalizing our industries, taking over our healthcare and strangling us with environmental regulation. The free citizens of Southern Arizona and these United States are saying, “NO MORE!”

Pundits on every cable news channel are likening this year to 1994; however, they are missing the fundamental difference between that year and this: 1994 was a Republican revolution, 2010 is a CONSERVATIVE REVOLUTION.

No sitting congressman or senator is safe this year. Not Harry Reid, not my opponent, Gabrielle Giffords, not John Murtha, not John McCain. Both Republican and Democratic voters are shouting, “This is not about political teams, team elephant or team donkey! This is about limited government, fiscal sanity and free market solutions to our nation’s problems!” It is fundamentally important for incumbents and challengers alike to realize the following fact: if Republicans are conservatives, they will win. If Republicans are merely tax cutters, but have a record of out-of-control spending, they will lose. If Democrats are conservative, they will win. If Democrats vote with Pelosi, they will lose.

The greatness of the conservative revolution of 2010 lies in its ability to act as a driving force for America far longer than its Republican counterpart 15 years prior. The Republican revolution of 1994 was successful in its onset, but failed to be a lasting movement because it was not wholly and completely rooted in conservatism. Identity without ideology is empty, and the longer the Republican Party occupied the seats of power in Congress, the easier it was for them to stagnate and whither from the vine.

In the conservative revolution of 2010, candidates like me see the Republican Party as an organized medium for my actual ideology, conservatism. Where some want to label Republicans as “the party of no,” conservatives will always be full of pragmatic, new ideas, rooted in the first principles of the Founders. While Republican values are malleable and ill-defined, conservative values are fixed, well reasoned, and applicable to everything from political theory to everyday living.

As a conservative and as republican, I announced my candidacy in early 2009 because I saw the revolution ahead of us could not only be victorious, but also glorious. In my race, in Arizona’s 8th congressional district, I am battling against a big government Republican in the primary and a big government Democrat in the general. It’s time to open up the western front in the conservative revolution of 2010.

Jesse Kelly
Congressional Candidate
Arizona’s 8th District

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Guest Opinion, Political Science

Arizona Supreme Court Strikes Down Future Taxpayer Subsidie

January 25, 2010 By 1 Comment

Goldwater Institute News Release

Phoenix—Today in a unanimous decision the Arizona Supreme Court declared that government subsidies to encourage development violate the Gift Clause of the Arizona Constitution unless the developer offers tangible benefits of equal value in return. The ruling clarifies previous decisions the court believed were confusing and applied the rule prospectively. The Court declined to invalidate the CityNorth subsidy and sent the case back to the Arizona Court of Appeals to consider other legal challenges.

The ruling in Turken v. Gordon is a victory for the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of six small-business owners in 2007 in an effort to stop giveaways of taxpayer money. “The Court’s decision vindicates a core protection of taxpayer rights in our state constitution,” said Goldwater Institute litigation director Clint Bolick. “The days of rampant corporate welfare in Arizona are coming to an end.”

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge upheld the $97.4 million subsidy of the CityNorth shopping center by the City of Phoenix, basing his decision on “indirect benefits” such as jobs, sales tax revenues, and the creation of an urban core. But such indirect benefits “are not consideration under contract law,” the Supreme Court concluded in its opinion written by Justice Andrew Hurwitz. In reality, the only tangible benefit received by the City, the Court ruled, was 200 parking spaces, which the Court found unlikely to be worth $97.4 million.

“The ruling should stop schemes that government concocts to subsidize developers based on grandiose promises that often fail to materialize,” added Mr. Bolick. “Although we’re disappointed that the Court allowed the CityNorth deal to stand for now, that development has proved to be such a disaster that it’s doubtful taxpayer money will ever change hands. CityNorth will stand as a monument to government folly.”

The next step for the Goldwater Institute and its clients is to go back to the Court of Appeals, which invalidated the CityNorth agreement in 2008, to have two additional legal questions answered. The Institute will argue the deal constitutes an impermissible “special law” and violates the plaintiffs’ right to equal protection of the laws.

Read more about this and other Goldwater Institute lawsuits to protect individual rights and keep government within its constitutional limits at www.goldwaterinstitute.org/litigation. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog that develops innovative, principled solutions to issues facing the states and enforces constitutionally limited government through litigation. The Institute’s work is made possible by the generosity of its supporters.

Filed Under: City Government, Constitutional Law, Economic Development, Judicial, Press Release, Spending
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