Arizona Politics for Conservatives: Sonoran Alliance
Arizona Politics, News, Commentary and Information with a Blatantly Conservative Worldview Presented by an Alliance of Writers, Activists, Consultants and Government Insiders.
“I spent my life in the private sector. I’ve competed with companies around the world. I’ve learned something about how it is that economies grow. We’re not going to balance the budget just by pretending that all they have to do is take out the waste. We’re going to have to cut spending.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Tasya Peterson
PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today commended the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for affirming the Federal District Court’s dismissal of the challenge to SB 1070 that was filed by Tucson police officer Martin Escobar. In August 2010, Federal District Judge Susan Bolton dismissed the Escobar challenge for lack of standing.
“I am pleased with today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit affirming the dismissal of this case challenging SB 1070,” said Governor Brewer. “I’ll continue to defend the State of Arizona’s duty and obligation to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens.”
Escobar is a Tucson police officer who filed a lawsuit claiming that enforcement of SB 1070 would violate the rights of Latinos. He alleged that he may be subject to civil liability for violating the rights of others in enforcing the Arizona immigration law, and additionally asserted that he would be subject to discipline by his employer and potential civil lawsuits if he failed to enforce SB 1070. The Federal District Court dismissed Escobar’s case, a decision now affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Arizona Legislature enacted SB 1070 primarily to require that Arizona’s law enforcement officers cooperate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Special protections were included in the law to safeguard against racial profiling. SB 1070 was duly-passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brewer in order to protect the citizens of Arizona from the federal government’s failure to enforce the immigration laws.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky
Congressman Flake Praises Senate Passage of Kirk-Menendez Amendment Targeting Central Bank of Iran
Flake Has Introduced Similar Legislation in the House
Washington, D.C., Dec 1 – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today praised the passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (S.1867) offered by Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by prohibiting foreign financial institutions that do business with the Central Bank of Iran – the financier primarily responsible for facilitating Iran’s illicit activities – from opening or maintaining correspondent operations in the United States.
The International Atomic Energy Agency issued a report on November 8th that found Iran has developed technologies and conducted research to produce nuclear weapons and deliver them. In response, the United Kingdom and Canada levied economic sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank.
“Every day that Iran has access to Western capital brings them closer to making their nuclear aspirations a reality. The Kirk-Menendez amendment will severely limit funding sources for Iran’s nuclear weapons program, and is one of the few steps remaining at our disposal to stymie this dangerous threat to the U.S., Israel and the rest of the Middle East,” said Flake.
Last week, Congressman Flake along with Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina introduced H.R. 3508 which, like the Kirk-Menendez amendment, would levy economic sanctions on foreign financial institutions that conduct business with the Central Bank of Iran.
These sanctions would include a prohibition on the opening or maintenance in the U.S. of an account by a foreign institution that does business with the Central Bank of Iran and would freeze any assets in the U.S of those institutions. In an effort to avoid a dangerous spike in oil prices, transactions pertaining to petroleum would be subject to sanctions six months after the legislation takes effect. The legislation also contains a national security waiver and a provision to ensure efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Iran are not hampered by the sanctions law.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Chad Heywood
Two conservative leaders throw support behind Adams
East Valley – Jeff Weninger and Kevin Hartke, two conservative Chandler City Council leaders endorsed Kirk Adams for congress.
Councilman Hartke, a pastor and community leader, has a reputation of integrity and sound values. Councilman Weninger, the owner of 5 successful restaurants was the top vote getter in last year’s election and is widely respected for his rational and principled leadership.
“Kirk Adams has a proven track record of breaking government’s spending addiction,” said Councilman Hartke. “His courageous leadership is critically needed in Washington D.C.”
“As a small business owner, I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing our economy. Washington is out of touch with the real world,” stated Councilman Weninger. “Kirk is a business owner himself and has always been an advocate for small business. He understands what it takes to be successful. He will fight the Washington machine and play an vital role in generational shift occurring among the conservatives in congress.”
Adams thanked the lawmakers for their support. “These great conservatives leaders have stepped forward to serve our communities in the private sector and public office,” said Adams. “They serve for all the right reasons and are truly principled leaders. I’m honored to have their support.”
Adams is a husband, father, and small businessman. After joining the state House in 2006, he became so frustrated by the unwillingness and inability of Republicans in the Legislature to stand up for their conservative principals that he launched a long-shot campaign to oust the veteran Speaker of the House. Adams shocked the Republican establishment and political class, winning the Speakership at only 35 years of age.
Adams turned the tide in the House and put Arizona back on the path to fiscal responsibility with an aggressive agenda of reform, courageously taking on some of the most challenging issues in Arizona.
Adams, a lifelong East Valley resident, lives in Mesa with his wife JaNae their five children.
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NFIB Key Votes Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act to protect small employer rights
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2011 — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released the following statement by Senior Vice President for Federal Public Policy Susan Eckerly regarding today’s vote on H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act. The legislation was proposed in response to the National Labor Relation Board’s (NLRB) recent proposal on “ambush” elections and its decision in Specialty Healthcare to allow micro-unions, and is strongly supported by the NFIB.
“The NLRB is at it again. In an attempt to circumvent Congress—after it prevented the passage of card check legislation—the NLRB proposed the ‘ambush election rule,’ condensing the time period in which employers and employees have to prepare for a union election, so undermining the rights of both. And in its latest effort to blunt employer rights, the Board ruled in favor of so-called micro-unions, allowing unions to organize mini-bargaining units throughout a business. Unfortunately, the NLRB fails to realize that its pro-union actions will only create more uncertainty for small-business owners at a time when the country needs them to be creating more jobs.
“Fortunately, Congress has responded. In passing this bill, the House has demonstrated its understanding and concern for the unique demands that the NLRB’s irresponsible actions would place on small business. It is always a challenge for small business owners to keep current with new regulations and labor laws, especially in the current economic environment. It is the responsibility of our lawmakers to ensure that our nation’s job-creators are given the tools they need to succeed—not overwhelmed with rules and prohibitions that suppress growth and hiring. With so many small-business owners identifying economic and political uncertainty as their primary concern, NFIB is pleased that with its vote today, Congress has taken steps to renew small-business confidence.”
NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy organization, representing 350,000 small businesses around the country.
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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Paul Boyer
Representative Michelle Ugenti is sponsoring the Pat Tillman legacy bill that creates a license plate honoring Pat Tillman. She has secured bill number HB2042 to honor Tillman, who wore #42 as a linebacker for Arizona State. Proceeds of the sales of the plates will benefit military service members and their families
“This piece of legislation is personally important to me because of my family’s close relationship with the Tillman family,” Representative Michelle Ugenti said. “My husband, Frank, grew up with the Tillman family in San Jose and is cousins with Marie Tillman, Pat’s widow.”
HB2042 has an emergency clause. If two thirds of the Legislature in both the House and the Senate support the bill and the Governor signs it, the bill will go into effect immediately and in time for the next annual Pat’s Run on April 21, 2012.
“Together with the Pat Tillman Foundation I am proud to introduce the Pat Tillman Legacy Plate,” Ugenti said. “This bill will allow for the sale of a ‘Pat Tillman Foundation’ Arizona license plate. Proceeds from the sales of the plates will benefit military service members and their families.”
“Having known Pat was a great honor and I will always remember his passion for conversation and how he would engage you in debate as often as possible,” Ugenti said. “We would talk politics, religion, social issues, sports…the topics were endless. And when we ran out of topics there was always Trivial Pursuit, his favorite game.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2011
CONTACT: Chris Baker
LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ – Conservative State Senator Ron Gould announced today the formation of an exploratory committee for Congress in the new Arizona Congressional District 4.
“Today I am proud to announce the formation of an exploratory committee for Congress,” said Gould. “After speaking to people both in Mohave County and across this new district, it is clear that they want a strong conservative voice representing them in Congress.
“It is clearer than ever that our federal government still spends too much, taxes too much, and has done very little to create an environment where our economy can get back on the right track and create jobs.
“In Congress, my goals will be very much like they have been in the Arizona State Senate. I will work to reduce the size, cost and reach of the federal government. I will oppose any effort to increase taxes. I will continue to take the lead in pushing for real solutions to secure Arizona’s border and stop illegal immigration. And most importantly, I will fight for common sense policies that grow our economy and allow the many small businesses in our district to grow and create jobs.”
About Ron Gould
Ron Gould was elected to the Arizona State Senate in 2004 after defeating two incumbent House members in the Republican primary. In the State Senate, Ron Gould has been recognized as a consistent advocate for smaller government and lower taxes, receiving the highest score from the free-market Goldwater Institute for the last 7 years. Ron Gould also has the highest cumulative lifetime score of any current Arizona legislator from the Arizona chapter of Americans for Prosperity as of their latest scorecard (2010).
Ron and his wife Janice live in Lake Havasu City where they run a successful small business. They have three grown children and one grandchild with another expected in January.
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This is actually a great “recovery” ad for Governor Rick Perry:
by Diane Cohen
Goldwater Institute
On November 14, the U.S. Supreme Court granted review of the 26-state lawsuit against the President’s healthcare law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Court granted 5 ½ hours for oral argument, including two hours of argument on the individual mandate and 1 ½ hours on severability, which addresses whether, in the event the mandate is found unconstitutional, the entire Act must be stricken as well.
The severability issue is a critical consideration for states like Arizona, which are suing over the law’s constitutionality while at the same time moving forward with implementing other parts of the law, specifically the law’s health insurance exchanges. This undermines the idea that if the mandate is found unconstitutional the whole law must be thrown out.
The federal district court that first heard the lawsuit brought by the states found the mandate unconstitutional and not severable from the remainder of the statute, and thus struck down the entire Act as unconstitutional. The judge explained that to sever the mandate from the remainder of the Act would require “reconfiguring an exceedingly lengthy and comprehensive legislative scheme,” including “going through a 2,700 page Act line-by-line, invalidating dozens (or hundreds) of some sections while retaining dozens (or hundreds) of others.”
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal court’s decision on the mandate, but disagreed on severability. The Circuit court held that the “stand-alone nature of hundreds of the Act’s provisions” and their “lack of connection to the Mandate” cut against non-severability. The Supreme Court will now decide the issue.
For its part, the Obama Administration has maintained that the mandate is closely linked to the guaranteed issue and community ratings provisions, and that they must also go if the mandate is found unconstitutional. The Goldwater Institute argued in its lawsuit challenging the Act that the establishment of health insurance exchanges and increases in Medicaid eligibility are also linked to the Act’s overall reform scheme and that the entire Act must be stricken.
Now that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the severability issue, states like Arizona must return federal exchange money they have received and cease from establishing health insurance exchanges. Efforts to stop the federal takeover of healthcare must not be placed in jeopardy by the states voluntarily complying with a law that they are at the same time challenging as unconstitutional.
Diane Cohen is a senior attorney for the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.
Learn More:
Goldwater Institute: Ten Resons Why Arizona Must Reject Health Insurance Exchanges
Arizona Republic: A welcome mat for ‘Obamacare’ in Ariz.
U.S. Supreme Court: Granting of Cert
