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Brian Miller: Giffords Suddenly Gets Ethical

March 11, 2010 By 6 Comments

Brian Miller

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 11, 2010

Congresswoman Giffords Suddenly Gets Ethical

Today, Gabrielle Giffords voted for a resolution calling for the House Ethics Committee to investigate House Democratic leaders and their handling of ethical allegations concerning former Rep. Eric Massa (D., N.Y.).

The attention has been on Congresswoman Giffords since the RNC began an early ad campaign against her in the 8th district. Maybe Giffords believes that if she votes for this ethics investigation we, the voters, will forget about her other un-ethical votes.

Giffords voted not to reprimand Congressman Murtha who threatened to use his power as a committee chairman to kill spending in the district of a fellow congressman (Roll Call 402, May 22, 2007). This is a violation of the very house rules that the Democratic leadership put into place when they took power in early 2007.

Giffords voted to block a resolution to remove Charlie Rangel from his chair on the Ways and Means committee. (Roll Call 759, Oct. 7, 2009). Rangel has hidden considerable sums in gifts and earnings from the IRS. The committee that he was formerly a member of has jurisdiction of the US tax code.

As part of the Democratic Caucus, Giffords voted to approve William Jefferson’s appointment to the Homeland Security Committee. Congressman Jefferson became famous when the FBI found $90,000 “cold cash” in his freezer. He was found guilty of fraud, soliciting bribes, racketeering, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

Brian Miller, candidate for U.S. Congress, said, “when I began my campaign against Ms. Giffords, I also started a PAC called the Freshmen 50. One of our platform items is ‘enforce congressional ethics’ because it’s going to take at least 50 of us to combat the culture of corruption in Washington D.C. We need to remind Congresswoman Giffords that ethics isn’t just an election year campaign slogan.”

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Ethics, Press Release

Speaker Kirk Adams on the Budget

March 11, 2010 By 8 Comments

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2010

The following statement is attributed to Speaker Adams and President Burns:

“Today, our legislative leadership came together to produce viable solutions to Arizona’s tremendous budget problems. The road to this point hasn’t been easy. We’ve had to make decisions that were tough and we know that not everyone will be happy with the difficult choices we’ve made.

The most necessary choices, however, are not always the most popular. But, needless to say, our goal was never popularity. Our job was to right size Arizona’s budget, and we are.

At the end of the day, the hard decisions made by those of us who were willing to take the political risk will help Arizona get back on the path toward a balanced budget.

That’s more than we can say for our Democratic counterparts, who, despite repeated invitations to join the discussion by submitting their own budget solutions, never stepped up to the plate.

Instead of choosing to do the hard and gritty work of creating their own budget, they chose to play politics. And, with that choice, they effectively marginalized themselves and play no part in solving the largest deficit in state history.

These kinds of political games do not demonstrate the kind of leadership that Arizonans deserve.”

Filed Under: Press Release, State Budget Tagged With:

Top Dem: Ignore Hayworth at your own risk

March 11, 2010 By 10 Comments

By Yellow Sheet Report

Published: March 10, 2010 at 12:07 pm

The primary campaign explanation to the McCain/Kyl statement against Governor Brewer’s sales tax increase was also backed by Democrat consultant Bob Grossfeld, who said John McCain acted to keep from being “boxed in” by J.D. Hayworth. “This had nothing to do with the governor, who is collateral damage, but everything to do with Hayworth,” he said. Grossfeld declined to offer his opinion on the proposal, but said Hayworth has proven his abilities to fight hard political campaign battles. Grossfeld, who consulted Democrat Steve Owens on two unsuccessful campaigns against Hayworth in the 1990s, said the following: “I’ve been through too many campaigns where people have underestimated John David Hayworth. You do so at your own peril.”

To read more on this item plus all the stories in the March 9 Yellow Sheet Report, go to www.yellowsheetreport.com (Yellow Sheet Subscription Required).

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, State Budget, Taxation

Shadegg Hosts Emergency Health Care Town Hall

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Congressman John ShadeggFor Immediate Release: Thursday, March 11, 2010

Congressman Shadegg Hosts Emergency Health Care Town Hall on Saturday to Hear Concerns

We are anticipating the vote in Congress on health care reform next week. I’m hoping that you will join me in an Emergency Health Care Town Hall on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Scottsdale Christian Academy to voice your concerns before I head back to Washington to vote.

As you know, national health care reform has prompted intense debates in the U.S. Congress as well as at many kitchen tables around the country. As we continue to discuss the future of health care in America, I encourage everyone to voice their thoughts on the legislation under consideration.

I would like to hear your recommendations on how we can improve health care in America. Your input will play a vital role as I consider each and every provision in this legislation. This will very likely be my last chance to hear from you on health care reform!

Please share this invitation widely with family, friends, and anyone who may be interested in attending my Emergency Health Care Town Hall on Saturday. I would be honored if you would join me.

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Scottsdale Christian Academy
14400 N. Tatum Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85032

If you have any questions, or if you require special assistance, please contact (602) 263-5300 so that proper accommodations can be made.

Please visit http://johnshadegg.house.gov/ for updates.

Filed Under: Health Care, Press Release

Rural School District Seeks to Silence Parents with Lawsuit

March 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

Goldwater Institute
News Release

PHOENIX—A rural school district in Yavapai County, Arizona, has gone to court to stop four taxpayers from seeking any public records from the district, from suing the district and from filing complaints about the district with state oversight agencies. The Goldwater Institute has agreed to represent the four women and today requested that the Yavapai County Superior Court dismiss the case.

“Is every parent going to be afraid now to request records about their children, which they are entitled to see?” said Barbara Rejon, one of the defendants. “Are taxpayers no longer going to be allowed to see records about how a school district spends money? If the school district can do this, it’s going to shut everyone down. No one is going to be able to ask questions or anything.”

The Congress Elementary School District is located in southwest Yavapai County near Wickenburg. In January 2010, the school district filed a court motion for a preliminary injunction against Ms. Rejon, Jean Warren, Renee Behl-Hoge and Cyndi Regis. The district claims the four women have been harassing local officials with repeated requests for information about school district operations.

Goldwater Institute Investigative Reporter Mark Flatten wrote Wednesday about the lawsuit and the efforts of these four women to hold the district accountable for complying with state law. Most of the time, the women have requested basic public records such as minutes and agendas for school board meetings. Such documents are widely recognized as protected by Arizona’s public records law and should be available for review upon request by anyone. Behl-Hoge, Regis and Rejon also have sought school records about their own children, as parents are guaranteed access to such records under both state and federal laws.

Mr. Flatten found the Congress school district has a history of violating these laws, as documented by the state attorney general and the state ombudsman.

Shortly after learning about the district’s lawsuit, the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation offered to represent the four women.

“The district is acting like a classic schoolyard bully,” said Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute director of litigation. “We will take whatever action is necessary to protect our clients’ rights and to deter other government officials from even thinking about taking such outrageous actions to silence citizens.”
 
If the Congress school district’s lawsuit is successful, it could inspire other governments in Arizona to pursue legal action against taxpayers that request information. Mr. Flatten quoted assistant state ombudsman Liz Hill as saying many other government agencies have discussed filing similar lawsuits to curtail the number of requests they receive for public records.

To learn more about this lawsuit, Congress School District v. Warren, click here, or to read Mr. Flatten’s investigation click here. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.
 
To get Goldwater Institute news and information direct to your cell phone click here.

Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Education, Government, Press Release

Dept. of Justice agrees to take over racketeering case against Supervisors and Judges

March 11, 2010 By 31 Comments

A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

Thursday, March 11, 2010

mcso
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio today announced that the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. has agreed to review allegations of corruption involving the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and judicial officials and others. Investigative files containing evidence of misconduct have been forwarded to federal officials.

RICO complaints previously filed by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office were formally withdrawn at noon today so as not to duplicate or hinder the Department of Justice review or any additional investigation necessary.

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice Robert N. Driscoll, representing Sheriff Arpaio as a plaintiff in the federal RICO action, conferred with members of the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity relating to the allegations of corruption set forth in the RICO complaint. Federal officials have agreed to undertake a review of the Sheriff’s investigative files. The Sheriff’s Office has transferred all criminal files involving public corruption of elected and appointed officials to the Department of Justice.

Upon learning of the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity’s willingness to review the allegations, Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office have determined that these matters should be handled by a federal agency focused specifically on public corruption of elected and public officials so as to ensure adequate resources to review the evidence gathered.

“As a former long-term employee of the federal government and the Department of Justice I have great confidence that the Office of Public Integrity will do a comprehensive and thorough review of the evidence we have provided and will reach a just and fair result,” said Sheriff Arpaio.

The Sheriff’s Office Arpaio says, will work in concert with the Office of Public Integrity and provide any support necessary.

“It should be apparent to any fair-minded person that our willingness to turn over the evidence we have gathered to this division of the Department of Justice underscores the confidence we have in the integrity of these investigations,” added Arpaio.
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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Chris Salvino: How Will Mitchell Vote? (Poll)

March 11, 2010 By 2 Comments

Dr. Chris Salvino

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 11, 2010

How Will Mitchell Vote? He Won’t Tell, but now Arizonans Can Guess in Online Poll

Tempe, AZ – Today, Dr. Chris Salvino released the details of a new online poll affording Congressman Mitchell’s constituents an opportunity to guess at how Mitchell will vote on the upcoming votes for ObamaCare.

“Harry doesn’t listen, or doesn’t seem to care. He voted to cut Medicare. He voted to raise taxes. Thousands of Arizonans have protested outside his office. Even former advisor to President Clinton, Dick Morris, warned Mitchell to vote no. But Mitchell is mum. In fact Mitchell hasn’t offered one public statement regarding healthcare this year. He can hide all he wants, but in the end we will know how he votes on ObamaCare. Until that time I am letting Arizonans guess as to how Mitchell will end up voting,” said Dr. Chris Salvino.

The voting options were based upon the likely voting scenario as outlined by Senator Jon Kyl and Congressman Eric Cantor in a recent strategy memo. To read the whole memo you can click here. Essentially it points out that the House of Representatives will be forced to take at least three votes on the unpopular legislation and further reports that Congressman Mitchell may be one of the “House Democrats who originally voted YES, but may now be on the fence.” It’s kind of like voting for it before voting against it..

So far Rep. Mitchell has voted in favor of:

Increased health spending (according to CMS, bends cost curve up, not down)

Nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts

Over $500 billion in tax increases

Health insurance premium hikes

$1 trillion bill that relies on double counting and gimmicks

Cornhusker Kickback

Louisiana Purchase

Carve-outs for Florida seniors only

Tax on health care plans (JCT says will lead to increased health care costs for consumers)

Targeted tax on small construction firms suffering from record employment losses

Below are the voting options for the online poll. To cast a vote click here.

Option 1 Yes, Yes, Yes

Option 2 Yes, No, No

Option 3 Yes, No, Yes

Option 4 Yes, Yes, No

Tie Breaker: Will Mitchell again claim he is just “moving the process forward” at any point during the voting process? Yes or No

Dr. Chris Salvino is seeking the Republican nomination for Congress from Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District. He is currently a trauma surgeon working at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix and is a retired Lt. Colonel and F-16 flight surgeon.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

Bradley Beauchamp Announces “Funding Fathers” Campaign

March 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

Bradley Beauchamp

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Bradley Beauchamp for Congress Campaign announced Monday the launch of a grassroots fundraising campaign aimed at getting the citizens of Arizona’s First Congressional District engaged in the political process.

“234 years ago, our nation was born out of good people willing to give up everything for a chance at freedom. Today, our freedoms are in jeopardy, not from foreign tyranny, but from policies and lawmakers overstepping the boundaries of the Constitution,” said Beauchamp, announcing the campaign. “Our campaign is not just about defeating Ann Kirkpatrick in 2010. It is about restoring the rights and freedoms afforded to all citizens in our great nation and earning the trust of the American people. Our Constitution was formed by the Founding Fathers and their great efforts. I will defend freedom, defend the Constitution, and Defend the American Dream; and I will do it with the efforts of the ‘Funding Fathers’ who give what they can for our campaign.”

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“Funding Fathers” will be a grassroots fundraising campaign. In these tough times, the citizens of CD-1 are especially hard hit. Therefore, the “Funding Fathers” campaign will acknowledge all who are willing to give whatever they can to the campaign. All contributions, big and small, go a long way in helping Bradley rebuild our country and restore our freedoms.

“Enough is enough,” Beauchamp continued, “Our Founding Fathers knew they had to take a stand and did so. Through “Funding Fathers”, we are acknowledging the thousands of people willing to take a stand with us to defend freedom, defend the Constitution, and defend the American Dream.”

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.

Filed Under: Advertising, Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

So What Does A Lawyer Do In The Military?

March 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

Justice of the Peace Gerald WilliamsBy: Judge Gerald A. Williams

North Valley Justice of the Peace

Many people know that I am also in the United States Air Force Reserve and that I perform my Reserve duty at Luke Air Force Base. Some people view military duty as some type of paid vacation because I’m temporarily away from my regular civilian job. Others confuse it with the National Guard. However, few people outside of the military understand what military lawyers do.

The short answer is that military attorneys, called judge advocates or JAGs, do more than wills and courts-martial. Although there are attorney client and privacy issues, I can tell you generally some of the projects I recently had something to do with.

While there was recently a tragic incident involving a stolen vehicle, a security incident and a law enforcement officer involved shooting at Luke AFB, most of the day-to-day operations of lawyers do not involve things that necessarily make the evening news. For example, I recently authored a labor law brief concerning actions taken against civilian employees. The Air Force had won the arbitration; but the union was essentially appealing the decision.

People with a military ID card are also entitled to free legal advice on personal civil legal matters. I was able to help a dependent wife, whose husband is deployed to Afghanistan, file a lawsuit. She had purchased a significant consumer product from a California company and had received neither the product nor a requested refund.

If I say something about Luke AFB, it almost always triggers a question about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Air Force recently held a series of public scoping meetings in Maricopa County because Luke AFB is one of the locations being considered for F-35A training aircraft. Those meetings are required under federal environmental laws. Next, a draft environmental impact statement will be prepared and that will be followed by public hearings.

I genuinely enjoy my military service and have done things as varied as serving as a medical law consultant to a regional medical center to defending an officer accused of a friendly fire event over Northern Iraq. As long as I can be useful, I will continue to serve.

Judge Gerald Williams is the presiding justice of the peace for the Northwest Regional Court Center. His column appears monthly in The Foothills Focus.

Filed Under: Guest Opinion, Judicial, Military

Chris Matthews Wrong on Latest JD Hayworth Ad

March 11, 2010 By 5 Comments

JD Hayworth for US Senate

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 11, 2010

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews Wrong: Conservative U.S. Senate Candidate J.D. Hayworth’s

“Faith” Radio Spot Biographical, Not Competitive

PHOENIX, AZ. March 11, 2010. “I’ve never heard somebody (seek) votes by saying he’s better at his religion than the other guy,” said Chris Matthews of MSNBC’s Hardball last night in regard to conservative U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth’s radio ad “Faith”.

The minute-long ad which started running statewide in Arizona on Tuesday is biographical, not hardball against Arizona Senator John McCain, whose service and own faith Hayworth respects.

A copy of the Hayworth ad in its entirety is below.

Hayworth has been endorsed by Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Tax Day Tea Party, Arizona conservative leader Len Munsil, the Gun Owners of America, and the National Border Patrol Council, among many others. To the left of more conservative Hayworth on taxes, the Second Amendment, pro-life and pro-family issues and illegal immigration, McCain has engaged in transparent election year flip-flopping.

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 that would have cost taxpayers $2.6 trillion over the long-term. And despite 28 years in Washington McCain now claims he was ‘misled’ on the bank bailout vote despite expressing no such concerns at the time.

For more information or to contribute to the campaign, please go to www.JDforSenate.com.

J.D. Hayworth’s “Faith” Advertisement:

ANNOUNCER: “Daniel Webster once said, ‘What makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.’ Meet a good Christian and a good neighbor, J.D. Hayworth. Unlike some leaders who shy away from their faith, J.D. Hayworth embraces it. J.D. Hayworth accepted Christ as a young boy and later met his wife, Mary, at church. After nearly losing a daughter early in pregnancy, and a son in childbirth, J.D. and Mary were sustained by prayer and came to value God’s gift of life even more. God gave us the covenant of marriage and the blessing of children. That’s why J.D. Hayworth supports traditional marriage and defends the right to life of the unborn. And J.D. Hayworth will always defend our right to honor God in the public square, public schools and public life. Faithful, conservative leadership. J.D. Hayworth for U.S. Senate.”

HAYWORTH: “I’m J.D. Hayworth and I approved this message. Paid for by J.D. Hayworth 2010.”

Filed Under: Advertising, Campaigns & Elections, Press Release, Religion

Tax increases becoming too common in Arizona

March 11, 2010 By 30 Comments

by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
When government revenues drop during economic downturns, there are only three choices government officials have at the state and local levels. They cannot print money so they are left with reducing spending, raising taxes, or borrowing. Raising taxes is the worst option, with borrowing a close second.

Raising taxes assaults the very marrow of the economy; draining resources from the private sector at a time when it can least afford the loss. Borrowing money means an uncertain future burden. Both options make it harder to weather future economic storms. Right now, the state is spending $700 million more each month than it is collecting in tax revenue. All levels of Arizona government have a combined $41 billion in bonded debt.

Yet, many in government seem unconcerned. Everywhere one turns, new taxes are proposed. On Tuesday, Scottsdale and Tempe voters approved higher taxes on hotel room rentals. Phoenix just imposed a 2 percent food tax. The legislature is considering raising car rental taxes to pay for a new spring training stadium for the Chicago Cubs. The legislature also wants to raise license plate fees. Tucson is pondering a number of potential tax increases.

On May 18, voters across Arizona will consider an 18 percent increase in the state sales tax. Studies show that raising the sales tax by 18 percent will cut the state’s real economic output by $1.2 billion and that Arizonans will see their total after-tax income, already hit hard by recession, fall by an average of $300 per household.

What’s more, these proposals don’t take into account that the state’s property taxes went up this year, or the electricity tax passed by the Corporation Commission a few years ago.

This state has lost more than 10 percent of its private employment compared to its peak. State and local governments together have lost less than 6 percent of their workforces. The capacity of the private sector to pay higher taxes is at the breaking point. Even with an economic recovery, increased taxes will only feed an even bigger government that will be that much harder to finance in the next inevitable recession.

For now and for the future, reducing government spending is the only principled solution to the problem of shrinking government revenue.

Dr. Byron Schlomach is an economist and the director of the Center for Economic Prosperity at the Goldwater Institute.

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