Health Care Lawsuit Filed
August 12, 2010
Goldwater Institute Files Lawsuit Against Federal Health Care Bill
Legal challenge seeks to protect health care freedom and preserve constitutional checks and balances
PHOENIX – The Goldwater Institute filed a lawsuit today to strike down the 2010 federal health care reforms as a fundamental attack on individual freedom and the rights guaranteed to all Americans by the U.S. Constitution.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix is a private challenge to the health care bill championed by President Barack Obama. Arizona and 21 other states are pursuing public lawsuits against the federal law, based in large part on preserving their traditional authority to regulate health insurance. This new lawsuit, known as Coons v. Geithner, argues the federal health care bill exceeds the powers of Congress, violates individual rights, interferes with the authority of states, and violates the separation of powers by setting up a new bureaucracy without meaningful congressional oversight or judicial review.
“This lawsuit is our effort to bring down one of the most sweeping invasions of individual liberty and state sovereignty in American history,” said Clint Bolick, litigation director for the Goldwater Institute. “The federal health care bill is a sledgehammer to solve a problem that needs the precision of a scalpel. This is the most overbearing and intrusive way possible to try to address America’s rising health care costs.” [Read more]
Saving Our Secret Ballot – just in time
August 12, 2010
The AZ Republic called it “anti-union” and Democrats refused to argue its merits – choosing instead to politicize the state’s prison breaks! Then, as if reading from the same cue card, Attorney General Terry Goddard joined the chorus.
Opposing workers’ rights to a secret ballot is hard to defend at best – and blatant cow-towing to the unions at worst. But that’s exactly what all but two Democrats did.
Despite the drama and thanks to quick action by the Governor - for calling the Special Session – voters will be assured the opportunity to vote to Save Our Secret Ballot. The timing to get it done was critical to getting it on the November ballot.
What is Card Check? [Read more]
Who’s Backing Nancy Barto for Senate?
August 12, 2010
A wide spectrum of constituencies endorse Nancy Barto for Senate in 2010. Check them out!
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Arizona Highway Patrol Association
Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
National Rifle Association PVF - for voting scores
Arizona Citizens Defense League
Arizona Medical Association PAC
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona
Arizona Association of Realtors
Arizona Nurses Association PAC
Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife PAC
Arizona Farm Bureau Ag PAC
Arizona State Contractors Coalition
Associated General Contractors, AZ Chapter
My Turn – District 7 Senate Primary
July 29, 2010
As a legislator, integrity means acting upon and voting according to the values and principles voters expected when they cast their ballot for me. By supporting bills and crafting budgets that restrain government, restore individual rights, protect the most vulnerable, stop illegal immigration (including SB 1070), oppose unconstitutional Federal mandates, and support accountability, standards and choice in education – I have proven to consistently and effectively represent my constituents.
Experience alone shouldn’t be the reason voters return any lawmaker to office – but it matters.
Government, by its very nature, increases and expands. Revolving lawmakers must figure out how agencies and their funding schemes work, often missing critical opportunities to substantially change them. Restructuring government is a tedious process, but it must be done. I am prepared to continue this work while promoting a business-friendly tax environment to create jobs. [Read more]
AZ Republic endorses Barto for Senate
July 29, 2010
Barto well-spoken and gets the job done
Ray Barnes and Nancy Barto have spots in any legislative trivia contest. Barto replaced the first legislator to be removed from office for Clean Election violations. Barnes suffered a heart attack on the House floor, his life saved by an intern who knew CPR.
Now the two District 7 representatives are facing off in the district’s Senate Republican primary, along with two other candidates. This isn’t a race pitting a moderate against a conservative. Both are solid conservatives. The choice for voters comes down to style and effectiveness. [Read more]
Gun laws criminals love to ignore
July 29, 2010
Restrictive gun laws imply we’re more worried about lawful citizens carrying guns than criminals. After all – who actually obeys these laws?
- that’s why the Arizona Legislature restored “constitutional carry” rights and passed several other pro-2nd amendment bills this session.
Click to see a brief synopsis of bills passed this session, including SB 1108, eliminating the government-required CCW permit to carry a weapon openly in Arizona (where legal to do so, of course).
Some argued removing the training and CCW permit requirement to openly carry would result in anarchy and mayhem but Prof. John Lott’s work and a recent MSNBC report (from SAF.org), “More Guns, Less Crime”, disprove the notion that increased training and permit requirements reduce mishaps and deter crime. They do one thing very well, though - they deter lawful citizens from carrying a weapon and defending themselves, which increases crime. [Read more]
Support for Arizona law reaches Congress
July 29, 2010
Citizens here and across America aren’t the only ones in support of Arizona’s SB 1070. Count many in Congress, too.
Read Congressman Trent Franks’ press briefing: 81 Members of Congress File ‘Friend of the Court’ Brief Supporting Arizona in US v. Arizona
Of course, now we’ve learned that U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton issued an injunction blocking major provisions of the law until the courts further deliberate.
Read what’s blocked and what’s not in the Arizona Capitol Times report. For the complete amended version of SB 1070, click here.
The Obama administration brief argued that “a state may not establish its own immigration policy or enforce state laws in a manner that interferes with the federal immigration laws. The Constitution and the federal immigration laws do not permit the development of a patchwork of state and local immigration policies throughout the country.”
Funny – the Feds don’t seem to find cities, like San Francisco that blatantly violate federal immigration laws problematic – only states that try to enforce them! [Read more]
Balancing egg donation and infertility treatment
July 29, 2010
Barto receives ‘Legislator of the Year’ award
June 26, 2010
At their annual convention of the Arizona Association of Chiropractic the members recently recognized Rep. Nancy Barto ….for “her dedication and service to the AAC and to the Chiropractic profession”.
As the dinner keynote she recounted to AAC members many of the details of the process of getting important legislation affecting the profession successfully through the Legislature.
As a result of Barto’s efforts regarding HB 2025, Arizona statutes now accurately describe, as well as define, chiropractors’ current practices.
Persistence and chiropractic physicians’ involvement pays off!
Is Economic Recovery Automatic?
June 26, 2010
Unfortunately, no. And with over 300,000 jobs lost in Arizona since the start of the “great recession” – 27% unemployment in one Arizona county and still hovering near 10% statewide – we’re all feeling the effects.
What’s worse – Congress is adding to economic uncertainty through deficit “stimulus” spending and passing massive new healthcare, business and energy regulations that will raise taxes and consumer costs.
We know these actions are hampering economic growth.
But what should government be doing? Should government do anything? Yes – and the sooner the better. [Read more]
