In a day where the news in Peoria centers around a monster truck ralley and the news in Glendale focuses on the t-shirt vending machine at Arrowhead Mall, we look towards the state as a whole to provide us with something of substance. Voila! It looks as though we may have a state budget that the GOP can agree with.
After months of fighting, back-biting, lawsuits and general childish-ness, republican legislative leaders are trying to hurry through a plan by Wednesday that would resolve the state's $3.4 billion budget deficit.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is hoping to meet later today to consider 12 budget-related bills, although no language describing the bills has been released yet.
Democrats are protesting the hurry-up approach, saying it leaves no time to review what's in the bills, much less any time for the public to get involved.
I would hope that this all comes to a neat and tidy end, although I'm not holding my breath. Arizona, as I have said before, is in a crisis. No surprise there. We need to be calm and rational but we also need to be firm and aggressive in our resolution. I welcome the opportunity to see a budget that has been approved by both sides of this awful mess.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Glendale Taking a Gamble?
The Tohono O'odham Nation wants to build a 600-room resort and casino near 95th Avenue and Northern in Glendale. Great! Finally Glendale, a way to attract people to come out to your side of town and spend some money.
As one commenter on AZ Central said, "I am totally down with gambling on the RES then heading over to Westgate for a few cold ones at the Shout House or Hells Half Acre.....see this deal is going to be great for Glendale." I agree! Good for you.
Oh crap. Wait a minute. Glendale doesn't want a resort and casino in their neighborhood? Well I'm sorry, Glendale but you know what? After you screwed up the deal with the Coyotes and since you've been in near financial ruin lately, I don't think you get the luxury of picking and choosing how you earn money anymore. I would think by this point you would do anything you possibly could to bring folks out to you.
The problem comes from 46 out of 146 acres that the tribe purchased in a county island near 95th and Northern avenues, bordering the city's sports and entertainment district. Glendale claims the swath through the middle of the site was incorrectly labeled as unincorporated and actually is part of the city.
Glendale spokesman Gary Husk said, "fundamental problems will arise when a tribe creates a reservation in the middle of an urban area."
Tribal representatives called the city's action "a desperate attempt" to delay the project. They note that for eight years, the city treated the land as unincorporated, including not collecting property tax there.
A court decision on the matter of if the land in question is or is not unincorporated should come sometime this summer.
As one commenter on AZ Central said, "I am totally down with gambling on the RES then heading over to Westgate for a few cold ones at the Shout House or Hells Half Acre.....see this deal is going to be great for Glendale." I agree! Good for you.
Oh crap. Wait a minute. Glendale doesn't want a resort and casino in their neighborhood? Well I'm sorry, Glendale but you know what? After you screwed up the deal with the Coyotes and since you've been in near financial ruin lately, I don't think you get the luxury of picking and choosing how you earn money anymore. I would think by this point you would do anything you possibly could to bring folks out to you.
The problem comes from 46 out of 146 acres that the tribe purchased in a county island near 95th and Northern avenues, bordering the city's sports and entertainment district. Glendale claims the swath through the middle of the site was incorrectly labeled as unincorporated and actually is part of the city.
Glendale spokesman Gary Husk said, "fundamental problems will arise when a tribe creates a reservation in the middle of an urban area."
Tribal representatives called the city's action "a desperate attempt" to delay the project. They note that for eight years, the city treated the land as unincorporated, including not collecting property tax there.
A court decision on the matter of if the land in question is or is not unincorporated should come sometime this summer.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Unexpected Month Off
Well, either it's been a slow news month, or I've been on vacation.
Actually, both are true. I have been away, and what do you know? Not much has changed in my absence. Pitty.
The Coyotes are still in limbo and the great state of Arizona still can't agree on a budget, just to name a couple of big ones I've been waiting on. Sigh.
But, hey, I'm back so at least there will be more to read about nothing out there, right? Think of it as the "Seinfeld" of news blogs.
Hopefully tomorrow there will be more out there than just "It's hot outside" and "Buckeye is having a car-seat class".
Actually, both are true. I have been away, and what do you know? Not much has changed in my absence. Pitty.
The Coyotes are still in limbo and the great state of Arizona still can't agree on a budget, just to name a couple of big ones I've been waiting on. Sigh.
But, hey, I'm back so at least there will be more to read about nothing out there, right? Think of it as the "Seinfeld" of news blogs.
Hopefully tomorrow there will be more out there than just "It's hot outside" and "Buckeye is having a car-seat class".
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Gov. Brewer Sues The Legislature
When I read this story in the paper this morning, the headline made me groan. My first impression was that of angry school children arguing over a ball on the playground. But after I read the whole article, my position is, "Shame on you Legislature!" You are making people, your voters by the way, lose what little amount of faith they have left in government.
It is unfortunate that filing a lawsuit is what the Governor was forced to do, but I understand. The state budget has been an issue for a while now. The legislature has a budget plan that they are supposed to hand over to the Governor for approval. What they are doing now is withholding that plan until the last minute possible because they don't want the Governor to have time to disapprove of anything, make veto's or act in the interest of the state. It is unconstitutional and it's wrong. Come on, GOP! You all are even in the same party! Not only will this rip you apart, it will destroy Arizona!
Money is a hard issue, everyone has a different opinion of what needs to be done. However, the last plan set in place by Janet Napolitano has obviously not worked for us and has left us with an incredible financial burden. It is time to try something radically different and new if we are going to come out on the other end of this alive. I would urge the legislature to stop behaving like a mad, petulant child and take their budget plan to the Governor proudly! If you are so pleased with your plan, what would you have to fear? Is there something in there you don't want anyone else to see? Work together! Come to an agreed upon solution and put your petty differences aside before it's too late and Arizona dumps government all together and starts it's own version of Lord of the Flies!
It is unfortunate that filing a lawsuit is what the Governor was forced to do, but I understand. The state budget has been an issue for a while now. The legislature has a budget plan that they are supposed to hand over to the Governor for approval. What they are doing now is withholding that plan until the last minute possible because they don't want the Governor to have time to disapprove of anything, make veto's or act in the interest of the state. It is unconstitutional and it's wrong. Come on, GOP! You all are even in the same party! Not only will this rip you apart, it will destroy Arizona!
Money is a hard issue, everyone has a different opinion of what needs to be done. However, the last plan set in place by Janet Napolitano has obviously not worked for us and has left us with an incredible financial burden. It is time to try something radically different and new if we are going to come out on the other end of this alive. I would urge the legislature to stop behaving like a mad, petulant child and take their budget plan to the Governor proudly! If you are so pleased with your plan, what would you have to fear? Is there something in there you don't want anyone else to see? Work together! Come to an agreed upon solution and put your petty differences aside before it's too late and Arizona dumps government all together and starts it's own version of Lord of the Flies!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Glendale In Court For The Coyotes Today
I've been waiting anxiously all week for this day to come. Today, the City of Glendale will have it's voice heard in court regarding the Arizona Coyotes.
Current owner, Jerry Moyes has filed bankruptcy over the team and is attempting to sell it to Blackberry mogul, Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million who would move the team to Canada. The City of Glendale, with the support of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, argue that this cannot and should not be allowed in the interest of the sport, and of Glendale who has supported the team with millions of tax-payer dollars.
We wish Glendale the best of luck in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. To lose them would be a severe economic blow to the city and would give the impression to other sports teams who may be under financial stress that bankruptcy is an "easy out" of their current contracts. We will be watching with baited breath and keeping our fingers crossed.
Current owner, Jerry Moyes has filed bankruptcy over the team and is attempting to sell it to Blackberry mogul, Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million who would move the team to Canada. The City of Glendale, with the support of Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, argue that this cannot and should not be allowed in the interest of the sport, and of Glendale who has supported the team with millions of tax-payer dollars.
We wish Glendale the best of luck in keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. To lose them would be a severe economic blow to the city and would give the impression to other sports teams who may be under financial stress that bankruptcy is an "easy out" of their current contracts. We will be watching with baited breath and keeping our fingers crossed.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Governor Jan Brewer's Budget
Ah, the budget crisis. It seems like this is all anyone is talking about lately. Correction, this is all anyone is arguing about lately. It would be a shame if I weren't in on all of the commentary, so here we go.
I officially support Governor Brewer's budget proposal. Arizona is in trouble. Arizona is my home and part of my family, if my family member were in trouble, I would do all that I could to help it, and that absolutely includes me digging around in my couch cushions for an extra $1.20 a day or so for three years. That figure comes from a quote within the linked article where democratic lawmakers have estimated that a 1-cent-per-dollar increase in the state sales tax would cost the average Arizona family $438 a year.
No one likes to hear about the idea of taxes being raised, not even republicans or democrats, believe it or not. However, the truth of the matter is that we as Arizonans are facing a $4 billion deficit. That number affects us all just by living here. I for one do not want to see Arizona become a broke, fiscally ruined state like our neighbors in California.
Parts of Governor Jan Brewer's plan include:
- Nearly $1 billion in spending reductions, including about $360 million in cuts from this year that will be continued in 2010
- Using more than $800 million in federal assistance
- About $750 million in borrowing including selling future revenues from the state Lottery
- Conduct sale-leaseback deals on prisons and other state properties
- Push a payment for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System into the next fiscal year.
- The final element of the plan is a temporary, 1-percentage-point increase in the state sales tax. The increase is expected to generate about $1 billion a year and would expire after 36 months.
We can certainly all put aside our differences and do what is in the best interest of our beloved state, can't we? I am sure that many out there have their different opinions on where money should be spent, not spent, taxed, not taxed, etc. but, bottom line is, we are not in the same position that we have entrusted our lawmakers with. We have elected people to represent us, guide us and make the tough decisions. I don't envy the Governor and her staff their task, but I do support them.
For more articles on Governor Jan Brewer's budget plan, please take a look at:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/06/02/20090602politics-phoenix0603.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/06/01/daily44.html
I officially support Governor Brewer's budget proposal. Arizona is in trouble. Arizona is my home and part of my family, if my family member were in trouble, I would do all that I could to help it, and that absolutely includes me digging around in my couch cushions for an extra $1.20 a day or so for three years. That figure comes from a quote within the linked article where democratic lawmakers have estimated that a 1-cent-per-dollar increase in the state sales tax would cost the average Arizona family $438 a year.
No one likes to hear about the idea of taxes being raised, not even republicans or democrats, believe it or not. However, the truth of the matter is that we as Arizonans are facing a $4 billion deficit. That number affects us all just by living here. I for one do not want to see Arizona become a broke, fiscally ruined state like our neighbors in California.
Parts of Governor Jan Brewer's plan include:
- Nearly $1 billion in spending reductions, including about $360 million in cuts from this year that will be continued in 2010
- Using more than $800 million in federal assistance
- About $750 million in borrowing including selling future revenues from the state Lottery
- Conduct sale-leaseback deals on prisons and other state properties
- Push a payment for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System into the next fiscal year.
- The final element of the plan is a temporary, 1-percentage-point increase in the state sales tax. The increase is expected to generate about $1 billion a year and would expire after 36 months.
We can certainly all put aside our differences and do what is in the best interest of our beloved state, can't we? I am sure that many out there have their different opinions on where money should be spent, not spent, taxed, not taxed, etc. but, bottom line is, we are not in the same position that we have entrusted our lawmakers with. We have elected people to represent us, guide us and make the tough decisions. I don't envy the Governor and her staff their task, but I do support them.
For more articles on Governor Jan Brewer's budget plan, please take a look at:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2009/06/02/20090602politics-phoenix0603.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/06/01/daily44.html
Friday, May 29, 2009
City of Glendale gets a crack at the Coyotes
More news about the bankruptcy hearing involving Jerry Moyes, the Coyotes and the City of Glendale. It looks like Glendale will get the chance to have it's voice heard. On June 9, representatives from Glendale will be able to argue in court their reasons for why the Coyotes should remain in town. Current owner Jerry Moyes is still pushing for bankruptcy as a way to break his current leasing contract with the City to avoid paying $700 million in penalty fees.
The City of Glendale has not been included in the creditors' committee, a collection of five entities due money from the Coyotes, limiting the city's influence on team bankruptcy issues. While some may say that this hinders Glendale in really being taken seriously by the court, City spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said the setbacks are part of the proceedings and overall, she is pleased with the outcome and the court's decision to listen, if even briefly to Glendale's position.
Here's hoping that Glendale can pull off a miracle and save our team!
The City of Glendale has not been included in the creditors' committee, a collection of five entities due money from the Coyotes, limiting the city's influence on team bankruptcy issues. While some may say that this hinders Glendale in really being taken seriously by the court, City spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said the setbacks are part of the proceedings and overall, she is pleased with the outcome and the court's decision to listen, if even briefly to Glendale's position.
Here's hoping that Glendale can pull off a miracle and save our team!
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