Tony Bouie carpetbags into District 4

An interesting Primary is shaping up in Legislative District 4, giving voters an unusually clear choice. Tony Bouie, the lifelong Democrat who opportunistically registered as a Republican just five days prior to opening his 2008 campaign for a Dist. 6 House seat, is back in campaign mode. 

Bouie made headlines with his unmatched pattern of habitual fabrications and double-dealing during the race that resulted in him being soundly defeated by Reps. Sam Crump and Carl Seel.  Although the voters of the district were not deceived, he did win the support of the open borders crowd, who directly benefit from a steady stream of low-wage workers, and happily fed his campaign coffers.

Bouie has reportedly said that he is targeting Rep. Judy Burges — the # 1 PAChyderm rated member of the Arizona House.

Term-limited LD 4 Sen. Jack Harper is running to join Rep. Burges in the House. Adding to the kafuffle Rep. Tom Boone has now filed an exploratory committee against announced candidate Scott Bundgaard, who is running for the senate in the district.

Anyone need a scorecard? The line forms on the right.

Shadegg rumored to be eyeing retirement — again

This interesting entry from HumanEvents.com states there is considerable speculation that Arizona Congressman John Shadegg (R-CD3) will retire in 2010.

Shadegg surprised many on February 11, 2008, with his abrupt retirement announcement. Within days, he reversed himself and “unretired,” amid calls by his congressional colleagues for him to reconsider. This time the rumors are widespread and persistent.

If he does step down, there are several folks who have shown an interest in running for the vacant seat, not the least of whom is State Rep. Sam Crump  (R-Dist 6).  Other names being mentioned are State Sens. Pamela Gorman (R-Dist.6) and Jim Waring (R-Dist.7) a one-time McCain staffer.

Crump has filed an exploratory committee for Attorney General. But would he choose to run for Congress if Shadegg announces his retirement? 

Stay tuned.

Burns on fire — again

Sacks Sen. President Pro Tempore Verschoor, Majority Whip Sen. Gorman

In recent negotiations with Gov. Jan Brewer, Senate President Bob Burns (R-Dist.9) was reportedly angry enough to raise his voice, issue a few well chosen words and storm out of the meeting. At the time, Brewer cooly responded by calling Burns’ comments “regrettable and terribly unproductive. I choose not to take President Burns’ comments personally, because I recognize he is very angry right now,” she said.

Today, his now-famous temper made a reappearance. For the defiant act of protecting the taxpayers, high ranking legislators have been removed from their leadership positions.

A case in point is Sen. Thayer Verschoor (R-Dist.22). This afternoon, Verschoor was summarily removed from his position as President Pro Tempore and member of the Rules Committee. And Majority Whip Sen. Pamela Gorman (R-Dist.6) was also removed from Rules. Burns would likely have removed her as Majority Whip if it was within his purview to do so.  She was elected to that post by her colleagues.

Freshman Sen. Steve Pierce (R-Dist.1), who has served only 6 months in the senate, is reputed to have been named Verschoor’s replacement.

President Burns is building a not-so-impressive track record of bellowing, walking out of negotiations, and now removing other Republican senators from their posts — as punishment for straying from the fine line they are allowed to walk. In the case of Sen. Verschoor, President Burns has removed one of the most consistent and level-headed conservative leaders in the senate.  And in one rash moment has removed 2 of the 4 Republican members of the Rules Committee — because they dared to oppose a sales tax increase.

It appears to be past time for the members of the Senate to reevaluate their decision to select Bob Burns as President.

In these most trying times, the legislature needs thoughtful leaders who are able to build a consensus to protect the future of the state.

Barto lays down her hand — and gets trumped

In the back and forth emails making the rounds after six defectors left the Capitol building to avoid going on record as opposing HB 2280 –  a bill which would have ended sanctuary city policies –  Rep. Nancy Barto (R-Dist.7) attempts to defend her actions.  

She writes: “Rank and file officers are not calling for this bill — they want and need true discretion to perform their duties.”

How, then, does she explain this?

The bill authored by Sen. Russell Pearce (R-Dist.18) was endorsed by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, AZ Fraternal Order of Police, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), Maricopa County Deputies Association, Border Patrol Officers Association, Arizona State Republican Party, Maricopa County Republican Party, Arizona Highway Patrol Association. It also gained the support of  the Arizona African American Republican Committee, Arizona Republican Assembly, The Pachyderm Coalition, NumbersUSA, and F.A.I.R.

Seeing Red AZ covered the spineless misadventures of these legislators in this post: Keep these folks in mind when elections roll around.  Maricopa County Republican Chairman Rob Haney voiced his concerns in this letter sent to GOP political activists.

Haney wrote: Last week nine of our Republican state representatives opposed a SOVEREIGNTY bill which would have attempted to end sanctuary city policies. Six of the nine did not even have the courage to vote their convictions. They chose to attempt to protect their political future by not voting. This lack of courage, as well as the failure to understand that the well-being, if not survival, of our citizens and our country is so intricately tied to this invasion is unconscionable. The billed failed by five votes. It was within the power of these nine Republican representatives to protect you and enforce Constitutional mandates. They failed you.

Point well taken, Chairman Haney.

PAChyderm Coalition releases end-of-session legislative ratings

The PAChyderm Coalition, a Reagan Republican organization, has just released its session ending cumulative evaluations of legislators.  This list reflects legislative actions as of 7/1/09.  It was last updated 7/7/09.

Along with the rankings is a narrative for this session by Howard Levine:

This was a very unusual session because all bills were held up in the Senate until a budget was passed. This created a dearth of activity – particularly in the Senate – until the final weeks of the session. The final days of the session were extraordinarily hectic as usual – giving proof to the saying “That if it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”

We analyzed the budget bills that came out in the final days of the session and were not generally pleased. We did give some plus 2 weights, but we also didn’t weight the K-12 education bill because it did not make sufficient cuts, and we gave minus 2 weights to the Higher Education and Prison budgets because we did not think they were fiscally responsible. The special session that will resolve the budget looks like it is taking weak to bad budget bills and making them even worse, but that will be a subject for another day.

Check out the individual legislator ratings here.

Scott Bundgaard: A blast from the past

Former state legislator Scott Bundgaard has filed his intent to run for the Arizona state senate in District 4.  Sen. Jack Harper currently holds the seat, but is unable to run again due to term limits.

Many remember Bundgaard as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, where he was part of the team that crafted a $7 billion budget, which included income tax cuts for individuals and Arizona businesses, and the elimination of the marriage tax penalty. Republican Bundgaard was named a “Friend of the Taxpayer” every year he served.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1995, serving one term, before his Senate stint of six years —  which ran from 1997 to 2003. At the time of his election, Bundgaard was the youngest person to serve in the Arizona Senate. He lost a U. S. Congressional race to Trent Franks in 2002.

We welcome Scott back to the political fray.

Keep these folks in mind when elections roll around

This is a special message for NumbersUSA members in Arizona

Dear Arizona friends,

Before adjourning for the year on July 1, the Arizona House defeated a bill (HB 2280) authored by Sen. Russell Pearce that would have cracked down on pro-illegal alien “sanctuary” laws and aided in immigration enforcement by expanding the state’s trespassing law. The House voted 26-15 for the bill, five votes short of the 31 needed for passage. The Senate had approved the bill 16-11 earlier that day.

Although most Democrats were expected to oppose the bill, they were joined by three Republicans – Reps. McComish, Tobin and Jones.  An incredible 19 members of the House did not vote on the bill at all.

On the Republican side, these included six members – Reps. Driggs, Barto, Konopnicki, Crandall, Mason, and Quelland — who all left the Capitol building so they didn’t have to go on record as opposing HB 2280.

This legislation, in its original form as passed by the Senate a few days prior, was SB 1175. Rep. Driggs, a long-time opponent of immigration enforcement, derailed that bill’s chances by refusing to hear it in his committee. In order to keep the measure alive, Sen. Pearce placed the bill’s language on HB 2280, which had already passed the House and only needed a “concurrence” vote to clear the measure. The Senate passed HB 2280 on July 1, but when the House voted on the bill a few hours later, Republican opponents left rather than vote.

For years now, certain Republicans have fought responsible enforcement legislation, while at the same time denying their anti-enforcement positions. In fact, some even purported to be concerned about enforcement as they carried water for open-border and cheap-labor groups. The time has come to hold those Republicans accountable for their actions.

Seeing Red AZ wrote about these defectors in this July I, 2009 post Your legislators hard at work, taking a dive — we name names.

 Rob Haney, Maricopa County Republican Committee Chairman has boldly written this article in which he holds accountable those who are responsible for this malfeasance.

Fireworks over fireworks, and then some

Just in time for the Fourth of July, a bill legalizing certain fireworks is meeting opposition from those who say such devices are hazardous.

If signed by Gov. Jan Brewer, the law would allow the sale of sparklers, “snakes” and toy smoke devices.

State Rep. Andy Biggs, (R- Dist.22), sponsor of the legislation, says the majority of other states allow these types of devices. Pyrotechnics of any kind are banned in Arizona’s national forests, so the new law, if approved, would keep that prohibition of fireworks in place.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety provides helpful tips for a safe holiday.

But for those interested in real fireworks, the best seat in the house will be at the Arizona State Capitol on Monday afternoon when the special session on the budget gets underway.

Your legislators hard at work, taking a dive — we name names

HB 2280, the intent of which was to require officials and agencies of the state, counties, cities and towns to fully comply with and assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, making trespassing by illegal aliens a crime — failed in the waning hours before legislative sine die.

In the event you are moved to give them a call and inquire about their disgraceful disappearing act or “no” votes, their contact information is included under the links to their names.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO WALKED OUT MOMENTS BEFORE THE VOTE:

Rich Crandall Dist. 19

Adam Driggs Dist.11

Doug Quelland Dist. 10

Lucy Mason Dist. 1

Nancy Barto Dist. 7

Bill Konopnicki Dist. 5

HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED NO:

Andrew Tobin Dist. 1

Russ Jones Dist. 24

John McComish Dist. 20

SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED NO;

Carolyn Allen Dist. 8

John Nelson Dist. 12

HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHO DID NOT VOTE:

Ed Ableser

Jack Brown

Olivia Cajero Bedford

Cloves Campbell

Christopher Deschene

Martha Garcia

Phil Lopes

Eric Meyer

Robert Meza

Ben Miranda

Daniel Patterson

Rae Waters

Nancy Young Wright

Most recent PAChyderm Coalition legislative rankings

The PAChyderm Coalition, a Reagan Republican organization, has just released its weekly cumulative evaluations of legislators. The assessment is updated weekly until the conclusion of the legislative session. This list reflects legislative actions as of 6/27/09.  It was last updated 6/30/09.

Along with the evaluations, Howard Levine writes: There has been a flurry of activity as the session comes to a close. Most scores were fairly stable, but some legislators had large changes in their scores because of some of their votes or because they did not vote. In the Senate, the general trend is that those at the bottom saw fairly large increases and those at the top are slightly lower than last week. The general trend in the House was very little change with some improvement of the lowest scorers. We’ll see what happens in the final two days of the session.