Republican newsletter Arizona 6/19

"The taxpayers of Arizona are the winners because of this tax cut."

- Steve Voeller, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club commenting on passage of the fiscal year 2007 state budget and its nearly $550 million in income and property tax cuts.



President Bush to Nominate Commissioner Marc Spitzer to FERC

Congratulations to Arizona Corporation Commissioner Marc Spitzer on news that President Bush will nominate him to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Matt Salmon, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, released the following statement:

"I applaud President Bush's decision to nominate Marc Spitzer to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The president couldn't have nominated a more knowledgeable individual in the area of energy policy.

"Commissioner Spitzer has served with distinction in his tenure on the Arizona Corporation Commission. While his departure from the ACC is a loss for our state, the country is gaining someone who will prove to be an invaluable asset to U.S. energy policy.

"This appointment speaks volumes of the important work our ACC does and will give Arizona a greater voice in energy issues."


Democrats in Disarray on Iraq



A recent dust-up between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John Kerry over our nation's policy in Iraq illustrates the divisions in the Democratic Party over one of the most important issues we face.

Appearing at a Take Back America Conference, Clinton was booed by attendees when she said she did not think it is a "smart strategy to set a date certain" for withdrawal from Iraq. ["Liberal Activists Boo Clinton," The Washington Post, June 14, 2006.]

That position contrasts sharply with the position of Kerry, who called for "a hard and fast deadline" on withdrawing from Iraq.

You've got to hand it to Clinton and Kerry, though. At least they have a position on Iraq, which is more than you can say about liberal strip mall developer and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson and District 5 U.S. House candidate Harry Mitchell, who have vigorously evaded the issue since announcing their candidacies.

Pederson has said he'll announce his plan on Iraq "on [his] timeline," [Capitol Media Services, "Former Republican legislator announces Senate bid," May 4, 2006] but that was over a month ago, thus only leaving voters to assume that Pederson's timeline is an especially long one.

Mitchell has been equally vague, saying only that "America deserves a winning strategy in Iraq." ["Mitchell Announces Candidacy," The Arizona Republic, April 13, 2006] When pressed for what that strategy should be, Mitchell goes mute.


Sen. Dean Martin Files 13,700 Signatures and Thanks Grassroots for Their Tremendous Support

State Senator Dean Martin filed 13,700 nominating signatures as the only Republican candidate for State Treasurer, more than the 260% over the 5,213 required!

"I want to personally thank all of the grassroots supporters whose hard work exceeded all projections on what we could do statewide while I am still in legislative session," Senator Martin said.

"We only entered the race 3 months ago, yet support was exceptionally strong; we were collecting more than 900 signatures a week! I owe it to the hard work of a lot of unsung heroes: grassroots volunteers who knocked on doors, set up tables at events, and scheduled meet and greet events around an unpredictable legislative schedule.

"We received signatures from every county across Arizona and exceeded our goals in most counties by over 300%! Only Sen. Jon Kyl and the Governor filed with more signatures. THANK YOU for all your help!"

Senator Dean Martin is a small business owner and entrepreneur, and is currently the Senate Finance Chairman, Judiciary Vice-Chairman, and senior member of the Appropriations committee. He was the last GOP candidate to enter a statewide race. Sen. Martin was asked to seek the nomination for Arizona Treasurer as the current Treasurer is no longer running for re-election.


Capitol Update
WHAT YOUR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS DOING - FOR THE WEEK ENDING June 16, 2006

State Budget - Historic tax relief, expansion of school choice, elimination of accounting gimmicks, a genuinely balanced budget - Late on Friday night the legislature passed a state budget that returns more than a half-billion dollars to Arizona's tax payers, accelerates statewide freeway construction, provides for substantial teacher and correctional officers pay raises and expands school choice.

The $9.9 billion balanced budget, which takes affect July 1, followed negotiations that resulted in the governor accepting the core Republican principles of broad-based tax relief, school choice and investment in infrastructure and public safety. The budget/tax relief package includes the following major provisions:

• The largest tax relief package in Arizona history that provides $310 million of permanent income tax reductions and suspension of the $215 million state property tax for at least the next three years. This fuels Arizona's vibrant economy while returning money to the Arizonans who earned it in the first place.
• A $345 million increase for highway and road construction throughout the state, an investment that is critical for a rapidly growing state.
• An 11% increase - over a half-billion dollars -- for the K-12 education system. This includes an additional $100 million this year to increase teachers salaries and $160 million doled out over the next two years to fully fund all-day kindergarten should local districts choose to do so. There is also $18 million to expand school choice for lower income, disabled and foster children.
• A $157 million bump for state universities that allows Arizona State University to expand its Williams Gateway campus and helps the University of Arizona retain experienced faculty and Northern Arizona University update aging buildings.
• $140 million for investments in public safety, including money for meth interdiction, hiring 46 DPS officers, a $5,300 annual pay increase for corrections officers and prison beds.
• Nearly a half-billion dollar deposit to the "Rainy Day Fund," giving the state protection against hard times with a balance of more than $600 million.
• A quarter-billion dollar boost to healthcare, including over $10 million for cutting edge research to help combat Autism and Alzheimer's.
• More than a quarter-billion dollars to eliminate accounting tricks and gimmicks used to balance previous budgets, including the $191 million K-12 rollover and substantially eliminating the onerous practice of forcing businesses to make sales tax payments prior to when they would actually be due.
• A $60 million positive ending balance, without the aid of accounting tricks and gimmicks.

Unfortunately, Governor Janet Napolitano refused to allow $160 million to provide critical border security for Arizona. The comprehensive measure addressed the funding needs for Arizona to combat illegal immigration and its severe impact on our economy, environment and public safety, but was vetoed by the governor.

Quote of the week: "We do the things our government should do in this budget -build roads, fund education, better protect the public and put more money back into the state's economy by putting more money back into the pockets of taxpayers. The one missing piece in this budget - and it's a big one - is addressing illegal immigration. Time after time, we just could not get past the governor's vetoes on this." Senate President Ken Bennett on the budget passed by the legislature late last Friday night.

Did you know? Governor Napolitano would not agree to sign the budget unless more spending went to social welfare and entitlement programs under the Department of Economic Security.



Upcoming Events

Prescott Receptions on July 1 to Benefit Senator Kyl

Your are invited to help Senator Jon Kyl's reelection efforts at two special receptions at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 1 in Prescott.

VIP Reception
Office of Las Vegas Ranch Real Estate
115 W. Goodwin St.
Prescott, Arizona
Photo opportunity and VIP seating for parade
Suggested contribution $300 per per person or $500 per family

BBQ Reception
Event tent on southeast corner of Goodwin and Montezuma
Suggested contribution of $50 per person or $100 per family

RSVP by June 30 to Christine Walton at (602) 840-0306.

Volunteers needed for Fabulous Phoenix 4th

Join the AZ GOP at the Fabulous Phoenix 4th at Steele Indian School Park on Tuesday, July 4.

Volunteers are needed to help staff our booth and pass out bumper stickers and campaign literature.

Volunteers earn a free AZ GOP t-shirt. Contact Kara Karlson via e-mail or at (602) 957-7770 to sign up to volunteer.




For a full calendar of events, please visit www.azgop.org.