Arizona Eighth has combined forces with Gila Courier to provide broader coverage of Arizona political news.
The online news market has become very competitive and it was increasingly difficult to exist as a stand-alone southern Arizona blog. Our agreement with Gila Courier insures that we will still have editorial authority for our region.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Smoke, Mirrors and High Stakes in Arizona's Legislature
"Any budget is better than no budget" has been the mantra driving the state the past several years from record surpluses to record deficits. This year is no exception. To quote Phil Lopes, "What gives me comfort is that, in the 96 years of the state's existence, we have never not had a budget." Oh, boy! What comfort!
So here we go again. The House proposal taxes us out of their mess by slapping us with a $500 million bond to pay off part of the debt. That really took some guts. The whole idea of bonding is to pay for high cost long term growth and infrastructure needs, not an easy out to bail out a state government drunk with the peoples' money.
Not to be outdone, the Senate gets much more creative. They simple starve the public schools long enough to push expenditures into next year. That's certainly a creative way to build the future of Arizona. Of course, by that time, some esteemed state Senators will be on to bigger and better things, so why not push the problem off to the next round of freshmen legislators?
Only one week to go and two things appear certain: a budget will be passed and the deficit will remain.
So here we go again. The House proposal taxes us out of their mess by slapping us with a $500 million bond to pay off part of the debt. That really took some guts. The whole idea of bonding is to pay for high cost long term growth and infrastructure needs, not an easy out to bail out a state government drunk with the peoples' money.
Not to be outdone, the Senate gets much more creative. They simple starve the public schools long enough to push expenditures into next year. That's certainly a creative way to build the future of Arizona. Of course, by that time, some esteemed state Senators will be on to bigger and better things, so why not push the problem off to the next round of freshmen legislators?
Only one week to go and two things appear certain: a budget will be passed and the deficit will remain.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
How Stupid Do Voters Look?
Who would have thought that just being in a VIP program would allow one to receive special treatment? Obviously not Chris Dodd.
Senator Chris Dodd who happens to be Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, had no idea that when he said "yes" to Countrywide Financial's offer to be part of their VIP program it meant he would get some kind of special treatment. Imagine how shocked he was to learn that his VIP status gave him special loan rates and terms! He insists that he new nothing about favorable treatment under the program.
I guess he thought it was more of an honorary title, like King or something. Funny thing, he's the only one that didn't "know."
Senator Chris Dodd who happens to be Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, had no idea that when he said "yes" to Countrywide Financial's offer to be part of their VIP program it meant he would get some kind of special treatment. Imagine how shocked he was to learn that his VIP status gave him special loan rates and terms! He insists that he new nothing about favorable treatment under the program.
I guess he thought it was more of an honorary title, like King or something. Funny thing, he's the only one that didn't "know."
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Coffee with the candidate
Joe Higgins is campaigning pretty aggressively in his NW Tucson race for supervisor. I have heard from a few of our readers that he has already started knocking on doors. The latest copy of his e-newsletter was forward to me. He is holding Cup of Joe events at local coffee shops in the district. This Friday he will be at Kelly's Coffee Shop from 7:00 to 9:00 am at 3605 W. Cortaro Farms Road (in the shopping center at the SE corner of Thornydale and Cortaro Farms.) Next week he will be back at Kelly's on Thursday the 19th.
Sounds like a pretty creative way to reach voters. I bet the campaign hopes a latte people will drop by.
(I apologize for originally mixing up the dates.)
Pinch me. Am I Dreaming?
When I hear the term Windfall Profits Tax, it conjures up memories of gas rationing, long lines at the gas pumps, double digit inflation, double digit unemployment... You know, the Carter years.
Amazingly, when everyone is squawking about high gasoline prices, Washington Democrats whip out the Windfall Profits Tax card once again. "Let's punish the greedy oil companies and make them give back our money" they say. But who do they think will pay this tax? The greedy oil companies? Let's get serious. The only ones who pay taxes are consumers. If we think gas prices are high now, wait until the greedy oil companies pass along the Windfall Profits Tax congress slaps on them.
Let's see... how much should the oil companies be charged? 10 cents a gallon? 50 cents a gallon? It all depends on how much more we want to pay. I guess some Democrats don't think we pay enough.
Don't expect brilliance when it comes to drilling domestic oil wells, either. We must be vigilant protecting every vast, remote wasteland environmentalists want shielded from man's footprints no matter what the cost. And so we'll continue to pay...and pay...and pay...
Amazingly, when everyone is squawking about high gasoline prices, Washington Democrats whip out the Windfall Profits Tax card once again. "Let's punish the greedy oil companies and make them give back our money" they say. But who do they think will pay this tax? The greedy oil companies? Let's get serious. The only ones who pay taxes are consumers. If we think gas prices are high now, wait until the greedy oil companies pass along the Windfall Profits Tax congress slaps on them.
Let's see... how much should the oil companies be charged? 10 cents a gallon? 50 cents a gallon? It all depends on how much more we want to pay. I guess some Democrats don't think we pay enough.
Don't expect brilliance when it comes to drilling domestic oil wells, either. We must be vigilant protecting every vast, remote wasteland environmentalists want shielded from man's footprints no matter what the cost. And so we'll continue to pay...and pay...and pay...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Ann Day goes with Nathan Sproul
The race for Pima County Supervisor District 1 may turn out to be a tough primary battle for long time incumbent Ann Day. She is facing a credible challenge from local businessman Joe Higgins. Sources tell us that he has secured Sherry Potter to help with his campaign. Now Seeing Red AZ is reporting that Day has lined up Lincoln Strategy Group to run her campaign. If this is true look for the race to get nasty as the Day team goes negative. We are not sure that strategy will work very well since Higgins is planning a positive campaign focused on the issues important to district 1.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Derek Tidball Withdraws from CD8 Race
Our sources tell us Derek Tidball, the independent candidate challenging Gabby Giffords, has met with the Bee camp to communicate his decision to drop out of the race and throw his support behind Tim Bee.
Tidball had not filed his signatures, but apparently had enough to qualify as a candidate. The fact that he will now back the Bee campaign suggests Tidball had concerns about another two years with Giffords and saw joining forces as a way to ensure her defeat.
It is our understanding that Derek Tidball will be issuing a press release late Tuesday announcing his decision to withdraw from the race.
Tidball had not filed his signatures, but apparently had enough to qualify as a candidate. The fact that he will now back the Bee campaign suggests Tidball had concerns about another two years with Giffords and saw joining forces as a way to ensure her defeat.
It is our understanding that Derek Tidball will be issuing a press release late Tuesday announcing his decision to withdraw from the race.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Take a Moment to Salute our Fallen Heroes
Take a Moment to Salute our Fallen Heroes
By Frank Antenori
As many of you know, Memorial Day is tomorrow. Memorial Day has symbolized the sacrifice of those many brave men and women who have fought and died so we could enjoy freedom.
I hope many of you will take a few moments from your day off of barbequing and watching baseball to appreciate what Memorial Day really stands for.
It’s an especially sacred day to those of us that have served in the military, particularly those that have served in combat and have lost close buddies in war.
Our prayers are with those families who have lost a loved one to war, but our thoughts are with our buddies that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
We remember you, not for how you died, but for how you lived; as Patriots, as great Americans, as our brothers and sisters in arms who took up the noble cause of defending freedom and bringing liberty to those oppressed.
Tomorrow, those of us that made it home from war will bow our heads in prayer, shed some tears and honor the fallen and those who knew them. We should continue to share the stories, their stories, so that they will never be forgotten.
Below is the seldom heard third stanza of “America the Beautiful;” a fitting tribute to the spirit of Memorial Day. I hope all of you will take a few moments to quietly thank those heroes that allow us to celebrate the blessings of liberty on this sacred day.
“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.”
“Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!”
Frank Antenori is a retired Special Forces Soldier that saw combat in Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.
By Frank Antenori
As many of you know, Memorial Day is tomorrow. Memorial Day has symbolized the sacrifice of those many brave men and women who have fought and died so we could enjoy freedom.
I hope many of you will take a few moments from your day off of barbequing and watching baseball to appreciate what Memorial Day really stands for.
It’s an especially sacred day to those of us that have served in the military, particularly those that have served in combat and have lost close buddies in war.
Our prayers are with those families who have lost a loved one to war, but our thoughts are with our buddies that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
We remember you, not for how you died, but for how you lived; as Patriots, as great Americans, as our brothers and sisters in arms who took up the noble cause of defending freedom and bringing liberty to those oppressed.
Tomorrow, those of us that made it home from war will bow our heads in prayer, shed some tears and honor the fallen and those who knew them. We should continue to share the stories, their stories, so that they will never be forgotten.
Below is the seldom heard third stanza of “America the Beautiful;” a fitting tribute to the spirit of Memorial Day. I hope all of you will take a few moments to quietly thank those heroes that allow us to celebrate the blessings of liberty on this sacred day.
“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.”
“Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!”
Frank Antenori is a retired Special Forces Soldier that saw combat in Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Joe Higgins Mystery Unraveled
As it turns out, Al Melvin is exonerated as the accused spoiler in Joe Higgins challenge of Ann Day for District 1 County Supervisor. An insignificant party member known for similar tactics in other races attempted to undermine both campaigns simultaneously by casting Higgins and Melvin as conspirators and taking advantage of a left-wing blogger in the process.
Joe Higgins real support is coming from the Pima County business community looking for relief from the County Board of Supervisors that have frustrated them for years.
This race could get very interesting considering Higgins' support and the attention he is getting from the humorous allegations surrounding his decision to run.
Joe Higgins real support is coming from the Pima County business community looking for relief from the County Board of Supervisors that have frustrated them for years.
This race could get very interesting considering Higgins' support and the attention he is getting from the humorous allegations surrounding his decision to run.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Saddlebrooke GOP Club Hits 500
Congratulations to the Saddlebrooke Republican Club which surpassed its goal of 500 members. At today's meeting, the club awarded member 500 with an elephant statue reporting the club's total now at 518.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Round, Round, Round She Goes...
Now that Obama appears to be edging out Hillary for the nomination, speculation about Governor Janet is heating up. It's widely speculated that Janet will get some sort of appointment from Obama should he win the presidency. Some have even speculated that she would get the VP nod. I don't see that happening for a variety of reasons. But, assuming an Obama presidency with Janet in the cabinet, Jan Brewer steps in to fill the vacancy. Who, then, runs for governor in the next general election? Does Jan who ran before want the job for another term? Or will Dean Martin, JD Hayworth, Randy Pullen or someone else step into the race?
On the other hand, assuming a McCain presidency, the U.S. Senate seat would be vacated and filled according to Arizona Revised Statutes which states: "For a vacancy in the office of United States senator, the governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy. That appointee shall be of the same political party as the person vacating the office and shall serve until the person elected at the next general election is qualified and assumes office." No doubt, Janet would appoint a Grant Woods now-I'm-a-Republican,-now-I'm-not-politician who would step aside for his friend, Janet, in the general election. Janet has made no bones about coveting the seat, so barring a D.C. desk, she would jump for this chance. On the Republican side, John Shadegg was long expected to go after the senate seat. Now that he has resigned and un-resigned for his House seat, it's unclear where he will want to spend his future years.
On the other hand, assuming a McCain presidency, the U.S. Senate seat would be vacated and filled according to Arizona Revised Statutes which states: "For a vacancy in the office of United States senator, the governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy. That appointee shall be of the same political party as the person vacating the office and shall serve until the person elected at the next general election is qualified and assumes office." No doubt, Janet would appoint a Grant Woods now-I'm-a-Republican,-now-I'm-not-politician who would step aside for his friend, Janet, in the general election. Janet has made no bones about coveting the seat, so barring a D.C. desk, she would jump for this chance. On the Republican side, John Shadegg was long expected to go after the senate seat. Now that he has resigned and un-resigned for his House seat, it's unclear where he will want to spend his future years.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Put the Money In the Classroom FIrst
A letter from Robert Rice, head of the Arizona School Boards Association, bemoans the loss of tax revenue to pay for school utilities. There's no question that the loss of revenue could have a devastating effect on schools if the legislature and school districts aren't smart about the use of funds. It's time to do some real soul-searching and decide what's most important for kids to learn.
If reading is still the biggest learning obstacle for most Arizona kids, let's direct resources there. Instead of an all-day kindergarten that is costing $250 million and already proven across the country to yield no sustained results, let's take our money and invest some of it in materials to teach reading. Let's set up a volunteer corp and train them to work with teachers and teach every child to read. It only takes a matter of weeks at 30 minutes a day to teach a child to read. With a fraction of the all-day kindergarten resources this problem could be solved and free up money for other school needs.
As Trent Humphries says, "Put the money where it most matters: with the kids and the teachers. And let the principals be the ones out selling candy bars."
If reading is still the biggest learning obstacle for most Arizona kids, let's direct resources there. Instead of an all-day kindergarten that is costing $250 million and already proven across the country to yield no sustained results, let's take our money and invest some of it in materials to teach reading. Let's set up a volunteer corp and train them to work with teachers and teach every child to read. It only takes a matter of weeks at 30 minutes a day to teach a child to read. With a fraction of the all-day kindergarten resources this problem could be solved and free up money for other school needs.
As Trent Humphries says, "Put the money where it most matters: with the kids and the teachers. And let the principals be the ones out selling candy bars."
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Southern Arizona's Health Care Crisis
I'll leave it to the Citizen reporter to provide the full story on Trent Humphries' health care forum. KGUN-9 made it their lead story on the 5 o'clock news. For those who missed it, it was quite enlightening. Here are a few memorable quotes from doctor-panelists at the forum:
"Orthopedics is required in every emergency room, but we don't have coverage for the whole month."
"You're living in a dream if you think the public health department can take care of you in an epidemic. Just look at the measles problem."
"We couldn't staff another trauma center even if we had one."
"Arizona is short over 2200 doctors."
"The national average is 293 doctors per 1000 patients. Arizona has 211 per thousand."
"Malpractice insurance in other states costs half of what it does in Arizona."
"We have only one neurosurgeon trying to cover all of the emergency rooms in Tucson."
"There are only five ears, nose, and throat specialists in all of Southern Arizona."
"The Bishop died because of the twelve hours it took to get him to Phoenix as a result of not having a neursurgeon to treat him here."
"The Border Patrol drops them off to be treated. The time that the illegals are being treated, they are in the custody of the hospital, and the feds don't pay for any of the treatment they get."
"When the Border Patrol doesn't come back to pick them up after we treat them, we have to pay to transport them to wherever they need to go."
"We don't have the sub-specialists we need in emergency. It takes six hours to locate a specialist and complete all the paperwork. It takes 8 to 12 hours to transport the patient to another facility. Sometimes we transport them to Phoenix, Texas, or New Mexico. Some patients won't make it."
"Orthopedics is required in every emergency room, but we don't have coverage for the whole month."
"You're living in a dream if you think the public health department can take care of you in an epidemic. Just look at the measles problem."
"We couldn't staff another trauma center even if we had one."
"Arizona is short over 2200 doctors."
"The national average is 293 doctors per 1000 patients. Arizona has 211 per thousand."
"Malpractice insurance in other states costs half of what it does in Arizona."
"We have only one neurosurgeon trying to cover all of the emergency rooms in Tucson."
"There are only five ears, nose, and throat specialists in all of Southern Arizona."
"The Bishop died because of the twelve hours it took to get him to Phoenix as a result of not having a neursurgeon to treat him here."
"The Border Patrol drops them off to be treated. The time that the illegals are being treated, they are in the custody of the hospital, and the feds don't pay for any of the treatment they get."
"When the Border Patrol doesn't come back to pick them up after we treat them, we have to pay to transport them to wherever they need to go."
"We don't have the sub-specialists we need in emergency. It takes six hours to locate a specialist and complete all the paperwork. It takes 8 to 12 hours to transport the patient to another facility. Sometimes we transport them to Phoenix, Texas, or New Mexico. Some patients won't make it."
Monday, May 05, 2008
Trent Humphries Hosts Health Care Forum
On Tuesday, May 6, at 7 PM Trent Humphries, Republican candidate for Arizona House of Representatives, and a panel of medical experts are gathering in a public forum to discuss the healthcare crisis facing seniors and families in Southern Arizona. The forum will be held at 13101 N Oracle Rd inside the Northwest Rancho Vistoso Outpatient and Urgent Care Facility.
Confirmed forum panelists include David Schwartz, Medical Director of Northwest Medical Center, Shawn Strash, CEO of Northwest Oro Valley Medical Center, Dale Pelton, Executive Director of Valley Health Care and Rehabilitation and Arizona Healthcare Association board member, and Fred Fiastro, a prominent pulmonologist and Pima Medical Society board member.
When asked why he was hosting this forum Humphries said, "Southern Arizona is losing doctors. This is a fact that goes largely unreported. It’s important because all of the health insurance in the world is useless if there is not a doctor available to treat you when you need it."
Southern Arizona is rapidly becoming a place where finding good medical care is difficult if not impossible. Tucson currently has a severe shortage of neurosurgeons, OB/GYNs, and emergency room doctors. Tucson has only one remaining trauma center and dangerously long wait times at emergency care facilities. One doctor said it this way, “Don’t become seriously injured in the city of Tucson because there might not be doctor to treat you."
Seating is limited, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you would like further information about the forum please call Kevin Herring at 520-465-8594.
Confirmed forum panelists include David Schwartz, Medical Director of Northwest Medical Center, Shawn Strash, CEO of Northwest Oro Valley Medical Center, Dale Pelton, Executive Director of Valley Health Care and Rehabilitation and Arizona Healthcare Association board member, and Fred Fiastro, a prominent pulmonologist and Pima Medical Society board member.
When asked why he was hosting this forum Humphries said, "Southern Arizona is losing doctors. This is a fact that goes largely unreported. It’s important because all of the health insurance in the world is useless if there is not a doctor available to treat you when you need it."
Southern Arizona is rapidly becoming a place where finding good medical care is difficult if not impossible. Tucson currently has a severe shortage of neurosurgeons, OB/GYNs, and emergency room doctors. Tucson has only one remaining trauma center and dangerously long wait times at emergency care facilities. One doctor said it this way, “Don’t become seriously injured in the city of Tucson because there might not be doctor to treat you."
Seating is limited, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early. If you would like further information about the forum please call Kevin Herring at 520-465-8594.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Spotted in the Northwest
It was Nancy Young Wright herself who showed up at tonight's big homeowner's association meeting gathering signatures to run for office and get on the ballot for the LD26 state position she temporarily holds. Speculation continues as to whether or not she can get enough to qualify.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Jennifer Burns Calls It Quits
Representative Jennifer Burns from District 25 is calling it quits this year leaving very little time for a Republican to jump in the race. However, this largely untapped area is ripe for Republican dominance as Republican clubs continue to spread across the northwest section of CD8.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Frank Antenori On Inside Track
Frank Antenori, Candidate for the Arizona State House, District 30, and always an enjoyable voice on the radio, joins Emil Franzi's Inside Track tomorrow (Saturday) at 2:00pm. Here's his website pitch: "Tune in and hear Frank’s views on the budget, immigration, school reform and how to unshackle and let loose the full power of the Arizona economy."
It sounds like Emil will have to give him the full two hours.
It sounds like Emil will have to give him the full two hours.
Will a Dem run for 26 Senate?
Correction: Looks like it will be Cheryl Cage and not Don.
Matt from SED links to a bunch of local candidate web sites. It is pretty will laid out but our sources indicate that Democrat Don Jorgensen will jump to the senate race. Our sources could be incorrect but if a Democrat doesn't get in soon this race will be decided in the primary.
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