Dr. Kelli Ward: Opposition to Medicaid Expansion is Real

Posted on April 14, 2013 by News
Dr. Kelli Ward

Dr. Kelli Ward

Since January, many of us at the State Capitol have been trying to determine a common sense way to approach reliable health care for our neediest citizens. It is clear that a full expansion of our Medicaid program to 138% above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will add 400,000 patients or more to an already overloaded system. After carefully studying this complex issue, I have determined the plan is unsustainable and potentially harmful to hardworking Arizona taxpayers. We simply do not have the doctors and other health care providers to offer primary care to these new patients. When people are sick or seek care for their chronic illnesses, they will not be able to get into a doctor’s office, so they will instead turn to our emergency departments. Not only will that be much more expensive to Arizonans, but the people are unlikely to get the kind of care they need most.

The last time we expanded AHCCCS (the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System – AZ’s Medicaid); we grossly underestimated the number of people who would enroll. Three times more parents of Medicaid-covered children and two times as many childless adults signed up. Costs went from an estimated $315 million to an actual $1.2 billion. Voters were told tobacco settlement money under Prop 204 would cover the added patients, but quickly we had to dig into the general fund. Now we are being told a hospital bed tax will cover this expansion proposal and the Federal government will bear the burden of the majority of the costs until 2017. Remember, the Federal government gets its money from us – the taxpayers. While no one can predict the true future price tag, experience proves that the costs have always been much higher than estimated.

Do not let people tell you there are no alternatives and we either expand or do nothing – there are real options. We should request that HHS allow Arizona to continue our current plan for those under 100% FPL and for Arizona to determine the best way to provide care for our indigent population. We should find ways to complete treatment of Medicaid patients that are in the midst of potentially lifesaving therapy for catastrophic illnesses despite the expiration of our current Federal waiver on December 31, 2013 – we can find a way to make an exception for this small number of patients. People above 100% FPL that are not otherwise eligible for coverage are able to buy subsidized policies through the federal exchange, we should let them. We should consider providing catastrophic coverage policies for those under 100% of the Federal Poverty Level and a graduated plan for other services. Cost transparency should be our goal. We must seek tort reform to discourage the practice of defensive medicine which drives up the cost of healthcare.

Our Medicaid system in Arizona is one of the best in the country, but I don’t believe that we need to make it bigger and give control of the hundreds of millions of dollars to an unelected agency director. I will continue to seek free market solutions to our health care dilemma and find ways to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. If you only remember one thing, remember this: the Medicaid expansion plan is about increasing the entitlement to healthcare coverage without any guarantees of increased accountability, improved access to care, higher quality, or lower costs of healthcare – it is a step in the direction of socialized medicine and much bigger government.

Senator Kelli Ward

Senator Kelli Ward, D.O., MPH is a Family Physician with additional expertise in Health Policy, she represents Arizona’s 5th Legislative District and resides in Lake Havasu City, AZ with her family. She serves on the Senate Health & Human Services (Vice-Chair), Appropriations, Education and Government & Environment Committees.

Posted in Elected Officials, Federal Government, Guest Opinion, Health Care, Legislation, State Government | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latest Poll Reveals Voter Opinion on Medicaid Expansion in Arizona

Posted on April 9, 2013 by News

Magellan Strategies released the following poll on voter opinion on expanding Medicaid in Arizona:

This memorandum is an executive summary of an automated voice recorded survey of 812 Arizona registered voters. The survey was conducted on March 27th and 28th and has a margin of error of 3.44% at the 95% confidence interval. The focus of this survey was to measure voter opinion regarding the expansion of Medicaid, the implementation of Obamacare, as well as voter reaction to their state legislator’s support or opposition to Medicaid expansion. The survey toplines are also included with this document.

GOVERNOR BREWER IMAGE RATING

Among all voters, Governor Brewer has a respectable net‐positive image rating with 49% of respondents having a favorable opinion of her, 40% having an unfavorable opinion of her, and 11% being undecided or not having an opinion. She is more popular among male voters than female voters, with 53% of men having a favorable opinion of her compared to 46% of women having a favorable opinion of her. Among senior voters aged 65 or older, 52% have a favorable opinion of her and 39% have an unfavorable opinion of her.

VOTER SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID

When voters are asked if they support Governor Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid in order to fully implement the federal government’s health care system in 2014, we find opinion almost evenly split. Among all respondents, 41% support the expansion of Medicaid, 37% oppose expansion, and 22% are either unsure or have no opinion about the issue. There are significant differences in support for expansion by party, with only 25% of Republicans supporting expansion compared to 62% of Democrats supporting expansion. “Independent” voters are split on the issue with 37% supporting expansion, 35% opposing expansion, and 28% are either unsure or have no opinion about the issue. The following table shows Medicaid expansion support and opposition by voter subgroup.

“As you may know, Governor Brewer has proposed the expansion of Medicaid in Arizona in order to fully implement the federal government’s health care system in 2014. Knowing this, do you support or oppose the expansion of Medicaid in order to implement the federal government’s health care system?”

Arizona Medicaid Poll 1

ARIZONA VOTER SUPPORT FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF OBAMACARE

When comparing voter support for Medicaid expansion to the full implementation of Obamacare, it is clear the full implementation of Obamacare has far less support than Medicaid expansion. While the issue of Medicaid expansion is nearly split among Arizona voters (41% support/37% oppose), 58% of all voters oppose the full implementation of Obamacare and a majority of those voters, 51%, strongly oppose the full implementation of Obamacare. Looking at the responses to this question by party, a whopping 87% of Republican voters oppose the full implementation of Obamacare and only 10% support it. Among Democrat voters, a plurality of 44% support full implementation of Obamacare and 35% oppose it. Among independent voters, two thirds, or 62%, oppose full implementation of Obamacare and 34% support full implementation.

VOTER SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATORS WHO VOTE TO EXPAND MEDICAID

To measure voter reactions if their state legislator voted to expand Medicaid, the following question was asked:

“Would you be more or less likely to vote to reelect your state legislator if they voted for the expansion of Medicaid?”

Arizona Medicaid Poll 2

Not surprisingly, 63% of Republican voters would be less likely to vote for their state legislator if they voted to expand Medicaid and only 17% would be more likely to vote for their state legislator. Among Democrat voters, a plurality, or 47%, would be more likely to vote for their legislator if their legislator voted to expand Medicaid, and 30% would be less likely. Among independent voters, 28% would be more likely to vote for their legislator, 34% would be less likely and 38% were either unsure or did not have an opinion.

VOTER SUPPORT FOR TAX INCREASE TO FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION

In addition to measuring voter’s reactions toward their state legislators if they voted to expand Medicaid, the survey tested voter reaction for a tax increase on hospitals to fund the expansion of Medicaid. As the data in the table below indicates, voters do not want their legislators supporting a new tax on hospitals to fund Medicaid. Among all respondents, 57% would be less likely to vote for their state legislator, and among Republican voters, 72% would be less likely to vote for their legislator.

“Would you be more or less likely to vote to reelect your state legislator if they voted for a new tax on hospitals to fund the expansion of  Medicaid?”

Arizona Medicaid Poll 3

CONCLUSION

Among all Arizona voters, 41% support Governor Brewer’s effort to expand Medicaid in order to implement the federal government’s health care system by 2014, and 37% of voters oppose it. Among Republican voters, 57% oppose expansion and only 25% support it. In addition, 63% of Republican respondents indicated that they would be less likely to vote for their state legislator if they voted to expand Medicaid. These two data points should be a cause for concern among Republican legislators when considering how to vote on this issue. Republican legislators that support Medicaid expansion could make themselves vulnerable to a primary challenge.

View/Download the entire report including the topline results.

Posted in Elected Officials, Federal Government, Health Care, Political Parties, Polls, Press Release, State Government | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Facts Don’t Support Richard Carmona’s Claim That Tensions Were Result of Reform

Posted on October 13, 2012 by News

Jeff Flake

Carmona’s abuse of travel and staff was at heart of disagreements 

PHOENIX – In response to testimony from Dr. Cristina Beato, former Acting Assistant Secretary of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Richard Carmona has lashed out and tried to discredit her.

Carmona claims: “I refused to politicize science, and that’s what the issue really is here” (KPNX, 10/11/12). But that’s not what the issue is.

On May 22, 2012 the Associated Press reported that “Emails that The Associated Press obtained through the Freedom of Information Act reinforce that there were tensions within HHS about where Carmona should go and what groups he should address. One email noted that Carmona made 19 trips in the first six months after taking office, 12 of them with stops inArizona, San Diego or both. ‘I think we have a real problem here,’ HHS employee Hal Thompson wrote.” Carmona owns homes in Arizona and San Diego.

Dr. Beato reiterated her testimony to Politico: “In the interview with POLITICO, Beato stood by her 2007 testimony. Beato said one of the issues that led to a midnight visit by Carmona involved his wish to visit the University of California, San Francisco, his alma mater, to receive an honorary degree. Beato alleged that Carmona wanted to pay for the trip using government funds, which she refused to allow.

“Not only does Richard Carmona not have the temperament to serve in the United States Senate, his refusal to be straight with voters raises serious questions about his honesty as well,” said Andrew Wilder, communications director for Flake for Senate.

On Thursday, the Flake campaign began airing an ad statewide on broadcast and cable featuring the personal testimony of Dr. Cristina Beato, who served as Acting Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2003 to 2005. Dr. Beato recounts the night that Dr. Carmona angrily slammed on herdoor in the middle of the night in a rage to continue an argument that he started earlier that day.

YouTube Preview Image

A Spanish-language version of the ad is airing on Telemundo and Univision. Click this link to view the Spanish version: http://youtu.be/asPwBdD4hxU.

Background on Richard Carmona’s History of Confrontation

Dr. Cristina Beato Testified To Congress In 2007 About An Incident In Which She Felt Threatened By Richard Carmona 

During His Surgeon General Tenure, Carmona’s Boss, Cristina Beato, Alleged That He “Banged On Her Door And Yelled At Her In The Middle Of The Night.” “But behind the scenes, his former boss Cristina Beato — a onetime supporter turned bitter enemy — was painting a very different picture of Carmona for House investigators, alleging that an angry Carmona twice banged on her door and yelled at her in the middle of the night after workplace disputes.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

  • With Her Two Children Inside, Beato “Refused To Open The Door Because She Was Frightened Of His Behavior.” “Beato’s most eye-opening accusation involves two incidents in which she says Carmona banged on her door at her house in the middle of the night, screaming at her over issues the two disagreed on. Beato, a single mother with two children, said she refused toopen the door because she was frightened of his behavior. The two lived in the same neighborhood on the National Institute of Health campus at the time.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)
  • “‘I Think Any Normal Woman, When Somebody Comes In At Midnight Demanding And Raising Their Voice, Would Feel Threatened,’ Beato Said In The Interview.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Beato Alleged Carmona Was An “Extremely Angry” Person And A “Living Nightmare” To Work With. “Beato gave her testimony in secret in 2007, saying Carmona was an ‘extremely angry’ person, a ‘living nightmare’ to work with, had trouble working for a female supervisor and abused travel privileges by improperly billing taxpayers forsome personal expenses, according to the testimony. When POLITICO contactedBeato recently, she confirmed her testimony and reiterated her accusations on the record, five years after she originally gave them to the House committee.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Carmona Declined Interviews On The Matter. “Carmona declined several interview requests for this story, but campaign aides furiously denied the allegations.” (John Bresnahan and Manu Raju, “Richard Carmona Draws Fire From Another Former Boss,” Politico, 5/21/12)

Carmona Was Also Accused Of Being “Manipulative” And A “Liar” 

Beato: “Dr. Carmona Is Not A Team Player. Dr. Carmona, Within 6 Or 8 Months, Had Burned Bridges Everywhere.” DR. CRISTINA BEATO: “The second thing is we had a very ambitious agenda, and I specifically wanted to work on the issues of disparities. Dr. Carmona is not a team player. Dr. Carmona, within 6 or 8 months, had burned bridges everywhere, and he did not have comradery within the Department or within other departments.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 44)

Beato: “[B]ut Never Have I Dealt With Anyone Who Was A Liar As Much As Dr. Carmona Was.” DR. CRISTINA BEATO: “I was the Chief Medical Officer in a large academic center, and I have dealt with difficult personalities — chairs of neurosurgery, chairs of surgery — but never have I dealt with anyone who was a liar as much as Dr. Carmona was. He would tell me things about a trip that turned out not to be true. He would tell me things about officers that turned out not to be true.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 46)

Beato: “Dr. Carmona Is Manipulative, And He’s A Liar.” DR. CRISTINA BEATO: “I had an extremely difficult time. And I have kept my mouth shut for years, because, first and foremost, I’m a physician, and I believe my professionalism will not allow that. But Dr. Carmona is manipulative, and he’s a liar.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 46)

Dr. Cristina Beato: “Carmona Has A Strong Personality That’s Totally Dysfunctional And Not Professional And Certainly Not Ethical.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 86)

Carmona Was Accused Of Having A Serious Problem With Women In The Workplace 

Dr. Cristina Beato: “Dr. Carmona Also Had A Very Difficult Time Having A Female Hispanic Supervisor. He And I, Behind Closed Doors, Clashed Frequently. I Would Never Do This In Public, But He Insulted Me. He Tried To Belittle Me.” DR. CRISTINA BEATO: “Dr. Carmona was very, very brilliant, and he worked very hard. Dr. Carmona also had a very difficult time having a female Hispanic supervisor. He and I, behind closed doors, clashed frequently. I would never do this in public, but he insulted me. He tried to belittle me.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)

  • Dr. Cristina Beato: “I Experienced Sexism From Him.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)
  • Dr. Cristina Beato: “He Was An Extremely Angry Person. And He Would Walk Out The Door And Put On A Smile. I Have Never Seen Such Dysfunctionality In My Life.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 45)

Beato: “He Has Problems With Women, Serious Problems With Women.” CRISTINA BEATO: “And he has problems with women, serious problems with women. And he could not stand the fact that I was going to beASH. He tried to undermine my nomination several times, both on the Hill here — because I know my Senator that sponsored me — as well as in the White House. He’d try to go in — and people would tell me this, you know. It wastotally unprofessional, totally unprofessional.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 48)

Beato: “It Was A Living Nightmare. It Was A Living Nightmare.” (Committee On Oversight And Government Reform, U.S. House Of Representatives, Testimony Of Cristina Beato, 11/2/07, Page 48)

Carmona Also Had A Confrontation With A Female Colleague When He Was Head Of The Pima County Health System 

Campoy, A County Health Commissioner, Reported To The County Attorney That A Doctor Had A Drug Abuse Problem And Was Writing False Prescriptions; Carmona “Had Already Dealt With The Doctor On The Issue Two Years Before.” “His final battle there came in a dispute in May 1999 with county health commissioner Sylvia Campoy, who had reported to the county attorney allegations that a Kino doctor with a drug abuse problem had written false prescriptions to access drugs. Carmona had already dealt with the doctor on the issue two years before, and after an internal investigation, encouraged the doctor to report himself to the Board of Medical Examiners.” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“After Campoy Reported The Allegations, Carmona Became Irate, Saying She Had Violated The Accused Doctor’s Confidentiality, an opinion shared by the Kino Community hospital board and the Pima County medical society.” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“‘What I Got From Dr. Carmona [After Reporting The Case] Was Antagonism And . . . Threats,’ Campoy Later Told An Investigator From The Arizona Department Of Public Safety’s Prescription Fraud Unit, according to a state Board of Medical Examiners document obtained through Arizona’s public records law. ‘I was screamed at, I was yelled at. I was told it was none of my business. I was told that I had breached peer review.’” (Ann-Eve Pedersen and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Carmona Bullied A Female Nurse When He Was A Director At The Tucson Medical Center 

“Court And Hospital Records Show A History Of Conflicts Between Carmona And Other Doctors, Who Complained About His Lack Of Cooperation, ‘High Handedness,’ ‘Unwillingness To Communicate’ And ‘His Escalation Of Disagreements In An Effort To Prove He Was Right.’” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“In One Case, Hospital Administrators Cited His ‘Bullying’ Of A Nurse Who Said He Failed To Diagnose A Young Boy’s Skull Fracture In 1991.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Carmona Retaliated By Demanding Angie Calvino’s Resignation Because She Complained About Him. “Carmona demanded Angie Calvino’s resignation after she complained to colleagues about his medical judgment, rather than reporting her concerns to the hospital’s confidential peer review committee, court records show.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“In A Mediated Agreement, Calvino Agreed To A Demotion If Carmona Did Not Report Her To The State Nursing Board For Not Following Protocol, According To Those Familiar With The Case.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“However, Court Records Show That A Few Months Later Carmona Did Report Her, And Calvino Remained Demoted.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Despite Troubled Past With Tucson Medical, Kino Community Hospital Brought Carmona Aboard – Where He Immediately Clashed With The Longtime Chief Of Surgery Who Proceeded To Resign Because Of Carmona’s Management Style 

“Two Years Later, Carmona Was Hired As Chief Executive Officer And Medical Director Of Kino Community Hospital In Tucson.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“There He Clashed Repeatedly With The Hospital’s Longtime Chief Of Surgery, Eric Ramsay.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“They Fought Over Staffing And The Residency Program.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“Internal memos made available to The Times also show that Carmona chastised Ramsay for maintaining offices that were ‘dirty and unkempt without the slightest bit of an attempt to tidy’ them.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

“After Working Under Carmona For A Year Ramsay Resigned, Ending A 37-Year Association With The Hospital.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Ramsay Blasted Carmona In His Letter Dated The Same Day He Quit: 

Ramsay To Carmona: “Never in my entire medical career have I seen such gross interference by a hospital administrator without the slightest attempt to reach a cooperative understanding.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

Ramsay To Carmona: “Clearly you need a lot of help and instruction in how to manage your current position for which you have had no training or previous experience.” (Ann-Eve Pederson and Megan Garvey, “Squaring Off Over Nominee,” Los Angeles Times, 7/8/02)

For more information on Jeff Flake and why he’s running for the U.S. Senate, please visit his website at www.JeffFlake.com.

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Travis Grantham responds to Paul Ryan as Romney VP choice

Posted on August 11, 2012 by News

Grantham Responds to the Selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s Choice for Republican Vice Presidential Nominee

Tempe –Today, Travis Grantham candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District released the following statement on the selection of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate.

“The greatest threat to our national security and the greatest threat to our nation is the national debt. Mitt Romney’s choice today of Congressman Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential running mate shows how committed Governor Romney is to saving our Republic. We must elect leaders who will address the tough issues we face and who will tell the American people the truth when it comes to our fiscal and economic future. Paul Ryan has been an outstanding Congressman and has been brave enough and bold enough to draft one of the most aggressive budgets that will begin to reign in our out of control, reckless spending. I look forward to a positive, solutions based campaign that addresses real issues that the United States of America must deal with in the coming years. Paul Ryan is a champion of fiscal conservatism and will make an outstanding Vice President.”

Travis Grantham is a Conservative Republican candidate for Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District. He serves as the Chief Operations Officer at International Air Response based at the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. He is also a Captain and Pilot in the Arizona Air National Guard’s 161st Air Refueling Wing based out of Sky Harbor International Airport. Travis and his wife Patricia have two daughters.

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Ron Barber called upon to disown latest attack ad on Jesse Kelly

Posted on June 5, 2012 by News

(Reposted from The Arizona Daily Independent)

The latest negative ad offering by the Rob Barber campaign has drawn criticism from all corners. The new TV ad from the House Majority Pac uses a snippet from a speech Jesse Kelly made long before Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot by a deranged Jared Loughner. TucsonCitizen.com editor, Mark Evans wrote, “Barber is going to have to disown what a BS misleading POS ad this is.”

Giffords whose recovery and spirit are considered nothing short of courageous by everyone, including Kelly himself, is being used as a source of support for Barber in the ad.

The creators use a small portion of a speech Kelly delivered to supporters at a 2010 picnic in Continental Ranch. Candidate for County Board of Supervisors James K elly said of the ad, “The ad itself identifies it a s a 2010 statement. But people are going to hear the statement not see 2010.” The ad does show 2010 in the upper left hand corner, but one ad viewer said, “there is no clue why that number is on the screen.”

In the ad, Kelly is criticizing Giffords shortly after he lost to her by a narrow margin. “She stands there with that smile and pretends to be some kind of hometown hero.” At the time of the speech, many Arizonans were disappointed with her lack of support for a secure border, and failure to connect with her constituents.

“Before she was shot, Jesse was correct to challenge her leadership, specifically concerning ObamaCare which all TeaParty members opposed. She and her leadership misled us when they had her say, “I have to sign this bill because it will cut the deficit by $100 billion”. Even a novice who had not read the whole bill would know that adding 150 new agencies could NEVER reduce the deficit by one penny,” said Carolyn Cox Chairwoman of the Pima GOP.

“We all know no one read that bill before it was signed. In comparison, Medicare was debated for seven (7) years before it was signed. Shame on President Obama, House Speaker Pelosi, and every congressman and senator in the March 2010 Congress,” Cox concluded.

As a result of her narrow win, Giffords did increase her visibility in the area. She was shot while conducting voter reach out at a Safeway. The congresswoman called the event, Congress On Your Corner.”

According to the Washington Post, “a look at a longer video of the August 2010 event, provided by House Majority PAC, makes clear that Kelly was arguing that Giffords had presented herself as a “hero” for backing Obama agenda items such as the national health care overhaul.

The full version of Kelly’s 2010 remarks:

“Gabrielle Giffords is a big-spending, San Francisco liberal. That’s what Gabrielle Giffords is. And she has the gall to talk about us as extreme. Extreme! Did any of you vote for the government takeover of health care? I didn’t think so! Did any of you decide that the government should run the energy sector? Double the debts, double the deficits, double the unemployment? No! Giffords did that. And now she stands there with that smile and pretends to be some kind of hometown hero. She’s a hero of nothing. She’s brought bankruptcy to this nation. And we are going to bring unemployment to her.”

Polls show Barber and Kelly in a dead heat in the CD8 Special Election.

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Arpaio Officially Announces Campaign for Maricopa County Sheriff

Posted on January 5, 2012 by News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2012
CONTACT: Chad Willems

$6,000,000 Raised for Re-Election Campaign

PHOENIX, AZ – Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio formally announced his campaign today for another term as Sheriff of Maricopa County.

Through December 31st of last year, the campaign has raised a record $6 million for a sixth four-year term as Sheriff of Arizona’s most populous county. The campaign committee will continue to actively fundraise between now and the November election.

Arpaio stated, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve as Sheriff of Maricopa County. I am running for a sixth term and will continue to protect the citizens of Maricopa County by enforcing all the laws.”

The Sheriff had considered seeking another office, such as the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl, but determined there was still much work to be done as Sheriff.

Despite recent criticism and brazen political stunts carried out by his perennial detractors, Arpaio remains committed to serving as Sheriff by unapologetically enforcing the rule of law and being tough on crime.

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Rep. Paul Gosar to Host Four Town Halls in January 2012

Posted on January 4, 2012 by News

Congressman Paul Gosar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January, 04 2012
CONTACT: Apryl Marie Fogel

MEDIA ADVISORY:
Gosar Announces A 4th Town Hall for 2012
In Page, AZ January 11th

FLAGSTAFF, AZ –U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S (AZ-01) announced that he will be hosting four public town halls in January 2012.  They begin tomorrow with an event in Prescott, then will be in Flagstaff and Tusayan this week.  The fourth town hall will be a public forum to be held in Page, Arizona on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 6:30PM at the City of Page Townhouse.  The format for these town halls include a congressional update and a question and answer period.

PRESCOTT TOWN HALL
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
6:00PM – 7:30PM Local AZ Time
Prescott Resort and Conference Center
1500 State Route 69
Prescott, AZ 86301

FLAGSTAFF TOWN HALL
Friday, January 6th, 2012
6:00PM – 7:30PM Local AZ Time
Thorpe Center
245 N. Thorpe
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

TUSAYAN TOWN HALL
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
4:00PM – 5:30PM Local AZ Time
Grand Canyon Airport
Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Facility
1542  Liberator Drive
Tusayan, AZ 86023

PAGE TOWN HALL
Wednesday, January 11th
6:30PM
City of Page Townhouse
605 S. Navajo
Page, AZ 86040

Since being sworn in as the Representative of Arizona’s First Congressional District, Congressman Gosar has participated in 23 town halls across the district.  In addition, he has conducted six tele-town halls while in Washington, DC, reaching over 48,000 constituents.  Additionally, staff has hosted over a dozen district open office hours.

Congressman Gosar remains committed to being open, accessible, and responsive to his constituents.  Whether it is at a town hall meeting, on the phone, via email, or out in the district, he wants to encourage everyone to share their ideas on how we can find solutions to the problems that face our country.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2011
CONTACT: Matthew Benson

Standard and Poor’s Upgrades Credit Outlook for State of Arizona
Latest Indication that the Arizona Comeback is in Progress

PHOENIX – One of the nation’s largest credit ratings services, Standard and Poor’s, announced today that it has upgraded to “stable” its outlook on the State of Arizona’s fiscal condition. S&P also upgraded to “stable” its outlook on the State’s certificates of participation and lease revenue debt.

State of Arizona finances previously carried a negative outlook from the credit ratings service.

“This is fantastic news, and serves as one more indication that Arizona is on the comeback trail,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “The last three years haven’t been easy. But I’m happy to say that the difficult decisions I’ve made, together with the Arizona Legislature, have helped put this state back on solid financial ground. For the first time in years, Arizona has a growing economy and a state government it can afford.”

In announcing the credit outlook revision, S&P pointed to the State of Arizona’s diverse economy, continued population growth, moderate debt burden and expectations of a sizable budget surplus in fiscal 2012.

“We base the outlook revision on what we view as Arizona’s improving fiscal outlook,” S&P credit analyst David Hitchcock explained in today’s report.

The S&P announcement is just the latest sign of the state’s improving economy and financial position. In other recent news:

- Arizona added 12,800 jobs in November, driving down the state’s unemployment rate to 8.7 percent. The rate is the state’s lowest since February 2009.

- Arizona has added an estimated 45,800 jobs so far this year. The state’s job growth from October 2010 to October 2011 ranked 7th best nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

- State revenues continue to outpace projections, and the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting now estimates a combined surplus of $1.3 billion between the remainder of this fiscal year and next.

“Our mission isn’t accomplished, but today’s announcement from S&P is validation that we’re on the right path,” said Governor Brewer. “We’re going to keep state government small, efficient and effective, and continue working to put in place the conditions for private enterprise to flourish and grow. I believe that 2012, Arizona’s Centennial year, is going to bring more great news for the people of our state.”

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Posted on December 21, 2011 by News | Leave a comment

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery Concludes Fiesta Bowl Probe, Issues Recommendations

Posted on December 21, 2011 by News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2011
CONTACT: Jerry Cobb

PHOENIX, AZ (December 21, 2011) – Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery announced the conclusion of an 8-month criminal investigation into whether public officials illegally accepted or failed to report gifts from members of the Fiesta Bowl organization and its representatives. While the investigation did not find evidence leading to criminal liability for those investigated, it did identify areas where Arizona law does not meet legitimate public expectations for transparency in disclosure of the receipt of gifts.

“Despite the public’s legitimate expectations that current laws ensure a reasonable degree of open and honest government, Arizona’s statutes governing receipt of gifts and reporting requirements fall short of meeting those expectations,” Montgomery said. “A combination of inconsistent laws, vague reporting requirements, and a ‘knowing’ standard of conduct created significant hurdles for our investigation in establishing the required mental state to prove criminal liability,” he added.

As a consequence of the difficulties encountered in conducting the investigation, the County Attorney will make the following recommendations to both houses in the State Legislature:

  • Create a single reference point in law for lobbyists and legislators that clarifies what, if any, types of gifts are permissible, and establishes consistent definitions of gifts and items that require disclosure.
  • Establish an outright ban on gifts, or a minimum value threshold above which reporting and disclosure is mandatory for anything received above the set value (e.g. $25).
  • Establish an increased frequency of reporting, no less than quarterly, to eliminate record-keeping, memory and accuracy issues that can arise with annual reporting requirements. A web-based reporting system is also recommended to facilitate the public’s ability to review officials’ disclosures.
  • Adjust penalties for violations of reporting requirements, making “knowing and intentional” violations a felony offense instead of a misdemeanor.
  • Establish a “reckless” standard that carries misdemeanor or civil penalties that are significant enough to encourage accurate and timely reporting.
  • Remove legislative staff attorneys from the role of providing campaign finance disclosure recommendations, training and advice in order to preclude any claim of attorney-client privilege on these matters.
  • Amend lobbying disclosure forms to include a certification of having read the instructions, as required on campaign finance disclosure statements. Add an expenditure reporting category for Principals/Public Bodies to the Principal/Public Body Annual Report of Lobbying Expenditures.

“I trust that members of the legislature sharing my concern for upholding the integrity of our respective offices will address these recommendations in an appropriate manner,” Montgomery said.

The County Attorney’s Office began its investigation in April 2011, after receiving the case from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office which had declared a conflict of interest in the matter. Over the course of the investigation, a team of experienced prosecutors and investigators from the County Attorney’s Office reviewed thousands of pages of documents and conducted interviews with multiple legislators, lobbyists and Fiesta Bowl employees. The investigation looked at 28 legislators and 3 non-legislator elected office holders. The Attorney General also declared a conflict on two Fiesta Bowl-related cases involving three lobbyists, which also became part of the County Attorney’s investigation.

Legislators investigated:

  • Paula Aboud
  • Chad Campbell
  • Linda Lopez
  • Russell Pearce
  • Kirk Adams
  • Rich Crandall
  • David Lujan
  • Gary Pierce
  • Linda Aguirre
  • Sam Crump
  • Lucy Mason
  • Michelle Reagan
  • Ken Bennett
  • Adam Driggs
  • John McComish
  • Pete Rios
  • Robert Blendu
  • Steve Gallardo
  • Robert Meza
  • Andrew Tobin
  • David Bradley
  • Laurin Hendrix
  • John Nelson
  • Steve Tully
  • Bob Burns
  • John Kavanagh
  • Ward Nichols
  • Thayer Verschoor

Non-legislator elected officials investigated:

  • Joe Arpaio
  • Ben Arrendondo
  • Elaine Scruggs

Lobbyists investigated:

  • Charles Coughlin and Doug Cole as part of the lobbying firm, “HighGround”
  • Kevin Demenna

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Posted in Campaign Finance, County Government, Crime, Elected Officials, Press Release | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Arizona Independent Redistricting Panel Adopts Tentative Final Maps

Posted on December 20, 2011 by News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2011

TEMPE, Ariz. (Dec. 20, 2011) – The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission this evening adopted a tentative congressional- and legislative-district maps, pending analyses by the panel’s legal counsel and voting-rights consultants.

Both maps passed on 3-2 votes, but with different breakdowns. On the congressional map, Chairman Colleen Coyle Mathis voted “yes,” along with Vice Chairman José Herrera and Commissioner Linda McNulty. Vice Chairman Scott Freeman and Commissioner Richard Stertz voted “no.” The legislative map drew “yeas” from Mathis, McNulty and Stertz and “nays” from Freeman and Herrera.

“This is a significant step toward fulfilling our mission,” Mathis said. “We’ve spent four weeks improving the draft maps, incorporating many of the suggestions we received during our second round of public hearings, as well as comments submitted to us in writing. We worked very hard to reach consensus on the map where possible, and it was also our consensus that it was time to move the process along.”

According to counsel Mary O’Grady, the panel will have to vote on the maps again after receiving the legal and technical analyses. The commission’s lawyers and staff then must prepare the state’s submission to the Department of Justice for its approval as mandated under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Major tweaks to the congressional map included:

  • Reuniting Fountain Hills with Scottsdale in the proposed 6th District;
  • Making Cochise County whole in the proposed 2nd District, along with the eastern portion of metropolitan Tucson; and
  • Moving western Maricopa County to the rural 4th District, leaving the proposed 8th District more compact and suburban.

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Posted in Campaigns, Press Release, State Government | Tagged , | Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2011

PHOENIX (Tuesday, December 20, 2011) — Every Arizonan should be grateful to know that because of one Tempe patrol officer’s vigilance in observing a drug deal and making an arrest, Operation Crank Call was begun. That officer’s work was the genesis of this operation, which involved the dedicated work of many more law enforcement professionals. The result is the dismantling of a significant drug trafficking operation of the Sinaloa Cartel that has resulted in the seizure of an estimated 12 million dollars in illegal drugs and another 7.8 million dollars in cash. It is, frankly an obscene amount of drugs and money that have been taken off the streets, and those numbers reflect the horrific scope of the drug trafficking problem in our community.

As Attorney General, my job and that of my friend and colleague Bill Montgomery will be to vigorously prosecute –the subjects arrested in this operation. We will pursue this case with determination and dedication to convicting the perpetrators and keeping them off our streets and in prison, where they belong. In fact, one suspect has already pled guilty and has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Aggressive prosecution is crucial because the streets of our cities are increasingly becoming an even larger marketplace for meth, marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

These drug traffickers are conducting a dirty business. Their customers are both adults and children, their products are poison, and their profits enrich Mexican drug lords enabling them to continue this cycle of criminality, abuse and death.

It is an outrage, and as Americans we must demand that this stop. As Arizonans, we must repeat the call for a secure international border. We have heard reports of a drop in apprehensions of illegal immigrants, which is welcome news; but the success of Operation Crank Call proves yet again that criminal drug traffickers are still all-too-active in our neighborhoods. Once again, I urge the federal government to increase its presence at the border, secure the weak spots where fencing would help bring operational control to the border, and give local law enforcement agencies more of the tools they need to combat this growing scourge.

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Posted on December 20, 2011 by News | Leave a comment

Congressman Ben Quayle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen

WASHINGTON (DC) Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the Obama Administration’s decision to reduce the number of National Guard Troops at the southern border from 1200 to 300:

“The Obama Administration’s drawdown makes securing our southern border more difficult to achieve. While there has been a modest decline in the number of illegal immigrant apprehensions this year, the decrease is driven by economic conditions, not major advancements in border security as the Administration is claiming. We have a long way to go to secure our border. Cartel-related violence continues to pose a serious threat to American citizens living near the border. According to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office, only 44 percent of the southwest border is under ‘operational control.’

“Securing our southern border must be a top priority of the U.S. government. It is disappointing that the Obama Administration does not agree.”

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Posted on December 20, 2011 by News | Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

Entitlement Programs Must be Reformed Before Reducing Dedicated Revenue Sources

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today voted against the motion to go to conference on H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax relief and Jobs Creation Act of 2011.

“Unless we summon the courage to reform our entitlement programs, we shouldn’t be reducing the dedicated revenue stream,” said Flake. “The extension of the payroll tax holiday will hasten the insolvency of Social Security and exacerbate our fiscal crisis.” 

“Even worse, we’re using dishonest budget gimmicks that supposedly pay for this one-year extension with spending cuts or new fees over ten years that we all know will never materialize.” 

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Posted on December 20, 2011 by News | Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

If Congress Can’t Stop Earmarking, There is No Hope of Controlling Deficit Spending

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressmen Jeff Flake, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee today introduced the Earmark Elimination Act of 2011 (H.R. 3707) which would permanently ban congressional earmarks in the House of Representatives.

The Earmark Elimination Act would permanently prohibit the House from considering legislation containing earmarks and would strip any earmarks found in proposed legislation considered by the House, allowing it to proceed.

“This legislation is the next step to ensuring that earmarks are permanently banned,” said Flake. “If Congress can’t stop earmarking, taxpayers will have no confidence that Congress can tackle larger spending items and get our fiscal crisis under control.” 

“I’ve called for an end to earmarks for years. Americans know their tax dollars are being wasted, and it’s about time my colleagues got serious about reform,” Cooper said. “Congress is badly broken, and this is an important step toward fiscal discipline.” 

The Earmark Elimination Act was introduced in the Senate (S. 1930) by Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri.

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Posted on December 19, 2011 by News | Leave a comment

DeeDee Garcia Blase is a Liar

Posted on November 9, 2011 by guestopinion

OK DeeDee Garcia Blase. If you want to play this game on the blogs, let’s play. I’m calling you out!

I have always believed that running Olivia Cortes was a huge mistake if not just plain stupid. Gaming the system in such a manner goes against the American Association of Political Consultants Code of Ethics.

I did not participate in the fiasco of running her as a candidate other than providing a forum for supporters and detractors to discuss her participation in the race.

Ultimately what Tom Ryan did to her was evil by dragging her through the mud and into the court system. If there was anyone YOU should be attacking for disrespecting Latinas, it is Tom Ryan and his minions for humiliating her in the courts. Shame on you DeeDee for not defending her!

Yes, Olivia Cortes was dragged into this stupid, unnecessary recall fiasco as a means to game the system. Those who pulled her into this were wrong for doing so.

DeeDee Garcia Blase, we may agree on several other issues but you are DEAD WRONG on my participation in the Cortes fiasco.

You should also go back and read Sonoran Alliance and see that I gave Jerry Lewis supporters the opportunity to post on Sonoran Alliance as guest opinions. I even gave Tyler Montague and Chad Snow space and time to get their opinions out:

Deep Thoughts from Team Pearce: A new interpretation of, “We report, you decide.” by Tyler Montague

Citizens for a Better Arizona Official Statement – “Why a Recall – Why Now?” by Chad Snow

You need to do your research before you start hysterically lashing out at what you don’t know.

This blog is well read across the State of Arizona and in Washington, D.C. Anyone who is a frequent reader and visitor will see that I have given each side the opportunity to voice their opinions.

If you want to continue to pursue this and tell lies about my position, I will be more than willing to dedicate space on Sonoran Alliance to make sure that you received negative ink on a daily basis. This is your opportunity to retract your posts that are outright lies and likely libelous. In exchange, I will remove this post. The choice is yours DeeDee Blase.

Finally, go back and read Sonoran Alliance in 2010 and you will see that John McCain had his supporters also posting on the blog. It was NOT one-sided as you alleged on your most recent post.

I am getting sick and tired of people like you who think that I write every post on Sonoran Alliance or don’t allow other viewpoints. There are plenty of people who will back me up that Sonoran Alliance bends over backwards to give equal access to both sides. Hell DeeDee, I would even give you your own login if you asked!

So tell the truth DeeDee Blase and take the opportunity to correct and retract your statements before you wear out my graces.

Posted in Liberals | Tagged | Leave a comment