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Capitol Quotes, Dec. 17, 2010
“We can’t just give the Legislature the finger and ignore them. They raised some legitimate concerns, although antagonistically.” — Mick Rusing, a member of the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, on having to convene again after Republican legislative leaders complained about the slate of nominees sent to them.
GOP tax plan good for business, bad for homeowners
Republican lawmakers and the governor are moving ahead with a tax-reduction plan they say would enable Arizona to attract more businesses and jobs to the state, even though the likely result would be a heavier tax burden for homeowners.
Williams wants spotlight on state debt, says legislation is needed
An alcoholic’s first step toward recovery is to admit being powerless to stop drinking even though it’s making life unmanageable.
Now a Tucson lawmaker wants to use the same approach to the state’s addiction to borrowing.
Rep. Vic Williams, a Republican from Tucson, said he plans to introduce a bill that would require the state to report annually all borrowing, as we[...]
Reporter Mark Flatten examined 10,000 documents in discipline investigation
Mark Flatten's latest report for the Goldwater Institute presents cases where government employees have been put on paid leave for months while waiting for the state to discipline or fire them, but the most costly case to taxpayers was one the most difficult for the investigative reporter to uncover.
Eligibility in question for some redistricting applicants
The eligibility to serve on the Independent Redistricting Commission will be in question for some of the 25 nominees whose names were passed onto legislative leaders Dec. 8.
Goldwater report blasts government discipline procedures, highlights costs incurred
The lengthy reviews, administrative hurdles and general lack of swiftness that comes along with firing or disciplining government employees in Arizona sometimes invites dangerous and expensive outcomes, according to an extensive report from the Goldwater Institute, a libertarian government watchdog firm.
Clean Elections Commission puts off vote on fixed-assets rule change
The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission on Thursday put off voting on a proposed rule change that would require publicly financed candidates to return or purchase fixed assets such as laptops, printers and cameras.
U.S. Supreme Court poised to strike death blow to matching funds
The U.S. Supreme Court appears ready to strike a key provision of Arizona’s Clean Elections Act, leaving the future of state and national public campaign financing programs in limbo.
Some Clean Elections money went toward laptops, hiring relatives, NRA dues
Some of the 107 candidates who received public money to run for state Legislature this year bought computers, cameras and printers that are theirs to keep and paid relatives as campaign workers and consultants.
Arizona challenge to health care overhaul expands
The Goldwater Institute's original lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix last month challenges the health care overhaul, and now the group is asking a federal judge for a preliminary injunction to block one provision.
Goldwater Institute lawyer puts principle over party
Long before Clint Bolick earned a living terrorizing bureaucrats and politicians in court, he was a teenager trying to figure out why he didn’t fit in with his high school Republican club.
Arizona’s debt has grown $4B since recession began
Most state lawmakers insist they had no other choice than to borrow billions of dollars to keep Arizona government running during the past few years. The reality, however, is that they had a couple of options – they just didn’t like them.
