Blog For Arizona

I Stand With Planned Parenthood Events

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona:

Join us this spring for our annual I Stand with Planned Parenthood events and be sure to get your tickets soon, as these events always sell out!

• Tucson: March 13, 2014. Purchase tickets here.
• Phoenix: March 14, 2014. Purchase tickets here.
• Flagstaff: April 17, 2014. Purchase tickets here.

Donations to Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona are NOT tax-deductible and may be used for political purposes, including supporting and opposing candidates.

Each ticket purchase includes membership in PPAA, which allows you to directly support pro-women's health candidates by contributing to our Super PAC and includes benefits such as primary and general election voter guides, regular communication regarding our endorsed candidates and women's health legislative news.

For information about Tucson event, please contact Edna Meza Aguirre at [email protected] or (520) 784-5810.

For information about Phoenix event, please contact John McDonald-O'Lear at [email protected] or (602) 263-4215.

For information about Flagstaff event, please contact Annet Ruiter at [email protected] or (602) 263-4213.

MCDP: The Diamond Event 2014

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Maricopa County Democratic Party:

4th Annual Celebration of International Women's Day

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from CWA Local 7000:

Dolores Huerta International Women’s Day Luncheon & Awards Ceremony

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the César Chávez Holiday Coalition:

Labor's Day of Action at the Capitol

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Arizona AFL-CIO:

Arizona List's 10th Anniversary Celebrations

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from Arizona List:

Arizona List's
  
10th Anniversary Celebrations

March 1, 2014

Tucson - Luncheon

11:00 am Marriott Hotel, 880 E. 2nd Street

Phoenix - Cocktail Reception

5:00 pm Alwun House, 1204 E. Roosevelt

 

---

 

 

Arizona List celebrates 10 years 

with 

Political Strategist Celinda Lake

"Super-strategist or, better yet, the Godmother" American Politics

Get your tickets and tables today at www.arizonalist.org!

In Tucson, join us in celebrating:

 Laura Hogan

&

with special honoree for the 10th Anniversary

EMILY's List Founder Ellen Malcolm

In Phoenix, join us in celebrating:

Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox

 Rising Star Nettie Silleck

It will be a Saturday to remember!

P.S. Want to sponsor a student to attend?

Last year, we were able to bring 40 young women to our events thanks to generous members who gave scholarships!

Buy a ticket at either luncheon and put "student scholarship" in the notes - it is the best way to get our next generation involved and committed.

 Arizona List + You =
Changing the Face of Power in Arizona

 

Contributions to Arizona List and Arizona List PAC are not deductible for tax purposes. Arizona Law limits the amount that an individual can contribute each year to candidates and non-party committees that support candidates. Paid for by Arizona List and not authorized by any candidate.

The YMCA: Celebrate Your Soul

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party African-American Caucus:

Documentary Film: Shirley Chisholm - Unbossed and Unbought

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Black Women's Task Force:

Labor's Legislative Meetings

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Arizona AFL-CIO:

Political Calendar: Week of February 23, 2014

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Political Calendar is posted on Sundays. Please send us notice of your political events prior to the Sunday before your event (7 days would be most helpful). See the calendar icon in the right-hand column of the blog page for easy access to the calendar.

Political Calendar For The Week of February 23, 2014:

Sunday, February 23: Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony.

Sunday, February 23, 2:00 p.m.: (New Day) Legislative District 11 meeting, at the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Church, 3601 W. Cromwell Drive (Tucson). For more information please contact Tom Cuevas at (520) 440-5458. Find us at www.AZLD11Dems.org.

Monday, February 24, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson luncheon, Dragon's View Restaurant (400 N. Bonita, South of St. Mary's Road between the Freeway and Grande Avenue, turn South at Furr's Cafeteria), buffet lunch costs $8.50. Featured speaker is Sandra Kennedy, candidate for the Arizona Corporation Commission. Next week: Phil Lopes, Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Arizona, on “What the Proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Means for the 99%.”

Cartoon of The Week

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

House Minority Leader Chad Campbell discusses Arizona's Religious Bigotry bill with Steve Kornacki

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

 Steve Kornacki was guest hosting for Rachel Maddow on Friday night, and led off the program with a long segment on the history of discrimination in Arizona, from the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday boycott, to the SB 1070 "illegally breathing while brown" boycott, to the latest religious bigotry bill from Cathi Herrod and her Christian Taliban at the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP). Kornacki suggested that Arizona could yet again be looking at another self-inflicted national boycott of the state, and possibly losing next January's Super Bowl, as previously happened in 1993.

Kornacki's interview was with Arizona's House Minority Leader Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix) to discuss the religious bigotry bill.

Video below the fold.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival continues in Tucson

 

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Don't despair is you missed the first 2 films from this provocative film series on Feb. 8 and Feb. 18. See listings below for the remaining 7 films through April 7.  This first one was a documentary about the work being done in the "Deep South"(Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana) for those diagnosed positive with HIV, with limited resources. The 2nd film was a love story about Timorese resistance ("Alias Ruby Blade: A Story of Love and Revolution").

From Loft Cinema website (note that only the last film is at the Loft, be sure to note the locales around town):

MONDAY FEBRUARY 8 - MONDAY, APRIL 7 | FREE SCREENINGS!
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ARIZONA HUMANITIES COUNCIL

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival bears witness to human rights violations and creates a forum for courageous individuals on both sides of the lens to empower audiences with the knowledge that personal commitment can make a difference. The film festival brings to life human rights abuses through storytelling in a way that challenges each individual to empathize and demand justice for all people.
Each year's traveling festival showcases films from the London and New York Human Rights Watch Film Festivals. The Loft is proud to present 9 of these films to audiences in Southern Arizona.

Additional funding provided by Ventana Charitable Foundation, The Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, University of Arizona School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and The Aurora Foundation of Southern Arizona.

---

      Rafea: Solar Mama

       One showing only! Monday, Feb 24th 2014 at YWCA, 525 Bonita Ave.

• The story of Rafea, a Bedouin woman, who is selected for an intriguing programme called the Barefoot College in India where she joins 30 illiterate women from different countries to train to become solar engineers over the course of six months.

        

Tall as a Baobab Tree

• One showing only! Monday, Mar 3rd 2014 at Boys & Girls Club, Holmes Tuttle Club house, Pueblo Gardens Park, 2585 E. 36th St.

  Tall as the Baobab Tree poignantly depicts a family struggling to find its footing on the edge of the modern world fraught with tensions between tradition and modernity.
  
  
  My Afghanistan: Life In The Forbidden Zone

• One showing only! Wednesday, Mar 12th 2014 at Joel D. Valdez Main library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

• Nagieb Khaja,  a Danish journalist of Afghan origin,travels to Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province in Afghanistan and gives people living in outlying communities mobile phones equipped with cameras and asks them to film their daily lives, providing a rare glimpse into the war-torn existence of ordinary Afghans.

Our Tea-Publican lawless legislature loses in court, again (part the infinity)

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Our Tea-Publican lawless legislature has lost in court, again. This time it was our lawless legislature's attempt to overturn the constitutionality of the voter-approved citizens initiative creating the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC), Prop. 106 (2000), to determine redistricting election boundaries rather than the state legislature. Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (CV12-01211-PHX-PGR).

I have previously explained that, based upon case law precedents, this should be a no-brainer for the court in favor of the AIRC. Arizona Legislature v. the AIRC court hearing this Friday. And it was, except for Justice Paul Rosenblatt, who agreed with part of the ruling, but argued the citizen initiative wrongly removed any power lawmakers would have to influence how the politically sensitive lines are drawn in his dissent. Justice Rosenblatt is simply wrong. It happens.

The Court granted defendant's Rule 12(b)(6) Motion for Failure to State a Claim, which is rare.

The Court's Ruling (.pdf) relies upon the case precedents I previously outlined, as the Court is bound to do:

The Supreme Court, however, has at least twice rejected the notion that when it comes to congressional redistricting the Elections Clause vests only in the legislature responsibilities relating to redistricting. Both cases found that states were not prohibited from designing their own lawmaking processes and using those processes for the congressional redistricting authorized by the Clause. In subsequent cases, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that a state can place the redistricting function in state bodies other than the legislature.

Ohio ex. rel. Davis v. Hildebrant, 241 U.S. 565, 566 (1916) and Smiley v. Holm, 285 U.S. 355 (1932).

Where does 'Cathi's Clown' stand on the Religious Bigotry bill?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) stealth candidate for governor of Arizona is the only candidate yet to take a position on the Religious Bigotry bill. Cathi Herrod from CAP is on State Treasurer Doug Ducey's campaign steering committee (he proudly displays her endorsement on his campaign web site).

Where does "Cathi's Clown" stand on the Religious Bigotry bill? Ducey told Howard Fischer only that he is "studying it," saying he will “approach this as both a man of faith and a businessman.” Head of economic development group asks Brewer to veto controversial religion bill.

The Arizona Capitol Times (subscription required) reports, Business leaders: SB1062 could damage Arizona for years to come:

Most Republican gubernatorial candidates came out in opposition to SB1062. Secretary of State Ken Bennett was one of several who said the bill was unneeded to protect rights that already have sufficient protections.

“SB 1062 is an unnecessary measure to protect a God-given right already assured by the Constitution,” Bennett said in a press statement. “I strongly support religious freedom, but divisive measures such as these distract us from the most important challenges facing Arizona — jobs and economic development.”

Sen. John McCain and his fawning media base

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Grampy McCrankypants, Sen. John McCain, has a sad that the U.S. has not gone to war lately with  (insert country name here)  , because the man has never met a war he did not like. McCain knows nothing about foreign affairs, yet the media villagers hang on his every word as though his thoughts are worth listening to. Paul Waldman at The American Prospect dispels the media myth of John McCain in John McCain Says Ignorant, Belligerent Things; Press Swoons:

I'll admit that I know next to nothing about Ukrainian politics. And when it comes to the current crisis there, I don't have any brilliant ideas about how the United States could solve this problem, but that's partly because the United States probably can't solve this problem. My limited knowledge and lack of transformative ideas puts me on equal footing with John McCain. Yet for some reason, McCain is once again all over the news, now that the situation in Kiev[.]

What does McCain actually think we should do about Ukraine? We'll get to that in a moment. But if you had to sum up John McCain's foreign policy beliefs in a single word, that word would probably be "Grrrr!" Whatever the situation is, McCain's view is always that we should be tougher than whatever the White House is doing. This applies to both Republican and Democratic presidents. If we're already bombing somebody, McCain's answer to any challenge is that we should bomb harder. If we haven't yet commenced action but are seriously thinking about it, he thinks we should start bombing. If we're engaging in diplomacy, McCain thinks we should ditch all that talk, which is for pussies anyhow, and get "tough" with whoever it is that needs getting tough with.

That is, I promise you, the extent of the sophistication of McCain's foreign policy thinking. Despite the fact that he is regularly lauded by the reporters who have worshipped him for so long as an "expert" in foreign policy with deep "knowledge" and "experience," I have never heard him say a single thing that demonstrated any kind of understanding of any foreign country or foreign crisis beyond what you could have gleaned from watching a three-minute report on the Today show.

4th Annual Rodeo Arts Celebration at Plaza Palomino

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Please don't make the religious bigot bill look like a "both sides" thing

Crossposted at DemocraticDiva.com

Opponents of SB1062, the bill that could basically allow any form of discrimination so long as it was “sincerely religious” are planning to amass at the Capitol today to protest this outrage and encourage the Governor to veto it.

Several of these signs will be available at the rally, and some have already been spotted on shop windows throughout the state. (more after the jump)

Public Citizen events for 'Son of Citizens United' decision day in McCutcheon

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

McCutcheon v. FEC, aka "Son of Citizens United" was heard on the second day of the U.S. Supreme Court's term back in October. Court observers believe that a decision in this case could be announced as early as next week when the Court returns from hiatus. Public Citizen is organizing events around the country to coincide with the announcement of the decision in "Son of Citizens United."

Press release: Nationwide Rapid Response Planned for U.S. Supreme Court’s McCutcheon Ruling:

Activists Are Organizing More Than 100 Rallies for the Decision Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hundreds of activists nationwide are planning rallies, protests and other events in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, which could be decided as soon as the week of Feb. 24. More than 100 events are being organized in some of the largest cities around the country, to take place on the day of the ruling.

The events range from press conferences and rallies to petition drives, to be held in cities including Baltimore, Md.; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, Colo.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; New York, N.Y.; San Diego, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; and Washington, D.C.

Oregon AG will not defend the state's same-sex marriage ban in court

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Oregon is the latest state to announce that it will not defend its same-sex marriage ban in court because it is unconstitutional in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Lyle Denniston at SCOTUSblog.com reports, Oregon ends defense of marriage ban:

State officials in Oregon notified a federal court on Thursday that they will no longer defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, following similar switches by state officials in Nevada and Virginia.  The Oregon filing (.pdf) came in one of two consolidated cases in Eugene challenging the state ban, which was imposed by voters in 2004.

The key statement in the new Oregon document, which was in the form of an Answer to one of the lawsuits, said state officials “will not defend the Oregon ban on same-sex marriage in this litigation.  Rather, they will take the position in their summary judgment briefing that the ban cannot withstand a federal constitutional challenge under any standard of review.”  The paragraph added, though, that they would continue to enforce the ban as a legal duty unless and until it were struck down in court.  Officials had not made that statement in their response in December to the other case in the pair that are now being considered together.

Amicus brief urges U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

During yesterday's House debate of the Religious Bigotry bill, Tea-Publicans made several references to the Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (13-354) case, which the U.S. Supreme Court will hear with the Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius (13-356) case in oral arguments scheduled for March 25, 2014.

Issue: Whether the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000bb et seq., which provides that the government “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless that burden is the least restrictive means to further a compelling governmental interest, allows a for-profit corporation to deny its employees the health coverage of contraceptives to which the employees are otherwise entitled by federal law, based on the religious objections of the corporation’s owners.

Tea-Publicans wielded "RFRA" like a sword in their arguments in favor of their Religious Bigotry bill.

Well, this amicus brief filed in these cases should cause their self-righteous hypocrite butts to pucker. Lyle Denniston at SCOTUSblog.com writes, Bold challenge to a law on religion:

Arguing that Congress has gone too far to push aside the Supreme Court’s constitutional role in religion cases, a loose coalition of child welfare organizations, survivors of clergy child sexual abuse, and non-believers has urged the Justices to strike down the Religious Freedom Restoration Act when it rules on a new dispute over the federal health care law.

The amicus brief, written by a prominent academic authority on religion and the law, Cardozo Law School’s Marci A. Hamilton, seeks to add a bold new dimension to the Court’s review of the Affordable Care Act’s “contraception mandate.”

Tucson's Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria protest goes viral

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Tucson's Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria has gone viral with its creative protest against the Religious Bigotry bill. https://www.facebook.com/roccoslittlechicago

Huffington Post, Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria Serves Up Fantastic Response To Arizona's Anti-Gay Bill.

Will someone please arrange to have these signs distributed to establishments in Phoenix/Tempe known to be frequented by our state legislators? Let's make them uncomfortable.

Demonstration Against Religious Bigotry Bill Today (Updated)

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Could this be the beginning of the Moral Mondays Movement I have been asking for?

Demonstration Against SB1062/HB2153

People are starting to go to the Capitol and aiming for a large protest gathering TODAY between 4 and 6 pm... Signs, speakers, good shoes. Come and be seen. Peaceful and respectful actions!

Arizona’s State Legislature and the conservative majority in control are pushing to pass the expanded “religious freedom” bills and then have them signed immediately by Governor Brewer. These bills would allow businesses to deny services based on their deeply held religious beliefs, basically making discrimination legal and making the LGBTQ Community a clear target. But we know it won't stop there!

 Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix.

 

AZ Lege repeals HB 2305, the citizens referendum is now off the ballot

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Our lawless legislature continues to demonstrate its contempt for the citizens of Arizona and their constitutional right to refer an act of the legislature to the voters to decide in a citizens referendum ("citizens veto"). The larger context here is its utter contempt for democracy and the right to vote.

More than 140,000 Arizonans braved the heat of an Arizona summer to circulate and sign petitions to refer HB 2305, the GOP Voter Suppression Act, to the ballot in November to let the people decide on what the legislature enacted as a "strike everything" amendment in the dead of night when no one was watching. There was no public notice, and no public hearing before a committee.

Last week, the Arizona House on a party-line vote voted to deny Arizonans their constitutional right to vote on a citizens-referred referendum. Arizona House approves bill to repeal election-law changes.

Yesterday, the Senate Tea-Publicans complete their anti-democraticdenial of your constitutional rights. Arizona Senate repeals 2013 election law:

The Arizona Senate has voted to repeal a sweeping 2013 Arizona election law that included trimming the state’s permanent early voting list and a host of other provisions that incensed voter-rights advocates.

Majority Republicans who pushed House Bill 2305 through last June voted Thursday to repeal the law 17-12. The House passed an identical bill last week. The bill will now go to the governor.

Repealing the law will cancel the voter referendum.

Senator Melvin Courageously Stands Up For Ignorance

By Tom Prezelski

Re-Posted from Rum, Romanism and Rebellion

There is actually a pretty vigorous debate over Common Core Standards and many legitimate questions over to what extent, or even if, they should be implemented. It is a debate that needs to happen, and one that should be conducted with rigor, integrity, and an eye toward our future needs as a community, state, and nation.

Of course, this is not the sort of debate that is happening in the Arizona Legislature, thanks largely to Senator Al Melvin (R-Segregated Gated Retirement Community North of Town). Melvin's SB 1310, which passed a Senate Committee yesterday, bans the implementation of Common Core in Arizona. The Senator's stated reason for his opposition cited no specifics, merely that the standards were a good idea from "the private sector and the governors" that got "hijacked by Washington." In other words, the merits of the standards are less of an issue than the fact that they are being championed by The Big Bad Black Man.

Action Alert: Contact Governor Brewer, tell her to veto SB 1062, the Religious Bigotry bill

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Tea-Publican controlled Arizona House passed the Religious Bigotry today, and conformed the bill to the Senate version passed yesterday. The bill will now be transmitted to Governor Jan Brewer. Contact Governor Brewer and tell her to veto this state-sanctioned discrimination bill, as she did last year. Arizona does not need another blacke eye like SB 1070.

The Arizona Republic reports, Ariz. House passes controversial religion bill; goes to Gov. Brewer:

The Legislature has given final approval to a controversial religion bill that’s spurring intense debate at the Legislature and across the country.

The legislation, written by the conservative advocacy group Center for Arizona Policy and the Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, would allow individuals to use religious beliefs as a defense against a lawsuit.

Opponents have dubbed it the “right to discriminate” bill, and say it could prompt an economic backlash against the state, similar to what they say occurred when the state passed the controversial immigration law Senate Bill 1070 in 2010.

* * *

The bill will be sent to Gov. Jan Brewer, who has five days to sign it into law, veto the bill or do nothing and allow it to become law.

Arizona Supreme Court smacks down Arizona's lawless legislature, again

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Our lawless legislature has lost yet another case in court, this time over the Elected Officials Retirement Plan (specifically retired judges). This is the second time in recent years that the Arizona Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional attempt by Tea-Publicans in the Arizona legislature to reduce benefits to retirees of public employee pension plans. I am sure the editorial board of the Arizona Republic will have a sad over this ruling.

Howard Fischer reports, AZ Supreme Court: Judges’ pensions can’t be cut:

State lawmakers cannot balance the budget by limiting pension benefit increases for retired judges, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The justices said a voter-approved section of the state constitution makes public pension plans a contractual relationship. More to the point, that provision says benefits “shall not be diminished or impaired.”

Justice Robert Brutinel, writing for the unanimous court said that language applies not just to what retired judges were getting at any one time. He said it also means lawmakers cannot tinker with already existing formulas that determine how much those benefits will increase each year.

Thursday’s ruling puts a damper on efforts by legislators to sharply restrain the obligations of the state to finance existing public pensions. But it does not bar lawmakers from setting new rules for those who have not yet become judges.

Action Alert: Religious Bigotry bill on House COW Calendar today

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The House calendar for the Committee of the Whole (COW) today includes Rep. "Fast Eddie" Farnsworth's House version of the Religious Bigotry bill, HB 2153, passed by Tea-Publicans in the Senate on Wednesday. Business takes place this afternoon.

Where are the "Mythical Moderate Republicans" in the Republican Party establishment and the business community, in particular, the chamber organizations? The "Mythical Moderate Republican" Ethan Orr (R-Tucson) will have to vote on this bill. LD 9 will be watching, E.Orr.

Other bills on the COW Calendar in the House today of note:

HB 2012, Rep. John Kavanagh's "vexatious litigation" bill that somehow exempts the Arizona Legislature and the "Kochtopus" Death Star, the Goldwater Institute, who file more vexatious litigation than anyone else.

HB 2058, Rep. John Kavanagh's bill to limit compensation under public pensions. This bill may be preempted by an Arizona Supreme Court decision to be announced today. Arizona high court to rule on judges' pensions.

HB 2107, Rep. John Kavanagh's bill regarding the number of candidate and ballot measure signatures in elections. This is the piecemeal approach to enacting HB 2305 that you have heard about.

"Emmett Down in My Heart" play for Black History Month

Posted by Carolyn Classen

 

"Tucson Alliance of Dramatic Artists (TADA) presents the winner of their first annual play competition. Sheldon Metz, TADA's artistic director, directs this production, the true story of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was killed in Mississippi in 1955 for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Emmett's brutal murder triggered unprecedented nationwide coverage, furthered the civil rights movement and inspired Rosa Parks when she refused to move to the back of the bus later that same year".

Featuring Carley E. Preston, Joan O'Dwyer, P.J. Peavy, Candace Bean, Seth Fowler, Victor Bowleg, and introducing André Johnson as Cuz and Kendrick Stallings as Emmett.

February 22 - March 9 Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

General admission: $20 Seniors/students: $15 February 21 preview: $15 for everyone

Call for group rates (20 or more) Reservations: Call: 520-722-9553 OR Email: [email protected].

The play is about the intertwined stories of Emmett Till, his grieving mother Mrs.Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket funeral in Chicago "so the world could witness the horrors inflicted on my son", and white school teacher Roanne Taylor, who failed to act when she heard his screams. More about the powerful play at playwright Clare Coss' website: http://www.clarecoss.com/emmett.shtml

I got yer "goofy hypotheticals" right here.

The AZ Senate debated SB1062, which would allow discrimination so long as it was for “sincerely held” religious reasons. Theocrats have tried, unsuccessfully, to pass similar laws in four other states but there’s a chance Governor Brewer could sign this one if it passes the House. The video isn’t up yet but the floor session was interesting.

Democrats tried valiantly to amend the bill on the floor, including one attempt where Sen. Ableser, hilariously, got the Republicans on record as supporting the rights of Satanists to do their thing. Democrats also cited several possible ways the law could be used to discriminate against LGBT and other groups, which Sen. Yarbrough (R) dismissed as “goofy hypotheticals”.

Dear Superintendent Huppenthal, Do you REALLY believe your job is to recruit for private schools?

CROSS POSTED from the Arizona Eagletarian.

 

In a comment to another news story about Huppenthal and his private school marketing scheme, Diana Murray, a Paradise Valley School District parent, says that just this evening, she received the robocall from the Arizona Superintendent of PUBLIC Schools directing her to the Goldwater Institute's website for more information about taxpayer funding for private schools.

 

Additionally, the legislature is currently poised to expand the availability of taxpayer funds for private schools, with SB1236 and HB2291. In his video interview with Brahm Resnik last week (at the 7 minute mark of the 13 minute interview), Huppenthal acknowledged that if those bills are enacted, 50 to 65 percent of Arizona students would be eligible for taxpayer money to send them to private (NOT charter, but PRIVATE) schools.

 

Therefore, if you think this is the right thing to do, I have this message for you, John.

 

-----

 

Dear John,

 

As you have recently reminded us, your record is that of a "true believer" in "school choice," we know that.

 

Since you believe so deeply that what you've done is appropriate and in the best interests of your constituents, should you not then have the courage of your convictions and continue the calls?

 

Why not record MORE calls for families to send their children to taxpayer funded -- unaccountable to the taxpayers -- private schools? 

 

Dude, don’t hide from it. Wear it boldly EMBLAZONED on your chest. 

 

And make sure to Do.It.All.The.Way.Up.To.Election.Day.

 

Pretty Please. With sugar on top!

 

Yours Truly,

 

Steve Muratore

Arizona Eagletarian

Arizona Senate passes Religious Bigotry bill - state-scantioned segregation

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

What century are we living in? For the second time (Governor Jan Brewer vetoed this bill last year) the Tea-Publicans in the Arizona Senate have passed the religious bigotry bill, which would allow individuals and businesses to deny public services based upon their "sincerely held religious beliefs." This is state-sanctioned segregation, pure and simple.

The Arizona Republic reports, AZ Senate OKs bill boosting service refusal:

The Arizona Senate on Wednesday passed a bill backed by Republicans that expands the rights of people to assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays and others, a measure Democrats say will open the doors for discrimination and hurt the state economy.

The bill passed on a 17-13 party-line vote.

Democrats and civil rights groups opposed the bill that was pushed by social conservatives, saying it would allow discriminatory actions by businesses.

Raising the minimum wage 'has little or no discernible effect on the employment prospects of low-wage workers'

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Here we go again . . .

The headline in the New York Times this morning: Minimum Wage Increase Would Have Mixed Effects, C.B.O. Report Says.

The headline in the Washington Post this morning: Minimum-wage hike could kill 500,000 jobs, CBO reports.

Note that the corporate media did not lead with the good news contained in the CBO report about an increase in the minimum wage. What Really Happens When You Raise The Minimum Wage:

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new report on Tuesday on the impacts of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and $9 an hour. It found that a $10.10 minimum wage, implemented by 2016, would mean higher earnings for 16.5 million workers, resulting in $31 billion more in higher earnings. It would also lift nearly 1 million people out of poverty.

* * *

“Once the increases and decreases in income for all workers are taken into account, overall real income would rise by $2 billion,” it says. The vast majority of people impacted, over 95 percent, will be impacted positively.

Tea-Publicans were ecstatic that the CBO report also said "the $10.10 option would reduce total employment by about 500,000 workers, or 0.3 percent.” Always with the negative waves, Moriarty.

Tea-Publicans want Americans to continue to earn sub-poverty level wages at the hands of exploitative  employers, because "Freedom!" (Some Tea-Publicans around the country have even proposed eliminating the minimum wage altogether). I would remind you that failed GOP economic policies have eliminated millions of jobs since 2000.

Action Alert: Guns in Public Buildings bill HB 2339 in House Judiciary Committee on Thursday

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Action Alert from Arizonans for Gun Safety:

WE NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION TODAY!

HB2339 will be heard in the Arizona House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, February 20 at 8 AM. This bill will require all Public (state and local government) buildings and events to provide metal detectors and/or security personnel to screen people entering if they want to prevent people with Concealed Carry Weapons permits from entering with their guns.

This is a really bad bill and we need the Coalition to show strong opposition. Here’s what you can do:

If you are registered in the Arizona Legislative Information System (by having signed up in person at the Capitol kiosk), please go into ALIS and Request to Speak. You can select not to speak, select "against" HB2339 and give comments to support your position. Here are talking points you can use:

· Arizona voters do NOT support guns in public buildings. In a 2011 public opinion poll, an overwhelming 75% of Arizonans including 72% of gun owners opposed allowing guns in government buildings.

· The cost of providing the required security measures at public building entrances will be prohibitive and an unfunded mandate on local governments.

· Guns do not belong in places designed for families, children and youth. Society has always deemed places like swimming pools, libraries, and community centers as gun free zones. There is NO EVIDENCE that supports changing this long held policy.

· Law enforcement officials believe more guns in public places will complicate police work and endanger bystanders, if when they respond to a shooting scene there are multiple people with firearms in their hands.

Sen. Michele Reagan's dark money disclosure bill will accomplish little

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Republic will never admit they were shamed into doing it by my constantly berating them for not reporting on Sean Noble and the "Kochtopus" dark money network operating in their own backyard in the state of Maricopa. But I am going to claim a small victory anyway.

Today the Arizona Republic published the entire report by Pro Publica at azcentral.com. The Dark Money Man: Sean Noble, Koch cash and politics. (Note that this is not by Arizona Republic reporters).

This small victory comes the day after Sen. Michele Reagan's half-measure for dark money campaign finance disclosures was heard in her Elections Committee on Tuesday. Reagan's bill is a band-aid approach to close a gaping wound in Arizona elections. Lawmakers seek to shine light on anonymous campaign contributions:

State lawmakers took the first steps Tuesday to cut down on so-called “dark money’’ in political campaigns, but with no clear indication if their plan will work, or whether it’s even legal.

Legislation approved by the Senate Elections Committee requires all campaign commercials, literature and similar materials to include the names of the three largest contributors. Sen. Michele Reagan, R-Scottsdale, said it’s unacceptable that people can spend large amounts of money to influence elections and remain hidden.

On paper, the vote for SB 1403 was unanimous. But several GOP legislators, after hearing from lobbyists, said they fear the measure creates unnecessary hurdles.

And Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, openly worried requiring people to get out from behind the committees they create to affect elections might chill their First Amendment rights to speak freely.

2014 Peace Fair & Music Festival in 32nd year

Posted by Carolyn Classen

Tucson Peace Center's Calendar has a new colorful website look (click here). Easier to read their postings and event listings. Their peace calendar is also available at most Pima County public libraries.

 

Theme for this year's peace festival is "Climate Justice", and also new is the Climate Cabaret Ramada, so check it out. Call Chair Mary DeCamp, former Democratic Ward 3 and Mayoral candidate, for more info at (520) 445-4110.

 

Peace Fair's Schedule:

11:00 - Earth Spirit

11:30 - One Heartbeat

12:00 - Kathleen Williamson

12:30 - Mitzi Cowell

12:45 - Tucson's Raging Grannies

1:00 - Wayback Machine

2:00 - Baba Marimba

2:50 – Victor Shamas & Repose

3:00 - Spirit Familia

4:00 - Change Agents

Proposed constitutional amendment is a Trojan Horse attack on the AIRC

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I previously posted about SCR 1003 (.pdf), a resoution which would refer a legislative ballot measure to the ballot that requires "the reauthorization of statewide initiative and referendum measures that create funds for public monies, dedicate public monies to a specific purpose or otherwise effect state General Fund (GF) revenues or expenditures."

Note that this reauthorizaton is not for all citizens initiative and referendum measures, just the ones the legislature does not like -- the ones that require the legislature to spend money on priorites decided by the voters, like heath care and education. This is the teabaggers' "I hate the Voter Protection Act" (Prop. 105 -1998) measure to undermine Prop. 105. The reauthorization applies retroactively to all specified statewide initiative and referendum measures approved on or after November 3, 1998.

The teabaggers want the opportunity to revisit and to reverse the laws that the citizens of Arizona enacted as a super-legislature exercising the powers reserved to the citizens under the Arizona Constitution and exercising their constitutional right to citizen initiative and referendum. This reauthorization provision would give opponents a second bite at the apple after seven (7) years. It would invite a perpetual campaign that seeks to undermine the legitimacy of laws enacted by the voters. The teabaggers are demonstrating their utter disdain for your constitutional rights and for democracy.

Abortion access returns to Flagstaff, which displeases LifeSiteNews

Crossposted from DemocraticDiva.com

Planned Parenthood of AZ announced the good news this morning:

Planned Parenthood Arizona – Flagstaff Health Center In 2011, Planned Parenthood Arizona was forced to stop providing abortion care at a number of our health centers due to legislation that made the provision of this care nearly impossible. Our health center in Flagstaff was one of them.

For the past two and a half years, women living outside of Pima and Maricopa County have encountered miles of travel, days of wages lost, and several nights away from loved ones in order to access this safe and legal medical procedure. These barriers, created by politicians who have no business interfering with a woman’s personal medical decisions, were faced and overcome by many women – but not all.

Feb 19 City Council Meetings: Bus Fare Hike, Ronstadt Transit Center Redevelopment

by Pamela Powers Hannley

At the Feb. 19 study session and evening meeting, the Tucson City Council will consider two issues that could greatly affect bus service in our town.

During the study session, they will consider a proposal to increase bus fares. At the regular evening meeting, they will hear public comments about the proposed redevelopment of the Ronstadt Transit Center. (Proposals and background here.) In between these two meetings, the Tucson Bus Riders Union will have a rally outside of the City Council Chambers, beginning at 4 p.m. (Details and related articles below.)

AWPC Legislative Unwrap Brown Bag Lunch

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Arizona Women's Political Caucus:

If you haven't already RSVP'd there's still time email [email protected] or call Amy at 520-406-2421

We look forward to seeing you there!

Two Neo-Confederate bills held in Senate because they violate the Constitution

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Good to know that somebody pays attention to the posts we do here. The legislature's staff attorneys have advised Senate leadership that two Neo-Confederate bills violate the Constitution, and those bills have been held. Senate bills barring federal law efforts stall:

Senate Bill 1093 by Republican Sen. Chester Crandell of Heber requires federal agents to register with the local sheriff.

Senate Bill 1290 by Sen. Judy Burges of Sun City West says the sheriff is the senior law enforcement officer in a county and allows that person to refuse to give federal agents permission to makes arrests or searches.

Senate President Andy Biggs held the bills in the Rules Committee Monday after the committee's attorney said they likely ran afoul of the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Ya think! There are plenty more of these unconstitutional bills from our lawless legislature working their way through committees. Hopefully staff attorneys will shoot down these other bills as well.

Arizona Legislature: The Coming Week - part 2

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

 

Well, they've reached the first "deadline" week of the session, and that is reflected in the length of committee agendas.

Friday is the last day for bills introduced in a particular chamber to be heard in that chamber's committees.  There are exceptions (bills can still be considered by the Appropriations committees) or exceptions can be made (schmooze the Senate President/House Speaker), but for the most part, proposals that don't pass committee by the end of the week are dead.

...Unless they are revived by a strike-everything amendment (striker) and pasted into the frame of another bill that *did* pass committee.  But that's another post...

 

This week, because the agendas are so long, and so fluid, this post will be presented in two parts -

Wednesday and Thursday's schedules will be in this part, while the agendas for Monday and Tuesday are covered here.

 

Notes:

All committees meetings and agendas are subject to change without notice, and frequently do.  If you plan to travel to the Capitol to observe or weigh in on the consideration of a particular measure, check with the lege ahead of time to confirm that the meeting that you are interesting in is still on schedule and your item(s) of interest is still on the agenda for that meeting.

Meeting rooms designated "HHR" are in the House of Representatives building.

Meeting rooms designated "SHR" are in the Senate building.

Some agendas are summarized as "looks harmless", but if they cover an area of interest to you, examine the agenda and the bills on it.  If I missed something significant, please leave a comment letting me know.

 

All House committee agendas can be found here.

All Senate committee agendas can be found here.

 

On the Senate side of the Capitol -

Hawaiian ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro coming to the Rialto Theater

Posted by Carolyn Classen

I confess that I have not have the fortune (or money) to see & hear Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro live in concert.  I do have a CD of some of his songs, including "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". His music is fast paced and he does amazing finger techniques on his uke.

He's coming from Honolulu (via California on tour) to Tucson this week on Thursday Feb. 20 for an 8 p.m. show at the Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Get tickets at the Rialto website (click here), $32 Gold Section, $25 Floor and Lower Balcony reserve seated floor. This show is reserved seated: Specific assigned seats for each ticket sold.

Also performing is Katie Haverly of Cooper and Congress.

For photos of this 37 year old young musician and more info, go to his website, www.jakeshimabukuro.com.

PDA: Put the Constitution Behind Pay Equity

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Progressive Democrats of America (Arizona):

Put the Constitution behind Pay Equity

Help end discrimination on the basis of sex permanently by ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Bring HCR2016 to a vote in the Arizona Legislature.

Currently, ERA ratification is stalled in the Arizona House Judiciary Committee. This is the last week for bills to be heard. If HCR2016 is not heard this week, it will be dead for this session.

Contact Judiciary Committee Chair Eddie Farnsworth ([email protected], 602-926-5735) and tell him to put HCR2016 on the committee's agenda. The women of Arizona deserve economic equality.

You can also contact your representatives and senators about the ERA. Tell them that you support the ERA and encourage them to vote for ratification when it is considered by the full legislature.

Arizona House roster http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp?Body=H

Arizona Senate roster http://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster.asp?Body=S

Putting party politics before country in the era of GOP post-policy nihilism

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

It is well documented that the current 113th Congress is by far and away the "less-than-do-nothing Congress," surpassing its previous low-water mark in the 112th Congress for lack of legislative achievements in addressing the pressing needs of the American people. The TanMan, Weeper of the House John Boehner, has cemented his status in American history as the "Worst. Speaker. Ever."

The lack of response to the pressing needs of the American people by this Tea-Publican controlled Congress is not a bug but a feature. As Greg Sargent said last year, "a number of us on the left have been arguing that the GOP seems to be in the grip of a kind of “post-policy nihilism,” in which Republicans are no longer being guided by any real policy “asks,” and instead are chronically positioning themselves only in opposition to the president."

“[W]hat you’re seeing clearly demonstrated here is a kind of policy nihilism on the part of the GOP that helps explain why addressing the country’s problems has become all but impossible.”

Dave Weigel at Slate said "Call it Nihilist Populism: connecting with voters on the belief that government can't really do anything well, and that their mistrust is well-earned, and then prioritizing bills that make this statement over bills that can pass."

Inequality Cartoon Says it All

Posted by Bob Lord

From Tom Tomorrow at Daily Kos (click to enlarge) --

Appalling treatment of rape victims in Missoula, Montana reveals what a big old suckfest conservative "values" are

Crossposted from DemocraticDiva.com

Right wingers are forever going on about how the sexual revolution has brought about the decline of civilization and has been simply terrible for women due to us no longer being able to use pregnancy to force reluctant men to shotgun marry us, among other things. But this Mother Jones report from Missoula, MT clearly illustrates how antediluvian attitudes toward sexuality and women held by the prosecutors there are causing rapists to go free, tormenting female victims, and causing some victims not to even bother trying to get justice.

4th Annual Celebration of International Women's Day

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from CWA Local 7000:

Lens on the Land photo exhibit "Rosemont: What's at Stake?" continues at Fluxx Gallery till Feb. 26

 

 

Santa Rita Mountains in the winter (anonymous photographer), photo courtesy of Lens on the Lands

 Posted by Carolyn Classen

Lens on the Land presents Rosemont: What's at Stake is “a collection of stunning photographs celebrating the cultural and ecological richness of the Santa Rita Mountains and surrounding watersheds that would be impacted by the proposed  Rosemont Mine.”

If you missed the opening reception on Feb. 1 or the Feb. 16 video production premier of “Rosemont Ours” by NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre, there’s still a chance to see both the photography show & video at Fluxx Gallery.  The show runs till Feb. 26, with gallery hours:

Thursdays & Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays, 12 to 6 pm.

Fluxx Studio & Gallery is at 414 E. 9th St. (just east of 4^th Avenue, north of the 4^th Avenue underpass).

My husband and I recently attended the Feb. 16 event where about 6 people stood up on the stage and read their eco-friendly poetry about that area, followed by the “Rosemont Ours” video, produced by Ben Johnson with dancers on location interpreting native wildlife (plants & animals) in the Santa Rita Mountains.  A Behind the Scenes video of the filming was shown as well.

To view some of the photos of the Santa Rita Mts. and environs, go to www.lensontheland.com.

Sponsors for the show are: Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, Sonoran Institute, Josh Schachter Photography.

Additional support came from Clif Bar Family Foundation, Western Mining Action Network, and Summit Hut.

 Also, Josh Schachter and friends posted 7 super large B/W copies of some of the photos from this show on the Steinfeld & Co. Warehouse, 104 W. 6th Street (west of Stone Ave).  Check it out and drop by Fluxx Gallery this week or next. Photo below courtesy of Josh.

 

 

 

Al Melvin, Tea Party candidate for governor

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Cap'n Al Melvin at the Arizona GOP Awards Dinner the night before the Arizona GOP Winter State Committee Meeting last month, said that he would "proudly wave the flag of the Tea Party." (video below the fold).

This video is pure Cap'n Al, unplugged.

As I have said before, the Neo-Confederate dead-enders and John Birchers need to get their own damn political party and stop hijacking the hollowed-out carcass of the Republican Party for the legitimacy of the party label.

This is not your father's GOP. The "Party of Lincoln" long ago ceased to exist. This is a hostile takeover by a band of far-right radicals and extremists.