AZ Right to Life: Pro-abortion, Pro-euthanasia Sebelius confirmed as Secretary of Health & Human Services

You don't get much further left on abortion than Sebelius.

The US Senate confirmed 65-31 Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius Tuesday as the new Secretary of the federal Health & Human Services Department (HHS), which oversees federal regulatory giants FDA & CDC. President Obama nominated the highly controversial pro-abortion governor on March 2nd of this year, drawing intense opposition from national and local pro-life organizations.

Arizona Right to Life president Jinny Perron said, "We are deeply saddened and shocked that the new HHS Secretary promotes the horrific procedure of dismemberment, poisoning and killing of our pre-born children--to the long-term detriment of their mothers and our nation."

Sebelius campaigned for Kansas governor using under-reported funds from the abortion industry, including the notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller who is currently facing disciplinary action from the Kansas Board of Healing Arts that could revoke his medical license.

"It is disconcerting to us that women support legal abortion when national and local statistics prove the majority of babies being aborted overall targets our girl babies and our minority brothers and sisters," said Perron.

In addition to her clearly pro-abortion views, Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) said in the Senate Finance Committee hearing and Senate floor debate that he opposed the nomination of Sebelius on the grounds of her support for healthcare rationing, which would lead to euthanasia. "This should be a matter of concern for every American," he said.

Kyl said that Sebelius "made clear that the administration and [HHS] under her watch would be unwilling to support patient safeguards. [Sebelius] did not provide any assurance that [HHS], federal health care programs, or any new government entity... will not use [comparative effectiveness research] to ration or deny care."

Kyl warned, "We must not enable a panel of Washington bureaucrats to decide who is eligible for a particular treatment or when they can get it."

Please support our life-affirming efforts as we prepare to oppose the nomination of Dawn Johnson who, once confirmed, will also join in the advancement of this Administration's radical abortion agenda.

Any amount will help in the fight to protect innocent human life.

GOP legislative budget proposal doesn't involve raising taxes or heavily borrowing

The Republic covers it here. Not sure yet how good of a plan it is, but if it doesn't involve raising taxes or heavily borrowing and gimmicks then it's the best proposal so far.

AZGOP: It's time for the Arizona State Bar to stop playing games

by Randy Pullen

We need fair and impartial jurists, and today I called upon the State Bar of Arizona to stop playing games with Arizona’s judicial selection system and submit a slate of nominees for the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments that actually have a chance of being confirmed by the state Senate. Constitutionally, the Governor is mandated to select one nominee from the list provided by the State Bar and forward the selection to the Senate for consideration. But the State Bar only forwarded one name to Governor Brewer for consideration, forcing the submission of an unacceptable nominee who stands little if any chance of being confirmed.

The people of Arizona expect more from their judicial selection system, and this cast of trial lawyers at the State Bar is making a mockery of the so-called merit selection and retention system. For years, the State Bar has promoted the names of the chosen, liberal few. They should be ashamed of themselves for failing in their constitutionally mandated duties.

According to the Arizona Nominating Commission, there are three judicial nominating commissions in Arizona -- the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, the Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments and the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments. Each commission has 16 members: 10 public members and 5 attorneys, plus the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court or a designated Supreme Court justice, who serves as a voting chairperson.

These Commission members are to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Public members may not be judges or practicing attorneys. Attorney members must have practiced law in Arizona for five years and are recommended to the Governor by the State Bar of Arizona.

When Governor Brewer received the selection for the commission, she immediately wrote a letter to the State Bar requesting additional nominees. We all know that the State Bar had a willing partner in pushing a radical, liberal judicial agenda with Governor Napolitano. With Governor Brewer now occupying the 9th Floor, a balanced and impartial court system will hopefully be in order. But I’m not going to hold my breath. As the State Bar did the same thing to former Governor Symington. It is difficult to take the State Bar seriously when they are so obviously partisan in their selections to the judicial nominating committee.

County Attorney Thomas asks Board of Supervisors again for mediation

click to enlarge

Goldwater Institute develops plan to earn top-performing teachers 100k per year

Rock Star Pay for Rock Star Teachers: How Teachers Can Earn Six Figures

We hear it over and over: teaching is one of the most important professions in the country. So why is it hard to attract the top college graduates to the classroom? The answer is simple: schools treat teachers like factory workers rather than professionals.

"We simply cannot draw more people into teaching without addressing the elephant in the room," says Matthew Ladner, Ph.D., vice president of research at the Goldwater Institute. "Teaching, as currently practiced, is an unattractive career to many people because it does not reward merit."

A report released today, "New Millennium Schools: Delivering Six-Figure Teacher Salaries in Return for Outstanding Student Learning Gains," shows how the system can be improved to give rock star teachers rock star pay without requiring more money from taxpayers.

Top teachers can be identified using value-added assessments, a method of evaluating teacher effectiveness by measuring what their students learn throughout the year. Once highly-performing teachers are identified, just compensation can begin.

Dr. Ladner and his co-authors, Dr. Gregory Stone and Dr. Mark Francis, propose a system of merit bonuses for teachers based on student gains in the classroom and for meeting school-wide goals set by administrators.

The report also outlines a way to further compensate the best of the best, called "master teachers." Once identified, master teachers would be given more students to teach. That means bigger classroom sizes. Since research demonstrates that teacher quality trumps the impact of class size, a master teacher could effectively take on more students and still have better results than other teachers.

The report proposes giving master teachers a bonus for each additional student they add to their classroom. The bonus would amount to two-thirds of the per-pupil funding that the school receives. Under this formula, for example, a master teacher in Arizona who taught 32 students instead of 20 could make $102,000. With the potential to make a six-figure salary, competition for teaching positions would increase greatly.

For evidence that this approach to teacher recruitment and compensation works, we can look to South Korea. In South Korea teaching is a highly esteemed, highly compensated profession. Teachers are recruited from the top 5 percent of college graduates. Even with an average class size of almost 50, South Korean students score much better on math and science exams than American students. Some observers dismiss the disparity as the result of cultural differences. Maybe. But as one South Korean policymaker noted, "The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers."

Read "New Millennium Schools" online, or to have a copy mailed to you, call (602) 462-5000.

The Goldwater Institute is a nonprofit public policy research and litigation organization whose work is made possible by the generosity of its supporters.

Public deserves answers from Stapley

Good editorial in the East Valley Tribune today. Some excerpts -

...it’s increasingly clear that Stapley owes the public a detailed explanation about his ongoing financial ties to Conley Wolfswinkel, a convicted felon who managed to wriggle out of most of $3 billion in debts, penalties and interest assessed after his land empire collapsed nearly two decades ago.

Tribune writer Mark Flatten reported Sunday a pattern has emerged in that Stapley buys land from a Wolfswinkel-related business, which in turn pays Stapley a sizeable amount of the property’s value each year to keep the land available for that same company to buy back at a later time.

These buyback options put $1.8 million in Stapley’s pocket between August 2003 and July 2008, Flatten reported. That’s a substantial amount of money for Stapley, who reported to the IRS in 2006 that his adjusted gross income actually was a loss of nearly $50,000, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

These odd arrangements point to a serious entanglement between Stapley and a man who has amassed a second fortune while operating at the very edge of the law. Wolfswinkel avoids any direct ownership (at least on paper) in East Valley real estate because of his 1993 conviction on bank fraud charges and those multi-billion dollar judgments that eventually were settled for less than $22 million. Instead, Wolfswinkel serves as a “consultant” to a series of businesses owned by other family members.

County Attorney asks court to mediate dispute with Board of Supervisors

click to enlarge

Sheriff Arpaio defends latest raids, derides appointment efforts; poll shows he’s more popular than Obama in Arizona

Good article in the Phoenix Business Journal. An excerpt on the latest poll -

A recent poll by Rasmussen Reports shows Arpaio remains popular among Arizona voters -- more popular than President Barack Obama.

Sixty-eight percent of state voters have a favorable view of Arpaio, compared with a 53 percent approval rating for Obama and 57 percent for new Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

Forty-seven percent disapprove of Obama’s performance during his first months in office, compared with a 37 percent disapproval rate for Brewer and 26 percent for Arpaio.

CAP updates

Scholarship Tax Credit Program Still Standing

On Tuesday, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in a case challenging Arizona's individual scholarship tax credit program. The court did not halt the scholarship tax credit program or strike it down, but instead sent the case back to federal trial court to determine whether in fact scholarship organizations are limiting scholarship awards in an unconstitutional way. The programs remain valid, so individuals and corporations can continue to donate to the scholarship tuition organizations that are providing scholarships to tens of thousands of students to attend the private schools of their parents' choosing.

Also this week, the Arizona Department of Revenue released its 2008 report showing school tuition organizations provided over 28,000 scholarships for students to attend the private schools chosen by their parents as the best school setting. Even using a very conservative estimate of the cost of public school education per student, this tax credit program results in savings of well over $120 million to the state (28,000 students times $6500 public school education cost per student equals $182 million. $182 million not spent on public school education for these students minus $54 million tax credit equals $128 million savings for state). CAP is working with our school choice allies to defend and protect all of the Arizona scholarship programs, including the grant program overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court last month.

You can read a Q&A document about the recent court decision prepared by the lead attorneys on the case, Institute for Justice and Alliance Defense Fund.

FDA Tramples on Parental Rights!

This week, the Federal Drug Administration ruled that 17 year-old girls can now receive Plan B "morning-after pills" at a local pharmacy without parental knowledge or a doctor's prescription. While the morning-after pill can act to prevent pregnancy, it can also act to abort an existing pregnancy by blocking implantation of a fertilized egg. Our government has decided that 17-year olds shouldn't vote, smoke, or buy alcohol, yet the FDA wants minor girls to make important medical decisions without any involvement from doctors or parents. Read more about this dangerous ruling on our blog.

Have You Heard the Buzz About Governor Huckabee?

Our office has been receiving calls every day from people excited to buy tickets for the CAP Family Dinner with Mike Huckabee. Plan now to join us on May 19th at the Camelback Inn for this special evening. Please make sure you purchase your tickets before they are gone!


Legislative Update

On Tuesday, the Students' Religious Liberties Act passed through Committee of the Whole debate in the House. "Rumors" abound that the state budget solution is close to being done, but everyone is cautious to put a timeline on when that will happen. Our CAP Policy team continues to encourage legislators to pass the budget so that pro-life and pro-family bills can be passed. To stay updated on these issues, as well as to read about Miss California, the Obama Administration, and other current events, visit our CAP blog.


Are You Ready to Pray?

While I hope that prayer is a daily part of your lives, the National Day of Prayer on May 7th is a great opportunity to join together with others to pray for our country and leaders. This year's theme is "Prayer...America's Hope." The future of our country and our freedoms are at stake, and there is no better time to join together in prayer. To learn more about Arizona's role in this important day, please visit the Arizona National Day of Prayer website.

Governor Brewer Convenes State Swine Flu Team

Reviews Response Plans with Key Cabinet Officials

Phoenix – Governor Jan Brewer met late today with senior staff and cabinet officials to evaluate the State of Arizona’s enhanced monitoring of potential cases of Swine Flu, as well as to review preparedness plans in the event that cases are confirmed in Arizona.

“I convened a meeting this afternoon of my top cabinet officials involved with monitoring and coordinating our preparedness and response plans for any potential outbreak of Swine Flu in Arizona,” stated Brewer. “To date, no cases of Swine Flu have been identified in Arizona. However, the State Lab and local clinicians have enhanced their surveillance to identify any Arizona cases quickly and have reviewed plans for appropriate response if cases are identified in the future.”

Governor Brewer has received frequent situational briefings beginning last Friday and over the weekend regarding ongoing communications between state and federal public health experts and homeland security officials. In specific, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Homeland Security departments have provided continuous informational updates to the State of Arizona regarding federal travel advisories, international health expert updates, as well as efforts to disseminate 25% of the federal stockpile of antiviral drugs. Arizona has applied for and will receive additional stockpiles of antiviral medications from the federal government, adding to the State’s previously acquired stockpile. Per federal requirements, the stockpiles are restricted for treatment purposes of identified illnesses only.

This afternoon’s meeting included top officials from:

• Arizona Department of Health Services
• Arizona Department of Homeland Security
• Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs
• Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Arizona Department of Agriculture
• Arizona Department of Education
• Arizona Department of Transportation
• Arizona-Mexico Commission
The Arizona Department of Health Services has been in communication with healthcare providers, counties, tribes, medical associations, hospitals, and emergency departments with disease summary, infection control, treatment and testing recommendations.

According to the CDC, Swine Flu symptoms are similar to those of the common human influenza (flu) virus – fever, cough, sore throat, headache, etc.

“Arizona’s public health officials are prepared to respond should Swine Flu cases be discovered in Arizona, and will remain vigilant in monitoring for this illness. It is very important that citizens take basic, common sense precautions to avoid close contact with people who are ill,” said Governor Brewer. “Washing your hands often with soap and water or utilizing hand sanitizers is helpful in preventing the spread of these types of illnesses. If you experience flu symptoms, please stay in bed, get rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If you are concerned about your symptoms, see your doctor.”

Jay Sekulow to Pro-Lifers: You're the new face of terrorism

Our country is at war with real terrorists. Now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a new assessment about domestic terrorism. Who's on the list ... al-Qaeda? No. Islamic radicals? No.

Included in what the government has labeled ''rightwing extremists'' - groups they've defined as ''primarily hate-oriented'' - are pro-life supporters.

You've been labeled a domestic terrorist. A real ''danger'' to America.

Stand with us in sending a powerful message to the Department of Homeland Security:

It's time to target the REAL terrorists - and REMOVE the pro-life community from this warning. Add your name now to the ACLJ's DEMAND FOR RETRACTION to Homeland Security.

This characterization is not only offensive to millions of Americans who hold constitutionally-protected views opposing abortion - but it also raises serious concerns about the political agenda of an agency with a mandate to protect America.

Engage this issue NOW by signing our online Demand for Retraction and protecting your First Amendment rights. Then, alert your friends and family to this important nationwide campaign by using our website's forward-to-friend tool.

Follow this critical issue on Twitter - www.twitter.com/jordansekulow - or on the ACLJ's Cause on Facebook. If you are under 40, I also invite you to visit www.BeHeardProject.com, the Be Heard Project Cause on Facebook, and www.twitter.com/beheardproject to make your voice heard.

Goldwater Institute: Unions' actions on charter schools contrast with rhetoric

by Jay P. Greene On education policy, appeasement is about as ineffective as it is in foreign affairs. Many proponents of school choice, especially Democrats, have tried to appease teachers unions by limiting their support to charter schools while opposing private school vouchers. They hope that by sacrificing vouchers, the unions will spare charter schools from political destruction. But these reformers are starting to learn that appeasement on vouchers only whets union's appetites for eliminating all meaningful types of choice. With voucher programs facing termination in Washington, D.C., and heavy regulation in Milwaukee, the teachers unions have now set their sights on charter schools. Despite their proclamations about supporting charters, the actions of unions and their allies in state and national politics belie their rhetoric. In New York, for example, the unions have backed a new budget that effectively cuts $51.5 million from charter-school funding, even as district-school spending can continue to increase thanks to local taxes and stimulus money that the charters lack. New York charters already receive less money per pupil than their district school counterparts; now they will receive even less. Unions are also seeking to strangle charter schools with red tape. New York already has the "card check" unionization procedure for teachers that replaces secret ballots with public arm-twisting. And the teachers unions appear to have collected enough cards to unionize the teachers at two highly successful charter schools in New York City. If unions force charters to enter into collective bargaining, one can only imagine how those schools will be able to maintain the flexible work rules that allow them to succeed. Matt Ladner, a researcher at Arizona's Goldwater Institute, envisioned what charters burdened with a lengthy union contract might look like on my blog: "Need to change a light bulb in your classroom? Page 844, paragraph five clearly states that you must call a union electrician. You kids sit quietly with your heads down in the dark until he arrives. It will be any day now." The highest quality studies have consistently shown that students learn more in charter schools. In New York City, Stanford economist Caroline Hoxby found that students accepted by lottery to charter schools were significantly outpacing the academic progress of their peers who lost the lottery and were forced to return to district schools. President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have given speeches promoting charter schools. Despite their talk, charter spending constituted less than one-quarter of 1 percent of education spending in the stimulus package. And the Obama administration has done union bidding by killing the D.C. voucher program. They did this in the face of solid evidence of academic progress for the voucher students, and despite their stated commitment to do "what works for kids" regardless of ideology. Vouchers made the world safe for charters by drawing union fire. But now that the unions have the voucher threat under control, charters are in trouble. It's time for reformers to increase pressure on politicians bending to the will of the unions and close the new education gap--the one between what Mr. Obama and Mr. Duncan say about education and what they do. Mr. Greene is a professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. A longer version of this article originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

Learn more: Goldwater Institute: Arizona Supreme Court voucher decision a shame Goldwater Institute: Obama administration double-talk on D.C. voucher Wall Street Journal: The Union War on Charter Schools

Goldwater Institute: Tax hike now will not mean tax cut later

by Steve Voeller A recent article in the Wall Street Journal cites Arizona as one of 10 states looking to raise taxes. If policymakers hope to grow our way out of this recession by luring businesses to Arizona, stories like that don't help. We all know that taxes matter, yet there's a convoluted discussion currently taking place at the state capitol about when taxes should go up and when they should go down. Some supporters of a temporary billion dollar-a-year tax increase purport to endorse a tax cut a few years down the road. The theory behind this is that taxes need to be raised now to balance the budget and cut later to spur economic growth. So, the tax hikers of today are really the supply-siders of tomorrow? Those who wish to raise taxes wish to maintain a level of spending that we otherwise can't afford. Therefore, if spending is maintained at a level that can only be supported by an increase in taxes, then what are the chances that any tax increase will be temporary? Proponents of new taxes today say that in a few years the economy will rebound and the tax hike will no longer be necessary. This requires a healthy economic rebound in the middle of a major tax increase. The odds of this occurring aren't good if history is any guide. The budget should not be addressed without regard for its effect on the economy. It's tough to argue what's right for the economy in the future when you advocate what is wrong for the economy today. Steve Voeller is president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance policies that promote a strong and vibrant Arizona economy.

Learn more: Goldwater Institute: Saving with Systemic Change Goldwater Institute: How to Restructure Arizona's Tax Code: A Smarter, Flatter Tax Plan to Create Jobs Wall Street Journal: More States Look to Raise Taxes

CAP: Huckabee Dinner Individual Tickets are Now Available

Individual seats now available! More... Please join Center for Arizona Policy for the 2009 CAP Family Dinner with Gov. Mike Huckabee Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:00 p.m. JW Marriott Camelback Inn Mike Huckabee is a man with strong principles and unwavering faith. Our theme of the night will be "No Compromise" as we join together to listen to a man who has spent his life promoting true conservative convictions of defending marriage and protecting the preborn. Governor Huckabee knows what standing strong for faith and family in a changing world really means. Click Gov. Huckabee's picture to view a recent "Hot Seat" interview where he answers questions from his opposition on the stimulus plan. Get your table or tickets today This special event is filling up fast! Sponsorships start at just $500 and individual dinner tickets are $75 More... Register Now!

Center for Arizona Policy www.azpolicy.org 602.424-2525 800.FAMILY.1

Goldwater Institute: Where exactly does the Second Amendment apply?

by Clint Bolick Amidst the jubilation among freedom lovers following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last year in District of Columbia v. Heller, which held that the Second Amendment creates an individual right to keep and bear arms, many overlooked a possible huge exception: whether the amendment restricts only national laws (including ordinances passed by the District of Columbia), and not state laws. If so, the celebration was premature. Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a New York law on the grounds that the Second Amendment only limits national restrictions. That decision rested on older U.S. Supreme Court opinions of questionable vitality--but they were never overruled. The question turns on an arcane but vitally important constitutional dispute: whether the 14th Amendment, adopted following the Civil War, "incorporates" Bill of Rights protections against state governments. Many constitutional scholars and lawyers (including me) believe the 14th Amendment's guarantee of the "privileges or immunities" of citizens incorporated all of the Bill of Rights. But in a display of muddled thinking, the U.S. Supreme Court adopted a doctrine of "selective incorporation"--only "fundamental" rights are protected (as if anything important enough to list in the Bill of Rights is not fundamental). The Ninth Circuit--a court not generally known for its conservative proclivities--this week ruled that the Second Amendment does restrict the states. Applying the applicable constitutional test, the court in a decision by Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain held that "the right to keep and bear arms is 'deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition'," and therefore protected against state infringement. So the Second Amendment applies in states such as Arizona and California, but not in New York or Connecticut. Something tells me the U.S. Supreme Court will be answering a call for help on the issue of Second Amendment rights again soon. Clint Bolick is director of the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

Learn more: Goldwater Institute: Nick Dranias talks about the Supreme Court verdict in D.C. v. Heller on Fox 10 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: Nordyke v. King Clint Bolick: David's Hammer: The Case for an Activist Judiciary

AZ Right to Life: Town of Gilbert Boasts Trio of Pro-life candidates

ARIZONA RIGHT TO LIFE PAC: EARLY BALLOT VOTING BEGINS FOR TRIO OF PRO-LIFE GILBERT CANDIDATES

These three Pro-life candidates were successful in the Gilbert Town Primary Election and need your help to win in the the May 19th General Election. Most Early Ballots have been received in the mail by now, so be sure to vote pro-life! After hearing about his Arizona Right to Life PAC endorsement, Gilbert Town Council candidate Erin Scroggins said, "I am very proud to be endorsed by an organization whose primary focus is to defend the rights of the most defenseless among us." Erin and his wife Theresa have been raising their 5 children in Gilbert for 9 years. Active in the pro-life movement for a many years, Erin continues to champion issues that strengthen the family and the community by working with fellow members of St. Anne's parish on the Prop 102 campaign in 2008 and now with the anti-FOCA campaign. Erin & Theresa currently instruct engaged couples at St. Anne's on family planning, where the focus of their ministry centers around respect for life at all stages of development. Gilbert Mayoral candidate John Lewis Town Council candidate Jenn Daniels Gilbert Town Council candidate Jenn Daniels "AZRTL plays an integral role in defending life and protecting families. As a candidate for Gilbert Town Council, I am proud to have their endorsement and I appreciate AZRTL's dedication to this important cause."

ARIZONA RIGHT TO LIFE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Goldwater Institute: Respect the constitution, ignore the ivory tower

By Nick Dranias Asked for a plan to balance Arizona's books, the state's public universities recently advocated constitutional brinkmanship. Their "Fiscal Alternatives Choices Team," or "FACT," report suggests delaying payment on obligations incurred in one fiscal year until the next fiscal year. It promotes disguised debt financing through selling state assets to investors and leasing them back to the state. And it urges the Legislature to raise taxes without the required supermajority approval by passing a law that combines a temporary tax increase with a future tax decrease. But the FACT report disregards the facts. The Arizona Constitution prohibits the state from freely taxing and borrowing its way out of a fiscal crisis. A two-thirds majority of the legislature must approve any bill that imposes "any new tax" or "[a]n increase in a tax rate." This constitutional requirement cannot be bypassed by a bill that offers a tax reduction tomorrow for a tax increase today. Such a tactic could be employed endlessly, which would render the supermajority requirement meaningless. Moreover, the Arizona Constitution's debt clause was meant to keep state government operating on a virtual pay-as-you-go cash basis. When the state government continuously finances its operations by delaying payment obligations into the next fiscal year or mortgaging state assets for cash injections, the debt clause becomes a dead letter. No one should expect the judiciary to elevate form over substance mindlessly if called upon to review the sham sale-leaseback schemes, payment rollovers, or tax gimmickry advocated in the FACT report. Instead of yielding to ivory tower financial shenanigans, the Legislature should maintain its focus on reducing state spending to sustainable levels. Nick Dranias holds the Goldwater Institute Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan chair for constitutional government and is the director of the Institute's Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Center for Constitutional Government.

Learn more: Arizona Guardian: "FACT" report Politicker: Can the state legislature raise taxes with a simple majority? Arizona Legislature: Supermajority requirement Arizona Legislature: Debt Clause

Leadership Institute's Campaign School, Scottsdale AZ, May 10

Includes training on using the new media including Twitter & Facebook.

Campaign School, Level 1
Civic Center Library Auditorium
3839 N Drinkwater Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Saturday, May 30th, 2009 10:00AM – 5:30PM

Register Today:
Campaign School, Level 1


Grassroots are the backbone of a successful campaign or political organization. Effective grassroots strategy captures the minds and passions of individual voters. It organizes the voters, creating momentum.

Candidates and organizations that create and control this energy win!

You will learn:
· Campaign Structure and Organization
· Voter ID & Targeting
· Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers
· How to Develop a Persuasive Message
· Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers
· Fundraising – Finance Plan & Budget
· Online Networking and Campaigning
· GOTV – Get Out The Vote

Dr. Alan Keyes says, Obama will stage Terror Attacks and declare Martial Law

'Obama will stop at nothing to create mulitple Terror Attacks and declare Martial Law in America'

This is my exclusive interview with Dr, Alan Keyes last Fri., I found very awakening and so clear that the NWO isn't playing by the rules and if they think they can get away with it, then they will have taken over before there is anything we can do about it.
Laugh all you want but Dr. Alan Keyes, says, the foriegn troops will be enough soon enough.

What makes you think we will make it to 2012, what makes you think will will even have another election in 2010?

Dr. Alan Keyes also defines the Militia and was also describing how these tea partys are for the Militia's time to Stand Up!!!

"Operation Blackjack" was what I first thought and is that this is some sort of viral marketing stunt. I cant really imagine what the product might be. At best, there cant be more than a couple of thousand people paying attention to it. But then after my Interview with Dr. Alan Keyes stating 'Obama will stop at nothing to create mulitple Terror Attacks and declare Martial Law in America'

(Watch the clip below - please forgive the poor sound and video quality)

(YouTube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUE2ApL-Fpo

Goldwater Institute: John Stossel in Phoenix May 16

ABC News 20/20 co-anchor John Stossel is coming to Phoenix and will be the featured speaker at the Goldwater Institute’s next Speaker Series luncheon. Formal invitations are on the way, but I hope you will save the date for Saturday, May 16. We are looking forward to what is sure to be an entertaining and informative discussion on the importance of capitalism and the consequences of congressional spending, and I hope you will be a part of it. As tables of ten start at $500, we also hope this will be a great opportunity to introduce your family and associates to the Institute’s work. As you may know, John Stossel also hosts a program called “Stossel in the Classroom,” and this will be a great event for students and adults alike. For questions and reservations, please contact Jenn Bryson at jbryson@goldwaterinstitute.org, or call (602) 462-5000 ext. 229.

Sheriff's Office responds to Clint Bolick regarding warrants

Sheriff Arpaio's PIO Paul Chagolla has issued a response to Clint Bolick's accusations that the Sheriff's Office is neglecting warrants in its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. I suspect that even if ALL the warrants are rounded up, they will just find something else to complain about that the Sheriff's Office must be neglecting, because their beef isn't with warrants, but with enforcing illegal immigration laws. At least Clint isn't as biased as some of Arpaio's critics.

Here are some excerpts -

In the last two years, Maricopa County sheriff's deputies served over 30,000 warrants, of which more than 17,000 were felony warrants.

When the vast majority of warrants belong to Valley police departments and result from their investigations, which do not involve the Sheriff's Office, and when only about 1,500 felony warrants in the repository belong to the Sheriff's Office, it is clear that deputies are busy serving more than our share of warrants.

It is also clear that our deputies and officers are busy helping other agencies serve warrants. Sheriff Joe Arpaio orders regular warrant roundups and enlists citizens' help via the Techno Cop Web-based warrants program. Additionally, he provides manpower, equipment and intelligence assistance to local, state and federal law-enforcement warrant operations.

Former Gov. Janet Napolitano, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and other elected officials began using this topic in attempts to direct the sheriff away from arresting illegal immigrants who violate the law.

Read the full article

MCAO: Valley’s Auto Theft Ranking Plummets - Two-Pronged Fight against Crime, Illegal Immigration Putting the Brakes on Auto Thieves

County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced today a sharp drop in auto thefts in the Valley, a development he attributed to a two-pronged fight against both crime and illegal immigration. Newly released figures from the National Insurance Crime Bureau show that from 2006 to 2008, the Phoenix area fell from having the 4th highest ranking in the nation for auto theft to 19th in the nation. The number of vehicle thefts per 100,000 people dropped from 979 in 2006 to 602 in 2008, a 38% decrease. The auto theft rate has fallen 46% since 2004.

County Attorney Thomas attributed the decrease to two factors. First, police and prosecutors have cracked down on the auto theft problem in a concerted way. Police have made auto theft investigations a high priority. In 2006, Thomas formed an Auto Theft Bureau in his office. Since the establishment of the bureau, more than 3,000 defendants have been prosecuted with a conviction rate averaging 90%. And more of those convicted of auto theft offenses are going to prison. In 2004, 63% of defendants convicted of auto theft (theft of means of transportation as highest charge) were sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Today, that number has risen to 78%.

Another reason for the reduction is the unique crackdown on illegal immigration occurring in Maricopa County. In an April 13, 2009, article entitled “Auto Thefts Plague Border Region,” the Wall Street Journal noted that Mexican drug cartels are a driving force behind the stolen vehicle trade, and border cities are the hardest hit by auto theft. The article noted that nine of the ten cities with the highest rate of auto theft are in southwestern states. Yet Phoenix has fallen from 4th to 19th in only two years, despite the fact that Arizona continues to be a major corridor of operations for Mexican drug cartels and the primary funnel for illegal immigration into the country.

In Maricopa County, human-smuggling prosecutions and vigorous employer-sanctions raids by the Sheriff’s Office have led to reductions in illegal immigration, as reflected in school-district data, reduced commerce for businesses that traditionally serve illegal immigrants, and other anecdotal evidence. Other jurisdictions that are now in the top ten have not similarly cracked down on illegal immigration, and accordingly have not enjoyed the same success in combating auto theft.

Thomas stated, “Law enforcement can be proud of the stunning decrease in auto thefts we’ve achieved. In other border states, this success has been elusive. The link between crime and illegal immigration cannot be ignored. Progress is possible if we take a two-pronged approach to combating these two, related problems.”

Thomas thanked Valley police agencies for their hard work in causing vehicular theft to drop and their partnership with the County Attorney’s Office. Thomas stated, “Earlier this decade auto theft went from being a nuisance to a crisis. Valley law enforcement and this office took on the problem, and as a result the auto theft rate has plummeted. We will continue our efforts to bring that rate down even further.”

A State Budget Forum with East Valley Mayors and Governor Jan Brewer

click to enlarge

Sanctity of Life upcoming events

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: A Holy Hour dedicated to making reparation for
transgressions against human life:  Sunday, April 19, 2009 is DIVINE MERCY
SUNDAY, when the world must really pause to implore the Father of Mercy to
not only overlook the sins of the world, but to pour out His grace in
abundance to convert souls and to extend His Kingdom of love.  We will set
the pattern with a celebration of solemn Vespers, Chaplet of Divine Mercy,
and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 pm, Sunday, April 19th.
Please join us at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix,
OR:  at OLPH Church, Scottsdale, starting at 2:30 pm, with adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament, Praises/Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Benediction and
blessings of images, and honoring and venerating a first class relic of St.
Faustina.  Reception to follow.

THE 3RD ANNUAL WESTERN REGIONAL PRO-LIFE CONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS FOR LIFE OF
AMERICA will be April 25th, at Arizona State University's Tempe Campus in
the Memorial Union Stage (MU 085.) This event will feature nationally
renowned speakers and activists in a series of seminars, lectures, and
workshops designed to equip pro-lifers to save lives and transform our
culture; and it is the only event of its kind in Arizona specifically
designed to help high-school and college students to make a difference in
the pro-life movement.
Included are:
PHILL KLINE - the former Attorney General of the State of Kansas and served
from 2002-2006. The story of his perseverance and courage will lift up the
heart of every person who hears him speak BECKY BRINDLE - programs
coordinator for Students for Life of America.
JOHN JAKUBCZYK - active in the pro-life movement since 1975.

Student admission is only $15, and all admissions include lunch and a
conference guide book.  Visit www.arizonastudentsforlife.org, or call
602-614-6037 for details and registration.  There is a limited number of
free tickets available to students, courtesy of Arizona Students for Life.
Please RSVP ASAP to claim your free spot!  RSVP to Chris White at
chris@arizonastudentsforlife.org or 602-614-6037.

CRADLE WEEKEND:  In May, the child whom you  spiritually adopted to preserve
from abortion, will be born!  On May 2nd and 3rd, we will celebrate your
child's birthday with Cradle Weekend at OLPH church.
Please bring a gift to help pregnant women in need: new or used baby or
maternity items; diapers, large sizes; or monetary gifts to provide
pregnancy tests and ultrasounds.  Your gifts will benefit Life Choices
Women's Clinics (a pregnancy crisis center).

Goldwater Institute: The Tax Man Cometh

By Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. 233 years ago, our forefathers brought forth a new nation partly because they were fed up with taxation without representation. Today we fittingly honor those men and women for their wisdom and self-sacrifice. They did more than pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor: They knew they were making a compact with generations yet unborn. Today, too many public servants betray the nation by supporting unsustainable levels of government. Centralizing health care, bailing out the financial sector, and paying mortgages borrow against our futures and our children's futures. Right now, the U.S. government owes almost $12 trillion, nearly $37,000 for every man, woman, and child in the nation. The debt will grow almost $2 trillion more next year alone. To put this in perspective, Americans spent the equivalent of $3.6 trillion during WWII. Today we are committed to spending $4 trillion to combat the financial crisis, but for what? Future generations, with no representation today, will be excused when they curse these days when elected officials mortgaged their futures. Because politicians have not been forthright, we can also be excused for complaining about the inflation we will all soon suffer. Just since September, the money supply has grown at an annual rate of 18 percent and prices will eventually rise accordingly. It's April 15 and the tax man cometh. Today, he looks more like the grim reaper than ever before. Byron Schlomach, Ph.D, is director of economic policy at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn more: Goldwater Institute: State on the verge of committing economic suicide Goldwater Institute: Taxes Cost Jobs, Period. Americans for Prosperity: Arizona tax day tea parties

Goldwater Institute: Sanctuary cities--or scofflaws?

by Clint Bolick Rarely are proposed statutes models of clear and precise writing. But H.B.2331, sponsored by Reps. Tom Boone and Sam Crump, is exactly that. It provides that Arizona cities and counties "shall not enact an ordinance or resolution that in any way limits or prohibits the lawful enforcement of the United States immigration laws." That such a law is necessary owes to the decisions of some municipalities--at one time including Phoenix--to prohibit police officers from questioning suspects about their immigration status or from providing information about suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities. Immigration is perhaps our state's most divisive issue. Personally, I favor significant reform of immigration laws. But it is one thing to advocate reform, and quite another for elected officials who take an oath to uphold the law to refuse to enforce existing laws or to obstruct such enforcement. That's one reason why since law school I've never run for public office: I know I'd have a problem enforcing certain laws, and I probably would end up having to sue myself over something. My ideals lend themselves more to suing elected officials than to being one. The Arizona Republic reports that Rep. Ben Miranda objects to the bill because it dictates law-enforcement priorities. No it doesn't. Local law-enforcement agencies would continue to be free to prioritize immigration-related crimes or crimes against people and property. Indeed, we are in the midst of a healthy and vibrant debate over which emphasis better promotes public safety. The bill removes from the discretion of cities and counties--which are, after all, created by and subject to state law--only the power to thumb their nose at immigration laws. If we are to be a nation governed by the rule of law, such a step, regrettably, is necessary. Clint Bolick is director of the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

Learn more: Arizona Legislature: HB 2331 Arizona Republic: House bill aims to bar local governments' sanctuary policies

AZ GOP Lawyer Luncheon: May 7

Thank you to everyone who attended the first meeting of our new GOP Lawyer Luncheon group. We had over 30 attorneys in attendance. We will hold our next luncheon Thursday, May 7 at noon at Stoudemire’s Downtown. We will have a presentation from Jim Beene of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on the judicial selection process in Arizona. CLE credit will be provided.

Leadership Institute to offer training to grassroots conservatives in Arizona on Twitter & the new media

You asked, we responded. The Leadership Institute’s next campaign school for grassroots conservatives in Arizona will be Saturday, May 30, and will include training on the new media, including Twitter, blogs, facebook, youtube, and social networking sites. Click hereto register.

Campaign School, Level 1 (1 Day)
May 30 , 10:00 AM
Civic Center Library Auditorium 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Map
School Manager: Patricia Simpson

The Campaign School Level One gives campaign staff and activists the knowledge and tools they need to play a major role in any organized political effort. Incorporating state-of-the-art methods and technologies, the Campaign School provides you with the most up-to-date ways to organize, mobilize and deliver your supporters to the polls.

Ideal attendees for the Campaign School are conservative elected or party officials, current or future candidates for political office, campaign managers, campaign volunteers, and supporters.

Lectures given in the one day school are:
• Campaign Structure and Organization
• Voter ID and Targeting
• Developing a Persuasive Message
• Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers
• Online Networking and eCampaign
• Fundraising-Finance Plan and Budget
• Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)