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.
Here is exclusive video footage of two different press conferences that occurred at the Arizona State Capitol on Monday, January 23, 2012.
First, coverage of Arizona Democrats making their best but feeble effort to repeal Arizona’s SB 1070:
Second, coverage of Arizona Republicans standing firm and united for Arizona’s southern border security and SB 1070.
President Obama came to speak to Intel employees in Chandler, Arizona at the Ocotillo complex on January 25th.
What most of the media didn’t show or report was what the President saw out his window en route.
First it was the amnesty demands of pro illegal groups:
Further down the road, a couple hundred, mostly upset Arizonans chanting “You are fired!”:
Probably not the ‘welcoming committee’ Obama wished for.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Andrew LeFevre
Phoenix, AZ, Thursday, January 26, 2012 – On Friday morning, January 27 at 11:00 AM, Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal will close out National School Choice Week activities here in Arizona by addressing thousands of students and parents at Edu-Prize campus located at 4567 West Roberts Road in Queen Creek, Arizona. Along with message on school choice week, Superintendent Huppenthal will be discussing the ruling earlier this week by Arizona Superior Court upholding the constitutionality of Arizona’s innovative Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) for special needs students.
“I am a firm believer that educational decisions should be made at the most local level possible,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal. “To me that means parents should be able to make the decision on which school will best meet the unique educational needs of their child.”
Friday, January 28 marks the end of the second annual National School Choice Week. All across the nation, school choice advocates and organizations, grassroots networks, parents and students held hundreds of events to increase awareness of the importance of providing effective educational options for every child. Arizona’s events included rallies and balloon launches at schools all across the state, a screening of the award winning documentary “Waiting for Superman,” and a virtual Congressional Town Hall.
As an added bonus to the School Choice Week activities, on Wednesday a Superior Court Judge found that Arizona’s ESAs which benefit special needs students was constitutional under Arizona law. Under the ESA program, parents are able to take 90 percent of the state education funding that is provided to their child and use it to purchase educational services that they deem best meet their child’s unique needs.
“The judge’s ruling was a great victory for parents and our most vulnerable students,” exclaimed Superintendent Huppenthal. “The ESA program epitomizes what school choice is all about – giving parents direct control over their children’s education.”
“To me one of Arizona’s greatest educational assets is our school choice environment,” continued Superintendent Huppenthal. “I am very excited to be able to be at Edu-Prize and hear firsthand from the students and parents about how being able to choose this school has made a difference in their education.”
Superintendent John Huppenthal has been a champion in the struggle to give parents greater control of their children’s education for over 18 years. In 1994 he led Arizona efforts to bring charter schools to the state. As Senate Education Committee Chairman in 1995, he sponsored and helped pass legislation that took the caps off the number of charter schools allowed under the law. He led the effort in developing some of the strongest home school and public school open enrollment laws in the nation. He was also a leader in the efforts to allow individuals and corporations to claim educational tax credits to fund student scholarships. Due to his efforts, tens of thousands of students have been able attend a school of their parent’s choice.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Stephen Virapmontes, (480) 442-1776
Proxy Process for all State Committeemen
Mesa, AZ - Today Stephen Viramontes would like to remind all of the State Committeemen of the proxy process for the Mandatory Meeting on Saturday January 28th. Per the call letter dated January 16th, 2012:
“At all meetings of the State Committee, members are entitled to vote in person or by proxy given to a qualified elector of the county (or in counties of 500,000 or more population, the legislative district) where the member resides.”
If you will not be able to attend this meeting, you may give your proxy to ANY REGISTERED REPUBLICAN IN YOUR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT to be carried on your behalf. Please remember the proxy requirements: “Every proxy must be attested by a Notary Public or two witnesses, brought to the meeting by the proxy carrier.”
If you or a state committeeman, or know of one that will not be in attendance at this meeting please contact a member of your district leadership team so your proxy may be carried.
Viramontes is a husband, father and entrepreneur. He is currently serving as a precinct and state committeeman in Legislative District 22 and is running for the 2nd Vice-Chairman of the AZGOP. His goals include improving the communication between the State Party and Legislative Districts, while also assisting the Districts in their fundraising efforts in preparation for 2012 elections.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
Graham County – It is indeed an honor for me to endorse and support John D Rhodes for the Third Vice Chair of the Arizona GOP. I have known John since we were kids and I can unambiguously vouch for his character. He has always been very respected within Graham County as a dedicated family man and local entrepreneur. He has owned and managed a very successful business for decades. While I served as Sheriff, John was a member of our volunteer Search and Rescue Squad and was instrumental in serving and protecting the citizens of Graham County.
But more importantly, John has exemplified the “power of one” in dedicating himself to the Republican Party of Graham County. Pursuant to John’s leadership Graham County became a Republican dominated county for the first time in history. I never thought I’d see such in my lifetime, but as chair of the Graham County GOP, John Rhodes made it happen. I know he will show the same dedication at the State level and will be an asset to the Republican Party throughout the entire State of Arizona.
Furthermore, I would like to endorse the entire slate of Republicans running with Rhodes, Russelll Pearce for 1st Vice Chair, who I have known since 1988, Parraleee Schneider for 2nd Vice Chair, Debbie Miller for Ass’t Sec., Andy Stevens for Ass’t Treasurer, Alberto Gutier for Sgt. at Arms, and Chris Campbell for Ass’t. Sgt. at Arms. What a great team for the GOP of Arizona!
Sheriff Richard Mack
Former Sheriff of Graham County.
www.sheriffmack.com
To All My Fellow Arizonians; As of 9/11/2011, I Van steenwyk, c. aka van the radio man formally announced my Candidacy for the office of U.S. Senator from AZ and I’m looking forward to serving all of you should you decide to give me your support and votes.
I’ve been discussing this with a group of Conservative Republicans & Tea Party Members as well for the last two months and after reviewing the field and realizing that once again the Leadership has decided who we’ll be able to vote made the decision to run. I find the decisions some make believing they know best to be completely unacceptable as do many others I’ve spoken with over the last few weeks and also since announcing formally.
I believe in the ability of the Citizens of Az to decide what type of representation they want at all levels of Government if given a choice and ask all of you to join with us to make this possible even though difficult.
Please go to the website; www.VanforUSSenate.com for more information as to where I stand on the issues and what I believe are doable solutions to them.
I’m looking forward to meeting more of you over the next few weeks and months and hope you’ll also tune into the Radio Show as I’ll still be broadcasting a result of owning my program I’m allowed to continue to broadcast same time and place. I’m also as most of you realize hoping for more volunteers and supporters to help us with the task laid before us and hope you’ll join in so we might all have Real Conservative Representation in DC.
God Bless You All;
Van
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Dave Erchull
Marana, AZ, January 26, 2012 – Bob Westerman has formed an exploratory campaign committee for Arizona State Representative in the newly proposed Legislative District 11. The new LD 11 will be representing Marana, Oro Valley, City of Maricopa, western Casa Grande, Catalina, Arizona City, and Saddlebrook. Bob is a former Chairman of the Pima County Republican Party and a Precinct and State Committeeman.
A veteran, Bob served in the U.S. Air Force and later in the U.S. Air Force Reserve as aircrew with air rescue. While living in California he served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles County and named Reserve Deputy Sheriff of the Year in 1992. He’s been married 40 years with two children and two grandchildren. Bob’s been a resident of Arizona for 19 years.
Bob has over 37 years in the aerospace industry. His experience working with hundreds of businesses from small to major corporations both domestic and international will give the Arizona Legislature the experience it needs to attract business and keep jobs. Bob is making Arizona’s economic future his top priority. Arizona’s education and healthcare systems are also high on his list of priorities.
“Americans have never taken the easy road.” Westerman says, “Our freedom depends on personal sacrifice and continuing vigilance. Our economy depends on competition and innovation. A government cannot bestow accomplishment by “redistributing” another’s success without damaging the very fabric of the American culture: hard-work, self-discipline, and personal responsibility, a fabric core to our Republican values. In a free society, success should be defined by the individual and not by the government. Free enterprise and competition cultivate and inspire accomplishment and greatness. They are the engines for creating opportunity.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
Richard Carmona Was Noticeably Absent From Obama’s Visit
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, President Barack Obama visited Chandler, Arizona but one person who skipped the event was Democrat Senate candidate Richard Carmona who the President personally recruited to run.
While the liberal kingmakers in Washington tried for months to get Carmona to challenge former Democrat party boss Don Bivens for the nomination, they were ultimately unsuccessful. That’s when the Campaigner-in-Chief got involved and personally encouraged Carmona to jump into the race, while Obama campaign officials claimed a Carmona candidacy would help them make Arizona competitive for the President.
It seems, however, that with the President’s poll numbers mired at just 41 percent approval in Arizona, Carmona wasn’t ready to return the favor.
“It speaks volumes about President Obama’s standing among Arizonans that even his hand-picked Senate candidate Richard Carmona wasn’t willing to stand at his side,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox. “No matter how hard Carmona tries to duck though, at some point he will need to step forward and explain to Arizonans why President Obama was so committed to getting him into this race. Clearly, President Obama saw a reliable vote for his big government, spending agenda in a Richard Carmona Senate candidacy.”
As Politico first reported:
“On September 23, President Obama called Richard Carmona to encourage him to run,” said one Democratic strategist. “The president said Carmona would certainly shake up the race. Carmona emphasized in the conversation that he would be a very independent voice in the Senate.” (Alex Burns, Obama courts Arizona Senate candidate, may contest state ‘heavily,’ Politico, 10/06/11)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Rey Torres
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STATE OF ISRAEL
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX (January 26, 2012) – Speaker Andy Tobin will introduce a House Resolution to demonstrate that the Arizona House of Representatives stands in solidarity with the State of Israel.
The resolution will highlight the characteristics and challenges that both Arizona and Israel face. Some of the points of common interest reflect that:
Israel has a right to secure and defensible borders and has the right to be free from rocket attacks on its schools and homes that have averaged one rocket every seven hours over the past five years
Israel and the United States have a shared interest in seeing the end of global terrorism since many of the same forces that threaten Israel also threaten the United States, especially the threat of Iran in producing a nuclear weapon and that when we strengthen Israel’s security, we are strengthening America’s security
Israel and Arizona are trading partners, a relationship we seek to enhance, sharing developments and cooperating in partnerships in education, technology, agriculture, medicine, solar energy, telecommunications, homeland security and numerous other fields and we recognize Israel’s contributions to the world including the development of the cell phone, armor to protect American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and even a new bandage that was used to help save the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Speaker Tobin stated, “There is no more natural friendship among nations than between that of the people of the United States and the people of Israel.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Paul Bentz
Mayor Scott Smith announces run for second term as Mayor of Mesa
Mesa- Mayor Scott Smith today officially kicked off his bid for reelection for Mayor of Mesa. Smith announced he decision to seek a second term following his State of the City address that focused on his Building a Better Mesa initiative. Building a Better Mesa focuses on creating jobs and economic opportunity, insuring Mesa is a safe place, and being a leader throughout the region.
Mayor Smith, current Vice President of the US Conference of Mayors said, “I am excited for the opportunity to build on what we have started here in Mesa. We have some great initiatives coming up with iMesa and I hope to have the opportunity to see those through.”
Mayor Smith had never served in an elected position prior to running in 2008. He shortly proved that his background as a businessman and CPA was just what Mesa needed. Over the last four years, Mesa has had a balanced budget while streamlining operations throughout the city.
Since taking office, Mesa has been at the center of some of the largest economic developments in the state including the Air Force Research Lab, planned Gaylord Resort, Cubs Spring Training Complex, First Solar factory and many more.
Understanding the importance that Mesa plays throughout the region, Mayor Smith has forged key relationships with elected leaders throughout the valley and worked diligently on projects beyond Mesa’s borders. Smith has also brought Mesa to national light as Vice President of the US Conference of Mayors, the highest position held by an Arizona Mayor. Mayor Smith will be President of the organization in 2013.
Smith isn’t done yet though on his quest to Build a Better Mesa. Through his iMesa initiative, Mesa will soon embark on a list of community driven ideas to make Mesa a better place for those that work and live here.
Mayor Smith is a third generation Arizonan and has lived in Mesa for nearly 45 years. Prior to elected office, Smith was a successful business consultant and homebuilder, primarily focusing on companies that needed help with restructuring or expanding their business. He was a CPA and earned his MBA and Law Degrees. from Arizona State University. He and his wife Kimberly have been married for over 30 years and have three children and three grandchildren.
To learn more about Mayor Smith, you can visit his website at www.ScottSmithforMayor.com.
I would love to have your support, and I’m asking for your vote for the position of Third Vice Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. My purpose in running is to help build the Republican Party into a stronger, more unified, well-informed organization. This will only be accomplished by working together as a team to defeat the Liberal, Progressive Obama Administration and the Democrat machine that is bent on the destruction of our Republic, our Constitution, and the economic base of our Nation.
You know that question they always ask – Which President inspired you to get active in politics? My answer to that question is… Jimmy Carter. I felt our Nation, and the free world, needed better leadership. At the time, I felt he was the poorest President we had ever elected. Of course, Obama now makes Carter look like a genius! As a lifetime resident of our great State, I am disgusted with his Administration and its attacks on States’ Rights and Individual Liberty. We must stop them now, not only by defeating Obama, but by extending the House and recapturing the Senate on the federal level. And we must give no ground at the state and local levels.
When I started out helping the Party in the eighties, the Graham County Republicans were relatively powerless and heavily outnumbered by Democrats. In the nineties, I became a Precinct Committeeman and dedicated my time and treasure to the party. I worked tirelessly on campaigns for Republican candidates, gathering petition signatures at personal expense and planting signs in five counties. I served as Graham County’s Second Vice Chairman, then First Vice Chairman, and I’ve been honored to be elected and re-elected as Chairman since 2005. I provide and maintain a highly conspicuous office for Graham County GOP, including all office equipment and utilities, at my own expense.
For me, all the hard work and personal investment is about one thing: Results. Here are some of the results Graham County GOP has delivered under my leadership as Chairman:
These are the kind of results I’ll give 110% effort to help with statewide, but our success can only happen with teamwork across the entire Party. I humbly request your vote and support for the position of Third Vice Chair of the Arizona Republican Party, and I respectfully ask you to join me in supporting Russell Pearce, Parralee Schneider, Deborrah Miller, Andrew Stevens, Alberto Gutier, and Chris Campbell in their respective bids for office. This team has pledged to work together to strengthen the Party. Let’s all work together to strengthen our State, take back our Nation, and preserve our Liberty.
A Few Things About Me
A Few of My Endorsements
PHOENIX — Education-reform advocates won a key victory today, with a judge upholding the constitutionality of Arizona’s first-in-the-nation education savings accounts.
The Maricopa County Superior Court rejected a legal challenge by the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Education Association against the accounts, known formally as empowerment scholarship accounts (ESAs).
“Though this is only the opening round of a protracted legal battle, it is gratifying to start with a victory for the kids,” declared Clint Bolick, vice president for litigation at the Goldwater Institute, who argued on behalf of the Institute before Judge Maria Del Mar Verdin.
ESAs were proposed by the Goldwater Institute as a way to expand educational opportunities, and were adopted by a bipartisan majority of the Arizona Legislature for disabled schoolchildren in 2010. For eligible children who leave the public schools, the state provides 90 percent of their per-pupil funding in an account that can be used for a wide variety of educational purposes, including private school tuition, tutoring, distance learning, community college classes, and educational software.
The Arizona Supreme Court struck down school vouchers in 2009, holding that because they could only be used for private school tuition, they were impermissible aid to private and religious schools. Judge Verdin noted that ESAs, by contrast, can be used by parents to fund various services from multiple entities. “The exercise of parental choice among education options makes the program constitutional,” she concluded.
The Goldwater Institute has called for expansion of the program to children who are enrolled in poor-performing public schools.
Although an appeal is inevitable, Bolick said, “We wish the school boards and teachers’ union would call off the attack dogs and direct their resources toward education rather than litigation.”
In addition to the Goldwater Institute, the program is defended by Attorney General Tom Horne and the Institute for Justice. The decision comes in the middle of National School Choice Week.
The court ruling is available here (PDF). Read more about Niehaus v. Huppenthal here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2012
CONTACT: Katie Martin
Phoenix, Arizona – Wil Cardon, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, has received the endorsement of Arizona businessman and sports management icon Jerry Colangelo. Cardon’s campaign is continuing to build strength across Arizona and this latest endorsement is generating buzz throughout the business community.
“This endorsement from Jerry Colangelo is a great addition to the momentum my campaign is receiving,” said Cardon. “Having Jerry on my team shows that we are building a coalition of strong business minded individuals who are confident in my ability to be a successful United States Senator and get Arizona back to work. I am very proud to have his endorsement and I am glad he is confident in my vision as Arizona’s next United States Senator.”
Jerry Colangelo highlighted Wil’s tireless commitment to doing what is best for Arizona as one of the many reasons he is endorsing Cardon. Mr. Colangelo’s endorsement comes just weeks after Cardon’s Finance Committee Co-Chairs were announced. This endorsement from Mr. Colangelo coupled with Cardon’s impressive team of Finance Co-Chairs shows great strength going into the 2012 election year.
“Wil Cardon is the leader Arizona needs in the United States Senate,” said Colangelo. “Wil’s ideas and track record of creating jobs in the current economic climate is impressive and should be a tell-tale sign of his ability to get the job done in Washington. As a conservative outsider, Wil is not afraid to make the tough decisions necessary and that is an important trait we need in our next U.S. Senator. Wil Cardon is the only one in the race who I feel confident in having the skills and ability to see our state through these tough times and do what is best for all Arizonans. That is why I am endorsing Wil Cardon to be our next United States Senator from the great state of Arizona.”
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By Lynne LaMaster
Why shouldn’t Public Notices be online?
The Arizona Newspaper industry is in a panic.
Why? Because the Arizona State Legislature is considering a bill that would allow public notices to be published online.
Public notices, also known as legal notices, are the columns of government-required announcements one sees in printed newspapers usually placed near the classified section, set in very small type. It contains information about legal issues such as trustee sales, articles of incorporation, foreclosures, delinquent tax lists and domestic relations, just to name a few.
Right now, an old Arizona State law requires that public notices be published in a printed newspaper. But, HB 2403, which is being considered by the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure would allow public notices to be published either in a newspaper or online.
According to the House website, HB 2403 states, “…that if there is a statutory requirement for a publication of a notice in a newspaper, the person responsible for the publication may publish in the newspaper or may provide notice at a designated site on a worldwide public network of interconnected computers, for at least the specified number of times as prescribed by law.”
Newspapers do not support this proposed law because they would lose a great deal of income if it passes. FundingtheNews.com states on their homepage, “At a time when the financial model for news is facing the greatest crisis in decades, the level of government funding for news organizations has been declining sharply…”
Again from FundingtheNews.com, “Historically, these fine-print notices have been a lucrative business for newspaper publishers, and have touched off heated bidding wars for government contracts… While other forms of advertising have plummeted, public notices have been a bright spot for publishers.”
The question is, why should the government fund news organizations, anyway?
Arguments in Favor of Online Public Notices
The purpose of public notices is for public notification. What’s more public than the Internet? If placed properly online, the information can be searchable and indexed by search engines.
Public notices can be enhanced much more easily online. No more squint-to-read text. Online, it would be easy to add color if necessary, and photos when appropriate. If links to other information would be helpful, they can be added and made clickable. They can be formatted, headlines can be added easily and the content can become comprehensible with a decent layout. Public notices can even be placed in audio files for the disabled, if appropriate.
Public notices can be placed online at a much lower cost than in a newspaper. No ink, paper or distribution costs to pay for. Less waste to the environment.
Our local paper charges the City of Prescott $11 per column inch. Assuming that inch takes about 30 seconds to type in, it adds up to $1320 per hour.
Additionally, the public won’t have to purchase a newspaper to see the notification.
Government agencies and municipalities will save money if they can place their public notices online. Saved money just might end up being saved jobs.
The newspapers shouldn’t be given a free ride. Let them compete. Competition is good, it makes everyone better. Allowing online publication of public notices will simply level the playing field.
It’s time to level out the playing field. The Internet is the future. And that future is now. Nobody’s saying that one shouldn’t be able to publish in a newspaper, just that alternative options should be available.
So, now you understand why the newspapers are writing editorials and placing ads that read, “The fox shouldn’t guard the henhouse. Keep public notices in your local community newspaper,” or, “Don’t let government remove public notices from Arizona Newspapers… public notices need to be public.” After all, newspaper organizations have a monopoly to protect.
In conclusion, online public notices just make sense for almost everyone – except the newspapers. As one city official stated, “Online is easier, cheaper, greener and better. What’s not to like?”
Editor’s note: A hearing will be held on this matter tomorrow at 9 AM at the Capitol before the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure. Representative David W. Stevens is the Chair of the Committee. View the agenda.
Lynne LaMaster is the Editor for Prescott eNews.
