Senate President Russell Pearce sits down with Arizona Capitol Television to talk about rising state revenues, a balanced budget and what they mean to Arizona’s economy:
Senate President Pearce talks about improving economic numbers in Arizona
September 15, 2011 By 117 Comments
Rep. Quayle Introduces the Startup Expansion and Investment Act
September 15, 2011 By 2 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen
WASHINGTON (DC) Today, Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ-03) introduced the Startup Expansion and Investment Act, a bill that makes it easier for emerging companies to access the capital necessary to expand and create jobs. Specifically, the bill allows new companies with a market capitalization under $1 billion to opt-out of regulations within section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the first ten years after going public. To inform investors, a company must clearly disclose in its annual reports that it chose to opt out of section 404. The costs associated with section 404 compliance (over $1 million annually in some cases) discourage many companies from going public. Currently, companies with a market capitalization under $75 million do not have to comply with section 404. The Startup Expansion and Investment Act substantially expands the number of companies that can take advantage of this job-creating benefit. (Additional information and the text of the bill is attached.)
From Congressman Quayle:
The Startup Expansion and Investment Act removes one of the many regulatory hurdles that inhibit many companies from going public. Access to the public capital markets is vital for a company to expand and hire new workers. Removing regulatory burdens results in economic freedom which leads to more economic growth.”
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Jennifer Wright endorses Wes Gullett
September 15, 2011 By 50 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
“Wes Gullett has been steadfast in his commitment to reform city government.”
PHOENIX – Last night at her first appearance at a legislative district meeting since the August 30th municipal election, Jennifer Wright announced her endorsement of former opponent Wes Gullet as her choice for Mayor of Phoenix.
“To bring about positive changes, we need a leader committed to making significant reforms to city governance – and that leader is Wes Gullett,” declared Wright, adding “At each of the debates throughout the campaign, Wes Gullett has been steadfast in his commitment to reform city government.”
“I’m thrilled to have Jennifer Wright’s support,” Gullett said. “Jennifer mobilized the grassroots with her principled voice for fiscal sanity and reforming city government. I welcome her to our growing and winning coalition.”
Referring to Gullett’s just released ten-point Commitment to Reform City Government as the cornerstone of her endorsement of his candidacy, Wright stated, “Mr. Gullett made a firm commitment with Phoenicians today that he will, among other things, champion the repeal of the food tax, reform employee compensation packages, and develop a small-business friendly procurement code.”
Wright encouraged the crowd of active precinct committeemen to put their time, energy, and effort in supporting Gullett in his campaign by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and donating to his campaign to help get out the vote in November.
“In order for Mr. Gullett to be successful, we have to get out the vote to make sure he is elected. We simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and hope for the best – each and every one of us has to work together to make it happen,” proclaimed Wright.
Wright is a former candidate for Mayor of Phoenix who entered the race late with little name recognition, but finished in a virtual tie for third place, along with two well-known Phoenix council members. Her insurgent campaign fueled by hundreds of committed volunteers shocked political insiders. Wright, a relative newcomer to politics, is currently an attorney with Bain and Lauritano, PLC, practicing family and criminal law.
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Rep Flake Organizes 50-Member Letter Calling For Limits on FY12 Spending
September 15, 2011 By 2 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky
Spending Levels Included in Debt Limit Deal a Ceiling, Not a Floor
Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today along with more than 50 other House members sent a letter to Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, and House Appropriations Chairman Rogers urging them to keep the discretionary spending limit for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) at the level included in the House-passed budget resolution earlier this year.
“What kind of a message does it send to taxpayers when the House actually increases spending as a result of the debt deal?” said Flake. “The spending limits established in the debt deal were meant to be a ceiling, not a floor.”
A copy of the letter can be found here.
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Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin’s Remarks on September 11th
September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin delivers a moving speech on 9/11. Tobin is from New York.
Introducing Arizona’s Team Romney
September 15, 2011 By 7 Comments
The Arizona Republic has listed the official team for Republican Presidential candidate, Governor Mitt Romney.
This is the first presidential team to announce in Arizona. Here is that list:
Arizona Co-Chairs:
- Secretary of State Ken Bennett
- Attorney General Tom Horne
- House Speaker Andy Tobin
- Paul E. & Susan Gilbert
- Lee & Nancy Hanley
- Ambassador Barbara & Dr. Craig R. Barrett
- Jim & Vicki Click
- Kevin & Melissa DeMenna
Arizona Legislative Endorsements:
- House Majority Leader Steve Court
- Senator Rich Crandall (Education Chairman)
- Senator Michele Reagan (Economic Development & Jobs Creation Chairwoman)
- Senator Adam Driggs (Veterans & Military Affairs Chairman)
- Senator John McComish (Banking & Insurance Chairman)
- Representative Bob Robson (Employment & Regulatory Affairs Chairman)
- Representative Cecil Ash (Health & Human Services Chairman)
- Representative Tom Forese (Higher Education, Innovation & Reform Chairman)
- Representative Russ Jones (Agriculture & Water Chairman)
- Representative Doris Goodale (Education Chairwoman)
- Representative Peggy Judd (Member of Health & Human Services, Agriculture & Water and Energy & Natural Resources committees)
- Representative Nancy McLain (Banking & Insurance Chairwoman)
- Representative Justin Olson (Appropriations Vice-Chairman)
- Representative Karen Fann (Environment Vice-Chairwoman)
- Representative Heather Carter (Health & Human Services Vice-Chairwoman)
- Representative Steve Urie (Member of Appropriations Committee, Agriculture & Water Committee & Government Committee)
Arizona Finance Committee:
- Fred Ash
- Cecil & Linda Ash
- Ernie & Ginna Baird
- Denny & Nichole Barney
- Edward “Trey” Basha
- Leo & Annette Beus
- Max & Debbie Boyer
- Nancy & Art Case
- Steven R. Chanen
- Sam Cowley
- Eric Crown
- Greg & Demi Davis
- Debbie Forrest
- Phil Francis
- Ira A. & Mary Lou Fulton
- Al & Kathleen Gardner
- Mark Goldman
- Todd & Ashley Heap
- Dr. Karl & Diana Hiatt
- Paul Hickman
- David & Rena Hoefferle
- Dr. Bill & Susan Horsley
- Mike Ingram
- Dave Johnson
- Rex & Ruth Maughan
- Steve & Debbie Moak
- Chris & Irene Monson
- Jerry & Vickie Moyes
- Francis Najafi
- Todd & Amy Nelson
- John Norton
- Andrew Pacheco
- Ed Parker
- John & Verna Perkinson
- Marian & Michael Pickerd
- Bob & CC Porter
- Steve & Marilyn Rizley
- Tyler & Kristen Robison
- Diane Ruebling
- Heather & Paul Sandstrom
- Quinton Seamons
- Don Stapley
- Don Tapia
- Peter Thomas
- Eddy & Heather Torriente
- Danny & Jo Lynn White
- Jeff & Holly Whiteman
- Bob & Christi Worsley
The “More money!” echo chamber
September 15, 2011 By 10 Comments
by Jonathan Butcher
Goldwater Institute
Gov. Brewer took some heat last week because, in July, Arizona actually had a $35 million surplus – and the governor didn’t reflexively swear that the money would be sent straight to schools. Some assume that making education a priority means increasing public school funding at every opportunity, creating an echo chamber of outrage when this idea isn’t obvious to everyone.
In his new book Special Interest: Teacher’s Unions and America’s Public Schools, Stanford professor Terry Moe explains that “more-not-less” is not an objective answer to education funding questions. On the common assumption that teachers are underpaid, he asks, “Underpaid compared to what? What does underpaid even mean?” The same can be asked about school funding – schools are underfunded compared to what? What does “underfunded” even mean?
Those who decry any budget without an increase in school funding rarely, if ever, point to a dollar amount that would satisfy them. They are simply indignant at any proposition that there might not be an increase in education funding.
From 2011 to 2012, state education funding wasn’t cut – it just didn’t increase as much as some wanted. While it is true that Arizona spends less per pupil than many other states around the country, keep in mind that we are in one of the highest-spending countries in the world. Nations like South Korea, Finland, and New Zealand routinely outperform the U.S. on international assessments but spend less per student.
Moe doesn’t imply that teachers are rich, nor am I suggesting that every classroom has everything it needs. But Arizona has a ratio of teaching to non-teaching staff of almost 1:1, yet school districts cut more teachers over the past three years than non-teachers. Parents need to ask their districts why teachers are losing their jobs while bureaucrats are keeping theirs.
Those troubled that this year’s budget is about the same as last year’s should wonder exactly what kind of system is being preserved.
Jonathan Butcher is education director for the Goldwater Institute.
Learn more:
Goldwater Institute: State budget cuts should include education bureaucrats
East Valley Tribune: Census shows Arizona school districts cut 10,000 jobs
Arizona Daily Star: No plan to use AZ surplus on education
ICYMI: Michele Bachmann joins KFYI’s Mike Broomhead in studio
September 15, 2011 By 2 Comments
In case you missed the interview, here is the audio of Congresswoman and Republican Presidential candidate, Michele Bachmann, in studio with KFYI’s afternoon host, Mike Broomhead.
Arizona Republicans look forward to having her back in Arizona very soon!
