Rep. Schweikert talked about more stimulus and the Federal Reserve on CNBC with Larry Kudlow. Here is the video from that appearance:
Eric Frederick: “Thelda Williams is ‘Politics as Usual’ at Phoenix’s City Hall”
September 21, 2011 By 2 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Frederick
Councilwoman Williams Admits To Not Knowing the Facts
Phoenix – The Goldwater Institute today, released their investigation entitled ‘Money for Nothing’. This investigation uncovered union negotiations, approved by the city council, that allows union members to not only perform union activities on the clock, but also provides salaries to the top Union officials with taxpayer dollars. The fact that union members are able to write these provisions into contracts, without the council members comprehending the agreement, shows how politics as usual is playing out in City Hall.
Thelda Williams, the incumbent Vice Mayor and Councilwoman from District 1 voted for the contracts. In the Goldwater Institute article, she stated that she was “unaware of the provisions.” However, as an elected official it is her duty and obligation to know what is in the contracts before they are voted upon.
Eric Frederick commented on this information by saying, “This is the 2nd time in less than a week that Councilwoman Williams has admitted to voting on something that she didn’t understand. Residents of District 1 and all Phoenicians need to have a representative that can study the information, ask the pertinent questions to make sure we have good policy and then make an informed vote.”
Councilwoman Williams also told the Goldwater Institute that the “concessions the city has made to the unions when the economy was booming need to be re-examined when the contracts come up for renewal next year.” In March of 2010, when the provisions were approved, the economy was already deeply in a recession. Her career politician status in City Hall has blinded her to the struggles of the residents. Her position that the contracts were signed when the “economy was booming” shows how out of touch she is.
Eric Frederick continued his statements by saying, “At a time when the City is raising taxes and fees on the general public while simultaneously reducing services, it is simply unacceptable that these perks continued. Thankfully the Goldwater Institute has uncovered this misuse of taxpayer dollars, but this discovery should have been made by the elected officials we trust to represent us.”
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No-Show Stanton!
September 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Career-politician evades questions, cancels afternoon radio debate
PHOENIX – Last night, career-politician Greg Stanton continued his perpetual habit of evading tough questions and running from his record, namely raising water rates and favoring higher taxes.
Today, he’s ducking out of a pre-scheduled debate.
Both Stanton and Wes Gullett agreed to a live hour-long radio debate on KFNX 1100 AM, scheduled for this afternoon at 4 p.m. But Stanton has now backed out. Gullett still plans to attend and answer questions on-air.
“What is Greg Stanton afraid of? That voters will actually judge him on his record of raising water rates and growing the size of government?” said Gullett campaign spokesman Daniel Scarpinato. “Wes Gullett has put forward specific plans for how he will reform city government and get Phoenix working again. Greg Stanton is just another career-politician who won’t even answer questions.”
Stanton’s no-show follows his inability to answer simple questions directly at last night’s debate.
Stanton danced around the issue of whether he would repeal the food tax, eventually admitting he would not do so immediately, as Gullett has pledged.
But Stanton’s evasiveness was on greatest display in answer to a question on water rate increases (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWRCwfoCicU), which Stanton supported while on the City Council for nine years. After filibustering and providing a non-answer, Gullett asked Stanton directly: “I guess that means you were for it?”
Stanton sat silent for several seconds, looking down at the table, before looking up and only saying: “I have a record.”
Gullett is against further water-rate increases.
“Greg Stanton can’t run from his record,” Scarpinato said. “He might not want to show up for debates, but voters are learning more and more about Greg Stanton’s job-killing plans to raise taxes and increase the size of government.”
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NEWS ALERT: Romney Pulls Ahead in Arizona
September 21, 2011 By 11 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Chad Willems
PHOENIX, AZ – The Summit Consulting Group is pleased to release top line results from a live telephone survey of 600 likely Republican Presidential Preference voters statewide. The survey was conducted September 19th and 20th and has a margin of error of ± 4%.
The Key Findings:
Now, if the Feb 28th Presidential preference primary were held today and the Republican candidates were (ROTATE): Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, for whom would you vote?
Mitt Romney 31%
Rick Perry 25%
Michele Bachmann 5%
Herman Cain 5%
Newt Gingrich 4%
Ron Paul 3%
Jon Huntsman 2%
Rick Santorum >1%
UNDECIDED 24%
Summary:
While this is our first Presidential Preference survey for the 2012 election, it appears Arizona Republican voters have narrowed their choices down to two top contenders. Clearly this race is now between Governors Perry and Romney. Governor Romney has visited the state multiple times while Governor Perry has yet to make a visit to the Grand Canyon state. Rep. Bachmann has visited Arizona twice in the last six months, most recently for a private campaign fundraiser as well as a meeting with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Nearly 8 in 10 respondents (77%) identified their political ideology as “conservative,” nearly 20% as “moderates” while the remainder self-identified themselves as “liberal” Republicans.
This survey was not commissioned by any of the candidates but is only part of an ongoing series of public opinion surveys on topics of political interest Summit will be conducting throughout the election cycle.
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Rep. Schweikert Votes Against Short-Term Continuing Resolution
September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Rachel Semmel
Washington, D.C. – Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) issued the following statement today after voting against a short-term continuing resolution funding the federal government through November 15, 2011:
“Earlier this year, the House passed a budget that took significant steps toward budget discipline and cut spending to sustainable levels. I supported this budget then, and I do now. This stop-gap measure violates the House-passed budget by falling $24 billion short in cuts originally promised.
“The American people do not have the luxury of violating their family budgets when they fail to make tough choices, and neither should Washington.
“We have a duty to be unwavering in our commitment to get Washington back on the right track and to protect the taxpayer dollar.
“I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to pass a budget immediately. After 876 days, the political pandering needs to stop. It is time to be honest about the numbers.”
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Rep Flake Votes Against Continuing Resolution
September 21, 2011 By 10 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky
Increases Spending Levels from House-Passed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Resolution
Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today voted against H.J. Res. 79, the continuing resolution to fund the federal government through November 18, which increases federal spending levels by $24 billion over the House-passed FY2012 budget resolution.
“Despite strong rhetoric calling for austerity, merely a month after the debt ceiling deal was passed, Congress is back to increasing spending,” said Flake. “This is not what we should be doing.”
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Jennifer Wright Endorses Eric Frederick for City Council
September 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Eric Frederick
Tuesday, former Phoenix mayoral candidate Jennifer Wright endorsed Eric Frederick for Phoenix City Council in District 1. Jennifer Wright ran a grassroots campaign that collected over 16,000 votes in a six-way race for Phoenix Mayor. Jennifer Wright’s endorsement adds to the growing number of endorsements Eric Frederick has received including former City Council Candidate Bill Barker.
“Mr. Frederick brings a wealth of business experience and a keen understanding of the business-like reforms necessary to restore prosperity in Phoenix,” Jennifer Wright wrote. She added, “A vote for Councilwoman Williams is a vote of confidence in the status quo… If we want to assure the defeat of the special interests that have long run this city, we must donate our time, talent, and money to help Mr. Frederick restore control of the district, and with it the City, to residents.”
Eric Frederick responded to the endorsements by saying, “I am honored to have Mrs. Wright’s full support. It is time for real leadership to be restored to City Hall, and I am pleased Mrs. Wright recognizes that I am that leader for District 1. My opponent has been entrenched in the city government for the past two decades, the same city government that got us to where we are today. It is time to change from politics as usual to forward leadership that leads for the constituents–not against them.”
Eric Frederick is in the runoff election against incumbent City Councilwoman Thelda Williams. The election will be held on November 8th along with the mayoral runoff against Wes Gullett and Greg Stanton.
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UNION INVESTIGATION: Wes Gullett calls for an end to taxpayer subsidies for labor activity
September 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Career-politician Greg Stanton is beholden to every major public-employee union
PHOENIX – On the heels of an investigation released by the Goldwater Institute today, Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett says if elected, he will end the practice of using taxpayer dollars to subsidize union activities. And he’s calling for greater transparency and oversight to stop these abuses from happening again.
“This is just more evidence of why we need top to bottom reform in city government,” Gullett said. “The status quo isn’t working because of career-politicians like Greg Stanton. I’ll stand up for the taxpayers and end this kind of abuse. Greg Stanton is the poster child of the influence public-employee unions wield on elected officials and politicians. Greg Stanton has been endorsed by every one of the unions who are negotiating these outrageous contracts because he supported these abuses during his nine years on the city council and he’ll continue to support these abuses.”
According to the Goldwater report, “collective bargaining agreements with seven labor organizations require the city to pay union officers and provide members with thousands of additional hours to conduct union business instead of doing their government jobs.” The report finds that “public-employee unions still wield outsized influence on elected officials – and they are using that power to feather their own nests.”
The practice is costing Phoenix taxpayers roughly $3.7 million a year, and city employees are being released for more than 73,000 hours to conduct unions business – not the peoples’ business.
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Rep. Flake Issues Statement on Palestinian Bid for Statehood
September 21, 2011 By 7 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky
Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today issued the following statement on the Palestinians’ bid for statehood at the current session of the United Nations:
“Forcing the establishment of a Palestinian state is not an option – recognition must be brought about through negotiation and compromise,” said Flake. “Achieving recognition by fiat will only make negotiations to establish a Palestinian state more difficult for Israel and the Palestinians.”
In addition to other pro-Israel legislation, Congressman Flake has cosponsored the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act, the current version of which (H.R. 2829) would, among other things, withhold U.S. contributions to any U.N. entity that recognizes a Palestinian state, and would take steps to safeguard U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency are not used by any foreign terrorist organization. In 2006, he introduced the Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protect Act (H.R. 6338), which became law in 2007 and paved the way for the Magen David Adom, Israel’s version of the Red Cross, to take up full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Additionally, Congressman Flake voted for H. Res. 268 in July, affirming Congressional support for direct Israeli-Palestinian negations to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Jennifer Wright Endorses Eric Frederick for Phoenix City Council, District 1
September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2011
CONTACT: Jennifer Wright
PHOENIX, AZ (SEPT 21) – Last night at the Daisy Mountain Tea Party meeting, Jennifer Wright announced her support and endorsement of Eric Frederick in the run-off race in Phoenix City Council District 1 against incumbent Vice Mayor Thelda Williams.
“Mr. Frederick brings a wealth of business experience and a keen understanding of the business-like reforms necessary to restore prosperity in Phoenix,” declared Wright.
On the August 30 municipal election, Vice Mayor Thelma Williams failed to obtain more than 50% of the vote in District 1, which forced a run-off against challenger Eric Frederick. Frederick has been campaigning on the premise of working hard to bring jobs to Phoenix, making decisions based on fiscal responsibility, eliminating taxes and fees, and providing “Forward Leadership” to help Phoenix rise again to national prominence.
“By electing Frederick over an entrenched incumbent, the citizens of Phoenix can send a strong message to our city leaders that we will no longer tolerate business as usual,” Wright stated, adding, “A vote for Councilwoman Williams is a vote of confidence in the status quo – and with it increased taxes, increased water rates, and excessive union labor contracts.”
Wright continued by pointing out that Williams is heavily backed by union interests who have reportedly committed in excess of $150,000 to assure Williams’ reelection. According to Wright, “If we want to assure the defeat of the special interests that have long run this city, we must donate our time, talent, and money to help Mr. Frederick restore control of the district, and with it the City, to residents.”
Early ballots for the run-off election will be mailed October 13 and voting centers will be open November 5, 7, and 8. The last day to register to vote for the November election is October 10.
Wright is a former candidate for Mayor of Phoenix whose insurgent campaign shocked political insiders and resulted in a virtual three-way tie for third place with two well-known politicians. Wright, a relative newcomer to politics, practices family and criminal law with Bain and Lauritano, PLC.
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To find out more about Eric Frederick, visit his website at ElectFrederick.com.
Eggs & Exceptionalism with JD Hayworth
September 21, 2011 By 4 Comments
A Discussion of the Past, Present and Future Greatness of America
Please join us as we will be treated to a discussion with six-term former Congressman, J.D. Hayworth. He will discuss his observations, as only he can, of American Exceptionalism, it’s past historic value, its significance in our present state of affairs and what it will mean to the future of our nation. You can pay in advance at LatinoGOP.org or at the door the day of the event. We will see you there!
DATE: Saturday, September 24, 2011
TIME: 9:00 AM
WHERE: Camelback Golf Club
ADDRESS: 7847 North Mockingbird Land, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (map)
COST: $25
RSVP NOW
Money for Nothing: Phoenix taxpayers foot the bill for union work
September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Mark Flatten
Investigative Reporter, Goldwater Institute
Phoenix taxpayers spend millions of dollars to pay full salary and benefits for city employees to work exclusively for labor unions, a Goldwater Institute investigation found.
Collective bargaining agreements with seven labor organizations require the city to pay union officers and provide members with thousands of additional hours to conduct union business instead of doing their government jobs.
The total cost to Phoenix taxpayers is about $3.7 million per year, based on payroll records supplied by the city. In all, more than 73,000 hours of annual release time for city workers to conduct union business at taxpayers’ expense are permitted in the agreements.
The top officials in all of the unions have regular jobs with the city. But buried in the labor agreements are a series of provisions for those employees to be released from their regular duties to perform union work.
For top officers, the typical amount of annual release time is 2,080 hours, a full year of work based on 52 weeks at 40 hours each. They continue to draw full pay and benefits, just as if they were showing up for their regular jobs. But they are released from their regular duties to conduct undefined union business.
Union officials say the time is a good investment that leads to a more productive workforce. Critics say it amounts to an illegal gift of taxpayer money.
“It’s shocking,” said Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who has battled with unions that represent city workers over employee pay and his efforts to trim spending. “Taxpayers should not be funding union activities. It should all come out of union dues.”
DiCiccio voted for the union contracts in March 2010, as did every other council member present. The provisions for release time have long been a part of city contracts with labor organizations, but DiCiccio said he was unaware of them until recently.
The most generous contract both in terms of money and time is between the city and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), which represents front-line police officers.
All six of the top officials at PLEA draw their full pay and benefits from the city, even though they are assigned full time to the union. Each is also entitled to 160 hours of overtime annually.
All of the other unions have the salaries and benefits of their top officials paid by the taxpayers.
Each of the unions also receive banks of additional release time ranging from a few hundred to 5,500 hours annually that members can use to conduct union business on city time.
One union leader says it was city officials who insisted on providing additional release hours, which had become a standard provision in contracts with other labor organizations.
PLEA and the Phoenix Fire Fighters Association Local 493 each get 500 hours of annual city-paid time for a lobbyist. The firefighters’ union also gets a taxpayer-funded secretary.
Two other unions each receive payments of $14,000 from the city to pay for member training and conferences, and a third gets a $2,000 parking allowance.
Other sections of the labor agreements allowing city-paid release time are difficult to quantify because they do not specify the number of hours allowed for certain tasks. Rather they state that time spent on such things as instructing union stewards on the terms of new two-year contracts does not count against the other hours that are specifically allotted.
The money coming from taxpayers is in addition to union dues that each of the labor organizations receives from its members, dues collected by the city through payroll deductions.
Some top union officials also draw salaries or stipends from their labor organization in addition to their city checks while they work exclusively on union business. Phoenix is not alone in how it treats top union officials. Other metro-Phoenix cities have similar contracts, but they tend to be less generous and involve fewer labor organizations. The federal government also allows for union business to be done on taxpayer time, but prohibits release hours for internal union activities. No such restriction is in the Phoenix contracts.
