Blog For Arizona

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild delivered State of the City speech

 Posted by Carolyn Classen

The Mayor delivered his annual State of the City speech today at the Tucson Metro Chamber's luncheon at the Tucson Convention Center. Here's the entire speech, in case you missed the lunch. Mayor Rothschild was elected in Nov. 2011, so this is his 3rd address.

Tucson in Transition

February 26, 2014 State of the City Address Mayor Jonathan Rothschild

Introduction

 

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2014 State of the City Address. I’d like to thank the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Convention Center for hosting this year’s event. Thanks especially to the Chamber for sharing proceeds with three local nonprofits that are helping with several of my initiatives: 51 Homes Vets, Make Way for Books and Tucson Clean & Beautiful.

 

Each of these charities works in a different area – ending veteran homelessness, increasing childhood literacy and restoring Tucson’s tree canopy – yet all share the same model for success: bringing together individuals, businesses, government and nonprofits to address community needs.

 

In June, I accepted the President’s challenge to end veteran homelessness in Tucson by December 31, 2015 – which means placing 1,650 homeless veterans in permanent housing. That’s a goal we’re on track to meet. Working with 18 partner agencies, including the City’s Housing Department, we’ve already housed close to 500 formerly homeless veterans.

 

In August, in partnership with the Arizona Daily Star, we launched a volunteer recruitment drive to double the number of reading coaches in Reading Seed, a program that pairs struggling readers in grades K through 3 with trained volunteers. Too many of our children don’t read at grade level by 3rd

grade, a critical milestone that predicts future success in school. We met our goal, adding more than 600 volunteers, who will help more than 1,200 students, all, or almost all, in Title 1 schools. 1,200 lives changed – 1,800 if you count the volunteers, who often find their lives changed, too.

In October, in partnership with Tucson Clean & Beautiful, TEP, Long Realty and others, we rolled out our 10,000 Trees Campaign, encouraging individuals, business and community groups to plant desert-adapted trees, especially in neighborhoods that lack shade. That’s another goal we’re on track to meet. To date, we’ve planted more than 4,000 trees.

 

These are basic needs our community is tackling together, through public-private partnerships: housing, literacy and the environment.

 

 

 

2

 

Of course, City government works to meet basic needs every day – water, transportation, sanitation, public safety, parks, courts, building safety and others. There’s renewed emphasis on the basics – on what the City does best, and what’s best left to others.

The basics matter. Like moving forward on long-delayed road restoration projects, as we’ve begun to do with passage of the $100 million road bond – on time and on budget, I might add. Like building sidewalks, cleaning medians and removing graffiti. The basics build pride in our community. Doing the basics well helps attract the capital we need to build our community.

I just gave some examples of public-private partnerships with the nonprofit sector. These partnerships can work equally well with the for-profit sector.

Downtown Redevelopment

For example, downtown looks quite different than it did two years ago. It looks quite different than it has for the last 40 years – a veritable, Biblical wandering in the desert. How did this happen? Ending the Rio Nuevo dispute, building the streetcar line and adopting a tax incentive – a public-private partnership – that helps developers yet guarantees a greater return to taxpayers – all this has visionary developers and business owners investing in downtown.

Over the next year, you’ll see close to $9 million of strategic improvements made to the Tucson Convention Center. You’ll see young entrepreneurs move their businesses and dreams downtown – at CoLab or Connect Coworking. You’ll see artists and crafters mixing with coders and hackers at places like Maker House and Xerocraft. You’ll see ground broken on a new, modern, urban hotel. And, as people continue to move downtown, maybe – just maybe – you’ll see that cornerstone of urban neighborhoods, a grocery store.

I don’t highlight downtown redevelopment just because it’s a success we can all see. I highlight it because it’s a working example of what our city can be.

I want to review some of what we accomplished last year, working together. Too often, we underestimate our city’s capabilities.

I also want to preview what lies ahead.

Tucson is a city in transition.

 

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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.)

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.

Deadline Looms: ERA Ratification Assigned to Judiciary Committee in AZ Legislature

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Rep. Victoria Steele’s (D-9) bill to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (HCR2016) was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee late last week. (You’ll remember that mid-week, I reported it was languishing on the desk of House Speaker Andy Tobin.)

This week is the last week for bills to be heard by committees of the Arizona Legislature. Currently, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet onThursday, Feb. 20, 2014. ERA ratification is not on the agenda, but– hey– it’s only Monday. Agendas and committee meeting dates routinely shift around in the Arizona Legislature. Arizona women deserve economic equality. It's time to make some phone calls to Phoenix!

Bills can be killed in multiple ways: they can be voted down in committee, voted down by the Legislature, or just plain ignored by the Speaker or the committee chair. If the HCR2016 isn’t heard this week, it will die in committee. Arizona women deserve economic equality. Tucson's favorite "moderate" LD9 Rep. Ethan Orr is on the Judiciary Committee; he could be an important swing vote on the ERA.  [Contact information for committee members after the jump.]

Wartime events had an influence on Arizona’s geographic shape

By Karl Reiner

Early in the Civil War, Gen. Joseph Johnston and his generals in Northern Virginia quarreled with Confederate President Davis in Richmond over the practicality of the president's defensive war policy. While advocating a defensive posture in Northern Virginia, Davis was also eager to extend Confederate power as far as the Pacific. Taking control of California's lucrative gold fields would provide a source of revenue for the haughty, new Confederacy. Any westward expansion of slavery would also be strongly supported by the South's politically powerful large plantation owners.

For years, variations of the expansionist dream of slave owners had been a mainstay of dinner conversations in the South's finest plantations. The objective was to create a confederation in the Western Hemisphere which would include the Southern Slave States, the territories of the southwest United States, possibly Cuba, parts of Central America and northern Mexico. Although it is now largely forgotten, the hazy notion was a subtle part of the ideology driving many of the promoters of secession. The dream held out a promise of an empire based on cotton production and slavery. It offered a sparkling alternative to the fraying relationship the South had in the Union. It was a belief held by many of the South's leaders despite the fact that the institution of slavery was being dismantled in other parts of the world.

Tucson State of the City Address

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce:

The Trouble with E.Orr - he does not represent the values of his constituents

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Is this a private fight, or can anyone join in?

Tim Steller of the Arizona Daily Star is writing the most recent iteration of the Political Notebook that Rhonda Bodfield and Daniel Scarpinato (now with the RNCC) before her used to write. God, I hated the Political Notebook!

Anyway, Timmeh takes issue with Blog for Arizona's Pamela Powers Hannley for taking issue with a recent column of his, correctly pointing out that Rep. Ethan Orr (R-Tucson) only nurtures the appearance of being a moderate but votes with his GOP caucus routinely.

I would make the point that the occasional departure vote does not make Orr a "moderate" or a RINO, any more than a Democrat casting the occasional departure vote makes him or her a Teabagger or a DINO. It is a voting record taken as a whole that matters.

Here is Pamela's informative post. AZ Star Perpetuates 'Ethan Orr Is a Moderate' Myth. Please note the Votesmart.org link to Orr's voting record.

Today's Steller column wastes everyone's time focusing on Facebook comments about his previous column with which Pamela Powers Hannley took issue. Yeah, that's not news. Too many political reporters are fixated with social media like Twitter and Facebook. It is not news.

(Update) Sen. Gail Griffin pulls bill to seize a piece of Pima County for Rosemont Mine

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

It turns out the only people who supported this crazy idea are teabaggers and supporters of Rosemont Mine, who are a distinct minority. There was strong opposition from constituents living in the affected areas and from the county governments. The Green Valley New reports, Griffin ends bid to move county line:

Sen. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford) introduced SB 1357 last week. The bill would have put to a vote the idea of moving the Santa Cruz County line to Pima Mine Road on the northern boundary of Sahuarita.

Griffin's office has been barraged by emails and phone calls on the bill since last week.

Griffin on Thursday put the brakes on a bill that could have moved Green Valley, Sahuarita and the mines into Santa Cruz County.

Griffin said questions raised on both sides led to the decision, and said her committee also has 20 other bills to consider before a Monday deadline. She said she hasn't decided whether to reintroduce the bill next year.

Here's your answer: "The plan has been floated several times in the past and has met near-universal disapproval on both sides of the county line." Give it up.

Tucson State of the City Address

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce:

AZ Reps. Grijalva and Barber Back Extension of ERA Ratification Deadline

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has received bipartisan support in the Arizona Legislature, but Arizona's Congressional delegation appears to be lagging behind. Of Arizona's 11 Senators and Representatives, only two--  Southern Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva (D- CD3) and Ron Barber (D- CD2)-- have signed on to co-sponsor legislation to remove the ERA's ratification deadline.

There are two Congressional bills to remove the ratification deadline. In the House, HJ Res 43 has 104 cosponsors (including Grijalva and Barber), and in the Senate, SJ Res 15 has 34 cosponsors.

The ERA was introduced during every Congressional session between 1923 (when it was originally proposed) and 1972. It finally passed Congress nearly 70 years after it was originally introduced. In the 1970s, there was a ground war at the state level to get 38 state legislatures to ratify the ERA in order for it to become a Constitutional Amendment. The ERA fell 3 states short of ratification; Arizona is one of a handful of states that never ratified the ERA. (Contact and Twitter info for Arizona's Congressional delegation after the jump.)

HCR2016 ERA Ratification Bill Languishes on Speaker Tobin's Desk

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tucson Rep. Victoria Steele has introduced two bipartisan bills to advance the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the Arizona Legislature. One has made it to committee, while the other is waiting on Speaker of the House Andy Tobin's desk.

HCR2016 is a bill to ratify the ERA. Although ERA ratification has 22 sponsors, including four Republicans, it hasn't made it "out of the gate" yet. According to an aid in Steele's office, HCR2016 hasn't had a "first read" yet. Bills are read first by Speaker Tobin, who determines committee assignments. If a bill is never assigned to a committee, it is dead in the water. (HB2016 text here.)

HCM2006 is a memorandum to the federal government asking that the ratification deadline be extended. HCM2006 has 19 sponsors, including two Republicans. The bill has been assigned to the Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility Committee (FFR) but hasn't made it on the committee's agenda... yet. (More about the committee here. HCM2006 text here.)

Bills can be killed in multiple ways: they can be voted down in committee, voted down by the Legislature, or just plain ignored by the Speaker or the committee chair. Although it's early in the session, it appears as if the ERA bills are being ignored-- even though the ERA has bipartisan support in the Legislature and broad, popular support among the majority of Americans. (Sponsor list after the jump.)

"Both parties suck! Wah! Why won't you Democrats fix it?!?"

Crossposted from DemocraticDiva.com

Laurie Roberts at the AZ Republic is beside herself that the well-heeled proponents of the dumb Top Two Primary idea are, as she delightedly exclaims, baaaaaack. (Much more after the jump)

Poverty panel hosted by Neal Conan at the Fox Theater tomorrow

Posted by Carolyn Sugiyama Classen

 From Community Foundation of Southern Arizona:

"Tucson’s poverty rates remained among the nation’s highest last year, with one in five living below the poverty threshold. Although Pima County’s poverty rate held steady in 2012 at 20 percent, the poverty rate among children was 29 percent. Many elderly, veterans, and single mothers in Pima County are struggling each and every day to survive; even while working one, two, sometimes three jobs. They just might be your neighbor, or a family member. How does one become part of the ‘working poor’? Who is doing what to help? Is it working? How does one escape poverty? Talking won’t solve the problem but perhaps by bringing people and ideas together we can move the needle towards sustained, positive change.

Neal Conan, award-winning journalist, producer, and former host of NPR’s Talk of the Nation will moderate the first Community Interactive: POVERTY :The Working Poor. Joining him will be a panel of educators, social service professionals, and others working every day to help people in need. POVERTY: The Working Poor event will be free to the public. The community is encouraged to participate and submit questions prior to the event at [email protected], on azpm’s facebook page or facebook.com/CFSAZ.

Select questions will be presented at the live event for discussion. Community Interactive – POVERTY: The Working Poor event will be streamed live at azpm.org, and available on demand and broadcast on WORLD on Wednesday, February 19 at 9:30 p.m. and on the UA Channel on Thursday, February 20 at 8 p.m. AZPM will feature the issue on news programming including, AZ Illustrated on PBS 6 and on NPR 89.1. The series is produced in partnership by Arizona Public Media and the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, with support from COX Communications and the Arizona Daily Star."

Panelists include:

Patti Caldwell, executive director of Tucson’s Our Family Services

Molly Castelazo, founder and president of Castelazo Content in Phoenix

Clarice Clash, principal of Tucson High Magnet School

Herminia Cubillos, executive director of Tucson’s JobPath

Ian Galloway, senior research associate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Peggy Hutchison, chief executive officer of Tucson’s Primavera Foundation

Lane Kenworthy, professor of sociology and political science at the University of Arizona

Michael McDonald, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

 John Pedicone, former superintendent of Tucson Unified and Flowing Wells school districts.

During and right after law school, I worked at legal aid clinics to assist the poor and working poor (the gap group) with their legal rights. Tucson is a low wage town and this is still an important issue for the thousands of people in need here.

Uphill Battle: Rep. Victoria Steele Introduces Bill to Extend ERA Ratification Deadline

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
– Equal Rights Amendment

by Pamela Powers Hannley

There is an ideological perfect storm brewing in the Arizona Legislature. A memorandum supporting extension of the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been assigned to a committee where five out of seven members have pledged to protect and fight for the rights of fetuses over the rights of women.

Not content with winning the right to vote in 1920, women’s rights advocates proposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) 91 years ago. The ERA was introduced during every Congressional session between 1923 and 1972 and finally passed nearly 70 years after it was originally proposed. In the 1970s, there was a ground war at the state level to get 38 state legislatures to ratify the ERA in order for it to become a Constitutional Amendment. The ERA fell 3 states short of ratification; Arizona is one of a handful of states that never ratified the ERA.

HCM2006 Sponsors

Fast forward to 2013, the ground war for women’s equality has resumed at the state level with ERA ratification proposals six states– Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Virginia, and now … Arizona.; Nevada and North Carolina plan to hear it in 2014. LD9 Rep. Victoria Steele has introduced HCM2006, a memorandum from the State of Arizona asking the federal government to extend the deadline for ratification of the ERA, and HCR2016, a fill to ratify the ERA.

In addition to Steele, the ERA memorandum has 18 co-sponsors– including two Republican women, Kelly Townsend (LD14) and Karen Fann (LD1). Below is the complete list. Although Southern Arizona is well-represented on this list with Steele, Wheeler, Gabaldon, Saldate, and Pencrazi, where are the rest of the Democrats and the “moderate” Repulbican? (Should I name names, or can you figure out who’s missing here? If you live in LD9, LD10, LD2, or LD3, you might want to ask your representatives and senators why their names are missing from this list.)

Democrat Randall Friese Kicks-off Campaign for LD9 Representative (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Grassroots volunteers mingled with local and statewide Democratic Party glitterati at the official campaign kick-off event for Dr. Randall Friese, who is running for a seat in Arizona House of Representatives.

Friese recently announced his candidacy for one of LD9's two seats in the Arizona House. Currently, LD9, which stretches from Speedway in midtown north into the Foothills, is a competitive district being served by Republican Ethan Orr and Democrat Victoria Steele in the House and Democrat Steve Farley in the Arizona Senate.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her astronaut husband Mark Kelly hosted an estimated 130 stalwarts of the Pima County Democratic Party, including current County Chair Don Jorgenson, past Chair Jeff Rogers, and several current and former elected Democrats: LD9 Rep. Victoria Steele, LD10 Reps. Stephanie Mach and Bruce Wheeler, LD10 Senator Dave Bradley, Tucson City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona, former Attorney General and current Secretary of State candidate Terry Goddard, and former Rep. Nancy Young-Wright. (Farley was conspicuously absent, following a social media dust-up on Friday over this article in the Arizona Daily Star.)

Former Giffords' staffer Pam Simon and Kelly gave impassioned speeches about Friese, who was one of the University Medical Center trauma surgeons who cared for Giffords and others who were shot on January 8, 2011. During Giffords' long stay in UMC's intensive care unit (ICU), Kelly and Friese became friends and had many late-night ICU discussions on multiple topics-- including politics. According to Kelly, Friese and Giffords are similar in that they are dedicated to finding solutions, not playing politics. [Friese vs Orr on the issues, after the jump.]

Tea-Publicans love their vexatious litigation

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Earlier this year I posted about Rep. John Kavanagh's bill to designate a person a “vexatious litigant’’ and to make it difficult for them to file lawsuits if they initiated at least five unmerited litigations, other than in small claims court, over a period of seven years. HB 2021 (.pdf) (Passed unanimously in the Judiciary Committee with amendment). As I said at the time:

I'm curious -- does this apply to the Arizona Legislature and the Goldwater Institute, which routinely file "vexatious" litigation only to have the court declare that the legislature's actions were unconstitutional and unlawful? Because they clearly qualify as a "vexatious litigant" given the number of lawsuits they have lost over the years (again today). These ideological extremists have been racking up millions of dollars in attorneys fees and court costs at taxpayer expense in pursuit of their ideological agenda. Shouldn't this be stopped?

Tea-Publicans believe that Kavanagh's notion of vexatious litigation "applies to thee, not to me."

The Arizona Daily Star today reports today that the gun worshipers and fetishists want a cause of action to sue any local government official (read the City of Tucson) which enacts "illegal" regulations of firearms in violation of their absolutist view of the Second Amendment.

Get in line, assholes! You get to sue for damages when the government violates the law or the Constitution when I get to sue our lawless legislature and governor for damages for pissing away taxpayer money on lawsuits defending their unconstitutional and unlawful extremist agenda in court. Proposed law wants to make elected officials to pay for adopting illegal gun laws:

A proposed state law would let gun owners sue city council members or county supervisors personally if those governments pass or try to enforce gun laws that are stricter than state law.

Under the bill, HB 2517 (.pdf), courts could hit individual elected officials with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for passing an ordinance out of compliance with state law.

Anyone who enforces an illegal ordinance would be subject to penalties as well.

AZ Star Perpetuates ‘Ethan Orr Is a Moderate’ Myth

by Pamela Powers Hannley

In today's Arizona Daily Star, columnist Tim Steller chides the Pima County Democratic Party for trying to take down "moderate" Republican LD9 Legislator Ethan Orr. 

First of all, a quick look at Orr's voting record and political endorsements reveal that the "Ethan Orr is a moderate" meme is a myth. For example:

Orr voted FOR voter suppression on multiple occasions. Most recently, Orr cast the deciding vote in committee and sided Republicans who want to do an "end run" around voters by repealing last year's Omnibus Voter Suppression Bill (HB2305), in order to pass several other voter suppression bills this session. The bill to repeal HB2305-- if passed by the Legislature-- will eliminate the citizens' right to vote for or against voter suppression in the 2014 election. Orr voted for voter suppression last week,  and he was part of the Republican block that originally passed HB2305 in the dead of night in the waning hours of the 2013 Legislative session.

Orr signed an anti-abortion pledge to defend the rights of the unborn. Orr-- along with Governor Jan Brewer, Republican legislators, and three weak-kneed Democrats-- signed the Christian conservative Center for Arizona Policy's pledge to fight for the rights of unborn fetuses, while ignoring the legal rights of adult women to make choices about their bodies, their children, and their lives. Steller soft-sells Orr's pro-fetus stance by saying that Orr "tends toward a pro-life viewpoint on abortion." Orr signed a pledge to fight for fetal personhood; this is an extreme viewpoint that confers rights upon fetuses-- while taking away the rights of American women. This goes far beyond tending "toward pro-life". [Pledge text and more after the jump.]

Tucson Rep. Ethan Orr Votes FOR Voter Suppression Bill HB2196

Squeaky clean, self-proclaimed Republican moderate LD9 Rep. Ethan Orr voted for the voter suppression bill, HB2196 today, and it passed in committee. You’ll remember that the House Judiciary Committee tried to hear this bill last week, but when PEOPLE showed up in the hearing room and flooded the phone lines, the vote was postponed.

HB2196 is the Republican end-run around the voters to repeal HB2305 (the omnibus voter suppression bill that passed in the dead of night on the last day of the 2013 session, at the personal urging of US House Speaker John Boehner).

Sounds OK, right? He voted for a bill that would repeal a 2013 voter suppression bill. The catch is that last summer 140,000 Arizonans signed petitions to stop implementation of HB2305 and put it on the ballot in 2014– in a sense asking Arizona voters if they want the Legislature to suppress their right to vote and to put initiatives on the ballot (among other things, list here.)

If HB2196 survives the Legislative process, the Legislature will have taken away our right to vote on this measure– essentially using political maneuvering to suppress our vote. How convenient. Furthermore, Republican Legislators plan to pass several smaller voter suppression bills individually this year. (They tried this last year, and the tactic didn’t work.)

I guess Orr’s vote shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, since Orr voted for the original HB2305.

Don’t be fooled by the politicos who say Orr’s a moderate. He’s pro-life (with a 0% approval rating from Arizona Right to Choose). He’s backed by the NRA, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Small Business Association, and he has a 61% approval rating by the Goldwater Institute. Check out his voting record here.

The upcoming match-up for the highly competitive LD9 house seat between Orr and Dr. Randy Freise should be interesting. Stay tuned.

Community Forum on Keeping Children Safe and Healthy

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Press release from the Children's Action Alliance:

PDA Meeting, Jan 23: Should Arizona Move Its Money? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Following the Wall Street crash and the housing market collapse a few years ago, the Move Your Money campaign encouraged millions of Americans to take their money out of big commercial banks and hold the funds locally in credit unions and community banks.

Is it time for state governments to move their money?

Across the US, millions of dollars of taxpayer funds are held in big commercial banks and invested on Wall Street. If Arizona had a public bank, the state’s rainy day funds would be held and invested in Arizona.

Local investment of state funds translates into jobs and a stronger economy. An Arizona public bank could create jobs by investing in public works projects, can boost entrepreneurship by backing small business loans through community banks, can build our state’s future by helping finance college loans—and much more. Isn’t it time that Arizona invested in Arizona—instead of Wall Street?

Why does Arizona need a public bank?

• Maybe it's because Arizona has a crumbling infrastructure and "no money" to fix roads, bridges, and public buildings?
• Maybe it's because Arizona's entrepreneurs can't get the capital they need to grow and innovate?
• Maybe it's because cities and towns are strapped for cash and have have to sell bonds and pay high fees in order to get credit?
• Maybe it's because Arizona has the 3rd lowest credit rating in the US, making borrowing extremely expensive?
• Maybe it's because Arizona is among the 10 worst states in the country for home foreclosures?
• Maybe it's because 10 Arizona banks have failed in the last few years?
• Maybe it's because university tuition continues to increase, pricing young Arizonans out of the market for higher education?

The answer is, of course, all of the above and more. 

Come to the January 23, 2014 meeting of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Tucson Chapter to learn how public banking can build Arizona’s economy and benefit Arizona’s citizens. [Event details and video after the jump.]

Community gun-control and mental-health forum

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Tucson City Council member Steve Kozachik is hosting a community gun-control and mental-health forum Tuesday, January 7, at 6:30 p.m., at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. The forum will follow a presentation of Living for 32:

Join us on January 7th for a screening of Living for 32, with a panel discussion to follow. On April 16th, 2007, 32 students were gunned down in a senseless shooting on the Virginia Tech campus. Colin Goddard was in the room, and survived multiple gun shot wounds. On the 7th, Colin will join the Tucson Chief of Police, Pima County Sheriff, representatives of the Mental Health service provider community, Mayor Rothschild and City Council member Steve Kozachik to discuss local initiatives related to mental health issues, background checks and other related topics. This forum is presented by The Loft Cinema, with support from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Organizing for Action and the Tucson Coalition against Gun Violence.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.

Tucson January 8th Memorial Events

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from The January 8th Memorial Foundation:

The January 8th Memorial Foundation is honored to present “January 8th Memorial Foundation: Together We Thrive,” which will be presented at three different branches of the Pima County Public Library from January 3rd-31, 2014. This is the first time any of these touching community-created materials will be publically seen since February 2011 and we want to remember together.

The exhibits will be installed at three libraries: Nanini, Eckstrom-Columbus and Joel D. Valdez Main. Each exhibit will have a special opening event:

■ Reception on Monday, January 6th at Joel Valdez Main Library at noon

■ Flag-raising and reception on Wednesday, January 8th at Nanini at 10:00 a.m.

■ Reception on Thursday, January 9th at Eckstrom-Columbus at 5:30 p.m.

These events are free and open to the public. The January 8th Memorial Foundation invites you to join us in this special remembrance of a tragedy which touched our community so deeply, as well as a celebration of the spirit of hope and caring so beautifully expressed in these tribute memorial items. Truly, together we thrive.

Other Community Events:

■ Monday, January 6 at 11 am
January 8th Foundation Board Press Conference
Historic Pima County Courthouse Courtyard, 115 N. Church Avenue

■ January 7 at 6 pm
Panel Discussion and Screening of Living for 32
Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

■ January 8 at 10:10 am
University of Arizona Medical Center Moment of silence/ringing of bells
University of Arizona Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue - front lawn

■ January 8 at 7 pm
Church Service, and short presentation by Pat Maisch
St. Phillips in the Hills Episcopal Church, Music Center. (River and Campbell)

■ January 11 from 12 to 3 pm
BEYOND: Commemorate, Celebrate, Commit (Community-wide event)
Armory Park, 200 South 6th Avenue

■ January 19 from 2 to 6 pm
Concert for Civility: Family Friendly Showcase
Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street

Please visit the Foundation's website at http://www.january8memorial.com/ for more information about our projects, and the Library’s website at http://www.library.pima.gov/ for more details on exhibit locations.

Shopping the ACA Marketplace: One Small Business' Route to 'Affordable' Healthcare

by Pamela Powers Hannley

With full implementation of the  Affordable Care Act (ACA), January 2014 marks the beginning of a new era in health insurance in the US.

For the chronically uninsured and for those with pre-existing conditions, it's been a long and financially perilous wait for all of the ACA benefits to kick in.

For anti-government, conservative ideologues, the three-year waiting period gave them time to mercilessly attack reform that will provide insurance for millions of Americans, spread layers of misinformation about "Obamacare," hold dozens of meaningless repeal votes in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, and hold the country hostage for 16 days in a multi-million-dollar government shutdown fiasco.

Today, December 23, 2013 is the cut-off date for enrollment in ACA insurance plans which begin January 1, 2014; the final deadline for ACA enrollment is March 31, 2014. Since the beginning of December, I have been shopping the healthcare marketplace on behalf of the ultra-small business that I work for--The American Journal of Medicine. On Friday, I submitted our final paperwork to our insurance broker.

This is the story of one small business' route to "affordable" care.

Our Journey

Our journey began long before the premier of Healthcare.gov, the much-maligned ACA enrollment website, and even before the ACA was signed into law in 2010. At the Journal, we had been unhappy with our health insurance plan through Aetna for years. Like clockwork, the cost went up 10-25% each year, forcing us to rethink coverage multiple times in order to live within our budget.  We also were dissatisfied with the limited number of even more expensive alternative plans offered to us. The Journal's editorial pages have been pushing for Medicare for all for years and broke the stories about medical bankruptcy in 2009 and continued medical bankruptcy under Romneycare in Massachusetts in 2011. Consequently, we were ready for the public option back in 2009; today, we're just glad that the ACA made it through the Republican gauntlet and the Supreme Court. Unlike recent news stories about people and small businesses wanting to keep their existing healthcare plans, we were waiting with baited breath for three years to dump our plan.

The bottomline is that with Obamacare, the Journal -- and the emplopyees-- will pay less for healthcare insurance. Read about our ACA Marketplace experiences and lessons learned after the jump.

As Income Disparity Grows, Tucsonans Protest Low Wages at Walmart & McDonalds

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Protests against the low wages paid by multinational corporate giants have been sweeping the country, since the Occupy Movement raised the consciousness of the 99%. On Black Friday, Nov. 29, at Walmart stores nationwide and again Thursday, Dec. 5 at McDonald's restaurants nationwide, workers, unionists, progressives, and other liberal activists protested unfairly low wages and barriers to unionization for millions of US workers.

With profits, CEO pay, and wage disparity at all time highs, isn't it time to raise the minimum wage to a living wage?

Here in Tucson, protesters chanted and waved signs in front of the Walmart on Valencia and the McDonald's in midtown. (For more on the Walmart protest, check out the video here.)

At McDonald's, approximately 80-100 citizens braved chilly temperatures and intermittent rain to protest low wages. In the days before the local protest, right wing radio host Jon Justice shared PDA Tucson's Facebook announcement about the event and urged his Facebook followers to come to the midtown McDonald's, show their support for the fast food chain, and eat some good food. (Excuse me, but McDonald's hasn't served "good food" in decades-- if ever.) This resulted in a flurry of comments on the PDA page and Justice's page about the "entitlement mentality", people being "paid what they're worth", and the fast food industry being "one key stroke away from 80% automation"-- justifying Arizona's $7.80/hour minimum wage and offering support to McDonald's franchisees who make millions on the backs of workers.

Protest Low Pay for Fast Food Workers in Tucson on Dec 5

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Across the US-- and here in Tucson-- citizens will be standing in solidarity with fast food workers who are demanding a living wage. The Tucson protest is at the McDonalds at Alvernon and Speedway. Here is the flyer . Here is a link to the Facebook event.

 

2013 Inauguration Celebration Luncheon

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party:

 

Join Us 

 

Monday, December 2nd

 

for the
PCDP Inauguration Celebration Luncheon
11:30am

 

Tucson Convention Center Ballroom
260 S. Church Ave.

 

Individual Tickets - $100
Tables of 10 - $1000

 

for more information, visit Pima Dems Online

 

Sponsorship Packages

 

Buy Your Tickets Now!

 

Businesses Call Shasta McManus at 520-822-7343 for Ticket Sales

RSVP at 520-326-3716 or [email protected]

2013 Inauguration Celebration Luncheon

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party:

 

Join Us 

 

Monday, December 2nd

 

for the
PCDP Inauguration Celebration Luncheon
11:30am

 

Tucson Convention Center Ballroom
260 S. Church Ave.

 

Individual Tickets - $100
Tables of 10 - $1000

 

for more information, visit Pima Dems Online

 

Sponsorship Packages

 

Buy Your Tickets Now!

 

Businesses Call Shasta McManus at 520-822-7343 for Ticket Sales

RSVP at 520-326-3716 or [email protected]

2013 Inauguration Celebration Luncheon

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party:

 

Join Us 

 

Monday, December 2nd

 

for the
PCDP Inauguration Celebration Luncheon
11:30am

 

Tucson Convention Center Ballroom
260 S. Church Ave.

 

Individual Tickets - $100
Tables of 10 - $1000

 

for more information, visit Pima Dems Online

 

Sponsorship Packages

 

Buy Your Tickets Now!

 

Businesses Call Shasta McManus at 520-822-7343 for Ticket Sales

RSVP at 520-326-3716 or [email protected]

Can Public Banking Spur Economic Growth in Southern Arizona?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tucson is one of the most impoverished cities in the country—for many reasons. The Arizona Legislature—driven by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and short-sighted, “small government” ideology—has routinely swept funds earmarked for counties and cities to "balance" the state’s budget or fund pet projects like lower corporate taxes.

Beyond the Legislature’s negative impact on Baja Arizona, the Tucson economy is not diversified enough. Manufacturing is nearly non-existent in Southern Arizona. There is an over-reliance on defense spending, University of Arizona spin-offs, tourism, low-wage service jobs, and growth/development. During the Great Recession, multiple income streams for our local economy were dramatically reduced or eliminated—resulting in the loss of hundreds, if not thousands of good-paying jobs due to budget cuts, business closures, and the housing market crash. People and jobs left the area.

In August, the Arizona Daily Star ran a week-long series on multiple aspects of poverty in Southern Arizona and just this week, the Star ran a story that stated Tucson was second only to Detroit in the proliferation of crappy, low-wage jobs. In a survey of 52 metro areas with over 1 million residents, Tucson was in the top 10 for job creation; the problem is that more than half of the projected 28,000 new jobs will pay less than $13.84/hour. (If you really want to be depressed, check out the list of Tucson's fastest growing occupations here. None of these jobs requires a college education. Thanks to TREO's efforts, telemarketer is #1. Thanks to Tucson's ample supply of old folks, the next four most popular jobs are low-wage health/caregiver positions. We won't break the cycle of poverty in this city with a jobs picture like this.)

So, we know that our city has big economic challenges. Now what? As I wrote back in August, it's time for some creative economic solutions. It's time to STOP our addiction to military spending. It's time to STOP relying on temporary construction jobs and low-wage hospitality industry jobs. It's time to defund TREO and STOP chasing rainbows by competing with other metro areas for "the next IBM" or the next spring training team. It's time to STOP sending our money to Wall Street for investment. It's time to START investing in Tucson. It's time for public banking. [Read why after the jump.]

PDA Meeting: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Affordable Care Act (and Healthcare Reform)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and healthcare reform, in general, will be the focus of PDA Tucson’s general membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14.

Andrea Witte (the Connect the Dots Lady) will present the updated version of “The American Healthcare CrazyQuilt”, which looks at how the US healthcare system evolved into the most expensive system in the world but still leaves millions of people uninsured. She also will discuss the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Eve Shapiro, local pediatrician and head of PDA Tucson’s universal healthcare issue organizing team, will talk about single-payer, universal healthcare and why that should be our country’s ultimate healthcare reform goal. The ACA is a step in the right direction but not the end of the road.

Concluding the healthcare portion of the program, Michal Goforth, executive director of the Pima County Access Program, will talk about local ACA outreach efforts and local implementation of the new healthcare law.

Rounding out the evening, PDA Tucson Chair Phil Lopes will discuss local and national initiatives of the Progressive Democrats of America.

The Nov. 14 meeting will be held at the Pima County Housing Center, 801 W. Congress St. The entrance faces Congress Street, but parking is on the North and East sides of the building. Doors open at 6 p.m.; program starts at 6:30 p.m.

Related Information:
Affordable Care Act Quick Reference Guide from Connect the Dots USA

Affordable Care Act Claims: PolitiFact Sorts Fact from Fiction

Cincinnati rejection of pension initiative foreshadows Arizona pension initiative fight in 2014

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Earlier this year I told you about the Virginia-based ballot initiative activist Paul Jacob, and his Liberty Initiative Fund that was behind the City of Tucson public employee pension initiative which failed to qualify for the ballot. As I told you, this right-wing organization was behind a Tea Party group called Cincinnati for Pension Reform, which did qualify this model pension initiative for the ballot in Cincinnati in November. Tucson and Cincinnati confront the same model pension initiative (Prop. 201).

So what happend with the Cincinnati pension initiative? It was overwhelmingly rejected by voters in a crushing defeat. Cincinnati Issue 4: Voters say loud no to pension reform:

Cincinnati voters overwhelmingly rejected Issue 4, a major overhaul of the city’s troubled pension system, in Tuesday’s election.

The vote was 78 percent against and 22 percent for.

Peter McLinden, Cincinnati-area Regional Director at AFSCME Ohio Council 8,  released this statement:

"Today's vote will be heard beyond Cincinnati and sends a message for those on the ideological extremes who think it is ok to impose their agenda on an entire city. Had this passed, outside money and political extremists would have cost Cincinnati taxpayers more money, with less services. ...  That said we all are dedicated to working together moving forward to fix the pension system in a way that is in the best interest of Cincinnati public employees and taxpayers."

Wind Dancer Design on TPAC Open Studio Tour (Shameless Self-Promotion)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

This weekend, Nov. 9-10, is the 26th Annual Tucson Pima Arts Council Open Studio Tour. More than 240 local artists, scattered all over Pima County, will open their art studios to visitors (and hopefully make a few sales). My midtown studio– Wind Dancer Design– will be one of them.

Buying local is always a good idea, but the Open Studio Tour gives art and craft lovers an opportunity to buy from Tucson’s smallest and most unique micro-businesses– local artists. It’s also highly cost-effective to buy direct from an artist, since local galleries and gift shops take 40-50% of the sale price as a consignment fee when you buy through them.

Since going to 240 artist studios is impossible in one weekend, the TPAC website allows you to review what’s available by location or by artist and plan your outing. Although there are many artist studios and collectives around downtown and the University of Arizona (like my daughter’s), there is also a high concentration of artist studios in the central Tucson area (where I am). Tour booklets which provide detailed maps, thumbnail photos, and artist details are available at local libraries and retailers around town, and you can download one here. (The booklets are so well done that they provide a year-round reference to local artists.)

The tour is Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days.

This holiday season, it’s time to forsake the chachkies made by Chinese children and buy uniquely Tucson gifts of local art. Come on down!

 

Dems cruise to council win, defend Tucson turf

Posted  by AzBlueMeanie:

Tucson's all-mail balloting for Tucson City Council elections produced a 26.94% turnout rate, according to the City Clerk's election results page this morning. There are an estimated 6,000 ballots yet to be prcoessed, but outstanding ballots are fewer than the margins of victory for the Democratic incumbents.

As expected, this was a no drama campaign with the Democratic city council members cruising to victory over their lackluster Tea-Publican challengers. Not in our house!

WARD 3

Karin Uhlich (D) Incumbent        34,708  58.38%

Ben Buehler-Garcia (R)              24,589  41.36%

WARD 5

Richard Fimbres (D) Incumbent  35,464  60.31%

Mike Polak (R)                          23,206  39,46%

WARD 6

Steve Kozachik (D) Incumbent    42,398  92,93%

(Unopposed)

The two propositions on the Tucson City Council ballot also passed by similar lopsided votes:

Proposition 401  62.09%

Proposition 402  65.83%

The Democratic city council incumbents ran a positive campaign, able to point to a record of successes and recovery over the past four years since the city, and the country, was at the nadir of the Bush Great Recession in 2009. Their GOP challengers were left to run a campaign of "don't believe your lying eyes," things aren't getting better, the sky is falling!

Reminder: Election Night Celebration

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party:

Catered Buffet from top local restaurants selected from our three City Wards in this year's election.

Weather permitting, event will be hosted on the beautiful Courtyard Pavilion.

Otherwise we will be hosting in the spacious Ballroom.

The Pima County Democratic Party is proud to be the host of Pima County's top Election Night celebrations each and every year.

These events are our gift to you to show our gratitude for your generosity and hard work.

Donors and volunteers like yourself are exactly what we are here to celebrate, win or lose.

- Contributions greatly appreciated -

Election Day is Today - Turn in Your Ballot!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

ELECTION DAY IS TODAY!!! (Yes, some people actually have to be reminded of this).

The City of Tucson will operate seven ballot-collection sites today from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.:

• City Clerk's Elections Center, 800 E. 12th Street.
• Dept. of Housing & Community Development, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop.
• Morris K. Udall Regional Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
• Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 N. 6th Avenue.
• William Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive.
• El Pueblo Senior Center, 101 W. Irvington Road.
• Parks and Recreation Administration Randolph Park, 900 S. Randolph Way.

Registered Voters who visit a voting location have three options:

1. Drop off a ‘voted’ ballot.
2. Cast a ballot in person and drop it in the ballot box.
3. Receive and vote a replacement ballot. Poll workers will have forms.

Call the City Clerk's Elections Office 520-791-3221 for more information.

Election Night Celebration

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the Pima County Democratic Party:

Catered Buffet from top local restaurants selected from our three City Wards in this year's election.

Weather permitting, event will be hosted on the beautiful Courtyard Pavilion.

Otherwise we will be hosting in the spacious Ballroom.

The Pima County Democratic Party is proud to be the host of Pima County's top Election Night celebrations each and every year.

These events are our gift to you to show our gratitude for your generosity and hard work.

Donors and volunteers like yourself are exactly what we are here to celebrate, win or lose.

- Contributions greatly appreciated -

Last Chance to Vote in The Tucson City Council Election

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, DO NOT MAIL YOUR TUCSON CITY COUNCIL ELECTION BALLOT!

Thursday, October 31, 2013 was the last day that mail delivery could be assured on time for your ballot to be received and counted.

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, the City will operate seven ballot-collection sites from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.:

• City Clerk's Elections Center, 800 E. 12th Street.
• Dept. of Housing & Community Development, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop.
• Morris K. Udall Regional Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
• Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 N. 6th Avenue.
• William Clements Recreation Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive.
• El Pueblo Senior Center, 101 W. Irvington Road.
• Parks and Recreation Administration Randolph Park, 900 S. Randolph Way.

Before Election Day, drop off ballots at the City Clerk's Elections Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Registered Voters who visit a voting location have three options:

1. Drop off a ‘voted’ ballot.
2. Cast a ballot in person and drop it in the ballot box.
3. Receive and vote a replacement ballot. Poll workers will have forms.

Call the City Clerk's Elections Office 520-791-3221 for more information.

Arizona Daily Star endorses Democratic incumbents in Tucson City Council election

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

With just ten days remaining in a vote-by-mail election for the Tucson City Council, the Arizona Daily Star finally got around to endorsing the incumbent Democratic council members. Star endorses encumbants Uhlich, Fimbres and Kozachik in City Council race:

Four years ago, the Arizona Daily Star endorsed Karin Uhlich and Richard Fimbres for seats on the Tucson City Council. Both are running for re-election and we renew our support in the November general election.

* * *

We underestimated Kozachik, a Democrat who represents Ward 6 in central Tucson. He has demonstrated tenacity, fairness, thoroughness and a dedication to the details that we find refreshing and much needed on the City Council. His willingness to not only ask questions but to bring important problems to light, as he did with serious deficiencies with the 911 communications system, for example, benefits the city. He steps out front on issues, such as organizing a gun buyback event, and shows what an engaged, common-sense public servant can do.

Kozachik is running unopposed but nevertheless has earned our endorsement.

Long story short:

Uhlich and Fimbres were in office during dark days for Tucson that included substantial budget cuts and, as Uhlich told us, “a culture in the city that believed that any problem could be fixed with a new rule or regulation.” She says the latter has changed and continues to change. We agree.

We believe Uhlich should lead the council to continue streamlining the permitting process and generally easing the challenges businesses face opening and growing their operations.

With Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, elected in 2011, at the helm and the feud with the board that runs the Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment taxing district in the rearview mirror, the council has made positive steps. It recognizes the wisdom of building business and trade relationships with businesses in Mexico, for example. It’s not perfect – no municipality can claim that – but it is better than it has been.

The momentum should be allowed to continue with Kozachik, Uhlich and Fimbres at the council table.

Tucson City Council Election - last chance to mail your ballot!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The City of Tucson votes by all-mail balloting (there is an early voting location for those of you who want to vote in-person). The ballots have been mailed to all registered voters in the City of Tucson. It should take you less than five minutes to mark your ballot, sign and date the affidavit envelope, and return your ballot by return mail. So quick and easy . . . you have no excuses!

2013 City of Tucson Election:

· Thursday, October 17: Ballots mailed to registered voters.

· Friday, October 18–Tuesday, November 5: Voting Location Open at Tucson City Clerk Elections Center, 800 E. 12th St. October 18-November 4, open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. November 5, open 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

· Thursday, October 31: Last day to mail your ballot to ensure it is received by the City Clerk’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

· Tuesday, November 5: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Your choices for Tucson City Council are pretty clear -- reelect the incumbent council members:

Ward 3 - Karin Uhlich (D) incumbent

Ward 5 - Richard Fimbres (D) Incumbent

Ward 6 - Steve Kozachik (D) Incumbent

There are two noncontroversial propositions on the ballot. Council member Regina Romero's office provided this explanation of the ballot measures:

Day of Action with Fred DuVal Today

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Reminder from the Pima County Democratic Party:

Sunday, October 27th
9:00am

Pima County Democratic Party Headquarters
4639 E. First St.

   

9:00 am Canvass

12:30 pm “Lunch on the GOTV” with special guest Fred DuVal in solidarity with Council Members Karin Uhlich, Richard Fimbres and Steve Kozachik

1:00pm Canvass

4:00 pm Canvass

5:00 pm Phonebank

RSVP to Emily at 326-3716 or [email protected]

Sign up for more exciting volunteer opportunities by calling

520-326-3716 or email Emily at [email protected]

 

Reminder: Days of Action This Weekend

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Hey "coalition of the ascendant" Democrats -- you still need to actually get out and do the hard work of campaigning to win. Demographics alone does not win elections. So here are two opportunities for you to put on your walking shoes and do some some grassroots campaigning this weekend. You can also phone bank.

SATURDAY

Red light runnners and illegal campaign signs

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Tucson Weekly today explores a dead-letter issue in the Tucson City Council race now that Tucson's political gadfly, John Kromko, and his political committee Tucson Traffic Justice failed to qualify a ballot measure banning traffic cameras for the November ballot.

The report itself is relatively innocuous, pointing out that Democratic city council members support the red-light cameras at designated intersections because they have substantailly reduced the number of accidents (the number of collisions at the monitored intersections has decreased from 188 in 2006 to 74 in 2012) and prevented injuries. It's fair to say the cameras have probably saved lives. The Tea-Publican candidates have doubts about the red-light cameras because "freedom!" to run red lights and to jeopardize other motorists on the road, or some such nonsense. Candid Camera Conflict.

One comment from Tea-Publican candidate Mike Polak jumps out:

"How do you know it didn't malfunction?" Polak asked. "They do malfunction, because our roads are in such poor condition here."

Polak's initial question is fair. I have challenged the cameras in court, to no avail (Arizona's courts treat the calibration of the cameras as proprietary and a trade secret not subject to discovery).

But Polak's statement that cameras malfunction because our roads are in poor condition? Damn, Dude. "Mr. Science" you are not. There is no cause and effect between a malfunctioning camera and poor road conditions. And by the way, our roads are in such poor condition because your Tea-Publican friends in the Arizona Legislature have been sweeping stealing HURF funds and state revenue sharing from the City of Tucson for years to "balance" the state budget with gimmicks. Maybe you should demand that your friends in the Arizona Legislature give back the money they stole from the City of Tucson.

Community Forum Tonight on Tucson Ballot Propositions

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

City staff will be on hand tonight at a community forum to discuss the two propositions appearing on this year's City ballot: Prop. 401, a permanent $50M adjustment to the City's base expenditure limitation; and Prop. 402, the City's new General Plan. Both measures were referred to November's ballot by Mayor and Council. Both measures, under Arizona law, require voter approval in order to take effect.

WHAT: Community Forum on Propositions 401 and 402

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: the Randolph Center, Performing Arts Building #2, 200 S. Alvernon Way.

Video on Prop. 401: http://bit.ly/1a57MzN

Video on Prop. 402: http://bit.ly/17GT0JC

Days of Action this Weekend

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Hey "coalition of the ascendant" Democrats -- you still need to actually get out and do the hard work of campaigning to win. Demographics alone does not win elections. So here are two opportunities for you to put on your walking shoes and do some some grassroots campaigning this weekend. You can also phone bank.

And on Sunday, a Day of Action with Fred DuVal, Democratic candidate for Governor:

Day of Action this Sunday, October 27. Tucson City Council candidates Karen Ulich, Richard Fimbres, Steve Kozachik, and 2014 candidate for Governor Fred Duval are coming together for the 2013 Get Out the Vote and preparing for the 2014 gubernatorial election.

Canvass shifts are:

9:00am-12:00pm

1:00pm-4:00pm

4:00pm-7:00pm

Fred DuVal will kick off the day at 9:00 am. At 12:30 pm, all candidates will get together for a GOTV lunch and Fred DuVal will be holding a roundtable forum with student leaders from 2:30 pm-3:30 pm.

Below is the link to sign up for shifts. Please feel free to pass this along.

http://tinyurl.com/TucsonDayofActionDemocratic

Please encourage your friends, neighbors, family and classmates to volunteer for this exciting event and also participate in our roundtable discussion. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to Get Out the Vote and meet our candidates!

Karin Uhlich web ad

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

As a follow-up to the previous fact check post, here is a positive message from Tucson Councilwoman Karin Uhlich's campaign.

Tucson: Headed in the Right Direction

Best Cities for Jobs, Forbes

Best Cities to Find a Job, CareerBliss

Emerging Entrepreneurial Hub, Entrepreneur Magazine

Best Housing Markets, BusinessInsider

Best Places to Retire in the U.S., Wall Street Journal MarketWatch

Best Performing Mid-Sized Cities, Headlight.com

Best Public Transportation, Brookings 

Most Bikeable Cities, The Atlantic

Most Pet-Friendly Cities, Examiner.com

Most Hospitable Cities, BuzzFeed

Best Weekend Getaways, U.S. News & World Report 

Video below the fold.

Benny's 'Pants on Fire' attack ad

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Tucson City Council election ballots were mailed last Thursday, and timed to coincide with those ballots arriving in voters' mailboxes was an attack ad from Tea-Publican candidate Ben Buehler-Garcia that aired on cable channels in Tucson. (Video below the fold). The ad appears to be the exact same ad that Benny ran in 2009! Seriously, you are recycling four year old campaign ads?

Per usual for Tea-Publican candidates, the attack ad includes distortions and "Pants on Fire" lies in 2013. Here is what the Arizona Daily Star said four years ago. Star takes closer look in race for seat in Ward 3 - Arizona Daily Star:

The image:

A camera pans over a construction site, while the screen flashes "Over $150 million wasted."

The screen shows a police car with the words, "No funding for basic equipment."

The screen cuts to images of closed businesses while the text reads, "Forbes ranks Tucson worst for business."

Fact check:

• Define "wasted." Of the estimated $600 million in state sales taxes the project is expected to receive by the time it expires in 2025, about $200 million has either been spent or committed. Since the project was approved a decade ago with the promise of a host of museums, a re-creation of Tucson's birthplace and a downtown hotel, a healthy chunk of the money has been spent instead on plans and consulting, in some cases for projects that never got off the ground, like the scuttled Rainbow Bridge and the stalled UA Science Center. Among the bricks-and-mortar projects: Money has been spent on restoring the Fox Theatre, helping refurbish the Rialto Theatre, re-creating a piece of the adobe Presidio Wall and developing infrastructure for a new downtown subdivision.

Critics say that's not enough of a return on investment — a sentiment that prompted the Legislature to pass reforms to strip the city of its oversight.

Tucson City Council Election - return your ballot!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The City of Tucson votes by all-mail balloting (there is an early voting location for those of you who want to vote in-person). The ballots have been mailed to all registered voters in the City of Tucson. It should take you less than five minutes to mark your ballot, sign and date the affidavit envelope, and return your ballot by return mail. So quick and easy . . . you have no excuses!

2013 City of Tucson Election:

· Thursday, October 17: Ballots mailed to registered voters.

· Friday, October 18–Tuesday, November 5: Voting Location Open at Tucson City Clerk Elections Center, 800 E. 12th St. October 18-November 4, open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. November 5, open 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

· Thursday, October 31: Last day to mail your ballot to ensure it is received by the City Clerk’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

· Tuesday, November 5: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Your choices for Tucson City Council are pretty clear -- reelect the incumbent council members:

Ward 3 - Karin Uhlich (D) incumbent

Ward 5 - Richard Fimbres (D) Incumbent

Ward 6 - Steve Kozachik (D) Incumbent

There are two noncontroversial propositions on the ballot. Council member Regina Romero's office provided this explanation of the ballot measures:

Ballots mailed in Tucson City Council election today - return your ballot!

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The City of Tucson votes by all-mail balloting (there is an early voting location for those of you who want to vote in-person). The ballots are being mailed to all registered voters in the City of Tucson beginning today. It should take you less than five minutes to mark your ballot, sign and date the affidavit envelope, and return your ballot by return mail. So quick and easy . . . you have no excuses!

2013 City of Tucson Election:

· Thursday, October 17: Ballots mailed to registered voters.

· Friday, October 18–Tuesday, November 5: Voting Location Open at Tucson City Clerk Elections Center, 800 E. 12th St. October 18-November 4, open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. November 5, open 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

· Thursday, October 31: Last day to mail your ballot to ensure it is received by the City Clerk’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

· Tuesday, November 5: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Your choices for Tucson City Council are pretty clear -- reelect the incumbent council members:

Ward 3 - Karin Uhlich (D) incumbent

Ward 5 - Richard Fimbres (D) Incumbent

Ward 6 - Steve Kozachik (D) Incumbent

There are two noncontroversial propositions on the ballot. Council member Regina Romero's office provided this explanation of the ballot measures:

UPDATE: Oct 16 PDA Tucson Fall Membership Meeting Postponed until Nov 14

by Pamela Powers Hannley

October 15 Update:

Yesterday, I posted a notice about the Fall Membership Meeting of PDA Tucson. The headline speaker was to be Congressman Raul Grijalva.

The Congressman had to cancel, so the PDA meeting is being postponed until Thursday, Nov. 14. 

Here is a link to the event on Facebook. You can find updates there or on this blog. We had hoped that Grijalva canceled because he was called back to DC to vote on lifting the shutdown and the debt ceiling, but given this afternoon's headlines that vote appears to be a distant dream.

October 14 Blog Post:

With the government shutdown, historic gridlock in Congress, and multiple protests errupting, Washington DC has been a hotbed of political activity.

While some Arizona Democrats are cozying up to the Republicans, Congressman Raul Grijalva continues to be a leader of the progressive movement. Last week, he and other progressive Congressmen were arrested at a recent immigration reform protest in DC (above). He also spoke with Democracy Now about the shutdown and immigration reform.

This Wednesday, October 16, Grijalva will give a Washington update at the Fall Membership Meeting of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Tucson Chapter at the Ward 6 midtown office.  

Tucson City Council Candidate Forum

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson: