World-renowned violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman will perform on the floor of the Arizona State Senate Tuesday, February 14, as part of the Senate’s Statehood Day celebration. Mr. Perlman will perform the National Anthem with the Southwest Stringers, a group of orchestra students from Entz and Hale Elementary Schools in Mesa.

Senator Rick Murphy appeared on Fox 10 Wednesday night to discuss three union-related bills he is sponsoring.

Throughout the state of Arizona stand a variety of monuments honoring those who have offered the greatest sacrifice to the United States of America. Now, Anthem has its own monument, and State Senator Lori Klein is sponsoring a resolution to pay tribute to the service of the veterans of Anthem and the State of Arizona. Today the Committee on Veterans, Military and Government Affairs passed SCR 1010 unanimously.

(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX)—On Wednesday, February 1, Senator Rich Crandall, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, will host a campaign showcasing Arizona’s most innovative digital learning programs.

Recent articles about my proposed education fund and related spent nuclear fuel recycling program have produced some uninformed and negative reactionary responses. I urge everyone in the media, political arena and the voting public to educate themselves about this important subject.

The Arizona State Senate has a new Member. Monday Judy Burges was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch. Senator Burges comes from the Arizona House of Representatives, where she has been a Member since 2005. Senator Burges will represent the 4th District, which includes Sun City West, Surprise and parts of Peoria and Glendale

Today starting at 6:00 p.m. there will be an informal discussion about education being held by the Kyrene Governing Board President Michelle Hirsch. It will take place at the Kyrene Governing Board meeting room at 8700 South Kyrene Road in Tempe. The talk will be attended by State Senator John McComish, and State Representatives Bob Robson and Jeff Dial. School parents, college students, and local home owners will also be able to share their thoughts on education, as well as ask questions for state legislators.

Senator Don Shooter was the Newsmaker on Channel 12’s Sunday Square Off.

Those who are promoting the repeal of SB1070 are upholding and empowering cartels and gangs who are committing cross border criminal activity.

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.

Pierce, who has just taken the reins as president of the Arizona Senate, already knows the answer. From 1968 to 1972, he was a student at the UA where he learned, among other things, about how the wall was built to keep range cattle off of the campus.

As a member of a pioneer ranching family in Arizona, there is a good chance he would have known anyway.

To read more about Senate President Steve Pierce go to http://uanews.org/node/44285

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/