Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Goldwater Institute Sues Tempe Over Handouts for Indoor Aquarium

Subsidy violates same constitutional provisions as controversial CityNorth mall
Phoenix--Today the Goldwater Institute asked a court to strike down an agreement between the City of Tempe and the developer of Sea Life Aquarium, a children's theme park at Arizona Mills Mall. The agreement provides tax subsidies and concessions to the private business in violation of the Arizona Constitution and state law.

The Arizona Constitution bans giving subsidies to benefit a private business under the "Gift Clause." The Equal Protection and Special Laws Clauses of the Arizona Constitution also prohibit these types of subsidy deals. In addition, the Arizona Legislature recently passed a statute prohibiting all retail sales tax subsidies in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, and another restricting sales tax subsidies throughout the state. The Sea Life subsidy runs afoul of both the Arizona Constitution and the state laws.

Subsidies offered to Sea Life, a division of UK-based Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest operator of attractions in the world behind Disney, include rebates on all construction sales taxes to the developer; rebates on all retail taxes to the developer up to $78,000; rebates on planning, engineering, and building safety processing fees up to $70,000; and special assistance from the city on permitting, planning and other regulatory hurdles required of other, non-favored developers and business owners.

Goldwater Institute attorney Carrie Ann Sitren is representing Nick Coons, owner of Tempe-based Red Seven Computers; Interior Concepts, a Tempe business; and Tempe taxpayers Jack Gibson and Chuck Kirkhuff.

"Our client, Mr. Coons, was not offered any assistance from the city to get his business off the ground," Ms. Sitren said. "The Arizona Constitution is crystal clear on giving taxpayer money to businesses and industries--it isn't legal."

This agreement represents a seismic shift in position by Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman who spoke out against a similar $97.4 million subsidy from the City of Phoenix to build the CityNorth mall. Mr. Hallman even contributed to an article on the subject that appeared in the Arizona Republic September 29, 2009.

"When government gives taxpayer money to a favored business, it must tax the rest of the public with that missing share," Mr. Hallman wrote. "Small businesses, or those less connected to government leaders, or those who cannot hire lawyers and lobbyists to fight for their own subsidies, are left holding the bag."

The Goldwater Institute filed suit against the CityNorth subsidy in 2007 and is awaiting a decision from the Arizona Supreme Court on its legality. The Arizona Court of Appeals unanimously declared the deal illegal in December 2008 and until the Arizona Supreme Court reverses that decision, it is the law and clearly makes the Sea Life subsidy illegal.

"The fact that the City of Tempe is offering these illegal subsidies while a similar case is being considered is proof that the courts need to put a stop to this practice once and for all," continued Ms. Sitren. "They can do that by saying the Arizona Constitution's Gift Clause provision means what it says, that no subsidy shall be given to benefit a private business."

Construction is already underway on the Sea Life Aquarium. It is slated to open in June 2010.

This lawsuit, Coons v. Hallman, was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court by the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

For more information on this and other Goldwater Institute lawsuits visit www.goldwaterinstitute.org/litigation. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.

Goldwater Institute: Tuition tax credit saves at least twice what it costs state

Baylor University economist Dr. Charles North developed an estimate of the savings to state taxpayers due to the individual tax credit, and shared his findings with the Arizona Legislature last week. You can find Dr. North's analysis here and view his testimony to the Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tax Credit Review here.

Saving moneyDr. North provides a conservative estimate that the credit saves taxpayers twice as much money as the credit costs the state treasury each year. The savings could be greater than that.

During the same hearing, committee chairman Rep. Rick Murphy revealed the result of his survey of Scholarship Tuition Organizations (STOs). The survey included responses from 51 of the 53 STOs that collectively represent 96 percent of the funds raised (the other two groups may be defunct).

Thirty-two STOs reported considering family tax returns in the awarding of scholarships. Only seven of the 50 groups reported considering donor recommendations in awarding scholarships. Dr. North pointed out in his report that some of those recommended donations aid low-income children.

The Goldwater Institute went on record supporting STO reform--including annual audits--back in 2003. Lawmakers need to create either a public or a private oversight structure to deter STO malfeasance. But, some of the criticisms have jumped the shark. For instance, the Attorney General's Office threatening to sue STOs over tiny fund balances when school districts have carried fund balances in the hundreds of millions of dollars for years. Quelle horreur!

Let's make the necessary reforms to the tax credit program and actually focus on the serious education problems facing the state and the vast majority of Arizona children attending public school.

Dr. Matthew Ladner is vice president for research at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn More:

Ron Paul Coming to Arizona - Fri/Sat Dec 4th and 5th


November 19, 2009

Ron Paul says:
SAVE THE DATE!!! Friday/Saturday, December 4th and 5th!


Congressman Ron Paul will be in Phoenix, December 4th and 5th. He will deliver the keynote speech at the 1st Annual Arizona Campaign for Liberty State Convention. There are several other events of interest surrounding the convention. Please find details below.


Arizona Campaign for Liberty 1st Annual Convention
Ron Paul Keynote Speaker
Saturday, December 5th, 8am-3pm


The Arizona chapter of Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty is pleased to announce and invite you to its first annual Arizona Campaign for Liberty convention. We are also pleased to announce that Ron Paul will be the headline speaker!

The 1st Annual Arizona Campaign for Liberty State Convention will take place on:
Saturday, December 5th from 8-3pm at:
Arizona State University
Memorial
Union ballroom
Tempe, Arizona

Dr. Paul will give the headline speech at 9am on Saturday, December 5th at the convention.

While the convention is open to all, only dues paying members of the Arizona C4L chapter are able to vote at the convention. To become a dues paying voting member, please join the Arizona Campaign for Liberty by purchasing a $15 ticket for the event here:
https://www. campaignforliber ty.com/event/ tickets-states. php?eventid= 17&number=1&mode=order

The convention will be preceded by........


A Public Rally at ASU - Ron Paul Keynote Speaker!
Friday, December 4th, 11am-1pm


The Arizona State University chapter of Young Americans for Liberty is pleased to announce a public rally and speech byDr. Ron Paul on

Friday, December 4th
11-1 pm
Hayden Lawn
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona

The rally will be followed by.......


End the Fed - Book Signing with Ron Paul
Friday, December 4th, 1:30-2:30pm


Dr. Paul will be available after the rally on Friday from 1:30-2:30pm to sign copies of his new book End the Fed.
The ASU bookstore will have copies of the book available for sale at the rally. Pick one up and get it signed by Ron Paul!


Arizona Campaign for Liberty Fundraiser Reception with Dr. Ron Paul
Friday, December 4th, 6-8pm


Please support the Arizona Campaign for Liberty by joining us at a private reception with Ron Paul on Friday, December 4th, 6-8pm.
Tickets are $250 per person and may be purchased here

https://www. campaignforliber ty.com/event/ tickets-states. php?eventid= 18&number=1&mode=order

Attendees will receive reception details upon ticket purchase.


Special Hotel Rates Available

For our members and guests travelling to Phoenix, special hotel rates have been secured at two hotels within walking distance of the event. These rates are available through Monday, November 23rd.

Twin Palms Hotel (480) 347-0263 Tempe, AZ
$72/night + tax. Across the street from the event. Less than a 3 block walk.

Best Western Inn of Tempe (480) 784-2233 Tempe, AZ
$69/night + tax, continental breakfast incl. A little further away, longer walk or taxi/car.


Thank you. We look forward to seeing you at the 1st Annual Arizona Campaign for Liberty Convention on Saturday, December 5th, and at the public rally and book signing on Friday, December 4th, at Arizona State University.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time regarding any questions you might have. Please also look for additional communications from us as we get closer to these events.

Best Regards,

Jeff Greenspan
Arizona Campaign for Liberty
Interim State Coordinator
602-690-4288
jeff.greenspan@ campaignforliber ty.com
http://www.campaign forliberty. com

Monday, November 23, 2009

AZ State Senator Verschoor's Says No To Tax Increase

Az. State Senator Thayer Verschoor District 22
SAYS NO TO TAX INCREASES
This morning is the second time in recent months that I have been personally attacked by Senate President Bob Burns for stopping TAX INCREASES to my fellow Arizonans.

SB1003 was written with enacting language to give unchecked authority for unelected appointees of the governor to raise taxes in the form of fees across a broad spectrum of our everyday lives.

It has never been good policy to give the governor and her appointees this absolute unchecked authority. Our Constitution is clear that taxing and appropriation authority rests solely with the legislature. SB1003 would not even have given the legislature minimal oversight over the increases OR the use of the funds raised.

I have made my position known for many weeks IN WRITING to the Senate leadership that I would not support any legislation that ceded this constitutional authority to the governor and her appointees. For example, if the governor wants to give 1 million dollars to his /her favorite cause, all he /she would have to do is raise the price of a duplicate driver's license by "only" one dollar. The legislature could do little more than complain about it.

It is important to emphasize that once this authority is granted, it would be nearly impossible to return the authority to its proper place. All the Governor would have to do is veto the legislation.

Senate leadership complains about the Governor having authority to appropriate twenty BILLION DOLLARS in federal funds that come to the state without any legislative over sight and they complain about the abuse of Executive orders. Now, they have decided through SB1003 to expand the power of the Governor to raise and distribute funds without approval or oversight of the legislature. Their actions beg the question whether they have the will to either pass the increases themselves or cut the spending to deal with this budget deficit.

Finally, President Burns knows that SB1003 skirts around the intent of Proposition 108 which was passed by the voters. He knows that Prop 108 requires the legislature to get 2/3rd of the vote in both houses of the legislature to increase taxes and fees.

I find it disheartening that the President feels the need to attack me personally by misrepresenting the facts and timetables of what happened on this occasion.
Please call (602) 926-5999 or email your Senator and Representatives. Ask them to Vote NO on SB1003 that would give fee (tax) setting authority to the governor and his/her appointed, unelected agency heads."

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's First Annual Holiday Party


You are cordially invited

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's
First Annual Holiday Party

Featuring

J.D. & Mary Hayworth

&

Major Surprise Special Guest

To Benefit The Freedom In Truth Trust: a J.D. Hayworth Organization

Hosted By
Jason & Jordan Rose
5630 E. Nauni Valley Drive
Paradise Valley, Arizona

And the Host Committee

Steve & Karen Bloch
Wil Cardon
Dr. Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings
John Dawson
Barbara Espinosa
Royce and Ann Flora
David & Sharon Friend
Rob and Marne Haney
Dan & Blaise Hazelwood
Jim & Carol Hebets
Matt and Kim McMahon
Lance & Michele Patrick
Bob & CC Porter
Jeff & Wendy Verdon
Ron Willingham
At time of printing

Saturday, December 5, 2009
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

VIP/Photo Reception - 4:00pm
With Sheriff Arpaio & J.D. Hayworth
$250 per person

General Reception - 4:30pm
$100 per person

Please make checks payable to: "The F.I.T. Trust"

Personal, corporate or partnership checks welcome. There is no limit for this entity.

RSVP to Julia Diament at (480) 423-1414 or jdiament@roseandallynpr.com

Download Response Card


Please print out and complete the RSVP form and mail it to:

The F.I.T. Trust
c/o Rose & Allyn PR
7144 East Stetson Drive, Suite 400
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

or RSVP on facebook

AZRTL: 14th Victim in Fort Hood Shootings Identified as baby boy due May 2010


Photo: PFC Francheska Velez in 2008
Phoenix, AZ - Nov. 17, 2009 - Known to her friends as "Cheka," 21 year-old US Army Pvt. Francheska Velez was over three-months pregnant when she was gunned down while signing maternity papers at Fort Hood on Nov. 5.

Along with 12 fellow soldiers and one civilian employee, Velez and her preborn baby boy were killed by Army Major Nadal Hasan in the deadly Fort Hood massacre. Arizona Right to Life Photo: image of typical 14-week baby. president Jinny Perron said, "Anyone who murders a pregnant woman should be charged with the killing of two human beings."

The Arizona Life Times reported in the October issue that Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas charged a Phoenix man with two counts of murder for killing a pregnant woman.

No official reports have been made as to whether federal, state, or Army prosecutors will add the preborn baby of Francheska Velez to the list of charges brought against Hasan, but last week attorneys at Scottsdale-based Alliance Defense Fund urged the Fort Hood Office of Staff Judge Advocate to charge Maj. Hasan with all 14 counts of premeditated murder.


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--Help us educate Arizona on life issues affecting our state!
Donate

Arizona Right to Life

602-285-0063
A non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)4 organization, Arizona Right to Life is committed to articulating and protecting the right to life of all human beings, born and unborn. This is accomplished by educating people on the value of every human life and by promoting and supporting pro-life legislation, public policy and elected officials. Arizona Right to Life is the oldest, largest and strongest pro-life organization in the State of Arizona.
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Republicans Demand Answers from FBI Director Robert Mueller in Halted Investigation of Ft. Hood Terror Suspect Nidal Malik Hasan


Shadegg: “By not pursuing an investigation of Maj. Hasan months ago, the FBI was negligent at best and criminal at worst.”

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Congressman John Shadegg (AZ-03) issued the following comments after sending a letter signed by 25 other Members of Congress demanding that FBI Director Robert Mueller provide answers to questions about the halted investigation of Nidal Malik Hasan:

“While there are many facts still unfolding about what led Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan to carry out a mass murder at Ft. Hood just two weeks ago, there are some bold and alarming details that we must not ignore, and in fact, must address immediately.

“By not pursuing an investigation of Maj. Hasan months ago, the FBI was negligent at best and criminal at worst. According to reports, Maj. Hasan may have been psychotic, and he had allegedly been in contact with Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical Yemeni-American cleric accused by the U.S. of having ties to al-Qaeda.

“Congress must find out why the FBI did not go further in its investigation as well as define whether or not this was in fact an act of terror.”

November 19, 2009

Director Robert Mueller

FBI Headquarters in Washington , D.C.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

J. Edgar Hoover Building

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington , DC 20535

Dear Director Mueller:

We thank you for your hard work over the past several months in disrupting terrorist cells. However, it only takes one mistake to allow a terrorist cell to succeed in its plans to kill Americans. We would like to know why media reports state that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stopped investigating Nidal Malik Hasan despite his comments, postings, and contact with radical Islamist groups. American soldiers paid the price for this negligence, and that is unacceptable.

It is now known that the shooter, Major Nidal Hasan, attempted to contact radical Islamists with ties to al-Qaeda. Intelligence agencies intercepted communications last year and this year between the military psychiatrist accused of shooting to death 13 people at Fort Hood , Texas , and a radical cleric in Yemen known for his incendiary anti-American teachings.

We also want to note that the attack at Fort Hood is not an isolated incident. Over the past several weeks we have seen law enforcement successfully disrupt terrorist cells inside the United States . The cases are not materially connected. However, they are all connected by a radical global ideology that is self-identified by its believers as jihadist, or “jihadiyya”. Examples of this are:

· In a September 24, 2009 FBI release titled “FBI Arrests Jordanian Citizen for Attempting to Bomb Skyscraper in Downtown Dallas,” the FBI stated, “Smadi made clear his intention to serve as a soldier for Usama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, and to conduct violent jihad.”

· In a September 24, 2009 FBI release titled “Illinois Man Arrested in Plot to Bomb Courthouse and Murder Federal Employees,” the FBI stated, “…Finton expressed his desire to receive military training and to travel to Gaza or other overseas locations to become a jihadist fighter.”

· In a September 24, 2009 FBI release on the North Carolina terrorist cell lead by Daniel Boyd titled “Superseding Indictment in Boyd Matter Charges Defendants with Conspiring to Murder U.S. Military Personnel, Weapons Violations,” the FBI release stated, “According to the indictment, during the period from 1989 through 1992, Daniel Boyd traveled to Pakistanand Afghanistan where he received military-style training in terrorist training camps for the purpose of engaging in violent jihad.”

· In a September 24, 2009 FBI release titled “New York Terror Case- Indictment Announced,” the FBI states that Zazi told FBI investigators that he "attended courses at an al-Qaeda training facility" while in Pakistan .

· In a September 24, 2009 FBI release titled “Brooklyn Resident Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Murder Overseas and Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists,” the FBI states that, “According to the indictment and other documents filed by the government, in early January 2009, Kaziu devised a plan to travel abroad for the purpose of joining a radical foreign fighter group and to take up arms against perceived enemies of Islam.”

We can no longer ignore that this radical ideology exists inside the United States . As the above examples point out, this jihadist trend has continued and will continue until we begin to address it.

In addition to knowing why you stopped the investigation of Nidal Malik Hasan, we would like to know what you are doing to address the radical ideology so that we can prevent attacks from taking place. It poses a grave threat to our national security as well as the safety of Americans.

We also bring to your attention that mainstream, moderate Muslim organizations such as World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE) are calling for the “marshalling of community resources for counter-radicalization programs in the mosque and working proactively with law enforcement to identify persons we believe post a threat to the security of Americans.” Are you working with groups like WORDE in this effort, or other local groups who do not have ties to radical Islamists? We would like to know who you are working with and what is being done.

We look forward to your response regarding the investigation of Nidal Malik Hasan and what actions are being taken to address this radical ideology, “jihadiyya,” so that we can prevent homegrown terrorism and protect the public.

Sincerely,

Rep. John Shadegg Rep. Roscoe Bartlett

Rep. Jean Schmidt Rep. John Boozman

Rep. John Abney Culberson Rep. Steve King

Rep. Trent Franks Rep. John Kline

Rep. Kay Granger Rep. Ralph Hall

Rep. Joe Barton Rep. Phil Roe

Dr. Paul Broun Rep. Mary Fallin

Rep. Virginia Foxx Rep. Louie Gohmert

Rep. Tom Cole Rep. Jo Bonner

Rep. Glenn Thompson Rep. Steve Scalise

Rep. John Carter Rep. W. Todd Akin

Rep. Paul Ryan Rep. Jeb Hensarling

Rep. K. Michael Conaway Rep. Jeff Fortenberry

News from Antenori 2010


Antenori for Arizona News


Greetings!

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped with the Tucson Election Day. Many volunteers were talking to voters about the candidates as they entered the polls and we gathered lots of signatures after people were done voting. I appreciate all of the volunteers who worked hard on that day.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving next week, I hope you and your family have a great time relaxing and enjoying the holiday.
If you are on Facebook, please join my new page. You can follow the campaign and keep up with the latest news.
Some people have asked why I have another Facebook page. The answer is very simple, because the liberal opposition will stop at nothing to distort the facts. The largest Tucson paper has a very slanted editorial page so it is necessary to get the truth out to people by whatever means possible, so I plan on taking full advantage of all resources.
If you would like to host a House Party for the campaign or get more involved, please contact Ken at volunteers@vote4frank.com.
Sincerely,
Frank Antenori


Media Watch

KGUN 9 was nice enough to interview me last week for a story about the state budget. The way they edited the story, viewers could be under a false impression. I support lower property taxes, for families AND businesses.

Families need more money to pay for expenses and to spend in the private sector. If businesses had more money, they could expand and make job producing investments.

http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?s=11495966



Santa Rita Mountains

AZRTL: Harry Reid adds abortion-on-demand to healthcare bill, ignores will of the people



Phoenix, AZ - Nov. 19, 2009 - Ignoring the overwhelming victory of the pro-life Stupak-Pitts amendment to the House version of the healthcare bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has added abortion-on-demand to the Senate version (p. 118) and is expected to file cloture on the motion to proceed this Saturday, November 21. Arizona Right to Life is urging you to contact your senators IMMEDIATELY to cast an unconditional "NO" vote on the motion to proceed.

The bill includes a $1 monthly premium to cover elective abortions for those enrolled in the program (p. 122, Section 1303(a)(2)(C)) and would cost US taxpayers more than $848 billion according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

"Did [Reid] not get the memo from the House that the vast majority of Americans oppose abortion?" asked Arizona Right to Life president Jinny Perron. House roll call showed a 240-194 pro-life victory in favor of Stupak-Pitts language, and a CNN poll released yesterday shows 61% of Americans oppose Tax-Funded Abortions.

National Right to Life Legislative Director Doug Johnson said, "Reid has sought to please the militant minority that demands funding of abortion through federal programs, even though substantial majorities of Americans believe that abortion should be excluded from government-funded and government-sponsored health programs."

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TAKE ACTION!
Image: STOP THE ABORTION MANDATE



--Help us educate Arizona on life issues affecting our state!
Donate

Arizona Right to Life

602-285-0063
A non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)4 organization, Arizona Right to Life is committed to articulating and protecting the right to life of all human beings, born and unborn. This is accomplished by educating people on the value of every human life and by promoting and supporting pro-life legislation, public policy and elected officials. Arizona Right to Life is the oldest, largest and strongest pro-life organization in the State of Arizona.
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