Eye on the 9th Floor

• Governor Brewer Seeks Relief from Massive Washington Mandates

  Number of comments: 1
  Meets With Congressional Delegation on Arizona’s Economy,
  
  Cost of Health Care Entitlement Expansion, Job Recruitment Efforts
  
  
  PHOENIX – With three years now beyond the initial signs of recession, and state revenues down 31% just since the summer of 2008, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today met with members [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: December 08, 2009, 12:57pm EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Vernon Parker's Anti-Tax Committee Raises Questions

  Number of comments: 1
  Yesterday, Paradise Valley Mayor and exploratory candidate for Governor Vernon Parker announced that he had formed a committee to oppose any potential tax increase that may be placed on the ballot. Parker wasted no time using the opportunity to give a stump speech about the virtue or cutting spending [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:01pm EST
  by Blogger

• Governor Brewer Brings Back Christmas

  Number of comments: 1
  Governor Brewer officially returned to the State Capitol a few words that had been missing for last few years. Christmas, menorah, and Hanukkah have missing since 2001 when Janet Napolitano changed the words to "holiday" and "candle holder."
  Saying she wasn't going to play "word games,"Brewer said, "I believe in'" [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: December 01, 2009, 11:37am EST
  by AZ Blogger

• They did it!!

  Number of comments: 1
  After a weekend of anticipation, the legislature met today (a few hours later then planned) and approved on party lines $300 million in cuts from the state budget. The Senate started off the morning looking for Democratic votes but after last weeks AWOL, Sen Thayer Verschoor was in the [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 23, 2009, 4:06pm EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Special Session Stopped Short - Governor Reacts

  Number of comments: 0
  Earlier this week, Governor Brewer called a special session to cut over $300 million from the State's budget. The special session didn't go as planned, as Senator Vershoor opted not to vote for the fix because of disagreements with other policy issues. Not a single Democrat voted for the' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:02pm EST
  by Blogger

• Governor Calls Special Session

  Number of comments: 0
  And they're back! The governor this afternoon called a 3-day special session that will start tomorrow at noon. Kirk Adams officially announced it through his Twitter Account.
  The session is expected to only address cuts, anywhere from $300M to $700M.
  We will post all of the details as we' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 16, 2009, 4:41pm EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Governor Brewer Announces Re-Election Bid

  Number of comments: 0
  Governor Brewer announced tonight that she is indeed running for a full official term as Governor. Her release, sent by email is below.
  

  Governor Jan Brewer Announces Bid for Second Term

  Former Attorney General Grant Woods and Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters announced as Campaign Co‐Chairs

  PHOENIX [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:27pm EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Special Session and a Bob Burns Editorial

  Number of comments: 1
  Just because it is November, doesn't mean we can't welcome back our legislature with open arms. Come the week of November 16th we'll do just that. Reports say that is when lawmakers will return to fix almost a half a billion dollars in shortfalls with almost $300 million of that' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 04, 2009, 2:14pm EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Arizona- Home to the nations two largest canyons

  Number of comments: 0
  How fitting for Gov. Brewer to speaking about the budget deficit at one of the seven wonders of the world. At the Arizona Town Hall, Brewer took advantage of the scenic landscape to paint a picture not quite as beautiful but definitely as breathtaking. That picture would be the [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:41am EST
  by AZ Blogger

• Is this a Brewer momentum shift?

  Number of comments: 0
  Jan Brewer's first term as governor was going to be short no matter what. After taking over after Janet Napolitano saw greener pastures, the longest Brewer's tenure could be was just a little under two years. Watching college football today, it came to me that Brewer is the replacement quarterback [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 24, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Happenings on the 9th floor...including the budget

  Number of comments: 0
  It was a busy week on the 9th floor. We are still processing the news and reactions to the departure of Chief of Staff Kevin Tyne. Most of the comments are positive towards Tyne but don't hide the fact that this will definitely make the next round of budget negotiations' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 23, 2009, 3:37pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• We're #4! We're #4!

  Number of comments: 0
  We have to admit that usually we love the bluster and bravado of the stream of press releases we receive from PR Guru, Jason Rose. However, we have to admit that his latest attempt at spin left us confused:
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
  KEEP YOUR EYE ON #7
  
  [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 22, 2009, 11:13am EDT
  by Blogger

• Eileen Klein to replace Kevin Tyne as Gov COS

  Number of comments: 0
  Word just in that Kevin Tyne will be stepping down as Gov. Jan Brewer's Chief of Staff and will be replaced by Eileen Klein. This announcement is both surprising yet not. As Brewer moves forward, it had become clear something needed to move so that budget negotiations with the legislature' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 20, 2009, 10:24am EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Cutting Government by 15%

  Number of comments: 0
  From the Governor's office:
  
  On September 18th the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff of Finance and Director of OSPB, Eileen Klein, made the attached request to state agencies. The memo requests data from each state agency describing the ramifications and impacts of 15% reductions should the Legislature look [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:14pm EDT
  by Blogger

• Brewers Public Schedule

  Number of comments: 0
  Here is the Gov's public schedule. Good to see she has a busy week ahead.
  
  Public Schedule For Governor Jan Brewer
  Week of October 12, 2009
  
  Monday, October 12, 2009
  
  · 11:00 a.m. – Governor to Speak at 13th Annual Sandra Day O’Connor
  Awards Luncheon[...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 09, 2009, 7:13pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 0
  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.
  
  Two Republican would-be challengers have decided against running and instead have thrown their support behind two of the already announced challengers.
  
  Looks like Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman's' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 08, 2009, 4:30pm EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• Where's Kevin Tyne?

  Number of comments: 0
  Thanks to everyone who sent in images of Kevin Tyne. So far, Arizona's version of Where's Waldo has been quite successful. Here are some of the subissions sent our way so far:
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  Keep on sending in your cell [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 08, 2009, 1:55pm EDT
  by Blogger

• Brewer takes a stand against Medicaid expansion

  Number of comments: 0
  Governor Brewer raised a warning flag today that health-care reforms being pushed in Congress by Senator Baucus-(D MT) right now could create a "devastating" situation for Arizona. Brewer state that these reforms would create an unfudned mandate that could push our already struggling state into bankruptcy.
  
  To make her [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 08, 2009, 1:05pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Brewer's light public schedule raises questions

  Number of comments: 0
  Remember when Governor Napolitano's meager public schedule made everyone believe that she had one foot already in Washington D.C.? Similar questions are starting to surface regarding Governor Brewer's seemingly light public schedule.
  
  In fact, Brewer's schedule from this week only features 2 public events. Her schedule last' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 07, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
  by Blogger

• Gov's Chief of Staff Kevin Tyne on the hot seat

  Number of comments: 0
  Have we found the reason why some of Governor Brewer's top advisers have decided to seek other opportunities? A reader sent us over a very interesting article regarding Governor Brewer's Chief of Staff Kevin Tyne.
  
  The Arizona Guardian (subscription required) gives in-depth look at the apparent conflict [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 05, 2009, 12:30pm EDT
  by Blogger

• Press Release: Mayor Parker Challenges Brewer, Other Candidates to Cut Guv's Office Budget

  Number of comments: 0
  Governors Need to Lead by Example Mayor Vernon Parker Says He Would Cut Governor’s Office Budget On Day One; Says Any Serious Gubernatorial Candidates Should Pledge the Same
  
  OCTOBER 5, 2009. With the possibility of an 18 percent state-wide sales tax increase looming, one potential gubernatorial candidate not only [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 05, 2009, 12:10pm EDT
  by Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 0
  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.
  
  Former GOP chairman and current man behind "Imagine Arizona" has left his spot as a pundit on Arizona Illustrated's "Face Off" and states that will be making' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: October 01, 2009, 1:07pm EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• Happy Birthday Governor Brewer

  Number of comments: 0
  Governor Brewer turns 65 tomorrow. I wonder if she thought she'd enter retirement age dealing with all that she has had to this last year. When most are taking it easy and looking forward to riding off into the sunset, Brewer hasn't shown any drive to relax or slow down. [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 25, 2009, 4:21pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Press Release: Governor Brewer Provides Stimulus Funds for Medically Uninsured and Underserved

  Number of comments: 0
  Governor Brewer Provides Stimulus Funds for Medically Uninsured and Underserved
  
  $11.6 Million awarded to the Department of Health Services for Community Health Centers
  
  PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer today announced the distribution of the State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) Government Services Fund (GSF) monies to the Arizona Department [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 25, 2009, 2:58pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Welcome to the "hell hole"

  Number of comments: 0
  Don't get confused by those cool mornings and evening nights with windows open, there are still some major "hot spots" around the central Phoenix area. According to Governor Brewer, summer is sticking around and down around the capitol it's a real "hell hole." Brewer made the "hell hole" comment yesterday [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 24, 2009, 3:10pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• First to the race?

  Number of comments: 0
  Sorry the posts have been light, a lot has been going on around the office and there hasn't been much news from the 9th floor. I was talking to a colleague today who gave an interesting insight into Vernon Parker and what is assumed to be an announcement tonight for' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 23, 2009, 5:08pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 1
  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.
  
  Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker has made his strongest statement yet, hinting that there is going to be a "big announcement" at his upcoming appearance at "Politics" [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 15, 2009, 1:27pm EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• A letter to a dear old friend...

  Number of comments: 0
  Senate President Burns and Speaker Adams polished up the penmanship and sent Governor Brewer a letter. No, it wasn't the "have a nice vacation" type of letters but given the circumstances it wasn't all that bad either.
  The letter, which follows, basically states that the line item vetoes she [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 15, 2009, 1:26pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Brewer deputy chief of staff resigns

  Number of comments: 0
  Deputy Chief of Staff Brian McNeil resigned yesterday making him the second key aide to leave the administration in the last few months. Tom Manos, who had been the governor's chief budget adviser left at the end of July after the first few rounds of budget negotiations.
  [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 10, 2009, 11:22am EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Sit down for this

  Number of comments: 1
  You might want to make sure you are sitting down when you read this. The budget is still $1B off.
  
  While last weeks budget moves improved the financial situation the state faces, there are still major issues to fix. $500 million is still left over from [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 09, 2009, 11:10am EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Brewer takes action on budget

  Number of comments: 4
  Gov. Brewer vetoed the $250 million property tax repeal along with certain cuts to education and social services using line-item vetoes. She signed the rest of the remaining bills that were sent to her late last month.
  
  The property tax repeal was THE major bill for Republicans this session. [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 04, 2009, 3:37pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Brewer signs one bill, the real stuff comes tomorrow

  Number of comments: 3
  Governor Brewer signed the bill authorizing funding for DPS today and signaled her intention to address the rest of the budget bills tomorrow. She made a surprise appearance today at the League of Cities conference in Tucson and reiterrated her call for the voters to decide on the sales tax [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 03, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• A conference minus one

  Number of comments: 0
  The annual Border Governors Conference will have an empty seat this week as Governor Brewer has decided to cancel her trip and stay at home to work on the budget. Originally planned to make the trip to Monterrey, Mexico, Brewer would have left Attorney General Terry Goddard in charge in [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 02, 2009, 4:09pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• The budget might get signed, but who's signature will it be?

  Number of comments: 1
  So we've seen our fair share of weird things happen this year in Arizona politics. Imagine this scenario.
  
  Jan Brewer acends to the Governor's office after Janet Napolitano resigns leaving Brewer to negotiate budget fixes for the '09 budget, and a balanced budget for '10. After vetoing it' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: September 01, 2009, 11:53am EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• You are a weak girly man

  Number of comments: 2
  So our Governor isn't Arnold and doesn't have a think Austrian accent but the message is the same. Governor Brewer didn't hold back on legislators that won't vote to let the voters decide on a tax increase.
  Taking a page from Dwight Eisenhower, she said "The truth is, those" [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 28, 2009, 4:28pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 0
  

  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.

  Governor Brewer has given her strongest indication that she will run for a full term in 2010. Her admission of "leaning" towards a run may have implications on the' [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 28, 2009, 11:56am EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• Good comment worth reposting- The Real Ronald Regan

  Number of comments: 1
  Sometimes I get a kick out of the uber-conservatives that quote Ronald Regan and his tax policies. What they sometimes forget, or fail to mention, is that Regan also presided over some of the largest tax increases in modern history. Thank you Bob Haran for his insightful comment.
  How [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 27, 2009, 5:01pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Sine Die....Again

  Number of comments: 1
  The Legislature adjourned from their special session this afternoon which gives the Governor until the 5th of September to sign or veto the budget passed last week.  There are still talks going on between the Republicans and the Dems with hopes a deal can be made to send the tax [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 26, 2009, 11:05pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Le Templar on the Governor and the sales tax

  Number of comments: 0
  Le Templar of the Tribune had a good blog today summing up why Governor Brewer has been so set on a tax increase.  The bullet points are-
  Can't cut budget enough to solve crisis
  Arizonans loath higher taxes, except the sales tax 
  No other (Republican) proposals for new revenues have been offered
  Brewer doesn't [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 24, 2009, 6:02pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 0
  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.
  
  Yet another Republican is considering throwing his hat in the ring in what may turn out to be a crowded primary. Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 21, 2009, 3:58pm EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• The budget is in the elevator

  Number of comments: 0
  The budget has been officially passed now and is on its way up to the Governor Brewer's desk. The Legislature is adjourned until Tuesday so the governor has some signing or vetoing to do. Word was there was an effort to wrangle up 7 or 8 Dems to go for [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 20, 2009, 4:07pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Legislature okay property tax repeal and Gorman lobbying

  Number of comments: 4
  So we knew this was going to happen since Speaker Adams pretty much said so.  Both houses approved the property tax repeal that actually went into effect on Monday.  As a last ditch effort, Speaker Adams threw the Governor a bone and didn't technically fully approve the bill.  He didn't [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 19, 2009, 10:45pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• WWYD?

  Number of comments: 1
  Laurie Roberts of the Republic asks WWJD- as in What Will Jan Do sign the budget or veto what is basically the same budget she vetoed before.  So put yourself in Jan's shoes, what would you do?  If you sign it, you sign a budget you know is out of balance [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 18, 2009, 1:46pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Winners and Losers in the Arizona Budget Mess

  Number of comments: 0
  Arizona’s budget has hit another dead-end, and at this point, it is anyone’s guess when this problem will finally be resolved. Despite solid support in the House, the negotiated Republican budget gained a surprising 14 votes in the Senate, but has been unable to gather support from the extreme ends [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 17, 2009, 10:34am EDT
  by Blogger

• Legislators Pass Property Tax Increase

  Number of comments: 1
  The headline isn't that far off. While they didn't directly pass a
  tax increase, the fact they failed to pass a bill repealing the soon
  to be reinstated property tax, it will go into effect on Monday. So
  if your house is worth $176,200, you just got a $58 a [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 14, 2009, 4:28pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Opinion from Supreme Court Released

  Number of comments: 0
  The Supreme Court came out with their full opinion today. Basically, they agreed with the Governor becasue they agreed it caused "direct injury" to her by withholding the bill until the last second (actually, after the last second if we're getting technical here). This is all kind of a' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 13, 2009, 4:37pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• Governors Statement on Budget Breakdown Part III

  Number of comments: 0
  The Governor released a statement on the latest round of budget meltdowns.
  
  “I trust the people of Arizona. But, I am deeply disappointed that some Members of the Arizona State Senate do not. They have so little trust in the voters, that they would once again delay the [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 13, 2009, 4:26pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• And.....we're back to square 1

  Number of comments: 2
  Wow.  Seriously wow.  That's all I really have to say.  In a non-surprising turn of events the Senate today voted against the key provision in Brewer's budget.  In other words, they are sending the exact same budget that she vetoed on June 30th.  
  Seriously people.  For the good of the state, [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 12, 2009, 5:02pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger

• 2010 Watch

  Number of comments: 0
  We're combing through the rumor mills, news stories, and blogs to give you the latest on the Governor's race in 2010.
  
  Another Republican has jumped into the race for governor. Relatively unknown and self-described "Republican activist" Robert Graham has entered the race for the GOP primary. It appears' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 12, 2009, 10:55am EDT
  by 2010 Watch

• No vote today and no election in December

  Number of comments: 0
  Well, no vote today on sending the tax measure to the ballot. When and if the vote does happen, it won't be for a November 3rd election. Sources at the Secretary of States office say it looks like the date will be December 8th at the earliest. That is of' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: August 11, 2009, 5:06pm EDT
  by AZ Blogger