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Three E’s should define next governor’s agenda

January 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

by Clint Bolick 
Goldwater Institute

The Arizona Governor’s office is up for grabs and lots of people seem to want it. As someone who enjoys suing politicians but doesn’t aspire to be one, I offer the following platform for candidates to confront the challenges and opportunities facing our state–namely, the three E’s:
 
Enterprise. Arizona should become the most business-friendly state in the nation, by lowering taxes and curbing unnecessary regulations and red-tape. The state should get out of the corporate welfare business, in which it tries to out-guess the market and compete with other states to see who can give away the most taxpayer money to attract the latest hot industry. Instead, a level playing field hospitable to all businesses will not only attract and retain big corporations but will nurture entrepreneurs and small businesses, which are the economy’s catalysts.
 
Education. As my colleague Matt Ladner has chronicled, Arizona’s public education system is dragging down the state, our children, and our future. We need fundamental stem-to-stern reform that uses technology to provide the best individualized education to every child. Charter schools, distance learning, performance-based pay, expanded parental choice, and transforming school districts and education bureaucrats into service providers are key components of comprehensive reform that can lead the nation.
 
Efficiency. Our state’s budget crisis teaches us that we must reform government to prevent such crises from ever happening again. Privatization of government services, ensuring that future spending will not exceed population growth plus inflation, adopting a balanced budget requirement, and greater fiscal transparency at every level of government are steps we should take now to ensure future fiscal responsibility.
 
The governor that pursues these three E’s will propel our state toward greatness while preserving our freedom.

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

Filed Under: Economic Development, Education, Government, State Budget, State Economy, State Government, Taxation

TUSD has a liberal racism problem

January 21, 2010 By 8 Comments

TUSDIn attending my legislative district meeting last night, I heard from State Superintendent Tom Horne who told our group of a situation in the Tucson Unified School District of ethnic racist political correctness gone wild. The situation revolves around a teacher who has been continually harassed by the Ethnic Studies Department at Tucson High School (Do our high schools really need “Ethnic Studies Departments?”) I wanted to bring the letter to our reader’s attention in hope to put pressure on TUSD and support for the teacher(s) fighting this kind of workplace harassment and student indoctrination. Here is that email:

Mr. Horne;

My name is (name withheld for privacy concerns). I currently teach World History and American History to sophomores and juniors. I have been teaching at Tucson High for five years, and I am currently in my eighth year in TUSD. This week Tucson High begins the registration process for the 2010/2011 school year, and I have deep and strong concerns about the level of scholarly interpretation of our nation’s heritage in a number of classes that qualify as US History and US Government credit.

I have, during the last two years, been attacked repeatedly here at Tucson High by members of the Ethnic Studies department because I question the substance and veracity of their American History and Social Justice Government classes. I have been called racist by fellow Tucson High teachers, members of the Ethnic Studies department, and students enrolled in the departments’ classes. These charges come simply because I ask the department to provide the primary source material for the perspective they preach. The teachers of these classes not only refuse to stop the name-calling but openly encourage the students’ behavior. The curriculum advanced in these classes openly attacks the founding fathers, the European Judeo-Christian heritage of the founding fathers, as well as attacking the free market enterprises that created our economy and made it strong. These classes preach hatred and emphasize victimization and oppression by Western culture of minority peoples as well as base their lectures and assignments on outright lies concerning historical data in an effort to glorify socialism and demonize democracy and capitalism.

My letter to you is in the form of a question. Why are these classes given equal accreditation with American History and American Government classes? Many students are allowed to take these abominations in lieu of classes that center on essential American principles and history. Students in Ethnic Studies classes can go through high school in TUSD and NEVER learn about the history of the United States or its government in a way that would allow them to acknowledge the achievements and accomplishments in any positive sense. Often these students are completely ignorant of how the government works at all, yet they have a sense of entitlement coupled with offensive self-righteous belligerence. They congregate and protest but cannot articulate the issues at stake for them or for others.

In this era of reduced pay and endangered job security, I appeal to you and ask you to right this injustice. It is my belief all students in Arizona and in the country should be imbued with the concepts and traditions that make our country great.

Mr. Horne, I urge you to issue a directive or have the legislature consider a bill that mandates that all students in Arizona schools should be required to take American History and American Government. If students want to learn about their culture, they can take the extra class as an elective. As it is here at Tucson High, many students have only three to four classes their senior year and less than a full schedule their junior year.

If education is the key principle here, let students take an extra elective and stay in school longer to achieve the “balance” desired by this anti-American department.

Thank you.

Teacher (name withheld for privacy concerns)

Adelita GrijalvaDuring last night’s meeting Superintendent Horne noted that La Raza has been very involved in influencing TUSD policy with Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of liberal Democrat Raul Grijalva, playing a significant role setting policy as a member of the TUSD Governing Board.

In fact, TUSD has been pushing to expand its ethnic studies program. From the August 1st Arizona Daily Star, here is an article detailing that policy change:

TUSD to expand ethnic studies

By Rhonda Bodfield arizona daily star | Posted: Saturday, August 1, 2009 12:00 am | Comments

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board this week agreed to expand the district’s ethnic-studies offerings, reduce racial disparities in how discipline is meted out and embark on a new marketing campaign in an effort to persuade a federal judge to lift a 31-year-old order requiring racial balance in TUSD schools.

Here’s what you need to know.

The plan hinges largely on an attempt to gently integrate schools by allowing them to develop specialized niches. More choices in instruction would presumably stimulate the voluntary movement of students across the district.

Among other changes called for in the roughly 70-page document are stronger efforts to make the teaching staff more diverse and increased recruitment of minority students for more challenging coursework.

The district’s finance staff had a hard time drawing up estimates but suggested it would cost about $1.5 million to provide seed money for the necessary training and capital improvements to launch the school-choice program. Transportation costs could jump from an anticipated $7.4 million this year to around $9.3 million. A marketing campaign would run roughly $500,000.

Meanwhile, it could cost $1.7 million to hire more teachers for gifted classes, if enrollment does expand. Ten percent increases in the Mexican-American Studies Department would bring it to $814,135, with African-American studies costing $1.2 million.

An internal compliance officer, plus support staff, would cost about $200,000. An external auditor would run $125,000.

Board member Mark Stegeman was the sole holdout on the plan, which passed on a 4-1 vote Thursday debate.

Stegeman said he was concerned about strong language in two parts of the plan dealing with ethnic studies and with discipline.

While he was clear to distance himself from Mexican-American Studies critics who testified at several public hearings on the plan, he said he was concerned about the cost of expanding ethnic studies overall when so many teachers were given pink slips and schools will go without librarians and counselors.

The plan states that the offerings will be “expanded as requested” by students each year — language which, if interpreted literally, could be sweeping. He said he didn’t think his colleagues would be comfortable making such promises in any other subject area.

And the fact that the plan dictates which schools will get new courses flies in the face of a shift toward greater control at each school site, he said.

Board member Adelita Grijalva, meanwhile, said she was concerned that the Mexican-American Studies Department wasn’t expanding enough. She questioned why, given that the district is 60 percent Latino, the department’s budget continues to be smaller than the African-American Studies Department.

Stegeman said his biggest concern was in the section calling for a decrease in student discipline referrals for black and Hispanic students starting with this school year. Stegeman said he was concerned that the language could lead to the unfair application of discipline.

Grijalva countered that there already is unfair application of discipline. Suspensions and expulsions are a contributing factor in juvenile detention, she said, noting minority youth are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.

Their board counterpart, Bruce Burke, suggested that Stegeman was reading the language too technically, and that the board could apply common sense in fixing any unintended issues that arise.

U.S. District Judge David C. Bury should have the plan by Monday. Pleadings are expected to be filed, particularly since the plan still has more than a dozen points on which the district and the black and Hispanic plaintiffs could not agree.

Bury has not indicated when a final ruling might be expected.

On StarNet: Get more school and education news online at azstarnet.com/education

DID YOU KNOW

TUSD has been under a federal court order to desegregate since 1978, following a class-action lawsuit filed by Latino and black parents.

Officials agreed to bus students across the city, as well as to establish magnet schools to racially integrate the district. By creating magnet schools with specific entrance criteria and prescribed ethnic balances, TUSD sought to entice some of its top students to leave their neighborhoods and further create integrated schools.

U.S. District Judge David C. Bury first indicated in August 2007 that he’d release TUSD from the order — if the district could prove it has a plan to continue giving all students equal opportunities.

Horne’s office is currently working on a response to the teacher’s email request they received yesterday but has also re-issued a letter to the citizens of Tucson that originally went public in 2007 on the issue of ethnic studies in the Tucson Unified School District. Here is a link to Horne’s original letter. We are also aware of current legislation that will attempt to remedy the blatant racial indoctrination taking place in our public schools.

If you are aware of any additional incidents taking place in TUSD or any other public school across the state, we’d like to hear from you. Please leave your comments or contact Sonoran Alliance and the Superintendent Tom Horne’s office.


Filed Under: Education, Freedom of Speech, Liberals, Political Correctness, Race Relations

Get Ready For A Rowdy State GOP Meeting This Saturday!

January 21, 2010 By 31 Comments

Democrats are in disarray, Republicans are making gains nationwide, poll numbers are improving, and generic ballot polls show Republicans poised to make big gains in 2010.  With pickup opportunities in CD1, CD5, and CD8 here in Arizona, Saturday’s AZGOP Annual Meeting should be a great time for all.

Or not.

It seems someone isn’t happy with the state of things and is looking to hijack the meeting and maybe the entire Party this weekend.  Gila Courier has coverage of a letter that started landing in PC mailboxes and the interesting tale behind it.  Others have been warning about the possibility that McCain supporters may make a move to remove State Party Chairman Randy Pullen so that they can take over the party apparatus in advance of the GOP primary against JD Hayworth.

It should be a VERY interesting time for all in attendance.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Conspiracy Theories, Political Parties

Kyl does well in a job he doesn’t need

January 20, 2010 By 5 Comments

Emil FranziSitting in Sen. Jon Kyl’s office waiting for my scheduled interview, I was struck at just how hard any senator is expected to work and how much time is spent doing it by those who, as most do, take their job seriously.

His rather typical day back home was tightly scheduled in 15-minute segments, ranging from media and constituent interviews to a ceremony awarding a Bronze Star to a deceased WW2 vet’s son. He was kept busy from an early morning radio interview to a 6 p.m. appearance with 800 Tea Party folks in Oro Valley.

Members of Congress receive $174,000 in salary and the same benefit package as other federal employees, phony e-mail blasts to the contrary notwithstanding. Prior to his first election to the U.S. House in 1986, Jon Kyl was one of the top attorneys in Arizona. He doesn’t need the job. Regardless of party, those who don’t tend to give you better government.

We all want members of Congress to “read the bills.” Someone who would read every word himself if possible, trust me, is Jon Kyl. He can’t, there’s simply too many. Kyl handles it by breaking bills into portions and sharing them with his staff, and also by sharing information with trusted colleagues. He specifically mentioned one of my favorites, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.

Kyl also is number two in the GOP Senate hierarchy, which further stretches his time commitment. I asked him to assess the 2010 Senate elections, and he named eight states where he felt the GOP had good to excellent chances of pick-ups along with holding current seats. He doesn’t bluster, that’s an honest assessment.

We went through the major issues, with health care at the top of the pile. Kyl observed that the process has been as damaging to the Democrat product as the product itself and noted that we have only seen the obvious pay-offs and have no idea what other commitments were traded for senators’ votes. He believes it’s not over yet, and that opponents should keep the heat up, particularly Arizonans who have three Democrat House members in marginal seats – Giffords, Kirkpatrick and Mitchell – who voted for it.

Jobs creation was next on Kyl’s list. He believes you don’t fight unemployment with more stimulus money to local governments, but by giving private industry including small business the stable economic environment necessary for them to expand and create jobs.

Jon KylKyl supports military efforts in Afghanistan and believes President Obama acted correctly if too slowly. Space prohibits listing the many other areas of this administration’s foreign policy he differs with.

Illegal immigration was on the minds of many at the Tea Party meeting. Kyl firmly believes that before any revision in policy occurs, securing the border by finishing the fence and hiring the as-promised additional Border Patrol officers is mandatory. He met with Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano prior to her confirmation to stress this, obviously without avail.

Watching Kyl in front of a Tea Party was edifying. How did an establishment GOP lawyer/senator do with all those supposed right-wing crazies? OV types aren’t atypical. Kyl treated them with respect, and they responded in kind.

He randomly selected questioners on any subject, unlike some colleagues who wanted them in writing and pre-screened them or, worse, were too craven to show up at all. His answers were succinct, responses were direct and occasionally not what the questioner wanted to hear. Kyl doesn’t pander, something the audience would have caught anyway.

TIME magazine rated both he and John McCain among the 10 most effective members of the United States Senate. It’s easy to understand why.

Filed Under: Government

Scott Brown Robocalls for John McCain

January 20, 2010 By 15 Comments

We just received this on our voicemail:

Caller ID: (888) 840-4497

Filed Under: Advertising, Campaigns & Elections

PR: Kelly: Voters reject radical policies that Giffords supports

January 20, 2010 By 4 Comments

Jesse KellyFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2010

TUCSON, AZ. Upon seeing the results in the Massachusetts special election last night, Jesse Kelly said,

“I am absolutely thrilled and amazed how the Founders created a method with which the American people can bring themselves back from the precipice of socialism. I enthusiastically congratulate Senator-elect Scott Brown and the people of Massachusetts for electing a fiscal conservative to fight for their liberties. Just as the first major Revolutionary victory took place at Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts in 1776, the first major victory of the 2010 Conservative Revolution took place in the Bay State. It’s time to open up a “Western Front” in the 2010 Revolution, and I look forward to doing just that in November, when the voters of CD-8 have the opportunity to retake their seat from the radical agenda of Gabrielle 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. You can contact campaign manager Bret Summers at (520) 237-9056 or bret.summers@votejessekelly.com.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

PR: Paton: Giffords one thing in Washington; another thing at home

January 20, 2010 By 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2010

Paton: Giffords does one thing in Washington; says another thing to us back home

The Arizona Republic reports today that Gabrielle Giffords is once again talking out of both sides of her mouth on proposed government health care legislation.

“First she voted for it. Now she’s looking for a way out. Looks like Gabrielle Giffords is a pro at changing more than just tires,” said Jonathan Paton, candidate in Congressional District 8. “Southern Arizonans need a representative who does the right thing the first time, not someone who caves to Nancy Pelosi in Washington and then tries to talk her way out her votes back in Arizona. Fact is, Giffords is on record as voting for the Democrats’ health care bill — which incredibly, exempted members of Congress from enrolling in the government plan. Guess what’s good for the goose isn’t so good for the gander.”

Gabrielle Giffords has tried her best to dodge questions about health care, while supporting Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama’s proposals back in Washington. Last May, 1,000 people showed up at a forum at Sahuaro High School seeking answers to where Giffords stood on the issue. But instead, they were treated to Giffords moderating a discussion of others’ views, without ever actually revealing her own. A month later, Giffords was comparing President Obama’s health care proposal to America landing on the moon. However, in September, an even larger crowd — reportedly 1,300 people — showed up in Sierra Vista to find out how Giffords would vote. Still no answers from Giffords herself. In November, she voted for Nancy Pelosi’s bill back in Washington. But just days later, she was already telling her constituents that the bill “wasn’t perfect.”

“I’m going to make this real easy to understand: It doesn’t matter if a government takeover of health care originates in the House or Senate, I’m against any proposed legislation that threatens our current level of care,” Jonathan Paton said. “We need real solutions to our health care challenges, like competition across state lines, expanded health savings accounts and protections for our seniors. And our main goal needs to be putting Americans back to work, not saddling them with higher taxes and more government interference in their lives.

“Gabrielle Giffords isn’t an independent. She isn’t a moderate. As her votes show, she’s just wrong.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Health Care, Press Release

What Arizona can learn as Chile joins the OECD

January 20, 2010 By 10 Comments

By Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute 
 
On January 11, Chile was officially invited to join the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Chile will be the OECD’s 31st member and its first from South America. The OECD is largely made up of the world’s richest and most stable economies and Chile’s invitation to join the club wasn’t always a given.

In the early 1970s, Chile’s economy was a basket case not unlike Haiti’s before last week’s earthquake. Abject poverty, rampant inflation, and high unemployment were the norm. There is no denying that Augusto Pinochet was a detestable tyrant, but he did one thing right after he took control of the country: he turned economic policy over to 10 Chilean economists who had been trained at the University of Chicago in the theories of John Locke and Nobel Prize winning economists F.A. Hayek and Milton Friedman.

The government began selling government-owned businesses, deregulating enterprises, and removing wage and price controls. In 1981, Chile’s social security system was privatized under the direction of Jose Pinera, who was given the Goldwater Award for Liberty in 2003 and is the brother of Chile’s just-elected President Sebastian Pinera. These economic policies set the stage for Chile to become South America’s most vibrant and successful economy.

Chile’s economic experience could be instructive to Arizona policymakers. Government-owned enterprises like stadiums and Phoenix’s Sheraton Hotel have become too common. The state still owns huge swaths of land that ought to be sold and put to use creating jobs. The state should also loosen regulations on wages. Arizona has the potential to create the most vibrant economy of any state in the union. We just need to be freed to exercise it.

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

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

The Scott heard ’round the world – Even here in Arizona!

January 19, 2010 By 37 Comments

The insurgency against “fundamentally changing America” has begun!

With the victory tonight in Massachusetts, the “Progressive’s” effort to “fundamentally” socialize America has been derailed!

Democrats (and even incumbents) across the country need to be very afraid as conservatives and independent voters who are now leaning right of center, are out for “political blood.”

Here in Arizona, even our own incumbent Republicans should not take it for granted that they are in good favor with the voters. Governor Brewer should expect to face an extremely difficult primary by challenger John Munger and man on a mission, Dean Martin, who has been warning for over a year of the impending Arizona budget doom.

Democrats in supposedly “safe” districts should now take heed as insurgent-backed conservative candidates like Ruth McClung and Janet Contreras wage ground-level campaigns against incumbents, ultra-liberal Raul Grijalva, and deeply submerged, Ed Pastor. The best and most tangible consequence of the Massachusetts miracle would be for both these women to receive the full-fledged support of tea party activists and anyone intolerable of the status quo.

Kirkpatrick, Mitchell and Giffords can also expect the same type of beating from whoever wins the GOP primaries in their districts.

If fiction can become cold hard reality in a place like Massachusetts – the bluest of blue states in the union – it can even happen in Arizona’s purple districts.

Finally, Senator McCain should not take it for granted that “this is his time” despite his best efforts to give the perception he is leading the charge. This is no longer his battle. This is the people’s battle now – those who have tirelessly worked, protested and waited for battleground days as today. The people want fresher angrier people from among their midst to wage this war of ideas. Old warriors step aside. New warriors have arrived and it is their time.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Culture, Demographics, Liberals, Political Science

PR: Parker to Enter CD-3 Race!

January 19, 2010 By 23 Comments

Vernon ParkerFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2010

HE’S IN: PARADISE VALLEY MAYOR TO RUN FOR CONGRESS

PARADISE VALLEY, AZ. JANUARY 19, 2010. Vernon Parker is in. Today, Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker announced that he will file paperwork this week to succeed Republican John Shadegg.

“Our district has a long history of sending Goldwater conservatives to Congress – public servants who fiercely value liberty, smaller government and personal responsibility,” Parker said. “To follow Congressman Shadegg wouldn’t simply be an honor. It would give me the chance to continue a fight for the hard-working families I have fought for all my life,” he said.

Parker, 50, said that Shadegg’s retirement created a “perfect storm” of opportunity, one he feels duty-bound to embrace. He had spent the past three months exploring the Arizona Governor’s race, which generated enthusiastic support from people across the state.

“The biggest constant in my public life has been the need to serve to the fullest, to use whatever talent God has given me to the utmost degree possible,” said Parker. “I believe my skills, my experience and my passion are made for Congress. I believe I can make the biggest difference for my neighbors and my fellow Arizonans there. Since learning of Congressman Shadegg’s decision my supporters have overwhelmingly encouraged me in this direction.”

Parker said that he will take his message of cutting taxes and creating policies that help the private sector create jobs to the nation’s capital.

Following his filing this week Parker will be hosting a grassroots events on Sunday for 200-300 supporters, followed by a major announcement next week with significant endorsers and a few surprises.

“Like Congressman Shadegg I will do everything I can to roll back the unfunded federal mandates that cripple Arizona and our communities. And I will do everything I can to reform health care that brings real choice to the people and put an end to the insanity that defines America’s immigration policy,” he said.

BACKGROUND

Parker announced an exploratory committee for Governor on September 23rd and since then raised his seed money faster than Governor Brewer, generated endorsements and excitement across the state and was on track to qualify for Clean Elections funding next month.

However, since the surprising announcement by Congressman John Shadegg that he will not seek re-election Parker has been called by dozens of supporters and state leaders encouraging him to consider a run for the Congressional District Three Republican nomination.

Paradise Valley lies in the heart of the district, where just two years ago Parker garnered a record number of votes in his initial run for office.

Parker, 50, is the current mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona. He previously served as General Counsel of the United States Office of Personnel Management, then in the White House as Special Assistant to President George H. W. Bush. Later, Parker was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed with bipartisan support by the United States Senate, as an Assistant Secretary at the United States Department of Agriculture. A small businessman Parker also served as a pastor for two years at a small non-denominational church in Paradise Valley. He is a graduate of Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C., where he met his wife Lisa.

Parker’s life story is compelling. Raised by his grandmother in a severely underprivileged neighborhood in Long Beach, California Paker was able to escape the drugs and violence through love, education and the commitment of family.

For more information contact Jason Rose.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

PR: Munger to Release Plan to Balance Budget without Tax Hikes

January 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

John Munger

JOHN MUNGER RELEASES A PLAN TO BALANCE ARIZONA’S BUDGET WITHOUT RAISING TAXES

WHO: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate John Munger

WHAT: Media availability to discuss a comprehensive, detailed plan to balance Arizona’s FY 2010 and FY 2011 budgets without a tax increase and without incurring additional debt.

WHEN: 12:00pm *REVISED TIME*

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

WHERE: Capitol Press Room

1820 West Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

WHY: John Munger is responding to Governor Jan Brewer’s plea for substantive proposals to solve Arizona’s fiscal crisis. He is available to discuss a range of specific measures in his plan which, if enacted, will completely eliminate the estimated FY 2010 and FY 2011 budget deficits without raising taxes.

The complete plan will be available at www.johnmunger.com. For additional information or to arrange interviews, contact Jerry Cobb at (602) 478-0002 or jerrycobb@actual-media.com.

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John Munger
Munger Signature

Filed Under: Press Release, State Budget, Taxation

PR: Brewer: ‘Where’s Lujan’s Budget Plan?’

January 19, 2010 By 3 Comments

Jan Brewer for Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2010

Dem opts for rhetoric and outdated website over protecting education and public safety

PHOENIX –– The campaign for Governor Jan Brewer today urged Rep. David Lujan, House Minority Leader in the Arizona Legislature and now a candidate for Attorney General, to either produce a realistic, concrete proposal for solving the state’s present fiscal problems or admit that he does not want to be part of the budget solution.

“Rep. Lujan continues to offer manipulation and political calculation when the people he serves need authentic service,” said former Attorney General Grant Woods, co-chairman to Governor Brewer’s campaign. “Despite his title and his ambition for higher office, his calls for leadership will continue to ring false, until he stops playing games and makes a positive contribution toward resolving the situation that he helped to create.”

Lujan told The Arizona Republic yesterday that his “line-by-line proposals” for balancing the budget can be found at a website — a website which has not been updated since last September and which holds no specific proposal for a budget solution. “He might as well refer us to the Magna Carta,” said Woods. “It probably has more direction for solving the budget crisis than his website.”

During a press conference last Monday, Lujan was pressed by reporters to introduce his ideas as budget bills. Lujan’s response: House Democratic leadership will only put their budget proposals in bill form if they have 31 votes — a majority of the House.

Woods responded, “Governor Brewer has proposed a way forward which has displeased some in her own party; perhaps Reps. Lujan and other Democratic office holders could show their good faith by doing the same, and then we could take them seriously.”

Lujan and other legislative Democrats continue to insist that they have been “frozen out” of budget discussions. “That is nonsense,” concluded Woods. “They have simply decided to put politics ahead of public service and refused to help the current governor protect education and public safety through this downturn. She has done the courageous thing; they continue to do the political thing.”

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Filed Under: Press Release, State Budget

Governor calls for far-reaching school reforms in State of the State Address

January 19, 2010 By 7 Comments

by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
The Founders, in their genius, created a government system where our 50 states function as “laboratories of reform.” Arizona can lead the way for other states in policy areas where we excel and build upon other states’ success for our own benefit.

Last fall, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Foundation for Excellence in Education President Patricia Levesque testified before a joint meeting of the Arizona Senate and House education committees. Their compelling data on public school improvement clearly made an impression. Legislators in both the Arizona Senate and House have introduced bills based on the Florida reforms.

Last week in her State of the State address, Governor Jan Brewer called upon the Arizona Legislature to adopt elements of the Florida reform model. Regarding alternative teacher certification, Governor Brewer noted:

Isn’t it astonishing that in Arizona today, Bill Gates or Craig Barrett would not be
considered qualified to teach students about computer science?

Governor Brewer went on to discuss how school performance is labeled:

I’m urging the Legislature and the state Department of Education to
immediately replace our school labeling system.
 
Our current system rates schools as “excelling”, “highly performing”, “performing plus”, “performing”, “under-performing” and “failing”.

Who understands that?

How about this?

We assign simple letter grades-”A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “F”.

Our kids live by those grades every day–so should our schools.

Governor Brewer also emphasized the importance of parental choice, and said the following about social promotion:

We must have the courage to tell parents the truth when their children are not doing well.

Frederick Douglas said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”.

Sadly, too many of our children are still unable to read as they should by the end
of third grade.

Yet, we continue to promote them to more advanced classes, knowing that at
every step we dim the light of their promise.

We must stop promoting children who cannot read by the end of third grade.
And we should know well before third grade those students who are falling
behind and get them the help they need.

The Governor’s support comes not a moment too soon.

Regardless of what happens in the difficult legislative session ahead, we will still have a failing school system in place when the budget smoke clears. If we have the courage to embrace reform, we can create an education system that equips young Arizonans with the reading and math skills they need to succeed. The Governor and policymakers who embrace these reforms have our appreciation today, and that of future generations tomorrow.

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

Filed Under: Education, State Government

PR: Pamela Gorman Announces for CD-3!

January 18, 2010 By 1 Comment

Pamela GormanFor Immediate Release – January 18, 2010

Conservative State Senator Pamela Gorman Announces for Congress

Anthem, AZ – State Senator Pamela Gorman announced today that she is running for Congress in Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District. Gorman, recognized as one of the most conservative members of the Arizona Legislature, promised to continue her strong and consistent advocacy for conservative principles.

“A day doesn’t go by where people don’t contact me to express their growing frustration with what’s going on in our nation’s capitol,” said Gorman.

“Nationalized healthcare, corporate bailouts, out of control deficits, cap and trade; the list of irresponsible policies coming out of Washington continues to grow with each passing day.

“If the last year has convinced me of anything, it’s that the politicians in Washington are out of control. They are steering our country down a road that threatens not only our prosperity but the future prosperity of our children and grandchildren in ways that many of us could never have imagined. It has to stop,” continued Gorman.

“Over the last few days, I have been humbled and flattered by the strong support I have received from family, friends, and supporters encouraging me to run for Congress. Their support along with the reality that committed conservative leadership is needed more than ever in Washington makes this an easy decision,” said Gorman.

First elected in 2004 to the Arizona House of Representatives and to the Arizona State Senate two years later, Pamela Gorman has consistently been recognized as one of the most conservative members of the Arizona Legislature. Last year, Gorman was one of the leaders of the effort to stop a sales tax increase.

“This will be a long and tough campaign, but one I look forward to,” concluded Gorman. “If elected, my promise to the voters of AZ-03 is simple. I will go to Congress and stand up and fight for the conservative principles we share, just as hard as I have done in the Arizona Legislature.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

Mayor Parker Encouraged To Run For Shadegg Seat; Decision Shortly

January 18, 2010 By 11 Comments

Vernon Parker
HOUSE CALLS:PARKER ENCOURAGED TO RUN FOR CONGRESS

PARADISE VALLEY, AZ.  JANUARY 18, 2010.  Popular Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker will make a decision this week on the Congressional District Three race, created by the decision of highly regarded GOP incumbent John Shadegg to not seek re-election.

Parker, who is exploring a gubernatorial bid, has been flooded by calls from friends and supporters urging him to run for the seat. Parker will take the next 48 hours to evaluate the congressional race as he nears qualifying for  funds in the Governor’s race.

“I am going to spend the next couple of days listening and considering,” Parker said. “Our country is in a state of confusion. We need the politicians in Washington to stop printing money on bailouts for banks and  create policies to help generate jobs for hard-working Americans. We need to bring fiscal conservatism, limited government and common sense back to America.”

Paradise Valley lies in the heart of Congressional District Three, a place where Parker garnered a record number of votes in his initial run for office two years ago.

Parker announced an exploratory committee for Governor in late September and since then raised his seed money faster than the current sitting governor. Parker has generated endorsements and excitement across the state and is on track to qualify for Clean Elections funding next month.

Parker, 50, has previously served the administrations of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.  Under George H. W. Bush, Parker served as General Counsel to the United States Office of Personnel Management, and as a Special Assistant to the President at the White House.  He is a small businessman that has also served as an interim pastor at a non-denominational church in the district.

Contact:
Jason Rose
Rose & Allyn Public Relations
602.791.4488

Jrose@roseandallynpr.com

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections

PR: Message from Matt Jette

January 17, 2010 By 2 Comments

Here’s another press release from mystery candidate, Matt Jette

Matt Jette

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2010

My name is Matt Jette and I am running for Arizona Governor. I am running because I have a belief in the opportunity each of us deserves. Normally, I would spend this time providing the people of Arizona with my ideas on how to fix the crisis with the budget, education, immigration, and healthcare. Unlike other candidates, I have presented to the public ideas and plans but without much attention. In fact, I am considered a “no name” and I am not included in any of the media reports on the current candidates seeking the republican nomination. Perhaps the reason for this rests with the fact I am trying run this campaign without a large sum of money, without a PR firm, and without a political name. I am a common person inspired to make right because of my past, for my family, and because I simply have the opportunity to do so. I have the opportunity to bring to the table the voice of the true heroes of our state…those working hard under extraordinary circumstances to make a better life for themselves or simply surviving. The lack of attention from the media or other candidates is something I am used to, but under these circumstances the people of Arizona want better, need better, and deserve better. I have come to realize what is lacking is not only my name in the debate or those of Arizona, but good ideas!

It is not important that you know about my story; rather, it is important to note I am in the same story you are in, unlike each of the other candidates. And, from where I stand as well as the vast majority of Arizonans, there is something wrong in Arizona politics. What is wrong is what is absent. There is no coverage of different ideas or plans already presented. I am running because there are voices that have long been over looked, ignored, or eradicated. For example, media coverage is generally focusing on what one candidate opposes about another, about how one’s life story can somehow fix the problem of our lives, and about how the lack of leadership in Arizona is to blame for our plight. What I see before me are those candidates claiming that it is the lack of leadership is the chief cause have themselves showed none. Each have had great opportunity to voice their discontent and displeasure and present ideas and plans well before this election, but they each have waited until it made political sense to do so out of self interest, ego, or just plain political ambition. Seriously, is this what we need now in the state of Arizona? These candidates do not care about us, they care about getting elected. After all, I have heard each of them praise themselves or joke about stories written about them. There is certainly something funny taking place today and it is the joke being played on us, yet again.

As a resident, I must ask Dean Martin, why not stand up to spending when you where in the Senate? If you have, what is your record? What deal did you make with Robert Graham to get him to bow out of the race so soon and on the same day you “officially” announced? Why, as a banker and a lawyer, did you Munger, not raise your hand and have us take notice to the economic crisis on the horizon? I ask Vernon Parker, why do we need another million dollar point of view? Why do you spend so much time and money trying to convince us all that eliminating corporate income taxes is an original idea, or spend time complaining about the Governor on twitter, or worse of all, hire a PR firm to sell your story rather than your ideas?

Arizona needs leadership, not those claiming to be leaders. Arizona needs ideas, not candidates complaining that others have none, particularly when they themselves cannot deliver their own. Arizona needs candidates who display noble character, not candidates who display the caricature of character.

I am Matt Jette…a NO NAME for all names!! And, I am running for Governor.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

PR: Jonathan Paton Announces Run for U.S. Congress

January 17, 2010 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2010

Stresses the need for a new direction in the face of troubled times

TUCSON, AZ (Jan. 17, 2010) — Jonathan Paton announced today that he is running for Congress in Arizona’s 8th District.

“Over the past year, I’ve watched the country I’ve risked my life for veer down a troubled path. Out of control spending. Jobs evaporating. An economy whisking down the drain. Threats of lost benefits for our seniors and higher taxes for the rest of us. Enough is enough.

“Today, I’m proud and excited to announce that I’m running for Congress to represent the community I love and to fight for the values that we share — values, I‘m afraid, that have been cast aside and ignored by the incumbent and her friends back in Washington.

“In recent weeks, I’ve been humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received from all corners of this district. As you know, District 8 is a vast region that ties together Arizonans from all walks of life: Ranchers in Cochise County. Artists in Bisbee. College professors in the heart of Tucson. Retirees. Small business owners. Young families just starting out and hoping to live the American dream. And with two military bases, so many courageous men and women serving in our Armed Forces. But no matter the differences, right now — at this pivotal, historic time in our nation’s history — I’m finding that we are uniting in many ways. One party dominance in Washington, backroom deals, bailouts, political junkets and giveaways have left us questioning whether the opportunities that we’ve all enjoyed will be available to the next generation of Americans. The fact is, we can no longer afford the path we‘re headed on — literally. That’s why I’m running.

“There is a better path, and one I’ll be outlining in the course of this campaign. We can grow jobs and the economy rather than crushing businesses and families with new taxes. We can provide Americans more health choices rather than less. We should listen to the folks who are struggling, not ignore them — not run away from them. We can scale back the size of the federal government, rather than letting those in office scale back our freedoms.

“For this campaign, the road ahead will not be an easy one. Gabrielle Giffords is a political animal. She’s a D.C. money machine, and both Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama will do everything in their power to ensure she remains in Congress to support their misguided policies. But we can do better — and despite the challenging path before us, I‘m in this race to win it. And make no mistake, we are going to win.

“So, over the course of the next 10 months I will be traveling across Southern Arizona, a place I’ve called home my entire life, to continue to listen to the concerns of its residents about the issues on their minds. There is no question we are facing a difficult road ahead of us, as a nation, as a state, and certainly in this campaign, but I’ll make you this promise: You will always know where I stand.

“These are challenging times, indeed. We cannot afford a representative that says one thing and does another. This isn’t the time for a representative who puts her finger in the air to feel which way the wind is blowing. The residents of Southern Arizona are ready for a leader who truly fights for all of us. And I’m ready for the challenge. Please join me.”

About Jonathan: Jonathan Paton grew up right here in Tucson, where he learned the values of honor, duty and country from his parents and teachers. A graduate of Sabino High School and the University of Arizona, Jonathan was named Soldier of the Year after enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves. Then after two years serving Southern Arizona in the state Legislature, Jonathan answered his nation’s call — voluntarily serving in Iraq during the darkest days of the war. Now, as our state senator, Jonathan is still defending our freedom. He helped pass the largest tax cut — and the largest cut to government spending — in Arizona history. He led the investigations into Child Protective Services’ negligence after the tragic deaths of three Tucson children. And as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he authored the nation’s first law to crack down on human smuggling, which has resulted in the arrests of more than 1,000 human smugglers.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release Tagged With: ,
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