‘The Donald’ was impressed with Jim Perry
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Donald Trump was so impressed after his Wednesday night dinner with Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry that he couldn't remember the Texas governor's name the next day. "I had dinner last night with Jim Perry," Trump told The Street. "I was impressed with him." Did Trump mean Former Twins pitcher Jim Perry? … Read more
Two tax proposals under consideration, possibly initiatives to the ballot
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: There are two tax proposals under consideration, possibly as a citizens intiatives headed for the 2012 ballot. The first is a plan floated earlier this year by the Arizona Hospital Association to avoid the draconian budget cuts to AHCCCS care and enrollment enacted by our Tea-Publican governor and legislature (that are now … Read more
AHCCCS cases proceeding in court
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Federal Court A three-judge 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said last month that AHCCCS violated federal law when it began charging co-payments to certain enrollees last year. Court didn't halt AHCCCS co-payments: [But] mandatory health insurance co-payments remain in place for some of Arizona's poorest residents despite last month's court … Read more
(Update) Pimps For Private Prisons and Profit
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Today is the day that the state of Arizona was to award a contract to one of four bidders to build 5,000 new private prison beds in Arizona, despite the Department of Corrections never having complied with Arizona law requiring it to conduct a cost-benefit study. This matter is now in litigation and … Read more
AIRC Update: Commissioners start to lawyer up
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports that AIRC Chair Colleen Mathis has hired former Arizona U.S. Attorney General Paul Charlton to represent her against Arizona AG Tom "banned for life by the SEC" Horne's politically motivated witch hunt against the AIRC. IRC chair hires former US Attorney for AG’s probe – … Read more
AIRC Update: Cooperation among Tribal Nations could lead to a ‘coalition’ VRA District
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I have had casual conversations with people who know other people in positions of power over the past year about the idea that the Tribal Nations could form a coalition majority-minority district if the Tribal Nations could just cooperate and work together. (In the past there have been various legal disputes and … Read more
AIRC Update: Prison-based gerrymandering of districts
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Blog for Arizona gets a shout out from Leah Sakala at Prisoners of the Census blog, and we'll give you a shout out right back with your post here. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission wrangles with prison-based gerrymandering | Prisoners of the Census: It looks like this time around Arizona is paying attention to … Read more
Celebrate Constitution Day/Week
September 16, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Today is Constitution Day (Observed). Constitution Day is September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787. The law establishing the holiday was created in 2004 with the passage of an amendment by Senator Robert Byrd. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as "Citizenship Day." … Read more
