Fresh from the RNC…
Reminder: NW PAChyderm Coalition meeting tonight
October 19, 2011 By 3 Comments
We are honored to host Guest Speaker:
Dr. Carl Goldberg
“ISLAM — Religion of Peace? From the Horse’s Mouth”
You will be given a conceptual framework and materials from the most sacred Islamic religious sources so that, in less than an hour, you will understand far more about Islam than the vast majority of our political leaders do. Those Islamic sources prove conclusively that Islam is both a totalitarian and imperialist ideology, in addition to being a religion.
Dr. Goldberg has a doctorate in history and is a former Russian-language instructor at Arizona State University
Location: Denny‘s Restaurant Banquet Room
5161 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale Arizona 85053 (Map)
Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 (3nd Wednesday of each month)
Time: 6:15 pm Dinner (order from menu) Program begins at 7:00 pm.
Snow shovels needed for Goodyear city council
October 19, 2011 By 1 Comment
by Nick Dranias
Goldwater Institute
It rarely snows in the Valley — especially in October. But the Goodyear city council is about to get snowed by United Goodyear Fire Department Local 4005.
The union is lobbying hard to get a “meet and confer” ordinance passed, claiming that the right to meet and confer is not the same as collective bargaining.
But “meet and confer” and “collective bargaining” laws are essentially the same. Both severely limit the freedom of governments to require efficiency, savings or productivity from their unionized employees.
Like any other collective bargaining law, a meet and confer ordinance would empower Local 4005 to go to court and force Goodyear to negotiate their next contract in “good faith.” Of course, what good faith means is almost entirely in the eye of the beholder.
Meet and confer would give Local 4005 the power to sue Goodyear for bad-faith negotiations if things fail to go their way, threatening a costly rope-a-dope of court-supervised contract negotiations until and unless the city yields to their demands.
Passing such a law in Goodyear would be unfair to taxpayers and exceedingly unwise in today’s economy. As seen in Phoenix and other cities that already have “meet and confer” laws, giving such bargaining power to public-sector unions results in contracts that give public employees unsustainable levels of compensation and even outright subsidies to the unions themselves.
If Local 4005 claims otherwise, the Goodyear city council should bring snow shovels to the next public hearing.
Nick Dranias holds the Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair for Constitutional Government and is director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.
Learn More:
Goldwater Institute: Money for Nothing: Phoenix taxpayers foot the bill for union work
City of Goodyear: Agenda and draft ordinance
United Goodyear Firefighters: Local 4005
2nd Annual Patriot Dinner Banquet with Bill Whittle, Tammy Bruce, Krista Branch, and Shane Krauser: Please Join Us!!
October 19, 2011 By 7 Comments
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort
7200 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Business/Cocktail Attire
Silent Auction/Cocktails/VIP Reception 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Dinner and Evening Program 6:30 – 9:00 pm
For more information about the banquet, our featured speakers , and to purchase tickets: http://arizonamainstreamproject.org/#q=Events
VIP TICKETS
Premier seating, access to VIP Reception and photo opportunity, signed copy of Bill Whittle’s “What We Believe” DVD, signed copy of Tammy Bruce’s “The New Thought Police,” and signed copy of Krista Branch’s latest CD
$150 (Before Sept. 30th) $175 (After Sept. 30th)
RESERVED TICKETS
$75 (Before Sept. 30th) $100 (After Sept. 30th)
STUDENT TICKETS ~ $50
TABLE SPONSORSHIPS
Complimentary advertisement in event program for businesses, organizations, or campaigns with table purchases made by Oct. 8. Full 5 x 7 ad given for VIP table purchase, and a 1/2 page ad given for a reserved table purchase.
Washington VIP Table (10 guests)
Premier seating, access to VIP Reception and photo opportunity, signed copy of Bill Whittle’s “What We Believe” DVD, signed copy of Tammy Bruce’s book “The New Thought Police,” and signed copy of Krista Branch’s latest CD
$1200 (Before Sept. 30th) $1500 (After Sept. 30th)
Jefferson Reserved Table (10 guests)
Reserved seating for dinner and evening program
$600 (Before Sept. 30th) $750 (After Sept. 30th)
Madison Table (10 students) ~ $500
Sponsorships for speakers are available: Call Honey Marques, Executive Director, by phone at 808-283-3661 or by email at honey@arizonamainstreamproject.org or more information and to make contribution.
Wes Gullett: Let’s Get Phoenix Working Again!
October 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
Here is the latest campaign ad from Republican Wes Gullett. Be sure to visit Wes’ website and support his effort!
Herman Cain Speech in Arizona: Polling Ahead of Obama!
October 18, 2011 By 8 Comments
Republican candidate Herman Cain speaking to the Arizona Republican Party on Monday, October 17, 2011. In this excerpt, Cain reveals that he is the only Republican candidate polling ahead of President Barack Obama.
Legislative District 17 (LD17) Republicans Pass Resolution Condemning AIRC
October 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2011
CONTACT: A.J. LaFaro
TEMPE – A. J. LaFaro, Chairman, LD17 Republicans, stated “we have witnessed one egregious act after another by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission who have failed to demonstrate a sincere commitment to performing its responsibilities in an honest, independent and impartial fashion and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process.”
He went on to say “hundreds of us, like thousands of Arizona citizens throughout the State, have been actively involved in the Arizona Independent Redistricting Process – only to have our voices fall on the deaf ears of several of the Commission Members and the Executive Director.” It’s for these reasons the LD17 Republicans felt compelled to draft and unanimously pass the attached LD17 Resolution 0001 on October 11, 2011, strongly condemning The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).
LaFaro forwarded the resolution and cover letter to Governor Brewer, Attorney General Tom Horne, State Senate President Russell Pearce and State Speaker of the House Andy Tobin requesting they take action against the AIRC.
The resolution and letter were read into the public record at the October 18, 2011, AIRC meeting.
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October 12, 2011
The Honorable Janice K. Brewer
Arizona Governor
Executive Tower
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Honorable Tom Horne
Arizona Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Honorable Russell Pearce
Arizona Senate President Senate
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Honorable Andy Tobin
Arizona Speaker of the House
House of Representatives
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
SUBJ: LD17 Resolution 0001
Dear Governor Brewer, Attorney General Horne, Senate President Pearce and Speaker of the House Tobin:
I am writing you on behalf of my Republican Constituents and Precinct Committeemen in Legislative District 17 (LD17).
Hundreds of us, like thousands of Arizona citizens throughout the State, have been actively involved in the Arizona Independent Redistricting Process – only to have our voices fall on the deaf ears of several of the Commission Members and the Executive Director.
We have witnessed one egregious act after another by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission who have failed to demonstrate a sincere commitment to performing its responsibilities in an honest, independent and impartial fashion and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process.
It is for these reasons the LD17 Republicans felt compelled to draft and unanimously pass the attached LD17 Resolution 0001.
The unacceptable 2001/2002 independent redistricting process, coupled with the current 2011/2012 fiasco clearly demonstrate that Proposition 106 has failed miserably and should be repealed immediately.
Warmest regards,
A. J. LaFaro
Chairman, LD17 Republicans
======================================
October, 2011
RESOLUTION NO. 0001
A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 17 REPUBLICANS MARICOPA COUNTY, STATE OF ARIZONA STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE ACTIONS OF THE ARIZONA INDEPENDENT REDICTRICTING COMMISSION (AIRC)
WHEREAS, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has knowingly violated its responsibilities for redistricting under Federal and Arizona law including, but not limited to, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.A. 1973, et seq.; and Article 4 of the Arizona Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has failed to demonstrate a sincere commitment to performing its responsibilities in an honest, independent and impartial fashion and to upholding public confidence in the integrity of the redistricting process; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has knowingly violated its responsibilities for conducting open meetings to the public under Arizona law including, but not limited to, Title 38 of the Arizona Revised Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has knowingly violated its procurement responsibilities to the public under Arizona law including, but not limited to, Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislative District 17 Republicans, Maricopa County, State of Arizona, strongly condemn the partisan actions of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission and recommends the following:
1. That Governor Jan Brewer, State of Arizona, remove the five members of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission in accordance with Article 4 of the Arizona Constitution;
2. That Attorney General Tom Horne, State of Arizona, aggressively continue his criminal investigation and civil litigation against the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission;
3. That the Majority Leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, State of Arizona, make written redistricting recommendations to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission in accordance with Article 4 of the Arizona Constitution that are in the best interest of the State of Arizona, not the Commission’s favored special interest groups. Recommendations that eliminate the wholesale gerrymandering of Arizona and hijacking of the voters’ Constitutional and Democratic Rights.
Gullett to Stanton: Come clean on contributions
October 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
“We cannot trust Greg Stanton to deliver on his promise of transparency”
PHOENIX – Wes Gullett is calling on Greg Stanton to stop spending tainted campaign money until he explains how thousands of dollars were secretly funneled into his campaign without ever being disclosed.
The Arizona Guardian reports this morning that the city is looking into the legality of Stanton taking a $3,000 contribution – more than six times the legal limit – and never even reporting it. The city clerk says they didn’t know about the money until a complaint was filed late last week, according to the Guardian.
“This revelation raises new questions and follows an alarming lack of transparency by Greg Stanton,” said Gullett. “We cannot trust Greg Stanton to deliver on his promise of transparency when he is not even transparent on his own campaign filings.”
Answers on this matter are long overdue. This is the first time the public has learned that Stanton has received a total of $80,000 in contributions stemming from money that was stolen from his account. Last month, the Arizona Republic first reported that in addition to a repayment of $77,000, other money was also funneled into Stanton’s account.
Despite promises of transparency, Stanton has yet to file any disclosures of how he received the $77,000 or this new $3,000. So far, Stanton has even ignored the advice of his own attorney’s on how to disclose the contributions.
Gullett has called on Stanton to come forward about the details of these transactions for months.
Additionally, Stanton never explained what happened to an additional $14,000 that disappeared from his campaign account.
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Rep. Quayle to Participate in Town Hall Discussion on Energy Issues
October 18, 2011 By 3 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen
Media Advisory: Rep. Quayle Participates in Town Hall Discussion Focused on Energy Issues
WHAT: Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ), a member of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), participates in a town hall discussion hosted by the Arizona Energy Forum
WHEN: Wednesday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
WHERE: Camelback High School
ADDRESS: 4612 North 28th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016
PARTICIPANTS: Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ), Rep. Kate Brophy McGee (LD11 Energy Committee), Troy Hyde, Chair of the Arizona Energy Forum
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Look for the Union Label when hiring Community Organizers
October 18, 2011 By 36 Comments
In the interest of promoting job growth in Arizona, and in helping young college students understand the career path and experience Liberals deem necessary to obtain a job at the White House… we post this current employment opportunity from the Union Jobs Clearinghouse website.
PLEASE NOTE:
THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS POSITION. THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT, however must SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ bing!
Jobs
Community Organizer
Posted on: October 17, 2011
Posted by: Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA)
Description
Join the movement for social and economic justice in Arizona!
Leading the nation with an onslaught of anti-immigrant, segregationist policies, drastic state-level cuts to public programs and a devastated economy, Arizona is ripe for cutting-edge, progressive organizing.
LUCHA, Living United for Change in Arizona, is a dynamic, membership-led, grassroots organization, building power among low- to moderate-income people to advance social, economic and racial justice for all. Our organizers, members, and leaders work for change, out in the streets, at meetings with elected officials and corporate executives, through electoral campaigns and in the media. Organizers engage in direct action and work with our leaders to develop their skills and build power based on their ability to move people to action.
Community Organizers will help to build a strong organizing program, recruiting members and developing leaders. S/he will facilitate collective decision-making and democracy at regularly-held community and leadership meetings, identify and develop leaders among the membership base, and work with leaders and members to build their organizing skills in an effort to create a self-sustaining and truly grassroots movement for change.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruit community members to join our organization and take leadership in organizational campaigns and activities.
- Identify potential leaders and assist in developing the leadership of grassroots members.
- Develop and implement campaign strategies with members and member-leaders.
- Do research, direct action, and media work.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- One year of political or community organizing experience preferred, on racial, social and economic justice issues.
- Demonstrated ability to work in multi-racial, multi-income groups.
- Spanish language fluency, both written and spoken, is required.
- Experience in base building, door knocking, leadership development, and strategy development essential.
- Experience in and commitment to bottom-up organizing, grassroots leadership, and collective decision-making.
- Commitment to racial justice, multi-racial organizing, movement building and direct action organizing.
- Must be flexible and willing to work long and nontraditional hours in a demanding and rapidly changing work environment.
How to apply: 
Failing schools have nowhere to hide
October 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Jonathan Butcher
Goldwater Institute
Two new tools will force Arizonans to take a hard look at how our schools are performing – and make it difficult for low-performers to hide behind “fuzzy” labels.
First, the Arizona Department of Education will be replacing the convoluted labels of “performing,” “excelling,” etc., with letter grades over the next two years — providing a more obvious way to talk about school quality. According to data from last week’s release of Arizona’s A-through-F school ratings, more than 93,000 students attend a school rated “D.”
No school received an “F” because schools will have to earn a “D” for two consecutive years before receiving an “F.” However, the new system has been a wake-up call for some who discovered their “excelling” school is really just a “B.”
Second, a new “Global Report Card” allows comparisons of math and reading achievement levels between school districts and 25 developed nations around the world.
A project led by Goldwater Institute Senior Fellow Jay Greene, the “Global Report Card” allows web site visitors to compare their school district to others nationally and globally. Think the number of Arizona students attending “D” schools is sobering? Make sure you’re sitting down when you look at how Arizona compares internationally. Eighty-five percent of students in Canada score better in math than the average Tucson Unified student.
These new tools will help parents and lawmakers hold schools accountable. Public education expenditures are the single largest part of the state’s general fund budget, and between 2000 and 2009, total spending per pupil increased 47 percent.
We know how important the investment is, and now failure has nowhere to hide.
Jonathan Butcher is education director for the Goldwater Institute.
Learn More:
Goldwater Institute: Demography Defeated: Florida’s K-12 Reforms and Their Lessons for the Nation
Arizona Department of Education: A-F Accountability
East Valley Tribune: Arizona grades its public schools
The Global Report Card: Find Your School District
Walt Opaska Announces Candidacy For Glendale Mayor
October 17, 2011 By 4 Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2011
CONTACT: Walt Opaska
Glendale — Walt Opaska announces his candidacy for Glendale Mayor. Glendale must elect a Mayor who will put Glendale first, not special interests.
Under Mayor Scruggs, Glendale has cut city services while giving away millions of taxpayer dollars for corporate welfare projects like pro-sport stadiums and strip malls. This year, Glendale will spend $37 million dollars on a hockey stadium and $13 million on a spring training facility.
“Glendale is taking $630 from every family in Glendale this year and spending it on sports arenas. This is shameful. Mayor Scruggs and the city should help Glendale’s families, not take their money to provide corporate welfare. Instead of taking $630 from each Glendale family and spending it on professional sports teams, I will work to cut taxes, put more police officers on the street, and restore basic city services, like libraries, that Mayor Scruggs and the city have cut to fund corporate welfare,” explains Opaska.
To pay for outrageous crony capitalism, Mayor Scruggs raised Glendale’s taxes and water rates to the highest of the ten largest cities in Arizona. Under Mayor Scruggs, Glendale has the highest sales tax and water rates of these ten largest cities and third highest property tax rate. According to a 2010 study by the Tax Foundation, Glendale sales tax is the eighth highest sales tax rate of the 107 largest cities in the country. (See http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/26622.html). “As mayor, I will oppose tax increases and work to rein in City spending so Glendale no longer as the dubious distinction of having the highest taxes in state,” pledges Opaska.
Walt is the son of a school teacher and small businessman. He has a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Texas and a law degree from University of Arizona. Prior to attending law school, Walt worked as an engineer for Lockheed Martin. As an attorney, Walt works with innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs to solve problems and protect their inventions and other property. In 2007, Walt chaired the “No New Sales Tax for Glendale” Campaign, a grassroots effort to oppose Glendale’s ballot initiative to raise the City’s sales tax. In addition to professional and political involvement, he has been actively involved in the charitable groups including the 20-30 club and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Walt is a married to Jennifer Opaska, an Arizona native. They have a 4 year-old daughter, Avery.
“I am asking the Glendale’s voters to help me put Glendale first. Let’s bring accountability, responsibility, and discipline to mayor’s office.”
Walt announces his campaign tonight at the Legislative District 4 Republican Party meeting, which is held at 6:30 pm at Union Hills Country Club.
To learn more about Walt Opaska and how you can help Walt put Glendale first, please visit www.opaskaformayor.com.
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The Influence of Public Employee Unions
October 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The influence of public employee unions has become a major issue in the race to decide who will be Phoenix’s next mayor. Both candidates say contracts with the seven unions that represent city employees need to be reformed. One likely target is “release time.”
Town Hall Meeting with GOP Presidential Candidate Speaker Newt Gingrich
October 17, 2011 By 7 Comments
7:00 pm-8:30 pm (doors open at 6pm)
Radisson Phoenix City Center
3600 N. 2nd Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
Sedona A & B
map it
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Co-Hosted by 
Fountain Hills AZ Tea Party
Daisy Mountain Tea Party Patriots
Greater Phoenix Tea Party Patriots
Arizona Republican Party
Contact Susan Leeper if you have any questions at 480-998-5022
Aborting for a better life?
October 14, 2011 By
Aborting for a better life?
Abortion advocates promote many myths and falsehoods to sell abortions. One of the most offensive results of legalized abortions remains the fact that up to 80-90% of preborn children with Down syndrome are aborted. If a baby is diagnosed in utero with having or being at risk for having Down syndrome, the parents often are advised strongly that the “humane” thing to do is abort the child. The so-called medical professionals and pro-abortion advocates also will say an abortion will spare the parents a life full of hardships.
Yet like most things that come from the deceptive pro-abortion crowd, this is completely wrong – and the research proves it. A recent study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics surveyed 2,044 parents of children with Down syndrome and found that 99% reported that they love their son or daughter; 97% were proud of them; and 79% felt their outlook on life was more positive because of them.
Somehow our opponents have lost sight of the value of all life. CAP Legal Counsel Deborah Sheasby writes more about these studies on the Foundations blog.
Summing Up the Values Voters Summit
Last weekend, I attended the Values Voters Summit. I listened closely to seven of the eight candidates for the Republican Presidential nomination. I also had the chance to meet with 21 of my Family Policy Council colleagues from across the country to discuss what’s happening in our states and look ahead toward 2012.
Each speaker voiced grave concerns about the future of our country and the critical importance of the 2012 elections. The number of opportunities we face is only matched by the number of challenges we face. My prayer is that the turnaround and victories we’ve experienced in Arizona will carry over to Washington, D.C., and the rest of the nation. Each of us must stay informed this election season, register voters, and be sure to turn out to vote when the time comes. Most importantly, we must all remember to pray daily for our state and nation.
The Best Interests of the Child
The U.S. Supreme Court this week refused to hear a case from a same-sex couple in Louisiana that was trying to force the state to list both adults on a child’s birth certificate as parents. Louisiana, like Arizona, only allows for two people to be listed as the parents of a child if they are a married man and a woman (both states allow for singles to adopt, too). The Court’s decision not to hear the case means that an earlier ruling upholding Louisiana’s adoption laws stands.
While the courts haven’t always been friendly to those of us that recognize the importance of marriage and family to our culture, this was a welcomed victory.
Recall Election Voter Guide Now Available
CAP has surveyed the two candidates in the upcoming Legislative District 18 Special Recall Election and posted the Voter Guide to azvoterguide.com. Click here to access it.
Will I see you on October 29?
The Faith in Action Tour is two weeks away on October 29. Dr. Del Tackett, along with more than 30 local community service organizations will be joining CAP at Bethany Bible Church from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. So far, we’ve already had more than 800 people register for this unique event. Space is limited and you won’t want to miss it! Click here to get yours!
Catch me on Radio Shine
Just reminder to tune-in to 90.9 FM every Friday morning or afternoon to catch me on the CAP Family Minute on Radio Shine.