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Senate Leadership calls for end to 53/47 contribution rate for state employees

December 21, 2011 By 10 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

Majority Leader to author bill that will put money back into teachers’ paychecks

(Phoenix, State Capitol) —Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget. The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

The bill will return the contribution rate split to 50/50, and increase the paychecks of teachers and other state employees by $20-40.

“Last session we made a commitment to Arizonans to deliver a balanced budget. The 53/47 split helped that happen, but many members agreed it was one of the toughest decisions they had to make. Conditions have changed, and I am comfortable now running a bill to repeal 53/47,” says Majority Leader Biggs.

“The truth is, the economic landscape is very different from March, when these budget negotiations were taking place. Because of our fiscal discipline and an improving economy, revenues are coming in at a much higher clip, and we can reverse this contribution rate change,” says President-elect Pierce.

“Republican leadership continues to put a high priority on strengthening education during these difficult times. We held K-12 reductions to about one percent last year. Today’s announcement is another way to honor the hard work of our district and charter school teachers,” says Pierce.

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Filed Under: Government Reform, Legislation, Press Release, State Budget, State Government Tagged With: , ,

Senate Leadership: Statement on Governor’s decision not to call special session

November 29, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 29, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

Statement from Senate Leadership on the Governor’s decision not to call a special session on redistricting

“We are disappointed in Governor Brewer’s decision this afternoon to not call a Special Session on redistricting. After all the unconstitutional decisions and alleged violations of law by IRC Chair Mathis, Arizona voters deserve the opportunity to revisit the concept of an independent commission drawing the legislative and congressional maps. The flaws of having one unaccountable and unelected person making such vital decisions for the state have been exposed.

Senate and House leadership have met numerous times with the Governor and her staff, and we have assured her as recently as this morning that we had the votes necessary to put a Prop. 106 repeal or reform on the ballot in February.

We urge the Governor to reconsider her decision to not call a Special Session.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Government Reform, Legislation, Political Parties, Press Release, State Government Tagged With: , , ,

Congratulations Senate President Steve Pierce

November 10, 2011 By 26 Comments

Today, State Senate Republicans, by secret ballot, elected Senator Steve Pierce as Senate President.

Prior to the election, three names had emerged as possible replacements should Senator Pearce be recalled: Steve Yarbrough, Steve Pierce and Andy Biggs. Biggs was presumed the favorite.

Biggs had also unwaveringly stood by Senator Pearce throughout the recall election.

Earlier during the session, Steve Pierce had voted against five immigration bill Russell Pearce had advocated.

When the vote went down today, the numbers were 11-10 in favor of Senator Steve Pierce. Yarbrough had bowed out of the race leaving it a Pierce vs. Biggs contest.

It’s not hard to see that the State’s newest senator, did not vote for Senator Andy Biggs and speculation abounds that Senator Gould traded his vote for an endorsement for his congressional bid against House Speaker, Andy Tobin, also from Prescott which Pierce represents.

Senator Frank Antenori from southern Arizona, replaced Pierce as Majority Whip – the likely result of another vote for endorsment arrangement. Antenori has already formed an exploratory committee for congress in southern Arizona.

Based on pure speculation, the vote tally probably went along the lines of the following:

Voting for Steve Pierce:
Jerry Lewis
Rich Crandall
Adam Driggs
Frank Antenori
Michele Reagan
John Nelson
John McComish
Nancy Barto
Linda Gray
Ron Gould

Voting for Andy Biggs:
Scott Bundgaard
Sylvia Allen
Lori Klein
Rick Murphy
Steve Yarbrough
Steve Smith
Gail Griffin
Al Melvin
Don Shooter

Congratulations Senator Pierce. You certainly have your work cut out for you.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Elected Officials, Political Parties, State Government Tagged With: , ,

Statement by President Pearce on Ethics Committee Appointments

September 22, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 22, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

“Today I received a letter from the Senate Rules Attorney (attached), informing me that three members of the Ethics Committee were recusing themselves from the Committee while the panel considers an ethics complaint filed against the three on September 20, 2011. The letter also explains that under Senate Ethics Committee Rule 17, as President of the Senate, I have no choice: I am required to temporarily replace the three members.

Therefore, I am announcing the appointments of Senator Linda Gray, Senator Robert Meza and Senator Jack Jackson, Jr. to the Senate Ethics Committee. Committee member Senator Andy Biggs will serve as Ethics Committee Chair while the three members are temporarily replaced. Senator Biggs is leaving early Friday morning for a commitment at Harvard University. When he returns on Monday he will meet with staff attorneys on this matter.”

Filed Under: Ethics, Press Release, State Government Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Senate President Pearce talks about improving economic numbers in Arizona

September 15, 2011 By 117 Comments

Senate President Russell Pearce sits down with Arizona Capitol Television to talk about rising state revenues, a balanced budget and what they mean to Arizona’s economy:

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Jobs/Labor, Media, State Economy, State Government Tagged With: , ,

Senate President Names New Appropriations Chair

August 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

Senator Shooter of Yuma will lead key committee 

(Phoenix, State Capitol)—-Senate President Russell Pearce announced today he is naming Senator Don Shooter chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Senator Shooter is a strong fiscal conservative. He works well with his colleagues and the Governor. He will put the taxpayers of Arizona first,” says President Pearce.

Sen. Shooter currently serves as Chair of the Appropriations Sub-committee on Rural Issues, Education & Natural Resources.

“It will be a year of reform, with a smaller, more efficient government. With this pro-jobs, pro-education, pro-public safety Senate we have a great opportunity to continue to move Arizona in the right direction,” says Sen. Shooter. “We will return in January with no deficit, thanks to the Senate’s hard work in delivering a balanced budget.”

“Senator Shooter will be an outstanding Appropriations chair, continuing our effort to stimulate the economy with lower taxes and reduced regulation,” says Pres. Pearce. “He understands the process and has a good working relationship with the House and the Governor. Senator Shooter has the time and willingness to work with Leadership on budget issues important to Arizona.”

Shooter replaces Senator Andy Biggs, who is now Majority Leader in the Senate.

“Senator Biggs will stay very engaged in the Appropriations process, and Appropriations Vice-Chair Ron Gould is a seasoned Senator and a longtime Appropriations member. With Senator Shooter moving into this leadership role, our Appropriations team becomes even stronger,” says Pres. Pearce.

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Filed Under: Press Release, State Budget, State Government, Taxation Tagged With: , ,

Big First Day for Border Fence Donation Website

July 21, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

People from all 50 states offer financial support 

(State Capitol, Phoenix) – The totals are in from the first day of donations to help build a fence along the Arizona-Mexico border. More than $58,000 poured in to www.buildtheborderfence.com from 1,265 donors in just the first 24 hours.

“The Federal Government has made it abundantly clear that it has no interest in addressing the invasion of drug cartels, violent gangs, illegal aliens and terrorists along the border. The U.S. wants this problem addressed, and this is one way we’re doing it,” says Sen. Steve Smith, a Republican from Maricopa. Smith sponsored SB 1406, legislation that established a website for the purpose of raising private money to help build a border fence.

The border remains porous, and Arizona is taking one step toward true border security. From California to Texas, the southern border is approximately 2,000 miles, and only roughly 685 miles is fenced. The remaining 1300+ miles of the border have no fencing at all.

All the funds raised at www.buildtheborderfence.com are held in a trust fund account in the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office. The Joint Border Security Advisory Committee, established in the bill, will oversee the project.

Every state in the union was represented on the first day of donations, and that does not surprise Sen. Smith.

“We have always said with illegal immigration, ‘what happens in Arizona doesn’t stay in Arizona’. This is a crisis for the nation, and it is gratifying to know that all 50 states agree,” says Sen. Smith.

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Filed Under: Border, Elected Officials, Illegal Aliens, Illegal Immigration, National Security, Press Release, State Government, Terrorism Tagged With: , , ,

Statement by Scott Bundgaard Attorney

June 10, 2011 By 8 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Goldman

(PHOENIX, ARIZ.) – “Charging Scott with two misdemeanors makes it obvious they have no case and are merely trying to justify whatever time they spent during this extraordinarily prolonged investigation. ‘Reckless’ is a way to describe these charges and this investigation. Scott has maintained his innocence from the outset, even taking a successful lie detector test to reinforce this truth. He will be exonerated.” – Mark Goldman

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Filed Under: Crime and Punishment, Elected Officials, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Arizona Senate: U.S. Supreme Court Supports Arizona Law on Illegal Immigration

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2011
CONTACT: Mike Philipsen

Court Backs “Fair and Legal Employment Act”

(Phoenix, State Capitol) —The U.S. Supreme Court this morning upheld an Arizona law that penalizes companies for knowingly hiring illegal aliens and requires firms to use the E-verify system.

The law came out of HB 2779, the Fair and Legal Employment Act, sponsored in 2007 by then-Rep. Russell Pearce, now Senate President.

“Arizona was the first state in the country to enact legislation to prevent illegal aliens from working. Now, the highest court in the land has given its legal authority to this law. Arizonans should be proud,” says Pres. Pearce.

Then-Gov. Janet Napolitano signed the bill into law, but that was only because of the threat of a tougher initiative going to the ballot. “Make no mistake, Gov. Napolitano did NOT support this legislation, and serving in the Obama administration, she has been fighting us all along the way. Now that a huge majority of Arizonans are behind this, she is trying to rewrite history, and suggest she is a strong supporter. We know the truth,” says Pres. Pearce.

In his ruling for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the employer sanctions law “falls well within the confines of the authority Congress chose to leave to the states.”

“That is an important statement. That sends a pretty clear signal to me that we are headed for U.S. Supreme Court support for SB 1070, as well,” says Pearce. “This is a huge victory for America and the American worker. It is a defeat for the open-borders, profits-over-patriotism crowd. It is a death penalty for employers who continue to hire illegals and displace American workers.”

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Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Elected Officials, Illegal Aliens, Illegal Employment, Illegal Immigration, Jobs/Labor, Judicial, Legislation, Migrants, Press Release Tagged With: , ,

Senator Scott Bundgaard Relieved of Senate Majority Leadership Post – Andy Biggs to Replace Him

March 15, 2011 By 14 Comments

UPDATE: State Senator, Andy Biggs has been elected as the new GOP Majority Leader for the Arizona State Senate.

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The Arizona State Senate GOP Caucus has just voted to remove Senator Scott Bundgaard as GOP State Senate Majority Leader.

Details on the vote are not clear but Bundgaard’s removal may be based on other GOP senators seeing the recent domestic incident as a major distraction to his work in the senate.

Speculation of who might replace Bundgaard include Frank Antenori, Steve Yarbrough, Steve Pierce and Andy Biggs. Moving into that position would require the new Majority Leader step down from leadership on any current committees.

Filed Under: State Government Tagged With: ,