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Hayworth vs. McCain

February 2, 2010 By 33 Comments

JD Hayworth

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

J.D. Hayworth To Formally Launch Conservative Challenge To John McCain On February 15th

PHOENIX, ARIZONA. FEBRUARY 2, 2010. After filing the necessary paperwork last week, conservative J.D. Hayworth will formally launch his Republican primary challenge to 24-year incumbent John McCain on February 15th.

A temporary web site — www.JD2010.com — has been established to collect donations prior to the launch of the campaign and permanent web site on February 15th.

More announcement details will be released in the coming days.

Since leaving his radio talk show to pursue this conservative challenge, Hayworth has already garnered endorsements, donations and grassroots enthusiasm such as his straw poll thumping of Senator McCain at the Maricopa County Republican Party’s annual meeting ten days ago.

Vulnerable to the more conservative Hayworth on taxes, social issues and illegal immigration, McCain has resorted to attacking Hayworth on spending, despite Hayworth having a better lifetime rating from Citizens Against Government Waste.

McCain also 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 in 2007 that would have cost taxpayers $2.6 trillion over the long-term.

“Chuck Todd and many others are right. This will be one of the hottest races in the country because this will be democracy at its very best. It will be an intense debate between a moderate with a transparent election year conversion and a conservative willing to respect but also stand up to the flip-flops and unreliability of a moderate masquerading as a maverick,”. Hayworth said.

“John, long a crusader against big money in politics will, ironically, try to use his special interest millions to silence our enthusiastic conservative support,” Hayworth said. “Arizonans, who are tired of a senator seeking to please the Washington elites, will rally to our cause and lead us to victory August 24th.”

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

Munger on Senate Approval of Sales Tax Referral

February 2, 2010 By 9 Comments

John Munger

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

(PHOENIX, AZ) February 2, 2010 – Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Munger released the following statement today:

I am disappointed the Senate has chosen to place Governor Brewer’s misguided sales tax increase proposal before the voters in May. Raising taxes in the midst of Arizona’s fiscal crisis and economic downturn will cost thousands of jobs and further delay Arizona’s recovery.

I and others have proposed many sound, non-tax alternatives for generating the revenue required to eliminate our budget deficit. The people of Arizona do not need and cannot afford another tax increase, especially when there are so many other, less damaging options available. I urge the House of Representatives to reject the disastrous course of action taken by the Senate, and instead consider these options.

If our Governor had shown real leadership a year ago, and taken productive steps to grow our economy like the ones I have proposed, Arizona would not be facing this financial crisis and our citizens would not be forced to consider a destructive tax increase to solve the state’s problems.

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

Gov. Sarah Palin to Speak at Center for Arizona Policy Event

February 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

Center for Arizona Policy

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

PHOENIX – Center for Arizona Policy announced today that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be the keynote speaker for the 2010 CAP Family Dinner on April 24, 2010, at the Glendale Renaissance Hotel & Spa.

Sarah Palin is a trailblazer who understands the challenge of overcoming adversity on both a personal and professional level. Rising from small-town origins to become a dominant figure on the national scene, she served as the first female governor of Alaska and was the first Republican woman nominated for vice- president. Palin is a fearless, resilient, and independent voice who stands firm by the principles and values for which she holds dear.

Also speaking at the event will be Center for Arizona Policy president Cathi Herrod. Arizona newspapers have recognized Cathi as one of the ten most influential leaders of the 2000-2009 decade, one of the top five female lobbyists, and as one of the key people “with juice” at the Arizona Capitol.

For information about the event, contact 602.424.2525 or www.azpolicy.org.

Center for Arizona Policy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and defending the family by influencing policy, communicating truth, and empowering families to promote timeless values.

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Center for Arizona Policy

7227 N 16th Street, Suite 250 | Phoenix, AZ 85020 | 602.424.2525 | Fax 602.424.2530

Statewide 800.FAMILY.1 | info@azpolicy.org | www.azpolicy.org

Filed Under: Family, Press Release, Sanctity of Life, Special Event

The New Jersey-ization of Arizona

February 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

death_and_taxes

Before we get into the new taxes coming down from our “conservative” governor and legislature, let’s take a quick detour and talk about Phoenix.

Phoenix in the past year requested and received the maximum available property tax funding.  Then they declared a state of emergency and met in emergency session to obtain yet another 2% increase.

Remember last year (or was it the year before) the voters in the City of Phoenix (since it was an off election, that translates to the 4.7% of city voters who, during the workday, are 2/3  in unions who got to go to the polls on the city dime to vote in favor) voted in favor of a .1% sales tax increase for policemen.  The city was supposed to get an additional 500 policemen.  It got 450.  The other money went to fund pet projects of the mayor and city council.

Now, we are not only paying the higher sales tax, but we are facing approximately 300 police positions that will be cut.  On top of that, the city council is proposing to introduce a NEW 2% sales tax on food.  On top of that, the police union PLEA’s spokesperson, Mark Spencer,  argued that the new sales tax should be (ready for this)  **4%**!  The gall.

Now, the “conservative” governor is talking about “cost shifting”.  Let me explain to you what that means.

Cost Shifting and Property Taxes

Have you noticed that your property taxes (in most cases) are higher now even though your valuations are lower?  Odd, right?  Nope.  That’s the way AZ state law works.  Unless the locality (city, county or secondary taxing district) submits to the county that they want to spend LESS than last year, then even if assessments go down, the tax RATE automatically floats up to adjust!  That’s right, your danged if you do and your danged if you dont.  The ONLY way to lower property taxes in Arizona is if your local government requests to spend LESS than last year.  (When’s THAT gonna happen?!?!?)

Back to “cost shifting”.  Cost shifting simply means that the counties will need to pay for it.  There’s no cut involved.  So, your state taxes will not be cut, but your county taxes (read: property taxes) will go up!

So, in fact, “cost shifting” is just another way to say “tax increase”, but in such a way to give state legislators and the governor political cover so they can say they “didn’t raise taxes” even though they did.

Now, onto the state sales tax.  Using the phrase an opponent to the new city sales tax on food used when he spoke in opposition to the measure in front of the Phoenix City Council today, introducing a  tax increase in the middle of a still-declining economy, is “economic retardation”.

Economic Retardation

There is no magic in economics.  Here is the difference if government spends a dollar they tax you for or if you do.  Taxation does not create money.  (It actually destroys it, but that’s another lecture for another day).

If you are NOT taxed $1, you might spend it or save it.  If you spend it immediately, the private sector’s output is boosted via economic value add.  The $1 you spent, results in approximately $1.12-$1.20 in  economic activity.   If you choose to save it, the private sector’s current output is net zero, but the private sector’s FUTURE OUTPUT is boosted beyond the $1.12-$1.20 depending on how productively your savings institution invests it.

If taxed $1, the government chooses how to spend it.  That choice is POLITICAL, not ECONOMIC.  It other words, the government expenditure is necessarily economically SUBOPTIMAL.  The result of government spending the $1 extra they taxed you for is approximately an $0.87-$0.89 economic value add to the economy.  In other words it is 30%-40% LESS PRODUCTIVE than if you were to retain that $1 and spend it yourself.

This is why the state originally projected that a 1% sales tax would yield $1 billion in revenue.  They have since revised the take down to $840 million.  They will be lucky if they receive 2/3 of their original projection ($667 million) and will most likely net about $600 million.

Does this solve the buget crisis?  No, not even close.  Will it result in lost jobs?  Yes, according to the Goldwater Institute, it will result in approximately 14,000 lost private sector jobs.

Danged if you do.  Danged if you dont.

Why can government operate outside of the constraints that you and I or private industry has?  Can you spend more than you make?  No, or not for long.  Can a company?  No, or not for long.   Government should be subject to the same constraints as you or me or a private company.  When times are tough YOU CUT.

So much for our “conservative” governor and legislature.  They will get their political cover and be able to claim they “didn’t raise taxes” .  But you and I know they did.

Back to property taxes for a moment.  Get ready for your property taxes to double over the next two years as (government bureaucrats like to phrase it), various levels of governmental entities search for “new sources of revenue.”

Keep in mind: There is no such thing as a budget shortfall, there is only overspending.

What if I told you that I had a budget shortfall?  You’d laugh.  I WANT to spend $1.1 million, but only have $100,000.  Therefore, I have a budget shortfall of $1 million.  Is that really a “budget shortfall”?  No, it means I’m insane and I have to cut my spending expectations.  Same thing goes for government.

The New Jersey-ization of Arizona

Arizona is currently being New Jersey-ized.  Unfortunately, this time by “conservatives” who suffer from economic retardation.

Very soon no one will be able to argue “but we have the lowest property taxes in the nation.”   Even if we did have the lowest [insert whatever kind of] tax in the nation, GOOD!  Arizona can serve as the national model of efficiency and business friendliness.  Let’s be a place where manufacturing of solar comes to, but not because of taxpayer subsidies and special deals for buddies on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Let’s be a model BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES CAN PROSPER HERE MORE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE due to LOWER TAXES and LOWER REGULATIONS.

prop13arizona hand turquoise

Final parting shot.  If you want to prevent the New Jersey-ization of Arizona, be sure to check out the good folks at http://www.Prop13Arizona.com who are running a citizens constitutional initiative.  Prop13 Arizona will provide tax cuts, tax caps going forward and force a new school funding formula that dovetails nicely with the recommendations coming out of the Goldwater Institute.

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

Here Comes the Sales Tax Measure?

February 2, 2010 By 21 Comments

Americans for Tax ReformJust released by Americans for Tax Reform…

Good Evening Arizona Taxpayers,

The Arizona Senate, moments ago, voted to send Gov. Brewer’s long sought sales tax increase to a May 18 special election ballot.

The bill, SCR 1001, now heads to the House where it will face staunch opposition.

In this afternoon’s vote, four senators broke their Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a promise they made to their constituents to oppose “any and all efforts to raise taxes.” The senators who broke their commitment to constituents are as follows:

Bob Burns (R-Peoria)
Linda Gray (R-Phoenix)
Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley)
Jay Tibshraeny (R-Chandler)

“Its always unfortunate when lawmakers prove that they made a central campaign promise for reasons of political expediency, only later to demonstrate, much like Obama’s pledge not to raise taxes on those making less than $250,000 a year, that the commitment was hollow,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Americans for Tax Reform applauds those senators who stayed true to their promise to constituents today by opposing the referral. Those senators include:

Ron Gould (R-Lake Havasu)
Chuck Gray (R-Mesa)
Jack Harper (R-Surprise)
John Huppenthal (R-Chandler)
Russell Pearce (R-Mesa)
Thayer Verschoor (R-Gilbert)

Americans for Tax Reform
722 12th Street, NW – 4th floor
Washington, DC 20005
202-785-0266

Filed Under: Guest Opinion, Spending, State Government, Taxation

Brewer to be First Candidate to Qualify for Governor

February 2, 2010 By 2 Comments

Jan Brewer for Governor

Governor Brewer’s campaign gathers over 5,900 $5 Contributions in less than 3 months

PHOENIX –– Governor Jan Brewer today filed all the necessary petitions and forms to became an official candidate for Governor of Arizona. Her campaign submitted over 5,900 $5 contributions and more than 8,000 petition signatures to qualify for the 2010 ballot. Governor Brewer stands as the only candidate for Governor to submit paperwork to officially qualify for the ballot – a feat that she was able to achieve in less than three months.

No other candidate for Governor – Republican, Democrat, or Independent – has filed petitions or $5 contributions (for those running under Clean Elections) to secure a spot on the ballot. Brewer is among the first handful of any statewide candidates to submit everything necessary to qualify for the ballot, despite a significantly higher number of required $5 contributions needed to run for Governor.

“To anyone who is able to qualify from this day forward,” said Doug Cole, Governor Jan Brewer 2010 spokesman, “just know that one tough lady who has 28 years of experience in serving the public will be there waiting for you.”

The news of Brewer’s official qualification comes on the heels of the announcement that the Governor has been endorsed by wide range of Mayors and Vice-Mayors from across the state.

Brewer, who took the helm as Governor a little more than a year ago in the midst of Arizona’s unprecedented financial crisis, has already cut more than $1 billion from the state budget and reduced the state workforce by 10 percent. She has pledged to continue to make the tough choices and renewed her steadfast commitment to serving the people of Arizona.

“In her years in public service, Jan Brewer has been a proven leader guided by consistent, conservative values,” said Mary Peters, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and co-chair of Brewer’s campaign, “We are excited about the outpouring of support we have received so far and look forward to the opportunity to share the Governor’s unparalleled track record with the voters.”

“This level of support is a true testament to the Governor’s courage to be a tough leader in these tough times,” said Former Attorney General and campaign co-chair Grant Woods, “While others have failed to lead, Governor Brewer continues to be a problem solver – offering actual solutions.”

“As I said in my announcement, I am in this race to win,” concluded Governor Jan Brewer, “I’m proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I am thankful to my volunteers and supporters for their help.”

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Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Press Release

Mitchell’s State of the District Address – AKA An Excuse for Doing Nothing

February 2, 2010 By 8 Comments

David Schweikert

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

Making one of his increasingly rare public appearances after his unpopular vote for the Obama-Pelosi nationalized healthcare plan opposed by so many in his own district, Congressman Harry Mitchell delivered his so-called “State of the District” address that ended up being nothing more than a list of excuses for the do-nothing Democratic Congress’ failure to accomplish anything to substantively improve the economy despite having total control of the federal government.

In his remarks, Mitchell claims that his party is “frustrated by the inability to get anything done,” while strangely ignoring that with total control of the federal government they only have themselves to blame.

“Harry Mitchell stated that this year is the year that elected leaders have to get their priorities straight,” said David Schweikert. “My question and I am sure the question that thousands of Arizonans have about Congressman Mitchell and his Democratic colleagues is simple – what were they spending the last year doing?

“We have an economy that is suffering greatly and thousands of Arizonans out of work,” Schweikert continued, “and yet Mitchell and the Democrats have done very little, if anything about it except waste billion of dollars and engage in a quixotic effort to pass a liberal agenda opposed by the majority of Americans.

“In his speech, Congressman Mitchell also went on to extol the importance and virtues of small businesses here in Arizona while glossing over the fact that he voted for a nationalized healthcare plan that will, if it becomes law, devastate many of those same small businesses with crushing mandates and higher taxes.

“I share Congressman Mitchell’s stated desire to improve the economy and bring more jobs to Arizona, but at some point there he needs to get past the rhetoric and begin to show results. Results, that unfortunately for the citizens of Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District, are few and far between for Congressman Mitchell.”

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

Jim Ward Outraises Opponents in Congressional District 5 2-to-1

February 2, 2010 By 3 Comments

Jim Ward

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

Jim Ward Outraises Opponents in Congressional District 5 2-to-1

Scottsdale, AZ (February 2, 2010) — Jim Ward, Republican candidate for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, today announced that he has raised nearly $245,000 in individual contributions for his Republican primary campaign. He is outpacing his Republican competitors by a two to one margin.

“I am humbled by the tremendous level of enthusiasm for my campaign. We continue to move closer to unseating Harry Mitchell,” said Jim Ward. “I am the only candidate that has the proven ability to tackle the big problems at hand such as the unprecedented growth in government spending, failed economic policies, a government-takeover of health care, and attacks on our personal liberties. This support confirms not only that there is a demand for new leadership, but also that I am the right person to represent CD 5.”

News of Ward’s fundraising milestone comes on the heels of major endorsements by Congressman John Shadegg (AZ-3) and he continues to gain endorsements from respected Republican leaders from across Arizona and CD 5. Ward also recently announced the formation of his campaign finance team, headed by Pam Barbey and Eric Crown.

“The huge outpouring of support for this campaign underscores how strongly Arizonans have embraced Jim’s commitment to bring the right kind of change to Washington, D.C.,” said Sean Noble, Campaign Consultant. “Ward continues to outpace his Republican challengers two to one in individual contributions. He is the only candidate with the message and the momentum to beat Harry Mitchell on election day.”

Ward’s campaign raised $91,748 in individual contributions in the final quarter of 2009 out raising his opponents two to one. The campaign has raised a total of nearly $245,000 in individual contributions vastly outpacing his Republican primary opponents each quarter in individual contributions illustrating his widespread support.

Ward announced his candidacy for Congressional District 5 in June, 2009. He has traveled the district outlining his vision for a more efficient, less intrusive government that promotes individual liberties and free markets. He promises to end an era of support for wasteful spending and big government. Ward’s campaign momentum continues to grow through endorsements and grassroots support.

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

Gabrielle Giffords: A loyal soldier for Obama’s spending policies

February 2, 2010 By 9 Comments

Jonathan Paton

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

The Arizona Republic reports today that Gabrielle Giffords is increasingly vulnerable for supporting President Obama’s agenda 90 percent of time since he took office, providing a rubber stamp for record spending policies.

According to an analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Quarterly, Giffords voted with the White House 90 percent of the time. The only other representatives in Arizona who have been that loyal to Obama are veteran incumbents Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva.

“Although Democratic Reps. Harry Mitchell and Ann Kirkpatrick are considered vulnerable, they are less closely identified with Obama at a time when his priorities have been losing support in public-opinion polls and at the ballot box,” the Republic reports in a story titled, “Giffords’ re-election bid could be hurt by Obama backlash.”

Of the state’s three vulnerable Democrats, Giffords is the only one who voted for all three of the president’s signature policies.

Giffords voted for the nearly $800 billion stimulus spending bill — a violation of her pledge to “pay-as-you-go” and a policy that has only led to higher unemployment claims.

Giffords voted for the government-run health care bill, which cuts Medicare benefits to seniors who have already paid into the program by a whopping $500 billion.

Giffords voted for the “cap-and-trade” bill, which is estimated to raise utility costs by at least $1,800 a year for Southern Arizona families and seniors.

“Gabrielle Giffords likes to tout the fact that she voted against raising the debt ceiling. But I’m here to tell her, you can’t have it both ways,” Jonathan Paton said. “If she’s going to vote for this kind of spending, she’s going to have to raise taxes to pay for it. Her votes are forcing the nation’s debt ceiling higher and higher. And her record is a complete violation of her pledge to ‘pay-as-you-go’ and balance the budget. The president’s policies are on the verge of costing the average American $10,000 in new federal red ink.”

The Republic analysis follows the wildly-respected, non-partisan Cook Report downgrading the race from “Likely Dem” to “Leans Dem.” Just two months prior, Cook had graded Congressional District 8 from “Solid Dem” for Giffords.

“The latest drop came shortly after Republican state Sen. Jonathan Paton announced he was joining three other GOP candidates to challenge Giffords,” the Republic reports.

“With one party running everything in Washington, Gabrielle Giffords has shown her true colors,” said Jonathan Paton. “This year she will have to explain her record to her constituents. We need a check-and-balance on this record spending.”

For more information on Jonathan Paton, go to patonforcongress.com

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Federal Budget, Press Release, Spending, Taxation

Second Amendment Protects Gun Owners from State, Local Bans

February 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

PHOENIX – In its 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that individual gun ownership is a basic right guaranteed to Americans by the U.S. Constitution. But the decision applied immediately only to unconstitutional restrictions on gun ownership adopted under federal authority, not the individual states. A new case before the Supreme Court presents an opportunity to protect gun rights from state or local interference through the 14th Amendment, just like other freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Nick Dranias, the Goldwater Institute’s constitutional policy director, explains why in a new policy brief, “Reconsidering McDonald v. Chicago: How the 14th Amendment Obligates States to Protect the Fundamental Right to Bear Arms.”

The 14th Amendment originally was adopted after the Civil War to guarantee that former slaves could exercise all of their rights as American citizens. Since then, the Supreme Court has used the 14th Amendment to stop states from usurping basic constitutional liberties. But the Court has been reluctant to expressly state that all rights protected by the U.S. Constitution must be guaranteed by federal and state and local governments.

The Supreme Court is now considering McDonald v. Chicago because two appellate courts have refused to apply gun rights to the states, citing three century-old opinions from the higher court. But Mr. Dranias concludes those three cases do not authorize states to violate rights protected by the Second Amendment. He adds the principle of federalism, the idea that states have the sovereign right to act in areas not granted to the federal government, cannot be used to justify the stripping of gun rights.

“Federalism is ultimately aimed at securing individual liberty,” Mr. Dranias writes. “The goal of preserving federalism should not trump the fundamental rights federalism was meant to protect.”

Goldwater’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation also filed an amicus brief in McDonald v. Chicago and the Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case on March 2, 2010.

“Reconsidering McDonald v. Chicago” is available online or by calling (602) 462-5000.

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

About the author: Nick Dranias holds the Goldwater Institute Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan chair for constitutional government and is the director of the Institute’s Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Center for Constitutional Government.

Filed Under: 2nd Amendment, Constitutional Law, Judicial, Press Release, States Rights

Giffords should resign as Chair of Space Subcommittee

February 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jesse Kelly

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2010

TUCSON, AZ. Representative Gabrielle Giffords should immediately resign as Chair of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee. She has a clear conflict of interest from the tens of thousands of dollars her campaign has received from the aerospace industry. She took in over $10,000 in one day alone from people at large corporations such as ATK, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and United Space Alliance. These are companies who stand to make or lose millions of dollars based on decisions made by her subcommittee.

Jesse Kelly stated, “It is disgraceful that Representative Giffords has allowed herself to be compromised by special interests. How can she possibly look out for the taxpayers in District 8 when she is receiving money from the very corporations that she is supposed to oversee? It is no wonder she supported an over-budget and misguided program like the Ares 1 rocket.”

A December 20th article in the Orlando Sentinel explored a possible conflict of interest with her husband’s line of work. Now we realize the true conflict comes from large campaign donations by corporate special interests.

Representative Giffords should immediately resign from the Space and Aeronautics subcommittee or return the donations from all corporations that have business before the subcommittee.

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.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Federal Budget, Legislation, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Arizona’s colleges and universities would fare better with serious admission standards

February 2, 2010 By 5 Comments

by Matthew Ladner, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
Governor Jan Brewer has been encouraging the universities to develop lower cost alternatives to getting a four-year degree. But, the state is bankrupt and will not be able to find additional money to help create such options.

I have an idea that would help, and it will not cost a dime.

A consulting firm recently presented a report to the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board with disturbing information about completion rates. The report found that 82 percent of community college students aim to get a degree, but only 11 percent of them have done so after three years. This completion rate puts MCCCD in the bottom 12 percent of all community college systems nationwide, the report says.

When we go to the university level, the results are little better. The Education Trust’s database of university statistics reveals the four-year graduation rates of Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University to be 28.4 percent, 32.7 percent and 27.7 percent, respectively. Give students two more years and only UA cracks a 50 percent graduation rate.

Arizona’s system of higher education is doing an extremely poor job in matching students with colleges. There is a fine line between giving students an opportunity to seek an education despite previous academic failure, and simply using students as financial cannon fodder. Arizona obviously went screaming past that fine line many years ago.

We are not doing students any favors by encouraging them to run up thousands of dollars in debt to pay for school, only to flunk out. In addition, taxpayers should not subsidize six-year odysseys of self-discovery that half of the time fail to result in a university diploma

Arizona’s community colleges and universities should raise their admission standards for new students. Some, perhaps most, of the students flunking out of ASU, UA and NAU ought to be attending community colleges. Community colleges traditionally focus on remediation and are less costly to students and taxpayers.

If we would properly match students to institutions, our higher education system would both save taxpayers money and serve students better.

Those in higher education often are quick to point an accusing finger at the K-12 system for not preparing enough teenagers for college, and rightly so, but no one is forcing them to admit utterly unprepared students.

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

Filed Under: Education

RINO’s fund Liberals via Clean Elections

February 2, 2010 By 9 Comments

Arizona’s own Arlan Specter, William Konopnicki.

… and his best friends (Democrats Jeffers, Brown and Dawson).   Veritas is publicly tipping his hat to Goldwater’s Nick Dranias who was completely correct regarding the ill effects of the AzCCEC program.  Here’s how a Liberal Republican can game Clean Elections to keep his favorite Liberal Democrat in office.  Follow the money.

It was the General Election and that old geezer Jack Brown was looking at certain defeat to an unknown and under funded Barbara Brewer.  Rino Bill, running traditional without any competition and not wanting to lose his long time playmate Jack, dumped $32,000 into his own reelection fund thus kicking in matching funds to Brown’s floundering campaign.

Jack won and Rino Bill never spent the additional $32,000 he poured into his own campaign account.

Now, look at Rino Bill’s most recent financial filing with the AzSoS.  He’s got about $10 grand from PACs and out of state special interests, and about $11 grand from lobbyists who like big spenders.  But the number to pay the most attention to is the $32,000 or so Bill’s rolled over into his exploratory 2010 committee account.

So, this outstanding Democrat who specialized in  “scare, squeeze, and spend” is holding once again his own $32,000 to aid his old pal Jack come this November.  And should matching funds be disallowed, Arizona’s best RINO from Safford is holding 32,000 favors to anyone entering the LD-5 race he likes.

He *NEVER* intended on running for Congress.  Sources in Gila County have told us its all about his stunning defeat to Senator Sylvia Allen in Globe in 2008 when Bill expected a coronation and got dumped by the district’s PCs.

How many evenings does Konopnicki spend plotting his revenge?  A look at his special interest sponsors is enough to see he has not the slightest interest in the welfare of the voters.  Its all about Bill.  And now, he’s making noise about splitting the district in the Primary by challenging Republican Senator Sylvia Allen.

So what’s on Bill’s legislative agenda?  Removal of employer sanctions; protection for Sanctuary Cities; gun control for big employers; removing Arizona’s barriers to John McCain’s Amnesty plans; tax increases; fee increases (oh, he calls it revenue enhancements); and termination of term limits (so he and his kind can stay in office forever).  There is nothing in his agenda for rural Arizona – and there’s precious little funding he receives from rural Arizona – he’s all about big corporate special interests.

birds of a feather

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections

Conservatives Dominate at LD6 Appointment Meeting

February 2, 2010 By 7 Comments

DavidBraswellYou might not have imagined it would take very long for a district to approve 3 people as “recommended” to the County Board of Supervisors when only 3 people were nominated.  Yet the PCs of LD6 barely made it out on time.  The process was to elect three people who would be recommended to the BOS to fill the remainder of Sen. Pamela Gorman’s term.  After a lengthy check-in process, the rules were explained (and re-explained) and the contest began.  LD6 Chairman David Braswell was nominated, as was conservative initiative professional Lori Kline, and PC Bob Haran.  With three spots to fill, it looked like an easy contest, but the rules required that a ballot actually be cast and that each received more than 50% of the vote, which in this case meant 63 of 125 votes.  That is when the politics took over and things slowed down.  It appears the majority of voters voted once for just their preferred candidate rather than simply voting their three votes for all three candidates.  When the first round of votes were counted, Braswell had 80 votes and advanced to the BOS, but Kline fell just short with 55 votes.  Haran, whose attacks on Kline seemed to backfire, finished with just 23 votes.  They then held a second round of voting to see if Kline and Haran could get 63 votes, which is when the Braswell voters switched to voting for Haran, so that after the second round, Haran got 82 votes and Kline got 67, meaning that each of them also advanced on to the BOS.

It seemed like many of us in the room were there to watch, as there were numerous VIP guests and even some press in attendance.  And appointed PCs were not eligible to vote.  We don’t know what the Board of Supervisors will decide, but it is hard to imagine that they will pick Haran over Braswell or Kline.  Either way, both Braswell and Kline sounded very conservative and each would likely do well.  Kline appears to be more focused on fiscal issues while some of Braswell’s supporters were saying that he was also very strong on border issues and had done a number of things on behalf of great conservatives like Russell Pearce, Joe Arpaio, and Andy Thomas.  I imagine that district chairmen probably have an advantage, but we are supposed to know for sure within 5 days according to what we were told.

The best part is we get to do this all over again next week to fill the State Rep. Sam Crump seat.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, County Government