Gun laws criminals love to ignore

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]

Balancing egg donation and infertility treatment

Governor Signs Child Prostitution bill

AZ Border In-security

The story that’s taking over the news these days is the immigration bill – SB 1070. 

As most of you know, most Arizonans support Governor Brewer and the Legislature’s actions  - enabling local police to enforce Federal immigration laws. 

And the rest of the country?  America knows there’s a problem.  In fact, I  receive calls and e-mails daily from people across the country in support of our actions and making  plans to vacation in our state! 

The boycotts, lawsuits and ignorant statements including those by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder – who admitted he hadn’t even read the bill – are drowned out by the truth:  [Read more]

AZ Adopts Sweeping Ed reforms

Besides the important move to ban racially charged ethnic studies programs like Tucson’s La Raza, a bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Montenegro and highly promoted by Supt. Tom Horne (watch FOX interview here), the legislature advanced a host of substantive education reforms that were instrumental in increasing academic performance in Florida by 18% in a few short years…

…Including the following: [Read more]

Palin Highlights Life

Victory could not have been sweeter for pro-family voters who gathered to support the Center for Arizona Policy’s fundraiser recently.  (Watch CAP’s new video - featuring several Barto comments). 

The evening event featured Governor Sarah Palin, who drew a crowd of 1600.  Palin’s inspiring story served to magnify one of the many victories realized this session for Arizona families and supporters of  The Center for Arizona Policy when Governor Jan Brewer, who attended the event,  signed into law one of the most significant pro-life bills of the session – SB 1305. [Read more]

Child Prostitution on the run

Some day may it not be said that Phoenix, Arizona is ‘home’ to over 300 underage girls trapped in prostitution – average age:  13. 

Because it’s not so now. 

Most are lured into the seedy life through false pretences,  abuse, manipulation and intimidation.  Their lives or their family’s lives are often threatened beyond belief and they can imagine no way out.

Up ’til now current law hasn’t helped.  It allows the “john” to escape criminal prosecution for what is often incredibly violent sexual abuse because he has been able to claim not knowing the girl was a minor – so prosecutors haven’t bothered even trying to bring charges.   A “Normal” prostitution charge would only bring a $50 fine.  [Read more]

Nancy’s record clear on Illegal Immigration

From 2006 -2010

• Law Enforcement – Safe Neighborhoods – SB 1070 – Supported 4/13/10

• Immigration – Border Security – HB 2162 – Supported 4/29/10 -  new language was struck onto tax bill I voted against on 3/17.  New 2162 amended SB 1070.  

• Toughen human smuggling & drop house penalties – HB 2842 – Supported 3/27/08

• Prohibit illegal hiring for day laborers – HB 2412 – Supported 3/11/08 & HB 2533 6/17/09

• Prohibit sanctuary cities – HB 2807 – Supported 3/20/08 and HB 2331 – Supported 6/9/09

• Border technology; appropriation – HB 2473 – Supported 1/23/07

• Arizona National Guard mobilization – HB 2766 – Supported 3/8/07

• End public benefits and welfare – HB 2467 – Supported 1/19/07

• Employer sanctions for illegal hiring practices – HB 2779 – Supported 6/20/07

• Prohibit Matricula Consular cards as valid ID in AZ – HB 2460 – Supported 4/4/07

• Criminal trespass for day laborers – HB 2589 – Supported 3/8/07

• Proof of legal status to obtain AZ drivers license – HB 2475 – Supported 4/4/07

• Border Security Council funding – HB 2582 -Supported 3/13/07

• Photo radar equipment at border; $50 million – HB 2578 – Supported 2/6/06

• Deny bail for serious felonies – HB 2580 – Supported 6/20-06

• Illegal aliens; employment; verification – HB 2577 – Supported 5/25/06

See www.AZLeg.gov to check legislation and voting record facts.  Be sure to change the session before entering the bill number in the right hand corner to access the correct session/year the bill was introduced.

2010 Legislation Primer

First, a short primer on sponsorship of legislation.

What’s the difference between a prime sponsor of a bill and a co-sponsor?

When legislators say they “sponsored” a bill, it usually means they are the prime prime sponsor, which entails shepherding the bill from start to finish through the process in one or both Legislative chambers.  It can become confusing because sometimes legislators check off the box as ‘prime’ sponsor, when they are really not the ‘prime prime’ sponsor, but a co-sponsor.  One can find out who is the ‘prime prime’ sponsor, by going to the bill version itself.  The first name listed on the bill is the ‘prime prime’ sponsor. 

Confused?  Don’t be.  When you click on a bill I co-sponsored, such as HB 2148 - Adoption, a bill which gives adoption preference for married couples, you will see an option to click on sponsors.  Rep. Warde Nichols is listed first and is the prime sponsor.  Everyone else, including me, is actually a co-sponsor.

When legislators “co-sponsor” a bill, it means they are generally supportive of the measure, but do not have the primary responsibility of garnering the necessary votes for it or getting it through the process. 

So far this session these are some of the more notable bills I sponsored and am shepherding through the process: [Read more]

The Santa State

….some at the Legislature have great faith  – they believe the State is akin to Santa Claus.  During this week’s fifth Special Session on the budget, analogies that State Government was acting like “Scrooge” and “the Grinch” because we were reducing state spending by $194 million, added some humor to the discussion, but not much reality.

After all, the characters in these fictions are private community members, not governments redistributing wealth through compulsory taxation.

Furthermore – how can government leaders continue spending taxpayer money at a rate  revenues don’t support?  With a $1.6 billion deficit remaining in this year’s budget (with only 6 months to go),  spending is hovering around $10. billion and revenues are only $6.5!  Seems a bit irresponsible, n’est ce pas?  Not to mention unconstitutional. [Read more]

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