Train Pie - What's The Actual News???

Gotta wonder sometimes what the stories in the news are - any ACTUAL NEWS?... Jonathan Pie on a train and here in Mesa it was the One-Year Anniversary for Valley Metro Light Rail into downtown Mesa, observed with a Tweet from City Manager Chris Brady, with Mesa Mayor John Giles observing the momentous occasion by re-Tweeting the same thing . . . now that's Leadership, huh?

Published on Aug 28, 2016

Views: 4,804

Corbin v Branson: A rare insight into Jonathan Pie's off air persona.

RightWing ALEC Really Likes AZ Gov Doug Ducey

State of the States
An Analysis of the 2016 Governors’ Addresses

About the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform 
The ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform strives to educate those who share a commitment to our principles and shared goals and to educate our legislative members on how to achieve greater economic prosperity by outlining which policies work and which ones fail.
How does ALEC do this? By "briefings" if you ever wondered why you get the same "newspeak" from states all the country, or why the same legislative initiatives appear in all those same states - ALEC = the source.
This is done by personalized research, policy briefings in the states and by releasing nonpartisan policy publications for distribution such as

• Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index;
• The Unseen Costs of Tax Cronyism: Favoritism and Foregone Growth;
• Tax Myths Debunked;
• Keeping the Promise: State Solutions for Government Pension Reform
• The State Budget Reform Toolkit. 

 Managing Editors:  

• Theodore Lafferty  Legal Research Analyst, Center for State Fiscal Reform  American Legislative Exchange Council 
• Jonathan Williams  Vice President, Center for State Fiscal Reform  American Legislative Exchange Council    

Contributing Authors:  

• Joe Horvath Research Analyst, Center for State Fiscal Reform American Legislative Exchange Council 
• Jack King Summer Research Associate, Center for State Fiscal Reform American Legislative Exchange Council 
• Theodore Lafferty Legal Research Analyst, Center for State Fiscal Reform American Legislative Exchange Council 
• John R. Richardson Summer Research Associate, Center for State Fiscal Reform American Legislative Exchange Council 
• Kati Siconolfi  Legislative Manager, Center for State Fiscal Reform  American Legislative Exchange Council  
• Jonathan Williams  Vice President, Center for State Fiscal Reform  American Legislative Exchange Council    

Introduction  In 2016, 44 governors across America delivered State of the State addresses. These addresses included numerous economic policy proposals that will affect the states’ economic competitiveness.
This report observes and analyzes the economic policy proposals discussed in each governor’s State of the State address. In those states where no State of the State address was given, the equivalent inaugural or budget address is discussed when applicable. Also included are special session addresses that had significant discussions of economic policy.  
A number of different trends and priorities regarding economic policy were observed when reviewing these addresses.
1. Following a similar trend observed in the majority of 2015 State of the State addresses, many governors focused a considerable portion of their addresses on the issue of tax relief. 2. For the second year in a row, more governors proposed reducing taxes to facilitate economic growth than governors who proposed increasing taxes. 
3. Aside from tax proposals, many governors discussed a number of different policy topics which, while less directly related, can still significantly affect state economies.
Some of the most important of these issues included pension reform, expanding or shrinking Medicaid, changes to the state’s minimum wage and government efficiency.  
4. The majority of governors seem to understand that lower tax rates and limited government give citizens and businesses a greater incentive to reside and operate in their states compared to others with higher tax rates and more regulations.
 
This concept is further explored in the Center for State Fiscal Reform’s Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, in which years of economic data and empirical evidence from each state are examined in order to determine what economic policies lead to prosperity.
1. Generally, states with lower tax rates, fewer regulations and responsible spending habits outperform other states in terms of economic growth.
2. Based on the observations made in reviewing the 2016 State of the State addresses, many governors are following these policies to help their states better compete for residents, jobs and capital.  

Best and Worst State of the State Addresses, 2016 
The following lists contain the best and worst State of the State addresses of 2016, based on the economic policy proposals included in each address.
The “best” addresses include proposals that are proven to enhance economic competitiveness and growth, while the “worst” addresses include proposals that are proven to hinder economic competitiveness and growth.
The addresses are ordered by the state’s economic outlook ranking in the 9th edition of Rich States, Poor States

On top of the list - and best - The State of Arizona, beating out Florida Governor Smith and  in third place Maine's loud-mouthed Governor LePage

Best : Arizona – Governor Doug Ducey 
Rich States, Poor States 2016 Economic Outlook Ranking: 5 
 “A year later, the big spenders who told us we couldn’t balance the budget, are beating the drum—celebrating our hard work with plans to spend and party like it’s 1999. Some people never learn, no matter how much their heads hurt in the morning.” 
Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona delivered one of the most impressive State of the State addresses this year, emphasizing the need to continue on a path toward greater prosperity and freedom by eliminating waste and getting government out of the way of businesses and residents.
The governor lauded his proposed budget which responsibly prioritized government spending in areas such as education, child safety and public safety.
In addition, he stated the budget does not raise taxes and promised the legislature and the people of Arizona that “we will lower taxes this year. Next year. And the year after.” 

• While continuing to highlight the success Arizona has had under his administration, Governor Ducey emphasized that the state cannot go back to their old spending habits which previously led them down a path of economic decline. The policies put in place under Governor Ducey’s leadership have led to an Arizona that isn’t just strong, but on the rise, with Arizona ranking 5 in the 2016 Rich States, Poor States economic outlook rankings

• 
  About the American Legislative Exchange Council 
  The 2016 State of the States Report was published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as part of its mission to discuss, develop and disseminate model public policies that promote limited government, free markets and federalism. ALEC is the nation’s largest non-partisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators, with more than 2,000 members across the nation. ALEC is governed by a Board of Directors of state legislators. ALEC is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public policy and educational organization. Individuals, philanthropic foundations, businesses and associations are eligible to support the work of ALEC through taxdeductible gifts.  Acknowledgements and Disclaimers 
  The authors wish to thank Lisa Nelson, Bill Meierling, Nathan Brinkman, Ashley Varner, Shana Sally, Christine Phipps, Christine Smith, Elliot Young and the professional staff at ALEC for their valuable assistance with this project. 
  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher. The copyright to this work is held by the American Legislative Exchange Council. This study may not be duplicated or distributed in any form without the permission of the American Legislative Exchange Council and with proper attribution.  
  Contact Information:  American Legislative Exchange Council  2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 600  Arlington, VA 22202  Tel: 703.373.0933  Fax: 703.373.0927 

BallotPedia Highlights: Arizona Primary Election Tue August 30,2016

State legislature: All 90 seats (30 in the Senate, 60 in the House) in the state legislature are up for election. Republicans currently hold the majority in both chambers.

• Eight incumbent senators—five Republicans and three Democrats—have declined to run for re-election.
• Only three incumbents will face primary competition: Frank Schmuck (R) is challenging the vulnerable Jeff Dial (R) in District 18; incumbent Catherine Miranda (D) will face challenger Maritza Saenz (D) in District 27; and Lydia Hernandez (D) will challenge incumbent Martin Quezada (D) in District 29 to a rematch (the two faced off in 2012).
• There are five other primary challenges set to occur, all in open districts.
• Seventeen incumbent representatives—seven Democrats and 10 Republicans—have declined to run for re-election.
• Sixteen incumbents will face primary challenges, though, because Arizona has two seats per district, some of these challenges effectively become competitions for seats left open by retiring incumbents. There will also be Republican primaries in two open districts: District 14 and District 28. District 14 was previously represented by Republicans David Gowen and David Stevens, while District 28 was represented by Democrat Eric Meyer and Republican Kate McGee.

For more information on competitiveness in state legislatures, click here.
 

State executives: Three seats are up for election on the Arizona Corporation Commission, the state's regulatory body for non-municipal utilities.

Elections for the commission are held at large, and the top three candidates in each party's primary advance to the general election, where the top three vote-getters win the seats.

All five seats on the commission are held by Republicans—and only two Democrats filed to run for the office, ensuring Republican majority control of the commission after the November election.

Five candidates will compete for the three Republican slots in the general election. Arizona is one of 23 Republican trifectas.

 

1. The regulation of the state's solar industry is a major issue in the election and has prompted acrimony between several of the commissioners.
Commissioners Andy Tobin (R), who was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey (R) in January 2016, and Robert Burns (R) are running for re-election in 2016; the third seat is open. Tobin has merged campaigns with Republican challengers state Rep. Rick Gray and former Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Boyd Dunn in an attempt to block Burns’ re-election efforts. The three candidates are running as a team and airing joint advertisements.

At stake are major rate decisions on the commission's 2017 docket that could have an impact on solar regulatory cases across the nation.

Burns has repeatedly claimed that the state’s largest utility provider funded candidates unfriendly to solar interests in the 2014 elections, a claim the FBI is investigating.
Burns himself is supported by national solar giant SolarCity, which has begun airing advertisements and running phone campaigns on his behalf.

USE THESE DATA SETS: 411 (Re) Mesa

Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Julián Castro

State of the Cities Data Systems (SOCDS)
SOCDS Data Sets
The SOCDS provides data for individual Metropolitan Areas, Central Cities, and Suburbs

For detailed demographic and economic characteristics of the population see:

For the latest available unemployment rates see:

For information on Jobs, Business Establishments, and Average Pay since the 1990s see:

For data on violent and property crime rates collected by the FBI see:

For information on local building permits see:

For State of the Cities Data Systems: HMDA Data, see:

For information on city and suburban government finances see:

For information on Principal Cities see:

Minority Report 2002 Trailer

Here now
THE METAPHYSICS IN THIS MOVIE IS DEEP. THIS IS WHAT THE FUTURE COULD BE, A DYSTOPIA, WHERE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE IS EVEN IN THE FUTURE

See What Makes AZ Cities/Towns Work: Profiles

Arizona City & Town Winter 2016
The latest edition of Arizona City & Town is now available! This issue features profiles of just a few of the many men and women that make Arizona Cities Work!

View the new issue here >>
http://www.azleague.org/Archive.aspx?AMID=39

City Council Study Session Mon 29 Aug 2016 > Agenda

Mesa City Council Study Session Meeting Agenda - Final
Calendar Link >>> http://mesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
5:15 PM @ Chambers - Lower LevelMonday, August 29, 2016
Mayor John Giles
Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh - District 3
Councilmember Dave Richins - District 1
Councilmember Alex Finter - District 2
Councilmember Chris Glover - District 4
Councilmember David Luna - District 5
Councilmember Kevin Thompson - District 6


Roll Call
(Members of the Mesa City Council will attend either in person or by telephone conference call)

1 Review items on the agenda for the August 29, 2016 regular Council meeting.

2 Presentations/Action Items:

2-a 16-0920 Hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on the proposed Mesa Heritage Neighborhood Program.
3 Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees

3-a 16-0938 Human Relations Advisory Board meeting held on May 25, 2016

3-b 16-0924 Public Safety Committee meeting held on June 9, 2016

4 Hear reports on meetings and/or conferences attended.

5 Scheduling of meetings and general information.

6 Adjournment.