PEARCE WANTS LEGAL OPINION ON RECALL

posted by Christopher Conover

State Senate President Russell Pearce (R-Mesa) wants Attorney General Tom Horne (R) to issue a legal opinion on whether or not political action committees involved in recalls can accept corporate contributions.

The request comes as a group is waiting to find out officially if they have enough petition signatures to force a recall of Pearce. Earlier this month, the head of the Arizona Division of Elections wrote that corporations are barred from influencing elections.

Attorney General Horne issued a statement telling Pearce the opinion will come within 30 days and politics will not drive the opinion.

Text of Horne Statement on Ruling Request

“Like all formal opinion requests, this will be assigned to the Solicitor General’s Office, under the leadership of Solicitor General David R. Cole. The Solicitor General’s Office will analyze this question under the law, without regard to politics. A letter will be issued based on the analysis of the Solicitor General’s Office, without permitting politics to enter into the process at any point. The public expects these kinds of questions to be answered on a purely legal basis, without intrusion of politics, and that is what we will do.”

NO LEGISLATIVE PAY

posted by Christopher Conover

During the opening minutes of the Legislature’s special session to deal with unemployment benefits State Senator David Schapira (D-Tempe) introduced a bill to keep state lawmakers from receiving per diem during the special session.

Senator Schapira reasoned that if the Legislature is going to talk about cutting the benefits of thousands of Arizona residents then they should not get per diem. The proposal is co-sponsored by five other Democrats including Senator Paula Aboud (D-Tucson) and Senator Olivia Cajero-Bedford (D-Tucson).

Senator Schapira said if the Legislature gives up per diem that could save the state $4 thousand a day.

BREWER MAKES HER STAND: 'GET TO WORK'

posted by Michael Chihak

The complete text of Gov. Jan Brewer's statement Friday on the Legislature's inaction during the first day of the special session on extending unemployment benefits:

PHOENIX - “I didn’t act lightly this week when I called the Legislature into an emergency Special Session. The minor statutory change that I’ve proposed would extend federally-funded unemployment aid for as many as 45,000 Arizona families in need, while keeping nearly $3.5 million a week flowing into the local economy. There is no state cost, and no future state obligation.

“Legislation drafted by my staff, in coordination with lawmakers, was prepared for consideration by the Legislature. I remain hopeful that will still happen. This Legislature owes an ‘up or down’ vote to the people of Arizona on this critical issue.

“I understand that some legislators have concerns about the extension of unemployment aid. They worry about the federal deficit. So do I. But you don’t balance the federal budget by turning your back on Arizonans in their time of need. That’s not principled fiscal conservatism. It’s just cruel. And we are better than this.

“The jobless rate in Arizona remains an unacceptable 9.3 percent, and is significantly higher in many rural areas. Legislation drafted by my team would provide temporary assistance to the unemployed, while requiring that they demonstrate and document their efforts to find work. Long-term, I’m happy to consider additional actions to boost our state economy. But thousands of Arizonans will lose their federal unemployment assistance if we don’t take action immediately. Throwing them a lifeline is the priority.

“So, here is my message to legislators that will return to the Capitol on Monday: Get to work. The people of Arizona, your constituents, are counting on it.”