The Arizona Eagle

Summary of AZ Speaker Tobin's redistricting bills

2012-01-30T07:01:00.005-07:00

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

2012-01-26T18:55:00.011-07:00

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

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2012-01-17T10:11:00.007-07:00

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

2012-01-12T10:07:00.001-07:00

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

2012-01-04T19:28:00.001-07:00

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

2011-11-22T11:13:00.015-07:00

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

UPDATE: AZ Independent Redistricting attacked

2011-11-04T07:58:00.004-07:00

Pearce, Brewer & TeaParty legislature drunk with power and out-of-control.

UPDATE, Thu. Nov 17: The Arizona Supreme Court today restored Mathis as Chair of the AIRC and declared her impeachment by Brewer and the Senate was unconstitutional. Also, Senate President Russell Pearce was recalled by voters on Nov 8 and is now out of office.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- My statements on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission crisis (Nov 4 & Nov 1):

Representative Daniel Patterson (Tucson): Book hawker Brewer in NYC and the Arizona TeaParty Legislature, drunk with power, earned wide criticism this week due to their illegal power grab and attack against independent redistricting. This is a historic abuse of power without parallel in modern American history.

This week, Republicans turned the Arizona state Legislature into a kangaroo court. Their supermajority illegally removed the independent chair of an independent commission. In their rush to judgment, they did not follow a proper constitutional process, unfairly denying the chairwoman sufficient time to defend herself.

TeaParty politicians know the only way they can stay in power in a closely divided state is to break the law and drag the reputation of an honorable independent citizen volunteer through the mud.

This baseless, unfair vote to impeach a volunteer citizen commissioner was the culmination of nearly a year of bullying and interference. Every honest person in the state agrees that this is not about ‘substantial neglect of duty’ or ‘gross misconduct in office.’ It was about protecting the careers of Republican congressmen like Ben Quayle. These GOP congressmen conspired with the governor to strong-arm state lawmakers to ‘blow up’ this independent commission.

This breathtaking abuse of power came at the expense of good government and fair elections. It trampled over the Constitution and mocked the will of the voters.

Over a decade ago, those voters took redistricting out of the hands of self-interested politicians. But Tuesday, politicians yanked it right back. Overthrowing a voter-driven process is the ultimate partisan overreach.

Republicans control nearly every statewide office, and they hold a a supermajority in the Legislature. But all that power still isn’t enough: They won’t stop until they own the next 10 years of Arizona elections. But the stench from this attack on independent redistricting will trail them into next year's elections where every Arizonan will know what they did to silence the voices of Arizona's growing ranks of independents.

The people of Arizona want competitive districts and fair elections. Arizonans are angry and fighting back against these abuses from reckless Brewer and her mad TeaParty Legislature. (Nov. 4)

(Nov. 1) "This special session is the height of hypocrisy," said Representative Daniel Patterson of Tucson. "It's the partisan incumbent politicians like Brewer, Bennett, Pearce and Tobin pushing for this session who are guilty of all the things they accuse the Independent Redistricting Commission of: no transparency, abuse of power and back room deals designed to keep the public, even other Legislators, in the dark."

Much more on-going coverage of AIRC and AZ politics @RepPatterson & Rep. Daniel R. Patterson page

I & 200+ state leaders across USA: Pass jobs bill

2011-10-20T11:10:00.006-07:00

Hundreds of Legislators From 46 States Tell D.C.: Pass Jobs Bill, Include State Aid

As Senate Considers “Teachers & First Responders Back to Work Act,” 211 State Lawmakers Demand Action on Jobs

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Hundreds of state lawmakers representing every corner of the nation joined together today to send a single message to Washington, D.C.: pass a meaningful jobs bill, and pass it now.

In an open letter released today by Progressive States Network, 211 legislators representing 46 states voiced their strong support for the American Jobs Act and warned of “devastating” economic consequences to their states if jobs legislation was not passed by Congress. The lawmakers also urged the inclusion of critical measures to support states in any legislation emerging from Congress – including the $35 billion in aid to states that would create and protect hundreds of thousands of jobs, and which is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate as part of the “Teachers & First Responders Back to Work Act.”

read more

Reps. to address parents at education institute

2011-10-13T13:52:00.008-07:00

I'm a parent and I support education.

UPDATE, Oct 19: Rep. Patterson interview on Arizona education funding (ABC, Tucson)

TUCSON -- Democratic state representatives from Tucson will meet with parents this month to discuss education as part of Voices for Education’s Parent Leadership Institute.

Rep. Daniel Patterson and Rep. Matt Heinz, who represent District 29, will discuss how the legislature affects public education.

Voices for Education’s Parent Leadership Institute
When: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: Holladay Elementary Magnet School, 1110 E. 33rd Street, Tucson

"I'm thankful for this opportunity to talk with parents one on one about how we can work together to improve education in Arizona," Patterson said. "At the legislature, I see the harmful, massive cuts Republicans have made to our kids' schools, and I see those cuts first hand as a parent. Our kids deserve a quality education."

Heinz said if legislators spent more time talking to parents and teachers, Arizona wouldn’t hold the title of last in the nation for education funding.

“Too many state lawmakers are failing to acknowledge our most important asset – our kids and their future,” Heinz said. “We cannot compromise their future by failing to invest and prioritize in their education now. Education will grow our state and attract businesses and jobs. Education is a core Arizona value.”

Voices for Education is a parent-based education advocacy organization that works to improve the educational outcomes of Arizona’s students. For more information go to voicesforeducation.org.

GOP's Grand Canyon mining push destructive to AZ

2011-10-12T13:59:00.007-07:00

The Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX — Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29), said he opposes Arizona’s Republican Congressmen’s plan to endanger public safety and health by introducing a bill to allow dangerous uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.

In a press release issued today by Sen. John McCain, Congressman Jeff Flake claimed: “... Arizona’s federal, state, and local officials oppose a moratorium on such mining.”

But Patterson and other Democratic state officials oppose the dangerous mining of uranium, a nonrenewable resource, in Arizona’s wilderness and support tourism jobs and revenue instead.

“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. Along with other fellow House Democrats, for years I asked the federal government to make sure that our state’s natural wonder, wildlife and beautiful lands that draw millions here from all over the world are protected from those who threaten to destroy it.”

Representative Patterson is an ecologist and the Ranking Member on the Arizona House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Patterson asks AZ to cooperate for new green jobs

2011-10-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX — Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29), has asked Gov. Jan Brewer and Arizona Commerce Authority president and CEO Don Cardon to work with him to develop solar energy and other trade relations with Argentina, an important nation and economy which has opened the door to renewable energy expansion.

Arizona could create more jobs and boost the state's economy by developing a renewable energy relationship with Argentina and thwarting the likelihood of the country's partnering with China.

"Since the establishment of our new Commerce Authority, it is clear that Arizona is placing priority on expanding our business interests across the country and across the globe," Patterson wrote in a October 7 letter to Cardon and Brewer. "China is increasingly targeting projects in countries such as Argentina and Brazil, where China has overtaken the United States as the number-one trade partner. Frankly, China is looking toward the future and we are choosing to continue to do business as usual."

Patterson had the opportunity to meet legislators and economists in Argentina, where they are taking necessary steps to increase renewable energy production.

"With just a small area, we can help power the nation and Arizona with clean solar energy," Patterson said. "These are the kinds of good-paying, green jobs we need right now to move our economy forward instead of letting China run away with it."

Hunting Eastern Arizona's Blue Range, Unit 27

2011-10-08T09:35:00.009-07:00

ALPINE & CLIFTON AZ -- Two photos below of my recent wild turkey hunting and forest health/fire monitoring excursion in Greenlee and Apache Counties, Arizona, one of my favorite places in our beautiful world.

Sportsman Rep. Daniel Patterson on the A-S National Forest.

Rep. Patterson and Sky Jacobs hunting wild turkey.

US young political leaders bipartisan mission to ARG

2011-09-20T13:38:00.016-07:00

Rep. Daniel Patterson (lower right) & ACYPL delegates talk with Aida Ayala, Mayor of Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina. Sept. 13, 2011 Javier Valdez photo

Sept. 19 UPDATE: It was a great trip. For live trip notes & photos, please go to @RepPatterson twitter or Rep. Patterson facebook for Sept. 8-19.

LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS CHOSEN FOR ARGENTINA EXCHANGE
Group Will Visit Four Cities, Interact With Prominent Political Leaders

WASHINGTON DC (Sept. 6) – On September 10th, DC-based international education NGO the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) will send a 7-member bipartisan delegation of American political and policy professionals to Argentina.

The delegates, who hail from various political careers both within and outside government, joined the delegation after ACYPL selected them from a pool of nominees. Each one qualified for the program based on their age (25-40), their political involvement, and their travel history (ACYPL ensures that delegates do not travel to countries they have visited previously.)

The exchange aims to educate the delegates about Argentinian national and local governance and politics as well as explore the global issues affecting US-Argentina bilateral relations. During the 10-day program, delegates will examine Argentina’s governance, politics, policymaking, international affairs, and culture. Through interactions with Argentinian government officials, business and community leaders, advocacy experts, scholars, and diplomats, the young leaders will gain a better understanding of Argentina as well as enhance their leadership and public diplomacy skills.

After a brief orientation in Washington, DC, the group will travel to Mendoza, Chaco, Corrientes, and Buenos Aires. During their time in country, the delegates will meet with justice officials, members of Parliament, executives like mayors and governors, cabinet members, journalists, and business leaders. In addition, they will make several cultural stops, learning about the history of Argentina and experiencing its unique landmarks. ACYPL exchanges place a strong emphasis on diversity and bipartisanship.

The delegation includes Democrats Monisha Merchant (Senior Director, Product Management, Level 3 Communications), Curtis Johnson (Associate Director of Governmental Affairs, FMCSA, Department of Transportation), and Daniel Patterson (Member, Arizona House of Representatives, Tucson) and Republicans Sara Beth Gregory (Member, Kentucky House of Representatives), Lance Gooden (Member, Texas House of Representatives), and Lisa Stickan (Assistant Prosecutor, Cuyahoga County and Chairman of the Young Republican National Federation). The group will be escorted by ACYPL alumnus Manny Flores (Director of the Division of Banking, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation).

Since its founding in 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders has designed, organized and managed unique international exchange activities for young (age 25-40) political and policy leaders worldwide who are selected based on their current political leadership roles and potential for future achievement. ACYPL programs are designed to promote mutual understanding, respect, and friendship and to cultivate long-lasting relationships among next generation leaders. Each year, with support from the US State Department and a wide range of corporate, labor, foundation and individual partners, conduct exchanges with 25-30 countries around the world. ACYPL has a network of over 7,500 alumni in 100 countries, many whom have risen to positions of national and international prominence, including over 40 current members of the US Congress, 6 current US governors and ambassadors, and cabinet ministers and parliamentarians around the globe. ACYPL news release

Patterson wins 3rd friend of cities & towns award

2011-08-29T16:20:00.012-07:00

UPDATE, Sept 2: Rep. Daniel Patterson (4th from right) joins AZLCT President and Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin, Rep. Katie Hobbs and others in receiving awards.

TUCSON -- I'm proud to be awarded again as a 'friend' of Arizona cities and towns this Thursday at the Arizona League of Cities and Towns annual conference here.

I've worked hard to earn this recognition now three years in a row.

The state should help locals, not hurt.

@RepPatterson twitter, facebook.com/RepPatterson

2011-08-18T19:22:00.004-07:00

TUCSON -- For my news and views more often, follow me @RepPatterson on twitter, friend me on facebook and 'like' my Rep. page.

Enjoy your summer. I am.

Pima Dems: 357 new laws by Rs & nothing for jobs

2011-07-20T12:19:00.011-07:00

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- The Republican Arizona Legislature found time to pass 357 new laws (2011) governing our freedom but not a single one of them is meant to create a job.

Most of these laws take effect this week, as they were rammed through the legislature at the end of the session. With Unemployment in Arizona over 9 percent, the Legislature failed to produce a single jobs bill -- not even a bill that claims to address jobs. Meanwhile, the Associated Press ran a story reporting that Arizona's recovery is lagging behind the rest of the country.

Southern Arizona Republican lawmakers Al Melvin, Terri Proud, Vic Williams, David Gowan, Ted Vogt and Frank Antenori were more than willing to go along with extreme Phoenix agendas that have nothing to do with jobs.

“The Far Right Agenda pushed by the Russel Pearce Republicans seems to be anything but creating jobs,” said Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers. “So long as they have a job, they apparently don't see the crisis.”

The Legislature did pass laws to allow guns on campuses, “birther” legislation and spent time contemplating nullification of federal laws. Lawmakers did suggest that denying people unemployment benefits that they are entitled to, would somehow create jobs.

“We can hear the fiddling but they don't notice the flames,” Rogers said. “The Legislature had the audacity to tell the unemployed to simply ‘get a job,’ while cutting off assistance they desperately need and are supposed to get. The Legislature’s extreme agenda does not mesh with mainstream Arizona values.”

- Pima County Democratic Party news release

Helping realize progress in downtown Tucson

2011-07-16T10:36:00.006-07:00

TUCSON -- Rep. Daniel Patterson (2nd from left), Rep. Saldate, Councilwoman Romero & others help break ground July 14 on new bridge near 'A' Mountain, over the Santa Cruz River at Cushing Street, LD29 & 27. The bridge will link light rail, pedestrians, bikes & cars from downtown to the west side, helping southern Arizona's quality of life, transportation, jobs and economy.

Celebrating good community in Tucson, Arizona

2011-06-24T12:44:00.002-07:00

Rep. Daniel Patterson & daughter Ruby at Barrio Centro fiesta, June 2011

Video of new solar energy progress at UA Tucson

2011-06-21T10:47:00.007-07:00

TUCSON -- See Rep. Daniel Patterson starting at 3:08 in this new video: 2MW of Amonix CPV Solar Power. Read my full comments.

Rep: Uranium ban needed to protect Grand Canyon

2011-06-20T16:14:00.008-07:00

People want the Grand Canyon protected

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson (District 29), released the following statement today regarding U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s moratorium extension on uranium mining at the Grand Canyon:

“I applaud Secretary Salazar’s decision to extend the moratorium on uranium mining at Arizona’s natural point of pride, the Grand Canyon. This decision is as a win-win for Arizona to protect our beautiful lands, public safety and tourism for years to come.

“Uranium mining has a disastrous history from deadly abandoned sites to dams breached and radioactive waste seeping into aquifers and contaminating water. 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.

“Along with other fellow House Democrats, for years I asked Secretary Salazar to make sure that our state’s natural wonder and beautiful lands that draw millions here from all over the world are protected from those who threaten to destroy it. Today, those people were held accountable.

“Secretary Salazar’s decision is key to our state’s tourism economy and public health, and today, we took one step forward in preserving and conserving the Grand Canyon for generations to come.”

Representative Patterson is an ecologist and the Ranking Member on the Arizona House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He formerly worked with US Interior agency BLM.

Reps hit Brewer & Horne on med marijuana delay

2011-06-16T11:10:00.007-07:00

Democrats defending the will of the voters

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- Read this important letter sent Friday:

ARIZONA LEGISLATURE
1700 W. Washington St.
Phoenix AZ 85007

June 10, 2011

To: Jan Brewer, Governor
Tom Horne, Attorney General
Will Humble, Director, AZ Dept. of Health Services

Dear Governor Brewer, Tom Horne and Director Humble:

We are writing to express concern about the delays relating to the implementation of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). Prior to receiving United States Attorney Dennis Burke’s letter, it was our understanding that you were expeditiously working towards implementing the provisions of AMMA. However, since the receipt of US Attorney Burke’s letter, you have pursued legal action which will inevitably result in unnecessary delays.

While we applaud any attempt to comply with federal law, a plain reading of US Attorney Burke’s letter establishes no reason to seek out a judicial opinion on the matter. Prosecution of state employees was never mentioned in the letter, and US Attorney Burke said himself that using his letter as grounds for a lawsuit was “disingenuous”. We sincerely hope that it is not your intent to use a federal suit to delay compliance with a law with which you disagree.

As you know, AMMA expresses the will of the Arizona voters through the voter initiative process. The Department of Health Service’s failure to begin accepting applications for dispensary licenses on June 1st, as required by administrative rule, is without legal authority and is clearly circumventing the will of the voters. A significant amount of time and money has been invested by many of these voters who have rightfully relied on the law’s timely implementation, many of whom are patients who are suffering or physicians who have made significant investments in preparing to dispense such medicine.

It is our sincere hope that you will revisit your decision to halt dispensary applications and immediately move toward implementing the law. Any action to the contrary is in clear violation of the Arizona State Constitution and will be adjudicated as such at the unfair expense of the taxpayer.

Sincerely,
Representative Daniel Patterson
District 29

Representative Matt Heinz
District 29

Representative Catherine Miranda
District 16

Representative Bruce Wheeler
District 28

Representative Macario Saldate
District 27

Representative Sally Ann Gonzales
District 27

Representative Lela Alston
District 15

Representative Ruben Gallego
District 16

Cuts, politics cripple AZ air pollution enforcement

2011-06-09T08:10:00.006-07:00

Maricopa County: Bad air, dirty politics

CUTBACKS CRIPPLE ARIZONA AIR POLLUTION ENFORCEMENT. Despite Looming EPA Sanctions, County Signals Corporate Kid Glove Treatment

PHOENIX -- Even as it faces federal sanctions for noncompliance with air quality standards, Maricopa County is laying off so many inspectors and other staff that it will no longer routinely issue fines for air pollution violations, according to an Air Quality Department (MCAQD) email posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). This internal email was forwarded by the MCAQD Director to an unofficial advisory committee with representatives from industry, including the state Chamber of Commerce, contractors and gravel mines, among others.

With nearly 4 million people, Maricopa County is the biggest in Arizona and one of the largest counties in the U.S., including the megalopolis of metro Phoenix, with a bigger population than 23 states. In a May 27, 2011 email, MCAQD Director William (Bill) Wiley told his kitchen cabinet of corporate, government and non-profit advisors:

“Below is an email, I sent to County Air Quality employees yesterday. It has been a challenging time and we have now reduced our staff by over 20 positions this year. With the reductions in previous years we are now down over 100 positions in 2 years.”

The loss of 100 positions would be a nearly 50% reduction in the MCADQ workforce which was listed as 156 employees earlier this year before the latest layoff. In his email to employees, Wiley ordered them to avoid taking enforcement action against polluters except as a last resort:

“Moving forward, we will shift our focus to creating a culture of Compliance Assurance. Compliance Assurance focuses on increasing the percentage of facilities operating in compliance by utilizing a variety of approaches. This may include outreach, business assistance, training, targeted inspections as well as enforcement. Enforcement should be both potent and effective but used as a final option when other efforts have failed.”

“Director Wiley might as well have told Arizona’s biggest polluters that his department has declared a permanent enforcement holiday,” stated Southwest PEER Director Daniel Patterson, noting that industry could save substantial sums if it did not have to follow increasingly strict air quality controls to protect public health. “How do you encourage clean air compliance when there is no penalty for cheating?”

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found Maricopa County in violation of Clean Air Act standards. If MCAQD does not reduce pollution emissions it can face escalating sanctions, such as denial of federal transportation funding.

Wiley’s “heads up” was delivered to an unofficial advisory committee comprised of several industry lobbyists and attorneys which meets every month in the MCAQD building but the meetings are not publicly noticed or open to the public. Making outside scrutiny more difficult, agency management even moved the meetings from the 5th floor to the 8th floor in the MCAQD office building so as to hold them in space rented by a private firm. In February, a local group requested an investigation from the Attorney General into alleged state Open Meeting law violations but the Attorney General declined to take action.

“Even if this arrangement is not illegal, this sort of clubby, closed door dealing on matters affecting public health and quality of life is bad practice,” added Patterson. “Industry insiders should not be privy to information about departmental enforcement that is not available to everybody.”

Link to documents, etc.

Chance to fix AZ jobless aid better late than never

2011-06-09T07:29:00.006-07:00

Back to Capitol Friday

UPDATE, Mon. Jun 13: House Democrats: ‘Shame on GOP for failing to fix jobless aid’

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX -- House Democrats, who urged Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican lawmakers in April to make a fix to jobless aid, say they fully support a special session that’s better late than never to help middle-class Arizonans.

“Unfortunately, a special session wasn’t necessary to make this fix,” said House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. “We notified Gov. Brewer and Republicans about this back in April and urged them to make the one-word fix while we were on the House floor in the middle of the night.”

House Democrats even provided an avenue to make the fix by proposing to amend HB 2619 to include the fix. But Republicans refused.

“We aren’t sure what changed their minds between now and then,” said House Minority Whip Anna Tovar. “We’re just happy to help struggling Arizona families continue to put food on the table while they search for jobs and help local businesses by bringing $3.5 million a week to our economy.”

If Republicans, who control all of state government, fail to make the fix, 15,000 unemployed Arizonans could lose jobless aid at the end of this week and nearly 30,000 by the end of the year.

"Arizonans need a legislature that's on their side for a better quality of life, but too many majority Republicans have been badly out-of-touch," said Rep. Daniel Patterson of Tucson, a member of the House Employment and Regulatory Affairs Committee. "Families need a hand now in this tough economy and helping people out of work helps us all."

“It’s about time,” Campbell said. “We hope that Republicans finally will listen to us and now the governor and do what is right. Otherwise, we know that Arizonans will hold them accountable.”

NM Gov Martinez, NMDGF encouraged on wolves

2011-06-08T16:46:00.007-07:00

Citing Decreasing Predations on Livestock, Conservation Groups Ask Governor to Continue State Support of Wild Wolves. New Mexico Gov. Martinez and Appointees to Consider Policy on Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves at Meeting Thursday.

LAS CRUCES -- A new analysis by conservation groups finds that the number of wolf depredations on livestock in the Southwest decreased in 2008, 2009 and 2010 after authorities made clear that no more wolves would be removed from the wild for depredations. The analysis was part of a letter sent to New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez this week asking her to continue state support for endangered Mexican gray wolves in the wild.

In the previous five years, 2003 through 2007, depredations had increased each year during the same span that federal agents shot or trapped increasing numbers of wolves in retaliation. The removals ended, at least temporarily, because they harmed the population of endangered Mexican gray wolves along the New Mexico/Arizona border and prevented its growth. Last year only 50 Mexican wolves, including two breeding pairs, could be counted in the wild.

Thirteen national and New Mexico conservation organizations cited this encouraging trend in requesting that Gov. Martinez and her appointees: (1) continue to support the successful preventive measures that have keep stock losses to a minimum (just nine deaths due to wolves in all of New Mexico and Arizona last year); (2) maintain state opposition to removing wolves from the wild; (3) resume state support for additional releases of wolves into New Mexico; and also (4) oppose premature congressional removal of Mexican wolves from the endangered species list just as scientists are developing, for the first time, criteria for recovery and subsequent state and tribal authority and management of the Mexican wolf.

The governor’s New Mexico State Game Commission may make changes to wolf policy at tomorrow’s game commission meeting in Las Cruces.

“New Mexico has a critical role in Mexican wolf survival,” said Daniel Patterson, Ecologist and Southwest Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. “We encourage Gov. Martinez to follow facts and continue state leadership to keep wolves in the wild.”

“The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has helped keep the Mexican wolf from extinction over the past three-and-a-half years by prevailing on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service not to remove any more wolves from the wild,” said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. “The data show that when government removal of wolves ceased, depredations went down as well. That may be because livestock owners, who are reimbursed for losses to wolves, have greater incentive to prevent losses through practicing sound animal husbandry when the possibility of wolf removal is taken off the table.”

Successful measures used to promote coexistence include moving calving operations away from wolf den sites and disposing of the carcasses of livestock that die of non-wolf causes such as disease, accidents, birthing complications, poisonous weeds or starvation. Carcasses can be rendered inedible through lime and other means, thereby preventing wolves from being attracted to areas of vulnerable stock.

The conservationists’ letter to the governor concludes: “Your leadership can help ensure the survival and recovery of the Mexican gray wolf, and thereby also improve the health of the entire vast and wild Gila ecosystem — which would in turn benefit our own species, now and for future generations.”

Arizona source for informed views on forest fires

2011-06-06T16:24:00.006-07:00

TUCSON -- Follow me @RepPatterson on twitter and/or facebook for Arizona wildfire news and views.

Today: