Senator Klein

 Throughout the state of Arizona stand a variety of monuments honoring those who have offered the greatest sacrifice to the United States of America. Now, Anthem has its own monument, and State Senator Lori Klein is sponsoring a resolution to pay tribute to the service of the veterans of Anthem and the State of Arizona. Today the Committee on Veterans, Military and Government Affairs passed SCR 1010 unanimously.

 In 2009 Rear Admiral Ron Tucker and artistic director Renee Palmer-Jones partnered to bring to the city of Anthema memorial commemorating America’s veterans. The memorial includes five marble pillars representing the five branches of the United States military –the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. In addition, the monument was designed so that at exactly 11:11 a.m. on November 11^th   it casts one long shadow across pavers that bear the names of Arizona veterans. Each pillar also has an elliptical opening allowing for sunlight to pass through and highlight the seal of the United States.

 Senator Klein, a Republican from Anthem, is sponsoring SCR 1010, which would recognize the Anthem memorial as an outstanding tribute to our nation’s veterans.  The resolution also designates the Anthem Veterans’ Memorial as a state historical site.

 “Anthem is a relatively new community in Arizona and has no memorial for our veterans. This monument is a fitting tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of our country’s brave men and women of the military,” says Senator Klein.

 (STATE CAPITOL,PHOENIX)—On Wednesday, February 1, Senator Rich Crandall, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, will host a campaign showcasing Arizona’s most innovative digital learning programs.

 Digital Learning Day is sponsored by former Governor of West Virginia and current President of Alliance for Excellent Innovation Bob Wise. It is celebrated nationwide and is a perfect time for Arizona to highlight the transformation and development of education. Sen. Crandall will coordinate demonstrations from several Arizona schools.

 Arizona will be a leader in digital education by continuing to collaborate with organizations such as the Center for the Future of Arizona, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s group Foundation for Excellence in Education, iNACOL, and the Innosight Institute.

 Seven digital programs across the state will display teaching methods that use technology to strengthen education. Madison Elementary, Vail, Chandler, Wickenburg, Yavapai, Apache Junction, and Primavera will have exhibits. Displays will be on the first floor of the Senate lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 In addition to hosting this event, Sen. Crandall will be launching a website called www.educateAZ.org which highlights concepts in digital learning being utilized across Arizona.

Senator Melvin

Recent articles about my proposed education fund and related spent nuclear fuel recycling program have produced some uninformed and negative reactionary responses.  I urge everyone in the media, political arena and the voting public to educate themselves about this important subject.

 First, commercial recycling of used nuclear fuel has a long and successful history, mostly outside of the United States. The French company AREVA has successfully managed a recycling complex for more than forty years.

 Second, approximately 60,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel are stored at nuclear reactor sites never designed for storing such material.  Deep geologic salt beds are the recommended sites for retrievable storage of spent nuclear fuel.  To maximize storage capacity at the site, it makes sense to co-locate a recycling facility at the storage site. In terms of mass, 96% of the used fuel is reusable.  As with so many other materials it makes environmental sense to recycle the used fuel.

Why would a community want to host a nearby recycling site? Let’s look at Carlsbad,New Mexico, which entered into a partnership with the Department of Energy, the State of New Mexicoand a company called URS to build the first Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) for nuclear materials storage. Carlsbad sits at the southern end of the Permian Salt Basin.  This partnership resulted in a storage facility 2,150 feet below ground.  I’ve been there to visit the facility and it is a marvelous site.  The WIPP consortium employs more than 1,000 people and brings in $250 million annually to Carlsbad.  What problems have arisen due to WIPP?  None.  In fact, unemployment there has been just above 4% over the past years while national unemployment surpassed 9%.  As of my visit to Carlsbad last month, more than 700 jobs were unfilled and developers could not keep up with housing demand.

 Arizona has an opportunity to build a recycling and storage facility that will bring the host community $500 million annually over 50 years, create 18,000 construction jobs over a ten year period, with 5,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs, post-construction.

 As an added benefit, we can dedicate part of the revenue stream to K-12 and Universities.  The proposed AZ Energy-Education Fund will generate a minimum of $100 million a year for 50 years for education in our state, over and above what we are now spending.  We have already met with representatives from K-12, Universities, the Arizona Department of Education, power companies, technical experts and others, and these ideas have been well received.

 Arizonans should understand that this is not a project that can or will be rushed.  It is likely to be a ten-year process between planning, site determination, working with the local communities to make a proper presentation, and passing the needed legislation at the State and Federal levels, all before we can break ground.

 The naysayers have already begun sniping at the idea.  These people have been overreacting to the ghost of “China Syndrome” for too long.  TheUnited States,France and other countries have long established safety records with nuclear materials.  The United States Navy has operated nuclear powered submarines and aircraft carriers for 50 years without incident. New Mexico’s WIPP facility has received nearly 11,000 shipments since 2000, without incident.

 Arizona has a number of sites that contain (1) remoteness, (2) deep geologic salt formations and (3) existing transportation infrastructure.   It is time to let potential host communities nearest these sites make the decision.  If the people say ‘yes’, the community benefits, education benefits and all Arizonans benefit.

For more information on the Arizona Energy-Education Fund, go to www.azedcoalition.org  You’ll find the latest information on the Fund and links to The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future and media coverage of the topic. 

Chief Justice swears-in Senator Burges

The Arizona State Senate has a new Member. Monday Judy Burges was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch. Senator Burges comes from the Arizona House of Representatives, where she has been a Member since 2005. Senator Burges will represent the 4th District, which includes Sun City West, Surprise and parts of Peoria and Glendale.

Senator McComish

Today starting at 6:00 p.m. there will be an informal discussion about education being held by the Kyrene Governing Board President Michelle Hirsch. It will take place at the Kyrene Governing Board meeting room at 8700 South Kyrene Road in Tempe. The talk will be attended by State Senator John McComish, and State Representatives Bob Robson and Jeff Dial. School parents, college students, and local home owners will also be able to share their thoughts on education, as well as ask questions for state legislators.

Senator Allen speaks to media about SB 1070

Those who are promoting the repeal of SB1070 are upholding and empowering cartels and gangs who are committing cross border criminal activity.

We are in a State of Emergency here in Arizona.  Our border is not secure.  The crippling drug war in Mexico is seeping like a very bad wound into our state.  Violent beheadings and body dismemberment, the signature of the drug cartels, have now come into the Valley of the Sun, and are even finding their ugly way into the heart of America: A young girl brutally killed in Oklahoma only a week ago!

Increased gun battles along the Arizona border and 75-miles into Arizona; dangerous vehicle pursuits with drug cartel members and those who are delivery agents of drugs occur most frequently; kidnappings too.  Continued reports by U.S. Border Patrol Agents of military-grade weapons being used against them; reports of sophisticated communication systems, including professional-grade radio towers, satellite radios and encrypted phone systems; look-outs controlling mountain ranges in southern Arizona; and a cancer-like growth of pure vile and hatred toward any law enforcement, and the laws of the United States. 

Drugs and human trafficking create billions of dollars for these evil violent Mexican drug gangs/cartels.   Just the competition for bounty from human and sex trafficking generated an estimated $2 billion last year to Mexican gangs and cartels. 

At a time when the Obama Administration is not only refusing to secure our borders but implementing policies that will embolden this criminal element we must stand firm in enforcing internal immigration laws for the protection of our state and citizens.   SB1070 is all this state has to stop illegal immigration since our border is not secure.

The Tucson Sector is the busiest drug and alien smuggling corridor on the border.

Agents working the Tucson Sector estimate they are apprehending less than five percent of what they know is crossing the border on a monthly basis.  That means over 95% of what they know is coming across the border is not being apprehended and therefore not counted.  (April 2011)

Agents in the Tucson Sector estimate that they only work about 70% of their border area during any month.  That means for 30% of the border they have no idea what is coming across. (April 2011)

More law enforcement is needed to help address this emergency created by our open borders.  I will be introducing SB1083 – Organizing the AZ State Guard – to help state law enforcement with cross-border criminal activity.

Approximately 62% of theArizona border with Mexico is federal public land.  Significant drug and alien smuggling occurs on this land, especially where the Border Patrol does not have unfettered access to patrol the border.  Federal agencies on the Arizona Border, citing environmental concerns, restrict and in some cases prevent effective border patrol access to the border area for the purposes of patrolling the border.

 This is an insane policy that only protects and empowers the criminals but leaves Arizona citizens at risk.  Our state has a right and a responsibility for the welfare, health and safety of the people to use our police powers to protect our state.  I will be introducing SCR1008 – titled, “Declaration of emergency: state authority” – to address this issue.

In summary, nobody knows how many illegal drugs and alien smugglers are crossing the borders of the United States, and the numbers they are reporting are not accurate enough to even predict trends in illegal crossings.  And friends, that is just the Tucson Sector.  What about the rest of the land and sea borders of the United States?

Our ranchers and farmers who live within 100 miles of the border are speaking out, and no one hears.  Governor Brewer has written strong letters to President Obama asking for help with our border, and it all goes on deaf ears.

Those who are suggesting we weaken internal enforcement of our immigration laws by repealing SB1070 will only empower the drug cartels/human smugglers, and cross-border criminal activity.  The Open Borders crowd does not care about the harm that is being caused to citizens.  The open-borders crowd does not care about the rule of law or our Constitutional form of government. Arizona must stand firm in protecting our citizens, property and lives. 

Until we can rid ourselves of the Obama Administration, the corrupt (Fast and Furious) Justice Department, and the do-nothing Homeland Security and their failure to protect our country, then the State of Arizona must do what we can to protect our citizens.  No responsible elected official would suggest that we weaken SB1070 until our borders are secure.

“Do you know why there is a rock wall around the UA?” asks Stephen Pierce. The question is directed to a stumped administrator on a recent visit by Pierce to the University of Arizona campus.

Pierce, who has just taken the reins as president of the Arizona Senate, already knows the answer. From 1968 to 1972, he was a student at the UA where he learned, among other things, about how the wall was built to keep range cattle off of the campus.

As a member of a pioneer ranching family in Arizona, there is a good chance he would have known anyway.

To read more about Senate President Steve Pierce go to http://uanews.org/node/44285

Balanced Budget:

 We will build on last year’s balanced budget by planning for the upcoming budget challenges.

• Effectively manage revenues and expenditures in FY 2013
• Achieve a balanced FY 2014 budget without re-instituting the 1% sales tax 
• Refer a new constitutional spending limit to the ballot
• Identify permanent budget reductions and eliminate one-time solutions
• Identify and reform spending formulas that dictate fiscal planning
• Continue to increase Arizona’s credit rating by implementing permanent budget solutions
• Identify efficiencies needed in state agencies by elimination of redundancies
• Begin to reduce Arizona’s indebtedness

Reinvigorate Arizona’s Economy:

Economies develop best, grow quickest, and benefit the greatest number of citizens when allowed to grow and develop in a free market. We will  reinvigorate  Arizona’s  economy through tax reform, regulation reform, education reform, tort reform, healthcare reform, and on providing infrastructure and low cost energy supply. Tax policies will be policy neutral to not affect individual decision making, should apply broadly, should be simple to lower compliance costs and should be transparent to taxpayers.

To attract businesses toArizonaand to support existing Arizona businesses, we will:

• Accelerate tax reforms in the 2011 Arizona Competitiveness legislation
• Increase the exemption on the business personal property tax, accelerate depreciation, and apply the exemption to each business location
• Pursue market-based sales factor for service industries
• Encourage the construction and infrastructure necessary for job growth
• Pursue tort reform policies
• Phase out Arizona Capital gains taxes
• Enhance economic growth by reducing unnecessary regulations that delay business expansion
• Continue to seek opportunities that make the public pension systems stronger, reducing unfunded liabilities

Education:

Arizona will have a top performing school system.  Removing barriers to our education system by promoting policies that put students first and encourage innovation is critical.  Student-based funding should be considered and we should strengthen student choice and education alternatives.

• Facilitate the use of technology in education.
• Expand parental choice in education
• Improve financial accountability and data tracking in our school system
• Reduce mandates and regulatory requirements on our school system
• Simplify education funding formula
• Seek accountability in student and teacher performance
• Explore charter school conversion
• Pursue efficiencies in consolidation of infrastructure
• Increase accountability in higher education
• Examine governance and funding structures of post-secondary education institutions.

 Health Care:

 We must work within the confines of our budgetary constraints to manage the State’s Medicaid program.  We must fight for greater flexibility, promote accountability and encourage transparency.  Greater choice and competition in the health care market provide the best options for consumers.  We must encourage policies that move toward greater access and affordability.

• Oppose all efforts for participation in Obama Care
• Lower health care costs by allowing cooperative purchasing and interstate purchasing of health insurance

• Expose fraud within AHCCCS to better utilize limited resources
• Implement means testing and drug testing for public health care benefits

 Natural Resources, Water, Environment:

 Arizona is a state of vast natural resources that have not been fully realized.  While it is important to maintain environmental stability, we must find an appropriate balance of stewardship and economic growth.

• Require the use of sound, proven science in environmental regulations

• Advocate federal reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act to reduce the threat of wildfire and maximize opportunities for sustainable development
• Maintain Arizona’s remarkable record of ensuring sustainable use of water resources and explore mechanisms for ensuring sustainable water supplies for communities currently dependent on groundwater
• Consider legislation to acquire federal lands whose mismanagement and neglect by federal agencies makes them a threat to neighboring communities

 Transportation:

 Efficient transportation infrastructure is fundamental to a growing economy.  We must do what we can to keep current projects on schedule, promote a competitive process for building our roadways and maximize interstate development.

• Ensure that Arizona is capable of building and maintaining its transportation system

 Criminal Justice, Public Safety:

 Public safety remains a priority for the caucus.  We must provide the necessary tools for our law enforcement to protect our citizens.

• Evaluate Child Protective Services and make necessary reforms.
• Review Arizona State Guard statutes.
• Protect and preserve 2nd Amendment rights for Arizona citizens

 States’ Rights:

 States must protect their constitutional sovereignty from an overreaching federal government. Fidelity to our nation’s founding principles means that both the state and the federal government must be independent from each other so they can effectively hold each other in check to prevent the abuse of government power.

• Attempt to restore Federal lands to state management.
• Determine the extent that federal mandates affect the state. 

 Border Security:

 The federal government’s failures to respond, secure, and maintain our border with Mexico has placed Arizona in a position of vulnerability. This failure has cost Arizona taxpayers millions and compromises our safety.

 Family, Social Policy:

 We will support policies that maintain the rights of families and promote the best interests of children.

• Protect the life of pre-born children.

 Property Rights:

 We will protect homeowners and businesses from intrusive actions taken by the government that diminish the value of private land and property or jeopardize personal freedoms.