The Senate Majority Program provides a framework of goals and objectives within the Republican Caucus for the 50th Legislature. The Caucus recognizes the importance of freedom and individual liberty, the promotion of growth and strength in our economy, and responsible government. It is important to reflect on the priorities of government and ensure that they are consistent with the will of the electorate and meet the needs of the citizens of the State. As such, we intend to execute this plan to promote sound public policy through a diverse legislative package.

Balanced Budget: We will build on last year’s balanced budget by planning for the upcoming budget challenges.

• Effectively manage revenues and expenditures in FY 2013

• Achieve a balanced FY 2014 budget without re-instituting the 1% sales tax

• Refer a new constitutional spending limit to the ballot

• Identify permanent budget reductions and eliminate one-time solutions

• Identify and reform spending formulas that dictate fiscal planning

• Continue to increase Arizona’s credit rating by implementing permanent budget solutions

• Identify efficiencies needed in state agencies by elimination of redundancies

• Begin to reduce Arizona’s indebtedness

Reinvigorate Arizona’s Economy: Economies develop best, grow quickest, and benefit the greatest number of citizens when allowed to grow and develop in a free market. We will reinvigorate Arizona’s economy through tax reform, regulation reform, education reform, tort reform, healthcare reform, and on providing infrastructure and low cost energy supply. Tax policies will be policy neutral to not affect individual decision making, should apply broadly, should be simple to lower compliance costs and should be transparent to taxpayers. To attract businesses toArizonaand to support existing Arizona businesses, we will:

• Accelerate tax reforms in the 2011 Arizona Competitiveness legislation

• Increase the exemption on the business personal property tax, accelerate depreciation, and apply the exemption to each business location

• Pursue market-based sales factor for service industries

• Encourage the construction and infrastructure necessary for job growth

• Pursue tort reform policies

• Phase out Arizona Capital gains taxes

• Enhance economic growth by reducing unnecessary regulations that delay business expansion

• Continue to seek opportunities that make the public pension systems stronger, reducing unfunded liabilities

Education: Arizona will have a top performing school system. Removing barriers to our education system by promoting policies that put students first and encourage innovation is critical. Student-based funding should be considered and we should strengthen student choice and education alternatives.

• Facilitate the use of technology in education.

• Expand parental choice in education

• Improve financial accountability and data tracking in our school system

• Reduce mandates and regulatory requirements on our school system

• Simplify education funding formula

• Seek accountability in student and teacher performance

• Explore charter school conversion

• Pursue efficiencies in consolidation of infrastructure

• Increase accountability in higher education

• Examine governance and funding structures of post-secondary education institutions.

Health Care:

We must work within the confines of our budgetary constraints to manage the State’s Medicaid program. We must fight for greater flexibility, promote accountability and encourage transparency. Greater choice and competition in the health care market provide the best options for consumers. We must encourage policies that move toward greater access and affordability.

• Oppose all efforts for participation in Obama Care

• Lower health care costs by allowing cooperative purchasing and interstate purchasing of health insurance

• Expose fraud within AHCCCS to better utilize limited resources

• Implement means testing and drug testing for public health care benefits

Natural Resources, Water, Environment: Arizona is a state of vast natural resources that have not been fully realized. While it is important to maintain environmental stability, we must find an appropriate balance of stewardship and economic growth.

• Require the use of sound, proven science in environmental regulations

• Advocate federal reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act to reduce the threat of wildfire and maximize opportunities for sustainable development

• Maintain Arizona’s remarkable record of ensuring sustainable use of water resources and explore mechanisms for ensuring sustainable water supplies for communities currently dependent on groundwater

• Consider legislation to acquire federal lands whose mismanagement and neglect by federal agencies makes them a threat to neighboring communities

Transportation: Efficient transportation infrastructure is fundamental to a growing economy. We must do what we can to keep current projects on schedule, promote a competitive process for building our roadways and maximize interstate development.

• Ensure that Arizona is capable of building and maintaining its transportation system

Criminal Justice, Public Safety: Public safety remains a priority for the caucus. We must provide the necessary tools for our law enforcement to protect our citizens.

• Evaluate Child Protective Services and make necessary reforms.

• Review Arizona State Guard statutes.

• Protect and preserve 2nd Amendment rights for Arizona citizens

States’ Rights: States must protect their constitutional sovereignty from an overreaching federal government. Fidelity to our nation’s founding principles means that both the state and the federal government must be independent from each other so they can effectively hold each other in check to prevent the abuse of government power.

• Attempt to restore Federal lands to state management.

• Determine the extent that federal mandates affect the state.

Border Security: The federal government’s failures to respond, secure, and maintain our border with Mexico has placed Arizona in a position of vulnerability. This failure has cost Arizona taxpayers millions and compromises our safety.

Family, Social Policy: We will support policies that maintain the rights of families and promote the best interests of children.

• Protect the life of pre-born children.

Property Rights: We will protect homeowners and businesses from intrusive actions taken by the government that diminish the value of private land and property or jeopardize personal freedoms.

Born to a pioneer Arizona ranching family, Steve Pierce, a graduate of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has become a fixture in the cattle industry.

“Do you know why there is a rock wall around the UA?” asks Stephen Pierce. The question is directed to a stumped administrator on a recent visit by Pierce to the University of Arizona campus.

The Senate Majority Program provides a framework of goals and objectives within the Republican Caucus for the 50th Legislature. The Caucus recognizes the importance of freedom and individual liberty, the promotion of growth and strength in our economy, and responsible government. It is important to reflect on the priorities of government and ensure that they are consistent with the will of the electorate and meet the needs of the citizens of the State. As such, we intend to execute this plan to promote sound public policy through a diverse legislative package.

Senator John McComish appeared on Channel 3 to talk about his bill to ban many teens from using cell phones while they are driving.

Senator John McComish appeared on Channel 3 to talk about his bill to ban many teens from using cell phones while they are driving.

For the first time in years, there appears to be a reason for optimism at the state Capitol.

“I am cautiously optimistic heading into this legislative session because we are finally not bleeding red,” said state Sen. Don Shooter. “We are in the best shape in five years because we made the difficult choices to (rein) in spending. But you never know. People need to beware and guard their pocketbooks. The Legislature is in session.”

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/state-75955-session-school.html#ixzz1jjsg4CiB

For the first time in years, there appears to be a reason for optimism at the state Capitol.

Senator Al Melvin appeared on Arizona HORIZON Thursday night to talk about his proposal to recycle and store waste from nuclear facilities in Arizona.

Senator Al Melvin appeared on Arizona HORIZON Thursday night to talk about his proposal to recycle and store waste from nuclear facilities in Arizona.

Compounds used to make so-called bath salts, synthetic stimulants currently sold by some smoke shops and convenience stores, would be illegal under legislation endorsed Wednesday by a state Senate committee.

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.

“It’s very important that shops cannot legally sell these bath salts,” she said. “The effects of these are destructive.”

To read the rest go to: http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2012/01/12/senate-committee-endorses-ban-on-synthetic-stimulant-ingredients/

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