Reagan, O’Connor: Liberal elites masquerade as Republicans

Last Monday night the Arizona Project featured Republican state Sen. Michele Reagan (LD-23) as its guest. The group even had her appearance in a live streaming video for all to see. Amazingly, the woman who voted with the Democrats for the costly and unsustainable expansion of Medicaid — a key element of ObamaCare — told the group she was adamantly opposed to the scheme, though she supported it days later.

Arizona Conservative Coalition runs a weekly updated ranking of legislators during the session. Expect the chronically low-rated Michele Reagan to drop even further after this deception.

Last Tuesday evening Legislative District 28 held its monthly meeting. District chairman Scott O’Connor took the opportunity to admit to the Republican elected Precinct Committeemen he leads that he is a RINO and a minority on the EGC — the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee.

These two incidents beg the question: How did Arizona Republicans get skunked and what are we going to do about it?

AZ Senate RINOs cave on OBrewerCare expansion

In a state budget vote taken Thursday night in the Arizona Senate, the focal point was the expansion of Medicaid — a key element of ObamaCare, oddly prioritized and embraced by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.

The issue has been divisive, firmly placing those who ran and were elected as Republicans in the Democrat camp. Republican Majority Leader John McComish (LD-18) was instrumental in ensuring the Medicaid expansion was added onto the $8.8 billion budget bill.

Senate President Andy Biggs (LD-12) and other conservative opponents offered numerous amendments to the expansion, which Brewer claims will bring Arizona $1.6 billion in “federal money” [read: taxpayer dollars]. Included was an amendment to block an unconscionable hospital bed tax, to pay the state’s costs of providing coverage to an additional 300,000 low-income and uninsured Arizonans. The expansion would stretch the coverage beyond the state’s income threshold to 133 percent of the poverty level, or $30,675 for a family of four.

As we have previously seen, the Senate’s 13 Democrats hung together supporting the costly scheme with six Republicans, including John McComish jumping ship to join them.  The other collaborators voting with the Dems are Rich Crandall (LD-16), Adam Driggs (LD-28), Steve Pierce (LD-1), Michele Reagan (LD-23) and Bob Worsley (LD-25).  Remember their names when election season rolls around.

In the end, the final vote ended up rolling the conservative leadership. The Majority Leader and Majority Whip violated their responsibility as part of the leadership team by voting against amendments presented by the Senate President. This level of treachery has not occurred in the state legislature since the notorious Randall Gnant, who brokered a deal with the Democrats against his own caucus in 2000 in order to become Senate President. A historical note that should be remembered is that Gnant was never elected to any other office in this state as a result of his treachery.

The Arizona House will take up the bill next week. Contact your Representatives (House roster here) and let them know of your strong opposition to OBrewerCare and those who vote for it.

A poll conducted last month by Magellan Strategies reveals public cynicism aimed at Brewer’s relentless push for Obama’s cornerstone program in Arizona. Although 49% had a “favorable” opinion of Gov. Brewer, and all but 2% were familiar with her, the percentage opposing her full implementation of Medicaid expansion skyrocketed to 58%. Equally significant is the fact that state legislators who joined with her are less likely to be retained by the voters within their districts by a whopping 43% — compared to only 30% who would be more likely to support them. 

Statewide, GOP legislative districts have been outspoken in their opposition to this governmental overreach.

For more information on this costly and ultimately unsustainable issue, the Heritage Foundation’s Alyene Senger has written 10 Myths About the ObamaCare Medicaid Expansion.

AZ Conservative Coalition: Newest legislator rankings

The Arizona Conservative Coalition’s (ACC) most recent legislator ratings, reflecting legislative actions as of 4/28/2013 is now available. Click here for the updated report.

Legislators are assigned to a group based on their latest rating. Bills used in the evaluation along with the summary of criteria used to weight bills can be seen here. There is also an excellent, concise analysis of each bill considered.

Be sure to take time to review Howard Levine’s informative weekly narrative, which provides background on the tracking process.

The folks at ACC provide individual grades for Arizona’s Republican Representatives and Senators. There is quite a variation. This week the Senate ratings range from a high of 89.9 down to a bottom-dragging 47.7. In the House of Representatives the top scorer received a 95.2 with the bottom of the list rating a weak 47.8.

Check out your elected members and hold them accountable with facts.

AZ Conservative Coalition: Updated legislator ratings

The Arizona Conservative Coalition’s (ACC) most recent legislator ratings, reflecting legislative actions as of 4/16/2013 is now available. Click here for the updated report.

Legislators are assigned to a group based on their latest rating. Bills used in the evaluation along with the summary of criteria used to weight bills can be seen here. There is also an excellent, concise analysis of each bill considered.

Be sure to take time to review Howard Levine’s informative weekly narrative, which provides background on the tracking process.

The folks at ACC provide individual grades for Arizona’s Republican Representatives and Senators. There is quite a variation. This week the Senate ratings range from a high of 89.0 down to a bottom-dragging 44.9. In the House of Representatives the top scorer received a 96.3 with the bottom of the list rating a weak 48.7.

Check out your elected members and hold them accountable with facts.

New poll: Brewer’s AZ Medicaid expansion on shaky ground

 A new poll conducted by Magellan Strategies reveals some interesting information about Governor Jan Brewer and her relentless push for Obama’s Medicaid expansion in Arizona, according to data gathered in a just released survey of 812 respondents.

Although 49% had a “favorable” opinion of Gov. Jan Brewer, and all but 2% were familiar with her, the percentage opposing her full implementation of an expansion of Medicaid skyrocketed to 58%. Equally significant is the fact that state legislators who hopped onboard with her on this rickety boat, are less likely to be retained by the voters within their districts by a whopping 43% — compared to only 30% who would be more likely to support them.

If the legislators voted for a new tax on hospitals to fund this expansion, the negative numbers jump to 57% who are less likely to reelect them. Only 19% found such actions worthy of continuing to elect expansion-supporting lawmakers. Brewer, as detailed in this USA Today report previously announced she would impose a new tax on hospitals to fund the federal health care law.

The poll was nearly evenly divided between Republicans (35%), Democrats (31%) and Independents (34%).  Only 29% of those surveyed favored a full implementation of an expansion of Medicaid.

The complete poll including questions and methodology can be seen here.

GOP LDs slam Gov. Brewer’s Medicaid Expansion

Attempts to sell ObamaCare scheme to AZ Republicans falls on deaf ears

Monday night Legislative Districts 20 and 30 joined Maricopa County GOP LDs 1, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, and 27, Pima County Republican LDs 2, 3 ,4, 9, 10, 11, 14, the Coconino Republican Executive Committee, along with the Pinal, Cochise and the Cochise County Republican Committees —  in passing resolutions in opposition to the Governor’s Medicaid Expansion (AHCCCS) in support of ObamaCare. Pinal County Republicans passed their resolution back in February.

The fact that the entire Democrat caucus supports this outrageous and economically unsustainable government overreach tells “the rest of the story.”

The resolutions can be read here, courtesy of the Maricopa County Republican Committee. Check out their informative “Briefs,” posted daily by Communications Director Frosty Taylor.

Are any of these poor excuses for Republicans pretending to represent you? Give them a call, drop them a line. Since we pay their salaries, they should be all too happy to hear from us.

Senate supporters:

LD16   Rich Crandall  rcrandall@azleg.gov  (602) 926-3020

LD18   John McComish  jmccomish@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5898

LD28   Adam Driggs  adriggs@azleg.gov  (602) 926-3016

House supporters:

LD1   Karen Fann kfann@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5874

LD8   Frank Pratt fpratt@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5761

LD9   Ethan Orr eorr@azleg.gov  (602) 926-3235

LD17 Thomas Forese tforese@azleg.gov  (602-926-5168

LD17 JD Mesnard jmesnard@azleg.gov  602) 926-4481

LD18 Jeff Dial jdial@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5550

LD18 Bob Robson brobson@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5549

Appeared with Brewer in support of this expansion:  

LD1  Steve Pierce spierce@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5584

LD15 Heather Carter hcarter@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5503

LD16 Doug Coleman dcoleman@azleg.gov  (602) 926-3160

LD20 Paul Boyer pboyer@azleg.gov  (602) 926-4173

LD25 Bob Worsley bworsley@azleg.gov  (602) 926-5760

LD28 Kate Brophy-McGee kbrophymcgee@azleg.gov  (602) 926-4486

Judges: hike “court fees” to fund our benefits

Phoenix voters recently passed two pension reform ballot measures aimed at curbing benefits for new city employees. Although the union-supported plans were more cosmetic tinkering than meaningful actions, they shed light on seriously underfunded and economically unsustainable retirement plans. 

Now we hear that the judiciary wants to be spared from similar reforms. The issue was dire enough to bring Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca Berch and Maricopa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Norm Davis down the street to the state legislature to urge the Arizona Senate Finance Committee to exempt judges from a bill that would create a more streamlined 401(k) style retirement plan for future Arizona elected officials — which includes the judiciary.

The Elected Officials’ Retirement Plan (EORP), the most generous of Arizona’s public pension systems, is significantly underfunded and carries a high price tag for taxpayers. To keep the program in place for future recipients, the judges came up with a bit of mathematical wizardry — increased court fees –  to subsidize the benefits of future elected officials and judges. These outrageous mandatory surcharges, among the highest in the nation, already add an incredible  83% on top of imposed fines and penalties. Fees, fines and surcharges assessed against criminal defendants are statutory and are imposed statewide. The 23-page fee schedule can be seen here.

The daily reports, the judges provided few specific details during Wednesday’s hearing on the ultimate cost of their plan. They also declined to provide details to a reporter after the hearing. A group representing the judges plans to meet privately Monday with legislators who are pushing for pension reform to craft a deal without public input.

“I’m not here to talk about the details,” Justice Berch told the committee. “Frankly, I think the details ought to be hashed out not in a committee meeting but in a private meeting afterwards.”

The news report also states that for the fiscal year that ended June 30, public funds paid into the trust for elected officials totaled $21.7 million, while contributions from politicians themselves totaled $6.8 million.

A knotty problem indeed.  And one that should not be shouldered by those folks engaged in already costly court proceedings.  The judges and other politicos might just have to chip in a bit more to ensure their own futures.

Desperate unionists solicit help from AZ GOP PCs

“Misinformation campaign” alleged by firefighter’s union

Tim Hill, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, is deeply concerned.  So much so, in fact, that he has taken the unusual step of contacting Arizona’s elected Republican Party Precinct Committeemen. Hill says GOP PCs are in a “unique position to pass along accurate and relevant information to voters and your fellow party leaders.”

What has moved Hill to conferring such lavish praise?  He obviously hopes to ingratiate himself and his union to the Republican precinct committeemen he desperately needs to align with the union on its liberal legislation. Hill’s Machiavellian plea can be read here.

After slathering on a thick layer of unctuous schmooze, union leader Hill gets to the point. He alleges, “the bills in question all will impose severe restrictions on organizations like the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona.”

Just last week many Phoenix voters received robocalls preceding Tuesday’s special election to effect changes to the city’s pension system. Interestingly, the calls urging passage were from District 5 Councilman Daniel Valenzuela — a Glendale firefighter and former president of the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters, a strong union, representing nearly 30 chapters throughout the country. What would move this union honcho to promote pension reforms?

Lliberal Mayor Greg Stanton actually issued a statement declaring, “Pension reform is the right thing to do.”

Even the uninitiated can easily grasp the fact that committed unionists, reliably Democrats, support tweaking rather than instituting meaningful reform and in their desperation, they beg Republicans to conspire with them.

All-too-rare truth was on display by short-term Phoenix City Councilman Bryan Jeffries, a Mesa fire captain.  He was appointed to fill a vacant seat though he lost  the election in which he ran to retain his perch. Jeffries was quoted in a past issue of the Professional Firefighters magazine saying, “Union work is a calling….” Throughout the publication firefighters are indentified with their union’s local number.

Of vital importance is the fact the union opposed SCR1026 (Secret Ballot: Fundamental Right) on the ballot as Prop. 108, a constitutional amendment which guaranteed the fundamental right of public employees to vote a secret ballot. The union preferred coercion.

The Arizona Supreme Court addressed the legal matter here. Page 19 provides a good summation as it was certified, removed and then certified once again for the ballot. The measure ultimately passed 60.5% to 39.5%

The real misinformation campaign is emanating from the unions.  They are the ones who need to cut the propaganda and give us the facts — not the other way around. Try as Tim Hill might, Republican precinct committeemen will not be conned by this over-the-top, liberal effort at deception.

Jan Brewer channels Obama’s socialized medicine

Gov’s bunk-laden email doesn’t cut it

Impossible to miss, glaring similarities, as both Obama and Jan Brewer use medical doctors* as props for the unconscionable expansion of socialized medicine.

As she works feverishly on behalf of ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is encountering strong resistance from Republican legislators. Juxtaposed against the fact that various GOP districts have passed resolutions opposing the expansion, is the reality of the pro-expansion zealots waving the carrots of campaign a$$istance for playing well. What the daily refers to as a “well-heeled, tightly organized pro-expansion campaign led by the health-care industry and Arizona business leaders, in cooperation with the governor’s office and some of the state’s top lobbyists and political strategists,“ is making life difficult for the lawmakers down on West Washington Street. The pressure is intensifying as the high dollar campaign rolls out its own lobbyist, Jaime Molera, and a heavy handed promotion worthy of street thugs with wads of cash.  Keep your eyes on the GOP freshmen, the governor’s office hopes to sway.

For a Republican governor who stood in firm opposition to this costly scheme to do an about-face and expect Republicans to join in the kumbaya with the onboard Democrats, is a bridge too far.

This letter, emailed to Republican Precinct Committeemen by Gov. Jan Brewer, exemplifies the depth of her desperation.

* We have since found out that Brewer’s white-coated props were not doctors at all.  They are students at Glendale’s Osteopathic Midwestern University.

AZ Conservative Coalition releases legislative ratings

The Pachyderm Coalition has recently changed its name to the Arizona Conservative Coalition, and has just published its first edition of Legislator Ratings for this session. This list reflects legislative actions as of 2/22/2013. It was last Updated 2/28/2013

Click here for the latest report. Legislators are assigned to a group based on their latest rating. Note that these have changed from last year. Bills used in the evaluation along with the summary of criteria used to weight bills can be seen here.

Individual grades for Arizona’s Representatives and Senators  follow Howard Levine’s narrative. Check out your elected members and hold them accountable with facts.