Monday, March 16th, 2009...10:49 am
Extreme Makeover: Legislative Edition
I have always loved stories about Henry Fountain Ashurst. Ashurst was one of the pair of senators elected when Arizona first became a state. By the 1930’s, he had risen to the be Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In that role, he became the point person on Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s so-called “court packing” plan. Ashurst put his heart into running the bill, getting it through the judiciary committee and arguing for it on the floor of the Senate. In the meantime, letters and telegrams from home started piling up opposing the plan. In the end, despite having such a huge role in creating the bill, he voted against it.
A colleague came to Ashust after the vote and remarked that he “saw the light.” Ashurst reportedly quipped, “No, but I felt the heat.”
Two events of the last few days made me think of that story. No word on if the people involved saw the light, or felt the heat.
I was happy to see last Thursday that the legislature decided to accept federal money that would enable the state to continue child care for 18,000 children. The fact that such a thing had to be battled for in the first place still leaves me wondering what sort of people we are electing to the legislature, but I’m glad to see that some of them have come around. One who didn’t come around, by the way, was Pamela Gorman, who went behind the back of Marszałek Senatu Bob Burns to round up votes against the proposal. What was particularly amusing about this is that she is the majority whip. Burns was less than amused that his own minority whip was working against the bill and even talking more than a little trash about him. I’ve been told that Gorman backed down after there were whispers that a new whip could be found.
Frank Antenori now likes Rio Nuevo. Hey, it was in the Arizona Daily Star, so it must be true. He also is now willing to admit that he is a Tucsonense. Word is that he succumbed to pressure from local business groups. No word on if this turn around is complete: last week he told the Arizona Guardian that he was going to war with the Star. Maybe this means that he is just going to war with Rob O’Dell.
Does this mean that Antenori gets a flower?
10 Comments
March 16th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
From the Thursday, March 12, 2009 Arizona Daily Star: “Flowers to state Rep. Frank Antenori, Sen. Jonathan Paton and Sen. Al Melvin, all Tucson Republicans, for standing up for Tucson and defending Rio Nuevo.”
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/283898
March 16th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Shoot…this is what I get for missing the Thursday paper.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:22 am
More stuff on changing their minds. The ASU MSW program in Tucson is going to stay. Someone figured out the Program pays for it self with Tuition Receipts. As we move through this session it has become very apparent that someone has appealed to these persons sense of community. Was it their conscience? Or was it a high end Republican donor.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:14 am
People who change their minds to a more reasonable position after reviewing the facts deserve respect and commendation. Whether they felt the “heat” or the “light” is unimportant. What matters is that they had the maturity and character to alter their views.
Rep. Antenori is to be especially congratulated because he has always been someone who has spoken very forcefully and passionately about his opinions. There is a lot to be admired about people who know what they believe and strongly espouse those beliefs, as Antenori has always done. However, he has now demonstrated that he has the capacity for reflection and reappraisal that is also so essential for leaders to possess.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Tedski,
I read that you filed to run for the House.
Jack
March 17th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Rex,
Changing your mind is one thing, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. Rushing to conclusions without giving proper consideration in the first place speaks to a deaper problem in this legislature.
It seems like we see the same haphazard, harried approach to legislation more and more often. Brewer’s super bowl budget comes to mind, among other things.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Sen. Harper can read? Who knew!!!
March 17th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Yes, Moron. Typos are my problem… ha ha
March 17th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Ah…. All the wit and civility that we’ve come to expect from our state legislator. Tell me Sen. Harper, when you’re not surveying the blogs(I use surveying and not trolls, because a Senator of your stature would never troll), have you created a solution for our most recent budget crisis? I hear promise of “brighter days,” yet see only dissention and despair from your most recent suggestions. Surely the answer to Arizona’s woes is not to force more people out of Arizona? That would violate the core ideals of opportunity and prosperity that Republicans are so often keen on discussing, and that were the bedrock of the creation of our great State.
I see that you are fine with taking Federal funds for education, yet unwilling to match or spend state funds. I find this sad that we must place yet another heavy burden for President Obama and his administration to correct. Perhaps less internet breaks and more research in this matter are in your future? I hope so, otherwise I think District 4 might find another 24k to cut out of Arizona’s budget…
March 17th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Poor LD4… my goodness.