Two dishonest measures being pushed by AZ República
When the 1-cent sales tax was sold to Arizona voters in 2010, it was as an emergency measure intended to alleviate the state‘s “catastrophic” budget crisis. It contained a set-in-stone May 31, 2013 sunset date and came with Gov. Brewer’s assurance that it would not be extended. As might be expected, it was warmly greeted by the bandits at the leftwing Periódico de la República de Arizona (Arizona Republic) who never saw a tax increase they didn’t embrace.
Surprise! Quality Education & Jobs Initiative — an extension of the tax has been allowed to appear on the November ballot as Prop. 204. And what do you know? Not a thin dime of the new, permanent one percent sales tax of over a $ billion a year, will be earmarked to address existing general fund spending. All of it is allocated for new spending to “prevent legislators from cutting K-12 education funding,” provide “dedicated funding to students of all ages,“ provide college scholarships, underwrite school construction projects and a children’s health program. And if that’s not enough, it “protects public safety by ensuring continued funding for DPS officers and creates jobs by funding road, rail, transit and other transportation projects.” This last tidbit will ensure support for the measure from unrelated sources. In this crushing economy, pitching a tax to strapped citizens should be an insurmountable task. But making it an issue of public safety and claiming it’s “for the children” narrows the hurdle. Though disqualified for the ballot, it has reappeared.
Then be alert for another ballot hoax that will be even more disastrous than the tax extension. The deceptively named Open Elections/Open Government initiative will fundamentally alter the way Arizona elections are held by replacing partisan primaries which allow each party to send its strongest candidate to the General Election to fairly compete. The intention of the proposition is to severely limit voter’s choices and gut the parties. This measure has been relentlessly promoted by the liberals at the República resentful of Republican successes.
Also known as “Top 2,” it will be on the ballot as Prop. 121. The reason for the nimbleness in the name is to confuse voters whom proponents hope will be uncertain which of the propositions they are considering, since the words “Top 2” will not appear on the ballot. We have erred in using it for concise headlines.
Although the measure was earlier deemed to be in violation of the state Constitution’s “single-subject” rule, a three-judge panel of the Arizona Supreme Court overrode a Superior Court judge’s ruling and announced that this scam on the public can remain on the November 6 ballot.
This is another con job being pushed relentlessly by the liberals at the daily newspaper. Columnist Robert Robb has been a lone standout exposing the farce. We recommend his excellent column linked in this post.
The Maricopa County Republican Executive Guidance Committee has not been deceived. Read the group’s protest of the resolution here.
The powers that be (elected officials, courts and promoters of fakery) treat us as the morons we have shown ourselves to be in allowing our country to be overtaken by Marxists. They think we are ripe for the picking.
When the current 1-cent tax (Prop 100) was passed by special election on May 18, 2010 voter turnout was 36.2%. The AEA etal reportedly spent over $200,000 (I think it was much more) on pro-tax TV ads that sealed the deal. At the time, it seemed that those “it’s only a penny!” commercials were endless. I also recall hearing that the “opposition” had a budget of around $1,200 and many may remember the paper signs on freeway overpasses.
Just a month before the 2010 special election, Governor Brewer had signed SB 1070. Within a few months various reports estimated between 140-175,000 illegal aliens had left Arizona along with corresponding drops in school enrollments. This, of course, is why the teacher’s union fought SB 1070 and every immigration bill that preceeded it back to 2004. And with this week’s ruling that SB 1070 will take effect, the exodus from the state will re-energize, regardless of Obama’s illegal “deferred action.”
The slick new pro-tax commercials will be coming hot and heavy, reports are that proponents have a nearly a $1 million in funds. This issue is viturally about union busting, not the “children.” The State is setting on a surplus which can be used (if needed) to shore up any shortcomings touted by the AEA. It shouldn’t come from us who have already paid to put the state back in the black. Until a formidable opponent with the funds arises (if ever), it will have to be by word of mouth.
Exactly, ZOO. There is no mechanism in place to raise the funds necessary to address what this measure is actually about. That’s too often the problem with ballot propositions backed by large, moneyed special interest groups. Ditto the Open Elections-Open Government proposition. They also have bulging coffers in order to promote their lousy “Top 2″ message. We need to make sure we explain these issues, briefly and well, to those we know. If either of these measures win, they will be rock solid, no turning back, constitutional amendments that we and our children’s children will have to live with.
Thanks for this informative review.
As an aside to these illegal ballot propositions, let us not forget that the AZ Supremes are quickly becoming a mirror image of the infamous US 9th Circuit in their radical activism. They dance to their own liberal tune and ignore standing AZ law and the Constitution. They are absolutely brazen when the issue before them serves to drive AZ to the suicidal left.
Lest we forget, besides these two ballot propositions that are illegal prima facie, they circled to protect the illegal “Independent” Redistricting Commission, again in violation of AZ law. They chose to intercede where they had no legal authority to do so, and sadly our gov allowed them to do it without even a squeek of appeal. Moreover, the multitude of lawful criminal sentences they have arbitrarily vacated serve to protect only the depraved animals who prey on our innocent citizens, and the sleazy appeals lawyers who make their money from the taxpaying public (ie: AZ Bar Assn).
Andrew Thomas, a great AZ patriot, is fighting for judicial reform in AZ. That is the only way to save our state from the corruption that is destroying our future. Fight for reform, and act when you see those Supremes on the ballot for retention.
God bless America.