Steve Farley, the newly elected Representative of LD 28 is showing what solid constituent communication looks like. If you are interested in
state house affairs, I strongly recommend you sign up for his FarleyGrams.
Howdy, Friends o’ Farley…
[a note to LD28 PCs–I just realized you might like to get this email
every week, so you are now on this list. If you would like the previous
six emails, let me know and I will send them to you in one LONG email.
If you don’t want to be on this list, let me know that, too.]
Wow, another huge Government Committee meeting. That’s two in a row at
five hours plus. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.
(Even though I am suffering from fever and other effects of some nasty
virus that is tearing through this place.)
The Government Committee, upon which I sit as Ranking Member, has
turned out to be the showcase committee for all the big Republican
policy pushes. Last week it was their efforts to gut the citizen
initiative process, Clean Elections, and HealthCareGroup. (A quick
aside on that–I am now leading the fight to save HCG after being asked
to do so by the Governor’s staff who watched me go nose to nose with
the Speaker on that last week.) This week’s topic: immigration.
Most of the bills were Mesa Rep. Russell Pearce’s bills. Yes, he’s the
guy who called for the return of "Operation Wetback" last year during
his campaign. One bill would require every employee of every city,
county, and municipality in the state to act as immigration
agents–janitors, librarians, councilmembers, teachers, everyone.
Another would take cops away from investigating crimes and instead
check immigration papers. None of this with money to pay for the job.
And all of these passed out of committee.
The worst of his bills in my opinion was the one we heard last. That
bill, HCM2005, called on Congress to repeal the 14th Amendment to the
US Constitution so that children born of immigrants in this country
would no longer be citizens. This amendment was passed to give
citizenship to those who were born as slaves, and to all future
children of immigrants.
In testimony, we were treated to one woman who proudly announced that
she was the founder of "Mothers Against Illegal Aliens" and cried as
she spoke of how her children were getting a poor education because
they were forced to sit next to the children of illegal aliens in their
classrooms. Others testified in a similar fashion, scapegoating
immigrants for everything wrong with society. The face of racial hatred
could not have been clearer. Yet the Republicans on the committee
embraced it.
Lena Saradnik and I stood up in the face of this hatred and spoke our
truths. In explaining our votes, we both proudly stated our mongrel
heritage. I’ve got Irish, English, Czech, German, and even a little
Mongolian. Lena has Jewish ancestors as well as Cherokee ancestors. And
that’s what makes us American. I talked about how American English has
become the dominant world language not because it has resisted change
in the pursuit of "purity", but because it is flexible and open to
influences from many languages–it remains a living, changing work of
art. In the same way, the reason America is in such a great country is
our embrace of many cultures as our own–Germans in Pennsylvania,
Norwegians in the Upper Midwest, Cubans
in Florida, and, yes, Mexicans in the Southwest. If we were to start
rejecting new immigrants as non-Americans, we would be rejecting our
proud traditions of inclusion, and setting ourselves on the road to
undistinguished irrelevance.
Our arguments seemed to move even some of the Republicans to be ashamed
of what they went on to support anyway. I heard after the committee
from a well-placed source that the very issues Lena & raised and
the way we raised them may yet help to kill that bill. This is part of
why we need to be right here, right now.
Ways and Means continues to be another great place for me to be. Rep.
Kirk Adams introduced another income tax cut for the wealthy (about $46
for someone making $50,000 with $4600 for someone making $500,000)
which would leave us with a $200 million hole in our budget next year.
I was again able to challenge the Republican magical thinking that tax
cuts mean more revenues. By that logic, I said, cutting taxes to zero
ought to produce infinite revenues. Given that is illogical, there must
be a point of diminishing returns even if you buy their thinking. It
would be nice to know that point before we approve any more tax cuts
and ruin our ability to function as a government. Which, by the way, is
not some alien entity out to steal
our money, it is in fact us. Another little step in my long-term
efforts to recycle the idea of government as a the best way yet
invented to help us do important things together that we could not afford to do individually.
Last week, most of my bills met an unfortunate fate in committees, but
I suppose that was not entirely unexpected as I am a freshman Democrat
and the bills took on some of the most powerful lobbies in the state.
Getting four hearings in four committees in a week has not often been
seen around here, given those parameters. On Wednesday the Environment
Committee caved in to the Big Oil lobby and defeated vapor recovery
nozzles for Tucson, but don’t be sad–the momentum we created (and
thank you for sending email to the committee–they got upwards of 60 in
support) has started some other things in process so we might win soon
on that on anyway. More on that later.
Also last Wednesday my Consumer Deputization Act came SO close to
winning, but failed on a tie vote 5-5. The facts were on our side, but
the Big Chain Retailer lobby was against us, and it was hard for
Republicans to resist their siren call. To his credit, freshman
Republican Rich Crandall did buck the trend and vote for the bill,
which would have saved Arizona consumers tens if not hundreds of
millions of dollars each year in overcharges we may not even be aware
we are paying. The most fun part of that was when the Big Chain
Retailer lobbyist testified that customers were really scary people
who were always trying new ways of stealing from her stores. Nice message to the consumer, eh?
The Arizona Energy Independence Act fell victim to Grover Norquist’s
pledge that was signed by too many Republican’s on the committee.
Because it included a tax on non-renewable sources of electricity, they
could not vote for it. Even though several came up later and
apologized, saying it was a great bill that they would support if only
they could call the tax something else. Perhaps a fee of some kind? Too
bad these guys think it is more important to honor a pledge to an
anarchistic Libertarian who wants to, in his words, "shrink government
to the size at which it can be drowned in a bathtub" instead of their
oath of office to help the people of Arizona. Good news–the bill was
not voted down, but was held so that it can remain alive and perhaps
come back again, even this session. Solar industry folks and utility
folks are meeting as we speak to figure out strategies–support is
still building.
So in my first six weeks I have fought big oil, big telecom, big
polluters, big chain retail, big politics, and much more, and I’m still
standing. Much more to come.
Finally tonight, there is a VERY important meeting that I would like
you to attend in Tucson. The Arizona Department of Transportation is
holding a meeting to discuss passenger rail from Tucson to Phoenix on
Thursday, March 8, at 5:30pm at the Randolph Golf Course Clubhouse on
Alvernon between Broadway & 22nd St. We need a big and enthusiastic
turnout to tell ADOT exactly what we want and when we want it. The time is now, and I will see you there.
And maybe I’ll see you at the Peace Fair at the Reid Park Bandshell this Saturday afternoon. Keep having fun!
Steve Farley
Arizona State Representative, District 28
Ranking Member, Government Committee
Transportation Committee
Ways & Means Committee
Capitol office: 602-926-3022
Tucson office: 520-398-6000
Official email: sfarley@azleg.gov
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Unfortunately Farley doesn’t understand the 14th Amendment. His mis-guided interpretation is actually a rather recent spin from the last half century. He needs to study some history.
As for High Speed Rail and its funding ; IT IS FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO WILL NOT HAVE CARS AND CAN NOT GET A CAR INTO A HIGHLY CONJESTED AREA RESTRICTING THE USE OF CARS; and IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PAID FOR TODAY! It should be treated like Highways are today and put as a TOP PRIORITY because just as sure as our WATER SUPPLY IS LIMITED so will be our ability to get into metropolitan areas ; so short of walking or riding a bike to Phoenix I suggest we get off our asses and get the job STARTED!
I see NO problem with LAWYERS ON STAFF but have a problem when LAWYERS RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE TODAY; because they have a different agenda!
kralmajales;
I was talking in GENERAL TERMS OF MANY MANY YEARS OF LAWYERS IN THE LEGISLATURE: HOW ABOUT CHARLIE KING? ETC:
I have to correct Dwight on the lawyer remark and about how all of our public officials are attorneys. This is NOT true in our legislature at all.
Our legislative law makers are made up of about 17% attorneys. Many of these NEVER practiced or are not even members of the Bar. The Senate Judiciary Committee for hells sake doesn’t even have an attorney member. This is the committee that writes law affecting our legal system. Shouldn’t we have at least one…or a majority????
I have big problems with our state legislature. I am happy that it is diverse in a lot of ways, but to the extent that we have lawyers running it…well that just aint at all true.
azw88;
As for who would pay for Light Rail on the Tucson Phoenix Corridor it should come from the Gas Taxes that our State and Federal Government spends on everthing else but Highways. Today The Governor wants to UPGRADE our ROADS with 500 million of The States money. This LAST DITCH EFFORT after the problem was created she now wants ROADS?! She also complained about a School being built in Tombstone WITH_OUT a ROAD GOING TO IT?! Then DOES THE VERY SAME THING!
My point IS we in Arizona have Elected some real LOOSERS to public office and most are clueless LAWYERS apponted by other Clueless LAWYERS as payback for something they have or will do for them in some future csae or LANDSWAP. (Governor Napolitano was appointed by President Bill Clinton as U.S. Attorney in 1996;so who do you think she is working for hoping to be THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES; IF HILLARY IS ELECTED PRESIDENT!
FOLLOW THE MONEY in everthing you see and you can see right through all these CROOKED LAWYERS.
If I had my way NO LAWYER would be allowed to run for ANY PUBLIC OFFICE PERIOD. In the PAST LAWYERS HAD a sence of accountabilty but today they are , in my opinion lower than a CARSALESMAN and are working for NUMBER ONE;”THEMSELVES!”
azw88;
Iam an ADVOCATE of FREEZING PROPERTY TAXES at the ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE of any home and when and IF sold the Taxes would be paid at its selling price! I have had a ongoing debate with Ann Day because of my home going from below 100,000 envaluation to over 350,000 in valuation today in just 9 years! I asked the Pima County Assessor then Rick Lions to explain to me WHY?! His answer was FOLKLORE! I was so mad I went to The Arizona Corporation Commission that oversees County Assessors and they DIRECTED him to ANSWER ME! HE REFUSED! Supervisor Ann Day then FROZE the value of my home for THREE YEARS her only option to The Assessors STUPIDITY. At a meeting of District 26 where former Pima County Assessor STEVE EMERINE was speaking I asked him the same question in front of over 100 Democratic Precinct Committeepersons. He said;” I TAUGHT RICK LIONS EVERYTHING HE KNOWS!?” Another STUPID ANSWER FROM ANOTHER ASSESSOR! I have been well involved with property valuations as I have personally owned 5 houses in every part of Tucson, West, East, South and North. I find the way ALL the Assessors do there job at THE WHIM OF THE SUPERVISORS to RAISE TAXES with-out ACCOUNTABILTY to you and me very TROUBLING. I will HOLD ALL OF THEM TO ACCOUNT AND THEY ARE ON MY RADAR SCREEN NOW AS IN THE PAST!
As for where Light Rail should go ; we need to START SOMEWHERE. The BROADWAY CORRIDOR is its base going East and West. For the North South I would follow a path along the Rillito Riverbed and zig-zag through the Cambell and Alvernon corridor to the Airport.
Unlike Bill Staples the current Pima County Assessor I OWN PROPERTY IN PIMA COUNTY AND PAY TAXES ON IT; SOMETHING HE DOES NOT! He lives in a condo on Grande and was given a piece of land which HE NEVER PAID TAXES ON; until it was brought to his attention,then said: ” Oh, don’t worry I will pay TWICE what is due on it from now on!” I say to you azx88 lets you and I try that TRICK and see how far it gets us? This guy is a Political HACK and personal friend of Richard Elias and Raul Grijalva, as Richard at a meeting of The Democrats of Greater Tucson said; Bill Staples was “VERY CUTE” and he can “WORK WITH HIM!” We need to hold Grijalva and his Campaign Sign Maker for his Congressional Campaign Richard Elias accountable up to and including KICKING THEM OUT OF OFFICE FOR CORRUPTION!
And just where would you put the light rail, DDL?? Where are the large employers located? Where do their employees live?
A light rail between Phoenix and Tucson would be great, but who will pay for it?? You clearly don’t like tax increases
You are griping about increased tax assesments, but fail to realize that the home values have jumped dramatically in recent years. 2+ years ago, my mom had her house appraised for 100K for a refi. 1-1/2 years later I sold that house for 155K. That house is on the south side (Drexel and Alvernon). She bought that house for approx 50K in 1991.
AZW88:
I said; “40 years ago I supported light rail,” and if 40 years ago light rail would have been intergrated into a co-ordinated GROWTH PLAN ;today we would NOT be in this MESS!
So azw88 what you are saying 40 years from TODAY light rail will have NO EFFECT in Tucson or the Tucson Phoenix Corridor, if it was implemented today?
I love your forward thinking and planning for the future of Southern Arizona which you think is STAGNANT?
PLEEEEAAAASSSEEEE!
Please forgive me for going OFF TOPIC; but as one who sat next to Bill Staples at The Democrats of Greater Tucson and signed his nomination petition for Pima County Tax ASSessor; while a Member of The Board of Supervisors was commenting how “CUTE BILL WAS” the member was a MALE; I must OBJECT to his statement about his REAL EASTATE SPECULATING APPRAISING TECHNIQUES; raising SOUTHSIDE assessments by 30% as a PRELUDE TO STICKING IT TO THE NORTHSIDE NEXT YEAR(very smart way to use smoke and mirrors BILL); I call for BILL STAPLES to appollogise to the TAX PAYING RESIDENTS of PIMA COUNTY ( Bill owns NO Real Taxable Property in Pima County) by his statement;” IF YOU CAN’T SELL YOUR HOUSE FOR WHAT IAM TAXING IT AT;CALL ME?!”
Trolley systems are quaint, but they do not alleviate the traffic problem.
An in-town light rail system would not do much, either, without major incentives, large lots for parking. Tucson’s work places and living spaces are very DE-centralized.
A light rail between Phoenix and Tucson MAY help with SOME of the I-10 traffic, but not as much as people think. Many folks who do go back and forth go downtown, but a lot go to other areas in the valley of the Scum.
I ask all of you'” WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILTY TO THE TAXPAYER?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????”LETS START GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT HOLDING ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE!”
1) Illegall alliens cost you and me money;why are BOTH POLICTAL PARTIES sponsoring events OVER THE BORDER to encourage more LAWBREAKERS?
2)Taxes are rising in Pima County when WAL MART has paide the County over 40 million dollars! Where is the MONEY?
3)Tucson City Council Candidates NOW in office promised to eliminate The City Garbage Tax; NOW THAT THEY ARE ELECTED THEY FORGOT THAT PROMISE!
4) Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik REFUSES to STOP anyone suspected of being an Illegal Alien and gang WARS run rampid in Pima County putting you and me at risk! Where is his Accountabilty to do his job?
5)The Pima County Board of Supervisors holds hearings on a proposed NATIONAL MONUMENT from Sasabe to Arivaca that is a Superhighway for Illegal Aliens; as Southern Arizona is being TRASHED and LAWS ARE BEING BROKEN?
6) Pima County Staff has been and currently IS being used for Candidates running for Political Office, both Federal and State. Why NO accountabilty to you and me as our TAXES RISE?
If you agree with me on these and more issues of Corruption and Fraud in ALL POLITICAL PARTIES in Arizona , lets TAKE ARIZONA BACK FOR THE TAXPAYER!”
I have been wanting to see a highspeed train between Tucson and Phoenix for over 40 years; but The Tucson Airport Authority has fought this tooth and nail!
I have wanted to see Light Rail in Tucson for the last 40 years also and could NOT believe it when the City removed the Trolley system; then 30 years later restored the 4th Avenue portion.
I feel these two systems would reduce our need for more and more roads that Tucson refuses to build anyway!
I laugh everytime I see a Buss with one person on board. Many people will ride rail but refuse to ride a bus!
I would support anything being done NOW about getting on with the future of transportation which is NOT in the AUTOMOBILE but in mass transit!