Bad bills becoming law: State gun

Posted on 07/20/2011 @ 07:47 PM

SB 1610 | state firearm

Arizona is suffering from an unprecedented housing crisis, a stagnant economy, and an education system with per-pupil funding at or near the bottom of the national rankings. How did our Legislature address these very serious problems? In 2010, the answer was making fireworks legal. This year, it was designating an official state gun.

That’s right, the Russell Pearce Republicans have now enshrined into state law that the Colt Single-Action Army revolver is the state's official firearm. (Psst ... Colt isn’t even based in Arizona -- try Connecticut.)

Bad bills becoming law: Loosening firearms safety

Posted on 07/20/2011 @ 07:47 PM

HB 2146 | concealed weapons permit; training

This bill, becoming law today, removes the ability of the Department of Public Safety to regulate and certify instructors for firearms safety courses. It also removes DPS’ authority to regulate the curriculum of the courses. This means DPS has no ability to step in if an instructor is teaching inappropriate or unsafe techniques, making it more difficult to root out incompetent instructors.

In 2010, Arizona was ranked dead last for gun safety laws. In light of the Sen. Lori Klein incident, perhaps our Legislature should be recommitting to stronger safety training measures rather than loosening those standards.

Bad bills becoming law: Adoption discrimination

Posted on 07/20/2011 @ 07:47 PM

SB1188 | marital preferences; adoption

This may be the meanest bill passed in 2011: SB1188 puts gay and lesbian couples at the back of the line for adopting children, behind heterosexual couples. Studies have found no difference in the health and performance of children raised by either heterosexual or homosexual parents. So when children are in need of supportive, loving parents, why would our state discriminate? Gov. Brewer and the Russell Pearce Republicans chose their own ideology over the quality of life for these children.

Bad bills becoming law: State militia

Posted on 07/20/2011 @ 07:47 PM

SB1495 | Arizona state guard; establishment

Thanks to SB1495, the governor now has the power to create a volunteer militia for “any reason considered to be necessary.” Sounds pretty air-tight! This is a concoction of Sen. Sylvia Allen, who wants this force to be called up by the governor to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border. Allen even admits, though, that more specific guidelines are needed.

We know what you’re thinking: “How can I sign up?” Fortunately, the bill makes these standards as broad as it does the governor's power. According to the bill, those eligible are “capable citizens of the state between the ages of 18 and 45 and of those who have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, subject to the laws of the United States and of Arizona.” So if you’re between ages 18 and 45, welcome aboard!

Bad bills becoming law: Tea Party license plates

Posted on 07/20/2011 @ 07:47 PM

SB1402 | special license plates (for the Tea Party!)

The irony is so dense it could create a black hole: The anti-government Russell Pearce Republicans vote to have the government issue special license plates for the anti-government Tea Party.

Irony aside, special license plates aren’t intended for aiding political parties or causes. But despite the glaring reasons to reject this bill, (not to mention some Tea-Party members saying they didn't even want the license plates), Gov. Brewer signed it anyways. A spokesperson for the governor insisted that “this is something most Arizonans can support.” Now, back to that black hole...

Keep Arizona's redistricting independent!

Posted on 07/12/2011 @ 07:47 PM

In 2000, Arizonans overwhelmingly voted to take the power away from politicians who had been gerrymandering our state to advance the interests of political parties. By passing Prop. 106, voters created an Independent Redistricting Commission with two Republicans, two Democrats, and one independent. In March, we launched the Drawing a New Arizona Project to serve as a watchdog for this important process and to protect its independence.

When people hear about redistricting, their eyes may glaze over or they think it's inside baseball. They're wrong. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important to the future of our state. Arizona is a moderate, mainstream state with extremists in charge in the Legislature. Because of a lack of fair and competitive districts during the redistricting process 10 years ago, extremists like Senate President Russell Pearce are elected by a few thousand partisan primary voters, and they never face a competitive general election where moderate views prevail.

This year, Arizona has the chance to change that -- but an angry set of partisans whose stranglehold on our state is now being threatened is determined to stop that.

Republicans and Tea Partiers have been organizing protests at redistricting commission meetings -- protests like those seen during the 2000 Florida recount and at 2009's health care town halls. More significantly, GOP House Speaker Andy Tobin and Republican State Chair Tom Morrissey have been pressuring Gov. Brewer to call a legislative special session to remove the independent chair of the Independent Redistricting Commission so they can replace her with someone who will bend to their will. This kind of power play is grossly inappropriate and goes against the will of the voters who passed Prop. 106.

The Constitution allows for the removal of a member only for "substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or inability to discharge the duties of office." Removal is not a political tool to bully the commission or compromise the independence of this important process. This is a brazen threat to use raw political power in ways that make what Tom Delay did in Texas pale in comparison.

These Republicans are used to exercising total control of Arizona politics, and now they are resorting to intimidation tactics simply because they disagree with certain votes by the commission. Yet the commission has thus far played it down the middle -- for instance, choosing Gov. Brewer's former counsel and Attorney General Goddard's former solicitor general to be the commission's co-counsel.

Let me be clear: I don't know whether Democrats will ultimately be happy with the lines this commission produces or not. That's not the point -- and it's not the commission's job to please one party or another. That's why, when we launched our Drawing a New Arizona Project, we vowed to "protect the independence of the commission from political influence and lawsuits."

That's what we all need you to do now. Calls are flooding Gov. Brewer's office asking her to take this extraordinary, unconstitutional partisan action to remove the independent chair and push the commission toward more partisan goals. We need you to help protect the independence of the commission and make your voice heard - whether you are a Democrat, independent or Republican who puts the rule of law above partisan politics. Here's what you can do:

1. Call Gov. Brewer at 602-542-4331 or click here to email her and and say that mainstream Arizonans won't let a partisan power grab interfere with the Independent Redistricting Commission.
2. Write a letter to the editor of your local media outlet. Click here to get started.
3. Attend a redistricting meeting and make your voice heard during the public comment portion of the agenda. Click here to find out when future IRC meetings will be held.

This isn't about Democrats or Republicans. Its about a better, saner Arizona -- and one where our politicians abide by the rule of law even when it's not convenient to holding on to partisan power.

Thanks, Andrei Cherny Chair, Arizona Democratic Party

###

Dem Update: AZ House Dems - 'Shame on GOP for failing to fix jobless aid'

Posted on 06/13/2011 @ 07:47 PM

Today, Arizona House Democrats called on legislative Republicans to finally make an emergency fix to restore unemployment benefits for thousands of struggling Arizonans. Democratic lawmakers have relentlessly called for this extension, but when the Legislature went into special session last Friday, Republicans refused to act. This is the latest example of Arizona Democrats focusing on the priorities of mainstream Arizona and the middle class, while the Russell Pearce Republicans waste time on extreme priorities like birther bills and tea party license plates.

Here's the press release issued by the Arizona House Democratic Caucus:

House Democrats: 'Shame on GOP for failing to fix jobless aid'

Minority party joins governor in calling for fix from GOP supermajorities

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – House Democrats are calling Republicans’ inaction on the jobless aid issue “irresponsible,” saying today is “strike three” if GOP lawmakers can’t get it together and do the right thing for Arizona.

“Shame on Republicans for holding unemployed Arizonans hostage while they play political games,” said House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. “They are not on your side and they are turning their backs on Arizonans who were laid off, unemployed and struggling to put food on the table. They could have fixed this back in April. They could have fixed this on Friday. Arizonans should consider today strike three.”

Republican lawmakers, who have supermajorities in both chambers, had opportunities to make a one-word change in state law so nearly 45,000 Arizonans can continue to receive jobless benefits while they search for work — House Democrats asked them to make the change in April during the regular session but they refused. And last week, Gov. Jan Brewer called a special session just to make the fix, but on Friday, the first day of the session, Republicans again refused, missing a deadline when attendance was high.

Even Brewer said this in a press release Friday: “…you don’t balance the federal budget by turning your back on Arizonans in their time of need. That’s not principled fiscal conservatism. It’s just cruel…get to work. The people of Arizona, your constituents, are counting on it.”

In April, 9.4 percent of Phoenix’s workers were unemployed. In Yuma County alone, the unemployment rate is three times higher. The fix would keep nearly $3.5 million a week flowing into the Arizona economy.

“This is absolutely outrageous that they can’t make a one-word change that virtually costs the state nothing,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Steve Farley. “If we don’t make use of our own tax dollars, another state will get them. It’s time to hold Republican lawmakers, who have total control of state government, accountable for their inaction on this. The governor, minority Democrats and Arizonans are all calling for this fix. This is the prime example of how Republicans just aren’t on your side.”

Contact: Sarah Muench, Communications Director
www.azhousedemocrats.com - www.strongerarizona.com

###

How to help victims of AZ wildfires

Posted on 06/08/2011 @ 10:39 PM

Dear Friend,

The Wallow Fire is now the second largest wildfire in state history. Residents in eastern Arizona communities are being evacuated and displaced into shelters and other areas of the state. They are losing their homes and in many cases, their livelihoods.

We may feel helpless as we watch the Wallow Fire tear through these beloved communities, but there are things we can do to help, right now. The Arizona Democratic Party is launching a donation drive for displaced residents who lack basic necessities. This week, we are extending the hours at AZ Dem state headquarters so people can drop off items during the day or in the evenings after they leave work. Items can also be dropped off at Pima County and Coconino County Democratic Party headquarters. The first delivery of donated items will be this weekend, but we will continue to collect donations throughout next week. Details below:

WHAT: Donation drive for victims of the Arizona wildfires.

WHERE TO DROP OFF ITEMS:
Phoenix -- Arizona Democratic Party headquarters, 2910 N. Central Ave.; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today through Friday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri next week.
Tucson -- Pima County Democratic Party headquarters, 4639 E. First St., Tucson; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri
Flagstaff -- Coconino County Democratic Party headquarters, 201 E. Birch, Suite A (Historic Ice House); 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon-Fri.

ITEMS NEEDED: • Gatorade (Liquid or powder) • Bottled water • Non-perishable snacks • Soap • Lip balm • Razors • Toothpaste • Toothbrushes • Toothbrush covers • Floss • Lotion • Shampoo • Conditioner • Baby wipes • Breathing masks

Let's show our fellow Arizonans that they aren't alone during this challenging time. We are all in this together. Thank you for helping out.

Sincerely,

Andrei Cherny Chair, Arizona Democratic Party

Cherny: Gratitude must be earned, governor

Posted on 04/22/2011 @ 06:09 PM

Next year, we will celebrate Arizona’s centennial and honor the brave, bold, visionary leaders—Democrats and Republicans—who took a desert and made it a vibrant home for millions. That is our legacy of leadership. On the other hand, The Arizona Republic’s editorial board saw fit today to take me to task for not saying “thank you” to Governor Brewer for vetoing a bill to demand President Obama’s birth certificate (“Dems pick up where GOP extremists left off,” April 22, 2011). Have we truly come to expect so little of our leaders that we now should be grateful to them for not enshrining a fringe conspiracy theory into state law?

I believe that public officials should clear a little bit higher bar before I need to rush out and buy them a thank you note. I am, despite The Republic’s assertion, far from “graceless.” My mother raised me right. I’d be much more than happy to say thank you to Governor Brewer, Senate President Russell Pearce, and the other Republicans who now control every aspect of Arizona state government. In fact, I’d even throw in flowers. If it’s my gratitude that they’re after, here’s some of what they could have done over the past few months and years to earn it:

• After five years of the worst job loss in Arizona history, they could have taken a single, solitary action that would help businesses create, not shed, jobs—and a lobbyist-sponsored giveaway that takes effect three years from now doesn’t count.

• They could have listened to business leaders like former Intel CEO Craig Barrett and invested in our schools instead of slashing public education and they could have funded it by collecting some of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes owed, but not paid, by our biggest corporations.

• With Phoenix facing the highest property crime rates in America, they might have not forced our local governments to take cops off our streets.

• When our hospitals and doctors offered ways to avoid massive cuts to health care, they could have worked with them instead of eliminating tens of thousands of jobs and overcrowding our hospital emergency rooms.

• They could have reformed government to make it work better and waste less instead authorizing runaway spending that imposed more debt on my children than in all the rest of Arizona’s history combined.

• When Russell Pearce had a virulently racist letter read on the floor of our state legislature, even one single Republican in high office could have had the courage to stand up and denounce him.

If Governor Brewer and The Republic believe that vetoing nutty mutterings while raising taxes on the middle class, selling off our State Capitol to Wall Street, and failing to help small businesses means that I should show my appreciation, they’ll have to keep waiting. I’m sorry if it makes me seem an ingrate, but I think we should start expecting more from our leaders.

In the meantime, I’ll continue to lead Arizona Democrats toward becoming a mainstream, big tent party that works with Democrats, independents, and fed-up Republicans who want a stronger economy, safer streets, and better schools. The contrast between our agenda and approach and that of the Russell Pearce Republicans couldn’t be clearer. Our ideas—from reforming public education to fiscal responsibility to helping entrepreneurs create jobs—show our credibility and our seriousness. We don’t ask for a thank you note, but hope to earn Arizonans’ trust come Election Day.

Andrei Cherny, a business consultant and former Arizona Assistant Attorney General, is the Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Dem Update: AZ House Dems fight to fix jobless aid

Posted on 04/18/2011 @ 07:47 PM

Today, Arizona House Democrats held a media briefing to call for an emergency fix so thousands of Arizonans will not lose their unemployment benefits as early as May. This is the latest example of Arizona Democrats focusing on the priorities of mainstream Arizona and the middle class, while the Russell Pearce Republicans waste time on extreme priorities like birther bills and tea party license plates.

Here's the press release issued by the Arizona House Democratic Caucus:

House Democrats urge jobless aid fix

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – House Democrats urged Republicans today to fix language in state law so 20,000 Arizonans do not lose their unemployment benefits as early as May.

The fix is simple, and Republicans, who control all of state government, should make the change to boost Arizona’s economy and help middle-class families find jobs, House Democrats said. They want Republicans to amend HB 2619 to include the fix.

“It’s the right thing to do,” said House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. “While the nation’s unemployment rate is getting better, Arizona’s is hovering at 9.5 percent. Republicans need to step up and fix this so Arizonans can get jobs.”

Nearly 20,000 Arizonans who are unemployed due to economic hard times could lose jobless aid in May if Republicans refuse to act on fixing language in state law. The state also will lose $4.5 million a week being pumped into the economy.

Because of the economic downturn, Congress voted to expand unemployment benefits. Workers qualify for an additional federal unemployment aid, for a total of 99 weeks. Extended benefits are those paid during the final 20 weeks of that 99-week period.

At issue is a state law that helps Arizonans take advantage of federal unemployment aid. Arizonans get extended benefits because the state's unemployment rate has remained high. But it will lose the aid because the rate fell slightly, although overall, it is still high.

The complex formula compares the current three-month average unemployment rate with what that average was two years ago. If the legislature changes the "look back" provision from two years to three years, Arizona will continue to get the federal unemployment benefits. “I talk face to face with my constituents to understand their concerns about the state, and by far their number one concern is jobs,” said Rep. Debbie McCune Davis, D-Phoenix (District 14). “Choosing not to make this fix could mean the difference between a laid-off, middle-class father being unable to put food on the table and finding a job.”

Fixing the language wouldn’t cost the state at all, and although the legislative session is wrapping up, the fix can be done quickly.

“Although we have little time in the session, there is still a bill that could be amended to include this fix,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Steve Farley, D-Tucson (District 28). “Let’s not forget that Republicans were quick to act on matters like HB 2549, an emergency measure to give Arizona an official nickname. Bottom line, this can be done and it can be done before 20,000 Arizona families lose their unemployment insurance and have to suffer more.”

Arizona House Democrats
Contact: Sarah Muench, Communications Director
www.azhousedemocrats.com - www.strongerarizona.com

###