Tomorrow, January 13 Senator John McComish will be speaking at a Pizza and Policy luncheon. The event is sponsored by Target Stores, and takes place at the Target located on Warner and Priest in Tempe. The discussion will highlight key legislative issues with a focus on Target’s priority issue: the collection of the sales tax for online shoppers. Target is one of the main proponents of this tax because it does away with the evasion of paying for sales, while at the same time taking away from financial support for local communities. The luncheon begins at noon.

Noting that bath salts can cause hallucinations and violent outbursts, Sen. Linda Gray, R-Phoenix, the author of SB 1043, said it’s important for the Legislature to act because use of the substances has increased dramatically since 2010.

Tomorrow, January 13 Senator John McComish will be speaking at a Pizza and Policy luncheon. The event is sponsored by Target Stores, and takes place at the Target located on Warner and Priest in Tempe. The discussion will highlight key legislative issues with a focus on Target’s priority issue: the collection of the sales tax for online shoppers. Target is one of the main proponents of this tax because it does away with the evasion of paying for sales, while at the same time taking away from financial support for local communities. The luncheon begins at noon.

“I am encouraged to hear that the Arizona Commerce Authority has restructured the contract for the CEO, so that the private sector picks up half of that person’s compensation package. Today’s action is what the legislature envisioned with a true public-private partnership. This greatly minimizes the taxpayer’s burden for the ACA’s administration costs.

I also want to wish Don Cardon well, as he steps down from his position as president and CEO of the Commerce Authority. He was a strong leader while handling the challenging transition from the Department of Commerce to the public-private Arizona Commerce Authority.”

“I am encouraged to hear that the Arizona Commerce Authority has restructured the contract for the CEO, so that the private sector picks up half of that person’s compensation package. Today’s action is what the legislature envisioned with a true public-private partnership. This greatly minimizes the taxpayer’s burden for the ACA’s administration costs.

Gov. Jan Brewer unveiled a decades-old saguaro cactus on Thursday in honor of Arizona’s 100 years of statehood.

At 70 to 100 years old and about 21 feet tall, the saguaro at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is part of a larger effort to beautify the Capitol Mall to prepare for the state’s official Feb. 14 centennial.

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce, R-Prescott, and other state and business representatives joined Brewer at the unveiling.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2012/01/05/20120105arizona-centennial-cactus-debuts.html#ixzz1ihRaTyjq

http://www.phoenixchamber.com/news/newsletter/azinfocus/2012/0105/pierce

Gov. Jan Brewer unveiled a decades-old saguaro cactus on Thursday in honor of Arizona’s 100 years of statehood.

Governor Jan Brewer and Senate President Steve Pierce to Speak

ARIZONA — (January 3, 2012) — In advance of Arizona’s upcoming centennial in February, a team of community leaders from both the public and private sectors will officially unveil the results of their united effort to beautify Arizona’s Capitol Mall and Wesley Bolin Plaza on Thursday. Governor Jan Brewer and Senate President Steve Pierce will speak at the press conference scheduled for Thursday, January 5, at 3:00 p.m.

For the rest of the article, go to: http://www.svherald.com/content/news/2012/01/03/242013

ARIZONA — (January 3, 2012) — In advance of Arizona’s upcoming centennial in February, a team of community leaders from both the public and private sectors will officially unveil the results of their united effort to beautify Arizona’s Capitol Mall and Wesley Bolin Plaza on Thursday. Governor Jan Brewer and Senate President Steve Pierce will speak at the press conference scheduled for Thursday, January 5, at 3:00 p.m.

Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 5:52 PM CST Shar Porier/Wick Communications

State Sen. Gail Griffin has formally requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office on the validity of an action by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors that created the contentious Sunsites Community Park Maintenance District.In a letter dated Dec. 22, Griffin raises the same questions that opponents of the district raised during a Nov. 15 meeting when the supervisors voted two-to-one to approve it.

For the complete story, go to http://www.bensonnews-sun.com/articles/2011/12/27/news/news03.txt

State Sen. Gail Griffin has formally requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office on the validity of an action by the Cochise County Board of Supervisors that created the contentious Sunsites Community Park Maintenance District.In a letter dated Dec. 22, Griffin raises the same questions that opponents of the district raised during a Nov. 15 meeting when the supervisors voted two-to-one to approve it.

Individuals should not have to surrender their Second Amendment rights just because they are on a college campus.

Pro-gun politicians are preparing another attempt to pass legislation that would allow students and professors to carry guns onto the campuses of Arizona’s public universities and community colleges.

Lawmakers who this year were rebuffed by Gov. Jan Brewer in their efforts to legalize guns on campuses are determined to get the bill passed in the new session. They have revised the wording of their failed bill, received the powerful political backing of the National Rifle Association, held pre-session meetings with university and law-enforcement officials, and plan to introduce the bill as soon as the session begins Jan. 9.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2011/12/20/20111220arizona-guns-campus-push.html#ixzz1i2Nludh3

Individuals should not have to surrender their Second Amendment rights just because they are on a college campus.

Majority Leader to author bill that will put money back into teachers’ paychecks.

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget. The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

The bill will return the contribution rate split to 50/50, and increase the paychecks of teachers and other state employees by $20-40. “Last session we made a commitment to Arizonans to deliver a balanced budget. The 53/47 split helped that happen, but many members agreed it was one of the toughest decisions they had to make. Conditions have changed, and I am comfortable now running a bill to repeal 53/47,” says Majority Leader Biggs.

“The truth is, the economic landscape is very different from March, when these budget negotiations were taking place. Because of our fiscal discipline and an improving economy, revenues are coming in at a much higher clip, and we can reverse this contribution rate change,” says President-elect Pierce.

“Republican leadership continues to put a high priority on strengthening education during these difficult times. We held K-12 reductions to about one percent last year. Today’s announcement is another way to honor the hard work of our district and charter school teachers,” says Pierce.

Senate President-elect Steve Pierce and Majority Leader Andy Biggs announced today a bill will be offered in the upcoming legislative session ending the recent 53% employee/47% employer contribution rate split. That split went into effect in July, as part of the FY 12 budget. The change plugged a $40 million hole in the budget and reduced employee paychecks.

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1336856351001

http://www.azpm.org/politics/story/2011/12/15/1830-new-senate-president-weighs-in-on-2012/