Month: August 2014

Arizona’s lawless legislature ordered to pay restitution for stealing from public schools

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Screenshot from 2014-08-22 11:58:44Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Catherine Cooper, pursuant to a mandate from the Arizona Supreme Court, ordered the state of Arizona to pay restitution to public school districts for shorting stealing from the school districts over the past four years.

The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports, Judge issues final judgment in school finance inflation case that could cost state billions:

Judge Cooper’s ruling came about because the Arizona Supreme Court ordered her to enter a judgment consistent with its 2013 ruling in favor of school districts.

The high court ruled that the state is obligated under Proposition 301, which was approved by voters in 2000, to increase education funding annually to fully account for inflation. The Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature violated the Voter Protection Act when it only provided a partial increase that was less than the inflationary requirement.

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U.S. District Court for Florida strikes down state’s same-sex marriage ban

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EqualIt started in the “Conch Republic” of the Florida Keys a few weeks ago when a state court judge struck down Florida’s same-sex marriage ban in that country. This decision was quickly followed by state court judges in several other South Florida counties striking down the state’s same-sex marriage ban in their counties as well.

Now a federal district court judge in Florida has struck down Florida’s same-sex marriage ban. the Miami Herald reports, U.S. judge slams Florida ban on gay marriages:

In the first decision on same-sex marriage with statewide impact, a federal judge ruled Thursday that Florida’s gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional, ordering the state to allow the marriage of same-sex couples and to recognize marriages performed elsewhere.

“When observers look back 50 years from now, the arguments supporting Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage, though just as sincerely held, will again seem an obvious pretext for discrimination,” wrote U.S District Judge Robert L. Hinkle of Tallahassee. “Observers who are not now of age will wonder just how those views could have been held.”

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Next free Mental Health First Aid training on Aug. 25

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With the  recent news about famous actor Robin Williams’ battle with depression and then committing suicide , mental health issues have re-surfaced.  In Tucson, you can get free training in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) from Community Partnerhsip of Southern AZ to recognize symptoms of mental illness and then know what to do to help (in case). Next class is August 25 and 26, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (both days).

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​CPSA’s free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programs provide effective, evidence-based public education that will benefit all community members. Participants learn a five-step process to recognize, support and assist a person experiencing a mental health or substance abuse issue, or any type of mental health crisis.

The two main trainings offered through CPSA are Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for identifying and assisting adults, andYouth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) for adults to identify and assist youth 12 to 20 years of age.

Atendees learn to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness and provide initial help until appropriate professional, peer or family support can be engaged. Participants also learn about risk factors and warning signs of specific mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction.

For more information regarding Mental Health First Aid training, please visit the National Mental Health First Aid USA website.

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Hero Dem candidate in AZ05 responds to anti-choicers in the most delightful way

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Crossposted from DemocraticDiva.com

james woods

Arizona Congressional District 5 is currently represented by Matt Salmon (who, when he ran for Governor in 2002, was considered to be firmly in the GOP establishment but is now a member of the Tea Party Caucus in Congress) and is viewed as an unwinnable district for Democrats. Nonetheless, James Woods has mounted a serious challenge and I don’t think I’ve ever found myself in more agreement with a candidate before.

I have a vision for an America in which we approach governance with the best evidence we have available–not ideology, revelation or religion. Public policy decisions should be made rationally through an unbiased examination of facts, efficacy and outcomes. This gives us the best possible chance of steering the country toward the advancement of prosperity for all. We must thoughtfully avoid the unverified opinions and irrational prejudices in our lawmaking process that thwart our common pursuit of happiness.

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The Robson campaign sign story is about so much more

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shiny_objects_shirtThe media villagers are once again distracted by the bright shiny objects, failing to report what is really going on behind this story.

The latest distraction is the annual election “silly season” campaign sign theft story. This time it’s allegedly Rep. Bob Robson (R-Chandler). The Arizona Republic reports, Chandler lawmaker accused of swiping political signs:

State Rep. Bob Robson, R-Chandler, has been cited with two misdemeanor charges of tampering with political signs.

The sign scrum is yet another indication of the high tensions swirling around the Legislature’s vote in 2013 to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover 300,000 low-income Arizonans. Robson, along with 13 other Republicans, joined Democrats to approve the expansion proposed by Gov. Jan Brewer. Opponents vowed to seek retribution at the polls, working to defeat what they called “legis-traitors.” [This is the key to this story, read below.]

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