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Should Governor Brewer Have Unrestricted Authority to Raise Your Taxes?
November 21, 2009
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This morning is the second time in recent months that I have been personally attacked by Senate President Bob Burns for stopping TAX INCREASES to my fellow Arizonans.
SB 1003 was written with enacting language to give unchecked authority for unelected appointees of the governor to raise taxes in the form of fees across a broad spectrum of our everyday lives.
It has never been good policy to give the governor and her appointees this absolute unchecked authority. Our Constitution is clear that taxing and appropriation authority rests solely with the legislature. SB1003 would not even have given the legislature minimal oversight over the increases OR the use of the funds raised.
I have made my position known for many weeks IN WRITING to the Senate leadership that I would not support any legislation that ceded this constitutional authority to the governor and her appointees. For example, if the governor wants to give 1 million dollars to his /her favorite cause, all he /she would have to do is raise the price of a duplicate driver’s license by “only” one dollar. The legislature could do little more than complain about it.
It is important to emphasize that once this authority is granted, it would be nearly impossible to return the authority to its proper place. All the Governor would have to do is veto the legislation.
Senate leadership complains about the Governor having authority to appropriate twenty BILLION DOLLARS in federal funds that come to the state without any legislative over sight and they complain about the abuse of Executive orders. Now, they have decided through SB1003 to expand the power of the Governor to raise and distribute funds without approval or oversight of the legislature. Their actions beg the question whether they have the will to either pass the increases themselves or cut the spending to deal with this budget deficit.
Finally, President Burns knows that SB1003 skirts around the intent of Proposition 108 which was passed by the voters. He knows that Prop 108 requires the legislature to get 2/3rd of the vote in both houses of the legislature to increase taxes and fees.
I find it disheartening that the President feels the need to attack me personally by misrepresenting the facts and timetables of what happened on this occasion. Please call (602) 926-5999 or email your Senator and Representatives. Ask them to Vote NO on SB1003 that would give fee (tax) setting authority to the governor and his/her appointed, unelected agency heads.”
State Senator Verschoor
Categories: Arizona, Budget, Economy, Governor, Laws, Political Science, Politics, Revenue, Taxes
Arizona, Arizona Capitol, Arizona Constitution, Arizona Governor, Arizona Politics, Bob Burns, budget deficit, Constitution, Governor Brewer, Laws, Legislature, Politics, President Burns, Public Policy, Republican Party, SB1003, Senator Verschoor, Senators, State Budget, State Constitution, tax hike, tax increase, taxation, Taxes
GOP Gubernatorial Candidate John Munger Calls for a Moratorium on Taxpayer-Financed Campaigns
November 12, 2009
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(PHOENIX, AZ) November 11, 2009 – John Munger released the following statement today on Arizona’s public campaign finance system:
“It’s time to come clean about Arizona’s Clean Elections law and admit that it has led to a flawed system we can no longer afford. Giving taxpayer funds to career politicians at a time when we’re cutting government is an abomination. Today I’m calling for the complete abolishment of taxpayer funded elections, and applying the current revenues of Arizona’s Clean Elections System to funding core services such as K-12 education. “
“The process of wiping out taxpayer funded campaigns will require action by the legislature and by voters. In the meantime, candidates participating in the taxpayer funded system should cease raising money for so-called ‘constituent’ accounts and turn those funds over to the state to help offset the current budget deficit.”
“It is hypocritical and wrong for candidates to request taxpayer money to run for office while at the same time raising private funds for frivolous expenses like sending out greeting cards, which is what most constituent accounts are used for.”
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(Source: Sonoran Alliance)
Categories: Arizona, Budget, Economy, Elections, Governor, Politics, Press Releases, Taxes
Arizona Clean Elections, Campaign Finances, Campaigns, Candidates, Education, finances, Funding, Governor, John Munger, money, Taxes, Taxpayer
One Veteran Needs Your Help
November 12, 2009
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Dear Veteran Supporters –
I went to local gas station today (Veterans Day). As I pulled into the service station I noticed an old car with a tarp on the back that had a hand written message on it. It read, “Job waiting for me in SanFran, need gas money, need work to pay my way, homeless Veteran”.
I walked up to the car to see if anyone was in it and found a gentleman sitting in the drivers seat. I told him that I was a 16 year Air Force Sergeant and I thanked him for his service as a Veteran.
Conversation went on.
His name is Jim Rogillio, he served as a Marine, Infantry between 1971 and 1972 (Vietnam) He is probably around 55 – 58 years old, though looks strong. He does construction specializing in plumbing.
In short, he is living out of an old station wagon, he lost his home recently and he has been hired at a Construction site out in San Francisco (Only work he’s been able to find)
Currently he is sleeping in his car just outside the gas station here in Wichita, Kansas.
It’s friggin Veterans Day and here is a Veteran living out of his car, has a couple hundred bucks in his pocket, has no home and no job.
Jim needs work. This Veteran needs our assistance.
He has a prepaid cel phone with him in case of emergencies. His number is 505-697-7174
I’m sending this out far and wide and I hope you will as well.
Let’s get Jim to San Francisco in one piece or if you have work for him all the better.
I asked if it was ok for folks to call him and he said yes.
If you call him let him know that you received an email S.O.S. to assist a Veteran on Veterans Day.
Thanks,
Eric Nordstrom
Categories: Economy, General, Military
Eric Nordstrom, Food, Homeless, Homeless Veteran, Kansas, Military, money, San Francisco, Travel, Veteran, Veteran's Day, Veterans, Wichita
Mitchell Honors Veterans, Fort Hood Victims With Tea Party Speech
November 9, 2009
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PHOENIX, AZ – John Paul Mitchell sits behind his oak desk, preparing for his first major political speech. He has been cooped up in his office for nearly two weeks writing and rehearsing. This speech could prove to be a major turning point in his gubernatorial campaign, increasing his name recognition amongst fiscally conservative voters who show up to tea party events.
For nearly six months, Mitchell has engaged Arizona taxpayers and voters online via Facebook, Twitter, and his candidate website. He understands his first campaign speech is important. “I’d like to pay tribute to our county’s veterans, honor the fallen soldiers at Fort Hood, and discuss the constant attacks on the people’s constitutional rights,” said Mitchell, who is running as an independent candidate.
Approximately 5,000 veterans and Arizonans are expected to gather at the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday, November 11th. This event could be the one of the last tea party demonstration of the year. The rally begins at 12:30 p.m. and will last till 2:30 p.m.
Other notable speakers include State Rep. Debbie Lesko, Debbie Lee of America’s Mighty Warriors, Paul Porter of WFOY, and Clint Bolick, Director of the Goldwater Institute. This non-partisan tea party will focus on honoring veterans, upholding the U.S. Constitution, and unifying members of all political parties and philosophies.
Tea party goers are encouraged to bring canned foods to donate to the St. Mary’s Food Bank. This is a great opportunity for demonstrators to ensure the needy and homeless have ample food for the 2009 holidays.
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(Source: PRLog.org)
Terry Goddard Violates Resign-To-Run Law
November 6, 2009
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Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard officially filed paperwork on Friday to explore a run for the state’s top executive office. The news comes one day after Governor Brewer announced her bid to run for a full term of her own.
Arizona’s resign-to-run law prohibits statewide elected officials from declaring candidacy for other offices before the end of their term’s last year. Under the reading of the law, Goddard made a severe violation if he does not step down from his post as the state’s Attorney General. He is not eligible to file paperwork until January 1, 2009 without immediately vacating his current position.
John Paul Mitchell, an independent candidate for governor, stated in early September, “I will call out Terry Goddard if he refuses to give up his Attorney General position with candidate committee paperwork filed.” He continues, “Even the Attorney General and a long-time politician must abide by the laws of the state.”
Months ago, Goddard was reported as saying the resign-to-run law is a “frivolous political stunt” and a “typographical error,” suggesting it does not apply to exploratory committees.
When asked today, Mitchell stated, “Goddard’s contempt for our state’s laws is disturbing, especially since he is the lead investigator for complaints and violations. I would think Goddard above all other people would uphold our laws to the highest degree.”
John Paul Mitchell is asking for Terry Goddard to immediately step down from his current office. He has promised to file a lawsuit in the courts if Goddard does not comply.
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(Source: Goddard Violates Resign-to-Run Law)
Categories: Arizona, Elections, General, Governor, Laws, Political Science, Politics, Press Releases
Arizona, Arizona AG, Arizona Governor, Arizona Politics, Attorney General, Goddard, Government, Governor, Jan Brewer, John Paul Mitchell, Laws, Mitchell, Mitchell for Arizona, Politics, Press Release, Press Releases, Resign-to-Run Law, Terry Goddard, violations
Arizona Bureaucrats Spin Spooky Budget Tales
November 2, 2009
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By Byron Schlomach
Timed perfectly for Halloween, Governor Brewer asked state agencies for proposals to reduce spending 15 percent in order to close the state’s $2 billion budget deficit. The results have been predictably spooky scenarios painted by each agency.
In a recent editorial on the agencies’ proposals, the Republic notes “The Department of Corrections proposes changing state law so felons can be released earlier.” Headlines like these imply that hoards of murderers would wander our neighborhoods, but it is nothing more than a scare tactic to suggest the state would release violent criminals because of budget reductions.
While the editorial does acknowledge that agencies are employing the “Washington Monument” strategy (the practice of causing the most pain possible to undermine support for budget reductions), it fails to admonish them for refusing to play hardball with the feds. For example, while other states are challenging “maintenance of effort” requirements, the Department of Economic Security is pretending like there is no budget reduction choice besides eliminating KidsCare altogether, a program whose spending pales in comparison to AHCCCS.
The results of Governor Brewer’s faux budget-cutting exercise were predictable. Agencies are painting the darkest possible picture. Our professional politicians, the bureaucrats, are running rings around the amateur elected ones.
Cures can be painful and a little scary, and curbing the state’s spending habit is certainly no exception. The budget reductions needed to bring spending in balance with revenues might sound ghoulish, but they are necessary and achievable. A 15 percent across-the-board budget reduction would put state spending slightly above 2006 levels. That’s hardly a catastrophe in a time like this.
Byron Schlomach, Ph.D., is the director of the Goldwater Institute’s Center for Economic Prosperity.
Senator Graham Backs Off Cap-and-trade
October 29, 2009
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Dear Freedom Fighter –
Ever wonder if attending rallies, town hall meetings, and tea parties impacts elected officials? Ever wonder if your telephone calls or emails make a difference with politicians?
They do. Let me tell you a story from here in South Carolina.
A couple of weeks ago, Senator Lindsey Graham joined Massachusetts Senator John Kerry in an op ed calling for cap-and-trade policies.
It was outrageous and deeply disappointing to see a Senator like Lindsey Graham, from a conservative state like South Carolina, cave in to Al Gore, Speaker Pelosi and the Obama Administration on such a crucial issue.
At Americans for Prosperity we felt we had to act quickly. We organized four of our “Hot Air” Tour events across the state hitting Spartanburg, Columbia, Mt. Pleasant/Charleston, and Myrtle Beach. We launched radio advertising supporting the events in those markets, while our friends at the American Energy Alliance launched a statewide radio ad telling South Carolina citizens what Senator Graham was up to. CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE AEA AD.
Tea Party groups, 9/12 groups and a host of other in-state grassroots groups joined the effort and launched their own intiatives to make sure Senator Graham heard the message.
Columbia Hot Air Tour Stop
The first rally occurred in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Monday night as over 200 folks turned out to make their voices heard. Most of the local media ignored us. It did not matter though. We asked the activists to whip out their cell phones and pour in calls to Senator Graham’s office. Subsequent events were not easy. It rained like crazy in Columbia and Mt Pleasant/Charleston but activists turned out anyway to send a message. In Myrtle Beach many folks ended up in the wrong location due to a glitch on our end, but they did not give up – driving from one location to another to join us.
Our hot air balloon urging Sen. Graham to vote NO on Cap-and-Trade.
We made tens-of-thousands of telephone calls urging South Carolina citizens to contact Senator Graham. We sent tens-of-thousands of emails asking the same thing while also advertising on websites like the Drudge Report.
By Tuesday afternoon, Senator Graham’s office was telling constituents that he was not in support of cap-and-trade. The Senator’s office also said we were distorting his position on cap-and-trade but that’s simply not accurate.
The effort is not over by any means. We must continue to urge Senator Graham to do the right thing for South Carolina by opposing this job killing, energy tax. That means continuing to ask South Carolina citizens from all walks of life to stay on the case.
But here’s the point. Without individual citizens taking action — making that phone call, sending that email, taking time away from work and family to attend that rally or tea party, telling their family and friends to take action, and donating their hard-earned money towards efforts to help spread the word – we wouldn’t be making the difference with Senator Graham.
Simply put…you make the difference when you stand up and fight.
Let’s keep it up — in your state and your community. You are the path to victory for our values.
Tim
Federal Stimulus Money Makes State Budget Deficit Worse
October 29, 2009
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By Tom Patterson
State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema recently rebuked U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl in the pages of the East Valley Tribune for recommending that “stimulus” funding be terminated. The federal government, by spending $308 million on infrastructure in Arizona, is providing a “much needed economic boost” to the state, she claimed.
Nobody can say for certain what might have happened without this $767 billion handout. But economic downturns always work themselves out. Markets are inherently self-correcting. In fact, there is a strong possibility that the massive bailouts and market manipulations by the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve have lengthened and deepened our current recession.
But there’s another, more fundamental problem with the “stimulus” program. It isn’t paid for with real money. The federal government is simply sharing the use of its magic printing press with the states for a while.
Printing trillions of dollars to pay for today’s wishes is wretched economic policy. When the stimulus money runs out, states will be in worse shape than ever because of the program expansions required to obtain the stimulus funds. Sooner rather than later, states will be forced to face the bitter reality of a “near permanent reduction in state revenues that will force us to reduce the size and scope of our state governments,” according to Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, writing in the Wall Street Journal.
Like many individual Americans, many states spent extravagantly in the good economic times of this decade, making no provision for the future. Arizona unfortunately was one of the worst offenders. Now, that future is here. States are banking on an economic rebound, but gross domestic product growth would have to average 7 percent, twice the historic average, for revenues to be restored to their previous level by 2012.
In response to declining tax revenues, more than half the states have raised taxes. But today’s mobile individuals and businesses simply flee states that try to sock it to them. Beneficiary states are like Indiana, where state spending has been severely reduced and the tax climate is business-friendly. This year alone, more than 30 businesses have moved from tax-and-spend states to Indiana.
Yet Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer still insists on protecting state spending as much as possible by raising taxes. But she’s just postponing the day of reckoning. There is no choice but to fundamentally reduce the scope of state government or face permanent economic decline. Daniels notes that “wishing for an improbably huge boom while chasing your own tail through self-destructive taxes won’t prove much of a strategy.” Is anybody listening?
Tom Patterson is chairman of the Goldwater Institute and a former state senator. A longer version of this article originally appeared in the East Valley Tribune.
Categories: Arizona, Budget, Economy, Federal Government, Governor, Political Science, Politics, Revenue, Taxes, money
Arizona, Arizona Leaders, Budget, budget deficit, Business, East Valley Tribune, economics, Economy, Federal Reserve, Governor, Governor Brewer, Great Recession, Jon Kyl, Krysten Sinema, money, politicians, Politics, Recession, Revenue, stimulus, Stimulus Money, stimulus plan, Taxes
The Politics of Tweets: Arizona leaders, candidates embrace social media
October 21, 2009
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John Paul Mitchell spends two to three hours a day on social media sites, sharing links to articles he finds interesting and regularly engaging people in bursts of 140 characters or less.
But the time he spends on his Twitter account, Facebook page and other sites is more than just leisure. Mitchell hopes it will help deliver him the Arizona governorship in 2010.
“I’m a political outsider, so any way that I keep an open dialogue with voters is going to help me,” Mitchell, who is running as an independent, said from behind his laptop computer in a north Phoenix coffeeshop.
Some missives from his Twitter account, aznextgov, offer takes on issues of global import: “The world carbon tax is coming and so is the world government to regulate it. Your US Sovereignty will be obsolete. Be forewarned!”
Others are nothing more than personal musings: “I’m taking my dogs to the local dog park. Might play a few rounds of tennis too.”
His sites carry dozens of messages discussing issues and political philosophy with followers and friends.
And that’s the key, Mitchell said: connecting with people. In his case, that’s almost 2,000 who follow his Twitter posts and nearly 1,800 Facebook friends.
“Social media lets me listen to what voters have to say and gets my campaign’s message out there in a way that wasn’t possible before,” Mitchell said.
Strategic use of social media helped propel Barack Obama to the presidency, and as the 2010 elections approach many Arizona politicians are using Twitter, Facebook and other sites to interact with the public.
Attorney General Terry Goddard (Twitter: TerryGoddardAZ), a Democrat who is considering a run for governor, told his followers recently: “I will be at the Domestic Violence Walk. Will you?”
As Chuck_Gray on Twitter, state Sen. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, the Senate majority leader, promotes what he calls his “very conservative” views: “We pushed back Acorn. We have other fronts in this battle for freedom. We must win them too. Never give up, for we R on the side of freedom,” he shared recently.
Serena Carpenter (Twitter: drcarp), an assistant professor of online and broadcast media at Arizona State University, said there’s no doubt that direct, instant and unfiltered communication between politicians and the public via social media will become increasingly important.
“A lot of people have communicated the same way for decades, so it might take more than just a couple years,” Carpenter said. “But five years from now, I doubt we’ll see politicians who don’t use social media.”
So far, she said, some Arizona politicians are doing better than others at maximizing social media’s potential.
“One big mistake people make with social media is using it to just shovel content,” Carpenter said. “They forget sometimes about the word ’social’ in social media.”
Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said he prefers Twitter (SenatorRonGould) because it lets him communicate instantly with the public. But Gould said he avoids posting just any passing thought.
“Back when the Legislature was in session, it was a good way to keep people informed or let them know what I was thinking,” Gould said. “I do try to refrain from telling people when I’m clipping my toenails. I don’t think people want to hear about my bodily hygiene.”
Rep. Anna Tovar, D-Tolleson, said she prefers Facebook, a social-networking platform originally developed for college students. Tovar, who describes herself as tech-savvy, said Facebook makes having a conversation easy.
“Sometimes I ask people for input on an issue, and they’re generally very responsive there,” Tovar said. “In general, I have an open-door policy, and it’s the same on Facebook. It opens the dialogue.”
U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., uses Twitter (HarryEMitchell), Facebook andYouTube to communicate with the public, sometimes with help from his staff, said Adam Bozzi, a spokesman.
“Congressman Mitchell responds to every letter, call and e-mail, but online we find there’s a great conversation that develops,” Bozzi said. “And his Facebook has both people who agree and disagree.”
Republican David Schweikert (Twitter: DavidSchweikert), who lost to Mitchell in 2008 and is running for the seat again, said he enjoys the instant, unfiltered nature of social media but notes that it requires diligence.
“When I first ran for office _ at 26 _ an election was a one-day sale,” he said. “Now every day is election day.”
There are downsides to social media, however. More than other users, politicians have to be on alert for objectionable comments by visitors, Schweikert said.
John Paul Mitchell, the independent candidate for governor, made news in May when a political blogger found a photo of a female roommate topless in the tub on his account with Flikr, a photo-sharing site. He removed the photo, saying the roommate, who shared access to the site, posted it without his knowledge.
“Well, I’m a lot more careful. I have to be,” Mitchell said of the incident. “But I think people appreciated the way I handled it.”
And easy access to social media can enable anonymous pranksters. For example, someone established a Twitter account pretending to be Ron Gould, offering tweets lampooning his conservative outlook. After Gould contacted Twitter, the account changed to NOTRonGould and added a note labeling it as parody.
“You can only make fun of my moustache for so long until it gets old,” Gould said. “I would say one out of every 10 is funny.”
^___=
EDITOR’S NOTE: To find a politician’s social media accounts, look for links on the person’s Web page or enter his or her name and “Twitter,” “Facebook,” etc., in a search engine. Evan Wyloge tweets at absolutevan; Cronkite News Service tweets at cronkitenews.
(Source: Cronkite News Service)
John Paul Mitchell
A Lesson in Forgiveness and Non-Violence
On the night of Saturday, October 17th, I had the pleasure to attend the Bennett Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. I had proposed the idea of hosting a joint press conference addressing school violence and ways Arizona could prevent children from relying on violence to solve their problems. All local media and a number of local journalists were notified of the press conference, but none showed.
In my personal opinion, this shows that media outlets would rather cover the carnage of school shootings as they happen than attend a press conference that focuses awareness on the core issue and its prevention. It’s just one thing that’s wrong with our society; how the media covers the news.
But the lack of press and media at the event was truly a blessing in disguise. Instead of meeting with the media, I sat down and talked with the kids who acted in the Bennett Academy Performing Arts Theatre play, “Lancaster.” The cast included Denise, Damon, Todd, Lauren, Katie, Courtney, Dezirae, Alyssa, and Sean. Instantly, after a few minutes of speaking with the children, I could tell each one was passionate about acting and theatre — a talent encouraged and fostered by their teacher and director, Jim Hyte.
From our intimate meeting to watching the short one-act play, I realized a few important lessons. We must give our children tools of discipline, growth, kindness, strength, and non-violence. All the children in the play learned that violence is not the proper response for our problems and that we should be kind to all human life.
“Lancaster” is a play about a small Amish community that underwent the brutal shootings of young school children one day in a one-room schoolhouse. Even though a madman killed innocent life, the members of the Amish community went to the killer’s family the next day. The Amish had already forgiven the killer and came to pay their respects to the family. At the end of the play, we learn from director Jim Hyte that the father was held in the arms of the Amish for over an hour as he sobbed for his dead son.
I cannot think of a greater story of forgiveness than to console the father of a murderer. To summarize the logic behind the Amish’s thinking and the lesson learned: even a person who kills was loved by someone.
From watching this play, talking with the kids, and speaking with parents, I learned many important lessons that night. I’d like to bring what I learned into Arizona schools. I feel Arizona education could be improved by doing the following:
And that’s only the beginning. If we can start there and master these, then education in Arizona will flourish.