The AZ spring gala is coming up on March 7th. Contact AZRTL if you are interested in buying a table. Tables are $1350 each and seat 10. With a prolife governor in office, this is going to be a good year for life.

Click to enlarge

By Tom Patterson

As Janet Napolitano leaves Arizona for greener pastures, we should acknowledge that she was an innovative governor who changed the culture of her office. But not in a good way.

NapolitanoHer predecessors recognized the need for responsible management of the budget. Napolitano's reaction to both lean and fat budget years was basically the same: spend, spend, and spend some more. The result is Arizona's huge budget deficit.

Napolitano also earned the dubious distinction of being the first Arizona governor to introduce debt to balance general fund budgets. Debt for operating expenses is wildly imprudent and unconstitutional to boot.

Governors typically employ staff to work with the Legislature on pending legislation. Napolitano, though, repeatedly claimed that she didn't comment on legislation until it "hit her desk." This fomented a needlessly confrontational relationship between the branches of government.

Napolitano also set veto records. Vetoes may occasionally be necessary, but they are a poor substitute for good communication and at least trying to work together.

Unfortunately, Napolitano was so popular with the media that she was largely excused for such antics as intimidating a state commission into illegally changing "Squaw Peak" to "Piestewa Peak." She was allowed to hijack money meant for other projects to fund the Western States Climate Initiative. She got by with claiming credit for the positive effects of tax cuts she had fought against.

Incoming governor Jan Brewer should move aggressively and conspicuously to restore sound practices to the office. We don't want the legacy of the past six years to become the Arizona way.

Tom Patterson is Chairman of the Goldwater Institute, former state Senate Majority Leader, and an emergency room physician. A longer version of this article originally appeared in the East Valley Tribune.

Happy New Year from all of us at CAP! Every year brings change, and 2009 is a perfect example with an anticipated new Arizona governor and a new President.

At Center for Arizona Policy, we’re ready to roll! As the New Year begins, we launch a new look with a new logo and a new website. Our revamped website will bring you the latest news updates daily on issues of importance to our families and a special new feature – “Myth Buster.”

Our “Family Facts” updates now will reach you weekly on Fridays and be titled “5 Minutes for Families.” Additionally, we’ll send out Breaking News and Action Alerts when necessary. For those who participate in our Community Action Network or intercessory prayer network, you’ll still get those regular updates.

Though the look has changed, our mission remains the same. More than ever before, CAP will be “Protecting the Family and Preserving the Future.” Simply put, CAP protects and defends the family by influencing policy, communicating truth, and equipping citizens to promote timeless family values.

Next monday, the Arizona Legislative Session begins a new session. Please join us for a special time of prayer at noon this Saturday January 10th at the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington. Let’s gather to lift up our state, our country, our leaders, and our families in prayer. Throughout the legislative session, you can expect CAP to be at the Capitol, encouraging lawmakers to pass bills that protect our families and uphold our values.

To keep informed during these exciting times, stay updated by reading our 5 Minutes for Families and forwarding them to your friends and family. I challenge each of you to stay informed about the policies that are affecting our families, our children, and our future. With your help and the Lord’s guidance, 2009 will be a great year for Arizona families!

(join networkingphoenix.com for free, just takes a minute)

Networking Phoenix.com Launch PartyWhen:Thursday, January 29th, 2009
5:30pm - 7:30pmWhere: Montelucia Resort and Spa

Crossing continents, oceans, and centuries of time, an extraordinary villa ownership opportunity has arrived in Paradise Valley.
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phone: (480) 627-3200Fee:FreeEvent Type:Gelie RecommendsOrganizer: Gelie Akhenblit

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email: Gelie@NetworkingPhoenix.comDescription:Join us for our official NetworkingPhoenix.com launch party!

This is sure to be one of the most well attended events. Please RSVP and don’t miss out on all the great networking. We want to meet all our members face-to-face and help you make the right connections.

The event will be held poolside at the beautiful Montelucia, located in the heart of Paradise Valley. Enjoy appetizers, the ambiance and raffle prizes.

Make sure to bring plenty of business cards!

For more information, please contact Gelie at Gelie@NetworkingPhoenix.com.

Thank you to the following members for donating prizes to our raffle! We'll be drawing business cards at 6:30pm - must be present to win:

- Rodney Kinney, Casino Arizona Resort & Spa

- Merlin Ward, Responsible Partying Made Simple

- Tamara Nezirevic, J Hilburn Men’s Clothier

- Linda Resau, QuantumAction Coaching & Consulting

- Amber Bleadon, Planet Beach - Contempo Spa

- Dave Forman, Margarita Man - Pour Masters

from the Brewer transition team -

Secretary of State Jan Brewer today announced other additions to her senior staff, naming Richard Bark as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. Mr. Bark will serve as chief policy advisor for the Brewer Administration, overseeing the development and implementation of the incoming Governor’s policy initiatives. Additionally, Brewer selected Joseph Kanefield as her General Counsel. Mr. Kanefield will provide direct legal advice to the governor, provide legal analysis of all legislation to be signed by the governor as well as draft executive orders.

“My top priority is to assemble the best possible team to tackle the dire situation that the state is facing,” stated Brewer. “I am thrilled and honored to add Mr. Bark and Mr. Kanefield to my senior staff.”

According to Brewer, Bark and Kanefield—both accomplished attorneys-- will work together in many areas. “Both of these gentlemen will play key roles in my judicial appointments and in areas of constitutional law,” Brewer said. “The State of Arizona will be well served by their legal acumen.”

Richard A. Bark has served in both the public and private sectors during his 20-year legal and public policy career. Most recently, he has practiced law as a partner in the Phoenix law firm of Gallagher & Kennedy. Prior to his time with Gallagher & Kennedy, Bark served as Director of Policy for the Majority in the Arizona House of Representatives and as Counsel to the Majority in the Arizona Senate.

“Mr. Bark is a very well known and well respected long-time policy expert who will be a valuable asset to the State of Arizona,” stated Brewer.

Bark received a B.S. degree from Arizona State University and a law degree from Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School. During his schooling, Bark interned at the Arizona State Senate and worked at the Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts for two years. He has been a member of the State Bar of Arizona since 1991.

Joe Kanefield has served for five years as Secretary of State Brewer’s State Election Director. Kanefield began his service to the state in 1989 at the Department of Revenue. He then joined the Attorney General’s Office under Grant Woods in 1995. During his ten-year tenure at the AG’s Office, Mr. Kanefield served as the attorney for Secretary of State Betsey Bayless in election matters. He has argued cases before the Arizona Supreme Court, Arizona Court of Appeals and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He also appeared as counsel of record before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the State of Arizona in the private schools tuition tax credit case, Hibbs v. Winn.

“Mr. Kanefield has an outstanding legal mind, and his years of service working directly with State officials and the Legislature will be essential as we move forward in tackling the major challenges we face,” stated Brewer.

Kanefield currently serves as the Second Vice President of the State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors. He teaches election law at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College Of Law and has written several articles on Arizona election law for the Arizona Attorney magazine. He received a B.S. degree in economics from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of Arizona. He has been a member of the State Bar of Arizona since 1994.


Contact: Kim Sabow

602-542-3438

602-359-7855

Dear Friend of Life,
As the New Year begins we certainly have many challenges ahead, but these challenges also come with unexpected promise. With the ascendancy of our new pro-life Secretary of State Jan Brewer to the position of Governor we now have an unprecedented opportunity to advance the cause of life in our state. We should remember this as we march and commemorate the tragedy of Roe v Wade this January.
In This Issue Saying Goodbye to Trent Two Big Events, One Bigger Mission Promoting Bilingual Pro-life Outreach Other News and Updates Upcoming Events! Saying Goodbye to Trent
This January marks the end of Trent Horn's nearly two-year service with Arizona Right to Life as our Programs Manager. This spring he will be moving to Wichita, Kansas to join Justice for All, a national pro-life organization whose mission is to train thousands to make abortion unthinkable for millions, one person at a time.

Trent was instrumental in developing new ideas and programs that have allowed us to grow and flourish as an organization. He created the documentary Abortion: Inside the Choice and co-authored it's accompanying Pro-life Leader Training Seminar that we use to support and educate local pro-life groups. He was also the author of the online and print editions of the Arizona Life Times as well as a valuable addition to countless other events and projects.

While we are sad to see him leave, we wish Trent well as he uses his gifts and talents to build up the pro-life movement across the nation. If you would like to wish him well in this exciting new endeavor you can send him an email at azrtl@azrtl.org that we will forward to him.

Two Big Events, One Bigger Mission

Arizona Right to Life will be commemorating the 36th anniversary of Roe v Wade in two big ways throughout our state. First in Phoenix, The 2009 Arizona March and Rally for Life will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22nd as we march on the front lines of the Tempe Planned Parenthood abortion facility (1250 E Apache Blvd Ste 108, Tempe, AZ 85281). Immediately following, we will gather at Arizona State University's Hayden Lawn. A pro-life concert will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by an evening rally at 7:00 p.m.

In Tucson on Saturday, January 17th the Mass for Life will be held at St. Augustine's Cathedral at 9:00am followed by a march to Holy Hope Cemetery for a memorial service at 12:30pm.

For information related to the Phoenix event visit www.azliferally.com or call 602-285-0063. For the Tucson event visit www.tucsonmarchforlife.org or call Kelly Copeland at 520-818-9765.
Promoting Bilingual Pro-life Outreach On December 9th and 10th AZRTL Programs Manager Trent Horn and Life Educational Corp. Assistant Rosa Camou premiered our pro-life documentary Abortion: Inside the Choice to the adult catechesis services at St. Joan of Arc parish in Phoenix. For this group a special version of the documentary with Spanish-language subtitles was shown and Trent and Rosa delivered inspirational talks in both Spanish and English. St. Joan of Arc's Director of Evangelization and Catechesis Michael Garibaldi said, "The parents showed an interest in this that is far greater than anything we have ever done before. The documentary was amazing and Trent and Rosa did a great job. I highly recommend them for any church or youth group that wants to deepen their pro-life commitment."

If you would like a presentation at your church please contact Education Director Melanie Pritchard at Melanie.lec@gmail.com.
Other News and Updates MARCH FOR LIFE: On January 22, 2009 over 200,000 pro-lifers are expected to gather and march on Washington in the annual March for Life. This event, which has been hosted since 1974, is designed to bring awareness to our nation's capitol that the pro-life movement is resolved and determined to end legalized abortion in America. The event is also a great place for pro-lifers to show solidarity with one another and plan future pro-life events and strategy. For more information visit the March for Life's Website.

PRO-ABORTION PLANS: Several leading pro-abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood gave the incoming Presidential Administration their "marching orders" for the New Year. To learn more, see this National Right to Life article.

AZRTL NW TALK: On December 8th Programs Manager Trent Horn gave a talk entitled "When Does Life Begin?" to the AZRTL NW Chapter in Sun City West. Chapter president John Bertaut said that the talk was "excellent" and numerous attendees were impressed with Trent's mastery of the subject. After the talk, Trent and the attendees engaged in a lively question and answer session and brainstormed for future pro-life activities the chapter could organize in the coming months.

CLUB 5: Be the latest person to join "Club 5." Club 5 is our new fundraising group that combines small $5 monthly gifts from our numerous donors to make a big difference in our ability to implement pro-life projects and events. Members of Club 5 can also make a one-time donation of $60 in lieu of a $5 monthly amount. To learn more about Club 5 email us at azrtl@azrtl.org or call our office at 602-285-0063 If you would like to learn more about our mission, events, or would like to join our new financial support group "Club 5," then please email us at azrtl@azrtl.org or call our office at 602-285-0063. Once again, thank you for your time and your commitment to being a "Friend of Life." We wish you a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to partnering with you to combat radical pro-abortion legislation like FOCA in the coming New Year.

Newsletter Editor: Trent Horn

Upcoming Local
Pro-life Events
36th Annual Phoenix March and Rally for Life
Thursday January 22, 2009
March will begin at 5:00pm at the Planned Parenthood abortion facility on Rural and Apache Rds. Rally will begin at 6:15pm on Arizona State University's Hayden Lawn
For more information please visit the 2009 AZ Life Rally Website

Tucson Mass and March for Life
Saturday, January 24th 2009
Mass will begin at St. Augustine Cathedral at 9:00am and will follow with a march to Holy Hope Cemetery for a memorial service at 12:30pm.
For more information please visit the 2009 Tucson March for Life Website


Arizona Legislator's Luncheon
hosted by Arizona Right to Life and United Families of Arizona
Date: Thursday January 29, 2009
Location: Arizona State Capitol
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Cost: $10 per person for lunch (complimentary lunches for our legislators) For more information contact Arizona Right to Life at 602-285-0063 or by email azrtl@azrtl.org


Save the Date: Arizona Right to Life Spring Banquet
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7, 2009 for the Arizona Right to Life Spring Banquet and Silent Auction at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale.

Invited Guests Include:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith

Table Hosts: Reserve Your Seating Now for Preferred Seating!
Contact Arizona Right to Life at 602-285-0063 or by email azrtl@azrtl.org for more information.



Build a Legacy of Life with Pro-life Estate Planning
Do you want your assets to continue helping the pro-life movement after your passing? Contact our office at 602-285-0063 to learn more about this exciting opportunity to help us create a Culture of Life.

FIGHT FOCA NOW!
Call Arizona Right to Life at 602-285-0063 or email us at azrtl@azrtl.org to learn how you can stop the so-called "Freedom of Choice Act." If signed into law it would repeal 35 years of pro-life legislation and create tax-payer funded abortion-on-demand. Waiting next month could be too late! Call or email us to find out how you can bring this bill down!

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has done little to protect the state from illegal immigration, and under her leadership Arizona is now tied for last place in the nation for emergency disaster preparedness.

So why has incoming president Barack Obama picked Napolitano for secretary of homeland security? It clearly has nothing to do with her record. She is leaving Arizona with the highest budget deficit ever, and the highest budget deficit per capita in the nation after California, at more than $2 billion.

Obama probably selected Napolitano because she is one of a small handful of Democrats who fit the necessary stereotype of "tough," and she satisfies a female diversity quota. Napolitano looks and sounds tough, but her policies suggest otherwise. Democrats find this kind of person appropriate for a law enforcement leadership position, much the way Janet Reno was tapped by former president Bill Clinton to fill the attorney general position. In fact, many initially thought Napolitano would be selected by Obama for that same office.

Read the rest of the article at The American Spectator

Dear Arizona Taxpayer,

Be sure to click on the link below and read AFP Arizona’s latest op-ed, which was published in today’s Arizona Daily Star.

Contrary to the title the editors gave the piece, we did not suggest cutting tax rates as a means of dealing with the Fiscal Year 2009 or FY 2010 budget deficits. Although it is possible that rate reductions on certain taxes, such as the state’s corporate income tax, could result in increased revenue in the short run, most rate reductions would be unlikely to help much in closing the current budget deficits. For FY 2011 and beyond, however, the Legislature and Governor should implement large, pro-growth rate reductions on all taxes, and if possible, abolish the state’s income taxes. The best thing we could do for the future of the Arizona economy would be to establish our state as the number one tax shelter in the nation, and to become a magnet for entrepreneurs, business relocations, and human capital.

One tax policy that will help to close the state’s budget deficit is the expansion of the state’s existing personal and corporate income tax credits for private school tuition. When children leave government district schools and go to private schools, they save the state money, greatly improve their chances of getting good educations, and prod government district schools into improving their performance. AFP Arizona urges the Legislature and Governor to make it easier to contribute to the existing personal and corporate tax credits, and to enact a personal use credit for parents who pay for their own children’s education.


Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
tjenney@afphq.org
(602) 478-0146


Arizona must batten down the spending hatches, cut taxes
By Tom Jenney
Arizona Daily Star
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/273696

The Arizona government has collided with a fiscal iceberg, and Captain Gov. Janet Napolitano is sailing away to Washington in her own personal lifeboat, the S.S. Obama.

Arizona taxpayers, state legislators and incoming governor Jan Brewer are stuck on board, using bailing buckets to keep the ship from sinking further into the deep waters of unconstitutional debt, deceptive accounting and growth-killing tax increases.

Of course, Captain Napolitano did more than anyone else to steer the state into the dangerous straits of fiscal irresponsibility.

Thanks to her strong bargaining position in budget negotiations, the absence of fiscally conservative majorities in either chamber of the state Legislature, and frequent cheerleading in the state's editorial pages for increased social spending, Napolitano was able to ratchet up state spending to unsustainable levels.

From 2003 to 2007, state spending increased by 59 percent, at a time when the state economy grew only 42 percent (a figure inflated by the housing bubble). The result of rapid spending increases has been a significant increase in the size of government as a portion of the economy.

According to Napolitano's own budget office, state government in 2007 spent more than 7 percent of state personal income — the highest level of spending since 1980. The inevitable result of that over-spending was massive budget deficits during the next economic downturn.

Of course, now that the state government is short of money, some of the usual suspects are coming around, arguing for tax increases. Some economists believe that tax cuts are to blame for Arizona's current budget deficits.

But taxes and spending are different sides of the same deficit coin. If spending increases remain modest, the government can balance its budgets, even with slower revenue growth. But as we have seen, spending increases were anything but modest.

In 2006, two out of every three dollars of the state's billion-dollar projected budget surplus went to new spending, while one dollar went to income- and property-tax cuts.

Next year's general fund spending commitments will be at least $2.5 billion more than available revenues.

The higher revenues the state might have had without the 2006 income and property tax cuts would have covered less than one-fifth of the gap. And that assumes (unrealistically) that the extra revenue in 2006 and 2007 would not have pushed spending levels even higher.

If Arizona government had been subject to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) since 2003, with spending growth limited to the rate of growth of population plus inflation, there would be no budget deficit crisis. Under a more permissive limit, in which spending growth had been limited to the rate of growth of the Arizona economy, the current deficit would be one quarter of its projected size.

If Arizona government is to stay afloat fiscally, it needs a firm spending limit, not higher taxes.

Contact Tom Jenney through www.aztaxpayers.org

In this issue:

1) Critical Week for CAP - We Need Your Help Today!
2) Donate Today!


1) Critical Week for CAP - We Need Your Help Today!

The week between Christmas and New Year is always a critical week for us - watching, praying, and waiting to see whether we will end the year adequately funded with the resources needed to meet the tasks ahead. We're thankful for a year full of God's guidance and faithfulness. We're eagerly awaiting a New Year filled with new challenges and opportunities as we seek to protect, defend, and preserve our families.

As of this morning, we still need $200,000 to meet our 2008 budget goal. We need your help to close this gap. Throughout CAP's history, a significant part of our annual budget is raised the final week of the year. Meeting this budget goal will enable us to effectively begin implementing our strategic plans for 2009. Otherwise, I will have to put some plans on hold.

I take our stewardship responsibility very seriously. Like you, we're all concerned about the economic challenges facing so very many families. Already in 2008, I've restructured our staff and programs to cut our budget significantly. I placed a freeze on staff salaries and new expenditures. The restructuring effort will continue in 2009 as I will not add new team members to fill the positions left open by the resignations of Peter Gentala and Jennifer Clark. You have my commitment that I will lead CAP with a continued, strong commitment to serve Arizona families through wise stewardship of the resources we're given. But we cannot fulfill our mission without financial resources.

On January 12, a new legislative session begins with solid pro-life majorities in the Arizona House and Arizona Senate. By the end of January, Secretary of State Jan Brewer will become our new governor with the anticipated resignation of Governor Napolitano. A new governor and new legislature mean significant new opportunities for Arizona families to pass good legislation. CAP is ready, willing, and able to lead the charge!

But we cannot lead without your prayers and, yes, your financial support. Join us in prayer that God will provide us the needed $200,000 to enter 2009 having met our budget goal. If you have already given - thank you!


2) Donate Today!

If you haven't yet had a chance to make a year-end donation or if you can make another donation, there's still time to make a donation that can count as a 2008 tax-deductible gift:

Make a gift online using our secure online form at www.azpolicy.org by 11:00 PM, Wednesday, December 31.
Call our office at (602) 424-2525 by 5:00 PM Wednesday to give a gift over the phone. Or call us to find out how to drop off a gift or have us pick up a gift.
Mail a gift to CAP, 7227 N. 16th Street, Suite 250, Phoenix, AZ 85020. To count as a tax-deductible gift for 2008, it must be postmarked by December 31.

1- Marriage Amendment Passes. The people spoke! Arizonans amended our state constitution with 20 simple words: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." Arizonans from all ethnic, political, and religious backgrounds united to stand for marriage. Equally significant, 49 members of the Arizona House and Senate voted to let the people decide by placing the marriage amendment on the ballot in the most intense legislative battle in CAP's history.

2 - Pastors and Church Leaders Take the Lead. Church leaders from a broad, diverse group of religious persuasions spoke out strongly on behalf of the marriage amendment.

3 - Truth Project Spread Across Arizona. The year began with over 1,000 attending Truth Project training sponsored by Focus on the Family and CAP. By summer, Focus designated CAP the state Truth Project Trainer, enabling us to lead training sessions for churches and communities.

4 - "Choose Life" License Plates Win Court Battle. After a six year legal battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, pro-lifers won, and the "Choose Life" license plate will soon be available in our state.

5 - Commitment to Prayer Expanded. CAP organized a series of four prayer assemblies at the Capitol - highlighted by a November 2nd solemn assembly, jointly sponsored by several allied organizations, with over 1,000 participants in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. CAP weekly prayer bulletins reached hundreds weekly. CAP intercessors met at the Capitol and at CAP throughout the year to undergird our mission in prayer.

6 - CAP-Supported Legislation Signed into Law. Two CAP-supported bills were signed into law: Jesse's Law and Internet Age Misrepresentation. Jesse's Law helps protect patients from having food and fluid removed when they are unable to communicate their wishes. The Internet Age Misrepresentation law protects our youth from online predators.

7 - CAP-Supported Legislation Vetoed by Governor. Governor Napolitano etched her legacy as one of the most radical, pro-abortion governors our country has ever seen. Napolitano vetoed three more abortion-related bills (Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, Guidelines for Court Orders in Minor's Abortion, and Revised Partial-Birth Abortion Ban), continuing to prevent even the most broadly supported restrictions on abortion.

8 - Election Impact. For the primary and general elections, CAP distributed over 100,000 nonpartisan voter's guides and well over 100,000 related fliers. Our new and improved interactive voter's guide website (VoteSmartAZ.org) had over 50,000 visitors! Informed voters increased the pro-life, pro-family majority in both the Arizona House and Senate.

Financial Update

Year-end also means we're praying, watching, and waiting to see whether or not CAP will be adequately funded as we head into 2009! To make a donation, call our office at (602) 424-2525 or donate online at www.azpolicy.org.

So much for the left claiming that Hispanics are against enforcement of our illegal immigration laws. 52% of Border Patrol agents now are Hispanic. This also disproves the accusation that those who want our laws against illegal immigration enforced are racist.

The IC mascot

There's a fair article at KNXV covering the scandal. Josh Bernstein reports that former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, who endorsed Thomas's Democrat opponent for County Attorney last year, is being paid $250/hr to take over and manage County civil litigation instead of Thomas. This scandal has gotten national attention, too, from Judicial Watch in its Corruption Chronicles.

Sonoran Alliance and Politico Mafioso both have angles on the controversy.

Sonoran Alliance and Politico Mafioso both have angles on the controversy.

The East Valley Tribune and Liberty's Apothecary are covering the story of the Board of Supervisors removing County Attorney Thomas from representing the County in civil litigation, and putting his predecessor Rick Romley in charge instead. The power grab was coincidentally done immediately after Thomas and Sheriff Arpaio indicted County Supervisor Don Stapley.

Tom Patterson, chairman of the Goldwater Institute, had a great article in the East Valley Tribune on Governor Napolitano's real legacy yesterday. Some excerpts:

Most of the precedents [Napolitano] established need to be reversed as soon as possible...Napolitano’s reaction to both lean and fat budget years (she experienced both) was basically the same: spend, spend and spend some more. The result, when the explosive growth in baseline budgets met today’s inevitable decline in revenues, is Arizona’s huge budget deficit which is highest in the nation (per capita)...Napolitano also earned the dubious distinction of being the first Arizona governor to introduce debt to balance general fund budgets.

The low point was in 2005, when the governor, after the Legislature adjourned, vetoed items she had agreed to accept in earlier negotiations.

Napolitano was so hugely popular with the major media that she was largely excused for such antics as intimidating (through an aide) a state commission into illegally changing “Squaw Peak” to “Piestewa Peak.”

She was allowed to hijack money meant for other projects to fund her pet project, the Western States Climate Initiative. She got by with claiming credit for the positive effects of tax cuts she had fought against.

Read the full article

By Nick Dranias

Nancy Pelosi and other U.S. House leaders recently filed an amicus brief urging the dismissal of criminal corruption charges against Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi. They argue that the FBI unconstitutionally invaded the legislative branch and violated the separation of powers by wiretapping conversations between Renzi and his constituents regarding potential legislation. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a public interest group, counters that Renzi was trading legislative favors for financial rewards, which is fair game for investigation by executive branch agencies.

The truth is that both sides have equally plausible arguments based on the U.S. Constitution's "Speech and Debate" clause and separation of powers doctrine-if the dispute is framed only as a turf battle between departments of the federal government.

To genuinely resolve constitutional questions over the Renzi investigation it will require recourse to first principles. Unfortunately, neither side adequately explains how their argument advances the primary purpose of our Republic-that of securing individual liberty. But it is not too late for the Justice Department to do so.

The Founders did not divide government into distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches merely to dig moats around bureaucratic fiefdoms. They meant to secure liberty by diffusing power and counterbalancing opposing political ambitions. In hard cases such as this, attempting to assess the proper scope of legislative autonomy from executive branch investigations without explicitly considering the goal of preserving individual liberty drops the context of the Constitution. Interpreting constitutional provisions out of context is not much better than ignoring them altogether.

Fortunately, at last report, the Justice Department had not yet responded to the dueling amici briefs. The Department still has time to ground the Renzi corruption investigation in principles of individual liberty.

Nick Dranias holds the Goldwater Institute Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan chair for constitutional government and is the director of the Institute's Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Center for Constitutional Government.

The Daily Grind is by far the best coffee shop in downtown Phoenix. Located at the bottom of the Dodge-Phelps tower on Washington & Central, they're one of the only independent coffee shops left, although it doesn't feel too alternative because it's very stylish and mod inside. They have more coffee variations than any coffee shop I've ever been to - try asking for their banana bread lattes or banana/white chocolate mocha creation. The guy running the place has been in the coffee business for years and can make practically anything you ask for, the menu doesn't come close to listing everything. The prices look slightly less than Starbucks. I encourage everyone to stop by and support this independent coffee shop.