You are here: Home / Archives for Arizona Legislature

Defunding Planned Parenthood

April 30, 2012 By

The Legislature once again demonstrated why Arizona has become one of the most pro-life states in the country. On Wednesday, the Senate passed HB 2800, sponsored by Rep. Justin Olson. This bill prohibits federal dollars that pass through the state for family planning from going to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood. Click here to see how your Senator voted. The bill now awaits Gov. Brewer’s signature.To no one’s surprise, of course, Planned Parenthood continues to attack the bill in two ways:

  1. They claim they do not use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions. Yet one taxpayer dollar that goes to Planned Parenthood for anything frees up another dollar to fund their abortion operation. Any funding to Planned Parenthood supports abortions.
  2. Despite being Arizona’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood claims this bill will deny women access to other medical procedures including cancer screenings and women’s health services. Once again, this is not true. The bill does not reduce the funding by one penny – it simply prioritizes the funding to healthcare providers who can provide more comprehensive services. There are plenty of options for women to access care in Arizona.

National Day of Prayer
Since our nation’s beginning, every leader has recognized the important role prayer plays in safeguarding our future.The National Day of Prayer is this Thursday, May 3. This year’s theme verse is Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord.”

Our friends at BridgeBuilders are hosting a prayer event at the state Capitol that day. Check out other prayer events across the state at the National Day of Prayer website.

Take time on Thursday to lift Arizona and America up in prayer. Attend an event. Pray with your family, especially your children. Pray for wisdom and protection for our leaders at all levels of government. Ask for the church to stand up this election season and that the foundational values of life, marriage and family, and religious liberty are protected and respected in our nation.

The National Movement
The Susan B. Anthony List has been working with state organizations across the country to defund Planned Parenthood. This year, Ohio, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Oklahoma are considering legislation similar to Arizona’s HB 2800. We’re grateful to have been able to work with SBA List to see HB 2800 pass in Arizona.In 2011, eight states successfully defunded Planned Parenthood of more than $61.7 million.

Rushing Toward Adjournment
After a slow week at the Capitol, news comes late this week that the Legislature and Governor may have reached an agreement on the state budget. That means adjournment could happen early next week. Three key CAP-supported bills still need final votes in both houses: SB 1365 to protect the rights of conscience for individuals in employment, HB 2774 to clarify the property tax exemption for churches, and HB 2622 to expand and refine Arizona’s empowerment scholarship account program. Vetoed by Gov. Brewer a few weeks ago, the “ESA” bill has been modified to meet Gov. Brewer’s concerns. Stay up to date with CAP’s bill tracker.

Finding a Solution
The state Senate gave final approval to HB 2625, which exempts religiously affiliated employers from being forced to violate their religious beliefs by covering abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives in their insurance plans.The bill passed by a 19-9 vote and now heads to Gov. Brewer’s desk. Click here to see how your Senator voted.

While there is still work to be done to protect the religious conscience rights of all employers, this bill is an important step in the right direction.

Gov. Brewer Needs to Hear from You!

Now that these two important bills are heading to the Governor, she needs to hear from you that you support HB 2800 and HB 2625!

Click here to send Gov. Brewer a message online.
Filed Under: Family, Legislation, Religion, Sanctity of Life Tagged With: , , , ,

Arizona Democrat Rep Linda Lopez attacks Republicans as members of Taliban

March 22, 2012 By 5 Comments

Watch as Arizona Democrat lawmaker, State Rep Linda Lopez, lies to the media about a piece of legislation, HB 2625, and then calls Republicans members of the Taliban.

YouTube Preview Image

Let’s remember that Linda Lopez has been a longtime advocate and sponsor or legislation that would force doctors to euthanize patients.

Contact State Rep Lopez and demand that she apologize for her statement.

Also demand that Linda Lopez attend mandatory remedial training at the University of Arizona’s National Institute for Civil Discourse.

YouTube Preview Image
Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Culture, Elected Officials, Legislation, Liberals, Political Correctness, Political Parties, State Government Tagged With: , ,

PAChyderm Coalition Publishes 1st Weekly Legislator Evaluation for this Session

February 24, 2012 By 5 Comments

Here is the general information provided about the evaluation:

We have been working with Republican legislators to refine the bill weights. The have had private access to our proposed weights prior to our publication of them.

The number of bills being tracked is 173 plus 37 bills that have strike all amendments.

There are a lot of legislators with high scores including many representatives who have +100% ratings!

Although we are well into the session, there are still many floor votes as well as committee votes to come. The scores currently are still heavily influenced by bill sponsorships compared to floor and committee votes, but, as more votes are taken, they will have an increasing impact on the scores as the session continues.

We have tightened up the categorization we apply to the scores. Reagan Republican and RINO have stayed the same, the Bipartisan Republican score range has expanded, and the other categories have higher score values with narrower ranges.

Click here to see the complete evaluation.


Filed Under: Conservatives, Elected Officials, Legislation, State Budget, State Economy, State Government, States Rights, Taxation, Uncategorized, Voters Guide Tagged With: , ,

Battle at the Arizona State Capitol: A Tale of Two Press Conferences

January 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

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:

YouTube Preview Image

Second, coverage of Arizona Republicans standing firm and united for Arizona’s southern border security and SB 1070.

YouTube Preview Image
Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Border, Conservatives, Elected Officials, Illegal Aliens, Illegal Immigration, Legislation, Political Parties, State Government Tagged With: , , , , ,

My Legislative Wishlist

January 10, 2012 By 4 Comments

I can’t recall ever putting out a legislature/legislative wishlist on Sonoran Alliance so this is a first. I know that legislators read Sonoran Alliance so I’ll announce these to the public and see where these go:

  1. Require that every Arizona County Recorder provides the latest voter registration to the Secretary of State’s Office on a weekly basis. This will allow the political parties to have fresh data in order to improve get out the vote campaigns.
  2. Change Arizona’s campaign finance laws to require a reporting period deadline to occur 10 days before early ballots are issued. This will allow the public to see who is giving to which campaigns and how that money is being spent. This is an issue of transparency. If the media and new media is doing its job, it will report this information to the public. This will include municipal and recall elections.
  3. Refer to the 2012 ballot a repeal of Proposition 106. This created the Arizona “Independent” Redistricting Commission in 2000 which gave us the 2011 fiasco. I would rather have our jurisdictional lines drawn by 90 elected accountable office holders than 5 unelected unaccountable office holders. It’s absolutely more “democratic.”
  4. If a repeal of Proposition cannot take place, than refer to the ballot an amendment to Proposition 106 that requires the AIRC to draft the lines of EVERY political jurisdiction in the State of Arizona effective the year after passage. This would include school board districts, city council districts, you name it.
  5. Finally, I call upon the House Ethics Committee to immediately begin ethics hearings on State Representative Daniel Patterson. Patterson has been in legal trouble for some time (and we have the documents to prove it!) Even members of his own party would like him to resign. As we learned from the recent hearings in the Senate, any member of the public can file a complaint with the House Ethics Committee.

Now feel free to discuss and even add your own suggestions!

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Government Reform, Legislation, State Government Tagged With:

Statement from Senate President Steve Pierce and House Speaker Andy Tobin

January 9, 2012 By 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

“Governor Brewer’s State of the State address today lays the foundation for what should be an outstanding legislative session. The hard work done the last three years by the Governor and Legislature to straighten out our state’s finances has put Arizona back on the right track.

The Governor is right to promise no extension of the temporary one-cent sales tax increase. We also stand with Governor Brewer in her commitment to lower taxes and reduce regulation.

The Governor will have strong support in the legislature as we continue to fight the Federal Government’s overreach. We must stand for what is right in Arizona and not emulate Washington, D.C.

We are prepared for a productive, efficient Centennial Legislative session, and look forward to working with Governor Brewer to put the interests of our citizens first.”

###

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Conservatives, Elected Officials, Federal Budget, State Government Tagged With: , , , , ,

Governor Brewer Delivers State of the State Address, Unveils Policy Agenda for 2012 and Beyond

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9, 2012
CONTACT: Matt Benson

Releases Bold Plan to Boost Economy, Reform Education and Modernize Government

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today unveiled for 2012 and beyond a detailed policy agenda designed to prepare the State of Arizona for its second century. The policy agenda accompanied the Governor’s delivery of the Centennial State of the State address.

“Arizonans can take heart in how far this state has come from the darkest days of the recession and fiscal crisis, but now is no time to lose focus,” said Governor Brewer. “Every one of us benefits daily from the wise foresight and dedication of Arizona’s founders and great leaders of the past. Now, we have an obligation to make the tough choices that will set a prosperous course for Arizona’s second century.

“That means clearing the unnecessary obstacles to economic growth, and building an education system worthy of your children’s limitless promise. It means modernizing state government to ensure it is both efficient and effective, and protecting the rights of Arizona citizens against a federal government that has lost its way.”

The policy agenda reinforces and furthers the Governor’s Four Cornerstones of Reform, a blueprint to:

  • improve Arizona’s economic competitiveness;
  • bring needed reforms to K-12 and higher education;
  • modernize state government; and
  • push back against a federal government that has exceeded its constitutional authority.

Additional policy initiatives in areas like economic development will be announced in the days ahead as Governor Brewer issues her state budget plan for Fiscal 2013.

1st Cornerstone: Economic Competitiveness 

The economy continues to be a top concern for Governor Brewer, though the outlook has brightened considerably in recent months. The State of Arizona added nearly 46,000 jobs between 2010 and 2011, and its job growth ranked 7th-best nationally.

Governor Brewer now asks the Legislature to build upon last year’s signature economic initiative –

the Arizona Competitiveness Package – with a new effort to prepare unemployed and underemployed Arizonans for new careers and aid small businesses by simplifying the state tax code. The Governor also reiterated her support for the proposed I-11, a planned interstate highway that would promote tourism and trade between two of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas: Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Additional economic initiatives include:

  • Creation of a community-college scholarship program to help adults re-train and transition into careers that fulfill local needs.
  • A requirement that individuals enrolling in a taxpayer-funded job-training program undergo drug testing.

2nd Cornerstone: Education 

Arizona already has the framework in place for comprehensive education reform with the Arizona Ready initiative. This plan establishes more rigorous standards for students, teachers and schools, provides new methods for parents to gauge student achievement and monitor school performance, and sets yearly benchmarks to track Arizona’s education improvements between now and 2020.

Funding is part of the education equation, as Governor Brewer recognized with her successful push for Proposition 100 in 2010. She always pledged that the 1-cent tax would expire after three years. And it will, in 2013, as the Governor reinforced today.

However, Governor Brewer will remain part of ongoing discussions about proper funding for education in Arizona, and believes the current model does little to encourage innovation or performance on the part of teachers, professors and administrators.

Governor Brewer’s education plan includes initiatives to:

  • Implement performance-based funding for Arizona’s institutions of higher education, while reviewing and reforming Community College State Aid.
  • Produce a searchable database so that every parent can research the license and any disciplinary actions taken against their children’s teachers, and reform the teacher decertification process.
  • Lead a campaign this year to encourage involvement by parents in their children’s education.

3rd Cornerstone: State Government

The citizens of Arizona deserve a lean, effective and efficient State government.

Governor Brewer will create a Government Transformation Office, housed within the Department of Administration, which will be responsible for identifying process improvements and best practices to minimize redundancies and improve customer service. Governor Brewer also will pursue reforms that modernize the State personnel system, making it easier to hire and reward the most talented employees, while removing red tape that hinders removal of the least productive workers.

The State of Arizona has an obligation to vulnerable Arizonans, including the mentally ill and children under state supervision or care.

For the seriously mentally ill (SMI), planning already is underway for a pilot program that will integrate physical and behavioral health services for Medicaid-eligible SMI individuals. This approach is expected to result in fewer hospitalizations and less reliance on the crisis system.

In recent days, Governor Brewer was provided a series of recommendations by her Arizona Child Safety Task Force. While she continues to review those recommendations, the Governor proposes several child-safety initiatives for immediate adoption. They include:

  • Involvement of law enforcement in all Priority 1 investigations that contain allegations of criminal conduct.
  • Improvement of CPS caseworker training, both pre-service and continuing, including the training of CPS workers in law enforcement techniques.
  • Overhaul of the abuse hotline to improve screening, decrease wait times and expedite high-priority calls.
  • Introduction of Quality Management initiatives throughout CPS to streamline processes and improve outcomes for children.
  • Enhance transparency and accountability.

4th Cornerstone: Renewed Federalism

The State of Arizona has a long history of pushing back against federal overreach, and will continue to be a national leader among states seeking a return to a system of cooperative federalism. Governor Brewer will maintain the defense of SB 1070, and will remain a vocal opponent of mandates under the federal health care law. Both landmark cases will be heard this year by the U.S. Supreme Court.

With this past fire season the worst in Arizona State history, mismanagement of federal lands came into frightening focus as yet another area in which the federal government has neglected its duties. Strategic thinning can both reduce the risk of massive blazes and be an economic benefit to rural communities. With today’s State of the State Address, Governor Brewer called upon the federal government to stop its needless delay of the 4 Forest Restoration Initiative, a breakthrough, collaborative plan to restore 2.4 million acres across the Kaibab, Coconino, Apache-Sitgreaves and Tonto national forests.

“We are all blessed to be Arizonans, and I am honored to have a hand in guiding this state into its second century,” said Governor Brewer. “Working together, and drawing upon the grit of Arizona’s founders and judgment of the giants of our past, I’m confident Arizona’s next 100 years can be even more fruitful than the last.”

###

 

 

Filed Under: Economics, Education, Elected Officials, Government Reform, Jobs/Labor, Legislation, Press Release, State Budget, State Economy, State Government Tagged With: ,

Arizona Supreme Court Reinstates Colleen Mathis as Chairman of Redistricting Commission

November 17, 2011 By 73 Comments

Early this evening, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling reinstating the so-called ‘Independent’ Colleen Mathis to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

This is a victory for leftists and Strategic Telemetry who were attempting to manipulate the Arizona Constitution to gain political power by leveraging data to the left’s advantage.

Three members of the commission decided to disregard the mandates outlined in the Arizona Constitution and solely utilize the element of competitiveness to draft Arizona electoral boundaries.

The law states the following under Article 4, Part 2, Section 1:

(14) The independent redistricting commission shall establish congressional and legislative districts. The commencement of the mapping process for both the congressional and legislative districts shall be the creation of districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state. Adjustments to the grid shall then be made as necessary to accommodate the goals as set forth below: 

A. Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the United States voting rights act; 

B. Congressional districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable, and state legislative districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable; 

C. Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous to the extent practicable; 

D. District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable; 

E. To the extent practicable, district lines shall use visible geographic features, city, town and county boundaries, and undivided census tracts; 

F. To the extent practicable, competitive districts should be favored where to do so would create no significant detriment to the other goals.

The two Democrats and Independent member, Colleen Mathis, established “F” – the competitive provision – as the main criteria in drafting the maps.

This was a blatant redistribution of votes.

With Mathis now reinstated, the commission can move forward working to further divide and leverage minority power against the rest of the State of Arizona.

We would assume that Governor Brewer is furious over the court’s action (A statement was just released.)

This may also set the stage for a constitutional crisis.

This also should give the legislature further motive to move quickly to enter a special session with the exclusive objective of referring a repeal of the law that gave us the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

The Legislature has until November 30th to pass a referendum in order to place it on the ballot on the same day of the Presidential Preference Election on February 28th.

If you support repealing the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission and restoring this authority to 90 elected accountable people instead of 5 un-elected un-accountable people, contact the Arizona Legislature and let them know.

Time is running out for the legislature to act.

Lets restore this important authority to those who will not manipulate the law using slick Democrat consulting firms.

Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Ballot Measures, Conservatives, Conspiracy Theories, Constitutional Law, Elected Officials, Government Reform, Judicial, Legislation, Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science, State Government Tagged With: , , , , , ,

BREAKING NEWS: Planned Parenthood Lawsuit Against Abortion Consent Act Is Over

November 15, 2011 By 6 Comments

A court order entered today by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Mark Brain officially ends the legal attack on the Abortion Consent Act by Arizona’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood.

In August, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that the CAP-drafted and supported Abortion Consent Act was constitutional in a 3-0 decision. Today’s court order dismisses all remaining claims in the case and allows the Abortion Consent Act to take effect immediately.

The Abortion Consent Act is the single most significant piece of pro-life legislation in Arizona. This is a tremendous victory for the entire state, especially women and preborn children.

The provisions in the Abortion Consent Act include:

  • The state will require a notarized parental signature before an abortion can be performed on a minor child.
  • Women will be provided with full and accurate information by a doctor in person at least 24 hours before an abortion.
  • Medical professionals cannot be forced to perform abortions if it contradicts their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.
  • Non-doctors will not be permitted by law to perform surgical abortions.

While this is a monumental step forward for the Arizona, there is still much work to be done to see the sanctity of human life protected from its very beginning to its natural end.

Center for Arizona Policy is grateful to all of those who made this victory possible, including Governor Jan Brewer, the Arizona Legislature, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Alliance Defense Fund, Bioethics Defense Fund, Life Legal Defense Foundation, and the many Arizonans who turn out every election cycle to vote their values and elect officials that stand for life.

For more information on the Abortion Consent Act visit CAP’s information page: http://bit.ly/qDCDpv

To read the decision from the Court of Appeals click here: http://bit.ly/r2m5QU

Filed Under: Judicial, Sanctity of Life Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann to Hold News Conference at Arizona State Capitol

October 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

WHAT: 2012 Presidential candidate Congresswoman Michele Bachmann will talk with reporters after meeting with members of the Arizona Legislature and law enforcement. Rep. Bachmann is a strong supporter of border security and asked for a meeting to learn more about Sen. Steve Smith’s border fence initiative and border enforcement in general.

WHO: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and members of the Arizona Legislature (including Senate President Russell Pearce, Senate Majority Leader Biggs, and Sen. Smith), Congressman Trent Franks, Sheriff Larry Dever, representatives from law enforcement and border patrol organizations and affected business owners

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2011

WHERE: Senate Chambers, Old Capitol Building, 17th Avenue & Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona

###

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Planned Parenthood’s Lawsuit Endangers the Health & Safety of Arizona Women

June 30, 2011 By 8 Comments

Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit yesterday against two Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) supported bills – House Bill 2416 and Senate Bill 1030 in superior court. This suit is an outrageous affront to the women of Arizona. The nation’s largest abortion provider is proving once again that they are more concerned with selling abortions than protecting vulnerable women with crisis pregnancies.

Medication abortions are not a safer alternative to surgical abortions, and clinics dispensing abortion medication should be properly licensed and equipped to handle complications. Planned Parenthood is challenging these basic provisions of HB 2416.

The Arizona Legislature considered the many medical risks of medication abortion in passing HB 2416 and SB 1030.Dr. Allen Sawyer, an experienced and respected Arizona ob-gyn, submitted written testimony that women are at a ten times greater risk of death from infection from medication abortions than surgical abortions.

The pill’s own FDA label states that nearly all women who take the medication will experience an adverse reaction, and at least eight women have died from complications of medication abortion. Based on all of the medical evidence, the Legislature acted within its constitutional authority to protect the health and safety of Arizonans.

In their lawsuit, Planned Parenthood also says it is “medically inappropriate” to provide women with a physical examination before an abortion, keep intravenous drugs available in case of an emergency, and give women a follow up phone call twenty-four hours after taking the abortion pill. Planned Parenthood claims that they will have to shut down rather than offer women the same standard of care that they receive for every other medical procedure. These are unconscionable examples of their “quantity over quality” business model.

Arizona women deserve better, and Center for Arizona Policy is committed to seeing these important health and safety standards enforced.

For more information, visit www.azpolicy.org.

Filed Under: Sanctity of Life Tagged With: , , , , , , ,