ALEC in Arizona — udated edition
April 12, 2012
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by David Safier Here's the hot-off-the-presses, 44 page long ALEC in Arizona, updated for the 50th legislature. It's put together by People for the American Way, Common Cause, ALEC Exposed and Progress Now. It's great to see the heavy hitters weighing in on this issue. The efforts are bringing increased national attention to ALEC — … Read more
Crazy Uncle Joe Arpaio soon has a date with Justice
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The "reign of terror" in the state of Maricopa recently documented by the ethics panel of the Arizona Supreme Court in the disbarment of former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas is unraveling.
"King" Russell Pearce has been disgraced in the first successful recall of a Senate leader in our nation's history.
Andrew Thomas and his accomplice in crime, Lisa Aubuchon, have been disbarred.
But the ringleader of this "reign of terror," Maricopa County Sheriff "Crazy Uncle Joe" Arpaio, so far has evaded Justice and being held accountable for his rank corruption.
Crazy Uncle Joe Arpaio soon has a date with Justice. Feds head toward lawsuit vs. Sheriff Joe Arpaio:
The lead attorney in the U.S. Justice Department's efforts to resolve a civil-rights complaint with Sheriff Joe Arpaio has cut off verbal communication with Arpaio's attorney, saying the entire affair is best left for the courts to decide.
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"It is clear that DOJ's concerted effort to attain voluntary compliance by your client has failed," Deputy U.S. Assistant Attorney General Roy Austin wrote to Arpaio attorney Joe Popolizio.
"It is also clear that we should not discuss anything else by telephone because you will not accurately portray those conversations," Austin continued. "At this point, it is best to let a court determine the appropriateness of appointing an independent monitor as well as imposing other relief in order to address MCSO's constitutional and federal statutory violations."
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A Justice Department spokeswoman did not comment late Wednesday on when the federal government would sue the Sheriff's Office.
One of the targets of Crazy Uncle Joe Arpaio's politically motivated witch hunts, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, recently settled her claim against Maricopa County for a rumored $1 million. She had this to say to the Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required). Wilcox: Arpaio is ‘next big step’ after Thomas disbarment | Arizona Capitol Times:
Failed corruption investigations launched by America’s self-proclaimed toughest sheriff have succeeded in getting one of the lawman’s top allies disbarred.
And despite Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s efforts to distance himself from cases at the center of a legal ethics panel inquiry that cost a pair of former county prosecutors their careers — the fallout has moved closer.
“Sheriff Arpaio is the next big step,” said Mary Rose Wilcox, a Maricopa County official who has been at odds with the sheriff and his allies. “He will fall.”
Action Alert: Ask the Governor to veto the Polluter Protection Act, HB 2199
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Republican Governor J. Fife Symington III vetoed a similar measure back in the 1990s. Since his aide Chuck Coughlin is the shadow governor of Arizona today in Governor's Brewer's office, maybe another veto is possible. I will join in the Tucson Weekly's call to Stop the Polluter Protection Act! Call Gov. Brewer and … Read more
Governor Brewer vetoes ‘States’ Rights’ Tea-Publican bill
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I posted about this previously, 'States' Rights' Tea-Publicans run amok: Oh geezus, here we go again. The Birthers-Birchers-Secessionists of our Tea-Publican legislature are spouting Neoconfederate nullification and secession theories again, in a reprisal from last year. It sounds an awful lot like the nonsense spewed by the sovereign citizen movement and Oath … Read more
Reminder: PCDP Legislative Districts Reorganization Meeting this Saturday
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: This is a must attend meeting for all Democratic precinct committeepersons in Pima County: Pima County Democratic Party Reorganization Meeting Saturday, April 14, 9:00 a.m: Pima County Democratic Party Reorganization Meeting, at Amphi High School, 125 W. Yavapai Road (East of Oracle Road at Prince Road). New Legislative District Organizations (LDs 2, … Read more
Save the date! First Lady Michelle Obama to visit Tucson on April 30
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Daily Star reports First lady plans visit to Tucson April 30: Michelle Obama is coming to Tucson later this month. The first lady is scheduled to be here on April 30 for a fundraising event that will benefit President Obama's campaign, said Jeff Rogers, chairman of the Pima County Democratic … Read more
National Association of Letter Carriers Day of Action at Senator Kyl’s Office
April 12, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Announcement from the Pima Area Labor Federation: NALC Day of Action at Senator Kyl’s Office Join PALF and your brother and sitter Letter Carriers at Senator Jon Kyl’s office at 6840 North Oracle Road (Tucson) on Thursday, April 12 at 5:00 PM. The Senate is considering legislation that could end six … Read more
Rep. Daniel Patterson resigns after recommendation for expulsion (Updated)
April 11, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The Arizona Republic reports Rep. Daniel Patterson resigns from Arizona House:
State Rep. Daniel Patterson, a Tucson independent, has resigned his seat in the House.
Patterson gave his resignation letter to House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, who accepted the resignation.
"Effective immediately I have accepted the resignation of Daniel Patterson," Tobin said.
The decision comes shortly after the House Ethics Committee recommended the full House remove Patterson from office. The full House was expected to vote on expulsion this afternoon.
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The bipartisan committee had made the recommendation after they questioned Patterson for two hours. The ethics allegations included intimidating other lawmakers, angry outbursts and domestic violence.
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In his resignation letter, however, Patterson said he was "reluctantly" resigning "under strong protest."
"I have been forced to resign due to the fact that the House has become a very hostile work environment," Patterson wrote. "Due to this, I am no longer able to serve my constituents in the way they deserve."
Patterson said he may consider suing Arizona to keep his seat.
"All possibilities are on the table," he said. "To be expelled would put voters choices in jeopardy."
There is now a "vacancy" in office due to a "resignation." Here is the key provision: A.R.S. §41-1202(A):
A. If a vacancy occurs in the legislature and the vacant seat was represented by a political party that is organized pursuant to title 16, chapter 5, article 2 and that has at least thirty elected committeemen who are from precincts that are in the legislative district and that are in the county in which the vacancy occurred, the following apply:
1. The secretary of state shall notify the state party chairman of the appropriate political party of the vacancy. Within three business days after notification of the vacancy by the secretary of state, the state party chairman of the appropriate political party or the chairman's designee shall give written notice of the meeting to fill the vacancy to all elected precinct committeemen of the appropriate political party from precincts that are in the legislative district and that are in the county in which the vacancy occurred.
2. Those elected precinct committeemen shall nominate, within twenty-one days after notification of the vacancy by the secretary of state if the legislature is not in regular session or within five days if the legislature is in regular session and by a majority vote, three qualified electors to fill the vacancy who meet the requirements for service in the legislature and who belong to the same political party and reside at the time of nomination in the same district and county as the person elected to or appointed to the office immediately before the vacancy.
