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Obama Nominates Sotomayor for Supreme Court
In his first nominee for the Supreme Court, President Obama has positioned the first-ever Latina to be appointed to the highest court in the country.
The Associated Press reports on the historic nomination of Sonia Sotomayor:
Arizona Struggles to Attract Investment
As one of the worst funders of education in the country, Arizona is faltering in its efforts to attract economic investment that could stimulate our economy.
While the rest of the country moves toward a 21st Century economy driven by green jobs, Arizona continues to neglect our incredible untapped solar energy resources due to an unprepared workforce.
Education is at the center of this problem, as our poorly-funded education system is not preparing students to vie for these jobs in a global economy where competition is fierce.
Massive cuts have kept our state at the bottom of the national pack in funding for education, and now we're paying the price.
The Arizona Republic reports on reactions to Arizona's public service crisis at a recent conference on economic development:
During the council's three events, officials have said they worried that cutting educational programs - especially at the college level - would hurt the state's ability to attract businesses, particularly high-paying ones that want highly educated employees.
"You never cut your way to prosperity," said Candace Wiest, president and chief executive officer of West Valley National Bank, at the Monday town hall.
"What's important is that you not do such massive cutting that you destroy the ability of the economy to recover," said George Cunningham, a consultant and former budget adviser to then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, "and take advantage of previous investments we made in education and the universities."
Home Care for Seniors Unregulated in Arizona
You don't have know CPR or have a clean criminal record to look after aging seniors in Arizona.
As one of the nation's premier retirement destinations Arizona has a large aging population, but our state does little to monitor the businesses that look after one of our state's most vulnerable populations.
The consequences are serious for families who trust these companies to look after their parents and grandparents during a sensitive stage in life.
The Arizona Republic reports on the consequences of an unregulated health care system:
"Anyone in the state can hang up their sign and get business cards and say, 'I have a home-care agency,' and the consumer doesn't know who is going to be going into the house or what background they have," said Gail Silverstein, president of Care Corner Personal Services, who is pushing for licensing laws.
"These are people who are going into the homes of vulnerable adults. There's a lot to be concerned about," she said.
About 1,700 complaints of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation were logged in 2008 by the Arizona Adult Protective Services office involving paid caregivers.
Prisons for Sale in New Budget
The new budget proposal from Legislative Republicans includes millions in cuts and a raid of money set aside for cities and counties. It also proposes to sell three prisons to private companies in order to generate revenue.
The proposal doesn't just target education and state services, but also looks to decimate local public service by denying revenue for cities and counties.
Some Legislators apparently didn't get the message sent by months of protests, calls, letters, and negative attention to their reckless attitude toward public service in the last budget.
Now it's up to the Governor to show leadership and direct the Legislature to pass a budget that avoids the mistakes of the past.
The Arizona Republic provides more details on the plan:
Still being shopped to rank-and-file legislators Tuesday, the plan would close the state's massive deficit by cutting $661 million from agency spending, raiding nearly $400 million from special state funds and using a fiscal maneuver to push more than $150 million in agency payments into the next fiscal year.
A significant portion of the program cuts, namely the $220 million to be pared from K-12 funding, would be backfilled with roughly $1.3 billion in federal stimulus funds.
The state would generate additional revenue by privatizing three prisons ($100 million), withholding vehicle-license fees from cities and counties ($190 million) and hiring additional collectors and auditors to collect money owed to the state ($40 million).
Signs of Hope for Valley Teachers
A handful of schools in the Valley are actually hiring teachers amidst massive layoffs and budget cuts in education elsewhere, indicating the possibility of creative solutions to the state budget crisis.
Schools like these are resorting to hiring freezes and other innovative approaches to budgeting to maintain the staffing students need to receive a quality education.
The approach shows that if community members, service providers, and decision-makers are committed to working together, services can be maintained during the budget crisis.
The Arizona Republic reports:
Chandler Unified School District did not have to lay off teachers because it is still growing. It anticipates approximately 1,250 new students to the district and expects to hire around 75 new teachers.
Tolleson Union High School District officials are looking at furloughing district administration and cutting the school year by three days, to "equalize the pain," said Superintendent Kino Flores. No teachers were let go.
At least two other southwest Valley school districts also shielded teachers from pink slips. Buckeye Union High School District credits student growth for their decision to keep teachers, while Tolleson Elementary School District credits voter-approved overrides and conservative planning during growth years.
Legislature Moves to Qualify for Stimulus Funding
Reports today indicate that committees in the Senate and House are prepared move a bill to the floor that will qualify the state for stimulus funding for unemployment insurance and health care.
Gov. Brewer had previously resisted changing eligibility requirements in order to accept the funds. Now, it appears that the legislature is ready to make those changes in state law, allowing Arizonans easier access to Medicaid, and to keep unemployment benefits longer depending on need.
The Arizona Capitol Times reports that the move comes after an appeal from the Governor:
Last month, Gov. Jan Brewer appealed the CMS ruling with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that the law represented a change in timing rather than a tightening of eligibility requirements.
But Charles Johnson, the acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, sided with CMS, giving Arizona a deadline of June 30 to comply with the federal law.
Community members have been pushing for the state to accept the funds to maintain a lifeline of support for families affected by the economic crisis through an online action campaign, and by speaking out at legislative budget hearings.
The bills (HB2632/SB1322) have not been signed into law or voted on yet, so be sure to keep up the pressure on your legislator and the Governor by sending a message here:
Obama Cautious, Hopeful on Economic Turnaround
With economic indicators showing mixed signs of economic recovery, President Obama has underscored the need for a cautious approach as the country begins to turn the corner.
Many Americans are hopeful that the recession is almost over, though the President has empahsized that large structural changes must occur in the economy before we fully recover.
The Associated Press reports:
Obama said a complete recovery depends on two things: building a new foundation for the U.S. economy and making changes in the political landscape. And he was avoiding any significant policy announcements, endeavoring instead to paint a broad picture of what his administration has already done to right the situation.Obama said the rules governing the financial system must be brought into the Digital Age and that the economy must be transformed from one less dependent on a risk-obsessed financial sector and more on clean energy, good education and health care costs brought under control.
"We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand," he said, invoking a Biblical reference to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. "We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest, where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad."
Taking Action to Protect Children from Abuse and Neglect
Kids sent a strong message at the Capitol on Thursday: "Keep Kids Safe".
Members of the community joined them to deliver letters to the legislature and Governor explaining the consequences of more cuts to Child Protective Services, and calling for those services to be fully restored.
Last January's budget cuts devastated CPS; resulting first in layoffs, and then in unmanageable caseloads. Employee and media reports now indicate that some cases will go without a response, leaving our most vulnerable populations without any help at all.
"The work we do is important because these children are the future leaders of our state, and they should feel safe in their own homes" said Victor Lopez, CPS Case Aide.
Rep. David Lujan and Sen. Jorge Garcia joined us to receive the letters, and to speak out for protections for Arizona kids.
Below, Fernanda Duarte, age 9, and Victor address members of the media.
In this photo, the group approaches the Senate to deliver the letters.
Arizona Must Comply With Stimulus Rules to Receive Funds
The federal Health and Human Services department has notified Jan Brewer that Arizona must allow enrollees in AHCCCS programs to be re-certified annually, rather than every 6 months, as the state currently requires.
The stipulation means Arizona must change eligibility rules to receive as much as $1.6 billion in stimulus funds. Brewer had previously wanted to keep the old rules that allow the state to scrutinize eligibility for health care more frequently.
The Associated Press reports that the Governor may come around after all:
Brewer's office said Thursday the governor will "work with legislative leaders to discuss potential solutions," and spokesman Paul Senseman said Brewer is willing to have the recertification provision changed.
"She supports that, but she wants to work with legislative leaders to be certain there is legislative support and approval for it," Senseman said, adding that timing needs for state action need to be explored further.
Brewer had argued that the recertification requirement wasn't a federally prohibited change that restricts eligibility because it didn't deny benefits to anybody still eligible. She also noted that it was approved by the Legislature before a July 1, 2008, cutoff set retroactively by the stimulus law and that it shouldn't' matter that it didn't take effect until fall.
More and More Americans on Food Stamps
At the same time state services in Arizona are being slashed and the governor hems and haws about the stimulus package, 1 in 10 Americans are on food stamps.
With unemployment surging, an increasing number of Americans are turning to food stamps, and the public services that administer this vital program.
Although the stimulus package includes significant support for nutrition assistance programs, many public and community service providers are stretched to the max.
Reuters reports on the nationwide crisis:
Food stamp enrollment rose in 46 of the 50 states during January as the national total rose by 580,000 people, or 1.3 percent, from December, when the previous record was set, said Agriculture Department figures.
Vermont, Alaska and South Dakota had increases of more than 5 percent. Texas had the largest enrollment, 2.984 million, down 65,000, followed by California at 2.545 million, up 43,000, and New York with 2.211 million, up 37,000.