Featured

Barto to Chair Health and Human Services Committee

November 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

Speaker-elect Kirk Adams announced committee chairmanships in the House of Representatives for the upcoming session last week - an event members have been anxious for since the election. It had been my hope to be assigned the responsibility to chair Health and Human Services as I have focused much of my energy in these areas having served on both committees for the last two years. Combining the two committees makes sense, as well, since so many health and human services issues overlap, giving committee members a broader perspective as they deliberate bills.

Issues regularly assigned to the Health & Human Services Committees include those affecting families, abortion and end-of-life issues, child protection and foster care, welfare, developmental disabilities, medical malpractice, health insurance, professional regulatory boards, drug and alcohol treatment and mental health - among others.

Further committee member assignments have not been announced. Last year many members were assigned up to five committees, which was too many, in my opinion. Under the new leadership there are fewer committees and the expectation is fewer committee assignments for each member.

This week House members are meeting with leadership to communicate our priorities for the upcoming session - then to strategize to accomplish them. Committee chairmen have the perogative to “hold” bills assigned to their committees, so it is critical to have chairmen in place who advance our reform agenda.

Campaign 2008

You Can Still Get Involved! Meet the Candidates Oct. 30th.

October 29, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

Here’s one more opportunity to come and meet the candidates this Thursday, October 30th @ 7:00 pm. For details and flyer, click here.

You can still get involved by working at a polling place - sign up to volunteer today!

Media

Arizona’s Own Bailout

November 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

A week ago conventional wisdom had resigned the state to two more years with Napolitano as Governor, but what a difference a few days can make! Now we know that our Governor can look forward to a quick exit from the State’s present budget woes she helped create. The silver lining, of course, is Arizonans will have the kind of leadership we’ll need to deal with it in Governor-designate Jan Brewer. With a firm Republican majority in both houses at the Legislature and a thoughtful conservative Republican on the ninth floor who likely will facilitate the reforms Republican lawmakers have consistently offered over the years, there is reason for rejoicing at the Capitol!

Secretary of State Jan Brewer would be the third consecutive female governor to serve in Arizona and the fourth woman governor is state history. If people doubt Brewer’s readiness to lead, a look at her experience should put the question to rest. Tackling the budget will be no easy task, but Brewer has faced tough choices before. Previous to her election to the Secretary’s office Brewer served as Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for six years, helping right the debt-ridden county towards financial stability at a time when it was swimming in debt. Prior to that Brewer served in the State Legislature for 14 years, three as Majority Whip.

As Secretary of State Jan Brewer has served the state admirably, as well, strengthening the integrity of the elections process in Arizona by insisting upon voters providing proper identification at the polls. With rampant voter fraud reports throughout the country during the past election, Arizona has benefited immeasureably by Brewer’s leadership to fully and carefully implement our voter-mandated voter ID laws. If only other states were so lucky.

Legislative Action

‘Cap ‘n Trading’ ADEQ Authority

November 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

Members of the interim legislative committee evaluating the work of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is asking the right questions of the agency’s actions over the past year driving tough new auto emissions standards. Questions that Director Owens has no explanation for except to pass the buck to Governor Napolitano, who directed him to set public policy by rule as opposed to laws passed by the Legislature.

Frustrated that the Legislature has not jumped on the Democrat-driven Climate Change bandwagon, imposing statewide regulations and taxes (AKA Cap-n’Trade) on industry to reduce carbon emissions regionally, ADEQ approved new rules earlier this year requiring each automobile manufacturer to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its total sales in the state by 37 percent by 2016. Furthermore, the agency mandated that, beginning in 2012, 10 percent of all vehicles sold in Arizona have no emissions at all, whether powered by electricity, hydrogen or some other source. The percentage increases to16 percent by 2022.

What is the purpose of the legislature if the Governor and state agencies can make laws and carry them out, too?

Alas for ADEQ, though. Since this committee makes recommendations to the legislature regarding the agency’s future, we have yet to see which ADEQ policies stand and which agency authority will be “capped” by the legislature under new Executive leadership, Governor-designate Jan Brewer.

This isn’t the first time the Governor has overreached executive authority, of course, but it is amazingly far-reaching in its potential to negatively impact already stressed economic conditions in the state by increasing costs to the auto and energy-producers, which will be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

Lest these 50 states suffer the same economic repercussions through a similar federal mandate, let’s hope President-elect Obama will listen to industry leaders and consumers before attempting to force his draconian climate change agenda. For now, we may be able to dodge the bullet here in Arizona at least.

Culture Watch

#1 Priority on Obama’s To-Do List if Elected

October 21, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

What’s #1 on Obama’s To-Do list if elected in November? Anyone guess abortion?

Barack promised the Planned Parenthood lobby that the first thing he would do as President is sign the “Freedom of Choice Act” — FOCA. The first thing! Not end the war in Iraq. Not reform tax policy. Not reform Freddie and Fannie, health care or education or even meet with terrorist leaders in the first year - but sign FOCA. Read more »

Did You Know

Ever wonder where the bulk of your tax money goes?

October 1, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

The attached charts provide details on the major revenue streams for Arizona’s budget and the top areas that are funded through the budget.

Click here to see the chart.