Wednesday, February 4th, 2009...11:00 am
Supremes to State: Hands off Local Money
It’s made all the papers now, but I was first informed of this in an unusual way: a change in Chuck Blanchard’s Facebook status.
Anyway, for those that don’t know, the State Supreme Court ruled that the requirement that local governments pay the state nearly $30 million dollars to make up for the budget shortfall was unconstitutional. (Ruling here)
There were two arguments being made by the League of Cities and Towns, which brought the lawsuit. That requiring a payment was not germane (nor any of Michael Jackson’s other brothers) in an appropriations bill and that such a demand would be a tax that has to pass by a two-thirds majority.
The court bought the first argument but not the second one. But that was enough for us here in Pima County to have $2 million returned. The City of Tucson refused to make their $2.1 million payment until there was an order from the court.
The one thing that made me unhappy about Janet Napolitano’s budgets was these sorts of gimmicks. She had to do it to get her budgets passed, I know. There is a political reality here: no one wants to tell people that the programs that they love have to be paid for somehow, and that means taxes. Unfortunately, ever since Fife Symington’s administration, we live with a politcs where not only can’t we raise taxes to pay for programs, but not cutting taxes is unthinkable. Its time for us as voters to grow up.
12 Comments
February 4th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I think that you have far exceeded your quota of Jackson family references for FY09 (and fy10, 11, 12 ad infinitum)
FYI, I just heard from a fairly reliable source that there is a move afot in LD30 to get a recall started on Gowan and Antinori because of their slashes to ed budget.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
They face an uphill battle. LD30 (I live in it) is heavily republican–18,000+ more R’s than D’s, if I’m not mistaken.
I haven’t heard about a recall yet. Then again, I am a long way from home right now.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Yes, it is uphill, they will need 25% of the total votes cast for that office, but there is strong support for education in that district.
I heard about the recall rumor from someone that has close ties to the education community out there as well as some ties to the legislature.
Another rumor from LD 30: word is that Vail Superintendent Baker (he of the ill-fated ‘Thanks, Tim Bee” ads) is a bit peeved with snubs from Gowan in particular. Not sure if Baker himself is involved with the recall, however.
If they do get the sigs to get the recall going, the Dems will need to find a different candidate or work with moderates to find more palatable repubs to counter Gowan and Antinori right wing leanings..
February 4th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I thought an elected official had to be in office for six months before a recall could be launched. Am I in error?
February 4th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
azw88, the name is Antenori.
February 4th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Me again.
Tucson Vice, let us know when you are back in town. We need you here in LD 30.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Georgia, the rule for legislators is 5 days after the start of the session. Other elected officials it is 6 months. The difference is the ‘part time’ status and 2 year term that legislators serve.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Thanks, azw88.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
The teacher’s unions and other organizations took their best shot at Antenori and Gowan in 2008. They spent almost a quarter of a million dollars when you add up all of the IE’s: the 2008 Victory Fund, the Firefighters Union, and the clean elections money that Dalessandro got; yet they still couldn’t beat them, it wasn’t even close. (Gowan: 54,986, Antenori: 54,262, Dalessandro: 48,966)
The Democratic Party resources wasted in the LD 30 race allowed Republicans to retain a seat in LD 25; a seat that with some extra effort and money could have easily gone to the Democrats.
Then of course the Democrats lost two seats. One of which was a previously a solid Democratic seat in LD 23. What is even more notable was the other democratic candidate for the 2nd seat came in 4th place. Keeping the remaining Democrat seat in LD 23, (Pinal County) which is increasing its Republican voter population, will be difficult in 2010. Democrats also lost the County Sherriff and Supervisor’s race in Pinal County for the first time in decades.
Four Democrats won their legislative races by less than 1000 votes. Think of that for a second. A little more than 4000 votes separated the Republicans from getting 39 seats in the house.
Antenori and Gowan will have a war chest built up and very little competition in a primary to expend resources next time around. Clean elections will be significantly hamstrung, the IE’s will not come out and play like they did in the Democratic hopeful year of 2008 (The firefighters are still licking their wounds and suffering the consequences).
There will be an incumbent Republican Governor running at the top of the ticket in 2010 and a revamped state GOP that has now established national ties and national donors to ensure she’s well financed to retain the Governor’s seat.
There will be no Democratic superstar like there was in 2008 to draw out the voters, there may even be some fall off if Obama’s administration doesn’t start showing results by then.
So, if there is someone out there that wants to dump a lot of money into a recall effort in LD 30 or even willing to try to overcome the 5300 vote margin loss Dalessandro suffered, the GOP is looking forward to it.
If efforts are once again focused on LD 30, all it will do is drain more important resources and effort from what could be another tough fight in 2010 for some already tight races.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Don’t sound so worried Duke. It has been a red state for a long time, but the People will come around. Eventually.
I agree that Antenori is solid. I think that we may see a bid to knock Gowan off in the primary.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Duke-outstanding analysis of the 2008 legislative races. There are other issues as well, like single shot campaigns don’t necessarily work. Or that we did not get our best candidates. Vic Williams winning? I don’t even know where to begin. 30 races, 30 IC’s, 30 top quality Candidates, and a unified message. Thats what we talking about.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Mariana,
Will do.