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YS reports GOP bookkeeping troubles

February 10, 2010 By 20 Comments

This afternoon’s Yellow Sheet had this story:

 

MORE PROBLEMS WITH GOP BOOKKEEPING, SAY SOURCES 

Two Republicans claiming knowledge of the Arizona Republican Party’s finances say the party’s year-end federal campaign finance report is a sham that greatly exaggerated available cash on hand. The report, filed last month, claims the party’s federal account held $65,000 at the end of 2009, but the sources said the real figure was closer to several thousand dollars. YS made several attempts to reach Pullen for comment and requested to view the party’s banking statements, but calls on the subject matter were not returned. State GOP Director Brett Mecum said: “If a Republican has a problem with the state party showing what we have on hand, it would be nice if they actually picked up the phone and called the office and maybe talked to some of us over here. They should take it up with the party and not the press.”

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the committee held less than $5,000 in late December. One of the sources said they pulled a sleuth move and called the party’s bank (M & I Thunderbird) in late December to ask if the federal account balance could cover a (non-existent) $5,000 check. The inquiry, said the source, prompted the bank to respond in the negative. “The guy (Pullen) is the treasurer of the RNC and his books are a joke,” said the source. “Their entire reporting system is riddled with fraud.” The second insider who contacted YS said the party’s federal account funds were “not anywhere close” to $65,000. A more accurate figure by the end of 2009 would be roughly $3,000, said the Republican. Mecum said the party has “multiple bank accounts so it’d be interesting” to see which account was tested with the fund verification test. SOS records show the in-state account for the party reported $10,600 cash on hand at the end of 2009.

 

Would Brett Mecum really provide the bank statements if asked?  What does he mean by ”take it up with the party”?  That happened and those folks were dismissed.  The questions linger and suspicion is not easily dissuaded with avoidance. 

 

It is time for Mr. Pullen and Mr. Mecum to provide a full accounting of each account, money in and money out with dates to match.  No accrual accounting, without the date of transactions, the real story. 

 

Avoidance of disclosure and facts and repeatedly distracting the focus from obtaining answers to blaming the one with the questions are not signs of a willingness for transparency.  Hey guys, it isn’t your money.  It isn’t your party.  And we aren’t idiots.

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, PAC's, Political Parties

Paton: Giffords Voted for a Room With a View

February 10, 2010 By 9 Comments

Jonathan Paton

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Giffords voted for $50 million appropriation for beach front property in Virgin Islands

GabriellIe Giffords voted with Democrats last month to spend $50 million to buy beach front property in the Virgin Islands, an excessive waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars, Jonathan Paton said today.

“Gabrielle Giffords’ continued disregard for our tax dollars is outrageous,” Paton said. “The nation is nearly $13 trillion in debt, and she continues to spend on these wasteful projects that have no benefit for the American people or residents in Southern Arizona.”

Fox News reports that a huge Democratic majority approved the purchase of 3,000 acres in the Caribbean, in hopes of turning it into a national park. But the National Park Service hasn’t even completed a study of the land and most Americans will never even see the park.

If it opens, the park will costs another $1 million a year to maintain, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate.

“Maybe Nancy Pelosi, Gabrielle Giffords and company are planning to fly to the island on the taxpayer dime like they did to Copenhagen, but most Americans will never see this pricey park,” Paton said. “With such a blatant record of supporting wasteful spending, Rep. Giffords will be held accountable this year. Touting phony ‘pay-as-you-go’ legislation means nothing if she can’t stand up to Nancy Pelosi and say ‘no’ to this kind of pork barrel spending.”

All but four House Democrats voted for the $50 million appropriation. Here is the roll call vote: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll023.xml

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release, Spending

Representative Frank Antenori’s Statement on passage of amendment to SB1002

February 10, 2010 By 2 Comments

State Seal

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

“The Legislature must take a two-pronged approach to our economic crisis. We must fix the current budget deficit and create more jobs.

With the State taking on more debt, job creation is critical to generate revenues to offset it. We now have a great opportunity for the Senate to move on one of the most important pieces of legislation before us and move to grow our economy now. HB2250 does exactly that, which is why I offered my amendment to SB1002 to make the education rollover conditional upon the Economic and Job Recovery Bill becoming law.

The amendment received full support from a sizeable majority of all Republicans present on the Floor — clearly highlighting how important House Republicans see HB2250 in growing our economy and bringing revenue back in alignment with debt.”

Filed Under: Economic Development, Legislation, Press Release, Spending, State Budget, State Government

Fife Symington Endorses Jim Ward in CD-5

February 10, 2010 By 2 Comments

Jim Ward

Former Arizona Governor Fife Symington Endorses Jim Ward for Congress in 2010

Symington Announcement Follows Congressman John Shadegg’s Endorsement

Jim Ward, Republican Candidate for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, today announced that Former Arizona Governor Fife Symington endorses his candidacy for Congress.

“Jim Ward brings the necessary business background and skills to be the right kind of voice for Arizona in Washington, D.C.,” said former Arizona Governor Fife Symington. “Arizona needs a strong fiscal and social conservative who can help reverse the disastrous course our country has been on and a leader who is not afraid to make change. I am confident Jim Ward is that person.”

“I’m honored to be endorsed by Governor Fife Symington, whose contributions to the State of Arizona have been invaluable,” said Jim Ward. “He shares my vision of protecting our liberty, prosperity and security and I am grateful for his support.”

Jim Ward is a dynamic, successful businessman running for Congress in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District. His 25-year business career has placed him on the forefront of some of the most innovative and leading-edge technologies in the world, working with companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Nike and Lucasfilm. Currently, Ward works with companies in developing new technologies while at the same time supporting the local economy and creating jobs. For more information about Jim Ward please visit www.votejimward.com.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Press Release

NBC to Honor Mayor Vernon Parker

February 10, 2010 By 3 Comments

Vernon Parker

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

MAYOR VERNON PARKER HONORED BY NBC AS ONE OF AMERICA’S TOP AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS

Phoenix, AZ- February 10, 2010 – Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker is being honored by NBC in connection with Black History Month on the list of the top 100 African-Americans in America. NBC teamed up with the thegrio.com to pay special tribute to Parker and other honorees.

Parker’s company on the list includes Olympic speed skater, Shani Davis, Dr. Regina Benjamin (Surgeon General), Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. The entire story can be found at http://www.thegrio.com/black-history/thegrios-100/thegrios-100-vernon-parker.php

Parker announced his run for Congress recently at Goldwater Park with support from Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Phoenix City Councilman Sal Diciccio. Parker is looking to fill the District 3 seat as a result of Congressman John Shadegg’s upcoming retirement.

Vernon Parker is currently the Mayor of Paradise Valley, AZ. He served in the White House under George H.W. Bush and as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture under George W. Bush. Parker is a graduate of Georgetown Law School in Washington where he met his wife Lisa.

For more information about Mayor Parker please go to www.Parker2010.com.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, City Government, Media, Press Release

Salvino Releases GOP Healthcare Plan

February 10, 2010 By 6 Comments

Chris Salvino

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Dr. Chris Salvino Releases GOP Healthcare Plan, Challenges Mitchell to Listen to Arizonans

Tempe, AZ  Today, Dr. Chris Salvino released the details behind his HELP Plan (Health Expense Lowering Plan) as a common sense alternative to the disastrous proposal supported by Harry Mitchell and Nancy Pelosi. To view the full plan go to www.drchrisforcongress.com/HELP.

Last summer it seemed that Nancy Pelosi and her good friend Harry Mitchell decided that they would no longer listen to the will of ordinary Americans, and they pushed forward an out of control healthcare bill that slashed Medicare and tried to nationalize nearly a sixth of our economy. It was one of the main reasons I decided to run for Congress, said Dr. Chris Salvino.

Now that his legislation has failed I urge Harry to get his partys leadership in Congress to scrap their legislation, and instead look at policies that will actually make a difference like my HELP Plan, concluded Salvino..

Some of the HELP Plan highlights:

  • $500 federal tax deduction
  • No government mandate to purchase insurance
  • No penalty on businesses who do not provide coverage for employees
  • Access to cheaper prescription drugs
  • More flexibility of the types of health plans for individuals as well as those in group plans
  • Streamlines national medical records that will lead to less errors and faster service
Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Health Care, Press Release

$50 Million for a National Park That’s NOT in the US

February 10, 2010 By 3 Comments

Along a party-line vote, Arizona Democrats approved a $50 million purchase of land for a new National Park.  One one problem, it’s on an island 1000 miles from the United States.

If you are hoping to visit the newest crown jewel in America’s park system chosen by Congress, throw away the car keys and open up your wallet. The 2,900 pristine acres of beachfront property were not cheap — or even in the United States.

The property soliciting accusations of “pork” from critics is the Castle Nugent National Historic Park. It’s in the U.S. Virgin Islands, about a thousand miles from Miami and an expensive jet ride to get there.

Two weeks ago, on a near party line vote, a huge Democratic majority in the House agreed to spend $50 million to buy the former cotton plantation on the island of St. Croix.

The mixture of dry forest and rangeland offers picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea, but good luck getting there. Critics in Congress say the purchase is wasteful and irresponsible, especially with unemployment at 10 percent and the nation in debt.

“Now is not the time to spend up to $50 million dollars of the taxpayers’ money to buy nearly 3,000 acres of beachfront property on a Caribbean Island,” said Rep. Doc Hastings, (R-Wash.), ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee. “We can’t afford a price tag for a new park in St Croix, just as many Americans will never be able to afford a visit there.”

Democrats approved the purchase, even though the National Park Service has yet to complete a study on the purchase.

Read the role call vote here.

Heads up Arizona, Only Harry Mitchell voted against this.  Funny, with all the concern over budget deficits and possible federal and state parks closing, our elected officials have no problem spending $50 Million [that we don’t have], on a island park that most of us will never go to see [Unless you can catch a ride from Nancy Pelosi].

via Liveshots.

Filed Under: Federal Budget

Judge Rules City of Phoenix Must Turn Over Public Records to Goldwater Institute

February 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

City of PhoenixPHOENIX–At a Superior Court hearing, Maricopa County Judge Kenneth Mangum decided the City of Phoenix must turn over public records related to a deal it is making with the Wyndham Hotel by February 19, 2010. The City was ordered to turn over some documents to the Goldwater Institute and other documents to Judge Mangum for his review.

In December 2009, news reports stated that the City was offering a sizeable tax break to the Wyndham Hotel through a sales-lease back arrangement. Concerned that unconstitutional tax breaks could be given to the hotel, the Goldwater Institute requested public records to see the development agreement and other related public documents on January 5, 2010. The City refused, saying no documents would be made public until a development agreement has been signed.

“The City of Phoenix admitted in court that it has documents that it can turn over to the public now, and that it is willing to do that,” said Carrie Ann Sitren, an attorney with the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation. “It is disappointing that it took a lawsuit and the Court’s valuable time to have them comply.”

The City said it was concerned some of the documents could affect its negotiations with the Wyndham Hotel. Because of this, Judge Mangum decided the City must turn those specific documents over to him for a private inspection. Judge Mangum will then decide if those particular documents should be released to the public.

Read more about this and other Goldwater activities to protect individual rights and keep government within its constitutional limits at www.goldwaterinstitute.org/litigation. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.

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

Ouch! That is going to leave a mark!

February 10, 2010 By 30 Comments

Amidst the hullabaloo over Megan McCain’s appearance on “The View”, this little tidbit was overlooked.  Or maybe just ignored.  

 Norquist Endorses McCain’s Re-Election Bid

The endorsement was not just a push in the McCain direction, Mr. Norquist also took a broad swipe at JD Hayworth….

J.D. Hayworth, the challenger, needs to explain why he lost his House seat, okay?,” he said. “If you can’t get yourself re-elected to your House seat, what do you bring to the table on a Senate race?”

Referring to Hayworth’s loss in 2006, Norquist said, “When you throw away a race like that it’s very expensive to the rest of the party.”

Yes it was.  

But, it may pale in comparison to the price paid due to a bloody primary and the loss of efforts dedicated to the capture of Dem held House seats.  It has become increasingly clear that there exists within factions of the GOP, primarily in Maricopa County, a desire to do whatever it takes to defeat McCain.  Forget about all those House seats we have to hold or take back, it isn’t about Republican victory statewide.  The line in the sand has been drawn.   

All of this has me wondering….

Who will be the scapegoat when McCain wins and JD loses his stage?  Does this make Grover Norquist a socialist loving RINO?  I’m just sayin’……..

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Political Parties

Slideshow from Politics on the Rocks with Grover Norquist

February 10, 2010 By 3 Comments
YouTube Preview Image

Intellectual Conservative Arizona has excerpts from Norquist’s speech here. “Republicans who vote for tax increases are akin to finding a rat in your coke bottle.”

Filed Under: Pol-parazzi, Special Event

J.D. Hayworth To Conclude Statewide Announcement Tour February 17th at Community McCain Dubbed “Seizure World”

February 10, 2010 By 1 Comment

JD Hayworth for US Senate

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

J.D. Hayworth To Conclude Statewide Announcement Tour February 17th at Community McCain Dubbed “Seizure World”

PHOENIX, ARIZONA. FEBRUARY 10, 2010. Conservative J.D. Hayworth will conclude his statewide media tour announcing his Republican primary challenge to 24-year incumbent John McCain at Leisure World, a senior community McCain infamously dubbed “seizure world.”

The Leisure World event will take place on February 17th at 908 S. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206.

Prior to becoming a 73-year old senior himself McCain derided the well-known retirement community.

“Most of the people coming here are not senior citizens moving to Leisure World, I mean Seizure World, I mean, uh, Sun City…I mentioned Seizure World a moment ago…the last election in 1984, 97% of them came out to vote. I think the other 3% were in intensive care.”

According to a member of the audience, McCain characterized seniors as a group “that makes demands without contributing.” (Source: Casa Grande Dispatch | Casa Grande, Arizona | Friday, June 20, 1986)

“From Tea Parties in Tennessee to Tea Parties in Leisure World, this campaign is about mobilizing conservatives who have no interest in granting election-day amnesty to an inconsistent incumbent who calls himself a ‘maverick,’ but who is really a moderate,” Hayworth said.

A new website — www.jdforsenate.com — has debuted in support of the announcement tour. More information about Hayworth and his challenge to the moderate McCain will be released Thursday morning. The announcement tour will start at 10am on Monday, February 15th from the campaign’s new headquarters in north Phoenix. The address is 3129 E. Cactus Rd. Suite 31, Phoenix, Arizona 85028.

Since leaving his radio talk show to pursue this conservative challenge, Hayworth has already garnered endorsements, donations and grassroots enthusiasm across the state and country.

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 vigorously supported an amnesty bill in 2007 that would have, according to the Heritage Foundation, cost taxpayers $2.6 trillion over the long-term.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release