Action Alert: Rally Against Anti-Worker Bills Today!

February 3, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Please join the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF), AFSCME, CWA Local 7000 and community supporters to stand up to the attacks on union members and their families. WHAT: Rally Against Anti-Worker BillsWHEN: Friday, February 3, 4:00 p.m.WHERE: In front of the AZ State Building in downtown Tucson, 400 W. Congress StreetSPONSOR: Pima … Read more

Boss Tweed: destroy civil service system before destroying public employee unions

February 3, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Senate Committee on Government Reform approved four anti-worker bills on Wednesday on a party-line vote, bills that were introduced only on Monday by its chair, Sen. Rick Murphy, R-Glendale, and fast-tracked for swift passage in the Senate to limit public testimony and to not leave enough time for public opposition to build against these bills as occurred in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

The four bills approved are:

SB 1484   Paycheck Deductions

SB 1485  Unions; Public Employees; Prohibitions

SB 1486  Public Employees; Activities; Unions; Compensation

SB 1487  Government Employees; Union Dues; Withholding

These bills were to be fast-tracked for a full Senate vote next week.

But Gov. Jan Brewer, aka "Boss Tweed," wants her bill to destroy the civil service merit selection system acted upon first before our Tea-Publican legislature destroys public employee unions. And for this we are to be grateful? Brewer's ultimatum: State personnel reform or no union-busting bills – East Valley Tribune:

Gov. Jan Brewer is threatening to veto some union-busting bills unless lawmakers first give her what she wants: reform of the state personnel system.

And even then, she's not promising to sign anything.

Jeff Flake Exposed as Jet Setting Junketer (and Shirtless Hunk) by Wil Cardon’s New Ad

February 3, 2012

Posted by Michael Bryan

I actually don't know how much of this fact and how much is political puffery, but it's a well-done attack ad – and there is never anything I don't like about an attack ad on a likely Republican nominee by another Republican 🙂

Enjoy, right after the click…

President Obama on his housing plan

February 3, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

President Obama has a "My Turn" guest opinion in the Arizona Republic today, Obama: Housing plan will boost economy:

In my State of the Union Address, I laid out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last — an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers and a renewal of American values of fairness and responsibility.

Over the past decade we strayed from those values and we saw what happened. Millions of families who did the right thing were hurt when the massive housing bubble burst. Folks who shopped for a home they could afford, secured a mortgage and made their payments each month were hurt by those who weren't playing by the same rules.

Lenders who sold loans to people who couldn't afford them, buyers who bought homes they knew they couldn't afford and banks that packaged and traded bad mortgages to reap phantom profits.

These actions triggered the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes and the housing crisis remains the single biggest drag on our recovery.

It will take more time than any of us would like for the housing market to fully recover from this crisis, and government certainly can't fix the entire problem on its own.

However, it is wrong for anybody to suggest that the only option for struggling, responsible homeowners is to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom. I refuse to accept that, and so do the American people.

This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class and this housing crisis struck right at the heart of what it means to be middle class in America: owning a home. Homes are where we invest our nest egg, where we raise our family, where we plant roots in a community and build our memories.

The housing plan we launched a couple years ago has helped nearly 1 million responsible homeowners refinance their mortgages and save an average of $300 each month. But even with rates at historic lows, too many families are underwater and unable to refinance.

There are more than 10 million homeowners across the country right now who, because of an unprecedented decline in home prices, owe more on their mortgage than their homes are worth.

For those responsible homeowners, there are actions we can take right now to provide some relief.

Carmona for Senate Pulls Down Major Pima County Endorsements

February 2, 2012

Posted by Michael Bryan Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General in the Bush II Admin, announced two major endorsements from Pima County officials today: Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and County Attorney Barbara LaWall. These endorsements are a forceful moves to establish Carmona's credibility against former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens, at least in Pima County. Sheriff … Read more