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State News

Arizona State Democratic Conference Endorses the Democrats of the Red Rocks Resolution on the NSA Designation.

August 15^th, 2009

The Arizona State Democratic Meeting, attended by over three hundred state party representatives from all over Arizona, met in Flagstaff August 15^th.

The business meeting took place at NAU in the afternoon.  There were a number of resolutions considered, including health care reform and solar energy.  One of the resolutions introduced was sponsored by the Democrats of the Red Rocks (DORR).  It concerned the National Scenic Area Designation for the Sedona-Red Rocks Country.  It explained why the NSA Designation was crucial in protecting the unique beauty of the area by preventing land swaps and then stated:

"Therefore, be it resolved, that the Arizona State Democratic Party supports the National Scenic Area Designation for the Sedona-Red Rock Country and encourages our Congressional Representatives to introduce and support the bill".

It was passed unanimously.

 "We distributed a lot of written material, but we expected to have a lot more explaining to do" said DORR President Angela LeFevre. Instead there was an upwelling of support for the Resolution. It was a wonderful feeling to discover that our area is valued so highly by Democrats from all over Arizona. Several delegates pointed out that the area around Sedona should be a National Monument, and that the least they could do was to support the proposal. 

DORR is deeply gratified by the Arizona Democratic Party’s overwhelming and enthusiastic support for the proposal. Here is the text of the resolution:

=========================================================

Resolution

National Scenic Area Designation for the

Sedona-Red Rock Country

Whereas, The Sedona Red Rock Country in Northern Arizona is a World Class destination for Arizonans and millions of visitors annualy: and,

Whereas, The irreplaceable scenic beauty and the unique natural environment of our Red Rock Country must be preserved for future generations; and,

Whereas, Land trades by the Forest Service have permitted development deleterious to the scenic beauty of the Red Rock Country; and,

Whereas, The National Scenic Area designation for the Sedona-Red Rock Country prohibits land trades by the Forest Service within the 160,000 acres of the most spectacular Red Rock land within the Sedona area and does not effect private, State or municipal lands nor require any funding whatsoever.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Arizona State Democratuic Party support the National Scenic Area designation for the Sedona-Red Rock Country and encourages our Congressional representatives to introduce and support the bill.

 

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Memo from Maricopa County Democrats -- 2009-04-02

March 2009


Governor Brewer and the Republican Legislature appear to be intent upon placing the entire blame for the state's economic downturn and its resultant budget shortfall for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 upon now departed (for Washington, D.C. as Secretary of Homeland Security) Governor Napolitano.

 Breaking News for those who are fiscally and economically clueless: the state of Arizona's budget shortfall stems from a precipitous decline in state revenues -- mostly sales and income taxes.  State revenues declined due to several unforseen economic conditions both national and state.

 Economists and fiscal watchdogs did not accurately forecast the gravity and depth of the economic downturn for the nation or the state of Arizona.  Looking back three years, two years or even nine months ago when the original FY 2009 Budget for Arizona was enacted, no credible mainstream economist predicted that:  1) the housing and construction sectors would be at a virtual standstill; 2) the banking and financial sectors (Wall Street) would suffer a meltdown including Dow Jones averages below 7,000; and 3) consumer confidence and spending, which drives nearly 2/3 of our economy, would be at its lowest level in decades.

 Now it is almost universally acknowledged that Governor Napolitano is a very smart person with vision and foresight.  But even she did not have a crystal ball that forecasted a national economic decline of the magnitude that is second only to the "Great Depression."

 Suggesting that Governor Napolitano should have seen the economic downturn coming is like blaming the State Mine Inspector for failing to predict the advent of a volcano or an earthquake.  This phenomenon or event was not, and is not, predictable just like the nation's and the state's precipitous economic decline.

 There are those in the Republican leadership who claim that as Governor, Janet Napolitano became aware of the national and state economic downturn and its impact on state revenues and failed to do anything about it.  Furthermore, they allege that the drastic cuts in education, human services and universities reflected in their FY 2009 budget fix, are now necessary because she failed to act when these cuts could have been less damaging. 

Republican leaders need to be reminded that before Governor Napolitano left office, she provided to the Legislature and the people of Arizona a revised balanced budget for FY 2009 and a balanced budget for FY 2010.  She included fiscal bridges and responsible temporary remedies to carry the state through the current economic crisis and allow Arizona      to continue to move forward by protecting education, public safety, and human services.

 Sadly, the legislative leadership and Governor Brewer utilized only a portion of her suggested budget balancing remedies for FY 2009.  If they had used more, they could have avoided the drastic and financially unnecessary cuts enacted in their FY 2009 budget fix.

If there is any blame to be placed for the current budget chaos and the damaging effects of cuts to families, seniors, disabled, children, K-12 and university students, it rests squarely on the shoulders of Governor Brewer and the Republican Legislature.

As Democrats we need to stand up and defend Governor Janet Napolitano for her outstanding leadership.  As Arizona citizens concerned about our state's future we need to support our Democratic legislators who are fighting for good schools, safe neighborhoods and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Sincerely,

Ann Wallack
Chair, MCDP


Paid for by the Maricopa County Democratic Party, Ann Wallack, Chair
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
2914 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ  85012

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Past state_news

The following links are in
descending, chronological order.

Don Bivens Re-Elected 2009-03-25

2009-03-25

Message from State Chair Don Bivens 2009-03-15