Bipartisan Majority in the Legislature Overcomes Tea Party Opposition to Pass Medicaid Expansion
Posted on 06/13/2013 @ 07:32 PM
NEWS RELEASE PHOENIX, AZ "We applaud the leadership and courage of all those lawmakers who chose to do the right thing and pass Medicaid Expansion," said Bill Roe, Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party. "It took more than five months and a special session, which is a testament to the fact that the Tea Party majority in the Republican caucus is incapable of governing the state effectively." Roe also congratulated Governor Jan Brewer for calling the special session and putting an end to the stall tactics of opponents to Medicaid Expansion. "Calling the special session and working with the Democratic members of the legislature was a bold move by Governor Brewer. This highlights the importance of Arizona electing a Democratic governor in 2014." Roe also noted that Doug Ducey and Ken Bennett have been pathetically quiet on the issue of Medicaid expansion. Roe said "Arizonans should have no faith that they would demonstrate the leadership that was necessary to pass Medicaid expansion."
June 13, 2013
Democrats Will Take The Lead On Issues Voters Care About
Posted on 06/04/2013 @ 02:39 PM
May 16 was an eventful day at the State Capitol. It was one of those rare occasions when some members of the State Legislature put aside petty bickering, ideological pandering and self-aggrandizement to simply do what was right for Arizona by passing Medicaid restoration in the State Senate This could not have been accomplished without the steadfast support of the 13 Democratic Senators, who unlike Gov. Jan Brewer, were on the right side of the issue from day one. Like the majority of Arizonans, Democrats in the Legislature saw the positive benefit of ensuring that hundreds of low-income Arizonans have health care Democrats in the Legislature did not need to wait until it became a crisis, nor did they have to be heavily lobbied by industries that rely on a fix to this problem. They did not have to be promised campaign contributions, nor did they have to have their political careers threatened. Democrats in the Legislature supported Medicaid restoration for one reason -- it was the right thing for Arizona Unfortunately, this reason is not the prevailing intent behind the majority of the legislation that has passed through the Legislature this year. When you look at the issues that matter the most to Arizonans, they will not find much relief from the bills that have passed the 51st Arizona Legislature. Many may lament the lack of leadership displayed in the Legislature. But Democrats maintain it's not the lack of leadership but rather the absence of the right kind of leadership that results in the public's understandable frustration at the Legislature's unwillingness to tackle the issues which are important to voters -- issues such as funding for public education, attracting high-paying jobs to our state, meaningful gun safety legislation and comprehensive ethics reform to avoid another Fiesta Bowl scandal. Medicaid restoration was headed down the same legislative dead end that nearly all these important issues fell casualty to until May 16, 2013. For that one day, 13 Democrats joined with a handful of Republicans to do what they were elected to do -- their jobs. They put the public ahead of politics and in some cases, they risked their jobs. This does not have to be a rare event, and we do not have to relinquish hope of passing other meaningful legislation. It is simply time to realize that the Republican Party in Arizona has been hijacked by those with an extreme ideology. This ideology prioritizes blind allegiance over compromise, conspiracy over science and it seems to place a high premium on making Arizona the laughing stock of America It is hard to explain how else we have turned Medicaid expansion into the single most controversial topic of 2013. The Republican Party in Arizona has rendered itself essentially incapable of governing the state. While Republicans continue to argue about Agenda 21 and the location of President Obama's birth, Democrats will continue to focus on a solutions-oriented approach to the problems that Arizonans care about. --D.J. Quinlan is Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party.
“50 Years: Civil Rights in Arizona from 1963 to Today”
Posted on 06/03/2013 @ 03:21 PM
Visit the new exhibition that reflects on 50 years of Civil Rights in Tucson CommunitiesDates: January 3, 2013 - August 30, 2013
Location: University of Arizona in Tucson, "Special Collections" Library
Contact: Bob Diaz at diazj@u.library.arizona.edu
Times: 10 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday-Friday, closed on Weekends
Website: Click Here
OPENING: PIMA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Posted on 05/09/2013 @ 07:34 PM
Pima County Democratic Party
4639 East First Street
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 326-3716
www.PimaDems.org
The Pima County Democratic Party is accepting applications for a motivated, organized, dynamic Executive Director to ensure our continued success in 2013 and 2014. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the party including but not limited to communications, field, finance and fund-raising, outreach and political strategy. Salary negotiable; dependent upon experience and qualifications. Benefits include health care and paid vacation. (complete job description)
To apply: Email a cover letter and a resume (including references) to donjorgensen@comcast.net with “PCDP Executive Director Application” in the subject line. Word Document or PDF format preferred.
Application Deadline: May 22, 2013
The Pima County Democratic Party encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. The Pima County Democratic Party works to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees against discrimination.
2nd Annual Dinner With Senator Tom Udall
Posted on 03/18/2013 @ 09:34 PM
The Pima County Democratic Party
Invites you to join us for the
2nd Annual Udall Dinner & Silent Auction with Senator Tom Udall
Featuring the
Spirit of Arizona Awards
Honorees:
Individual: David Fitsimmons
Organization:Ben's Bells
Organization:Ben's Bells
Saturday, April 13th
Registration at 6:00pm
Registration at 6:00pm
Desert Diamond Casino
7350 S. Nogales Hwy
Tucson, AZ 85756
7350 S. Nogales Hwy
Tucson, AZ 85756
$75 Precinct Committee Person
$85 General Admission
$85 General Admission
Purchase Tickets online here:
actblue.com/page/udall2013
actblue.com/page/udall2013
Or call 520-326-3716
To pay by mail:
checks can be made out to
Pima County Democratic Party
PO Box 40211
Tucson, AZ 85717
checks can be made out to
Pima County Democratic Party
PO Box 40211
Tucson, AZ 85717
Goldwater Institute Exposed
Posted on 03/14/2013 @ 09:32 PM
In-depth report details out-of-state corporate funds, murky financial dealings & big staff bonuses after taxpayer-funded court awards
PHOENIX – The tax-exempt Goldwater Institute routinely attacks state and local government employee salaries as too high. But a new joint investigation by Arizona Working Families and the Center for Media and Democracy showed that, since the crippling recession of 2007, Goldwater executive staff salaries have soared while pay for the average Arizonan has shrunk. The investigation, made public today, also revealed that the charity paid one of its employees a $50,000 bonus -- and another a $35,000 bonus --on top of their six-figure salaries in the same year Goldwater was awarded over $1 million in attorney fees paid by Arizona taxpayers.
And that was not all that the Center’s investigation revealed about one of the country’s most well-known libertarian think tanks, said Lisa Graves, the Executive Director of the Center for Media and Democracy and the publisher of ALECexposed.org.
"Our joint investigation revealed other questionable financial decisions,” Graves said. “We also documented the out-of-state money flowing into and out of Goldwater to help advance an extreme agenda to mold Arizona law in ways sought by huge multinational corporate executives like the Koch brothers. Although Goldwater is one of the older libertarian-styled think tanks, this type of tango is being danced in other states as well by similar groups claiming they are independent."The full report is attached or can be viewed here. Other findings include:
- Tax Forms Reveal Murky Internal Financial Dealings: up to $1.9 million in Cash Was Loaned to a Board Member’s Company: The Goldwater Institute’s internal finances as a nonprofit include a loan of up to $1.9 million to a private company led by a Goldwater board member.
- Funded by Special Interests and Out-of-State Right-Wing Ideologues: The Institute claims to be funded “solely” by “individual donations,” but a review of IRS filings and other documents from foundations shows that many of Goldwater's largest donors are out-of-state foundations tied to special interests and ideological agendas, including the Koch-connected Donors Capital Fund, the Bradley Foundation, the Roe Foundation, the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation.
- Goldwater & ALEC’s Shared Agenda: The Goldwater Institute is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate-funded bill mill. Over the years, Goldwater staffers have proposed numerous bills at ALEC task force meetings, where elected officials and private sector m embers (like corporate lobbyists and special interest groups) vote as equals behind closed doors on templates to change the law. The coordinated agenda that ALEC and the Goldwater Institute press for would:
- Block Arizonans from receiving healthcare benefits made possible by federal health insurance reforms by attempting to stop implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
- Redirect funds from Arizona’s public schools via private school vouchers to other private or for-profit businesses.
- Attack Arizona workers’ collective bargaining rights.
“It’s outrageous that an organization that bears Barry Goldwater’s name has consistently led the attack on working Arizonans, on our teachers and on our first responders, while its executives enrich themselves at our expense,” said Frank Piccioli, President of AFSCME Local 2960 in Phoenix and a member of Arizona Working Families. “This comprehensive report should be helpful to Arizona’s media. Reporters can now place the Goldwater Institute’s extreme agenda in the proper context and understand its dangerous consequences for our state.”
Media members interested in speaking to Lisa Graves can contact Nikolina Lazic, at 608-260-9713 or nikolina@prwatch.org.
Arizona Working Families is a broad coalition of community members, taxpayers and parents demanding that politicians focus on the economy instead of extreme policies that will hurt all Arizonans.
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Message From Chair Bill Roe
Posted on 02/14/2013 @ 01:59 PM
As you know, the ADP Executive Committee consists of the Executive Board, the Chair and First and Second Vice-Chairs of each county, Members-at-Large from each Congressional District, and representatives from eligible caucuses. (ADP Bylaws Art. IV, §1(A); Art. VI, (F).) The State Chair has the responsibility – and privilege – to appoint the Members-at-Large, and to do so within one month of the reorganizational meeting – this year, by February 26, 2013. (ADP Bylaws Art. IV, §1-2.)
I am pleased to announce the appointment of what I believe to be the most diverse team of members-at-large in the history of our party. More specifically, based on our initial assessment, approximately
- 26% of the Members-at-Large are Hispanic;
- 15% of the Members-at-Large are Native American;
- 15% of the Members-at-Large are African American;
- 4% of the Members-at-Large are another race;
- 7% of the Members-at-Large are LGBT; and
- 41% of the Members-at-Large are younger than 40.
Based on available information, this represents a substantial increase in diversity on every demographic measured. (Several demographic groups are not addressed here, but I hope to work with the Affirmative Action Committee to obtain such information and to continue increasing our party’s diversity at every level.)
Please join me in welcoming the following Members-at-Large to the ADP Executive Committee:
CD1 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Brett Caldwell
- Shaun Deschene
- Lena Fowler
CD2 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Elaine Lim
- Jeff Rogers
- Jim Woodbrey
CD3 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Andres Cano
- Charlene Fernandez
- Alma Hernandez
CD4 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Barbara Njos
- Dennis Welsh, Jr.
- Vallarie Woolridge
CD5 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Ken Dowlin
- Megan M. McPherson
- Dan O'Neal
CD6 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Anne Greenberg
- Mary Nickum
- Ann Wallack
CD7 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Mahogany Cherry
- Laura Pastor
- Jose D. Rivas
CD8 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Robert Donat
- Bill Engler
- Jacqueline Sandoval
CD9 MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
- Lisa Blackhorse
- Gerald Richard
- Corey D. Woods
"My Last Kick" by Luis Heredia
Posted on 01/08/2013 @ 01:45 PM
December 31, 2012
Dear Arizona Democrats:
I notified Chairman Bill Roe earlier this month that today would be my last day as Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party. The decision was not easy. I love Arizona and the Democratic Party, and serving as your ED was truly an honor. The position was not just a job but a mission. I was an active participant of the party before and I will remain engaged in moving Arizona forward by electing strong Democrats into public office. I decided to step aside and seek another opportunity after many discussions with my family.Words cannot capture what I have learned and experienced throughout my period of service. But, I will start by saying thank you.
I recall applying for the job and going through a long interview process. I accepted the position in May 2009, quickly met with staff and my admiration grew and grew. Together we encountered the political lava and noise of the Tea Party. We prepared for 2010 and learned quickly of the electorate’s frustration with political process. Witnessing how SB1070 emerged during the Arizona Legislature's 2010 session, it became clear we had a lot of work in this state. November 2, 2010, was difficult and it was even harder to put together a focused and clear path to move forward. Then you encounter moments in life.
I vividly remember driving to Tucson on Saturday, January 8, 2011, to attend Pima County’s reorganization meeting. By noon that day, we all united in prayer and support to the victims of the tragedy in Tucson. Our Democratic family — and all Arizonans — experienced a roller coaster of pain and emotion. However, we faced that episode together.
We re-grouped in 2011 and focused on redistricting, adding more Democrats to PEVL, and building our party infrastructure. We fought back and out-organized the Tea Party during redistricting by recruiting true grassroots leaders to testify why we needed to respect the Voting Rights Act and add competitive districts to Arizona’s political landscape. The state party made strategic investments to the voter file to support our county parties to win local races. We arrived to 2012 with a strong foundation. We made the case to national partners as to why Arizona is a battleground. We continued to make more investments in data and voter engagement tools. We trained a new generation of organizers to face the front line of dark money with great candidates and solid campaigns.
Nationally, Congressional Democrats added eight seats and two came from Arizona. We re-elected Congressmen Pastor, Grijalva, and Barber. Together we returned Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and added Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema to the halls of Congress. We added four state senate and four state representative seats. There is more work ahead but together we have changed the conversation to why Arizona is much more pragmatic, independent, and very purple.
Your staff at the party is there because they share your passion and commitment in building a stronger Arizona. They work tirelessly every day. It was an honor to work with them. As I reflect on my service, I am extremely proud in mentoring, hiring, and supporting political organizers that continue to shape the future of our state.
I also want to thank the thousands of Arizona Democrats who volunteer their service, from County Chairs and Legislative Chairs, to Executive Board and Committee members to the canvassers who walked every weekend in October. THANK YOU.
I served under the leadership of Don Bivens, Andrei Cherny, and Bill Roe. I would like to thank them for their support and trust.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife Claudia and son Abraham who understood why this position was more than a job. Their support and love is what gave me energy and determination.
We move forward together.
The Arizona Democratic Party is strong because it is greater than the sum of its parts. DJ Quinlan has agreed to serve as the acting Executive Director. His email is dquinlan@azdem.org.
You can reach me at luis.heredia@gmail.com.
Thank you again.
Luis A. Heredia
It's Official
Posted on 12/03/2012 @ 02:00 PM
Ballots are finally all counted and the state officially certified the November 6, 2012 election this morning.
Our party stands strong. Democrats will comprise a majority of Arizona’s congressional delegation. Representatives Ed Pastor, Raul Grijalva and Ron Barber were all re-elected and they will be joined in Washington by Congresswoman-Elect Ann Kirkpatrick and Congresswoman-Elect Kyrsten Sinema.
Voters made clear that change was needed at the state Capitol. Democrats won four more seats in each the state Senate and House of Representatives, thus ending the GOP super-majority in the state legislature.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the thousands of volunteers making more than a million phone calls and knocking on hundreds of thousands of doors. That passion, dedication and teamwork was reflected in Dr. Richard Carmona’s campaign, which came within 3 percentage points of defeating career politician Jeff Flake. We thank Dr. Carmona for his inspiring and courageous stand against corporate special interests and the Super PACs that poured millions into the state. We will depend on Dr. Carmona’s wisdom and leadership in the months ahead.
We are proud of the work we did together and grateful to all our candidates who volunteered this year to run for public office. During the campaign, our candidates spoke with many Arizona families about important Democratic priorities like jobs, education and women's health care. More importantly, our candidates provided voters with a common sense choice for the future.
This election is history, but our job is far from over — in fact, it’s just beginning. We are already collecting and analyzing the data from this election that will serve as a guide to victory in the future. From those numbers, a few things have already become clear: If we are to win in 2014, we need to start registering more Democrats immediately; we need to start recruiting and training new candidates now; and we need to continue our grassroots efforts to find and mobilize our supporters.
The motivation to accomplish these goals isn't hard to find. We know that Governor Brewer, Attorney General Tom Horne and an out-of-touch Republican Legislature will soon be back to their business-as-usual policies that favor special interests and harm Arizona's working families. This election also proved that our state needs a bipartisan commission to review our election process.
The Arizona Democratic Party will remain a vehicle for change, but we must build upon the gains we have made in 2012 and continue to elect Democrats for local, statewide and national offices. Stand with us as we build a stronger party and continue to move our state forward by making a contribution today.
Sincerely,
Luis Heredia
Executive Director
Arizona Democratic Party
Truth, the Only Known Cure for "Romnesia"
Posted on 10/29/2012 @ 03:00 PM
by Delores L. Adams
“I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and nonviolence are as old as the hills.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
Likely fed up with Romney’s shifting policies and patent lies, while speaking before a crowd of 9,000 in Fairfax, Virgina, President Obama first coined the phrase “Romnesia” [here]. Thanks Mr. President for using humor to uphold the truth, the only known cure for persistent lies.
Sadly, Fmr. Gov. Mitt Romney “has a truth problem” [here], the ultimate threat to our democracy, indeed the entire world!
During the first debate, Mitt makes a rather odd statement about lying, particularly coming from one who has lied repeatedly: “Look, I got five boys. I’m used to people saying something that’s not always true, but just keep on repeating it and ultimately hoping I’ll believe it” [here].
Stranger still, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s notorious Propaganda Minister once declared, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”
Hitler, the hate-driven Nazi leader allegedly said, “It is not truth that matters, but victory. The victor will never be asked if he told the truth.”
Could such upside-down thinking be the underlying cause of Mitt’s Romnesia? After all, one day he will rule the free world- or so he truly believes. Illusions of grandeur, mad with ambition, Goebbels incarnate… who knows. Yet, let us not fool ourselves. Mankind’s history is strewn with the parched bones of mad men who vainly sought to rule the world, and of the rest who blindly followed them.
Delores Adams is a retired paralegal, a writer and a former DNC 2012 Delegate.