Governor Janet Napolitano
The clock is ticking and still no budget. Lawmakers and the governor have until midnight Monday, June 30th to pass and sign a budget into law (although a past governor has signed it early in the morning and back dated it to midnight). Oh,and lawmakers have more to cut from next years budget. Arizona's recession has caused even less revenue to come into the state, raising the shortfall from $1.8 billion to well over $2 billion. But enough depressing news.
Several national news organizations have mentioned Governor Napolitano as a potential vice presidential candidate or cabinet appointee (Attorney General, Homeland Security Director), even tough the Guv has said her focus is leading Arizona during this difficult time.
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Paul Atkinson - Here and Now Producer at
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Comments (20)
With food and gas prices skyrocketing, what are state workers to do? Because of the budget mess, we'll not be getting any cost of living increases, and it's hard to switch employers in a down economy.
With the advent of legalized gay marriage in nearby California, how will Arizona respond to this new demographic - gay Arizonans marrying in CA or married gay Californians moving to AZ?
Will Gov. Napolitano mandate AZ recognize same sex unions from other states like the gov. of New York recently did?
It is time to change the ways the State spends and collects money. Taxes and tax credits should be aimed to produce logical, positive, and consistant growth in our economy.
One policy change can be eliminating property tax on residential properties over time by converting it to a sales tax. The State and counties would receive 15 years of taxes "up front" while the homeowner is guaranteed that there would be no increase in his taxes. People on fixed incomes and long term residents would gain by having an equivalent of no taxes after 15 years. The State and counties would win a bonus from the fact that most people do not stay in one residence for more that 10 years. The fairness in this plan is that we will only pay taxes on the true value of the property.
Why is ACHCCCS so easy to obtain and general assistance for people in Arizona, and could this help the budget if the process of getting ACHCCS was monitored and investigated, more throughly with regard to people being eligible or not eligible.
Have you read "The Political Brain" by Drew Westen, "Words that Work" by Dr. Frank Luntz, "Don't Think of an Elephant!" by George Lakoff or any of his other books? And if so, do you think they have any valuable insights for the Democratic Party?
Why does the AZCSD refuse to acknowledge and address my petitions as according to the Federal Health and Human Services "Interstate Families and Children ACT"? Why does AZCSD refuse to acknowledge that the millions of payments per day subsidies the AZ government, not to mention the millions in federal aid to keep benefit the AZ government to keep families within the AZCSD system? I hold proof of all my communications with the Gov. and AZCSD
Stanley, what is "AZCSD?"
Lakoff's "Don't Think of an Elephant" is about the power of the practice of framing the debate on issue. (It's a skinny volume that is well worth the time to read) It's about how your choice of language controls the mental picture that voters develop around a political narrative. Conservatives have historically been better at this than progressives.
This why legislators promote clear-cutting in the name of "healthy forests" and power plants pollute the skies in the name of "clear skies".
How do you reframe the debate on the issues you care about?
Arizona's in good shape with gas supply with the Kinder Morgan line from the Gulf, but some people say a refinery would help Arizonans at the pump even more. Oil industry leaders have said the Governor supports a oil refinery...if so, why hasn't one been built, like the stagnant Yuma refinery project? If the Governor can't make it happen, who can?
Per last comments on RPS & the guy studying alternative energy, can the Governor please comment on the importance of the upcoming Arizona Corporation Commission? I've heard most of the candidates running are in FAVOR or REMOVING the mandates for clean and alternative energy. Listeners NEED to know how important this vote is as we do not hear enough about this.
I recently headed north on I-17 and noticed pipe being laid to the west at the turn off toward Crown King. what is happening to our beautiful desert out there?
I've noticed that the voters have routinely voted down pay raises for our state legislator. How do you think that effects the current state of our legislator and their ability to get things done?
Dear Ms. Napolitano,
Mr. McCain's representatives at least send me form letters concerning AZ DCSE, saying that every inquiry requires "litigation", O'Bama refused to reply, Ms. Clinton referred my case to Mr. McCain (or my senate representative) But you or your appointed and praised representatives (Ms. Hodges) refuse to assist my family. Is it because I am considered SMI (Seriously Mentally Ill - Value Options/Megellion) disable by Arizona and the U.S. Government? My employment history includes being an International Banking Officer for "SeaFirst Bank/Bank of America." So I am fully aware of state and federal banking regulations and the millions that can be earned by states due to over-night leading of excess funds provide by the Family Support Programs, which rewards Arizona for to keep (abuse) families by keeping then within in a program that is prejudice and is rewarded to keep them within the system for monetary reasons without any benefit to the families health (free health insurance), food, or housing wise.
By refusing to publish (which should be available to the public), AZ CSD income report including over-night feds funds investing, along with providing copies of state and federal government audits (such as federal insured bank are subjected too).
If AZ CSD is found in non-compliance with FDIC audit requirements and the Federal Child and Families ACT the state should be willing to for go any U.S. Federal funding until they AZ can prove the comply with the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and ACTs .
Again I hold proof of all communication with AZ and the Federal Government concerning these issues.
Governor,
Last Wednesday I filled my gas tank here in Phoenix for $4.13/g for regular. Then I drove down to Tucson for a meeting. While there I saw one gas station in south Tucson with regular gas at $3.63/g. Unfortunately I didn't get gas then because my tank was still too full. However later that day in North Tucson I did manage to put 1/4 of a tank in for $3.73.
I know that there are regional differences, but that much? What gives?
Deborah Salac
How would you respond to the statement that population growth in Arizona will not meet current projections certainly in the short run but I believe also in the next twenty or so years?
Have your experts talked about this possibility?
Phoenix and the state agreed to give British Airways 600-thousand-dollars for marketing the London flight...meanwhile our "hometown airline" is cutting jobs, and charging for drinks. Will there be similar monies available for US Airways flights? Or Southwest?
You ask what is AZCSD? Did you not endorse Ms. Hodges as director of AZ CSD (Arizona Child Support Services Department). What have you and your associates done with all of the faxes that I have proof that you have received?
Governor,
I'm reading right now that you've signed House Bill 2677, rejecting participation in the REAL ID act. I just want to commend and thank you.
While I believe you would be an excellent choice by Barack Obama for VP or Attorney General, please do not leave us at this time.
ARIZONA NEEDS YOU! DO NOT DESERT US AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME. YOU ARE OUR BEST HOPE TO CLEAN UP THE MESS FROM PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS.
I am 76 yrs old & have experienced the Mecham & Symington debacles. We at last have a governor we can be proud of. Our reputation is being restored. STAY, JANET!
I have been researching compressed natural gas autos. SW Gas has a few public pumping stations. In Maricopa there are some 9 public pumping station. And, as far as I can learn only one auto company (Honda) who has cng auto (Civic). What can state do to encourage growth of this industry (CNG stations and autos) for benefit of the general public?
Thank you
