Arizonans In Action blasts Governor Napolitano for her the meet and confer status she granted to state employees on her way out. Here is the information from their release:
Arizonans In Action Opposes Governor Order to Confer Special Status on Unions
"This order circumvents the legislature and is nothing more than a payback to special interest groups and unions in the waning days of the Napolitano administration."-Nathan Nascimento, Executive Director of Arizonans In Action.
Phoenix, AZ-Arizonans In Action (AIA) Executive Director Nathan Nascimento today condemned outgoing Governor Janet Napolitano for issuing an executive order granting public employees "meet and confer" status with government agencies.
Nascimento said that the order "circumvents the legislature" and was "nothing more than a payback to special interest groups and unions in the waning days of the Napolitano administration."
The order is designed to increase union activities by mandating agency supervisors to sit down with union representatives at least four times a year. "That is just the first step," said Nascimento. "The next will be to begin issuing greater demands upon the agencies, and begin rapidly organizing a brand new union infrastructure within the government to make good on those demands."
"If Governor Napolitano truly believed that this was an important issue to Arizonans, why did she wait until days before she is set to leave office and why did she slide it in under executive order. This is an end-run around the legislature, who would normally enact such workplace rules. Lawmakers ought to be outraged, as should the people of Arizona," he added.
The order expedites the process of union organization by allowing for a ballot election to organize if 30 percent of the workplace requests it.
AIA is calling upon incoming Governor Janice Brewer, who is set to replace Napolitano when she becomes the new Secretary of Homeland Security in late January, to repeal the executive order when she takes office.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Brewer Names Deputy Chiefs of Staff For Finance and Operations
This just in from the Brewer Transition Team:
“I am honored to have such qualified individuals join my team. Mr. Manos and Mr. McNeil have extensive backgrounds in the field of finance and operations that will serve Arizona well during these difficult economic times. I have every confidence that they will guide us in our efforts to restore efficiency and fiscal responsibility,” stated Brewer.
Manos has served as Maricopa County’s Chief Financial Officer for the last ten years, and has been with the County since 1984. During this time, he had responsibility for the County’s Real Estate, Procurement, Risk Management and Parks departments as well as the Maricopa County Stadium District. Mr. Manos also served as Executive Director of the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority which has provided financing for over 400 projects, including financings for affordable housing, hospitals and other non-profit borrowers.
Mr. Manos is former President of the Local Government Auditors Association and has been a board member of the YMCA. He is a native of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance.
Brian McNeil has served as Executive Director of the Arizona Corporation Commission since 1999. Prior to joining the Commission, he was the Deputy Director for Budget and Policy Development at the Arizona Department of Health Services.
McNeil has previously served as a gubernatorial policy advisor, as Director of Operations and Economic Advisor at the Arizona State Senate, as a Principal Forecast Planner for Saudi Arabian Parsons, Limited and as a Fiscal Analyst at the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
He is an Arizona native and holds a Master of Public Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics, both from Arizona State University. McNeil serves as the Executive Officer of the 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve. He has deployed twice to serve in Iraq.
Brewer Names Deputy Chiefs of Staff For Finance and Operations
Secretary of State announces more senior staff appointments
as she prepares for transition to Governor’s Office
PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer today announced two more Gubernatorial senior staff appointments, naming Tom Manos as Deputy Chief of Staff for Finance and Brian C. McNeil as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.Secretary of State announces more senior staff appointments
as she prepares for transition to Governor’s Office
“I am honored to have such qualified individuals join my team. Mr. Manos and Mr. McNeil have extensive backgrounds in the field of finance and operations that will serve Arizona well during these difficult economic times. I have every confidence that they will guide us in our efforts to restore efficiency and fiscal responsibility,” stated Brewer.
Manos has served as Maricopa County’s Chief Financial Officer for the last ten years, and has been with the County since 1984. During this time, he had responsibility for the County’s Real Estate, Procurement, Risk Management and Parks departments as well as the Maricopa County Stadium District. Mr. Manos also served as Executive Director of the Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority which has provided financing for over 400 projects, including financings for affordable housing, hospitals and other non-profit borrowers.
Mr. Manos is former President of the Local Government Auditors Association and has been a board member of the YMCA. He is a native of Arizona and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance.
Brian McNeil has served as Executive Director of the Arizona Corporation Commission since 1999. Prior to joining the Commission, he was the Deputy Director for Budget and Policy Development at the Arizona Department of Health Services.
McNeil has previously served as a gubernatorial policy advisor, as Director of Operations and Economic Advisor at the Arizona State Senate, as a Principal Forecast Planner for Saudi Arabian Parsons, Limited and as a Fiscal Analyst at the Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
He is an Arizona native and holds a Master of Public Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics, both from Arizona State University. McNeil serves as the Executive Officer of the 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve. He has deployed twice to serve in Iraq.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
More "Meet and Confer" Info
Espresso Pundit posted an open letter that the AFSCME sent to state employees. It's a good read and needless to say, a setback for Governor Napolitano's plans to have state employees' union reps at the the table during budget talks.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Upcoming Goodbye Party?
Mary Jo Pitzl had a story today giving a likely goodbye date for Gov. Janet Napolitano.
With Barack Obama being sworn in on the January 20th, the word is that his top officials will be sworn in very shortly thereafter (possibly that afternoon), with confirmation hearings happening in early January.
January 20th is just a month away and there is definitely a lot to do here in Arizona. The question of who the Legislators will be dealing with and when just got a little bit clearer.
With Barack Obama being sworn in on the January 20th, the word is that his top officials will be sworn in very shortly thereafter (possibly that afternoon), with confirmation hearings happening in early January.
January 20th is just a month away and there is definitely a lot to do here in Arizona. The question of who the Legislators will be dealing with and when just got a little bit clearer.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Can I get your autograph?
In her new found fame, I am sure Janet Napolitano is signing quite a few autographs for eager admirers. The one she signed yesterday is definitely attracting the most attention.
I received the following email today, and after seeing the news today that she signed the order, I'm sure the SEIU and other Democrat groups are as giddy after getting this prized autograph.
Incoming Republican leaders had called on Napolitano to not sign any executive orders prior to leaving but their calls were obviously not heeded.
As we previously noted, there are many who feel this particular order is payback to many who have been supportive of her this past year. Here is an email we received that gave even more details on the alleged payback:
2008 was a very active year when it came to Democrat and Union fundraising. While much of the attention was paid to Barack Obama raising over $750 million, Arizona interests were busy as well raising and spending millions.
Democratic donations were spread throughout multiple parties but there were certainly a few that stuck out among the crowd.
AZ Families United for Strong Communities is the local arm of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). In the 2008 cycle the SEIU Committee on Political Education (COPE) contributed $360,000 to the local chapter. This money was then distributed to the Arizona Democratic Party ($210,000), Protect Arizona’s Future PAC ($30,000), Arizonans for a Healthy Economy ($50,000), and other local Democrat candidates.
Protect Arizona’s Future and Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy were two PAC’s that Tim Hill, President of the Phoenix Fire Fighters Association, acted as Chairman for.
Protect Arizona’s Future reported 2008 contributions totaling $198,955 coming from both individual and corporate/PAC contributions.
Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy reported $550,475 in contributions from both individual and corporate/PAC contributions.
Arizona List PAC is a third PAC who contributed money to Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy. They collected $39,385 in contributions in 2008 and 98% of their contributions they gave out went to Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy. Most of their funds raised were from individuals with notable names like Governor Janet Napolitano included in the list.
Protect Arizona’s Future was also actively involved as the only donor to The People of Arizona PAC whose only expenses were focused on the defeat of Rep. Russell Pearce and Jack Harper, and for Sen. Tom O’Halleran. They received $72,500 from Protect Arizona’s Future and spent all but $960.
Some are questioning if Napolitano has traded the "meet and confer" order to the unions today in exchange for the support she received in her failed attempt to secure additional legislative support during the 2008 Elections.
The other question that is out there is how much money did the unions contribute to Napolitano's Competitive Edge PAC which gave money to other causes deemed appropriate by the Governor?
I received the following email today, and after seeing the news today that she signed the order, I'm sure the SEIU and other Democrat groups are as giddy after getting this prized autograph.
Incoming Republican leaders had called on Napolitano to not sign any executive orders prior to leaving but their calls were obviously not heeded.
As we previously noted, there are many who feel this particular order is payback to many who have been supportive of her this past year. Here is an email we received that gave even more details on the alleged payback:
2008 was a very active year when it came to Democrat and Union fundraising. While much of the attention was paid to Barack Obama raising over $750 million, Arizona interests were busy as well raising and spending millions.
Democratic donations were spread throughout multiple parties but there were certainly a few that stuck out among the crowd.
AZ Families United for Strong Communities is the local arm of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). In the 2008 cycle the SEIU Committee on Political Education (COPE) contributed $360,000 to the local chapter. This money was then distributed to the Arizona Democratic Party ($210,000), Protect Arizona’s Future PAC ($30,000), Arizonans for a Healthy Economy ($50,000), and other local Democrat candidates.
Protect Arizona’s Future and Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy were two PAC’s that Tim Hill, President of the Phoenix Fire Fighters Association, acted as Chairman for.
Protect Arizona’s Future reported 2008 contributions totaling $198,955 coming from both individual and corporate/PAC contributions.
Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy reported $550,475 in contributions from both individual and corporate/PAC contributions.
Arizona List PAC is a third PAC who contributed money to Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy. They collected $39,385 in contributions in 2008 and 98% of their contributions they gave out went to Arizonan’s for a Healthy Economy. Most of their funds raised were from individuals with notable names like Governor Janet Napolitano included in the list.
Protect Arizona’s Future was also actively involved as the only donor to The People of Arizona PAC whose only expenses were focused on the defeat of Rep. Russell Pearce and Jack Harper, and for Sen. Tom O’Halleran. They received $72,500 from Protect Arizona’s Future and spent all but $960.
Some are questioning if Napolitano has traded the "meet and confer" order to the unions today in exchange for the support she received in her failed attempt to secure additional legislative support during the 2008 Elections.
The other question that is out there is how much money did the unions contribute to Napolitano's Competitive Edge PAC which gave money to other causes deemed appropriate by the Governor?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Illinois politics in our backyard?
There are some waves being made at the capitol today and a people are jumping at the chance to weigh in. It was announced that soon to depart Governor Janet Napolitano is preparing to sign an executive order allowing over 25,000 state workers to select union representatives who would have a guaranteed place at the table when discussing all thing HR.
Considering that employees currently have that right, just not in a guaranteed manner, there are a few that are saying this is payback for the Unions heavy involvement in this years campaign cycle.
Le Templar from the Tribune chimed in with this piece about why Napolitano waited 6 years to start worrying about the communication lines between rank-and-file employees and management
AZ Republican Party Chair Randy Pullen sent out the following press release regarding the executive order.
Considering that employees currently have that right, just not in a guaranteed manner, there are a few that are saying this is payback for the Unions heavy involvement in this years campaign cycle.
Le Templar from the Tribune chimed in with this piece about why Napolitano waited 6 years to start worrying about the communication lines between rank-and-file employees and management
AZ Republican Party Chair Randy Pullen sent out the following press release regarding the executive order.
PULLEN: Payback for Unions Should Be Investigated
Phoenix, AZ—Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen today said the expected “meet and confer” executive order from outgoing Governor Janet Napolitano was a clear example of political payback for campaign contributions and should be investigated.
“While the Democrat governor of Illinois has been arrested for attempting to sell President-elect Obama’s seat in the United States Senate for a million dollars, we have a situation that reeks just as bad here in Arizona,” Pullen said.
“Just weeks before leaving office when she doesn’t have to govern with favors to unions on her back and doesn’t have to deal with the political fallout, Arizona’s Democrat governor is now saying ‘thank you’ to the unions for their campaign cash,” explained Pullen. “Arizona is a right-to-work state and the governor is changing a long standing policy because she knows it won’t matter to her political future in Arizona. The legislature has repeatedly refused to pass similar bills.
“I believe when all the checks are added up, we’ll find the amount that labor unions contributed to the Arizona Democrat Party, to Arizona Democrat candidates and to independent expenditure efforts for Democrats is well into the millions of dollars over the past six years,” said Pullen. “Organized labor contributions to Democrats in Arizona in just the 2008 election cycle alone exceeded a million dollars. Clearly the attorney general should investigate.
“If there was ever discussion of this before the elections between the governor’s office and the unions, then it is just as dirty as what is going on in Illinois and has no place in Arizona,” Pullen said.
Since the November 4th elections, the Obama-elect team has been repeatedly rocked by a growing cloud of scandal. Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel is tied in media reports to individuals at the heart of the Blagojevich matter over the sale of Mr. Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. This week, reports broke over a growing scandal involving President-elect Obama’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, who allegedly received campaign contributions and lavish convention parties in exchange for million-dollar state contracts.
# # #
_______________________________
CONTACT: Sean R. McCaffrey
Executive/Communications Director
Arizona Republican Party
3501 N 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Office: (602) 957-7770
Mobile: (602) 885-5815
Fax: (602) 224-0932
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/smccaffrey/
Friday, December 12, 2008
Democrat's strategy for Brewer
The Democrats appear to have a two pronged approach to the handling the ascension of Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer to the 9th floor.
First, attack members of Brewer's transition team for being lobbyists. Ironically, the current Democratic Party chairman is a lobbyist, as is former party chairman and Napolitano superfan David Waid.
Second, there is a concentrated effort to flood the BrewerTransition.org site with a standard set of talking points and Democrat friendly suggestions. Here is a copy of an email that was sent to our attention with an explanation that people have been sending this form letter to the transition team:
Comment: To fix the economy please follow the plan to be outlined by Governor Napolitano in her state of the state address.When the Republican legislature sends you a bill to allow guns in schools or bars for the 5th time (not an exaggeration), please follow Governor Napolitano's responsible lead of vetoing the bills.Please don't get rid of all day kindergarten.Please do pick Laura Knaperek to replace you as Secretary of State.
Email:
Name: (name removed)
Phone:
What we learn from this is apparently Napolitano is going to outline an economic fix in her State of the State address. Perhaps this is one of the reasons she is sticking around.
Secondly, they plead for the continuation of Napolitano's policies including gun control and all-day kindergarden.
Finally, they ask for Laura Knaperek as Brewer's replacement. The rumor is that this action is not out of benevolence, but rather becauce they believe Knaperek is beatable by a Democratic Secretary of State candidate.
First, attack members of Brewer's transition team for being lobbyists. Ironically, the current Democratic Party chairman is a lobbyist, as is former party chairman and Napolitano superfan David Waid.
Second, there is a concentrated effort to flood the BrewerTransition.org site with a standard set of talking points and Democrat friendly suggestions. Here is a copy of an email that was sent to our attention with an explanation that people have been sending this form letter to the transition team:
Comment: To fix the economy please follow the plan to be outlined by Governor Napolitano in her state of the state address.When the Republican legislature sends you a bill to allow guns in schools or bars for the 5th time (not an exaggeration), please follow Governor Napolitano's responsible lead of vetoing the bills.Please don't get rid of all day kindergarten.Please do pick Laura Knaperek to replace you as Secretary of State.
Email:
Name: (name removed)
Phone:
What we learn from this is apparently Napolitano is going to outline an economic fix in her State of the State address. Perhaps this is one of the reasons she is sticking around.
Secondly, they plead for the continuation of Napolitano's policies including gun control and all-day kindergarden.
Finally, they ask for Laura Knaperek as Brewer's replacement. The rumor is that this action is not out of benevolence, but rather becauce they believe Knaperek is beatable by a Democratic Secretary of State candidate.
Napolitano in 2012?
Governor Janet Napolitano is not ruling out running for office again one day. Its not clear if she was insinuating that she would come back to Arizona to run for something, or if she was talking about national politics.
The latest rumor is that she is keeping her Arizona residence and voter registration so she can mount a campaign against Senator Jon Kyl in 2012. If you recall, Napolitano pal and former Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pedersen tried unsuccessfully to unseat Kyl in 2006.
The question is, why would she then allow her public calendar to be so empty if she eventually wants to come back? As we mentioned before, she only had one event this week. However, Benson updated the story to mention that she had 5 events last year, and 13 events her first year in office over the same week.
The latest rumor is that she is keeping her Arizona residence and voter registration so she can mount a campaign against Senator Jon Kyl in 2012. If you recall, Napolitano pal and former Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pedersen tried unsuccessfully to unseat Kyl in 2006.
The question is, why would she then allow her public calendar to be so empty if she eventually wants to come back? As we mentioned before, she only had one event this week. However, Benson updated the story to mention that she had 5 events last year, and 13 events her first year in office over the same week.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Brewer Transition Office up and running
The Brewer transition team announced the office was open today. A quick call to 602-542-3438 confirmed that it is up and running. No report yet from anyone who has been up to the 3rd floor to see what is going on, but until this transition is complete, we'll be the "Eye on the 3rd and 9th Floor."
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