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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
Is Tucson ripe for a Trayvon Martin-like tragedy?
April 11, 2012
by
by David Safier The Tucson NAACP will be hosting a forum April 16, "Can Tucson experience a Trayvon Martin Tragedy?" Information below.
It makes me proud
April 11, 2012
by
by David Safier When the likes of Michelle Malkin attacks the damn lefties in Arizona for ambushing the ALEC meeting in Phoenix last year . . . I have to say, I'm about to burst my buttons with pride. Last fall, leftists from People for the American Way, the Center for Media and Democracy, the … Read more
The Farley Report – April 10, 2012
April 11, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
I have been remiss in posting the Farley Report after Steve took a brief hiatus to run for Congress, then went back to running for state senate from the new LD 9. With the legislative session wrapping up, here is the latest Farley Report from Rep. Steve Farley (D-LD 28):
And now the latest from the Capitol…
–> Budget: The Governor continues to stick with her overly optimistic revenue projections and fund sweeps, which leave a $700 million deficit for the year she leaves office. Legislative Republicans are giving it until this Thursday to try to do a deal with her. Which means that they could come knocking at House Democrats' door soon after to start negotiations on our fiscally sensible budget that also invests in education at all levels, CPS, hospitals, KidsCare, and true job creation. If we get 40 votes in the House and 20 in the Senate, we won't need the Governor at all — yes, it could happen!
Alternately, there is some talk that House Majority leadership may go to Plan B: Finish up bills this week or next, adjourn Sine Die, then call a Special Session once the budget is ready. I don't really see this working for them, however, because often Speakers and Senate Presidents have used their control over the progress of member bills as leverage for budget votes — a powerful tool for motivating their caucus. Hopefully we will know a lot more next week.
This week's bill tracking briefs:
–> First, more progress to report: My long-term care bill to help middle class families and the seniors they love, HB2713, passed through Senate Caucus yesterday, and is on the Senate COW calendar for tomorrow. Nearly there!
–> HB2625, the attack on women that would allow your employer to deny birth control coverage to you if they had a "moral or religious objection", has threatened to come back on reconsideration after last week's defeat, but was skipped over each time it was calendared. The sponsor Debbie Lesko (R-Glendale) is still looking for two senators to change their votes on reconsideration, and has promised that she will amend it to cover only religious-affiliated businesses and institutions, if it is voted through to conference committee. There are no takers as yet, but it will continue to be a threat until we adjourn Sine Die.
The “Tax Freedom Day” nonsense
April 11, 2012
by
by David Safier Today's Star editorial is right to say the "Tax Freedom Day" idea is too simplistic. But the editorial is wrong about the reason. "Tax Freedom Day" is a bogus statistic, a ruse to make low and middle income people believe they pay more taxes than they actually do. According to the Tax … Read more
