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Call for Bipartisan Investigation into Arizona Senate Actions

The Observer — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:06:57 -0500

PHOENIX (Observer Update) - Equality Arizona called on Senate President Tim Bee (R-30) today to immediately form a bipartisan commission to investigate alleged illegal actions that took place on the Senate floor on the last day of this year’s legislative session. In a letter delivered to Senator Bee’s office today, Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones contends that Senators Jack Harper (R-4) and Thayer Verschoor (R-22) deliberately broke Senate rules to deny openly-gay Senators Paula Aboud (D-28) and Ken Cheuvront (D-15) their rights, and that Senator John Huppenthal (R-20) may have been involved in developing the scheme.

“The people of Arizona deserve a complete and accurate account of what happened,” said McCullough-Jones. “These Senators must be held accountable for breaking the rules and disregarding our democratic process. A bipartisan investigation will help to ensure impartiality and transparency so that the people can be fully informed.”

In the five-page letter, McCullough-Jones cites audio, video and written transcripts of the hearing, which she says reveals that Harper, who was acting as the presiding officer at the time, wrongfully shut off the microphones of Aboud and Cheuvront in the middle of a debate. According to McCullough-Jones, Harper acknowledged his role in interrupting the debate and chose not to correct the situation. “Rather, he deliberately ignored their calls for corrective action and recognized Senator Verschoor, who was already poised and at his microphone to effectively kill the debate with his improper motions,” wrote McCullough-Jones.

The actions in question took place during a debate on House Bill 2723 when the Senate was acting as the Committee of the Whole. The maneuver paved the way for a vote on Senate Concurrent Resolution 1042, a referendum that forces Arizona voters to once again vote on another proposed amendment to constitutionally define marriage. Arizona voters rejected a similar measure in 2006. State statute already limits marriage to opposite-sex couples, which has already been upheld as constitutional by Arizona courts.

Bee rebuffs idea of panel to probe GOP handling of marriage issue

(author unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:16:12 -0500

PHOENIX — State Senate President Tim Bee rejected a request Wednesday to appoint a bipartisan panel to investigate whether Republicans broke legislative rules when they ended a filibuster attempt that could have killed a measure on gay marriage.

Aftermath of the President’s visit.

Josey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:45:50 -0500

Tucson Weekly’s Scramblewatch ‘08 and Blob for Arizona have been going crazy with excitement because they finally got their photo of the President and Senator Tim Bee. What these two blogs do not realize is that they have the unofficial version of the picture. Because of an inside connection to the party we were able [...]

Today’s Political Action: Candidates Square Off in Debates!

Jim Nintzel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:18:03 -0500

Two big events for those of you who are not going to out to Tucson Electric Park for the very last buck-beer night, seeing as how we’ve lost our Triple-A Sidewinders to Reno after this season.

The Democratic candidates in Legislative District 27—Reps. Phil Lopes and Olivia Cajero Bedford and challenger John Kromko—will meet on KUAT-TV’s Arizona Illustrated at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 6. Moderators will be Arizona Illustrated anchor Bill Buckmaster and Tucson Weekly senior writer Jim Nintzel. The program repeats at 12:30 and 5:30 a.m. Friday, July 25.

If you’re craving live action, you can catch the four GOP candidates running for two House seats in Legislative District 30—Sharon Collins, Frank Antenori, Doug Sposito and David Gowan—at a Clean Elections debate at 7 p.m. at the PCC District Office, 4905 E. Broadway.

AZ = Presidential Swing State?

Jim Nintzel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:10:42 -0500

The New York Times is the latest outlet to question whether Arizona is a swing state in the 2008 presidential contest. We have a hard time swallowing that one, but the McCain campaign did include the Grand Canyon State in his own list of swing states some time back.

The most recent Rasmussen Reports poll of Arizona voters, taken in June, showed McCain leading Obama by 9 percentage points–a dip from a stronger earlier lead of 20 percentage points.

From the Times:

In the sea of uncertainty that defines American politics, presidential candidates have generally been able to count on the residents of their home state, Al Gore’s loss of Tennessee in 2000 being a notable exception.

But a variety of factors have made Mr. McCain’s chances in Arizona less assured than they ordinarily would seem, which his campaign has acknowledged.

The number of independent voters in Arizona has risen 12 percent since 2004, and those voters have helped send a Democrat to the governor’s mansion and given the party four of the state’s eight Congressional seats — including two in 2006, one in a historically Republican district.

At the same time, Arizona Democrats, like many of their counterparts around the country, have outpaced Republicans in voter registration, adding almost 20,000 voters to the rolls since March, compared with the Republican majority’s 8,600 new voters. The second-term Democratic governor, Janet Napolitano, remains wildly popular.

Last month, the McCain campaign startlingly added Arizona to its list of 24 “battleground states,” a fact that state Democrats have clung to like sprinkles on a soft-serve ice cream cone.

“John McCain has striking vulnerabilities here,” said Emily DeRose, spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party. “We are going to take him to the mat. We are not giving him a pass in Arizona.”

Why the Shame?

Tedski — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:32:37 -0500

Last week, Tim Bee had George Bush come to town to raise money for him. No pictures, no reporters and according to Daniel Scarpinato, participants were asked to put all possible recording devices away.

In contrast, Gabrielle Giffords brought Janet Napolitano to town to raise money for her. She was more than happy to release a picture with the “name” she brought in to fundraise for her.

Makes you wonder if Bee is, you know, embarassed by the President. After all, Bee claims not to support him…

Congressman Mitchell endorses Kirkpatrick for CD-1

(author unknown) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:08:11 -0500

Further evidence of her support among Arizona's Democratic establishment, Ann Kirkpatrick has secured the endorsement of Congressman Harry Mitchell in her bid for the 1st Congressional District.

"I have seen Ann's work up-close at the state Legislature and I know she has the toughness, dedication and deep committment to Arizona she needs to make a great member of Congress," said Mitchell, a freshman Democrat representing the 5th Congressional District. "I'm very proud to endorse her candidacy, and I will be very proud to work with her to change the way Washington works and do what is right for Arizona."

Kirkpatrick is leading a pack of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for CD-1, including Mary Kim Titla, Howard Shanker and Jeffrey Brown. Incumbent Congressman Rick Renzi is not seeking-re-election.

Kirkpatrick has opened a significant fundraising lead over her opponents. She also has locked down support from the party infrastructure, with backing from leading figures such as Gov. Janet Napolitano, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (CD-8) and former Navajo Nation President Dr. Peterson Zah.

What's missing from Bee's ad? 'Republican'

(author unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:12:57 -0500

Senate President Tim Bee is airing his second commercial in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

S. Ariz. lawmakers do right by kids

(author unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:12:28 -0500

Many Arizona leaders have shown that being uninsured is a children's health problem they are ready to cure. Two weeks ago, the vast majority of Southern Arizona's state representatives and senators voted "yes" for a new budget that keeps health coverage strong for children in working families.

Opinions on Tim Bee, fund-raising event

(author unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:12:15 -0500

Tucson paid for Bush visit

Thanks for the Traffic, Jon!

Man Eegee — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:55:20 -0500

It looks like John McCain isn't the only one who can't quite figure out these here internet tubes work. The Journal Broadcast Group doesn't want the public to know the truth about 104.1 The Truth's insistence on promoting sexism, racism, and piñata pr0n by their morning host, Jon Justice. They keep working to have the webisodes that they uploaded themselves taken down, not realizing that the moment they went up, dozens of people downloaded them so they can be forever memorialized in the Hate Radio Hall of Shame.

Here's Justice's latest message linking to this site, whining to his listeners about the scary bloggers.

In the meantime I also get to deal with blogs like this one that do nothing but make up their own pathetic versions of the story to make me look like I am some horrible monster. This is why it is so hard to wage this battle when people have no morals or ethics by which call standard too.

For someone who advocates an English-only Homeland™, Jon, some tutoring at Pima wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for the traffic! x0x0

More on this at:

Oh, THAT Tax Increase

Greg Patterson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:57:55 -0500

On Wednesday, Governor Napolitano used her weekly press conference to blast the Majority Rule initiative. That's the proposal to change the Constitution so that a majority of the electorate has to approve tax increases. Under the current system, if half of the voters stay home, then 25% of the electorate (half of the 50% who actually vote) can pass a major tax increase. Requiring a tax increase to receive a majority of the actual electorate makes the process more difficult.

At one point, the Governor tried to argue that the measure isn't needed and she made this absurd comment. Fortunately, the Republic's Matthew Benson didn't let her get away with it.

"I don't know of anybody that's proposed a big tax increase," Napolitano said Wednesday, though she's one of the leading backers of a November initiative to increase the state sales tax by one percentage point. The measure would generate more than $42 billion over 30 years for transportation projects.

Oh, THAT tax increase.

The Governor was obviously thinking of a tax increase for the General fund and she's right, no one has proposed a general tax hike...yet.

However, the Governor and legislative Democrats managed to roll over the Republicans and pass a state budget that eliminated the state's rainy day fund, swept $340 million from dedicated funds, increased the school rollover by $640 million, borrowed $300 million for school construction and borrowed a billion dollars against future lottery proceeds to build additional university buildings.

There are two problems with that type of irresponsible gimmickry. The first is that you can only do it once. Most of those tricks are one shot deals. The second problem is that these accounting tricks don't address the underlying problem--approved spending is higher than projected revenue. The state is facing another billion dollar deficit when the legislature convenes in January.

The only way to balance the 2010 deficit will be to actually cut some spending or pass a massive tax increase. The Constitution requires a 2/3 vote for the legislature to raise taxes, so the easiest way for the Governor to tax her way out of her crisis was to go to the ballot. If the majority rule initiative passes, that option will be gone.

Piñata Pr0n Extraordinaire Jon Justice

Man Eegee — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:58:19 -0500

There is no greater promoter of human rights and advocate for migrant families in Baja Arizona than Isabel Garcia. She was a recipient of the 2006 Premio Naciónal de Derechos Humanos, presented by the Mexican government for the first time to someone who wasn't born there, in order to get an idea of the scope of work she's done. Rather than accept the award, however, she took the opportunity to call a press conference and demand that the affluent and elite south of border do more to promote economic justice among the working classes. It was a perfect example of Isabel's work to keep the focus on the underlying roots of human migration and exploitation, rather than on herself.

Isabel is one of the major driving forces behind the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, headquartered in Tucson, and that's just when she's wearing her organizer hat. She also serves as one of Pima County's leading Legal Defenders, which has Sheriff Joe Arpaio's pink underwear in a snit since apparently the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America does not apply to those who serve in government.

You see, Sheriff Joe came to town recently to sign copies of his new book that blames all the ills of society on "illegals". Well, that type of thing isn't received the same way in Tucson as it is north of the Gila, so a protest was organized in conjunction with Sheriff Joe's appearance. A piñata created in Arpaio's likeness, wearing his trademark pink boxers, was...well, it was a piñata, so you can imagine.

In response to the whole thing, Arpaio and his friends in the racist right's media empire took to the airwaves in the ironically named radio station 104.1 The Truth in an effort to get Isabel fired from Pima County. The station's radio personalities spend a majority of their time and advertising money on equating undocumented workers with terrorists, drug dealers, disease carriers, and invaders of the Homeland™ - pretty standard fare for a radio channel that also features Bill "Falafel" O'Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Michael Savage, etc etc etc.

One of the local gasbags on 104.1, Jon Justice, filmed a "webisode" of his show where he carressed and fondled a piñata intended to be the likeness of Isabel Garcia. Members of the Coalición de Derechos Humanos released the following statement:

Since last Friday, our office has received numerous hate calls, and Jon Justice has posted a YouTube video of himself with a piñata with Isabel's likeness, caressing it and making comments about "wanting to take it home with me," among a few other comments about "chorizo" and "viva la raza." You can see this video at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk8pa5GYraQ

We ask you, as community allies, to step up with us in defending Isabel Garcia, demand accountability from 104.1FM and KGUN 9, and that hate speech not be given a platform in our communities.

It is our First Amendment Right, and our duty as members of this society, to denounce anything that goes against the basic human and civil rights that ALL posess. To try to silence those that would condemn torture and raciscm is contrary to the rights of us all!

The YouTube video has since been removed of Jon Justice's sexual escapades with the piñata, the message says that "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Journal Broadcast Group" - pretty ridiculous when you consider that it was filmed and distributed as a "webisode" from Jon Justice and his staff. Apparently they realized that they crossed the line where their money flow could be endangered.

Speaking of money, here is the list of advertisers for 104.1 The Truth. There is a massive letter-writing and phone call campaign underway to call these businesses to withdraw their support to these racist and xenophobic messages being broadcast on the airwaves of Baja Arizona:

So far, the following previously listed sponsors have informed us of their intention to immediately withdraw their support of 104.1 FM:
Main Gate Square
Patio Pools & Spa
The Auto Body Shop
Advanced Recon
Aung Foot Health Clinics
Sol Cars
Interestingly, many of them were not even aware that their "package" deal with Journal Broadcasting Group meant advertising on 104.1 FM, and most were not aware of what they were supporting, and would not choose to support intolerance.

In addition, the following companies have expressed concern about this issue, and have assured us that they will be looking into the matter immediately:
El Parador
Allstate Insurance
State Farm Insurance
The Wildcat House
Maloney's Tavern
Progressive Plumbing
Axiom Drafting and Design
Integrity Automotive
More information at Derechos Humanos, including sample letters.

Enough is Enough. Please take the time to contact local Pima County officials in support of Isabel Garcia, as well as call on the advertisers of 104.1 "The Truth" to end their support for racism and hate. Gracias.

[UPDATE] The Wildcat House has pulled their ad sponsorship

[UPDATE the 2nd] Here's the infamous Piñata Pr0n Webisode:

Nice Try Phil

Left Out — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:31:54 -0500

Newly hip and stylin' Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has backed off on his call for slot machines to be placed in the Phoenix Airport in order to enhance city revenue coffers. Read the story HERE.

Not his greatest idea. Sure, it would make money, but it would put the city right in the middle of a revenue battle between the local Tribes (and their gaming interests) and the horse track lobby (who've been begging to put slots at their tracks for years). Politically it just wouldn't work.

Its almost as if Phil was simply naive about this idea. Doesn't he run his ideas by anyone? Or does he do his press calls while he's waiting at the pickup window at Starbucks on the way to work in the morning?

That said, good for Phil. Keep the ideas rolling Mr. Mayor --I'm glad you're willing to think outside the box.

LD 29 Democrat Debate.

Josey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:45:03 -0500

I do not usually attend Democrat Clean Elections debates by I could not resist the 7 primary candidate LD 29 gathering on July 17th. I was a little disappointed to find one of them, Anthony Guerra, absent but that still meant 6 Democrats on the stage. The six who did attend were Eric Carbajal Bustamante, Ephraim [...]

Rosemont Tests Local Elected Mettle

x4mr — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:39:03 -0500

Tucson, Arizona. The AZ Daily Star has a Rosemont Mine article about local objections to the construction of an open pit copper mine about half an hour south of Tucson near Madera Canyon and the Santa Catalina mountains. Aside from the general environmental impact that an open pit mine and its tailings can produce, I posted serious concerns about the mine's consumption of water we simply do not have.

The Rosemont Mine circumstance is particularly interesting because local opposition including virtually every elected official from Governor Nepolitano to both members of Congress (Grijalva and Giffords) to county supervisors and city council members have all come out against this mine, yet the federal government and antiquated rules dating back to the 1800's make the mine almost a sure thing. With this in mind, mine officials and spokesmen have rather nonchalantly gone through the motions as if it were an inevitability whose outcome was certain.

The next few years will prove the Canadian executives correct or not, and if a collision as clear delineated as this one has occurred, I am not aware of it. Will the mine adeversely impact the environment? Of course. Will most of the proceeds generated benefit a Canadian based corporation? Absolutely. Will the bulk of the benefit go elsewhere while the bulk of the burden hit locally? Without doubt. Can our local elected officials do a damned thing to stop this mine?

We'll see.

AZ CD 8 polling.

Josey — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:07:46 -0500

Last week a very favorable poll came out showing Gabrielle Giffords ahead in the AZ CD 8 race. At first I dismissed the numbers because the survey was conducted by what is considered a Democrat firm. Then I decided to go back to the 2006 election and check how the firm did in that [...]

Jack Harper - brazenly hypocritical or cluelessly ironic?

cpmaz — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:38:40 -0500

You know, I was going to write a couple of quips (succinct but witty ones, of course :) ) about the Phoenix New Times' piece on Russell Pearce's history of domestic violence. Turns out that in 1980, his wife filed for divorce, citing among other reasons, that Pearce has "...a violent temper and has from time to time hit and shoved his wife..." (courtesy the New Times' upload of the court documents).

I'm certain a crack that pondered the possibility that Pearce has sublimated his documented anger toward women into a hatred of Mexicans (more socially acceptable in LD18, that) was imminent, but it turns out that Jack Harper (helped along by Democratic senator Ken Cheuvront) is around to save Russell Pearce from some biting sarcasm (for now anyway :)) ).

Turns out that while the legislative session is over, it isn't *over.*

From the Arizona Republic -

An end-of-session maneuver that cut short a Democratic filibuster and paved the way for lawmakers to refer the same-sex marriage ban to the fall ballot is now the subject of a rare formal ethics complaint.

Democratic Sen. Ken Cheuvront of Phoenix has asked the Senate ethics committee to issue a formal reprimand against Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise. Cheuvront accuses Harper of conspiring with other Republican leaders to intentionally break the rules of the Senate by turning off microphones and allowing the Republican majority leader to make a motion in the middle of a debate between Democratic senators.

Harper, a previous winner of (and permanent contender for) the annual Legislative Loon Award, bemoaned the complaint as "partisan," while ignoring the fact that it was his own partisan maneuvers on the last day of the Senate's session that precipitated the complaint.

I'd say that his pronouncement on his latest troubles, whether rooted in hypocrisy or simple cluelessness, gives him a leg up on another Legislative Loon award, but there's no guarantee that he will return to the next session of the lege - he's facing a strong opponent in the person of Robert Boehlke.

Anyway, the complaint will be ruled on by Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, who admonished some of his senate colleagues for their "loss of decorum" during the final moments of the legislative session.

It should be noted, however, that Tibshraeny's concern over his colleagues' antics wasn't so strong that he couldn't vote for the anti-same sex marriage measure that Harper was so intent on railroading through that late night/early morning.

In short, while there might be a faux reprimand discussed for appearances' sake, nothing significant will come of this. Even if Tibshraeny finds merit to the complaint, it would take a majority vote of the senate to issue a reprimand, and the senate isn't scheduled to meet until the new lege is seated in January.

Later!

McCain seeking Arizona help in New Mexico

(author unknown) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:51:22 -0500

Arizona Sen. John McCain is looking for business backers and other supporters from his home state to travel to New Mexico this weekend to help his presidential effort.

Beamed from the Hive

(author unknown) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:31:39 -0500

Senate President Tim Bee is airing his second commercial in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

The ad is a straight-up, here's-what-I-did spot that builds on the first commercial, explaining his values. Bee's media folks are giving him a textbook roll out.

A few things pop-out. Bee still hasn't told viewers that he's a Republican. His first ad didn't make that point. Rather the campaign slogan is "independence a change." And check this out, the ad touts how increased money for child services, education and university research. Bee's campaign is REALLY running him to the left.

His candidacy is strong enough to warrant a funder arm-in-arm with George W. Bush. He's been counseled by Karl Rove. He's got one of the more conservative campaign consultants in the state, with a national name among values voters. And Bee is introducing himself as a center-left campaign, without ties to the GOP. Perhaps he's smartly grabbing the center from Giffords before she gets a chance to claim it. Or the Republicans are running the same hide-my-party message that led Democrats to the slaughter for most of the last 20 years.

Either way, it's not just me. The Republicans are bracing themselves for horror, even where they are strong.

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