Blog For Arizona

Committees update

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

...From the "familiar names not going away/trying to make a comeback" department:

- Republican former state rep. Terri Proud, fresh off getting fired from a state job even before she started the job, has formed a committee for another run for the legislature (House, LD11).  She actually lives in LD9, but that area is too Democratic-leaning, so she is picking up her carpetbags and sliding over to LD11, where there is a distinct R advantage.  There *will* be an R primary there, but the winners of that

- Republican Shawnna Bolick, a 2010 legislative candidate and wife of Goldwater Institute muckety-muck Clint Bolick, has formed a committee for another run at the lege (House LD28).  Apparently, this time around she's trying to humanize her campaign, in an "aww, shucks" sort of way - her campaign's listed email address is "forphoenixkids@yahoo.com".  

  Awwww...

From the "it's early, but it's already getting crowded" department:

- Republican state rep. Justin Pierce, son of former legislator, current corporation commissioner and possible future candidate for governor Gary Pierce, has formed a committee to "explore" a 2014 run for Secretary of State.  He joins fellow Republican legislators Rep. Steve Montenegro and Sen. Michele Reagan in the race.

 

  From the "speaking of Michele Reagan" department:

The Rolling Stone cover: glorifying a terrorist or sparking a conversation?

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Rolling Stone magazine, long a window providing a view on pop culture and, more than occasionally, social issues, has stirred up a firestorm of controversy with the cover of its latest issue.

Pic courtesy Rolling Stone magazine

It shows a picture of Dzokhar Tsarnaev, one of the people responsible for the bombings at the Boston Marathon in April.

The controversy is not over the fact that they chose to run a pic of him on the cover, but one where he looks so *normal*. 

He is viewed by most of society as a monster and people want him to look like one.

President Obama Speaks on Trayvon Martin

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

 

State Sen. Al Melvin (R-Slave Labor is a good thing) issued a response to the President's remarks that illustrates that the mentality that caused AZ to be subject to extra scrutiny under the Voting Rights Act still exists, even if the Supreme Court set aside part of the VRA -

"Inflammatory"??  Either Melvin didn't watch the press conference, or he is a complete moron.  Not that those are mutually exclusive states of being.

And if "race relations" have actually declined since Obama became President, it isn't because of any action on his part.

Other than, maybe, daring to exist in a world where the Melvins of that world think should be subject to absolute all-white control.

The verdict in the killing of Trayvon Martin: Some people doubling down, AZ Edition

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

After Saturday night's acquittal of George Zimmerman on charges stemming from his killing of Trayvon Martin, reaction was swift across the country, including in Arizona.

State Sen. Steve Gallardo tweeted this in the aftermath of the announcement of the verdict -

And this -

Or former State Sen. David Schapira -

Sadly, other Arizona "leaders" aren't quite as thoughtful.

Committees update

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Note: when I write "nothing significant" (or a reasonable facsimile thereof), it's not an insult to the candidate committees that have formed at a particular level.  For the purposes of this post, "significant" mostly means "a candidate that we've heard of before"

Committees of note formed recently...

 

Federal level -

Martha McSally (R) declared her candidacy for the CD2 seat currently held by Ron Barber.

 

State level -

Eight years, or one complete term limits cycle, worth of blogging

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

The year was 2006, and I was becoming more active politically (the combination of having the highly embarrassing JD Hayworth as my representative in Congress and the highly respected Harry Mitchell challenging him motivated me to get off of my ass).  The 2006 election was the first election in Arizona where I paid close attention to most of the races on the ballot.

Earlier this week, I was thinking about term limits (8 years for legislative and statewide offices) and thinking about their impact.  Doing the math, I realized that anybody who was first elected to a legislative or statewide office in 2006 and has continuously held that office since would now be term-limited out of that office.

Planning to write up a post on the term-limits status of current electeds, I began by looking at the results of the 2006 election.  Anybody who was first elected to a legislative or statewide office that year and has continuously held that office since would now be set to be term-limited out of that office in 2014.

During that research, I was struck by two things:

1. How few of the people elected that year will actually be affected by term limits this time around.  By my count, only five people elected that year will be affected by term limits on the office that they were elected to in 2006..

2. And how much pure turnover there has been in those offices since that election.

Much of that turnover has been self-inflicted (AZ does seem to have a number of politicos with domestic violence "issues"), but some is indirectly related to term limits - when one office holder is term-limited out of a particular office, another office holder who isn't term limited out of their own office may choose to run for the soon-to-be vacant office (i.e. - legislators running statewide)

To whit:

State Senator Rick Murphy under investigation over sex abuse allegation

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Picture courtesy AZCentral.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary K. Reinhart -

Arizona Sen. Rick Murphy, a foster and adoptive parent who identifies himself as a leader on child-welfare issues, is under investigation by Peoria police and state Child Protective Services for allegations he sexually abused children in his care, according to police records.

Police said the investigation was launched Saturday, after an older teen reported repeated incidents of alleged abuse by Murphy going back at least six years. The teen also self-reported his own inappropriate sexual contact with another child in the home, the reports show.

The article goes on to chronicle the fact that this isn't the first time that Murphy has been the subject of similar allegations - in 2011, there was an investigation into abuse claims from another teen who was being fostered by Murphy and his wife.  At the time, the investigation was closed for insufficient evidence; according to the article, that investigation has been reopened in light of the current allegations.

Republican State Sen. Rich Crandall taking job in Wyoming

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

From KPHO.com (Phoenix Channel 5), written by Phil Benson -

An Arizona state senator has been chosen to run the Wyoming Education Department. 

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead late Wednesday afternoon announced his choice of Richard Crandall, of Mesa, who co-owns two nutritional service companies.

 This isn't exactly breaking news - it's been common knowledge for months that Crandall was leaving to "pursue other opportunities".

In my previous post covering this topic, I predicted that Crandall would catch on with a (potential) Jeb Bush presidential campaign.  This would seem to show that prediction to be incorrect, however, the job in Wyoming may be a temp job.

From the KPHO article -

Mead and the Legislature enacted a new law this past winter removing the statewide elected superintendent of public instruction as head of the Education Department. Instead, the department will be administered by a director appointed by the governor.

The change occurred in the middle of Superintendent Cindy Hill's four-year term. Hill is challenging the constitutionality of the change.

The press release from Wyoming's governor is here.

So far as I can tell, Crandall has yet to submit his resignation from the state senate.  Once he does, however, the fun will start.

Texas: The People's Filibuster derails The Great Texas Screwjob...for now, anyway...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

By now, most people who care about this sort of thing are aware that in Texas, State Sen. Wendy Davis filibustered their SB5 yesterday.  SB5 would have all but completely banned abortion services in Texas.

The Republicans in the Texas lege tried and failed to pass the provisions of the bill during the regular session of the legislature.  Upset by that failure, they called a special session to railroad through all of the provisions in one measure.

However, under the rules governing specials sessions in Texas, they have a limited amount of time to pass bills and once that time is gone, any unpassed bills die.

Davis was attempting to hold the floor until the time for the special session expired.

The Republicans in the Texas state senate pulled out all the stops in their attempts to break the filibuster.  They used hyper-technical interpretations of the rules of the Senate, openly ignoring those rules, and just plain cheating.

They forced her off of the floor but the other Democrats in her caucus took up the fight, mostly using points of parliamentary inquiry to run out the clock.  Call it "legislative stall ball".

And when it looked like that the Rs we just going to ride roughshod over democracy and women in TX, hundreds of citizens in the Senate gallery just started cheering.

Loudly enough to drown out the Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the conductor of the railroad chair of the Texas State Senate.

And long enough to finish running out the clock on the special session.

From the Dallas Morning News, written by Christy Hoppe and Claire Z. Cardona -

Gun violence: It's a health crisis. Treat it that way.

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

This has been a tough post to write.  Not because there is nothing to say, but because there is so much to say, it's been difficult to keep it down to a readable length.  However, since there have been more than 5000 gun deaths since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and nothing has been done...

In the wake of December's mass shooting in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, there were a number of ideas floated to stem the epidemic of gun violence sweeping the country - reinstituting the assault weapons ban, closing the gun show loophole in background check laws, and banning ammunition magazines/ammo clips that are larger than a certain size, among many others - all of which have been strenuously opposed by the gun industry's lobbying group, the NRA, and most of which won't become law.

Witness Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and 44 of his colleagues banding together to block a proposal to close the "gun show loophole" in the federal law requiring background checks for firearms purchases.

Even though 90% of Americans, across all demographics - Ds, Rs, gun owners, liberals, conservatives, whatever - supported the common-sense move, 45% of US Senators were cravenly swayed by the NRA's campaign contributions.

2013 Legislative round up: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

In normal years, the three categories above are enough to cover the activities of the lege.  There hasn't been "good" coming out of West Washington for years, so everything that could be labeled as "Well, it coulda been worse" (surprise vetos, watered-down bad ideas, bad bills that actually failed, etc.) were lumped into the "good" category.

This year, some actual "good" happened at the Capitol.

Which is good, of course, but it creates a dilemma -

Is it better to put the "coulda been worse" items into the "good" category, and possibly diminish the perception of the actual good items, or put the "coulda been worse" items into the "bad" category, and risk raising the perception of the truly bad items?

This was a vexing matter, until I remembered one thing -

I'm not Sergio Leone, so I'm not restricted to three categories.

Did keep the title though - "The Good, The Coulda Been Worse, The Bad, and The Ugly" just doesn't pack as much oomph. :)

 

On to the meat of the post...

AZ legislature and the budget: Hope somebody brought cheese, because there is plenty of whine at the Capitol tonight...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

This week at the legislature started quietly - everybody knew stuff was happening, but it was all out of public view.  No one knew when the stalemate over the state's budget was going to break, just that it was going to happen soon.

Turns out "soon" meant "Tuesday".

Some of Tuesday's events - 

...The Republicans scheduled a House Appropriations Committee meeting for early Thursday (8 a.m., HHR1) to consider the House's version of a budget in the form of strike-everything amendments to the package of budget bills passed by the Senate.

...House Speaker Andy Tobin (R-Paulden) then adjourned the session of the House until Thursday, in an apparent attempt to gain an edge in the fight over the budget and Medicaid restoration.

...Arizona Governor Jan Brewer called them all into a special session to force the passage of a budget and Medicaid restoration.

...And the tea party types EXPLODED -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antenori and Gould are former legislators; Biggs and Tobin should be.

The House's price for Medicaid restoration coming into focus

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

After much posturing on the part of most of the Republicans in the AZ House of Representatives (which is a continuous activity there), the state budget/Medicaid restoration package of bills passed by the Senate three weeks ago is finally moving.

Well, one of the bills, anyway...

An agenda has been posted for a meeting of the House Appropriations Committee for Monday morning at 10 a.m. in HHR1.

The agenda has two bills, and only one of them is related to the budget.  Related directly, anyway -

SB1492, the budget bill with the Medicaid restoration language; and part of the price -

A striker to SB1069, with language from the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy that both attacks abortion clinics and bars Medicaid providers from performing abortions.

In addition, while no amendment language has been posted as of this writing, don't be shocked if there is a move to removed the Medicaid language from SB1492.

AZ budget and Medicaid restoration moving...sort of

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

The end of the legislative session is apparently nearing, though you still need to squint to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez -

House Speaker Andy Tobin ended a nearly three-week lull at the Capitol today by announcing work will begin on the state budget, including the controversial Medicaid expansion plan supported by Gov. Jan Brewer.

But plans to start the process with a Thursday meeting of the House Appropriations Committee were scuttled as today’s 4 p.m. filing deadline hit. That throws into question when the House will begin work on the fiscal 2014 budget, which in its current form includes Brewer’s Medicaid expansion.

Based on tweets from members of the Capitol press corps, there are enough votes to pass everything, but not enough to suspend the rules (which require at least three legislative days for the consideration of any measure), so this situation will go on well into next week.

2014 Updates...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Nothing new, just a compilation of stories that have hit the news over the last couple of days...

...It's early, but Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne has already given up on the idea of running on his record.  Being the subject of a multistate investigation for campaign finance violations and committing an FBI-witnessed hit-and-run accident while leaving his girl friend's home during the work day will do that.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Yvonne Wingett Sanchez -

Republican Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne’s campaign is attacking the media and President Barack Obama as it tries to raise money for Horne’s re-election.

In an e-mail to supporters late last week, Horne accused the “liberal media” of comparing him to murderer Jodi Arias, calling it “a new low and a disgusting attack” that cannot be allowed to stand.

Horne is upset that the media (and others) observed the interesting timing of his guilty plea on charges relating to the hit-and-run - it was crammed through on short notice so that it would be lost in the media frenzy that exploded when the Jodi Arias verdict was announced.

Prediction:  Horne will face a challenger in the Republican primary.  Even the Rs know that someone with a record like his will be toast in a general election, especially against a strong candidate like Democrat Felecia Rotellini.

Report: House to start moving budget/Medicaid bills today

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

According to Hank Stephenson of the Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required), House Speaker Andy Tobin has announced that he will be assigning the budget bills, including Medicaid restoration, to committee.  According to other reports (OK, tweets from other MSM types at the Capitol), the bills will be assigned to House Appropriations, which is chaired by Rep. John Kavanagh (R-hates Medicaid). 

 

More updates as further news breaks...

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

New high temp records in Phoenix may be matched by new thumb twiddling records at the Capitol this week...

...Still hung up on the state's budget and Medicaid restoration... 

New high temp records in Phoenix may be matched by new thumb twiddling records at the Capitol this week...

Another week where all hell could break loose at a moment's notice (or with no notice), or where the entire week could be summed up thusly -

 

Courtesy http://sophlylaughing.blogspot.com/2011/11/fine-art-of-thumb-twiddling.html

 

As of this writing, the only legislative activity that is currently posted is a House Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar for Tuesday.  That calendar includes consideration of SB1363, expanding Steve Yarbrough's revenue stream school vouchers (by another name).

Other than that, there's nothing on the schedule as of right now, no other floor calendars (though that will probably change), no committee hearings, no Capitol events. 

Dear US House freshmen: Doing bad works for good reasons is still doing bad works.

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

I don't expect to be in complete agreement on every issue with the elected officials who represent me, even those who I support, but I do expect my elected representatives to perform their duties in a completely ethical manner.

*Especially* those I support.

There were a number of Democrats in this year's freshman class in the US House of Representatives, including Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona's 9th Congressional District.

Those freshman members who were deemed to be most vulnerable in 2014, including Sinema, were given seats on the House Financial Services Committee to give them access to the deep-pocketed lobbyists for the financial services industry.

As such, most of them are doing very well with their campaign fundraising efforts.

Well, DC is a "quid pro quo" kind of place, and it's time for the freshmen to give a little "quo" for all of the "quid" that they've been getting.

From the New York Times, written by Eric Lipton and Ben Protess -

Bank lobbyists are not leaving it to lawmakers to draft legislation that softens financial regulations. Instead, the lobbyists are helping to write it themselves.

 

One bill that sailed through the House Financial Services Committee this month — over the objections of the Treasury Department — was essentially Citigroup’s, according to e-mails reviewed by The New York Times. The bill would exempt broad swathes of trades from new regulation.

 

{snip}

 

...But most of the Democrats on the committee, along with 31 Republicans, came to the industry’s defense, including the seven freshmen Democrats — most of whom have started to receive donations this year from political action committees of Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and other financial institutions, records show.

 

Six days after the vote, several freshmen Democrats were in New York to meet with bank executives, a tour organized by Representative Joe Crowley, who helps lead the House Democrats’ fund-raising committee. The trip was planned before the votes, and was not a fund-raiser, but it gave the lawmakers a chance to meet with Wall Street’s elite.

 

In addition to a tour of Goldman’s Lower Manhattan headquarters, and a meeting with Lloyd C. Blankfein, the bank’s chief executive, the lawmakers went to JPMorgan’s Park Avenue office. There, they chatted with Jamie Dimon, the bank’s chief, about Dodd-Frank and immigration reform.

I understand the desire of elected officials to win re-election and am fully cognizant of the fact that any Republican running against her is likely to be far worse. 

Things are starting to get testy at the legislature

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As the days are getting longer, tempers are getting shorter at and around the legislature.

 

...On Tuesday, State Representative Juan Mendez (D-Tempe) now-famously led the House in a non-prayer "prayer", honoring the secular humanist tradition that a growing percentage of Americans embrace.  Today, State Representative Steve Smith (R-Maricopa) insisted that the House do two prayers this afternoon to make it up to the God he believes in.  Apparently his God is an accountant.  Or just simply in need of constant positive reinforcement.

Still, while Smith's actions are completely mockable, they're also relatively civil.

...Today, Governor Jan Brewer carried out her threat to begin vetoing bills until the lege passes Medicaid restoration and a budget.  The bills vetoed include SB1178, which created an exemption to all laws and regulations based on expression of religious belief.  Other bills vetoed include SB1088, SB1236, SB1323, and SB1445.  So far, she has vetoed only "unimportant" bills (those that are needed, but the state will keep functioning even if they aren't enacted) or "were probably going to be vetoed anyway bills because they were pretty likely seriously unconstitutional" (such as SB1178).  Her veto letters can be found here.

Still, while a few legislators will be unhappy (and Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy is probably utterly livid since they *really* wanted SB1178 to become law), this is relatively minor.   The rest isn't so minor.

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

What started out as a quiet week last week became colorful in a hurry when the Arizona Senate passed a package of budget bills, including provisions for Medicaid expansion.

Now the whole package is scheduled to go over to the House for consideration.

As of this writing, there isn't anything in terms of committee agendas or floor calendars posted for the coming week for either chamber, so all that's left to do is speculate a little.

1.  The bills face a murky path in the House, but speculation is that they are likely to pass.  There just may be a little drama first. 

2.  On Friday's Horizon on KAET (PBS channel 8 in Phoenix), the journalists who were part of their weekly "Journalists Roundtable" speculated that the bills won't be heard (and voted on) until after Memorial Day.  According to them, this coming week may see House Speaker Andy Tobin try to push, or at least go through the motions of pushing, his proposal to put the Medicaid restoration before the voters.

However, while there do seem to be enough votes in the House to pass Medicaid restoration, it doesn't seem likely that there is any real support for putting the question before the voters - mostly because they think it will be approved by the voters anyway, and by a wide margin, making the legislature look worse for passing the buck on an easy decision.

Note: As of now, KAET has not posted Friday's episode of Horizon on its website, but will likely do so on Monday. 

It may be time for the Capitol Police to start searching legislators for crack pipes...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

...'cuz some of them seem to be killing off their brain cells at an alarming rate...

 

On Tuesday, the House gave its approval, by an almost-completely party-line vote, to SCR1016.

That SCR places a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution on the ballot in 2014.  If passed by the voters, it would add a clause to that document stating that Arizona could "nullify", or ignore, any federal action, law or rule.  AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona has a great rundown of that here.

This post is merely about a little over 40 seconds of the House debate on the measure, specifically Rep. Steve Smith's "explanation" of his vote.  He used his "explanation" of his vote to respond to the previous speaker, Democratic Rep. Albert Hale, the only Democrat to vote in favor of the measure.  Hale felt that such a measure would prevent the federal government from taking land and sovereignty from Native peoples and nations.

Note: There's no actual debate during final votes on measures at the lege, just legislators "explaining" their votes.  Some of the explanations get a little long-winded and even bombastic.  Smith was neither long-winded nor bombastic, but after watching his quiet certitude on the historical rightness of unbridled imperialism, I considered adding a third descriptor to the previous sentence - "drug-addled".  However, lacking the results of an independently administered and analyzed drug test, I chose not to go there.

Here's Biggs' deal: Medicaid restoration in exchange for reducing voting rights

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

Correction added on 5/15 - during my initial perusal of SB1492, it appeared as if some Medicaid expansion provisions were included in it already.  While there are some changes to AHCCCS provisions contained in it, they are minor and *not* part of a Medicaid restoration package.

 

Well, the Senate has introduced its budget package, placing the Medicaid restoration plan in the budget itself but adding a kicker, SB1493.

It has the rather innocuous subject of "elections; omnibus".

It really should be called "extortion; all-in-one; every bad election-related scheme offered by the Republicans this year".

There's summarily removing voters from the permanent early voting list (PEVL), effectively barring most schools from serving as polling places, making successful recall elections all but impossible, barring organizations and campaigns from collecting and returning early ballots, elevating administrative barriers to initiative petition drives, and more.

Any one scheme would render a bill "unpassable" (and has, many times during this session); placing them all in one bill means that the Senate leadership (read: Andy Biggs) expects factors other than the merits of the proposals to influence legislators' votes on the bill.

The other bills in the package are:

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As with the previous few weeks, there just isn't much on the schedule -

- Tuesday's House COW (Committee of the Whole) calendar is here.  Two bills on the agenda, and one of them is a neo-secessionist special: SCR1016, a proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution declaring that Arizona can ignore any federal action that it doesn't like.

- On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Energy, and Military Committee is meeting to consider executive branch nominations.  9:30 a.m., SHR1.

- On the lege's Capitol Events calendar, there is only one scheduled event - a pro-Medicaid restoration rally and press conference, planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday.

That's it.  Even the governor isn't putting in much effort these days, as she has announced that she won't be signing any bills until progress is made on expanding Medicaid coverage and completing the state's budget.

One senator, Steve Gallardo (D-Phoenix), has suggested that the lege hold impeachment hearings, looking into the actions of Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne.  It won't happen, but only because Horne is a Republican, not because they have anything better to do.

Still, this is the week that we could start seeing things break on the Medicaid and budget fronts - as Arizona Republic writer Mary Jo Pitzl pointed out in her article linked in the paragraph referring to the governor above, this is the week that legislators start seeing reduced per diem payments (funds to help defray their daily living expenses).

Less money for being at the Capitol = Less interest for being at the Capitol.

 

Basically, it's "hurry up and wait time" redux; I'd say "quintdux", but I'm pretty sure that isn't a word. :)

Arizona legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Another week of steadily twiddling thumbs at the state capitol.

The hangup still seems to be AHCCCS/Medicaid restoration.

Many of the Rs in the legislature, led by Senate President Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) have dug in their heels, blocking anything.  It's gotten so bad that the Arizona Republic published an editorial advising Biggs to get the hell out of the was of progress (OK, so they chose to be more tactful than me :) ).

Negotiations are ongoing - now it appears that Governor Jan Brewer is placing anti-family planning language into her proposal, which is OK.

If you believe that Arizona's teen pregnancy rate isn't high enough.

 

Anyway, the lege is on a three day schedule this week, starting Tuesday.

As of this writing, no floor calendars have been posted, and only one committee agenda - Senate Rules, Tuesday, upon adjournment of the floor session, Caucus Room 1 - is up on the lege's website.  The agenda for that is short, only two bills, but one of them, HCR2026, is a backdoor measure aimed at undermining Clean Elections.  I expect that we'll see more of these bad bills now that most of the "good" bills that have any support among the Rs have already passed.

Let's be clear - while this week is shaping up to be another quiet week, things could change at a moment's notice. 

They eventually will change, but it's still anybody's guess as to when that will happen.

 

Upcoming AHCCCS/Medicaid restoration actions

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

First, learn about the governor's proposal at a training session on Thursday -

AHCCCS Training Session on The Governor’s Medicaid Coverage Plan

PURPOSE: The future of Medicaid is at a critical time. Support for the Governor’s Plan is needed to ensure that over 60,000 people do not lose coverage. Learn more about how YOU can help! 

DATE: Thursday, May 9, 2013; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Disability Empowerment Center (DEC), 5025 E. Washington St., Suite 202, Phoenix, AZ 85034

RSVP to: Info@azahcccs.gov

REASONS TO ATTEND:

-Become an expert on the Governor’s Medicaid Plan

-Learn how to write a Letter to the Editor

-Identify your elected officials and how to contact them

-Lead Civic Academies in your communities 

 Then take your newly-acquired knowledge to a rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 15.

The Medicaid Restoration Coalition is holding a rally to let legislators know that there is a large amount of support for the governor's proposal on the House lawn at 11 a.m.  Arrive early for good parking.  The best spots in the parking lots of the Executive Tower and Wesley Bolin Plaza will go quickly.

Summary:

What: Rally for Restoration

When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 15

Where: House Lawn, Arizona State Capitol

 

Recall Joe Arpaio: Send the "Pink Underwear" man a message with a Pink Postcard

Respect Arizona, the group behind the effort to recall Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, is closing in on its goal of collecting enough petition signatures to force a recall election.

It has now come up with a way to both send a message to Arpaio and to raise funds to support their efforts.

Pink Postcards.

For $2 each, or 3 for $5, people can send a message to Arpaio, letting him know why you think he should be removed from office.

Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the newest batch of messages from the people of the county, state, and country are delivered to Arpaio.  If you want to participate in the recall, if you want your voice to be among the thousands clamoring for justice and integrity to return to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, sign up and order postcards here.

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Kind of a repeat of last week's post.

"Hurry up and wait" will be the main activity this week.

Tuesday's House Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar is here.  As of this writing, no other floor calendars, for either chamber, are posted.

The Senate Health and Human Services committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, 1 p.m., SHR1, for executive nominations.

The House Rules committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, 1 p.m., HHR4.  Short agenda.

Nothing is scheduled for Monday; the only event on the Capitol events calendar for Monday is the annual schmoozefest softball game involving lobbyists and electeds (and lege staffers and interns).  However, that's after hours and offsite at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Q. What's a lawyer to do when he isn't allowed to be a lawyer? A. Run for governor, of course.

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

Nearly six months ago, disgraced and disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas threatened to do just this, and now he is carrying out the threat.

From the Arizona Republic, written by Alia Beard Rau -

Disbarred former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has announced he will run for governor in 2014.

In an e-mail to members of the media, the Republican said he file paperwork today with the Secretary of State’s Office.

“I’ll be focusing on the need to protect public safety, ensure border security and fight corruption, among other issues,” Thomas said in the e-mail. “Voters will be urged to watch the video of my State Bar hearing and see for themselves how honest prosecutors are railroaded for fighting corruption in this state.”

 

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

This coming week at the lege is shaping up to be another exercise in "hurry up and wait".  According to sources who may not have much more specific information than me, word is that the budget is basically done, with minor differences remaining to be bridged, and that the delay is due to ongoing wrangling over Medicaid expansion.

It's gotten so slow at the Capitol that even the usual horde of lobbyists isn't blanketing the complex anymore...except for a dozen or so healthcare lobbyists, who are still asking for, and getting, meetings with electeds (another indication that Medicaid is the primary focus behind closed doors).

One source speculated that we may end up seeing a "bad" Medicaid bill passed, just to make Governor Jan Brewer prove that she is willing to use her veto power.

No matter how it goes down, however, expectations are that it is going to take at least another month or longer to wrap up the legislative session.  Guesstimates for the sine die date range from late May to mid June.

My personal guesstimate is more in line with the earlier date.  Lawmakers, particularly the non-Maricopa County group, are rapidly going to reach the point where they just want to get the hell out of Dodge*. 

* - In this context, "Dodge" means Phoenix when the daytime high temps reach and stay above 100.

As the temperature rises, so will the pressure to pass something that the Governor will sign; it almost certainly won't be a *great* bill, but it might actually be palatable.

Of course, this could all change Monday morning... :))

 

On to the schedule part of the post, where the disclaimer section of the post is almost longer than the "meat" of the post...

An open letter to Chad Campbell and Fred Duval...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

...and anyone else looking at entering the 2014 race for governor...and anyone looking to convince one or another candidate to drop out of the race to avoid a messy primary.

Earlier today, Tom Prezelski and Bob Lord, two of the contributors to Blog for Arizona, wrote "open letters" to State Rep. Chad Campbell.  Tom urged Campbell to drop out of the race, while Bob didn't go that far, instead suggesting that Campbell examine his motives for running, and possibly reevaluate his candidacy.

Time for a bit of a contrarian view.

Arizona Legislature: "Silly season" becomes "ignorant and ugly season"

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Normally, this would be time for the "coming week" post, but there truly isn't much on the schedule right now.  It's subject to change (and probably will change) at a moment's notice, but right now the highlight of the week looks to be the lege's annual House v. Senate softball game on Tuesday.  It is scheduled to take place at the field at SRP's PERA Club in Tempe (1 E. Continental Drive) at 5 p.m.

  However, because of the light schedule (so far), it might be wise to use this opportunity to highlight why this may be the most dangerous time in this, or any other, session of the legislature.
 

  This past Thursday, State Sen. Judy "Birther" Burges held a hearing to denounce the UN's Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in particular, and sustainability and "green" initiatives in general, as efforts to take away American sovereignty and Americans' freedom.

  Perhaps (not-so) surprisingly, things got a little colorful.

2014 candidates update

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

More like a "committees" update since this is based on the actual formation of political committees; since every person who has ever held or run for office in Arizona is being talked about as a 2014 candidate, that would be too long a post.

This will be a short post. :)

 

...Christopher Campbell of Prescott Valley (R) has formed an exploratory committee for a run at the Corporation Committee.  The name sounded familiar, so I did a little research.  One "Christopher Campbell" was a big part of the "fake Green candidates" scandal in 2010.  That Christopher Campbell was a roommate of the daughter of former Arizona House speaker Jim Weiers.  He was one of many non-Green Party members who were recruited to run as write-in candidates in competitive races in an attempt to siphon votes away from Democratic candidates.  I don't know that this is the same Christopher Campbell, but this one was active with the MCRC (Maricopa County Republican Committee) the following year, and I am not a fan of coincidence.

 

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Another quiet week, which means that all of the interesting stuff will be going on behind closed doors.  However, keep an eye on the committee schedule - if something breaks on the budget front, they'll try to ram it through with minimal public input.  Meeting notices will be posted at or near the last minute.

Speculation (stuff that doesn't even rise to the level of whispers of rumors) is that the budget is on the back burner right now while the governor's office and the Republican leadership work out the details of Medicaid expansion.  Personally, I suspect that some of the budget and health care expansion talks are intertwined (as in "we'll put this in the budget if you vote for expansion" and the like) and both may come down together.  It's just going to take a while to work out the details and gather the votes.

As of right now, I expect the legislative session to continue well into May.

Of course, this could all change Monday morning. :)

In the meantime, look for more 'the black helicopters are coming!' (and similar) events at the Capitol, as bored legislators look to keep their names in the news.

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Definitely a good week to keep an eye out for additional or updated committee agendas, if only because neither chamber's appropriations committee has an agenda posted yet....

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before traveling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set off "bat-shit crazy" alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if  a committee covers an area of interest to you, please check out the full agenda  yourself.

Shooter claims he frightened teacher and students because of concern over bullying; doesn't realize the irony

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

When reports surfaced that he stormed into a school in Yuma, scaring a teacher and a classroom full of students, State Sen. Don Shooter (R-Yuma) chose to remain silent, declining to comment when reporters contacted him.

He changed his mind on Friday.

Kavanagh changes his bathroom bill; scraps jail for transgender people in favor of protection for bigots

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Wow.  It seems that Rep. John Kavanagh is mellowing with age.

Last week, he wanted transgendered people to go to jail for daring to go to the bathroom.  This week, he just wants to protect people who discriminate against the transgendered.

He has amended the agenda for this week's meeting of the House Appropriations Committee to include a proposed striker to SB1045 -

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Things are quieting down on the committee activity front.  We've reached the point in the session where only the respective Appropriations committees are allowed to consider legislation.  Other committees will meet, but mostly to hear presentations or to consider executive branch nominations.  To consider legislation, they'll need the permission of their respective chamber's leadership.

That permission will be granted, but not often.

Now, the primary activities at the lege will be backroom work on the state's budget and members trying to finagle favored measures (ones that are still alive, anyway) onto a floor calendar for final consideration and passage.

Oh, and catching up on reading.  Any member of the lege who isn't a member of Republican leadership is going to have an increasing amount of free time on their hands in the coming weeks.

 

Arizona Legislature: Striker time

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

...And not the good kind of "strike" either - let's face it, if the legislature went on strike, most people would just say "That's OK.  Bring plenty of water for your picket lines, and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out."

 

Signs of the arrival of spring in Arizona...

...Baseball players, from smooth-chinned rookies to grizzled veterans, running wild on the basepaths of the various spring training facilities, getting ready for another baseball season...

...Students, from all over Arizona and the country, running wild on the street near Lake Havasu, enjoying another spring break and trying to stave off incipient adulthood...

...Strikers, from lobbyists and legislators alike, running wild on West Washington, desperately trying to push through one more proposal during this year's session of the lege...

 

Once a week, I write up a post that (mostly) covers committee activity scheduled for the coming week.  One of the standard caveats in that post is to check the agendas regularly because those agendas may change.

Turns out that this was a good week to follow that advice.

Latest (renewed) Republican obsession: bathrooms

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Just when you thought that AZ Republicans couldn't get any more bizarre...

Last month, the City of Phoenix passed an ordinance that bans discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

This month, Arizona's Republicans are mounting their counter-offensive.

At the Arizona legislature on Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hear public testimony on the possible restoration of AHCCCS (aka "Arizona Medicaid") eligibility levels to 133% of the federal poverty level.

Other than that though, the agenda was kind of quiet (probably a good thing, given how much interest that one topic has garnered).

Apparently, it was too quiet for Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), chair of the committee.

He revised the agenda for Wednesday's meeting, slipping a striker proposal on to that agenda.

The relevant part of that striker (the blue text indicates a proposed change or addition to the law) -

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, crossposted from Random Musings

 

 

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set off "bat-shit crazy" alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if  a committee covers an area of interest to you, please check out the full agenda  yourself.

 

Arizona legislature: Medicaid restoration/expansion hearing on Wednesday

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Thanks to Brahm Resnick of Channel 12 for spotting this and pointing it out...

A few years ago, the Republicans in the Arizona legislature "balanced" the state's budget on the backs of Arizona's most vulnerable residents by radically cutting access to health care for Arizona's poor.  The "balance the budget" subterfuge was used as an excuse for similar ends in other states.

With the advent of federal health care reform, known as Obamacare, many states, including AZ, must now expand or restore health care coverage for the poor to reap the full fiscal benefits of the federal law.

This past Tuesday, Governor Jan Brewer, to great fanfare, released her proposed legislation to restore eligibility for AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, to include those families who have an annual income level up to 133% of the federal property level.

This coming Wednesday, March 20, at 2 p.m,, the House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal, including a presentation from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) and taking public testimony from the public.

While I expect that the witness list will be heavy with Goldwater Institute corporate shills, opposing Medicaid for their clients' fun and profit (the committee is chaired by Rep. John Kavanagh, after all), a healthy turnout of supporters is needed to demonstrate that there is strong support in Arizona for the restoration of Medicaid coverage to previous levels.

Details -

 

Where:  HHR1, House of Representatives building, Arizona State Capitol, 1700 West Washington, Phoenix.

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Time: 2 p.m. (seating is limited, so plan to arrive early)

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set off "bat-shit crazy" alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if  a committee covers an area of interest to you, please check out the full agenda  yourself.

 

Floor activity:

Monday's House COW (Committee of the Whole) calendars are here and here; Monday's Senate COW calendar is here.

 

Committee activity:

Arizona legislature: Crandall leaving; Montenegro exploring

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

...The AZ Capitol Times, as written by Jim Small, is reporting that State Sen. Rich Crandall (R-Mesa) will be resigning later this year to accept what he terms as his "dream" job.

Crandall is the lege's resident expert on public education...if "expert on public education" means "knows the most ways to undermine public education".

He has a record of issuing endorsements of corporate education businesses, with the endorsements masquerading as legislative press releases.

Having said that, by the standards of the Republican caucus in the lege (big caveat there), he's known as one of the more civil and reasonable members.  That and the fact that he counts Russell Pearce among his political enemies speaks well of him.

Once he officially resigns, the Republican precinct committeemen of LD16 will meet, nominate three people, and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint one of the three to fill the seat.

Predictions:

- The Pearce-friendly contingent in LD16 will try to take the seat.  Crandall defeated one of their own, John Fillmore, in a hotly-contested primary, and the tea party types there were (and presumably, still are) fuming.  One of the effects of this early announcement is that it gives candidates who don't spend their evenings baying at the moon a chance to build support over the next few months.

- Look for Crandall to end up as part of the nascent Jeb Bush for President campaign.  In addition to the endorsement press release touting Jeb Bush's troubled "Foundation for Excellence in Education", Crandall's most recent financial disclosure statement indicates that Crandall accepted a "gift" valued at more than $500 (they're not required to disclose the actual value of the graft gift) from the Bush campaign prop education advocacy group.

 

 

 ...Laurie Roberts of the Arizona Republic is reporting that State Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Litchfield Park) is "exploring" a 2014 run for Arizona Secretary of State.  Montenegro is an ally of Russell Pearce and the other R candidate in the race, State Sen. Michelle Reagan, is not.  Which, like Crandall above, may be the best thing that can be said about her politically, but that's a story for another post.

 

And rest assured, there will be another post.

 

 

Arizona Legislature: The coming week, part 2

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Because of the length of a few of the agendas, this post covers only committee activities scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.  Monday and Tuesday's activities are covered here.

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set off "bat-shit crazy" alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if  a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda  yourself.

Floor activity:  Wednesday's House COW calendar is here and Third Read calendar is here; Wednesday's Senate Third Read calendar is here.

Arizona Legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

This initial post covers the activities of Monday and Tuesday only.  We're approaching the deadline for bills to be heard in committee in their originating chamber, so a few of the committee agendas are very long.  I'll update with coverage of scheduled activity for Wednesday and Thursday tomorrow evening...

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice. Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set off "bat-shit crazy" alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself. And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building; "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive. Many bills have been covered, but not all of them. Again, if  a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda  yourself.

Floor activity:

Republicans and voting "reform": Even when they are trying to be subtle, they're like an elephant in a china shop

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

During the 2012 election cycle, there were many Republican-initiated moves across the country intended to inhibit or even block voting by groups that tend to not vote for them.

For example, here in Arizona we saw the Maricopa County Elections Department tell Spanish-speaking voters the wrong day for Election Day, the same elections department under-train staff and under-supply polling places in Democratic-leaning areas, leading to ballot shortages and long lines on Election Day, and a suspiciously interminable vote-counting process after the election.

The efforts brought forth a mixed bag of results.

Nationally, Barack Obama won reelection as President, and the number of Democrats in the US Senate surprisingly increased, while the Republicans retained a comfortable majority in the US House.

Locally, Democratic candidates won all three competitive Congressional seats here, and made small gains in the Arizona legislature, while the Republicans now control all statewide elected offices and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe "Bull Connor Jr." Arpaio won reelection comfortably.

Because of the lessons from the 2012 election cycle is that Republicans across the country are attempting to make systemic changes, to impose rule changes at local and state levels, to "stack the deck" in favor of Republican candidates.

In many of the states that tend to vote for Democrats in presidential elections but whose state governments are dominated by Republican, proposals to change the way electoral votes are allocated.  Instead of the current "winner take all" system, they want to change to a system where electoral votes are split between the major candidates, based on things like percentage of the popular vote or by congressional district.  However, no such proposals have been put forth in states that tend to favor Republican presidential candidates.

In other states with state governments dominated by Republicans, they've seen proposals to restrict voting by groups that tend to favor Democrats, all in the name of "reform"..

None of the schemes qualify as "subtle", and all of them have justifiably caused an uproar wherever they've be put forth.

Here in AZ, the Republicans have seemed to learn a bit of a lesson from all of that.

It's early, but candidates for 2014 are already starting to line up

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

...In significant news, in Scottsdale, anyway, Bob Littlefield, member of the Scottsdale City Council, formed an exploratory committee for a run at a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives.

He's term-limited on the City Council, so he will not be able to run for reelection to the Council in 2014.  However, his interest in a legislative seat doesn't directly set up a primary challenge against one or both House incumbents in his district, LD23. 

The current state senator there, Michele Reagan, is "exploring" a run at the AZ Secretary of State's office next year, opening that seat.

One of the current state representatives, John Kavanagh, is "exploring" a run for the senate seat currently held by Reagan, opening his seat (presumably, the other LD23 House incumbent, Michelle Ugenti, is going to run for reelection to her seat). 

Now, Littlefield is "exploring" a legislative run of his own.

"Exploring" is in "quotes" because in most cases, it is a facade, a false front of sorts.  The exploring label is meant to shield the users from the state's "resign to run" law.  That law requires that current officeholders who aren't in the last year of their terms to resign from their office once they begin to run for another office.  Most of the time, that law is ignored with the use of none-too-subtle subterfuges like the "exploratory committee", and a lot of winks and nods.

Littlefield is thoroughly conservative but has earned a reputation as a straight shooter (meaning that he's direct and to the point).  However, he's not a "bay at the moon" type (actually, he can be a little impatient with that type), so there will be a primary here from one or more other candidates.  

Obviously it's early and things could change, but he is probably the biggest "name" who can be expected to jump into that race.  Joe Arpaio lives in the district, but he seems unlikely to resign as Maricopa County Sheriff to take a chance on a run at a seat in the lege.  Jus' sayin'...

The steepest learning curve for him will be learning the differences between a municipal campaign and a legislative campaign.  Municipal campaigns tend to be focused on practical issues, while legislative campaigns, especially is safe Republican districts, tend to be focused on ideological issues.

Arizona legislature: The coming week

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are  subject to change without notice.  Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling  to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited  here.

 

Notes:

 

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so  far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set of bat-shit crazy alarm  bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out  the full agenda yourself.  And if I missed something significant, please leave a  comment letting me know.

 

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is  a hearing room in the Senate building;  "HHR" means that the hearing room is in  the House building.

 

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to  be, comprehensive.  Many bills have been covered, but not all of them.  Again,  if a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda  yourself.

 

Floor activity:

Arizona Legislature: The coming week...

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

As usual, all committee agendas, floor calendars, and event schedules are subject to change without notice.  Call ahead to confirm plans before travelling to the Capitol based on an agenda, calendar, or schedule cited here.

Notes:

If an agenda is summarized with "looks harmless so far" that only means that nothing on the agenda set of bat-shit crazy alarm bells; if the committee in question covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda yourself.  And if I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.

A hearing room designation of "SHR" means it is a hearing room in the Senate building;  "HHR" means that the hearing room is in the House building.

Lastly, this summary is not, nor is it intended to be, comprehensive.  Many bills have been covered, but not all of them.  Again, if a committee covers an area of interest to you, check out the full agenda yourself.

Floor activity:

Bringing the "AZ" to "crazy": the State Senate gaining on the House

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

During the current session of the legislature, the Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives have been leading the way in terms of "punchline" legislation (as in the kind of proposals that ensure that Arizona maintains its status as the nation's punchline).  The Senate has been a bit of an
afterthought when writing about the hot mess that is the AZ legislature.

I was beginning to worry that the turnover in the Senate roster, particularly the "loss" of luminaries such as Russell Pearce, Sylvia Allen, and Frank Antenori had created a "loony deficit" in the Senate's informal-but-oh-so-real competition with the House to see which chamber is the nuttiest.

Shouldn't have worried though - not with nuts of long standing like Al Melvin, Gail Griffin, Don Shooter, Judy Burges, and more taking up the slack left by the not-so-dearly-departed Pearce, Allen, and Antenori.

Recent additions to the list of proposals before the lege this year -