Unbelievable: Give money to for-profit U of Phoenix. Limit scholarships to public universities
January 25, 2012
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by David Safier Once again, Republicans reveal their priorities, as if there were ever any questions. A bill giving a tax break to University of Phoenix passed the Senate and is heading to the house. This bill is so wrong-headed, Brewer vetoed it last session, saying the state couldn't afford to lose the tax money. … Read more
Antenori vs. Kelly. This could be interesting
January 25, 2012
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by David Safier Cage matches are a little too violent for my tastes, but I think I'll be watching the Frank Antenori-Jesse Kelly cage match primary, if they both climb into the Republican CD-8 primary ring, attentively, even obsessively. I've never known either of these guys to pull punches. It could be something to watch. … Read more
I’ll be on the Bill Buckmaster show today, 12:30
January 25, 2012
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by David Safier I'll be on Bill Buckmaster's show around 12:30pm today (Wednesday), for his Blogger Beat segment. The show is on from noon to one, KVOI AM 1030. You can live stream it at BuckmasterShow.com or listen to it there after it airs. Today's lineup: "Washington Contributor Terry Bracy talks about the State of … Read more
The Farley Report – January 24, 2012
January 25, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Time once again for The Farley Report from Rep. Steve Farley (D-Tucson):
Things don't always happen the way you want them to. We in Tucson know that all too well.
But as we move forward — even from terrible events — in a spirit of love and hope and empathy, and join together in our community as we have especially since January 8, 2011, we have shown we can rise above anything and be a beacon unto the nation.
As my family and I watched the video on Sunday of Gabby telling us that she would resign her seat, we cried. We feel like she is a member of our family. My daughters have joined me at Giffords events — and asked pertinent policy questions — for years and years, and Gabby has always been our hero.
I know, as we all do, that Gabby is capable of doing anything she wants. Even though we so powerfully wanted her to keep representing us in Congress and take up her office once more, she has made the obvious right decision: to focus on her recovery.
We want her in office, but above all, we want her well. And once she is well, I know that she will lead us once again, in a bigger and better capacity, and even the sky will no longer be the limit for where she can go.
Many of you have emailed me since Sunday to urge me to consider a run for her seat to carry forward Gabby's legacy, and I will tell you that if Gabby asks me, I will run, and I will ask for your help so that we can win together. If she asks another person to run, I will support that person and I will ask for your help so that we can win together.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of work to be done at the Capitol, and I remain committed to help change the Arizona Legislature this November as the new State Senator for the new District 9. If that changes, you will be among the first to know.
Today at the Capitol I hosted Arizona's first Distracted Driving Summit, organized by Shelly Camp and her students from Payson High School, and attended by 150 teenagers from high schools around the state. It gave me a huge infusion of hope for our future.
One of my favorite things to do is to share with high school students an inside view on how our government works, and how they can play a part. As I told them this morning, the future of our democracy depends upon their active engagement in public policy as involved citizens.
They made appointments with legislators of all parties to advocate for bans on driving while texting (HB2512 from Steve Urie (R-Gilbert)), cellphone use by teen drivers (SB1056 from John McComish (R-Ahwatukee) and HB2311 from me), and distracted driving in general (HB2312 from me).
Some of the best moments came as I stood with some of the students, pointed out legislators on the plaza as they walked by, and watched as they tried out their best elevator speeches about the bills. The students were really pumped up for this chance to make their case to the Senators and Representatives, and I definitely get the sense that their feeling of empowerment will not leave them as they seek to improve our state in the years to come.
Yesterday, I introduced a bill to further empower citizen lobbyists like these students by reducing the power of large corporate lobbyists to influence legislation — HB2665, the ALEC Accountability Act of 2012, which I first described to you in the December Farley Report.
Right now at the capitol, a back-door system of lobbyist-funded scholarships, not regulated or usually disclosed to the public, fund lawmaker participation in American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conferences that promote an ideological agenda. This system also actively provides fancy accommodations, upscale dining and entertainment "networking" opportunities in cities around the country.
Crandall: How dare you say that about me and my school-lunch-optional bill?
January 24, 2012
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by David Safier Rich Crandall is upset. Why would anyone think, with all the cuts Republicans have made to schools and health care for children and state parks and — but why go on? — that his bill to make school lunches optional could possibly hurt children or schools? Why don't people forget about all … Read more
More on the ALEC-inspired AZ bill to limit asbestos liability
January 24, 2012
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by David Safier
Yesterday I wrote about HB2368, a bill to limit the liability of companies sued for asbestos-related illnesses. It's a nearly exact copy of an ALEC model bill which has already passed in 11 other states. I said in the post, I don't know who the bill is designed to protect in Arizona, but it sure isn't the people affected by asbestos exposure.
I still don't know which corporations stand to benefit in Arizona, but commenter Gramiam sent me a link indicating the type of people who pour money into getting this kind of legislation passed. It's a Greg Palast article from October, 2011: The 4 Billionaire 'Vultures' Trying to Pick Our Next President. One of the "vultures" is Paul Singer, who Palast calls "the carrion king." He's a guy who buys up poor nations' debt after it has been forgiven by richer nations, then bleeds the nations dry by making them pay.
But that's not the asbestos story. It relates to his buying Owens Corning after it was sued for exposing its workers to asbestos when it was aware of the dangers. You can read the relevant passage after the jump.
Grijalva ups the MAS ante, calls for investigation
January 24, 2012
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by David Safier
Raúl Grijalva has joined the MAS fight with more than words. He sent a letter to the assistant secretary of education for civil rights "urging an investigation of whether an Arizona state law violates federal standards by targeting Tucson Unified School District’s successful Mexican-American Studies (MAS) program."
The press release is below (Half of it is below the fold). You can read the letter here.
Grijalva Leads Hispanic Caucus Letter to Dept. of Education Calling for Mexican-American Studies Support, Civil Rights Investigation
Tuesday January 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) education task force, sent a letter yesterday to top federal education officials urging an investigation of whether an Arizona state law violates federal standards by targeting Tucson Unified School District’s successful Mexican-American Studies (MAS) program. The letter, sent to assistant secretary of education for civil rights Russlynn Ali and other Department of Education and Department of Justice officials and co-signed by CHC Chairman Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Texas), calls Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-122 “bad public policy and fundamentally flawed,” especially as it has been applied in targeting and shutting down the MAS program.
ARS 15-122 forbids schools to encourage “overthrow of the U.S. government” or prioritize ethnic identity over teaching students as individuals. Despite a 2011 audit of the MAS program finding “no observable evidence [. . .] to suggest that any classroom within Tucson Unified School District is in direct violation of the law,” Arizona schools chief John Huppenthal deemed the program illegal last June. Schools in the area have subsequently canceled related classes.
In Defense of Mitt — Part 1
January 24, 2012
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Just kidding. I wouldn't defend Mitt if my life depended on it. What an elitist creep!
