Month: February 2013

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The U of A Presents series at the University of Arizona has scheduled MSNBC host Rachel Maddow to discuss her book “Drift” at the U of A Centennial Hall on April 6.

Rachel Maddow
April 6, 2013
UA Centennial Hall

Rachel Maddow talks about “Drift”
Rachel Maddow is the funny, “whip-smart” (TimeMagazine) host of MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” The hit Emmy-winning TV program features her takes on the biggest stories of the day – political and otherwise – including lively, respectful debate with guests from all sides of the issues, in-depth analysis and stories found nowhere else on cable news. Maddow is the first openly gay person to host a primetime news program and author of The New York Times best-seller “Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power,” a “smart and deeply documented” look (Los Angeles Times) at America’s drift into perpetual war. The evening includes a 30-minute talk followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Don’t miss this rare public appearance by one of America’s most influential commentators on the political scene.

“Premium”seats include a signed copy of “Drift”

“A” seats include a copy of “Drift”

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 8 at 10am

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by David Safier

Thanks to a heads up from blogger Craig McDermott and astute commenting by BfA readers, we have established beyond a reasonable doubt that Al Melvin wrote SB1239 to create a state contract worth up to $30 million for Imagine Learning, a reading software company based in Utah. (By the way, this company is in no way connected to Imagine charter schools which I write about frequently.) The last shred of doubt is dispelled when we look at Melvin’s frequent mention of Imagine Learning on the 2012 campaign trail. An example: in an October debate aired on Arizona Public Media, Melvin said:

“There’s a company up in Utah by the name of Imagine Learning and they’ve had phenomenal success with third graders getting them up to speed in English.”

Melvin’s bill is the equivalent of a no-bid contract since no other company would fit the criteria specified in the language. I’ve been told that legislation written to benefit one person or business is unconstitutional, but it’s perfectly OK for Melvin to present it — even for the lege to vote for it and Brewer to sign it into law. If it became law, its constitutionality could be brought into question.

There’s a reason why Melvin might feel a special affinity for this company reagardless of the effectiveness of its product. Its conservative credentials are impeccable.

Let’s begin with ALEC. Imagine Learning is an ALEC member at the second highest funding level. The top “Presidential” level is occupied by two companies: Reynolds (tobacco) and the State Policy Network (SPN), which is a conglomeration of astroturf groups funded by the Koch Brothers, Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Insurance and others. Next is the “Chairman” level that Imagine Learning shares with some of the “Big” groups mentioned above along with Big Telecomm and Big Credit. Imagine Learning also sits on ALEC’s Education Task Force.

In July, 2012, ALEC held its annual conference in Salt Lake City. Imagine Learning was part of the “host committee” for the event, and it participated in one of the conference sessions:

In one session, Imagine Learning, a Provo-based company that makes educational software that Utah schools have bought to help non-English speakers, boasted of the success of its software in teaching special-needs students.

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I warned you that all that talk about rebranding the GOP was really all about putting the same failed policies into a redesigned box with a “new and improved!” label to try to fool low information voters into thinking the GOP has learned its lessons from 2012 and is ready to make fundamental changes. As if.

The “madmen” of the GOP’s Gimmicks-R-Us shop are out today with the lamest GOP policy idea of them all: a balanced budget amendment redux. (They really don’t want a balanced budget  amendment because it would require (1) substantial tax increases and (2) substantial budget cuts to sacrosanct programs like the military. It is purely political posturing). This is what you do when you’ve got nuthin’ but gimmicks. No end to the GOP’s fiscal gimmickry:

If this is accurate, then you may as well brace for the sequester
cuts to hit, because it shows even more clearly than usual that
Republicans view the sequester — which they themselves say will
devastate the military and tank the economy — as preferable to giving up
an additional penny in new revenues. The National Review scoops the Senate GOP’s next move, and note in particular the last paragraph:

Frustrated by the months of non-stop budget fights,
Senate Republicans are set to mount a fiscal counteroffensive this week
with the reintroduction of a balanced-budget amendment.

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and minority whip John Cornyn
are leading the effort. They hope to unveil a bill by Thursday with
unanimous Republican support. […]

House Republican aides say most conservatives in the lower chamber
are going to support the Senate’s plan. Speeches and media appearances
are being arranged for later this week. […]

According to a Senate GOP aide, the legislation would cap federal
spending at 18 percent of GDP. It would also require a supermajority for
tax hikes and debt-limit increases.

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By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice.  Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

 

Notes:

 

If an agenda is summarized with “looks harmless so  far” that only means that nothing on the agenda set of bat-shit crazy alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself.  And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

 

A hearing room designation of “SHR” means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building;  “HHR” means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

 

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive.  Many bills have been covered, but not all of them.  Again,  if a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda  yourself.

 

Floor activity:

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