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June 25, 2010
In this issue
·
Getting on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL)
Arizona now allows a voter to place his/her name on a "Permanent Early Voting List." Voters on the early voting list tend to vote at much higher rate and more often and also in non presidential years. So getting voters on the early voting list promotes voter participation. In all your efforts for voter engagement including voter registration, voter education, please strongly promote helping people get on the PERMANENT EARLY VOTING LIST. What this means is that once VOTERS are on this list, for each election they qualify for, the VOTERS no longer have to request an early ballot to be mailed to them. Instead, an early ballot will automatically be mailed to the VOTER.
GETTING ON THE PERMANENT EARLY VOTING LIST
In order to be included on the "Permanent Early Voting List," VOTERS must make their request in writing specifically stating that your name be added to the permanent early voter list. This request must include the voter’s name, residence address, mailing address (if different than the residence address) and must be within county of your residence, unless you are a uniformed services voters or overseas voters, date of birth and your signature.
Get your early ballots by going to county recorder and election websites, click here
Register to Vote and/or Receive a Mail-In Ballot
You can register to vote, update your voter registration or request a mail-in ballot on-line through the Service American website. Even if you're already registered to vote, you can use this site to sign-up on the Permanent Early Voter List (PEVL) and get your ballot mailed to you each election cycle. Go through the steps as if you were registering to vote for the first time, submit your registration and the PEVL sign-up page is the very last step. Service Arizona also has information on your local county elections office, and polling places.June 18, 2010
In this issue
· Some questions for candidates
· Resources for candidate debates
· PAFCO Principles
SOME QUESTIONS FOR GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES
· What do you believe is government’s role, specifically state government’s role, in funding for health and human services for vulnerable children, families and adults? What are the key values that will guide you in your decision making and voting about government’s role, if elected?
· What is your assessment of the recent cutbacks in funding for critical health and human services safety net programs, enrollment caps in areas like child care and health care? Should some or all these budget cutbacks be restored? How would you restore these cuts?
· What do you think of current tax structure? Should it be reformed to provide for stability, economic development and adequate revenues for health and human services? What is your view of the current tax exemptions and personal and corporate income taxes? Would you propose to do tax reform if elected and if so how would you go about it?
· What do you think government’s role should be in addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness, health care, and family violence and providing a safety net for families? How would you approach these social and health concerns if elected?
Channel Eight, Arizona PBS, Clean Election Debates on HORIZON www.azpbs.org
A special hour-long edition of Horizon with the Republican candidates for governor. Find out where they stand on the issues. Participants: Governor Jan Brewer, Matthew Jette, TreasurerDean Martin, and Buz Mills.
Candidate Debates - Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission CCEC
www.azcleanelections.gov http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/play.php?vidId=2117
SOME PAFCO PRINCIPLES (From 2010 PAFCO Legislative Principles Statement)
Government actions must provide a safety net for families. The need for health and human services now reaches into the middle class more than ever; they are losing jobs, housing and suffering economic dislocation because of depth and breadth of the recession. Yet while demand is increasing, agencies are taking severe cuts.
New revenues are necessary and revenue sources must be strengthened. Tax cuts must be rejected. All options including closing tax exemption loopholes while expanding the sales tax base and improving the progressivity of the income tax must be considered. Arizona needs tax reformto create a fair, equitable and adequate tax base to enable government to carry out its responsibilities for the common good. PAFCO opposes any raid on voter protected funds dedicated to health and human services, education and other areas related to quality of life.
Arizona’s non profits and health and human services providers are significant contributors to the Arizona economy. Arizona’s public policy is to provide essential human and health services through the private sector of non-profits and for profit agencies. Arizona’s non profits and health and human services agencies employ thousands of taxpaying citizens, spend into the economy and support lots of small business and vendors who provide special services to the hundreds of non profit businesses.
The measure of a humane society is how it treats its most vulnerable members particularly at their time of critical need. Government actions in partnership with community based organizations and faith communities can be a source of hope, support and resilience for families. Health and human services must not be pitted against one another. The private non profit and faith based sectors cannot make up for government’s responsibility.
DO SOMETHING --- BUILD ELECTORAL POWER - It All Makes a Difference and Adds Up – PAFCO allies are significant large community groups. And the nonprofit sector is large. If taken to scale even the smallest measures we take to encourage people to register to vote and vote on Election Day will add up. Whether you help ten people vote or a hundred people vote, it adds up. http://www.nonprofitvote.org/
ELECTION YEAR RESOURCES – GO TO PAFCO WEBSITE AT www.pafcoalition.org . Resources include election year dos and don’ts for non profits--- http://www.pafcoalition.org/nonprofits-elections/
Campaign to End the Child Care Subsidy Turn-Away List – Take Action! View Video too!!!
Arizona Child Care Association and the local Early Care and Education Consortium members are raising public awareness of the devastating impact of the State child care turn-away list and asking elected official to restore child care funding for parents wanting to work, children needing safe and stimulating care, and child care providers who serve low income families. Click here to watch the Restore Child Care video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdPxNrB65Q You can click to send your own message to Governor Brewer and a message to your legislators. The email messages have been prepared, but you can change them to make the messages more personal. The message to Legislators begins "I am a child care provider in your district. Every day I see the good that we do and every day I see how much more we are needed" so be sure to customize your introduction. Visit http://www.azcca.org for more information.
ELECTION – DATES AND DEADLINES
Primary Election – August 24
· Voter Registration Closes – July 26 at midnight
· Early Voting Begins – July 29
· Get your early ballot by going to county recorder and election websites:
o http://www.azsos.gov/election/county.htm
General Election – November 2, 2010
· Voter Registration closes – October 4, 2010
· Early Voting Begins – October 7
· Get your early ballot by going to county recorder and election websites:
o http://www.azsos.gov/election/county.htm
June 3, 2010
Election Resources
IN THIS ISSUE
· Independent Registered Voters rights to primary election participation
· Campaign to End Child Care Subsidy Turn-Away List – Take Action!
Voters registered as INDEPENDENTS can vote in the primary election.
Just choose the party election in which you want to vote. The Primary Election is August 24 and is actually the election for most legislative offices because of the current voter distribution and district alignments. The primary election August 24 therefore is a very important and key election. GOTV for the primary election among independents too!
Arizona State Constitution - Article 7 Direct primary election law Section 10. The Legislature shall enact a direct primary election law, which shall provide for the nomination of candidates for all elective State, county, and city offices, including candidates for United States Senate or and for Representative in Congress. Any person who is registered as no party preference or independent as the party preference or who is registered with a political party that is not qualified for representation on the ballot may vote in the primary election of any one of the political parties that is qualified for the ballot.
Campaign to End the Child Care Subsidy Turn-Away List – Take Action! View Video too!!!
Arizona Child Care Association and the local Early Care and Education Consortium members are raising public awareness of the devastating impact of the State child care turn-away list and asking elected official to restore child care funding for parents wanting to work, children needing safe and stimulating care, and child care providers who serve low income families.
Over the past 15 months, 13,000 children in qualified low income working families have been denied. The denials will continue for another 13 months or longer unless the Governor or legislature acts to restore the child care subsidy. The Early Care and Education Consortium has developed a video message that shows the impact of the waiting list, which you can view here. Click here to watch the Restore Child Care video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdPxNrB65Q
Yesterday the Arizona Child Care Association sent letters to the Governor and legislators asking for the immediate restoration of child care subsidies for Arizona's low-income working families. You can click to send your own message to Governor Brewer and a message to your legislators.
The email messages have been prepared, but you can change them to make the messages more personal. The message to Legislators begins "I am a child care provider in your district. Every day I see the good that we do and every day I see how much more we are needed" so be sure to customize your introduction. Visit http://www.azcca.org for more information.
(Thanks to the Arizona Child Care Association and the Early Care and Education Consortium for leading this important effort. This is a great example of “telling the story of the cuts” in new creative, innovative ways with a pragmatic call to action to undo this cuts. What is your sector doing to undo the cuts? For ideas and resources contact PAFCO. Thanks to Children’s Action Alliance for preparing this action alert.)
ELECTION YEAR RESOURCES – GO TO PAFCO WEBSITE AT www.pafcoalition.org . Resources include election year dos and don’ts for non profits--- http://www.pafcoalition.org/nonprofits-elections/
Organize and do voter education and voter registration for the August 24 Primary and November 2 General Election.
o This Primary and November election will be a referendum on the future of our state.Theywill determine the nature of our public policy and which values for our shared communal life will prevail.
o If we cannot persuade lawmakers and change their minds, we must change the people and elect new lawmakers and leadership who will protect children, families, and vulnerable adults and restore the budget cuts made the last two years.
o ELECTION WORK IS ADVOCACY WORK. We must exercise our citizenship. Over the next few months PAFCO will conduct advocacy and election training, support voter registration and voter education efforts, interview governor’s candidates, and participate with partner groups in candidate forums. Contact this email if you are interested.
o As private citizens we can work for individual candidates who reflect our views and values. Get engaged and get others engaged.
o What are you and your agency, and community group doing to encourage and support informed voter participation in these critically important elections this year?
o http://www.pafcoalition.org/nonprofits-elections/
ELECTION – DATES AND DEADLINES
Primary Election – August 24
· Voter Registration Closes – July 26 at midnight
· Early Voting Begins – July 29
· Get your early ballot by going to county recorder and election websites:
o http://www.azsos.gov/election/county.htm
General Election – November 2, 2010
· Voter Registration closes – October 4, 2010
· Early Voting Begins – October 7
· Get your early ballot by going to county recorder and election websites:
o http://www.azsos.gov/election/county.htm
April 30 2010
The Legislature ended Thursday night April 29 about 11pm.
· This Legislature finished the budget on March 21 and it was brutal for children, families and vulnerable adults.
· The legislature and the Governor had options to avoid cuts, but failed to use them because of ideological mindsets or the lack of openness to alternatives.
· They cut hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people off of programs in addition to the already cruel cuts of 2009.
· There is no way to sugar coat the draconian actions taken in the health and human services and education budget cuts.
· A short of list of cuts is provided below.
· The KidsCare and AHCCCS cuts were restored in last days of this session. But it appears only because health care reform required the maintenance of effort of these current programs and the potential loss of federal matching funds of up to $8 billion dollars.
· However, the KidsCare enrollment cap remains in effect with the program denying about 100 children a day health care coverage.
· Other denial lists/enrollment caps also remain in effect like for child care subsidy for low income working families.
· First Things First program elimination is being referred to the November ballot with funds diverted to the general fund for other purposes. We must oppose this November ballot measure.
· The demise of HB2250 – The Corporate Taxes Giveaway bill (so called corporate welfare bill) was good news at the end of session.
· However, rumors are circulating that it will re-appear after the May 18 special election in a special session. Strong persistent advocacy by PAFCO groups and PAFCO allies with teachers, unions and community groups helped stop this bad tax cut bill for now.
· NEXT WEEK WE WILL PROVIDE A DETAILED LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY.
· Our work is not done. We must work for passage of Prop 100 on May 18 and begin to work for the primary and general election to overturn these bad budget decisions by electing people who will support children, families and vulnerable adults.
PAFCO SUPPORTS PROP 100 On May 18, 2010 the State will hold a special election to approve a temporary 1% sales tax increase. This increase would generate approximately $1 billion in revenue to cover the $3.5 billion deficit Arizona is currently facing. Early voting has started for Prop 100, the temporary sales tax increase. If you don’t automatically receive an early ballot, you can request one until May 7th at your county recorder’s office. Click here to find your county recorder website.
· PAFCO supports this ballot initiative for two distinct reasons:
1) Arizona needs to generate additional revenue, but more importantly
2) Passing this initiative would send a clear message to our legislature that the citizens of Arizona are willing to tax themselves in order to assist in remedying the state budget crisis and to maintain funding to programs that aid our most vulnerable populations.
· A “NO” vote on this initiative could send the wrong signal that that average citizens do not want to be taxed and will in turn make more cuts to more desperately needed, publically funded programs.
· Turn out at the polls on May 18, 2010 and let our legislature know that the citizens of Arizona are willing to do what it takes to protect health and human services for our most vulnerable populations.
· Tell your families; tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell strangers…. Get the word out!
· Here are some things you can do right now:
· Register to vote. You can do this online. The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010.
· Register to receive a permanent early ballot. Request your early ballot through your county recorder's office. The last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010.
· Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Prop 100 and why it's important to public education in Arizona. Tell them to visityeson100.com.
· Vote Yes on Prop 100 on May 18.
· WHAT IF THE PROP 100 -- THE SALES TAX FAILS IN MAY. CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE HAS PREPARED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND ADDITIONAL CUTS. See the link below. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Sales_Tax_Fails_3-30-10.pdf
Sb1070 - the anti – immigration bill.
This bill is divisive and will most likely result in racial profiling. It sends the wrong message about our pursuit for social justice and human dignity in our communities and will create fear in the Latino and immigrant communities. Many community leaders including Maricopa County attorney Rick Romley, Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, agency leaders like Luz Sarmina of Valle de Sol and Edmundo Hidalgo and many faith leaders and Bishops like the Arizona Ecumenical Council opposed this law. It is considered an unfunded mandate on local communities. It will be challenged in court. We all need to work to overcome the fear and potential discrimination that will result in this law. The Arizona Ecumenical Council has provided some good thoughts about to respond to the fear and panic that may result as result of this law. We also need to work for more just laws and lawmakers who will bring our community together in justice and peace. www.aecunity.net
BAD BUDGET CUTS WHICH MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Health Care cuts passed (Program restored in Sb1043)
· 310,000 individuals proposed to be cut from AHCCCS health care based on Governor’s proposal to significantly scale back AHCCCS voter mandated Prop 204 health care coverage. No referral to voters, just action today to make these cuts on January 1, 2011.
· 45,000 children lose health care with the proposed elimination of KidsCare - proposed for April 1, 2010.
Behavioral Health cuts passed (36,500 people will lose services)
· 17,000 seriously mentally ill adults face dramatic reductions in services.
· 4,200 children to lose behavioral health services leaving children and families with no where to turn.
· 6,600 people losing substance abuse services --- leaving families abandon to addictions and children in those families at greater risk, stuck in the child welfare system, or people jailed or deaths or more emergency rooms visits and 911 calls.
· 11,000 people getting general mental health services --- except for some very limited medication and medication management services.
Human Services cuts passed
· 10,000 families (most female-headed) with 17,000 children are proposed to lose cash assistance --- for families already by definition very poor driving these families into deeper poverty effective April 1, 2010 if passed by the Legislature. This is an attack on some of the poorest of the poor with no where else to turn. Results will be increased homeless, desperation, illness, and family dislocation.
· 17,000 children are being denied child care.
· No 100% investigations of child protection or adult protection referrals and continued elimination of family support services. The system of in home family services has already been cut severely in the 2009/2010 cuts and will now be cut even with more families losing services and their children potentially going into foster care.
· Cuts in emergency services (eviction prevention, homeless prevention, etc) services for families in crisis effecting meaning 1,100 fewer families will receive emergency services.
· Cuts in domestic violence services reducing service to 1,600 victims of domestic violence will be turned away from shelters.
· Cuts in aging independent living services impacting hundreds of elderly and people with disabilities.
· Eliminate completely support for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
· Eliminate state only supported services for children and adults with developmental disabilities throwing 300 children and 400 adults off services.
· Implementation of many new fees and means testing for programs like adoption services for children with disabilities, services for children and adults with disabilities --- potentially leaving many children and adults at serious risk and costing more downstream as high cost services are used.
· Read CAA's Fact Sheet on this budget plan.
April 16, 2010
In this issue
· KidsCare Restoration Bill – Maybe?
· Watching Hb2250
· Protecting Voter Protections
· Yes on Prop 100 Rally – Saturday April 17
· MS Society Day at the Capital – April 20
· GOTV For May 18 Yes Vote on Prop 100
· Continuing the budget struggle – finding stories!
· A KidsCare restoration bill will probably be introduced early next week (April 18) but stay tuned for developments.
· But its effect will be contingent upon Congress passing a Medicaid match enhancement – meaning hundreds of millions of dollars of additional stimulus funding.
· It also appears Speaker Adams wants his “jobs” bill (which is really a corporate giveaway tax cuts bill) finalized first. There continues to be lots of negotiations about this bad bill.
· Take action by going to BRINGBACKKIDSCARE.ORG www.bringbackkidscare.org
· ARIZONA TO GAIN $2.3 BILLION FROM HEALTH CARE REFORM --- the JLBC Analysis of federal health care legislation indicates that Arizona benefits $2.3 billion over the next ten years and covers many more low income individuals. Seems like a good reason to fix Kids Care and AHCCCS cuts for details go to the JLBC analysis at; http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/FederalHealthcare.pdf
· Watch for more action on HB2250 too. This bad bill is full of corporate giveaways without any real jobs creation. Hundreds of millions of revenue will be lost without any results --- that is creating one new job --- digging the revenue hole deeper. Take Action by writing your Senator to oppose and vote NO on this corporate giveaway bill. Read CAA's fact sheet on HB2250. Read the Arizona Budget Coalition's Fact Sheet on HB2250.
· Keep Voter Protected Funds – As part of the budget special session, a majority in the legislature voted to pass HCR 2001 which puts First Things First back on the ballot. Voters will be asked whether they want to repeal the new tobacco tax they passed in 2006 specifically to support services that improve the health and education of young children.
· PAFCO opposes this blatant attack on First Things First funding for young children – which comes from a dedicated tobacco tax and does not affect the budget deficit at all. This resolution will be on the November ballot. (Thanks to Children’s Action Alliance for information for this update.)
YES ON PROP 100 RALLY
Saturday, April 17th at 3:00 pm
Central
High School
- South Gym
4525 North
Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
85012
(Camelback
&
Central - south of Camelback)
http://www.yeson100.com/get-involved/1000-person-rally
Make sure you register to get t-shirts and yard signs.
This may be the last opportunity to get a yard sign!
CONTACT: Aaron V Sandeen
office: 602.222.1021 | cell: 480.430.6630
site: www.yeson100.com
PAFCO ACTION DAY IN COLLABORATION WITH AZ MS SOCIETY
Legislative Awareness Conference
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 10am
3rd Floor Old Senate Chamber in Capital Museum Bld.
Pre-register
with Siobhan McCurdy
Advocacy Coordinator
National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Arizona Chapter
1 480 968 2488 ext. 210
fax 480 966 4049
smccurdy@aza.nmss.org
YES ON Prop 100 Collaborative in Tucson
COMMUNITY Meeting – Monday April 19th
Contact
Jim Murphy - President & CEO
Pima Council on Aging
520-790-0504
Fax 520-790-7577
PAFCO SUPPORTS THE YES ON PROP 1OO CAMPAIGN AND THIS TUCSON EFFORT!
PAFCO SUPPORTS PROP 100 On May 18, 2010 the State will hold a special election to approve a temporary 1% sales tax increase. This increase would generate approximately $1 billion in revenue to cover the $3.5 billion deficit Arizona is currently facing.
· PAFCO supports this ballot initiative for two distinct reasons:
1) Arizona needs to generate additional revenue, but more importantly
2) Passing this initiative would send a clear message to our legislature that the citizens of Arizona are willing to tax themselves in order to assist in remedying the state budget crisis and to maintain funding to programs that aid our most vulnerable populations.
· A “NO” vote on this initiative could send the wrong signal that that average citizens do not want to be taxed and will in turn make more cuts to more desperately needed, publically funded programs.
· Turn out at the polls on May 18, 2010 and let our legislature know that the citizens of Arizona are willing to do what it takes to protect health and human services for our most vulnerable populations.
· Tell your families; tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell strangers…. Get the word out!
· Here are some things you can do right now:
· Register to vote. You can do this online. The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010.
· Register to receive a permanent early ballot. Request your early ballot through your county recorder's office. The last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010.
· Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Prop 100 and why it's important to public education in Arizona. Tell them to visityeson100.com.
· Vote Yes on Prop 100 on May 18.
· WHAT IF THE PROP 100 -- THE SALES TAX FAILS IN MAY. CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE HAS PREPARED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND ADDITIONAL CUTS. See the link below. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Sales_Tax_Fails_3-30-10.pdf
· The budgetfight is not over --- tell the story of the consequences of these cruel cuts.
o Don’t let any opportunity pass without sharing your story, the story of the people you serve, the agency impacts, the layoffs, and the pain and suffering.
o If the consequences are invisible, the general public will not know or understand the great disservice of these cuts to our shared community life.
o Be present at the Legislature on PAFCO Action Days and let the Legislature know these cuts are bad and not acceptable and we will hold them accountable for these bad decisions.
o Continue to write the Governor and your legislators with your stories of impact. Share them with PAFCO and others.
o Be a voice of reason and compassion and good economic sense in the midst of cruelty of these cuts.
o Urge the Governor and Legislature to restore KidsCare. CAA will start a major campaign on Monday, April 5.
· Organize and turn out the vote for May 18 - Prop 100 sales tax referral election. (www.yeson100.com)
o It is not just about the money, the extra billion dollars that is badly needed.
o The billion dollars would not stop these cuts but will prevent more and deeper cuts.
o But more importantly a Yes vote will send the message that Arizonans care about the quality of their lives, their children’s education, their neighbors and our communities.
o If there is a NO vote, that message will be that Arizonans don’t want government and government support of education and health and human services and other vital services.
o This is also a referendum on the future of Arizona.
· Organize and do voter education and voter registration for the August Primary and November General election.
o This Primary and November election will also be a referendum on the future of our state.
o It will determine the nature of our public policy and which values for our shared communal life will prevail.
April 9, 2010
In this issue
· Stop HB2250 Corporate Giveaways bill on Monday April 12 – Take Action!
· Bring Back KidsCare Campaign – Take Action!
· GOTV for May 18 special Election
· PAFCO supports Prop 100 – VOTE YES on May 18!
· What happens if sales tax fails --- more cuts coming.
· PAFCO Action Day – Tuesday
·
What’s
next
– the fight is not over!
HB2250 --- Corporate Giveaways “jobs” bill is scheduled for Senate Finance Committee on Monday April 12 at 1:30pm.
· This House passed bill is being gutted and rewritten to hardly resemble its former self, but it continues many bad tax giveaways when the state can not afford it all.
· President Burns of the Senate doesn’t really want it because of the state deficit. Rumors are that Burns and Speaker Adams are fighting over it behind the scenes and the Governor hopes it doesn’t reach her desk.
· It would seem contradictory for the Governor to push for a sales tax increase in May and then sign a bill which also cuts revenue.
· Nevertheless, the Senate seems intent on passing something bad just like the House did.
· Take action --- sign in against the bill on the Legislativerequest to speak system and contact committee members and show your opposition.
Come to the hearing on Monday too!
Bring – Back – KidsCare Campaign – the first of many efforts to restore health and human services gutted by Legislative actions.
· In the last budget for 2010/2011 the Governor and the legislature made terrible devastating cuts to KidsCare and many other health and human services --- again.
· The federal health care reform bill requires states to maintain programs like KidsCare or lose federal matching fund for Medicaid entirely.
· Children’s Action Alliance along with PAFCO and many other community groups launched a campaign to restore KidsCare this week.
· Go to website www.BringBackKidsCare.organd send a letter to your legislator and the Governor urging them to bring back KidsCare to save up to $8 billion dollars of federal money and health care for 40,000 children and restore AHCCCS for 350,000 more Arizonans.
· No bill has restoring KidsCare has been introduced yet, although there is lots of talk about how to do it.
· You can download a radio clip by clicking on this link. http://www.box.net/shared/yrdhzog9nz - Bring Back KidsCare audio clip.wmv too.
· ARIZONA TO GAIN $2.3 BILLION FROM HEALTH CARE REFORM --- Despite partisan rhetoric – the JLBC Analysis of federal health care legislation indicates that Arizona benefits $2.3 billion over the next ten years and covers many more low income individuals. Seems like a good reason to fix Kids Care and AHCCCS cuts for details go to the JLBC analysis at; http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/FederalHealthcare.pdf
GOTV --- GET OUT THE VOTE FOR MAY 18.
Do your staff, board, volunteers and the people you serve know about the special election on May 18?
· Don’t assume anyone knows about this special election and important vote.
· We are finding much confusion about the election.
· Inform your constituents over and over about the special election and how important it is to GOTV on May 18.
· Use the PAFCO outline below to help inform about this important special election.
· WHAT IF THE PROP 100 -- THE SALES TAX FAILS IN MAY. CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE HAS PREPARED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND ADDITIONAL CUTS. See the link below. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Sales_Tax_Fails_3-30-10.pdf
PAFCO SUPPORTS PROP 100 On May 18, 2010 the State will hold a special election to approve a temporary 1% sales tax increase. This increase would generate approximately $1 billion in revenue to cover the $3.5 billion deficit Arizona is currently facing.
· PAFCO supports this ballot initiative for two distinct reasons:
1) Arizona needs to generate additional revenue, but more importantly
2) Passing this initiative would send a clear message to our legislature that the citizens of Arizona are willing to tax themselves in order to assist in remedying the state budget crisis and to maintain funding to programs that aid our most vulnerable populations.
· A “NO” vote on this initiative could send the wrong signal that that average citizens do not want to be taxed and will in turn make more cuts to more desperately needed, publically funded programs.
· Turn out at the polls on May 18, 2010 and let our legislature know that the citizens of Arizona are willing to do what it takes to protect health and human services for our most vulnerable populations.
· Tell your families; tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell strangers…. Get the word out!
· Here are some things you can do right now:
· Register to vote. You can do this online. The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010.
· Register to receive a permanent early ballot. Request your early ballot through your county recorder's office. The last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010.
· Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Prop 100 and why it's important to public education in Arizona. Tell them to visityeson100.com.
· Vote Yes on Prop 100 on May 18.
PAFCO Action Day
Tuesday April 12 at 12 Noon
Come and be a citizen advocate and hold you legislators accountable!
· The budgetfight is not over --- tell the story of the consequences of these cruel cuts.
o Don’t let any opportunity pass without sharing your story, the story of the people you serve, the agency impacts, the layoffs, and the pain and suffering.
o If the consequences are invisible, the general public will not know or understand the great disservice of these cuts to our shared community life.
o Be present at the Legislature on PAFCO Action Days and let the Legislature know these cuts are bad and not acceptable and we will hold them accountable for these bad decisions.
o Continue to write the Governor and your legislators with your stories of impact. Share them with PAFCO and others.
o Be a voice of reason and compassion and good economic sense in the midst of cruelty of these cuts.
o Urge the Governor and Legislature to restore KidsCare. CAA will start a major campaign on Monday, April 5.
· Organize and turn out the vote for May 18 - Prop 100 sales tax referral election. (www.yeson100.com)
o It is not just about the money, the extra billion dollars that is badly needed.
o The billion dollars would not stop these cuts but will prevent more and deeper cuts.
o But more importantly a Yes vote will send the message that Arizonans care about the quality of their lives, their children’s education, their neighbors and our communities.
o If there is a NO vote, that message will be that Arizonans don’t want government and government support of education and health and human services and other vital services.
o This is also a referendum on the future of Arizona.
· Organize and do voter education and voter registration for the August Primary and November General election.
o This Primary and November election will also be a referendum on the future of our state.
o It will determine the nature of our public policy and which values for our shared communal life will prevail.
April 2, 2010
In this issue
· Are they really going to sue to lose money???
· PAFCO Action Days – Tuesday and Wednesday
· PAFCO supports Prop 100 – VOTE YES on May 18!
· What happens if sales tax fails --- more cuts coming.
· What’s next – the fight is not over!
The Legislature passed the bill along partisan lines and the Governor signed it to sue the federal government over health care reform, but does it make any sense?
· JLBC staff put out a report this week that Arizona will gain $2.3 billion dollars over the next ten years from health care reform while covering many more people.
· Our legislators should be fixing KidsCare for at least a couple of reasons --- one that low income children need health care just like the rest of us and it is good for the economy too.
· And then the Governor and Legislature should be fixing the Prop 204 AHCCCS cuts to avoid jeopardizing all the new health care funding Arizona will get.
· The Governor is promising to fix KidsCare but also planning to sue. How this all makes sense for children and families has yet to be determined.
· PAFCO urges restoration of KidsCare and AHCCCS cutbacks --- as well as therest of health and human services that have been cut so drastically abandoning many vulnerable people.
· There are plenty of alternatives. Go to the JLBC website for detailed information --- http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/5yearplan.pdf
· Urge the Governor and Legislature to fix KidsCare, save millions of dollars and show some compassion.
ARIZONA TO GAIN $2.3 BILLION FROM HEALTH CARE REFORM --- Despite partisan rhetoric – the JLBC Analysis of federal health care legislation indicates that Arizona benefits $2.3 billion over the next ten years and covers many more low income individuals. Seems like a good reason to fix Kids Care and AHCCCS cuts for details go to the JLBC analysis at; http://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/FederalHealthcare.pdf
PAFCO Action Days
· Tuesday April 6 - AZDAC--- The Disability Coalition - 8:30am to 2pm --- Executive Tower – 2nd Floor Conference Room - Registration required – Call David Carey at
· Tuesday – April 6 - NASWAZ --- Social Work Day at the Legislature --- Old Senate Chamber 3rd Floor Capital --- 11am to 2pm
· Wednesday April 7 - Mental Health Day at the Capital - 9am - contact Eddie Sissons at EddieS@azabc.org to sign up (required if you want to eat) for lunch.
SOME HOLIDAY RELECTIONS - PASSOVER and EASTER 2010--- stories of liberation and hope
The holidays of Passover and Easter are grounded in inspiring stories of liberation and hope.
· Health and human services at their best are sources of healing, freedom and hopeand renewed life.
· The essential public safety net of health and human services are a part of the fabric of our community life like schools, faith communities, unions, businesses, and community groups that support and enable our families and communities to flourish and all of us to live together in dignity, freedom, and equality.
· Health and human services liberate people from addictions, enable families to escape violence andpoverty, overcome stigma, enable families to work and be healthy, provide healing for loss and loneliness, empower independence, restore dignity, provide critical help at a time of crisis, and provide hope in desperate times. Government actions in partnership with community based organizations and faith communities can be a source of hope, support and resilience for families.
· But the current Legislative approved and signed state budgets destroy and dismantle critical and essential elements of the health and human services safety net constructed with public and private funds over many years.
· There are alternatives. These bad budgets can be undone. Our advocacy is the source of hope to each other and too many others. We arepowerful voices to stop and undo these draconian proposed cuts.
· We are all linked together by our shared humanity. There is much work to be done to improve our communities and our democracy and stop the destruction of these bad budgets.
· Let’s empower each other to be signs of hope and resilience during this spring time of renewal.
· The measure of a humane society is how it treats its most vulnerable members particularly at their time of critical need.
WHAT IF THE PROP 100 -- THE SALES TAX FAILS IN MAY. CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE HAS PREPARED AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND ADDITIONAL CUTS.
See the link below. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Sales_Tax_Fails_3-30-10.pdf
PAFCO SUPPORTS PROP 100 – a one cent increase in the sales tax.
· On May 18, 2010 the State will hold a special election to approve a temporary 1% sales tax increase. This increase would generate approximately $1 billion in revenue to cover the $3.5 billion deficit Arizona is currently facing.
· PAFCO supports this ballot initiative for two distinct reasons:
1) Arizona needs to generate additional revenue, but more importantly
2) Passing this initiative would send a clear message to our legislature that the citizens of Arizona are willing to tax themselves in order to assist in remedying the state budget crisis and to maintain funding to programs that aid our most vulnerable populations.
· A “NO” vote on this initiative could send the wrong signal that that average citizens do not want to be taxed and will in turn make more cuts to more desperately needed, publically funded programs.
· Turn out at the polls on May 18, 2010 and let our legislature know that the citizens of Arizona are willing to do what it takes to protect health and human services for our most vulnerable populations.
· Tell your families; tell your neighbors, tell your friends, tell strangers…. Get the word out!
· Here are some things you can do right now:
· Register to vote. You can do this online. The last day to register to vote is April 19, 2010.
· Register to receive a permanent early ballot. Request your early ballot through your county recorder's office. The last day to request an early ballot is May 7, 2010.
· Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about Prop 100 and why it's important to public education in Arizona. Tell them to visityeson100.com.
· Vote Yes on Prop 100 on May 18.
· The budgetfight is not over --- tell the story of the consequences of these cruel cuts.
o Don’t let any opportunity pass without sharing your story, the story of the people you serve, the agency impacts, the layoffs, and the pain and suffering.
o If the consequences are invisible, the general public will not know or understand the great disservice of these cuts to our shared community life.
o Be present at the Legislature on PAFCO Action Days and let the Legislature know these cuts are bad and not acceptable and we will hold them accountable for these bad decisions.
o Continue to write the Governor and your legislators with your stories of impact. Share them with PAFCO and others.
o Be a voice of reason and compassion and good economic sense in the midst of cruelty of these cuts.
o Urge the Governor and Legislature to restore KidsCare. CAA will start a major campaign on Monday, April 5.
· Organize and turn out the vote for May 18 - Prop 100 sales tax referral election. (www.yeson100.com)
o It is not just about the money, the extra billion dollars that is badly needed.
o The billion dollars would not stop these cuts but will prevent more and deeper cuts.
o But more importantly a Yes vote will send the message that Arizonans care about the quality of their lives, their children’s education, their neighbors and our communities.
o If there is a NO vote, that message will be that Arizonans don’t want government and government support of education and health and human services and other vital services.
o This is also a referendum on the future of Arizona.
· Organize and do voter education and voter registration for the August Primary and November General election.
o This Primary and November election will also be a referendum on the future of our state.
o It will determine the nature of our public policy and which values for our shared communal life will prevail.
March 12, 2010
In this issue
· March 11 – A Day of Infamy
· What’s next?
· One Unresolved Issue – HCR2001
· Thanks or Disappointment Letters
· PAFCO Advocacy Training – Monday March 15
· PAFCO Action Day – Tuesday March 16
MARCH 11 2010 – A HISTORICAL WATERSHED SAD DAY OF INFAMY IN ARIZONA
· The Legislature made extreme cruel cuts to health and human services and education and other vital services on March 11. The list of cuts is below in this email.
· On Thursday evening, as widely reported, along party line votes, with the Republicans voting yes for the budget cuts and Democrats voting no against budget cuts, the Legislature severely cut health and human services and education and other vital state services and reduced state employees pay among other cuts.
· There are immediate cuts to KidsCare children with 45,000 plus children losing health care.
· There are immediate cuts to TANF families and grandparents, 10,000 families with up to 20,000 children losing cash assistance and support per month.
· Thousands and thousands of jobs will be lost to Arizona’s economy as these cuts are implemented. 42,000 jobs will be lost by the health care cuts alone. Thousands more by the human services cuts.
· Since these cuts were originally proposed by the Governor, there is very chance she will veto any of these cruel cuts.
These cuts were NOT necessary as claimed by proponents of this bad budget.
· The truth is that there are plenty of options including a full integrated budget proposal called the “Third Party – Five Year Plan.”
· There are billions of tax loopholes like taxing services or certain luxuries or “sugar” or alcoholic or “sin” taxes which could be implemented.
· There are plenty of studies verifying the small tax responsibility of citizens in Arizona and the weak tax structure which must be reformed.
· Other studies verify that tax cuts over the last 15 years --- not just the recession contributed significantly to this severe down turn in state revenues.
· Ideological narrow mindsets drove these cuts while being blind to other options which would be better for the economy and show compassion for children, families and vulnerable adults.
WHAT’S NEXT?
· The fight is not over --- tell the story of the consequences of these cruel cuts.
o Don’t let any opportunity pass without sharing your story, the story of the people you serve, the agency impacts, the layoffs, and the pain and suffering.
o If the consequences are invisible, the general public will not know or understand the great disservice of these cuts to our shared community life.
o Be present at the Legislature on PAFCO Action Days and let the Legislature know these cuts are bad and not acceptable and we will hold them accountable for these bad decisions.
o Continue to write the Governor and your legislators with your stories of impact. Share them with PAFCO and others.
o Be a voice of reason and compassion and good economic sense in the midst of cruelty of these cuts.
· Organize and turn out the vote for May 18 - Prop 100 sales tax referral election. (www.yeson100.com)
o It is not just about the money, the extra billion dollars that is badly needed.
o The billion dollars would not stop these cuts but will prevent more and deeper cuts.
o But more importantly a Yes vote will send the message that Arizonans care about the quality of their lives, their children’s education, their neighbors and our communities.
o If there is a NO vote, that message will be that Arizonans don’t want government and government support of education and health and human services and other vital services.
o This is also a referendum on the future of Arizona.
· Organize and do voter education and voter registration for the August Primary and November General election.
o This Primary and November election will also be a referendum on the future of our state.
o It will determine the nature of our public policy and which values for our shared communal life will prevail.
One unresolved issue - HCR 2001 Referral to the ballot of First Things First – TAKE ACTION!
· The one unresolved issue for health and human services and education issue HCR 2001 - the bill that would put the elimination of First Things First (FTF) on the ballot in November.
· The budget that was passed assumes taking from $325 million from FTF. The House approved sending the elimination of FTF to the ballot but the Senate will not vote until Monday.
· There is still time to let your Senators know that you oppose HCR 2001. Our message is - "Voters passed FTF with a new revenue source (tobacco tax) and the funds are needed for children’s and early childhood programs.
· FTF should not be eliminated and its funds should not be put into the General Fund" Please contact your senator and ask that SCR 2001 be modified to send to the voters instead a plan that would allow First Things First to loan the state $325 million to help balance the budget.
March 5, 2010
“Budget week” rolls over into another week with Special Session on Monday
· The Governor will call the Legislature into a special session on Monday afternoon to deal with 2010 and 2011 budgets.
· It will probably take all week to round up enough votes to pass the final bills. No bills drafts have been made public yet.
· The draft spreadsheets circulating outline deep and broad cuts to health and human services and education.
· Hundreds of thousands of more people and families will lose services instead of using reasonable alternatives being proposed. See the details below.
· Alternatives like the “Third Party – Five Year Plan” are being rejected in favor of more and more deep cuts.
March 9, 2010
House and Senate Approps committees pass really bad budget bills TODAY --- gutting health and human services, education, universities and other government responsibilities for the common good. These bills now will go to Rules and floor votes over the next couple of days. The House and Senate committees voted these kinds of cuts today:
Health Care cuts passed today
· 310,000 individuals proposed to be cut from AHCCCS health care based on Governor’s proposal to significantly scale back AHCCCS voter mandated Prop 204 health care coverage. No referral to voters, just action today to make these cuts on January 1, 2011.
· 45,000 children lose health care with the proposed elimination of KidsCare - proposed for April 1, 2010.
Behavioral Health cuts passed today (36,500 people will lose services)
· 17,000 seriously mentally ill adults face dramatic reductions in services.
· 4,200 children to lose behavioral health services leaving children and families with no where to turn.
· 6,600 people losing substance abuse services --- leaving families abandon to addictions and children in those families at greater risk, stuck in the child welfare system, or people jailed or deaths or more emergency rooms visits and 911 calls.
· 11,000 people getting general mental health services --- except for some very limited medication and medication management services.
Human Services cuts passed today
· 10,000 families (most female-headed) with 17,000 children are proposed to lose cash assistance --- for families already by definition very poor driving these families into deeper poverty effective April 1, 2010 if passed by the Legislature. This is an attack on some of the poorest of the poor with no where else to turn. Results will be increased homeless, desperation, illness, and family dislocation.
· 17,000 children are being denied child care.
· No 100% investigations of child protection or adult protection referrals and continued elimination of family support services. The system of in home family services has already been cut severely in the 2009/2010 cuts and will now be cut even with more families losing services and their children potentially going into foster care.
· Cuts in emergency services (eviction prevention, homeless prevention, etc) services for families in crisis effecting meaning 1,100 fewer families will receive emergency services.
· Cuts in domestic violence services reducing service to 1,600 victims of domestic violence will be turned away from shelters.
· Cuts in aging independent living services impacting hundreds of elderly and people with disabilities.
· Eliminate completely support for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
· Eliminate state only supported services for children and adults with developmental disabilities throwing 300 children and 400 adults off services.
· Elimination of the Department of Juvenile Corrections transferring youth to county detention centers in the counties throwing almost 900 people out of work and dumping these youths on the local governments already overburdened with their own budget problems.
· Implementation of many new fees and means testing for programs like adoption services for children with disabilities, services for children and adults with disabilities --- potentially leaving many children and adults at serious risk and costing more downstream as high cost services are used.
· Read CAA's Fact Sheet on this budget plan and send a message to your elected leaders today urging them to reject it!
Comments (123) 03-11-2010
March 2, 1020
Imagine the Jobing.com arena full of the children turned away from child care for their working parents this year. The Legislature is filling every seat with a child denied care and their parents standing by, not able to work. That doesn't make economic at all. These types of cuts are not solutions. Push back and resist these types of cuts. They don’t make any economic or humane sense. Contact your legislators. There are options. (By the way, the number of children denied care will exceed 17,000, while their parents lose work or go on public assistance (if that still exists).
OTHER proposed Human Services cuts
· 10,000 families (most female-headed) with 17,000 children are proposed to lose cash assistance --- for families already by definition very poor driving these families into deeper poverty effective April 1, 2010 if passed by the Legislature. This is an attack on some of the poorest of the poor with no where else to turn. Results will be increased homeless, desperation, illness, and family dislocation.
· 11,000 on child care turn away list with many more to be turned away from child care with child care permanently closed for the foreseeable future stopping families from working and putting children at risk.
· No 100% investigations of child protection or adult protection referrals and continued elimination of family support services. The system of in home family services has already been cut severely in the 2009/2010 cuts and will now be cut even with more families losing services and their children potentially going into foster care.
· Cuts in emergency services (eviction prevention, homeless prevention, etc) services for families in crisis effecting meaning 1,100 fewer families will receive emergency services.
· Cuts in domestic violence services reducing service to 1,600 victims of domestic violence will be turned away from shelters.
· Cuts in aging independent living services impacting hundreds of elderly and people with disabilities.
· Eliminate support for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
· Eliminate state only supported services for children and adults with developmental disabilities throwing 300 children and 400 adults off services.
· Elimination of the Department of Juvenile Corrections transferring youth to county detention centers in the counties throwing almost 900 people out of work and dumping these youths on the local governments already overburdened with their own budget problems.
· Implementation of many new fees and means testing for programs like adoption services for children with disabilities, services for children and adults with disabilities --- potentially leaving many children and adults at serious risk and costing more downstream as high cost services are used.
· A summary of proposed cuts and implications for the Department of Economic Security can be found at https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/uploadedFiles/Office_of_Communications/FY11_Executive_Recommendation.pdf?n=1089
· Click here for a list of major budget cuts proposed to children and families from Children’s Action Alliance. http://www.azchildren.org/MyFiles/10%20Legislature/Gov_Budget_FY11.pdf
March 1, 2010
Republican Legislative Leaders will reportedly now propose directly cutting the AHCCCS 204 population eliminating several hundred thousand people from health care coverage --- without a referral to the people.
· This makes no economic, humane or legal sense. What are these people thinking?
· There are alternatives including options like Five Year Plan – Third Party budget.
· Please take action and resist this and other bad cuts to health and human services for children, families, and vulnerable adults. n - Third Party Budget. Please take action and resist these bad ideas.
The Governor’s solutions --- and the coming Legislative leadership budget based on the Governor’s budget --- are brutal for children, families and elderly, people with disabilities and vulnerable adults --- and bad economics to the state.
Health Care cuts proposed highlighted today
· 310,000 individuals proposed to be cut from AHCCCS health care based on Governor’s proposal to significantly scale back AHCCCS voter mandated Prop 204 health care coverage.
· 47,000 children lose health care with the proposed elimination of KidsCare - proposed for April 1, 2010.
· For specific detail go to: http://www.ospb.state.az.us/documents/2010/FY2011_BudgetSummaryFINAL.pdf
· Healthcare Cuts Hurt State’s Economy - The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) is urging lawmakers to oppose any budget that will worsen the state’s economic crisis. 42,000 jobs will be lost and health care in Arizona devastated. For more information click here.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PAFCO ACTION DAY --- TUESDAY MARCH 9 --- FAMILY PICTURE
SEND A LETTER TO YOUR LEGISLATORS WITH YOUR FAMILY PICTURE URGING LEGISLATORS TO PROTECT ARIZONA’S FAMILIES.
HUMAN SERVICES DAY ---AND NASW SOCIAL WORK DAYS
SPONSORED BY
PAFCO, NASW AZ, CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE,
SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT,
FLORENCE CRITTENTON
ACTION WILL BEGIN AT 11AM.
PAFCO ACTION DAY – TUESDAY MARCH 16
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP LEAGUE – ADVOCACY TO END HOMELESSNESS
PAFCO ACTION DAY – TUESDAY MARCH 30 --- AARP
February 26, 2010
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Friday, February 26, 2010
Source: Arizona Capitol Reports
COMMITTEE HEARING UPDATE Standing committees in House and Senate will not meet next week.
JOBS PACKAGE WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL AFTER THE BUDGET When the House passed and sent H2250 (Arizona’s job recovery act) to the Senate, Burns said he wouldn’t move the bill until after the Senate has completed work on the FY10 and FY11 budgets. He is sticking to his word. The bill has not been referred to Senate committees even though: (a) it passed the House on Jan. 28, and (b) the Senate has referred other House bills that passed the House more recently. One insider told our reporter this morning: “I think we have to take Burns at his word: there will be no action taken on that bill until we have a budget that has passed the Legislature.”
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Observers see the jobs bill being used as in a political tug-of-war between House and Senate majority caucuses, an eventuality that potentially throws a wrench into leadership plans to “expeditiously address the budget.” As one source told our reporter yesterday: “A sub-caucus of House Republicans is likely to peg its support of the budget to passage of the jobs and tax cut bill. Burns is unlikely to be moved. Brewer will have to demonstrate some real leadership skills to avoid a complete stalemate.”
NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Observers see the jobs bill being used as in a political tug-of-war between House and Senate majority caucuses, an eventuality that potentially throws a wrench into leadership plans to “expeditiously address the budget.” As one source told our reporter yesterday: “A sub-caucus of House Republicans is likely to peg its support of the budget to passage of the jobs and tax cut bill. Burns is unlikely to be moved. Brewer will have to demonstrate some real leadership skills to avoid a complete stalemate.”
NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
JOBS PACKAGE WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL AFTER THE BUDGET When the House passed and sent H2250 (Arizona’s job recovery act) to the Senate, Burns said he wouldn’t move the bill until after the Senate has completed work on the FY10 and FY11 budgets. He is sticking to his word. The bill has not been referred to Senate committees even though: (a) it passed the House on Jan. 28, and (b) the Senate has referred other House bills that passed the House more recently. One insider told our reporter this morning: “I think we have to take Burns at his word: there will be no action taken on that bill until we have a budget that has passed the Legislature.”
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Observers see the jobs bill being used as in a political tug-of-war between House and Senate majority caucuses, an eventuality that potentially throws a wrench into leadership plans to “expeditiously address the budget.” As one source told our reporter yesterday: “A sub-caucus of House Republicans is likely to peg its support of the budget to passage of the jobs and tax cut bill. Burns is unlikely to be moved. Brewer will have to demonstrate some real leadership skills to avoid a complete stalemate.”
NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Observers see the jobs bill being used as in a political tug-of-war between House and Senate majority caucuses, an eventuality that potentially throws a wrench into leadership plans to “expeditiously address the budget.” As one source told our reporter yesterday: “A sub-caucus of House Republicans is likely to peg its support of the budget to passage of the jobs and tax cut bill. Burns is unlikely to be moved. Brewer will have to demonstrate some real leadership skills to avoid a complete stalemate.”
NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
NEXT WEEK Leadership plans for next week are still unclear. Last week, when reports were confirmed that the first week(s) in March would be devoted to the budget, many observers thought the idea would be to get the bills passed and sent to Brewer before tackling alternate house bills. Over the past several days, however, those observers are backing off their predictions. “Leadership will be satisfied just to throw their ideas out there and let them percolate over the next several weeks,” said one. Linda Gray told our reporter it may be too much to expect the Senate to third-read budget bills next week. She said she expects to see bill drafts for lawmakers to examine and for leadership to figure out if they have the votes to go forward. Harper, who was in a small group meeting yesterday, said no one in his group specifically asked leadership how far it wants to move the budget next week. Harper said he believes leadership is trying to find out where a consensus may be found. He said he doesn’t believe members have discussed what they can support, or what they need to have included.
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
BILLS NOT DRAFTED Pierce said the budget will not be third read next week. When he left the Capitol yesterday, the bills had not been drafted because “we don’t have everything -- there’s not complete agreement on all the numbers between the House, the Senate and the governor.” He said the disagreement is not over the revenue or deficit base. The on-going discussions relate to the scoring for various cuts and backfills. They will shop firmed-up numbers with members next week. Pierce said he’s not sure when the budget bills would be dropped. “It would be nice if we could do it by the end of the week, but I just don’t know,” Pierce said.
THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”
THE DIRECTION FORWARD
Yesterday’s Legislative Report item that included Meyer’s claim that if the sales tax referral does not pass, class size in the Scottsdale school district will approach 50 engendered at least one comment. A reader, who had been educated abroad, said that most of his classes in high school had had at least 50 students in them. Our response -- “that was in a third-world county” -- turned out to be the perfect set-up; he stretched his arms out in an inclusive gesture and said: “Welcome to the third world!”