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]

Governor Signs Child Prostitution bill

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]

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.

Immigration Bill Nears Passage

The news is sobering.  Border violence is an everyday occurance and human smugglers move people across the Arizona border and into the interior like a sieve.  The recent shooting of Douglas rancher, Robert Krentz, is the most recent high profile victim, but it’s certainly not an isolated case.

Which is why moving Arizona Guardsmen to the Southern border is, again, being  urgently and seriously considered, along with other strategies proposed by Southern Arizona Cattlemen.

Arizonans deserve protection.

In addition, House Republicans moved comprehensive immigration enforcement legislation another step forward.  All Republicans supported the bill (35-21).    [Read more]

Is Getting a Divorce Too Easy?

According to 2008 TIME/CNN polling data, the public agrees by a nearly a 2-1 margin that it should be “harder than it is now for married couples with young children to get a divorce,” (61% to 35%). 

Obtaining a divorce in Arizona is one of the most consequential decisions that a married couple can make, but Arizona law allows for a couple to obtain one only 60 days after filing.

HB 2650 addresses this issue by lengthening it from two to six months.  Why?  Delaying divorce may save marriages.  [Read more]

Borrowing Isn’t the Answer

As abhorrent as I think raising taxes is in this economy, the reasons for allowing voters to decide this issue include these:

1.  More borrowing is even more detrimental to the state long term than raising the sales tax (if voters agree to pass the increase).  AZ. Republic Columnist Robert Robb agrees.  To read his piece,  click here.  

2.  With voter-mandated budget constraints, nobody will be pleased with the choices we will have to make if we have to solve balance the budget through cuts alone.   We have already cut $1.5 billion out of this and last year’s budgets, largely without touching the biggest of the line items:  K-12 education formula spending and health care.  These are almost completely off-limits because of strings tied to stimulus funding.

3.  Propositions that have passed at the ballot prevent the Legislature from reducing or altering another 1/3rd of the general fund.  THIS IS A PROBLEM.  And much needed initiative reforms are not possible in time to help balance this year’s revenue shortfall. [Read more]

Real Healthcare Reforms this Session

Yes, we can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Lest Arizonans become budget-weary, citizens should know Legislators are working for them on many issues this session – including medical liability reforms that, if passed, will actually reduce health care costs and increase the numbers of physicians and other medical professionals willing to practice medicine here in Arizona.  Unlike the so-called healthcare reforms bills in Congress.

Arizona has a significant physician shortage compared to the national average:  219/100,000 people versus 293/100,000.   And our rural communities fare even worse at 124/100,000.  Our aging and growing population will only compound the problem if the issue is not addressed – and soon.

At least five medical liability (tort) reforms will be debated, and hopefully, passed this session – including: [Read more]

Why Congress’ Healthcare Bill is Bad for Arizona

Congress’ Healthcare “Reform” bill is a mere handful of votes shy of passage. Far from achieving the objectives of providing healthcare to all Americans and lowering costs, Arizona citizens can count on these outcomes instead:

Fundamental changes in the standard of care.  While more people may technically be “covered”, over-utilization of services will lead to longer waits for health care and inevitable rationing of care.  Not to worry, though.  The bill plans for this.   A 15 member health commission, much like those in countries with similar nationalized healthcare, will have extraordinary powers to dictate what is covered, for whom and how it will be paid for. [Read more]

What do you DO when you’re not in Session?

It’s a question I imagine many people wonder of their elected representatives.  Below is an update on a few of the issues/activities keeping me hopping – between Special Sessions, of course. 

 -     A fourth Special Session, addressing this year’s budget, is expected to be called in early November.   Now that the latest revenue numbers are in, revealing a $2 billion deficit in the current budget year many of us are pushing to begin tackling this deficit  before we have to deal with next year’s budget cuts.  But the agencies’ 15% budget cutting exercise will result in nowhere near the real budget cuts we will see next year, ie. prisoners will not be released to the streets!

-     Arizona Healthcare Freedom Act.   People are incensed at Congress’ imminent  move to nationalize health care and are anxious to learn how they can  preserve their fundamental health care freedoms.  Requests for interviews, articles and to speak to groups about the AHCFA continue unabated.  It’s a movement catching fire across the country.  So far 20 other states, Kansas being the latest, plan to follow Arizona’s lead and introduce the legislation next year, if they haven’t already.  [Read more]

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