AZ House Dems on GOPTeaParty's reckless budget

AZ Republicans Steve Pierce, Senate Pres., & Andy Tobin, House Speaker (right)

House Democrats disappointed by influence of special interests and lack of transparency, long term vision in Legislative Republicans’ Tea Party budget plan

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- House Democrats criticized Legislative Tea Party Republicans for offering a budget proposal – crafted behind closed doors and released to the public less than 24 hours before it was considered in committee hearings – that again favors special interests and lacks a long-term plan to help stabilize Arizona’s economy and prepare for future budget needs in an accountable way.

"Extremist ideologies and out-of-state special interests continue to dominate the Arizona Capitol," said Rep. Daniel Patterson (D-Tucson-LD29/LD3). "Republicans' reckless budget would cause further harm to jobs, education and the economy."

"This isn't a budget for Arizona. This is budget for an extremist, special-interest driven agenda,” said House Minority Leader and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Chad Campbell (D-Phoenix, LD 15). “Nothing highlights this more than the fact that they completely remove oversight of taxpayer funded private prisons. All this will do is line the pockets of big out-of-state corporations with taxpayer dollars."

“There are so many opportunities wasted in this budget plan,” said House Minority Whip Anna Tovar (D-Tolleson, LD 13), who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Basically, the Republicans have created a big piggy bank where hundreds of millions of dollars that could be used to restore and stimulate jobs will sit unutilized.”

“This budget should be about creating jobs,” said Rep. Lela Alston (D-Phoenix, LD 15), who is also a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We should be investing in capital improvements to schools and other critical infrastructure. We could restore health care to thousands of children and restore thousands of jobs in the process. We could pay down the debt we owe the school districts from the roll-over accounting gimmick. This budget plan addresses none of those priorities.”

Campbell said that House Democrats would be releasing a list of budget priorities this week that they will propose as floor amendments to the Tea Party legislators’ budget when it comes to the House Floor for Committee of the Whole consideration.

House Democrats pointed to many bills and policy proposals they have put forth to stimulate economic development through modest expenditures or targeted tax incentives that could be funded in this budget to immediately create jobs and produce more tax revenue.

See this link for the “House Democrats introduce bills to create jobs, boost economy” press release for specific examples and more information.

New way online to back Daniel Patterson reelection

TUCSON -- For the first time in Arizona voters may now sign our petition and donate a clean elections $5 online.

Voters in Tucson LD29 downtown, south and southeast (map) please go to DanielPatterson.net right now for the link to sign and donate clean $5 to help me win re-election in the new LD3 this fall.

With your support I will keep fighting in the Arizona Legislature for stronger jobs, economy and education, as I have for you for the last four years.

Big thanks!
Rep. Daniel Patterson

AZ Rep. speaks on January jobs report, economy

DNC News Release: Feb 6, 2012

Arizona Representative Daniel Patterson highlights 23 straight months of private sector job growth

TUCSON -- Arizona State Representative Daniel Patterson (D-Tucson-LD29/LD3) today issued the following statement highlighting 23 straight months of private sector job growth under President Obama’s leadership.

“When the President took office, our country was losing nearly 800,000 jobs a month. The crisis was even more severe in Southern Arizona, with the economic security of millions of hardworking Arizonans vanishing.

“President Obama helped stop the free-fall and helped the private sector reverse the trend. 257,000 jobs were added to the economy in January, and the President has presided over the addition of over 3.7 million jobs over 23 straight months of private sector job growth. I agree with the President that there's still more work to be done, but we’re moving our economy in the right direction and the national unemployment rate is now at its lowest level in three years.

“Arizonans thank the President for leading a steady, consistent recovery that prioritizes tax cuts for working families and small businesses, which create the vast majority of new jobs in Arizona.”

Rep. Patterson anti-dropout bill to help kids & jobs

Rep. Daniel Patterson introduces HB2747 to decrease high-school dropout rate

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (LD29/LD3), introduced a bill Wednesday that would require students to stay in school until their 18th birthday or graduation.

“Right now, 24 percent of our students are not leaving high school with a diploma in hand,” Patterson said, citing statistics from the Arizona Department of Education. “We need to change that by giving students more incentives to do well in school, so that when they graduate, they are better prepared for college or a job.”

HB 2747 would increase the age at which a student can drop out of school from 16 to 18, and would eliminate the option to drop out of school after completing their sophomore year of high school. Instead, a student would be required to earn enough credits to graduate if they are still under 18.

Patterson hopes that keeping students in school will encourage them to perform better in classes, and therefore graduate with higher grades and GPAs that will be more appealing to colleges, universities, and prospective employers.

“As society and technology advance, so do the requirements for these emerging fields and professions,” Patterson said.

Another hope is that the measure persuades high-school students who graduate to stay in Arizona and add growth to the economy by going to school and starting careers here.

“We need to focus on creating jobs for middle-class families, and preparing these students for the jobs of the future,” Patterson said. “By staying in school, our kids will be able to compete for those jobs. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Summary of AZ Speaker Tobin's redistricting bills

Arizona House Speaker Tobin

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Here is a staff summary of Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin's (R) controversial redistricting bills. This is certain to be a big issue in the legislature this week.

HB 2710 - lays out the framework for a special election to be held May 15, 2012; note: NO appropriation is made to cover the cost of the special election; SOS told Senate staff the election could be $8.3 million.

HCR 2051 - changes the make-up of the Independent Redistricting Commission to have 12 members and removes the appellate court appointment commission's role in selective a pool of applicants for appointment; requires the Speaker to make 3 appointments (no more than 2 from the same party and none of whom are from the same county), House Minority Leader to make 3 appointments (no more than 2 from the same party and none of whom are from the same county), Senate President to make 3 appointments (no more than 2 from the same party and none of whom are from the same county) and then the Senate Minority Leader to make 3 appointments (no more than 2 from the same party and none of whom are from the same county). The Members of the IRC will vote by majority vote to select their chair and vice chair. Requires the IRC to comply with the Open Meeting Law. The existing Commissioners' terms would be considered over and this newly created and appointed Commission would draw maps for use after the 2012 election for the rest of the decade. Allows the governor to appoint a commissioner if a vacancy occurs that is not filled by the legislative leader who made the original appointment. Also allows PCs to be appointed as commissioners as well as members of special taxing districts (this is in response to the Supreme Court case in which it concluded that one of the R nominees was not qualified to run because he was on a taxing district board). Note: no appropriation for the IRC's work is made in this bill.

HCR 2052 - refers to the ballot a measure that, upon adoption of the voters, would put in to place the LEGISLATIVE lines created by the legislature as outlined in HR 2005; if this measure were adopted, it would amend the state constitution to require the legislative maps created by the State Legislature to be adopted instead of the maps created by the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) for the year 2012 and the map adopted in 2012 would be used for the remainder of this decade*; it leaves in place the process by which the IRC would draw new lines in 2021. It also designates the AG's office as the attorney for the state's interests on all legal matters related to the LD map. (*NOTE: if HCR 2051 were to pass too, then the map created by the Legislature would only be in place for 2012 election and the newly-organized commission created by HCR 2051 would create maps for use in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020).

HCR 2053 - Does the same thing as HCR 2052 but this is only for CONGRESSIONAL districts.

HR 2005 - outlines the new "alternative" maps (incorporated by reference) created by Speaker Tobin (and John Mills); these are the maps that would be adopted as both Congressional and/or Legislative district boundaries if either or both of the HCRs above were passed by the voters

The new maps are not publicly available yet but we are told they are supposed to be on the Legislative website soon.

Revised – January 27, 2012 at 2:47 p.m. Prepared by House Democratic Staff

Rep. Daniel Patterson in to win re-election for LD3

VOTE DANIEL for stronger Arizona education, jobs and economy.

TUCSON -- I want to let you know that since elected in 2008 I’ve worked with my fellow lawmakers at the State Capitol to address the issues important to southern Arizona families.

I'm proud to say I am running for re-election in 2012 as your Representative for Tucson and Pima County's new Legislative District 3 (downtown, UA, central, south/west/southwest sides, Tucson Mountains & Avra Valley) map.

In these tough times, I am committed to working with everyone to solve Arizona’s problems while building jobs and a stronger economy, protecting kids and education, cleaning up the environment and preserving public safety.

People in new LD3 in Tucson, I ask please for your vote & support.

As your Representative, here are some of the issues I’ve been working on recently:

Helping Kids, Schools and Education
• Fought against massive cuts harming our kids, teachers and neighborhood schools.
• Opposed cuts to early education programs for children who deserve a chance.

Building Jobs and a Stronger Economy
• Pushed for measures to help attract high paying science and technology-related jobs.
• Worked to responsibly balance the state budget without undermining the future of Arizona’s economy.

Sustaining Our Environment, Water and Energy
• Joined forces to defeat a bill that would harm fishing and another bill that would have weakened Arizonans’ voice and property rights in the power line development process.
• Supported tourism and our State Parks by voting no on devastating budget cuts.

Defending Public Safety
• Spoke up against turning over Arizona’s prisons to private, for-profit companies.
• Challenged cuts that would have reduced the number of local law enforcement officers and firefighters on our streets.

Please know I am honored to be serving you and your neighbors. Serving as your Representative in the Arizona Legislature is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously. To ensure I continue to represent you well, I will keep listening to your priorities for Tucson and Arizona.

We’ll work together to help solve Arizona’s critical issues.

Your input matters and will help me serve you and our community better! I look forward to our continued dialogue as we work to build a better future for Arizona and improve our quality of life.

Thank you,
Representative Daniel Patterson (D-Tucson)

Please follow our campaign: DanielPatterson.net, @RepPatterson & facebook

On strike against web censorship bills SOPA & PIPA

TUCSON -- The Arizona Eagle is on strike Wed. Jan 18 as part of a worldwide protest against internet censorship bills SOPA & PIPA in the US Congress. Please contact your US Rep. & Senators now.

Patterson bill limits pay to AZ Commerce Auth. CEO

Brewer with her man Don 'take the money & run' Cardon.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson, introduced a bill Thursday that would limit the salary of the CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

This follows the resignation Wednesday of Don Cardon, who grossed $300,000 annually as CEO of the authority. Cardon’s earnings also included a signing bonus of $50,000, a $1,000 per month vehicle allowance, a $50,000 retention bonus and a $30,000 a year supplemental allowance (see Arizona Republic story).

“Middle-class Arizona families are struggling to make ends meet, but Gov. Brewer gave away their tax dollars to fund her friend’s excessive salary,” Patterson said. “We need to hire the best and most dedicated person for this job, but our kids’ schools are crumbling, and many hard-working Arizonans don’t have health care and Cardon’s sweet deal was too much.”

HB 2309, Patterson’s bill, would limit the salary of the authority’s CEO to not exceed twice the governor’s salary, which is currently $95,000.

Cardon became the head of the authority in August 2011, when the governor revamped the then-Department of Commerce and privatized it.

Rep welcomes moratorium on Grand Canyon mining

Arizonans back Grand Canyon protection.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson, praised the decision by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to issue a moratorium on dangerous uranium mining on a million acres of land near the Grand Canyon.

The moratorium will be in place for the next 20 years to protect public health and Arizona’s beautiful lands.

“I applaud Secretary Salazar’s decision to extend the moratorium on uranium mining at Arizona’s natural point of pride, the Grand Canyon,” said Patterson, Ranking Member on the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This decision is a win-win for Arizona to protect our beautiful lands, public safety and tourism for years to come.”

The moratorium, issued on Monday, is an extension of an already-existing ban that Salazar issued in 2009.

“Uranium mining has a disastrous history from deadly abandoned sites to dams breached and radioactive waste seeping into aquifers and contaminating water,” Patterson said. “We already know uranium mining isn’t a good idea. It’s a threat to public health and safety as well as to the tourism business in Arizona."

Patterson invites people to town hall in Tucson

Bringing the Capitol to you at our 9th Town Hall in Tucson since 2009.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Rep. Daniel Patterson, (D-Tucson) invites the public to a town hall in January to hear from people and to listen to what matters to them in the 2012 legislative session. Constituents are especially encouraged to attend.

Rep. Daniel Patterson Town Hall
When: Saturday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St. (at Kino), Tucson AZ

“This is a critical time for Arizona – time to make change happen and to finally stop the partisan bickering and get down to business,” Patterson said. “We need to protect kids and our public schools from more cuts and it’s time to get a jump on innovation in our economy. I want to hear from you and listen to your ideas on how we can make our quality of life better for Arizona families. Please join me.”

RELATED: Patterson in to win 2012

Brewer asked for costs of her reckless lawsuits

Lawmaker asks Governor for costs of lawsuits to defend her “extremist agenda”

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- State Rep. Daniel Patterson (D-Tucson) filed a public records request today with Governor Jan Brewer’s office, asking for an accounting of the taxpayer dollars that have been spent litigating the Governor’s various policy positions and actions.

“This state is in an economic crisis. The Governor’s attention should be focused on creating jobs and the public’s money should be dedicated to schools and kids,” Patterson said.

“In every case below, the Governor and her partisan supporters in the Legislature had ample warning of the cost that would ensue from potential lawsuits. But they moved forward with their reckless and extremist agenda and now it is the taxpayer that is paying the bill,” Patterson said.

A copy of the letter, detailing the specific lawsuits Patterson has asked for information about, is below:

ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Representative Daniel Patterson

November 22, 2011

Matthew Benson, Director of Communications
The Office of Governor Janice K. Brewer
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Dear Mr. Benson,

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121 et seq., I am writing to request copies, or the right to examine and make copies, of any and all public records evidencing the costs, including attorneys’ fees, of the following litigation:

1. Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board v. Brewer, CV-09-0078-SA (Ariz. Supreme Ct.)
2. State of Arizona v. United States, cv-01072-SRB (Ariz. Dist. Ct.)
3. United States v. State of Arizona, cv-01413-NVW (Ariz. Dist. Ct.)
4. Brewer v. Burns, CV-09-0168-SA (Ariz. Supreme Ct.)
5. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission v. Brewer, CV-11-0313-SA (Ariz. Supreme Ct.)
6. Collins v. Brewer, cv-02402-JWS (Ariz. Dist. Ct.)
7. Fogliano v. Betlach, CV2011-010965 (Ariz. Superior Ct.)
8. State of Florida v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3:10 cv-91 RV/EMT (N.D. Florida)

This request includes, but is not limited to, any and all documents (whether written or electronic, including text messages, emails, phone records, audio, video, CD Rom or any other format) and includes costs for the entire span of the litigation, including appeals (interlocutory or otherwise) and any judgments for damages, including payment of the prevailing party’s attorneys’ fees, as well as any costs for cases associated or consolidated with the above-named cases. Summaries of these costs may be provided in lieu of copies of billing statements in order to minimize any dispute over withholding attorney-client confidential information.

These records are not sought for any commercial purpose, and therefore I do not agree to pay for any costs associated with locating these public records. See A.R.S. § 39-121.03.

Please comply with this request on or before November 28, 2011. See id. § 121.01(D)(1) & (E) (requiring prompt compliance with public records requests). If for any reason you refuse to provide any of the requested public records, pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2), please provide an index of the items withheld and the reasons for which you are withholding them.

Sincerely,
Representative Daniel Patterson