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.
This photo says it all.
Remember the expression, “Look for the Union label?”
These days, “Union” is a dirty word - synonymous with “big government,” “unruly overdemanding government workers” and of course, Democrats.
Using the label “Independent,” Democrats are now attempting to fool voters by taking the “new & improved” branding strategy.
Don’t be fooled. They’re still the same old liberal, nihilistic, big-government, tax and spend amoral creatures.
Here’s your chance to make predictions regarding the outcome of the elections. (Please keep it civil!)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 3, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
New mailer uses claims already debunked
PHOENIX – Career politician Greg Stanton continues his campaign of lies and deception, demonstrating he’ll do anything to become Mayor, including making up his own facts.
His latest attack piece (attached), repeats lies about Wes Gullett that have already been called “false” and “misleading” by the Arizona Republic. Both claims received ZERO stars by the Republic’s Fact Check.
“Greg Stanton is a career politician who will go to any length to get elected, including lying to the voters,” said Gullett spokesman Daniel Scarpinato. “To Greg Stanton, facts just don’t matter. The truth doesn’t matter. If Greg Stanton won’t tell the truth now, just image what kind of lies he’ll tell as Mayor.”
Stanton and outside shadow groups pouring money into his campaign have made false and negative attacks the highlight of his campaign for Mayor. In fact, another outrageous mailer by a union group supporting Stanton includes religious imagery in an attempt to win votes. Stanton has refused to condemn the mailer.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
The truth is passé for Greg Stanton and his allies
PHOENIX – It’s time for Greg Stanton to explain the increasingly troubling pattern of lies and distortions radiating from his campaign and supporters.
Just yesterday, Stanton was busted for the latest time for making an outrageous and unsubstantiated claim that Wes Gullet used his position on the Planning and Zoning Commission to benefit a client. The Arizona Republic Fact Checkers gave that claim Zero stars and called it “misleading.”
“If Greg Stanton can’t tell the truth to voters in this campaign, what should we expect from him if he’s elected Mayor?” Gullett said. “Attack ads and mailers based on Greg’s lies have been universally knock-down by the local media, yet he continues to mislead the public. He’s lost all credibility and it’s time for him to explain his lies.”
Just a few of the mistruths from Stanton and his supporters that have been busted in recent days:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Wes Gullett will challenge the status quo; Stanton will be controlled by unions
PHOENIX – Escalating public pension costs, no police chief, taxes on the food we buy.
Phoenix needs new leadership, and today’s morning newspaper is just another reminder of why we need a Mayor who will take on the public employee unions and challenge the status quo.
It’s the labor unions who are stalling progress at City Hall. And with their organizations pouring thousands of dollars into electing Greg Stanton, only Wes Gullett has the ability to stand up for Phoenix taxpayers and reform city government.
“We need to take action. We need a sense of urgency,” Gullett said.
Food tax continues to hurt families
Last night, the City Council rejected a move to repeal the food tax. As Mayor, Wes Gullett will provide the critical fifth vote to repeal this tax. Greg Stanton is stalling action and finding excuses to keep the tax, even as Mayor Phil Gordon – a Stanton-backer – admitted “I don’t deny that there’s money that can be found in our budget.” Just more evidence of Stanton’s misaligned priorities.
“Phoenix taxpayers who are struggling in this economy continue to pay the price for taxpayer giveaways to the unions and a lack of leadership at City Hall,” Gullett said. “Once elected, I will be the fifth vote to repeal the food tax, and I’ve put forward a detailed plan to pay for it without impacting vital city services.”
Cost of pension soaring
Today’s Republic reports that for the second straight year in a row, Phoenix residents will pay more than $100 million to maintain the city’s ailing pension system. Costs will rise $3.6 million next fiscal year, bringing the cost to $110 million.
Only Wes Gullett has put forward a comprehensive plan to take-on the public employee unions and reform this system for the long-term, transitioning city employees to a 401K. His plan was cited in endorsements from both the Arizona Republic and the Ahwatukee Foothills News.
Greg Stanton has failed to put forward a plan that deals with the fundamental problems with our pension system, preferring to kick the can down the road.
“Gullett recognized from the beginning the need to reform the city’s unsustainable pension system, something Stanton was slow to accept. While Stanton takes a cautious, go-slow approach, Gullett presses for making the transition to a 401(k)-style plan,” the Republic wrote. “His leadership is more likely to bring the changes necessary to give employees a good retirement plan without overburdening taxpayers.”
Phoenix still doesn’t have a police chief
The former police chief of Phoenix resigned months ago, yet the search for a replacement has barely begun. Phoenix has had an “acting police chief” since early March. Gullett called for a national search to begin at that time. While Stanton won’t commit on this issue, he has outlined more than 40 ways to grow government on his own Web site.
“The most sacred responsibility of government is public safety,” Gullett said. “If we do not feel safe in our homes, our places of work, schools and public venues we cannot succeed as a city in the long-term.”
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Greg Stanton and his allies have proven they will say or do anything to protect the status quo. Even the Arizona Republic has said the ads they are running are flat out lies. Don’t let them get away with it. Vote for Wes Gullett for Mayor and let’s repeal the food tax and get Phoenix working again.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Stanton and union allies will go to any length to stop reform
PHOENIX – Career-politician Greg Stanton says he has no connection with Phoenix Citizens United and Educate Phoenix, groups running ads smearing Wes Gullett that have been called “lies” by the Arizona Republic editorial page and labeled “false” by the Republic Fact Checkers.
But for the second time, these groups are using materials supplied by the Stanton campaign in their desperate attempt to stop reform at City Hall.
A new ad (attached) on the airwaves includes video footage taped by a Stanton staffer, Chase Williams, at a Gullett event from September.
Williams obtained the footage used in the group’s latest ad at a September 10th Gullett meet and greet at the Pomegranate Café in Ahwatukee. Williams is pictured in this photo taping the event. Previously, these groups have used false information from Stanton press releases after they were removed from Stanton’s Web site for lies.
“Greg Stanton and the unions will clearly go to any length to protect the status quo, their $3.7 million taxpayer subsidies and stand in the way of reform,” Gullett said. “Greg Stanton has called for transparency – well, now it’s time for Greg Stanton to be transparent about his coordination with these two groups that are lying to Phoenix voters.”
On October 15, a Stanton spokesman told the Republic “there isn’t any connection between the political-action committee and the campaign.”
Then why is a staffer providing footage to the group?
In addition to Greg Stanton’s lie, the group’s lies have been repeatedly knocked down by the Arizona Republic.
On October 20, the Republic editorial board wrote: “There just is no other way to say it… the ad lies.”
The Republic Fact Check graded the content of the ad “False” with zero stars.
And in today’s Republic, columnist Laurie Roberts writes: “Phoenix Citizens United – whoever that is — has teamed up with Educate Phoenix – whatever that is — to basically lie to you in hopes of scuttling Wes Gullett’s bid to be mayor.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Gullett says ad should be removed
PHOENIX – The Arizona Republic today completely knocked-down statements made by career-politician Greg Stanton, and now by an independent group supporting him. The Republic went so far as to call the claims “lies.”
Wes Gullett is calling on the ad to be removed and for Stanton to stop deceiving the public.
The statements, used in a television ad paid for by an independent group supporting Stanton, originated in press releases and public statements made by Stanton. And they are repeated in a mail piece being paid for by Stanton himself.
“There just is no other way to say it: In asserting that Gullett lobbied the Phoenix council for a $100 million tax to benefit the arts, the ad lies. It also contends Gullett voted on the Phoenix Planning and Zoning Commission on behalf of a client, yet another lie,” the Republic wrote.
The editorial continues: “As The Republic’s Lynh Bui reported earlier this month, however, the Stanton campaign in August issued news releases alleging some of the same claims asserted in the TV ads funded by Phoenix Citizens United.”
“These outrageous claims have now been repeatedly knocked-down by independent journalists,” said Wes Gullett. “It’s time for Greg Stanton and his allies to stop deceiving the public and stick to the facts. Intentionally lying to the voters is not a good sign of how someone will operate as Mayor.”
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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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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Republic also debunks claims in attack ad, erroneous Stanton press releases
PHOENIX – Phoenix city bureaucrats have been forced to explain where more than $200 million in unaccounted taxpayer dollars are being spent in response to questions raised by Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett.
A report in this morning’s Arizona Republic includes an alarming discovery that the city has budgeted a 10 percent increase in spending – $230 million – despite claims that the budget would only increase by 1 percent. The city was forced to explain how this slush fund will be spent, only after Gullett raised the issue.
Amazingly, Stanton defends this practice and the status quo, calling Phoenix “not perfect – but well run” in a press release today.
“We can’t continue to play this shell game with taxpayer money,” Gullett said. “This is the game Greg Stanton played for nine years on the City Council and would continue to play as Mayor. It’s actually frightening that someone who wants to be Mayor would just believe everything city bureaucrats put in front of him and refuse to ask any tough questions.”
The story also outlines in detail Wes Gullett’s plan to immediately repeal the food tax and pay for it. Gullett outlines specific savings for finding more than the $50 million needed to repeal that tax. Stanton continues to find excuses to keep the tax on the books for at least another two years, removing money from the economy and hurting families who are struggling to get by.
“I’ve put forward specific plans to get rid of the food tax and pay for it,” Gullett said. “Greg Stanton refuses to because he needs this tax to pay for his big government agenda.”
DEBUNKING AD
The Republic also debunks an attack ad against Gullett that is airing on television based on erroneous press releases by the Stanton campaign.
The story knocks down an oft-repeated claim by Stanton that Gullett is lobbying for a $100 million tax for the arts. “Gullett isn’t lobbying for the tax,” the story states.
Additionally, the story highlights that Gullett never worked for the Phoenix Association of Realtors, despite claims by the Stanton campaign that he did.
In fact, the only candidate in this race who has voted to benefit a client he was being paid by was Greg Stanton, as reported by the Republic in a separate 2007 investigation. According to the story, Stanton actually voted eight times to benefit his client, and even used his office and taxpayer resources to profit – a violation of state law.
“Stanton also used city email, newsletters and meetings to talk up partnerships among Phoenix, the Maricopa colleges and Arizona universities,” the Republic reported. While getting paid by his client, Stanton made sure to put himself in positions where he could have influence over pet college causes. He chaired the council’s education committee and sat on the panel advising GateWay Community College.
It’s not clear whether Stanton ever stopped these practices before quitting his job on the Council. Once caught, Stanton actually defended the unethical practices, despite an outside expert telling the Republic, he was “not acting impartially.”
At a recent debate, Stanton admitted the violations.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Are taxpayers subsidizing campaign work for Greg Stanton?
PHOENIX – Do you need a clearer sign of wasted and misused taxpayer money?
With a proliferation of street signs paid for by public-employee unions popping-up all over Phoenix and $3.7 million of Phoenix taxpayer dollars going to pay city employees to work exclusively for labor unions, the question remains: How much of Phoenix taxpayers dollars are subsidizing Greg Stanton’s campaign for Mayor?
A recent report by the Goldwater Institute found that Phoenix taxpayers are paying an average of $3.7 million for public employees to do union work. These contracts were supported by Stanton during his nine years on the Phoenix City Council. Union members are being released for more than 73,000 hours of time to conduct union business on the taxpayers’ dime – and those same unions are apparently using taxpayer supplemented funds to support and campaign for Greg Stanton.
In recent days, union signs supporting Stanton have gone up all over town. Additionally, there are reports that union members are walking door-to-door campaigning for Stanton.
1) Are they being paid by taxpayers to knock on doors for Greg Stanton?
2) Are union members getting paid by taxpayers to put up signs for Greg Stanton?
3) Are taxpayer dollars subsidizing union functions to free up money for Stanton’s signs?
No wonder the union supported candidates have been elected Mayor time and again.
No one has asked these tough questions. But it’s time for some answers.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
More tax-and-spend proposals from the status quo candidate
PHOENIX – Career-politician Greg Stanton wants to institute a penalty on Phoenix private property owners who cannot afford to develop their land in a down economy – land they are already paying taxes on.
“Having those empty lots really hurts the quality of life. Those property owners should pay a penalty for that … It shouldn’t be free,” Stanton said at Wednesday’s night debate.
Actually, it’s not free. Property owners are already paying a 16 percent assessment ratio on vacant land. And that’s not including various other property taxes that are levied by other jurisdictions the land resides in.
Additionally, Phoenix is struggling through one of the deepest economic recessions in the country. We’ve lost more than 250,000 jobs and the housing and commercial real estate markets have collapsed, making it difficult – if not impossible – for property owners and private developers to move forward with plans they had prior to the downturn.
Office vacancy in Phoenix has reached a high of nearly 30 percent.
Stanton’s fine would make matters worse.
“Maybe Greg missed a few things after he quit his job on the City Council, but in 2008, the real estate market collapsed and has yet to recover,” said Gullett spokesman Daniel Scarpinato. “This is just one more example of how Greg Stanton wants to grow government and increase its control over business, even at the expense of private property rights. There’s a clear distinction between Greg’s growing government approach and Wes Gullett’s plan to cut taxes and reform City Hall.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
If elected Mayor, will Greg Stanton continue his practice of profiting from clients with business before the city?
PHOENIX – How does Greg Stanton explain the fact that he used his position on the Phoenix City Council to benefit a client that was subsidizing his personal income?
“A few slips,” he said as a flippant excuse at last night’s mayoral debate.
Really? A few slips?
Not according to the Arizona Republic:
“Greg Stanton admits he let his ethics ‘slip’ through the cracks for at least four years. What else will he let slip through the cracks and into his pockets if he’s elected mayor?” said Gullett spokesman Daniel Scarpinato.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Gullett offers a reform agenda; Stanton offers more big government
PHOENIX – Wes Gullett continued to demonstrate at tonight’s debate – hosted by Valley Leadership, the Arizona Republic, Channel 12, Cox Communications and SCF Arizona – that he’s the only candidate for Mayor committed to reforming city government and protecting taxpayers.
Career-politician Greg Stanton, on the other hand, once again confirmed his commitment to big government, protecting the status quo and dodging the tough questions.
“Wes Gullett will fundamentally change the way Phoenix does business. He’ll have a laser focus on jobs. He’ll cut red tape,” said Gullett spokesman Daniel Scarpinato. “Greg Stanton? He made clear he wants to continue to advance the big government, big spending, business-as-usual agenda that defined his nine years on the City Council.”
The differences between the candidates are stark:
“Wes Gullett wants a government we can afford; Greg Stanton wants a government we can never afford, unless we smother Phoenix families under soaring taxes and fees,” said Scarpinato. “Phoenix voters have a clear choice between the reformer and the status quo.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
Stanton used his elected office and taxpayer resources to benefit client
PHOENIX – Career-politician Greg Stanton likes to talk about conflicts of interest.
It’s no wonder. He’s an expert at them.
As a city councilman, Stanton voted and used the resources and power of his elected office to benefit a client he was getting paid by – and for nearly half of the time he was on the City Council.
For at least four years, Stanton was paid $80,000 by Maricopa Community Colleges for a no-bid contract while supporting issues that benefited his employer, according to a 2007 story in the Arizona Republic.
“Stanton also used city email, newsletters and meetings to talk up partnerships among Phoenix, the Maricopa colleges and Arizona universities,” the Republic reported. In addition, Stanton used his City Hall office to conduct or solicit college work. “State law prohibits elected officials from promoting the interests of outside employers and using their position to seek private gain,” the Republic reported.
And Stanton actually defended the questionable practices, despite an outside expert telling the Republic, he was “not acting impartially.”
“Greg Stanton has a record of using his position on the City Council to benefit his client and line his own pockets,” said Gullett spokesman Daniel Scarpinato. “How do Phoenix voters know that Greg Stanton won’t abuse his power again if he’s elected Mayor?”
Stanton has a record of being a certified hypocrite. He resigned his job on the City Council to take a top-paying job as a taxpayer-funded lobbyist. He’s taken more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from lobbyists. And in his last year of office alone, he voted to appoint at least 10 lobbyists to city boards and commissions, despite now saying he’s against the practice.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2011
CONTACT: Daniel Scarpinato
PHOENIX – Mayoral candidate Wes Gullett is calling on career-politician Greg Stanton to stand up to the entrenched interests at City Hall and join him in pledging to end the abusive union contracts that are wasting $3.7 million a year by letting city employees do union, lobbying and political work instead of their jobs – contracts Stanton has supported.
A blockbuster report released last week by the Goldwater Institute found that Phoenix taxpayers are shelling out roughly $3.7 million a year for city employees to conduct union business instead of doing their jobs. In total, city employees are being released for more than 73,000 hours to conduct union and political business – not the peoples’ business. The same public-employee unions benefitting from those contracts have endorsed Stanton.
“Phoenix’s next mayor should be accountable to the taxpayers – not to public-employee unions,” Gullett said. “As a councilman, Greg Stanton voted to raise water rates, raise parking meter rates and raise fees, all while wasting millions of dollars on contracts for union organizing, lobbying and political activities. Instead, I urge Greg to pledge to stop wasting millions a year by letting unions abuse the public’s trust. Greg should do the right thing and stand up for Phoenix taxpayers, not the entrenched interests at City Hall who are supporting his campaign.”
According to the Goldwater report, “collective bargaining agreements with seven labor organizations require the city to pay union officers and provide members with thousands of additional hours to conduct union business instead of doing their government jobs.” The report finds that “public-employee unions still wield outsized influence on elected officials – and they are using that power to feather their own nests.”
To read the statement Gullett released the day the report was released, click here.
Stanton has been silent and was silent during his nine years on the City Council.
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