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JD Hayworth West Valley & Tucson Town Halls

February 28, 2010 by 13 Comments

JD Hayworth for US Senate

Please join JD Hayworth on Monday, March 1st for a West Valley Town Hall Series and Tuesday, March 2nd for a Tucson Town Hall Series.

Everyone is encouraged to attend, speak and ask questions of JD Hayworth as he listens and discusses his campaign to restore a consistent conservative to the US Senate from Arizona. Here is the schedule:

Date: Monday March 1st
Time: 8:00 am – 10:30 am
Venue: Daisy Cafe
Address: 13321 W. Indian School Road, Litchfield Park, AZ
This is a no host breakfast beginning at 8 am with JD Hayworth speaking at 9:00 am.

Date: Monday, March 1st
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Venue: Marley’s Restaurant at The Vistas
Address:  18823 N. Country Club Parkway, Peoria, AZ
This is a no host late lunch.

Date: Tuesday, March 2nd
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: La Paloma Urgent Care Facility
Address: 4001 E. Sunrise Road, Tucson, AZ

Date: Tuesday, March 2nd
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Venue: Miller-Golf Links Library
Address: 9640 E. Golf Links Road, Tucson, AZ

Date: Tuesday, March 2nd
Time: 6:15 pm – 6:55 pm
Venue: Precinct 388,  Voyager Resort Inn, Catalina Room
Address: 8701 S. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release, Special Event

Ken & Rusty – Together Again at Globe Lincoln Day Dinner

February 27, 2010 by 7 Comments
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OK, so they may not be Simon and Garfunkel but they are definitely Arizona’s version of the Singing Senators – former singing senators, that is. This was video I shot at the Meet & Greet preceding the Globe Lincoln Day Dinner held today in the Town of Globe. As you can see, this is former State Senators Rusty Bowers (now running for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District) and current Secretary of State, Ken Bennett (running for re-election.)

I had a wonderful time both driving out to and visiting with the wonderful people of Globe and Gila County today at their Lincoln Day Dinner. There were about 90 people in attendance including several candidates. The Globe High School JROTC served dinner and Sam Morehead was the emcee. My former colleague with Americans for Prosperity, Tom Jenney, spoke on grassroots activism. Sheriff Paul Babeu talked about the trials and tribulations in Pinal County – a county where until just recently, Republicans never won election. He also talked about the nepotism and corruption that has plagued Pinal County government for years and recognized one of his deputies for stopping the recent killers of Gilbert Police Officer Eric Shuhandler.

Arizona State Treasurer, Dean Martin, was the keynote speaker. Treasurer Martin gave an enlightening account of the State’s accounting system and the Treasurer’s role over the years and how the numbers predicted Arizona’s recession despite Governor Napolitano’s accounting shell games. Martin’s speech was very impressive and it is easy to see that he will do a great job as Arizona’s next Governor.

Other notable candidates present included Bradley Beauchamp, also running for AZ CD-1; Steven Slaton, running for Governor; Sylvia Allen, running for re-election to LD-5 Senate; Brenda Barton, running for LD-5 House;  and of course, I was there representing JD Hayworth for US Senate.

Thanks to the good people of Globe and Gila County for their wonderful hospitality.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Special Event

When Will Gabrielle Giffords Take A Stance?

February 26, 2010 by 15 Comments

Jonathan Paton

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 26, 2010

Jonathan Paton is reaffirming his opposition to the Democrats’ latest plan to push through a government health care bill. But after a year of wavering, what stance has Gabrielle Giffords decided to take this week?

“Does Gabrielle Giffords support Nancy Pelosi’s plan to ram through a government health care plan?” Paton asked. “We know she supports the contents of the bill — or at least she did. Problem is, it’s hard to keep track of all of her different positions on this issue.”

In a long-winded statement Thursday, Gabrielle Giffords said a lot — a whole 469 words — but as usual, she conveniently avoided taking any stance on the issue. Jonathan Paton is making his position clear.

“Southern Arizonan’s have watched this congresswoman do the same thing on nearly every issue, and they have had enough. For the better part of 2009, Rep. Giffords skirted taking a stance on President Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s plans to take over the health care system. She moderated discussions between chosen ‘experts,’ but never shared her own opinion. Then, she went back to Washington and voted for the worst piece of legislation that has gone through this Congress,” Paton said. “Unlike Gabrielle Giffords, I won’t leave you guessing. I won’t say one thing and then do the other. I oppose any plan that would risk our quality of care and hand more power and obligations over to a federal government that is already bloated and indebted to the Chinese. It’s time for Gabrielle Giffords to get the message: Her constituents don’t want this bill. And unlike her stance, that’s not something that changes depending on the day of the week.”

For more information, go to patonforcongress.com

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

Appropriate Tool: AZGOP Chairman Pullen Pushes Sales Tax Hike

February 26, 2010 by 30 Comments

[The following “Dear Voters” letter will appear in the official Secretary of State’s Ballot Proposition Voter's Guide that will be mailed to Arizona’s 3,116,089 registered voters before the May 18, 2010 special election. It’s ironic that Randy Pullen paid the full $100 to submit this argument rather than saving $25 and paying only $75 had he provided the text in electronic format. But hey, it’s only money!  MBW]

Dear Voters,

As you consider Proposition 100, I think it is important to look at Arizona’s budget crisis in context:

In just 3 years, state tax revenues have declined by over 35%. This is the worst recession the state has ever faced. Arizona’s state revenues are at or below 2004 revenues [sic] levels. At the same time, since 2004, Arizona has grown – adding over 140,000 students to K-12 and the University system, over 11,000 new prisoners and over 475,000 Medicaid enrollees. The result is Arizona is trying to do more today with less – to serve a growing population.

Arizona must continue to attract new businesses and new talent to the state, as well as support our existing small businesses throughout the state. With new business, future tax cuts for individuals and businesses will help attract investment and grow our future economy. Making Arizona as business friendly as possible is the key to our long-term economic success.

However, in the interim, it is appropriate for Arizona to look for a temporary revenue source to maintain critical government functions such as public safety and education services to our growing population. As such, a temporary one-cent sales tax increase is a reasonable solution to this problem. A majority of Republican legislators, along with Democrats in both state houses voted to place Proposition 100 on the ballot.

Combined with a comprehensive tax reform package that reduces future taxes for both individuals and businesses, Prop 100 would be an appropriate tool to help Arizona build towards economic recovery and meet the needs of a fast growing state.

Sincerely,

Randy Pullen

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties, Spending, State Budget, State Government, Taxation, Voters Guide Tagged With: ,

Rusty Bowers Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge

February 26, 2010 by 10 Comments

Rusty Bowers

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 26, 2010

Prescott AZ – Rusty Bowers, a conservative republican running in AZ’s 1st congressional district, signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is sponsored by the Americans for Tax Reform and for over twenty years has been a standard carried by candidates with conservative principles. Bowers will visit Washington next week as part of a whirlwind trip where he will meet with other conservative groups, including the Americas for Tax Reform, so he can work with other conservatives to make conservative ideas become policy.

The Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge began in 1986. It aims to create “a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government’s power to control one’s life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized.” Signers of the pledge commit themselves to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

Rusty joins 34 members of the Senate and 172 members of the House who have signed the pledge, including Senators Kyl and McCain, and Congressmen Flake, Franks and Shadegg. Rusty signed because he believes that “The spending policies of this administration and past Congresses have put us at tremendous financial risk. I see no alternative but to cut spending and relieve the burden on the American taxpayer. The typical Arizona family cannot mandate an increase for their spending wants, neither should Congress. The time has come for Arizona families to tell Congress what their credit limit is.”

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

Beauchamp Overwhelmingly Wins Debate on Economy, Jobs

February 26, 2010 by 9 Comments

Bradley Beauchamp

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 26, 2010

After Tuesday’s debate between AZ CD-1 Candidates in Show Low on economic issues, Bradley Beauchamp has distinguished himself as the strongest, most knowledgeable candidate in this crucial field.

The debate, originally scheduled between candidates Bradley Beauchamp, Rusty Bowers, and Paul Gosar was narrowed down to two candidates when it became apparent that Gosar was a no-show. Beauchamp and Bowers therefore, were left to display their knowledge of today’s economic issues.

According to a poll taken immediately after the well-attended event, Beauchamp received 90% of the votes cast, and Bowers merely 10%.

Karen MacKean, from Smart Girl Politics, commented on the evening, saying, “It was a spirited exchange between Bowers and Beauchamp, but Bradley Beauchamp clearly comes across as the conservative Constitutionalist. He is passionate, articulate and understands the issues.“

The debate, once again, proved that Beauchamp is the one candidate who is not only willing to travel the district, but can also diagnose, identify with, and improve the economic issues of today. His knowledge of business, commerce, and the Constitution are ideal for a district eager to hear sound reasoning and solid ideas.

“As a small businessman in Arizona, I understand the pressures we are all under. I also understand that best way for America to come out of this recession is to let the free-market work,” said Beauchamp, following the debate. “The people willing to create jobs are burdened enough by the government as it is. I will make sure the government gets out of the way and lets capitalism work for the people, as it was intended to.”

Bradley Beauchamp was born and raised in Arizona. He worked his way up from washing dishes in a café and laboring in a turquoise mine to becoming a schoolteacher, successful attorney and most importantly, a defender of the Constitution.

Bradley Beauchamp graduated from Northern Arizona University and began teaching

government and civics in Globe, Arizona. After several years in the classroom, and desiring to study the Constitution more in depth, he was accepted into the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Upon graduating he returned to Globe to practice law in the small towns and rural communities of Arizona. He is endorsed by many Republican leaders in Arizona’s First Congressional District, including Charles Christensen, Bobbi Peterson, John Rhodes, Terri Kibler, and Rick Fernau.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Debates, Economics, Jobs/Labor, Press Release

Deakin to Challenge Hayworth to Debate

February 26, 2010 by 19 Comments

This just in from the Jim Deakin campaign. Deakin will visit the campaign headquarters of JD Hayworth today at 2 PM to issue the challenge.

Jim Deakin

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2010

February 26, 2010

John Hayworth
3129 E. Cactus
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Mr. Hayworth,

It has come to my attention that you have extended an offer for a series of debates with John McCain. As the original challenger to the U.S. Senate seat he currently occupies, I have been requesting the opportunity to debate Mr. McCain for months. I have approached several organizations including TEA Party groups, with a request to organize our debates. Now that you are in the race, I welcome your participation, and your efforts in prompting Mr. McCain to come and debate his challengers before the Arizona voter.

I understand your contention, and agree with you that our current Senator must participate in debates with us. However, I also understand that this Senators’ time is limited and a great deal of his attention must be focused on vital tasks in Washington D.C. as he finishes his final term as our representative.

In the meantime, you and I are here, in Arizona, with no encumbrances. I see no reason why you and I cannot start the debate season without his participation. So let’s get started.

I have been the TEA Party Activist candidate in Arizona for 14 months. The Greater Phoenix TEA Party and the Flagstaff TEA Party/ROC’n are ready and eager to host a number of debates. Mr. McCain will always be welcome to join us when he is in available.

Regards,

Jim Deakin

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Freedom of Speech, Press Release

TaxDayTeaParty.com Endorses J.D. Hayworth

February 26, 2010 by 11 Comments

Tax Day Tea Party

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 26, 2010

TaxDayTeaParty.com Announces Endorsement for Conservative U.S. Senate Candidate J.D. Hayworth

PHOENIX. February 26, 2010. TaxDayTeaParty.com announced their official endorsement of conservative U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth after seeing substantial support in a poll last week.

The endorsement can be found here: http://taxdayteaparty.com/2010/02/hayworth-vs-mccain/.

When asked if activists would support Hayworth in his run against John McCain in 2010, 79-percent of thousands of respondents said that they would indeed support Hayworth. McCain received 8-percent.

The poll can be found at http://taxdayteaparty.com/2010/02/poll-would-you-support-jd-hayworth-against-john-mccain/.

McCain is vulnerable to the more conservative Hayworth on taxes, pro-life and pro-family issues as well as illegal immigration. Hayworth also has a better lifetime rating from Citizens Against Government Waste than the 28-year member of Congress. Senator McCain also opposed significant tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 while Hayworth supported them.

McCain voted for the $850 billion bailout of the big banks which included $150 billion in pork, proposed a $300 billion bailout for mortgage lenders and, according to the Heritage Foundation, sponsored an amnesty bill that would have cost taxpayers $2.6 trillion over the long-term. More recently, McCain is co-sponsoring legislation with Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan to massively expand government’s role with vitamin and health supplements.

For more information about the campaign or to make a donation please go to www.JDforSenate.com.

Filed Under: Endorsements, Press Release

Scottsdale Taxpayer Events

February 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Arizonans for Prosperity

February 25, 2010

Dear Scottsdale/CD5 Taxpayer:

Three upcoming taxpayer events are listed below. Be sure to check out the picture of our gigantic inflatable ATM machine, which we will deploy in front of Scottsdale City Hall for the rally against the Bed Tax on Tuesday afternoon, March 2:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/022510-three-big-taxpayer-events-scottsdale

(ATM stands for “Already Taxed to the Max.” The message of our upcoming statewide ATM campaign is that politicians should stop treating taxpayers like an ATM machine whenever they get short on cash.)

If that link doesn’t work for you, just go to www.aztaxpayers.org and scroll down under What’s New until you see the photo.

Event Type: Tea Party Protest
Topic: HONKING for Health Care Freedom
City: Scottsdale
Date: Saturday, February 27
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Host(s): Scottsdale Tea Party Patriots
Location: Harry Mitchell District Office, Camelback and Scottsdale Road, SE corner.
Ideological Orientation of Host(s): Patriotic/Free-Market/ Conservative/Libertarian/Constitutionalist
Contact/Sign Ideas: Judy Hoelscher, judy@shadowlakes.com
More Info: http://www.meetup.com/Scottsdale-Tea-Party/calendar/12706997/ Keep calling Congressman Mitchell! His Scottsdale number is 480-946-2411. DC number: 202-225-2190.

Here is a video from our last Honking event, in Flagstaff:
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/021710-video-honking-health-care-freedom-flagstaff

Event Type: Rally Against the Prop 200 Bed Tax
City: Scottsdale
Date: Tuesday, March 2
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 pm
Host(s): AFP Arizona, Scottsdale Tea Party Patriots, Stop the Tax – NO on 200
Ideological Orientation of Host(s): Patriotic/Free-Market/ Conservative/Libertarian/Constitutionalist
More info on the Bed Tax: http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/article/4423
Media Inquiries: Ryan O’Daniel, (480) 941-0781, Tom Jenney, (602) 478-0146
Protest Info: Among other fun things, AFP Arizona will deploy its giant ATM machine, to make the point that the people of Scottsdale are Already Taxed to the Max. We are encouraging the people of Scottsdale to vote NO on the Prop 200 Bed Tax.

Event Type: Tea Party Meeting
Topic(s): Defending American Freedom
City: Scottsdale
Date: Tuesday, March 2
Time: 5:15 to 7:30 pm
Host(s): Scottsdale Tea Party Patriots
Location: Arabian Trail Library, 10187 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, 85255
Ideological Orientation of Host(s): Patriotic/Free-Market/ Conservative/Libertarian/Constitutionalist
Contact: Honey Marques, h.marquesz@cox.net, (808) 283-3661
More Info: http://www.meetup.com/Scottsdale-Tea-Party/calendar/12374001
More statewide taxpayer events are posted at www.aztaxpayers.org. Scroll down to the top items under What’s New.

For Liberty,

–Tom
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
(Arizona Federation of Taxpayers)
www.aztaxpayers.org
tjenney@afphq.org
(602) 478-0146

Filed Under: City Government, Freedom of Speech, Protests, Special Event, Spending, Taxation

NFIB Poll: Arizona small business owners rejecting Proposition 100

February 25, 2010 by 6 Comments

[Ran across this press released today and now the Arizona Guardian is reporting that Sen. Thayer Vershoor has formed the "Axe The Tax - No on 100" committee to fight Jan Brewer's signature policy priority... apparently the Arizona GOP Governor Primary has been advanced to Tuesday, May 18th.  MBW]

Seven in 10 entrepreneurs saying ‘No’ to 1¢ sales tax increase

PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2010 – Results from a special poll of Arizona small business owners released today by their leading representative association show 71 percent of them voting ‘No’ on Proposition 100, the May 18 ballot referendum seeking a three-year, 1¢ increase in the state sales tax.

“The response to this special survey of our members on Proposition 100 came back fast and emphatic,” said Farrell Quinlan, Arizona state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, Arizona’s and America’s leading small business association. “NFIB/Arizona is actively exploring how our organization and members can be most effective in the campaign to defeat Proposition 100. Small business owners’ opposition to increasing the sales tax is overwhelming and their voice will be heard during the statewide debate over raising our taxes.”

Unique among most associations, NFIB bases its legislative lobbying positions and political action solely on what its members tell it, through regular balloting, are the issues vital to their survival as small business owners. The special ballot on Proposition 100 was faxed and e-mailed February 17-19.

“In conversations I’ve had with many of our members, there seems to be an over-arching attitude that they spend their daily lives balancing revenues with expenditures so they expect state government to do the same,” said Quinlan. “Arizona is not an under-taxed state. We have the fifth-highest sales-tax burden in the nation. The average Arizonan annually pays $1,440.83 in sales taxes, which is 43 percent above the national average. Add to this income taxes and the new state property tax we all pay and Arizonans are indignant that the state must make do with what it has.”

Should Proposition 100, adding 1-cent to the state sales tax rate for 3 years, be passed into law?

Yes   24.8%
No  70.6%
Undecided  4.6%

NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

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

Hayworth Challenges McCain to Series of Debates!

February 25, 2010 by 40 Comments

JD Hayworth for US Senate

For Immediate Release: February 25, 2010

Hayworth Asks For As Many McCain Debates As McCain Asked Of Obama, Conservative Challenger Wants At Least Ten Debates with 24-Year Incumbent

PHOENIX, Ariz. February 25, 2010. Senator John McCain asked for ten debates when he faced Barack Obama in 2008. And conservative U.S. Senate challenger JD Hayworth doesn’t think the people of Arizona deserve less.

At McCain Campaign headquarters in Phoenix on Thursday morning, Hayworth presented an official letter to McCain staff requesting the public debates for Arizona voters. The letter specifies that he wants – at minimum – the amount of debates that McCain asked for in the 2008 campaign.

“Senator McCain has always demonstrated himself to be willing to face off with his opponents in political campaigns. I look forward to a vigorous and respectful series of joint appearances where we can discuss how we view the future of the Republican Party and our country,” said Hayworth.

Hayworth feels that, given the years Senator McCain spent away from Arizona to run for President, he can certainly spend a few days away from Washington to better inform the people of Arizona he represents

“It should not be acceptable to any Republican, indeed any Arizonan, that Senator McCain would debate more in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina than he would before his constituents,” Hayworth said.

“What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections,” McCain said in a letter to Obama released by McCain’s campaign in June of 2008.

That public letter to Obama asked for the candidates to travel by plane together to the first of ten debates in the spirit of the Goldwater-Kennedy race that never came to fruition.

“The Hayworth campaign encouraged all Arizona and national media to immediately schedule debates with the McCain campaign. They should begin in March,” Hayworth officials said.

Hayworth agrees and is encouraged that McCain has shown a propensity to engage in public discourse with those who disagree with him on key issues. Hayworth and McCain disagree on tax cuts, fighting illegal immigration, pro-life and pro-family issues as well as other key conservative concerns. McCain has also urged such ideas as “Question Time” for the American President.

“My campaign is open to all ideas regarding the format of these important debates including town hall formats,” said Hayworth. “But we won’t settle for anything less for Arizona than Senator McCain asked for America in 2008.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

Supreme Court encourages Ninth Circuit to act on matching funds by June 1

February 25, 2010 by 3 Comments

by Nick Dranias
Goldwater Institute
 
The U.S. Supreme Court has sent a strong signal that it will seriously consider intervening if the fate of matching funds in Arizona’s system of publicly funded campaigns is not determined quickly by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In January, U.S. District Court judge Roslyn Silver ruled in favor of the Goldwater Institute and struck down the matching funds portion of Clean Elections, calling it “unconstitutional under the First Amendment.” However, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit voted 2-1 to put Silver’s ruling on hold until it acts on the case.

In response, the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation filed an emergency motion with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy to lift the stay from the Ninth Circuit, arguing the Ninth Circuit “defied” the principles enforced in Citizens United v. FEC by keeping alive the threat of matching funds being handed out to state-funded candidates during Arizona’s 2010 election cycle. Justice Kennedy is the author of the majority opinion in Citizens United, which struck down laws that had prohibited groups of individuals–whether corporations, unions or informal associations–from freely spending their money to express their support or opposition for political candidates.

Last week, Justice Kennedy denied “without prejudice” the Goldwater Institute’s emergency motion after referring it to the full Court for consideration. The referral to the full Court was an unusual act, signaling the possibility that Justice Kennedy considered taking more sweeping action on the case. Instead, the Court decided to give the Ninth Circuit an opportunity to rule on the pending appeals, saying if the Ninth Circuit does not decide the matching funds issue by June 1, 2010, the emergency application can be filed again.

Because the state can start handing out matching funds to taxpayer-funded candidates on June 22, 2010, this shows the Supreme Court wants candidates and their supporters to have reasonable certainty about the rules that will apply to the 2010 statewide elections.

In fact, there is a good chance that the First Amendment will be vindicated before the primary election begins; oral arguments are scheduled before the Ninth Circuit on April 12, 2010.

Nick Dranias holds the Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair for Constitutional Government and is Director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Constitutional Law, Freedom of Speech, Judicial

The “Cat” in the Hat

February 24, 2010 by 12 Comments

Found this interesting photo online. Anyone want to take a guess who this cat-in-the-hat-Uncle-Sam-wannabe is?

Cat in the Hat

Filed Under: Conspiracy Theories, Freedom of Speech, Personalities, Pol-parazzi

Very Urgent: deadline for filing a ballot argument against the Brewer Tax is TOMORROW

February 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The deadline for filing a ballot argument against the Brewer Tax is TOMORROW, Thursday, February 25, at 5:00 p.m.  For $75, you can tell three million of your fellow voters why an 18-percent increase in state sales taxes will be bad for you, your family, and your business.  Your argument will appear in the ballot pamphlet that goes out to voters before the May 18 election.

PLEASE ACT QUICKLY:  Your words could STOP a billion-dollar sales tax hike!

Here’s the order of operations:

1) Write up a Word document with an argument that is less than 300 words, including your name.  (Don’t cut it close to 300 words—leave room for a bad word count.)  Include the words “Argument Against Proposition 100” at the top. Put your address at the bottom.

I’m sure you have plenty of ideas, but here are more:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/022310-some-arguments-against-prop-100-aka-brewer-tax

Here is a link to my personal argument against Prop 100:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/files/jenneyargumentagainst100.pdf

If those links don’t work, go to www.aztaxpayers.org and Scroll down to What’s New.

Note that I filed it as an individual (with an individual check, and my individual address listed), rather than as the officer of an organization. Technically, they want two signatures, if your letter is supposed to represent an organization.

2) Print it out, but wait to sign and date it until you get to a notary (there is a notary at the Elections office of the AZ Secretary of State, and YOU HAVE TO GO TO THEIR OFFICE, so that is a more efficient way to do it).

3) Email the finished Word document (the exact version you printed) to elections@azsos.gov

4) Bring the printed copy and a check for $75 (made to “Arizona Secretary of State”) to the AZ SOS office before 5:00 pm today or tomorrow (Thursday, February 25).

How to get to the AZ SOS office in downtown Phoenix:

From the East or from Routes 51, 60 or 202: Get on I-10 westbound. Get off of I-10 at 19th Avenue, go south past Adams and make a left on Washington, then make a right into the big parking lot. If you get to the light at Jefferson, you’ll have to go left, and then make a left into the big parking lot. The AZ SOS office is in the nine-story tower building east of the parking lot. If you have any weapons, leave them in your car, because you’ll have to go through security. Go through security and go up in one of the elevators to the right (south). The SOS phone number is (602) 542-8683.

From the west and from I-17 north: At the I-10/I-17 interchange, take I-17 southbound. Get off of I-17 at Jefferson Avenue, and go east. After the light at 19th Avenue, make your first left into the big parking lot. The AZ SOS office is in the nine-story tower building east of the parking lot. If you have any weapons, leave them in your car, because you’ll have to go through security. Go through security and go up in one of the elevators to the right (south). The SOS phone number is (602) 542-8683.

Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Phoenix&state=AZ&address=1900+W+Adams+St&zipcode=85009-5241&country=US&latitude=33.449199&longitude=-112.100298&geocode=ADDRESS

5) Get off on the 7th Floor, and go to the window. The friendly and courteous SOS staff will assist you with getting your signature notarized. They will also do a word count. When your argument is approved, they will give you a photocopy of your signed and notarized argument and your check.

I’m sorry about the late notice, and like you, I am annoyed that people have to file the arguments in person, in downtown Phoenix (makes it easy for the lobbyists and state workers to file, but hard for the average Joe).

For Liberty, Tom

Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
(Arizona Federation of Taxpayers)
www.aztaxpayers.org
tjenney@afphq.org
(602) 478-0146

Filed Under: Spending, State Budget, State Economy, Taxation

Actually the “Party of No’ Has Ideas, Lots of Them

February 24, 2010 by 9 Comments

The Obama Ministry of Truth continues to blatantly lie and denigrate all who oppose them.  But if one would take the time to turn off Idol for one night, you might find out the the “Party of No” has been working their collective butts off coming up with idea after idea.

The virtual embargo on reporting Republican legislation has allowed Democrats and their allies in the media to keep up the “Republicans have no plan” attack. Just hours after the president’s speech, for example, the Democratic National Committee released a new commercial claiming that Republicans “refuse to offer a plan” to reform the health care system.

Just for the record, in case you want to check them out, these are the bills proposed, so far, by Tom Price [Head of the House GOP Study Committee] and his allies in the House:

  • H.R. 77 The Health care Incentive Act

  • H.R. 109 Americas Affordable Health Care Act of 2009

  • H.R. 198 Health Care Tax Deduction Act of 2009

  • H.R. 270 TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009

  • H.R. 321 SCHIP Plus Act of 2009

  • H.R. 464 More Children, More Choices Act of 2009

  • H.R. 502 Health Care Freedom of Choice Act

  • H.R. 544 Flexible Health Savings Act of 2009

  • H.R. 917 To increase the health benefits of dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die because of a combat-related injury

  • H.R. 1086 Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009

  • H.R. 1118 Health Care Choices for Seniors Act

  • H.R. 1441 Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunity Act of 2009

  • H.R. 1458 Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2009

  • H.R. 1468 Medical Justice Act of 2009

  • H.R. 1658 Veterans Healthcare Commitment Act of 2009

  • H.R. 1891 Sunset of Life Protection Act of 2009

  • H.R. 2520 Patients’ Choice Act

  • H.R. 2607 Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009

  • H.R. 2692 CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2009

  • H.R. 2784 Partnership to Improve Seniors Access to Medicare Act

  • H.R. 2785 Health Care Paperwork Reduction and Fraud Prevention Act of 2009

  • H.R. 2786 Patient Fairness and Indigent Care Promotion Act of 2009

  • H.R. 2787 Medical Liability Procedural Reform Act of 2009

  • H.R. 3141 Strengthening the Health Care Safety Net Act of 2009

  • H.R. 3217 Health Care Choice Act of 2009

  • H.R. 3218 Improving Health Care for All Americans Act

  • H.R. 3356 Medicare Beneficiary Freedom to Choose Act of 2009

  • H.R. 3372 Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act (HealthCOURT Act)

  • H.R. 3400 Empowering Patients First Act

  • H.R. 3438 Access to Insurance for all Americans Act

  • H.R. 3454 Medicare Hospice Reform and Savings Act of 2009

  • and H.R. 3478 Patient-Controlled Healthcare Protection Act of 2009

Obama is right, other than these 32 bills, [all written in 2009] the GOP has absolutely no ideas to present.

“It’s frustrating,” Price says. But Republicans believe that in the end, the public won’t buy the administration’s line. “The American people are smarter than that,” Price says. “They know there are alternatives out there. That’s what August was all about.”

Yeah, and that is what November will be about too.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Federal Budget, Government, Health Care

Liberal Republic columnist EJ Montini: Judge gives Thomas exactly what he wants

February 24, 2010 by 12 Comments

Thomas loses big time – but wins

by E.J. Montini

Everything about the decision rendered by Judge John Leonardo appears to be a legal smack down of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

He dismisses charges against Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. He chides Thomas for conflict of interest and for bullying. For using his office to go after political enemies.

Then, at the very end of his ruling, after slamming Thomas for roughly eight pages, he gives the county attorney EXACTLY what he wants.

The judge decides that he will not prevent Thomas from appointing a “new independent prosecutor.”

The judge writes, “The MCA may appoint a special independent prosecutor on the condition that the new prosecutor is not independently subject to disqualification, and that the MCAO and the MCA relinquish total control of the investigation and prosecution of Defendant to the special prosecutor and refrain from any further participation in these matters.”

A few days ago, perhaps sensing that such a ruling might be in the offing, Thomas’s assistant Barnett Lotstein told me that if the judge were to say that Thomas must appoint a special prosecutor that he would be giving Thomas “what we been asking for all along.”

It’s uncertain exactly how such a prosecutor can or would be appointed, given all the conflicts that everyone has. But it seems to suggest that the case hasn’t gone away.

It should. Thomas should drop it. He never should have pursued it in the first place. But doing the right thing hasn’t been much of a priority in the feud between the prosecutor and county supervisors.

Meaning, I guess, that today’s ruling was a complete loss for Thomas’s office … except for the part where they won.

E.J. Montini writes for the Arizona Republic

Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Ethics, Judicial

Gun Owners of America Endorse Conservative Senate Candidate J.D. Hayworth

February 24, 2010 by 11 Comments

JD Hayworth for US Senate

HAYWORTH V. MCCAIN
Gun Owners of America Endorse Conservative Senate Candidate J.D. Hayworth

PHOENIX, ARIZONA.  FEBRUARY 23, 2010. Second Amendment patriots, Gun Owners of America, have announced their endorsement of Conservative candidate J.D. Hayworth in his run against 24-year incumbent Senator John McCain.

The statement by Gun Owners of America can be found here.

The Second Amendment is yet another area where Hayworth has a more conservative record than the long-time incumbent.
McCain is vulnerable to the more conservative Hayworth on taxes, pro-life and pro-family issues as well as illegal immigration.  Hayworth also has a better lifetime rating from Citizens Against Government Waste.

McCain voted for the $850 billion bailout of the big banks which included $150 billion in pork, proposed a $300 billion bailout for mortgage lenders and, according to the Heritage Foundation, sponsored an amnesty bill that would have cost taxpayers $2.6 trillion over the long-term.

For more information about the campaign or to make a donation please go to www.JDforSenate.com.

Filed Under: 2nd Amendment, Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements
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